Lift Unit for Hoist Frame Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container handling systems face challenges in efficiently deploying and retrieving containers from vehicles without applying excessive force, which can lead to wear and damage, especially when dealing with heavy loads and complex vehicle configurations such as those with large fuel tanks.

Innovation Solution

A container handling system that includes a hoist unit coupled to a vehicle, featuring a lift unit that minimizes the power required to move the hoist frame between positions by maximizing mechanical advantage and cushioning the downward movement of the hoist frame during retrieval, thereby reducing stress on the vehicle and minimizing wear and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hoist frame is moved directly from transport position to use position using the hoist-frame mover, then the container can be deployed and retrieved, but excessive force is applied causing wear and damage to the vehicle and hoist system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear and damage to container handling systemVSAvoidforce applied to move hoist frame

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The movement of the hoist frame is divided into two distinct phases: (1) initial movement from horizontal to intermediate angle position using the lift unit, and (2) final movement from intermediate angle to vertical use position using the hoist-frame mover. This segmentation allows each actuator to operate within optimal force ranges, reducing peak forces and preventing damage to the vehicle and hoist system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lift unit performs a preliminary action by positioning the hoist frame at an intermediate angle before the hoist-frame mover engages. This preliminary positioning reduces the load and force requirements for the subsequent vertical lifting operation, thereby minimizing wear and damage to the container handling system while maintaining operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If a long moment arm is used to maximize mechanical advantage, then power consumption is reduced, but the lift unit structure becomes more complex and may interfere with vehicle components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption of lift unitVSAvoidlift unit structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lift unit utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning its actuator along the vertical axis rather than extending a long horizontal moment arm. This dimensional change achieves mechanical advantage through vertical leverage while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint, thereby reducing power consumption without increasing structural complexity or causing interference with vehicle components such as fuel tanks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the hoist frame moves rapidly from use position to transport position, then operation speed is improved, but impact forces cause wear and damage to the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer retrieval speedVSAvoidwear and damage to container handling system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lift unit is configured to cushion the downward movement of the hoist frame during retrieval operations. As the hoist frame approaches the horizontal transport position, the lift unit gradually reduces the descent speed, providing a cushioning effect that absorbs impact forces. This beforehand cushioning protects the vehicle and hoist system from damage while maintaining efficient container retrieval speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The system effectively deploys and retrieves containers with reduced power consumption and minimized wear, ensuring efficient operation and reduced maintenance costs by leveraging the lift unit's mechanical advantage and cushioning capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The lift unit is configured to provide means for moving the hoist frame from the transport position to a hoist-transition position without application of substantial force from the hoist-frame mover so that the hoist frame is arranged to cause mechanical advantage to be developed in the hoist-transition position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

The lift unit is further configured to provide means for cushioning and slowing downward movement of the hoist frame during movement of the hoist frame from the use position to the transport position without use of a modulating input from an operator so that wear and damage to the container handling system is minimized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCushioning: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9630546B2Lift unit for hoist

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 HIAB USA INC

AI summary

A container handling system is adapted to move, deploy, and retrieve containers used to manage waste or other materials. The container handling system includes a vehicle and a hoist unit coupled to the vehicle to move therewith and relative to the vehicle. The hoist unit includes a hoist frame and a hoist-frame mover coupled to both the vehicle and the hoist frame to cause the hoist frame to move between a transport position in which the hoist frame is generally horizontal and a use position in which the hoist frame is arranged at an angle relative to the horizontal to facilitate deployment and retrieval of containers.