H-Shaped Hollow Profile Support Column for Lifting Platforms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support columns for lifting platforms require complex assembly and additional structural adjustments to achieve sufficient flexural rigidity, leading to increased space requirements and manufacturing effort.

Innovation Solution

A support column with a hollow profile featuring an H-shaped cross-section, comprising interconnected main hollow sections and corner sub-sections, which allows for the integration of lifting platform components and minimizes deformation under load, reducing the need for additional reinforcements and assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If stiffeners are installed on or in the support columns to achieve necessary flexural rigidity, then the flexural rigidity is improved, but the assembly work and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexural rigidityVSAvoidassembly work
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support column is divided into multiple hollow sections (first, second, and third hollow sections) with different wall thicknesses along its length. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific structural requirements, achieving the necessary flexural rigidity without adding external stiffeners or reinforcements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different wall thicknesses are applied at different locations of the support column. The first hollow section has a first wall thickness, the second hollow section has a second wall thickness, and the third hollow section has a third wall thickness. This local variation in quality (wall thickness) provides enhanced rigidity where needed while maintaining overall structural efficiency and avoiding complex assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional assemblies are attached to the support column, then the functionality is improved, but the structural adjustments and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation space for componentsVSAvoidstructural adjustments
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support column is designed with multiple hollow sections that can serve both structural and functional purposes. The hollow sections provide structural support while also serving as mounting spaces for lifting platform components such as cable harnesses, control units, and drive devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attachment structures and reduces assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Lifting platform components are nested within the hollow sections of the support column. The cable harnesses, control units, and other assemblies are positioned inside the hollow spaces, utilizing the column's internal volume. This nesting approach integrates multiple functions within the existing structure without requiring additional external attachments or complex structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support column is designed with high rigidity, then the deformation under load is reduced, but the manufacturing effort and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support column is manufactured as a segmented structure with multiple hollow sections having different wall thicknesses. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes such as welding or joining pre-fabricated sections, reducing overall manufacturing effort while achieving the desired dimensional stability through the optimized wall thickness distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall thickness parameter is varied along the length of the support column, with the first hollow section having a first wall thickness, the second hollow section having a second wall thickness, and the third hollow section having a third wall thickness. This parameter change optimizes the rigidity-to-manufacturing-effort ratio, providing high dimensional stability in critical areas while simplifying manufacturing in less critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3757057A1Lifting platform and support column of a lifting platform
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 MAHA MASCHINENBAU HALDENWANG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3757057A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757057A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3757057A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The application relates to a support column 1 of a lifting platform 10 for lifting motor vehicles with a hollow profile 2 extending along a longitudinal axis L of the support column 1, which has at least three interconnected main hollow sections 3.