Counterweight Tray Retainer With Single-Point Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing counterweight tray retention systems for lifting machines, such as cranes, are overly complex and require significant effort to deploy or release, often involving multiple points of connection and many parts, increasing the risk of loss and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A counterweight tray retention system using a retainer with opposed lugs and a handle, which connects to the lifting machine in one orientation and releases in another, featuring a central opening for rotation and locking, providing a single point of retention and minimizing parts for easy deployment and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple points of connection are used to secure the tray, then the retention reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single retainer component that integrates multiple lugs and connection points. This single retainer performs the function of multiple separate connectors, reducing device complexity while maintaining retention reliability through its multi-point engagement design with the tray and lifting machine.
2Reliability
If a complex retention system with many parts is used, then the retention reliability is improved, but the risk of loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer consolidates multiple separate parts into a single integrated component that includes lugs, connection elements, and retention features. This reduction in part count directly decreases the risk of loss while maintaining reliable retention through the integrated multi-point connection design.
3Strength
If multiple points of connection are used, then the retention strength is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single retainer component with integrated multiple lugs provides multi-point connection strength while maintaining ease of operation. The unified design allows the operator to handle and manipulate one component rather than multiple separate connectors, simplifying the deployment and release process while achieving secure multi-point retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is designed with segmented lugs and connection points that can be independently positioned to engage with corresponding features on the tray and lifting machine. This segmentation allows for simplified individual connection points that collectively provide strong multi-point retention, improving ease of operation while maintaining strength.
4Reliability
If many parts are used in the connection system, then the retention reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple retention features into a single retainer component that can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled unit. This consolidation simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be produced, tracked, and assembled, while maintaining reliable retention through the integrated multi-point connection design.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for retaining a counterweight tray adapted for connection to a lifting machine includes a retainer adapted for connecting the counterweight tray to the lifting machine in one orientation and releasing the counterweight tray from being connected to the lifting machine in another orientation. The counterweight tray may include an opening, and the retainer may be adapted for passing through the opening in the counterweight tray in one orientation and retained thereto in another orientation. Related methods are also disclosed.