Lift User Contact Sensor Bar for Obstacle-Triggered Motion Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
In lift devices, users' freedom of movement is restricted when obstacles push them toward the user interface, as existing systems lack effective mechanisms to prevent user interference with the lift assembly during platform movement.
Innovation Solution
A user contact sensor system is integrated, comprising a bar assembly with a resilient member and a sensing portion, which detects when the user's upper body contacts the bar, triggering the controller to stop or reverse the lift device's movement if the user is pushed toward the user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user is positioned in front of the user interface during platform movement, then the user can control the lift device operations, but the user's freedom of movement is restricted when obstacles push them toward the user interface
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor bar is positioned in advance of the user interface to detect user contact before the user is pushed into the interface. This preliminary detection allows the system to take preventive action (stop or reverse movement) before the harmful situation occurs, resolving the contradiction by maintaining both user control access and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor bar acts as an intermediary element between the user and the user interface. It provides a detection mechanism that mediates the interaction, allowing the system to monitor user position and trigger safety responses without requiring direct contact between the user and the interface, thus preserving both accessibility and safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sensor system is added to detect user contact, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing function is extracted as a separate, dedicated sensor assembly rather than being integrated into the main control system. This modular extraction simplifies the overall system design by isolating the safety function into a distinct component with its own sensor bar, housing, and detection mechanism, making the system easier to implement and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs optical or electronic sensors to detect user contact instead of complex mechanical switches or pressure sensors. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving reliability, as the sensor can detect contact through non-contact means or simple contactless field changes.
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
Prevents further movement of the lift platform towards obstacles, ensuring user safety by automatically stopping or reversing the lift device's operation when user contact with the sensor is detected, thereby maintaining operational control and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient member is configured to apply a biasing force to resist movement of the second end portion away from the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A lift device includes a chassis, a platform configured to support a user, a lift assembly coupling the platform to the chassis, an actuator configured to at least one of (a) move the platform relative to the chassis or (b) propel the chassis, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The sensor assembly includes a bar including a first end portion coupled to the platform and a second end portion opposite the first end portion and a housing defining an aperture sized to receive the second end portion of the bar. The sensor provides a signal in response to at least one of (a) the second end portion of the bar contacting the sensor or (b) the second end portion of the bar exiting the aperture. The controller is operatively coupled to the sensor and the actuator and configured to control the actuator based on the signal from the sensor.