Vehicle Outriggers With Offset Mounting To Reduce Bending Moments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle outriggers face issues with high stress and bending moments on leg members, exposure of hydraulic actuators to damage, and increased weight and cost due to additional structural components required for stabilization, while also limiting the range of stable positions.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic leg assembly with a first and second member sliding along a longitudinal axis, an actuator for extension and retraction, a footing, and a mounting bracket with offset points for a pivotally attached flange and linkage, allowing the foot to engage the ground at a substantially normal angle, reducing bending moments and enabling vertical lift with minimal horizontal forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional hydraulically activated outrigger legs are used, then the vehicle can be stabilized, but large stress and bending moments are applied to the leg members requiring reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the outrigger system by introducing a horizontal offset between the upper and lower mounting points on the vehicle chassis. This parameter change transforms the force application geometry, allowing the outrigger leg to engage the ground at a substantially normal angle, thereby reducing bending moments and stress on the leg members while maintaining vehicle stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional outrigger configurations are used, then the vehicle can be stabilized, but the hydraulic actuator is exposed to damage from the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by housing the hydraulic actuator within the telescopic leg assembly. The actuator is positioned inside the hollow interior of the telescopic leg members, which protects it from environmental damage while still allowing it to function for extending and retracting the outrigger leg.
3Stability of the object's composition
If oppositely positioned outrigger legs are used, then the vehicle can be stabilized, but horizontal forces are generated that work against each other during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting geometry by introducing a horizontal offset between the upper and lower mounting points. This parameter change alters the force vector directions during outrigger deployment, enabling the hydraulic actuator to apply force primarily in the vertical direction rather than generating counteracting horizontal forces between oppositely positioned legs.
4Area of stationary object
If additional structural members are added to extend the leg for ground engagement, then the outrigger can provide a wide base of support, but the weight and cost of the outrigger increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter by offsetting the lower mounting point horizontally from the upper mounting point. This dimensional change allows the telescopic leg to achieve its extended length and proper ground engagement angle through the telescopic action itself, rather than requiring additional structural members, thereby reducing weight and cost.
5Weight of moving object
If simpler telescopic leg structures are used, then the weight and cost are reduced, but the leg engages the ground at angles that create moments on the leg member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters by horizontally offsetting the lower mounting point from the upper mounting point. This parameter change ensures that when the telescopic leg extends, it engages the ground at a substantially normal angle, minimizing bending moments and stress on the leg members while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure without additional reinforcement.
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 reduces the need for reinforcement, decreases weight and cost, and enhances the range of stable positions by directing forces along the longitudinal axis, minimizing slippage and providing greater stability on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator housed within the telescopic leg assembly for slidably extending or retracting the first telescopic member versus the second telescopic member along the longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
a first flange extending from the first telescopic member and pivotally mounted to the upper mounting point at a point offset from the longitudinal axis, and an elongate linkage pivotally attached between the lower horizontally offset mounting point and the second telescopic member
Data Source
AI summary
An outrigger is disclosed for stabilizing a wheeled vehicle having an extensible service equipment mounted to a chassis thereof. The outrigger is deployable between a stowed and a deployed position where a foot of a telescopic leg assembly comes into contact with the ground thus stabilizing the vehicle. The telescopic leg assembly is mounted to the chassis of the vehicle such that travel of the foot is initially in a horizontal direction with no downward component followed subsequently by travel in a substantially vertical direction with limited horizontal movement such that when the foot comes into contact with the ground, lateral forces are limited. There is also disclosed a stabilized wheeled vehicle comprising opposed pairs of outriggers.