Telescopic Support Arm for Load Bunk Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current support arms for load bunks in vehicles, such as trucks and forwarder forestry vehicles, require adjustments before loading and are prone to wear and hydraulic line movement issues, especially during hydraulic power failures, making them inconvenient and unreliable for adapting to varying log sizes and quantities.

Innovation Solution

A support arm design featuring telescopically connected horizontal and vertical sections with inner and outer segments, equipped with hydraulic actuators and a spring preload, allowing for adjustable length without relative hydraulic line movement, ensuring stability and safety even during hydraulic power loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the support arm uses a hydraulic actuator for extension, then the load space size is adaptable, but the hydraulic line undergoes relative movement causing wear and reduced lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload space size adaptabilityVSAvoidhydraulic line lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is divided into telescopic segments (inner and outer segments) that can extend and retract independently. The hydraulic actuator is positioned within the vertical section, and the hydraulic line is routed through a fixed connection point, segregating the movement function from the hydraulic line to eliminate wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A fixed connection point or guide structure acts as an intermediary between the moving hydraulic actuator and the hydraulic line. This intermediary ensures the hydraulic line remains stationary while the actuator moves, transferring force without causing line wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the support arm is fixed in position during hydraulic power failure, then load safety is maintained, but the support arm cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload safetyVSAvoidadjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A spring mechanism is pre-loaded in the vertical section to provide a counteracting force that prevents unintended retraction during hydraulic power failure. This preliminary anti-action ensures the support arm maintains its position and supports the load safely until power is restored or maintenance is performed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The spring mechanism acts as a cushioning element that compensates for potential hydraulic system failures. By pre-loading the spring, the system is prepared in advance to maintain support arm position and prevent catastrophic failure, ensuring load safety during power outages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the vertical section is preloaded by a spring in the extending direction, then load capacity is maximized during power loss, but the spring is exposed to outside influences and weather elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload capacity during power lossVSAvoidspring exposure to weather and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism is nested inside the vertical section of the support arm, placing it within the protected hollow structure. This nesting shields the spring from external weather elements, dirt, and physical damage while allowing it to function internally for maintaining load capacity during power failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution enhances the adaptability and reliability of the load bunk by reducing wear and maintenance needs, maintaining load safety and capacity across varying log sizes and quantities, even in the event of hydraulic failure.

Implementation Method 1

each section further comprises an inner hydraulic actuator with at least one hydraulic pressure chamber and which is connected to the segments of the horizontal and vertical sections, so that movement of the hydraulic actuators changes the lengths of the vertical and horizontal sections respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

the vertical section is preloaded by a spring in the extending direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring preload: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3693254B1Support arm, load bunk and vehicle with a support arm

Publication Date: 2022.08.31 DEERE & CO

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AI summary

Support arm (14) for a loading bunk (12) of a transport vehicle (10), having a horizontal (16) and a vertical section (18), each section comprising an inner (20) and outer segment (22), which are telescopically connected to each other, so that the length of the vertical (18) and horizontal sections (16) is variable, each section further comprising an inner hydraulic actuator (24) with at least one hydraulic pressure chamber (26), connected to the segments of the horizontal (16) and vertical sections (18), so that movement of the hydraulic actuators (24) changes the lengths of the vertical (18) and horizontal sections (16) respectively, the vertical section (18) being fixedly connected to the horizontal section (16) on one end of the inner (20) or outer segment (22).