Lifting Beam With Variable Cross Section For Asymmetric Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lifting beams with uniform linear shapes increase lifting costs when lifting objects with locally high-height portions, as they require greater total lifting height and crane capacity.
Innovation Solution
A lifting beam design with a lower end surface featuring multiple positioned portions allows for closer suspension to the object, reducing the total lifting height by positioning the suspension points strategically, and incorporating tapered portions to reduce weight while maintaining strength, and adjustable support points to optimize the lifting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional lifting beam with uniform linear shape is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the total lifting height is increased when lifting objects with locally high-height portions
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting beam employs local quality by varying the cross-sectional dimensions at different positions along its length. Specifically, the beam has a first cross-sectional dimension at the first end, a second cross-sectional dimension at the second end, and a third cross-sectional dimension at the intermediate position, where the third dimension is smaller than both the first and second dimensions. This allows the beam to accommodate objects with locally high-height portions while minimizing the overall lifting height requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting beam is segmented into distinct regions with different cross-sectional characteristics: a first region at the first end with a first cross-sectional dimension, a second region at the second end with a second cross-sectional dimension, and a third intermediate region with a third cross-sectional dimension. This segmentation allows each portion of the beam to be optimized for its specific functional requirements while maintaining structural integrity throughout.
2Reliability
If the lifting beam is positioned higher to clear the highest portion of the object, then the object can be lifted without collision, but the lifting cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting beam's variable cross-sectional dimensions enable it to clear the highest portion of the object at critical locations while maintaining a lower overall position. The first and second cross-sectional dimensions are larger to provide clearance at the ends, while the third intermediate dimension is smaller, allowing the beam to be positioned closer to the object's highest point without collision, thus reducing lifting height and cost while maintaining safety.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lifting beam has a uniform cross-section, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the beam cannot be positioned optimally close to objects with asymmetric height profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting beam incorporates local quality by having different cross-sectional dimensions at different positions: the first cross-sectional dimension at the first end, the second cross-sectional dimension at the second end, and the third cross-sectional dimension at the intermediate position. This variation in local properties allows the beam to be optimally positioned close to objects with asymmetric height profiles, improving positioning flexibility while remaining manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting beam for suspending an object to be lifted in a vertical direction has a lower end surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the lifting beam on a vertical lower side in a state where the object is suspended. The lower end surface includes a first lower end portion, a second lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a first side in the longitudinal direction, and a third lower end portion positioned away from the first lower end portion to a second side in the longitudinal direction, on the opposite side of the first lower end portion from the second lower end portion. The second lower end portion is positioned higher than the first lower end portion, and the third lower end portion is positioned lower than the second lower end portion when the object is suspended from the lifting beam.