Fork-Mounted Lifting Aid With Adjustable Clamping for Mobile Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting aid apparatuses for transport vehicles are inflexible, require additional support legs, and lack the ability to operate while moving, leading to reduced productivity and increased investment costs.
Innovation Solution
A lifting aid apparatus with apparatus forks, a manipulator, a support structure, and a securing mechanism that allows temporary attachment to vehicle forks, enabling operation without support legs and power from the vehicle, and includes a clamping member for secure attachment adaptable to various fork widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lifting aid apparatus is permanently attached to a transport vehicle, then the lifting function is stable and reliable, but the flexibility and adaptability to different vehicles are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting aid apparatus is divided into separable components that can be attached to or detached from the transport vehicle. The apparatus includes a manipulator, support structure, and securing mechanism that can be independently assembled and disassembled, enabling temporary attachment while maintaining functional reliability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing mechanism incorporates movable clamping members that can dynamically adjust to different fork widths and configurations. The clamping members are positioned to be movable in a first direction towards and away from the vehicle fork, allowing the apparatus to adapt to various vehicle designs while maintaining secure attachment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional support legs are added to the lifting aid apparatus, then the stability during operation is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged into the transport vehicle itself rather than adding separate support legs to the lifting aid apparatus. The vehicle's chassis and fork structure serve as the support base, eliminating the need for additional support structures on the apparatus while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport vehicle performs multiple functions: it provides both the support base and the lifting mechanism through the attached apparatus. The vehicle's existing structural elements are utilized for support purposes, avoiding the need for dedicated support legs and reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If the lifting aid apparatus is designed to be temporary attachable, then the flexibility and productivity are improved, but the securing mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, with clamping members that visually indicate when properly engaged. The design allows operators to easily determine attachment status through visual inspection, reducing the need for complex control systems or additional monitoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping members are positioned and designed to be visible for visual inspection, allowing operators to confirm proper engagement through direct observation. The visual design of the securing mechanism provides intuitive feedback about attachment status without requiring additional indicators or complex signaling systems.
4Ease of operation
If the clamping member is made visible for inspection, then the ease of operation and safety are improved, but the device aesthetics and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping members are positioned in spatial arrangements that provide visual accessibility without compromising the compact overall structure. The securing mechanism utilizes the three-dimensional space around the vehicle fork to place visual indicators in locations that are both structurally integrated and visually accessible for inspection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lifting aid apparatus (1) for attachment to a transport vehicle (100) that comprises vehicle forks (110), the lifting aid apparatus (1) comprising apparatus forks (10), a manipulator (20) adapted to lift an object, a support structure (30) movably supporting the manipulator (20), and a securing mechanism (40) for securing the lifting aid apparatus (1) to at least one of the vehicle forks (110).