Track Roller Assembly for Fiberglass Boom Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiberglass boom sections in aerial devices are susceptible to damage from contact stresses and abrasion, with traditional rollers either causing damage if too hard or having a limited lifespan if too soft, while requiring a solution to support telescoping without compromising the insulating properties.
Innovation Solution
A track roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers and a continuous track, located within a hollow boom section, which provides a larger surface area for support and facilitates telescoping, with a deformable bracket ensuring additional load distribution through secondary rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hard roller is used to support the fiberglass boom section, then the structural support is improved, but the damage to the fiberglass boom section increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a continuous track as an intermediary element between the roller and the fiberglass boom section. The track is made of a material that is softer than the roller but harder than the fiberglass, serving as a mediator that distributes the contact stress over a larger surface area. This prevents the hard roller from directly contacting and damaging the fiberglass boom section, while still providing the necessary structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the roller by coating it with a softer material or using a composite structure with a softer outer layer. This modifies the hardness parameter of the roller surface to be compatible with the fiberglass boom section, reducing contact stress and preventing damage while maintaining adequate support capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a soft roller is used to support the fiberglass boom section, then the damage to the fiberglass boom section is reduced, but the useful life of the roller is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous track serves as a protective intermediary that absorbs the wear and tear from contact with the fiberglass boom section. The track can be easily replaced when worn, while the underlying hard roller structure maintains its longevity. This separates the wear function from the support function, extending the overall system life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite roller structure with a hard core for durability and a softer outer layer or coating for protection. This dual-parameter approach allows the roller to have both the hardness needed for longevity and the softness needed to protect the fiberglass boom section.
3Device complexity
If a single roller is used to support the boom section, then the device complexity is reduced, but the surface area for support is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roller into two functional parts: a hard core structure and a softer outer layer or coating. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the core provides structural integrity and support, while the outer layer provides protection against damage to the fiberglass boom section.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the support system by introducing the continuous track that wraps around the roller. This creates a multi-layered contact surface that increases the effective support area without significantly increasing device complexity, as the track follows the existing roller geometry.
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 track roller assembly effectively distributes heavy loads across a larger surface area, reducing damage to the fiberglass boom section and extending its useful life by providing stable support during telescoping operations.
Implementation Method 1
The fiberglass boom section contacts the continuous track, such that the continuous track provides a larger surface area than a single roller
Implementation Method 2
Upon the placement of a heavy load onto the boom assembly, the bracket will deform such that the at least one secondary roller contacts the interior surface of the continuous track
Data Source
AI summary
A track roller assembly for supporting telescoping boom sections of aerial devices. The track roller assembly is positioned in an interior channel of a hollow first boom section. The track roller assembly supports a majority of the weight of a second boom section and facilitates the second boom section telescoping in and out of the first boom section. The track roller assembly comprises a bracket to securely couple the track roller assembly to the interior channel of the first boom section, a plurality of rollers rotatably connected to the bracket, and a continuous track engaging the plurality of rollers on an interior surface and adjacent to the second boom section on an exterior surface.