Lifting column
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting columns with spindle drive units face issues of deflection and potential damage under high axial loads and torques due to weak points where spindles engage, leading to structural integrity concerns and increased size requirements for strength and rigidity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a supporting element that abuts the inner side of the lifting column members to transfer horizontal forces and torques, preventing spindle deflection, and using a hollow spindle connected to this element to maintain rectilinear position under load, with the spindle unit placed offset from the center axis to reduce cross-sectional size while maintaining high load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lifting column uses a spindle drive unit, then the lifting mechanism can achieve precise control and compact design, but the spindles deflect and deform under high axial loads and torques at the engagement point
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting element is introduced as an intermediary component between the spindles and the inner member. This supporting element receives horizontal forces and torques from the spindles at their engagement point and transfers these forces to the inner member, preventing spindle deflection and deformation while maintaining the compact spindle drive unit design
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal force and torque carrying function is extracted from the spindles and transferred to the supporting element. This allows the spindles to focus on their primary function of converting rotational motion to linear motion, while the supporting element handles the lateral loads, preventing spindle damage
2Strength
If the lifting column increases size to accommodate the drive unit and resist forces, then strength and rigidity improve, but the column becomes voluminous and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element acts as a force transfer intermediary that enables the use of smaller, more efficient spindle components by properly managing the load paths. This allows for a more compact overall column design while maintaining strength, as the supporting element efficiently transfers forces to the structurally optimized members
3Volume of moving object
If the drive unit is placed offset from the center axis to reduce cross-sectional size, then the column becomes more compact, but integrated torques are created in the lifting column
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element serves as a mediator that captures and transfers the horizontal forces and torques generated by the offset spindle arrangement directly to the inner member. This allows the drive unit to be positioned optimally for compactness while the supporting element ensures that the resulting torques are properly managed and transferred, preventing excessive stress in the members
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 solution enhances the structural strength and rigidity of lifting columns, allowing them to withstand high forces and torques while minimizing size, ensuring a compact design with improved durability and reduced risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontal force resulting from a high axial load or torque will be transferred to the members via the supporting element
Implementation Method 2
The spindle nut is secured against rotation, thus enabling a longitudinal displacement of the telescopic members such that they are extended out of or retracted into each other depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor
Implementation Method 3
The drive unit comprises an electric motor, a transmission and a spindle unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lifting column comprising at least two telescopically arranged members and a drive unit located in the hollow hereof. The drive unit comprises an electric motor, a transmission and a spindle unit with a number of spindles and at least one spindle nut. The electric motor drives the spindle unit via the transmission. The drive unit is connected to the at least two telescopically arranged members enabling a longitudinal displacement of the telescopic members, such that they are extended out of or retracted into each other depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor. The lifting column comprises at least one supporting element attached to a spindle, where the supporting element is configured to abut the inner side of a surrounding member. Thus, a strong construction is achieved as the supporting element prevents the spindle unit from deflecting, as a horizontal force resulting from a high axial load or torque will be transferred to the members via the supporting element.