Brake Assembly Lifting Support for Heavy Vehicle Drum and Hub Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The inspection, removal, and servicing of heavy vehicle brake assemblies are difficult and time-consuming due to their significant weight, requiring multiple technicians and introducing health and safety concerns, inefficiencies, and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a drum and hub engagement assembly with a lifting mechanism that allows for vertical movement and rotation, enabling the safe and efficient removal and installation of brake assemblies, reducing manual labor and facilitating servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual removal and installation of brake assembly is performed, then no special equipment is needed, but multiple technicians are required and health and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus acts as an intermediary device between the brake assembly and the technicians. It includes a drum engagement assembly with jaws that grip the drum, and a hub engagement assembly with arms that secure the hub, allowing safe handling of the heavy brake assembly without requiring multiple technicians to manually lift and position it.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables self-service by allowing a single technician to operate the lifting mechanism and control the positioning of the brake assembly. The integrated design with both drum and hub engagement capabilities allows the apparatus to handle the entire brake assembly independently, reducing reliance on multiple workers.
2Device complexity
If manual removal and installation of brake assembly is performed, then no special equipment is needed, but the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus serves as a mechanical intermediary that accelerates the removal and installation process. The lifting assembly with controlled descent and ascent mechanisms allows rapid, safe handling of the brake assembly, eliminating the time-consuming manual coordination required when multiple technicians work together.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus replaces the manual mechanical system of multiple technicians physically handling the brake assembly with a controlled mechanical lifting system. This substitution provides precise control over the brake assembly's movement, significantly reducing the time required for removal and installation while maintaining safety.
3Device complexity
If manual removal and installation of brake assembly is performed, then equipment costs are low, but health and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus acts as a protective intermediary between the heavy brake assembly and the technicians. The drum engagement assembly with gripping jaws and the hub engagement assembly with securing arms create a safe interface that prevents direct manual handling of the heavy components, eliminating the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and dropped object incidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables safe self-service by allowing a single technician to operate the controlled lifting and positioning mechanisms without physically bearing the weight of the brake assembly. This eliminates the health and safety risks associated with manual heavy lifting while keeping the equipment design relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to engage and support a heavy vehicle brake assembly to facilitate removal and installation. The apparatus comprises a drum and hub engagement assembly configured to engage an accessible portion of an in-situ drum and/or hub assembly and to support the drum and/or hub assembly when so engaged for transport between an in-situ position and a removed position. The apparatus includes a lifting assembly having an upright guide assembly and a lifting device for raising and lowering the drum and hub engagement assembly. The lifting device is configured to raise and lower the drum and hub engagement assembly and the drum and/or hub assembly engaged thereby along the upright guide assembly in a vertical line. The apparatus is configured to be positionable relative to the brake assembly and movable away from the vehicle to facilitate removal of the brake assembly.