Lift Arm Linkage for Extended Vertical Range and Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lifting devices, such as patient lifts, are limited by the fixed pivot point of the lift actuator, restricting the range of vertical motion and speed of movement, leading to increased costs when seeking greater extension and retraction capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A lifting device with a lift arm that can be positioned in high and low range positions using a linkage member or carriage system, allowing adjustable vertical motion and speed without replacing the existing lift actuator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a lift actuator with greater range of extension and retraction is used to increase vertical motion range, then the range of vertical motion is improved, but the cost increases due to the need for increased stability upon extension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of vertical motionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the lift actuator into two functional segments: a fixed actuator body mounted to the lift arm, and a movable carriage that can be repositioned along the lift arm. This segmentation allows the same actuator to provide different effective ranges of motion depending on carriage position, eliminating the need for multiple actuators with different extension ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage is made movable along the lift arm rather than being fixed, allowing dynamic repositioning to adjust the effective range of motion. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt its vertical motion range without replacing the actuator, maintaining cost-effectiveness while providing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Speed

If a lift actuator with adjustable speed of extension and retraction is used to enable variable speed operation, then the speed adjustment capability is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of extension and retractionVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movable carriage introduces an additional degree of freedom that enables variable speed operation. By controlling the carriage position and movement, the system can achieve different effective speeds for lifting and lowering operations using a standard-speed actuator, eliminating the need for expensive variable-speed actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the load, allowing speed modulation through its movement along the lift arm. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to achieve variable speed effects without requiring the actuator itself to have variable speed capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a fixed pivot point lift actuator is used to simplify the mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the range of vertical motion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical complexityVSAvoidrange of vertical motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the actuator system into a fixed body and a movable carriage, maintaining the simplicity of the fixed pivot point design while adding the capability for extended range of motion through the repositionable carriage along the lift arm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a single-speed lift actuator is used to reduce costs, then the cost is reduced, but the ability to adjust speed of extension and retraction is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidspeed adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The movable carriage provides dynamic adaptability to a single-speed actuator system. By repositioning the carriage along the lift arm, the system can achieve different effective speeds for different operations, providing versatility without requiring expensive variable-speed actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260020999A1Lifting devices positionable in high range positions and low range positions

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 LIKO RES & DEV

AI summary

Lifting devices for positioning a lift actuator in a high range position and a low range position are disclosed. The lifting devices may include a lift mast, a lift arm pivotally coupled to the lift mast, a lift actuator having a first end and a second end, and a linkage member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the lift actuator is pivotally coupled to the lift mast. The first end of the linkage member is pivotally coupled to the lift arm and the second end of the linkage member is pivotally coupled to the second end of the lift actuator such that the lift actuator includes a high range position relative to the lift arm and a low range position relative to the lift arm.