Force-Sensing Building Element Lift for Precise Single-Worker Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction industry faces challenges with repetitive lifting and placement of building units, leading to worker fatigue, reduced productivity, and job quality degradation, as existing solutions often require multiple workers and mechanical fixtures for handling large and heavy building elements.
Innovation Solution
A Building Element Lift Enhancer with a modular upright section, weatherproof drive housing, boom, cable-driven gripper, force sensor, and microprocessor that amplifies user force to assist in moving and placing building elements, allowing direct control by a single worker without the need for intermediate interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple workers and mechanical fixtures are used to handle large building elements, then the building element can be moved and placed, but worker fatigue and reduced productivity occur due to repetitive handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robotic manipulator as an intermediary device between the worker and the building element. The worker operates the manipulator through a control interface, and the manipulator performs the physical handling of building elements, eliminating direct repetitive physical contact and reducing worker strain while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct human lifting and handling with an automated robotic manipulator system. The manipulator uses motors, cables, and mechanical arms to perform lifting, moving, and placing operations, substituting human mechanical effort with automated mechanical systems that do not fatigue
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical fixtures are used to facilitate placement of building units, then proper placement can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple types of building elements (blocks, bricks, sheet products, pipe, beams, form work) through a single integrated system. The manipulator combines gripping mechanisms, positioning capabilities, and placement functions in one device, reducing the need for multiple specialized fixtures while maintaining high placement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator incorporates sensors and control systems that provide feedback on the position, orientation, and status of building elements during handling. This feedback mechanism enables precise control and placement without requiring complex mechanical fixtures, as the electronic control system adjusts the manipulator's movements in real-time to achieve accurate positioning
3Ease of operation
If a robotic manipulator is used to handle building elements, then worker strain is reduced, but the device complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator system is divided into modular segments including the base, upright section, boom, cable-driven gripper, and control system. This segmentation allows for easier installation, maintenance, and scalability, reducing the perceived complexity by enabling the system to be implemented in discrete, manageable components rather than as a monolithic complex system
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator is designed to operate with minimal human intervention once set up. The force sensor automatically detects user-applied force and the microprocessor controls the motor to amplify this force, creating a self-regulating system that reduces worker effort without requiring complex manual controls or continuous human monitoring, thereby reducing operational complexity
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 device reduces worker effort and improves precision in handling and placement of building elements by amplifying user force, enhancing productivity and job quality while minimizing strain and fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor that detects force applied to the building element gripper or a building element itself, if one is being retained, by a user
Implementation Method 2
a force amplifier that converts user applied force received by the force sensor to mechanical force applied to the building element gripper to provide for movement of a building element
Implementation Method 3
a cable driven by a motor where a distal end of the cable is connected to the building element gripper
Data Source
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AI summary
A Building Element Lift Enhancer is described. The Building Element Lift Enhancer provides for the movement and precise placement of building elements such as blocks or sheet products by one worker. The Building Element Lift Enhancer senses the force applied by a user to the budding element and converts that user applied force to mechanically assisted fore-e from the Building Element Lift Enhancer, allowing the user to precisely move and handle large, heavy or bulky building elements by direct interaction with the building element.