Telescoping Boom with Internal Shuttle Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brick laying machines face challenges with chain conveyors that require synchronization of brick preparation and laying, leading to inefficiencies and increased space requirements, while flat belt conveyors struggle with unstable short bricks and require level orientations, limiting their versatility and compactness for road transport.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping boom with internal shuttles and clamps that allows for the transfer of bricks between sections, enabling independent operation of brick preparation and laying, and a foldable design for compact storage and extended reach, accommodating bricks of varying sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a chain conveyor is used to transport bricks, then bricks can be conveyed along the boom, but the brick preparation and laying processes must be synchronized, which limits productivity and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple independent sections, each with its own drive mechanism. This allows brick preparation and laying processes to operate independently without requiring synchronization, as each section can function autonomously to transport bricks through the system.
2Ease of operation
If a chain conveyor with brick griping clamps is used, then bricks can be transported, but the chain takes up considerable space and makes the boom assembly larger than desirable for road transport
Solution Approach 1:
The boom is designed with telescopic sections that can be nested within each other, allowing the entire boom assembly to be collapsed into a compact configuration for road transport. The conveyor chains are routed through the telescopic sections in a way that allows them to be stored within the boom structure itself when not in use.
3Length of moving object
If the telescopic stick has many stages to achieve extended reach, then the boom can reach distant locations, but the chain and grippers take up even more space, making the assembly too large for road transport
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic boom consists of multiple stages that can be nested within each other, allowing the structure to extend to great lengths during operation but collapse to a compact size for transport. Each telescopic stage contains its own conveyor chain routed through guide structures that keep the chains organized and space-efficient.
4Ease of operation
If flat belt conveyors are used, then bricks can be transported, but the boom must be substantially level and other means are required to move bricks vertically, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system uses dynamically adjustable belt tensions and movable support rollers that can accommodate varying boom angles. The belt conveyors are mounted on articulated supports that allow them to maintain proper tension and alignment even when the boom is inclined, eliminating the need for separate vertical transport mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable boom for conveying an item, said foldable boom being foldable about at least one folding axis, said foldable boom being locatable in a folded stowed position, and moveable to unfolded extended positions; said foldable boom having a near end arranged for pivotal movement about a first horizontal axis located on a turret, said turret being rotatable about a vertical axis; said foldable boom having first conveying apparatus to convey an item therealong, internally within said foldable boom, to a remote end of the foldable boom; wherein said foldable boom is foldable about a folding axis, and a pivoting shuttle equipped with a clamp to releasably hold an item is provided at said folding axis to transfer said item between said first conveying apparatus in boom elements connected about said folding axis.