Telescopic Arm Shock Absorber for Collision Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lifting vehicles with telescopic arms lack protection against frontal collisions, leading to structural damage and safety risks for operators due to high kinetic energy and momentum, especially when operating with implements like shovels or forks.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a shock absorber system associated with the extension cylinder of the telescopic arm, which gradually retracts the arm during collisions, reducing inertial effects and mitigating stress on the vehicle and operator, and also providing relief during normal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If lifting vehicles operate with high mass and momentum for effective material handling, then productivity and lifting capability are improved, but the vehicle becomes more susceptible to severe damage and safety risks during frontal collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial handling capabilityVSAvoidcollision damage and safety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by equipping the telescopic arm with a shock absorber system comprising hydraulic cylinders and accumulators. These components are pre-configured to activate during frontal collisions, gradually retracting the telescopic section to dissipate kinetic energy and reduce impact forces on the vehicle structure and operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The shock absorber system acts as an intermediary between the telescopic arm and the vehicle chassis. The hydraulic cylinders and accumulators mediate the collision forces by converting kinetic energy into hydraulic pressure, gradually retracting the arm, and dissipating energy through fluid compression, thereby protecting the vehicle structure and operator from direct impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the telescopic arm is equipped with shock absorption capabilities to mitigate collision effects, then safety and structural protection are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision protectionVSAvoidshock absorber system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber system is integrated into the existing telescopic arm mechanism, allowing the hydraulic cylinders and accumulators to serve multiple functions: normal telescopic operation and collision mitigation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated safety systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic technology to achieve shock absorption, utilizing the compressibility of hydraulic fluid in accumulators to dissipate collision energy. This approach provides effective shock mitigation while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated system design, avoiding the need for complex mechanical spring systems or active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the telescopic arm gradually retracts during collision to reduce inertial effects, then stress on vehicle structure and operator is reduced, but the collision response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinertial stressVSAvoidcollision response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber system changes the retraction speed parameter dynamically during collision. The hydraulic accumulators are designed to control the retraction velocity, allowing rapid initial response to stop the arm's forward motion while gradually reducing speed to minimize inertial forces. This parameter optimization balances response time with stress reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control of the telescopic arm retraction through the shock absorber mechanism. The hydraulic cylinders and accumulators adjust the retraction velocity in real-time during collision, transitioning from rapid deceleration to controlled gradual retraction. This dynamic behavior reduces inertial stress while maintaining acceptable response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The shock absorber system effectively reduces damage to the vehicle and minimizes operator risk by dissipating kinetic energy through gas accumulators, ensuring safer operation and prolonged equipment lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

the shock absorber system comprises a plurality of gas accumulators (56) having different respective working pressures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The shock absorber system (54) comprises at least one gas accumulator (56)... connected to a first chamber (46) of the extension cylinder (34)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3153456B1A lifting vehicle with a telescopic lifting arm provided with a shock absorber system
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 MERLO PROJECT SRL
  • EP3153456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3153456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3153456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A lifting vehicle comprising: - a self-propelled chassis (12), - a telescopic arm (18) provided at a distal end with a implement-mounting attachment (22) and including a base section (30) articulated to the chassis (12) and at least one telescopic section (32), - at least one lifting cylinder (28) arranged between the telescopic arm (18) and the chassis (12), - at least one extension cylinder (34) arranged to control the movement of said at least one telescopic section (32) between a retracted position and a plurality of extracted positions, - a hydraulic circuit (36) including a hydraulic distributor (40) connected to said extension cylinder (34) via a first and a second hydraulic line (42, 44) connected, respectively, to a first and to a second chamber (46, 48) of the extension cylinder (34), wherein a pressure-controlled block valve (52) is arranged on said first hydraulic line (42), wherein the hydraulic circuit (36) comprises a shock absorber system (54) including at least one gas accumulator (56) connected to a portion of said first hydraulic line (42) comprised between said first chamber (46) of the extension cylinder (34) and said block valve (52).