A lifting table and a method of operating and cleaning a lifting table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting tables in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing have hard-to-reach areas that are difficult to clean and disinfect due to limited penetration of cleaning fluids, making the processes time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A lifting table design with two side members along its sides, spaced 1-8 mm apart, forming an anti-squeezing mechanism that allows cleaning foam to penetrate into the gap, combined with a switch element to prevent table displacement, and features like slots and apertures for enhanced cleaning access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the table top includes corners and hard-to-reach areas, then the lifting table can maintain structural integrity and support, but the cleaning process becomes time-consuming and cleaning fluid penetration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The side members are segmented with gaps between them, creating discrete openings that allow cleaning fluid to penetrate into previously inaccessible areas. The side members are divided into sections rather than forming continuous barriers, enabling cleaning access while maintaining structural support function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the side members are fixed in position to ensure safety, then structural stability is maintained, but cleaning access to blind areas is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The side members transition from a fixed to a movable configuration, allowing the system to adapt between operational modes. During normal operation, side members provide structural stability; during cleaning operations, they can be moved to provide access while maintaining controlled stability through the switch element safety mechanism.
3Reliability
If cleaning foam is applied to hard-to-reach areas, then disinfection effectiveness improves, but the foam has limited capability to penetrate into corners
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous side member structure is segmented into separate sections with gaps between them. This segmentation creates direct pathways for cleaning foam penetration into areas that would otherwise be blocked, allowing disinfection fluid to reach previously inaccessible corners and blind areas without requiring complex delivery mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A lifting table (10) comprising a platform (1) having a polygonal contour and including an upper and a lower face (13), a lifting mechanism (20) and a base (40); - the lifting mechanism (20) being connected to the table top (12) and including an actuator (30) for raising and lowering the table top (12); - the base (40) being configured for supporting the lifting mechanism (20); - two side members (62, 63, 64, 65) being positioned along the sides of said table top (12) and at least one switch element (80) being positioned below said upper face (11), wherein the side members (62, 63, 64, 65) are connected to the table top (12) below said upper face (11) allowing the side members (62, 63, 64, 65) to be moved between a first position, wherein the frame members (62, 63, 64, 65) are disengaged from the switch element (80) and a second position where the side members (62, 63, 64, 65) activate the switch element (80), hereby preventing displacement of the table top (12) relative to the base (40) - the least two side members being arranged (62, 63, 64, 65) along two adjoining sides of the table top (12), wherein the ends of said two side members (62, 63, 64, 65) are arranged with a distance in between each other, such as 1-8 mm.