Lifting Clamp Passage Geometry for Secure Rope Sliding and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting assemblies face safety concerns during load handling due to the risk of loose or misplaced parts in standard clamps, which can lead to unsafe securing of heavy loads, and they do not effectively manage rope compression to prevent wear and maintain the safe working load during lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design with a through passage and a hook element that adapts to the rope's unstretched and stretched diameters, ensuring secure clamping when the load is laid down and free sliding during lifting, featuring a fixed internal diameter passage and a hinged, integrated body structure with a curved hook element for enhanced safety and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal diameter of the through passage is equal to or smaller than the unstretched diameter of the rope, then the clamp firmly clamps the rope when unloaded, but the rope experiences increased wear while sliding through the passage during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The passage internal diameter is set to a specific parameter range (equal to or smaller than unstretched diameter, larger than stretched diameter) to achieve different functional states under different loading conditions, resolving the contradiction between clamping firmness and wear reduction
2Ease of operation
If the internal diameter of the through passage is larger than the stretched diameter of the rope, then the stretched rope can freely slide through the passage during lifting, but the clamp cannot firmly clamp the rope when the load is laid down
Solution Approach 1:
The passage diameter is carefully selected to create a threshold effect: larger than stretched diameter for free sliding during lifting, yet smaller than unstretched diameter for firm clamping when unloaded, achieving both operational ease and reliability
3Reliability
If the clamp applies compression forces to the rope when under tension, then the rope is securely held, but friction increases and the safe working load decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp's interaction with the rope dynamically changes based on rope diameter: no compression when rope is stretched (during lifting), automatic clamping when rope returns to unstretched diameter (when unloaded), thus maintaining security without unnecessary friction
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 clamp ensures safe and secure load handling by preventing compressional forces during lifting, reducing wear, and maintaining the rope's safe working load, while its integrated design minimizes the risk of lost parts and enhances user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The rope has a stretched diameter when the rope is under tension of the load, and an unstretched diameter, when the rope is unloaded. The unstretched diameter is marginally larger than the stretched diameter
Implementation Method 2
The clamp always applies the correct compression forces onto the unstretched rope. After releasing the load the rope thickens marginally so as to be firmly clamped in the passage
Implementation Method 3
The hook element is adapted for holding the eye of the rope when the rope extends through the eye and the passage
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to an improved clamp for use in lifting assemblies. The clamp includes a through passage for receiving a rope and a hook element for holding a coupling element of the rope, and during lifting, the part of the rope between the coupling element and the through passage of the clamp forms a tightenable noose of rope. The clamp is arranged to lock the noose when the lifting assembly is in use.