Compact Batten Hoist With Centrifugal Overspeed Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hoist systems are bulky, costly, and lack versatility, with braking mechanisms often being excessively weighty, complex, and ineffective, and they fail to protect against various failure modes in theatrical and performance environments.
Innovation Solution
A compact, self-climbing hoist system with a motor-driven drum enclosed within a pipe batten, featuring a centrifugal overspeed brake mechanism, adjustable elongate member length, and stabilizing pipe shaft bearings, which allows for adaptable installation orientations and load balancing, providing a lightweight, space-efficient solution with enhanced safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional braking mechanisms are used in hoist systems, then safety against overspeed is provided, but the system becomes excessively weighty and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the braking function from a separate complex mechanism and integrates it into the drum structure itself. The brake is applied directly to the drum through a simple lever and spring system, eliminating the need for complex external braking mechanisms while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The braking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a spring-loaded system that automatically engages when the drum rotates in the wrong direction or at excessive speed. The spring force automatically applies the brake without requiring external control systems, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Strength
If conventional hoist systems with external battens and asymmetrical enclosures are used, then structural strength is provided, but space is lost and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the batten structure with the hoist enclosure into a single integrated unit. The enclosure itself serves as the structural batten, eliminating the need for separate external battens and asymmetrical mounting structures. This reduces the overall space occupation while maintaining the required structural strength through proper design of the integrated enclosure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional hoist systems with fixed mechanics are used, then stability is provided, but adaptability to different installation orientations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the hoist system with dynamic adaptability, allowing the enclosure to be installed in various orientations (horizontal, vertical, inverted) while maintaining stability. The internal components are arranged to function correctly regardless of orientation, and the brake mechanism is designed to engage effectively in any position, providing both stability and versatility.
4Volume of moving object
If drum and mechanics are enclosed within a compact structure, then space efficiency is improved, but access for maintenance and repair becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the enclosure into accessible sections with removable panels or access points that allow maintenance personnel to reach internal components such as the drum, brake, and spring mechanisms. The compact design is maintained while incorporating strategic access points that do not compromise the overall space efficiency but enable easy maintenance and repair operations.
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 compact hoist system reduces space and torque requirements, offers adaptable sizing, and provides effective overspeed braking and load balancing, enhancing safety and versatility in theatrical and performance settings while minimizing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal overspeed brake mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A hoist system having a drum primarily self-contained within a batten, for raising and lowering lighting, sound equipment, curtains and the like, often in a performance environment. The compact system is highly scalable to a variety of spaces and applications, including school and public theaters and concert halls, as well as some homes, private business, etc. The hoist system may be adapted with safety mechanisms including an overspeed detector, which may comprise a centrifugal detection mechanism coupled to an elongate member of the system; dampening means; a compact mechanism for trimming or adjusting an operative length of elongate member; stabilizing pipe shaft bearings; elongate member diverter pulley mechanisms load balancing termination points. Additional features include various alternative combination hoist implementations and orientations, and alternative incorporated attachment mechanisms for use with the hoist system.