Balanced Actuator with Preloaded Elastic Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lifting and transporting devices require high-power actuators, leading to increased weight, cost, and reduced effectiveness due to high power consumption, especially when handling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A balanced actuator device with a preloaded elastic element that exerts a balancing force, minimizing the size and power requirements of the drive means by only providing the excess force needed to lift and lower loads, using a combination of mechanical, hydraulic, or gas-operated systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional actuators are used to lift and lower loads, then the lifting function is achieved, but high power consumption and increased weight occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing a balancing mechanism that generates an upward force to counteract the downward gravitational force on the load. The balancing force FB balances the load weight WL, allowing the actuator to only provide the difference force (excess force) rather than the full load weight, thereby significantly reducing power consumption and actuator weight requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading the elastic element (spring) with a force equal to the load weight before operation begins. This pre-loading creates the balancing force in advance, so that during lifting and lowering operations, the actuator only needs to provide minimal excess force to overcome the difference between load weight and balancing force, rather than providing full lifting force from scratch
2Force
If high-power actuators are used to handle heavy loads, then lifting capability is sufficient, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing mechanism with preloaded elastic element counteracts the load weight, allowing the use of a smaller, simpler actuator that only needs to provide excess force rather than full lifting force, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sufficient lifting capability for heavy loads
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element (spring) acts as an intermediary between the load and the actuator, absorbing and storing energy while providing the balancing force. This intermediary component allows the actuator to operate with reduced force requirements, simplifying the overall system design
3Productivity
If conventional actuating systems are used, then load movement is achieved, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing force counteracts the load weight during both lifting and lowering operations, reducing the energy the actuator must provide. During lowering, the preloaded spring absorbs energy from the descending load, and during lifting, it releases stored energy, significantly improving operating efficiency and reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements energy recovery by capturing the potential energy of the descending load through the preloaded elastic element. The spring absorbs and stores this energy during lowering, then releases it during subsequent lifting operations, converting what would be wasted energy into useful work and improving overall system efficiency
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
This configuration reduces the forces required during lifting and lowering, enabling the use of smaller drive components, such as motors or batteries, resulting in a more cost-effective and longer-lasting lifting and transporting apparatus with reduced power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one preloaded elastic element (7) to exert a sufficient balancing force (F) on said support means (4) to at least partially balance the load
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A balanced actuator device for lifting and transporting apparatus comprises a bearing frame (3), means (4) for supporting an external load (L), substantially vertical guide means (5) associated with said frame (3) to guide said support means (4), drive means (6) operating on said support means (4) to move them along said guide means (5) by a predetermined stroke (c) between a lower end position (A) and a upper end position (B). The drive means (6) include at least one preloaded elastic actuator element (7) which is designed to exert a sufficient balancing force (F) on said support means (4) to at least partially balance the load (L) thereby allowing minimization of the size of the drive means (6).