Subject Lift Transfer Assembly Pin Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subject lift systems, such as overhead lifts, are difficult to install and remove from ceiling-mounted rails due to their weight and the need for multiple users, especially when performing maintenance or moving between separate rails.
Innovation Solution
A subject lift transfer assembly comprising a trolley member with a locking unit, actuator, and cable system that allows for easy coupling and decoupling of the subject lift to the rail, using a pin to secure the lift in place and an alignment feature to ensure proper positioning, with sensors for height and engagement detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the overhead lift is made heavy-duty to ensure safety and strength, then the lifting capacity and reliability are improved, but the difficulty of installation and removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead lift system is divided into separate components: a motor assembly that can be detached from the trolley, and a rail engagement mechanism. This segmentation allows the heavy motor to be removed and replaced independently, making installation and maintenance easier while maintaining the overall strength and safety of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable and pulley system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the motor and the lift platform. The motor winds the cable to lift the platform, allowing the heavy components to be handled separately during installation while still achieving the desired lifting function.
2Strength
If the overhead lift is designed with integrated motor and drum to ensure structural strength, then the lifting reliability is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is segmented from the trolley body, allowing the motor and drum to be pre-assembled and tested as a unit for strength, then installed as a module. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining structural integrity through proper mounting interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley design incorporates universal mounting points and standardized interfaces that can accommodate different motor assemblies. This allows the same trolley structure to be used with various motor configurations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strength requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate ceiling-mounted rails are used to cover different building portions, then the system adaptability is improved, but the time required to move lifts between rails increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is designed with universal rail engagement features that allow it to operate on multiple separate ceiling-mounted rails. The same trolley can be transferred between different rail sections to serve various building portions, improving system adaptability without requiring specialized designs for each rail.
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley includes pre-positioned coupling mechanisms and alignment features that facilitate quick connection and disconnection between rails. These preliminary design elements reduce the time required to transfer the lift between different ceiling-mounted rail sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A lift system includes a trolley member defining an aperture extending through the trolley member, a locking unit coupled to the trolley member, the locking unit including a locking unit body and a pin that extends outward from the locking unit body, where the pin is repositionable between an engaged position, in which the pin extends through and outward from the aperture of the trolley member, and a disengaged position, a cable extending between and terminating at an actuator end that is engaged with the actuator and a subject lift end positioned opposite the actuator end, where the cable is selectively drawn to the trolley member or paid out from the trolley member upon actuation of the actuator, and a subject lift connecting member coupled the subject lift end of the cable.