Lifting Device Actuator Size Reduction via Curved Guide

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting apparatuses require more power to raise the lifting platform at its lowest position, necessitating a larger electric actuator, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A lifting apparatus with a drive device comprising an electric actuator, link members, and guide members that vertically extend and retract X-shaped arms, optimizing the movement to reduce the required output of the electric actuator, allowing for a smaller actuator size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a conventional electric actuator is used to raise the lifting platform at its lowest position, then sufficient lifting power is achieved, but the electric actuator size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting powerVSAvoidelectric actuator size

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member creates a counterbalancing effect by guiding the shaft member along a curved path. This mechanical guidance system generates forces that counteract the gravitational load on the lifting platform, reducing the net force required from the electric actuator. The curved guide path effectively creates a mechanical advantage that offsets the weight being lifted, allowing a smaller actuator to achieve the same lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft member and guide member act as intermediary elements between the electric actuator and the lifting platform. The shaft member, guided by the curved guide member, transforms the linear motion of the actuator into a complex motion pattern that reduces the force requirement. This intermediary mechanism decouples the direct force transmission, allowing the actuator to operate with reduced power output while still achieving the lifting function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the electric actuator size is reduced, then cost and power consumption are reduced, but lifting power at the lowest position becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric actuator sizeVSAvoidlifting power

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member creates a counterbalancing effect by guiding the shaft member along a curved path. This mechanical guidance system generates forces that counteract the gravitational load on the lifting platform, reducing the net force required from the electric actuator. The curved guide path effectively creates a mechanical advantage that offsets the weight being lifted, allowing a smaller actuator to achieve the same lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved guide path changes the operational parameters of the lifting mechanism. By varying the guidance angle and path curvature, the system dynamically adjusts the mechanical advantage ratio throughout the lifting stroke. This parameter variation allows the actuator to operate at lower force levels while maintaining adequate lifting power through the optimized motion trajectory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If X-shaped arms are extended and retracted vertically, then the lifting platform is raised and lowered, but power consumption varies significantly with position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting speed consistencyVSAvoidpower fluctuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The guide member creates a counterbalancing effect by guiding the shaft member along a curved path. This mechanical guidance system generates forces that counteract the gravitational load on the lifting platform, reducing the net force required from the electric actuator. The curved guide path effectively creates a mechanical advantage that offsets the weight being lifted, allowing a smaller actuator to achieve the same lifting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved guide path ensures continuous and smooth force transmission throughout the lifting stroke. By eliminating abrupt changes in mechanical advantage and maintaining steady force application, the system achieves consistent lifting speed and reduced power fluctuation. The continuous guidance prevents shock loads and maintains optimal force distribution across the entire range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20240150157A1Lifting Device

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 SANDEN RETAIL SYST CORP

AI summary

The drive device of the lifting apparatus includes an electric actuator 91, a movable part 93 that is driven and moved by an electric actuator 91, a first link member 951L (951R), a second link member 953L (953R) rotatably coupled to the first link member 951L (951R) via a shaft member 952L (952R), and a guide member 97L (97R) having a guide hole 971L (971R) for guiding the shaft member 952L (952R) that moves with the movement of the movable part 93. The lifting platform 50 is raised and lowered by vertically extending and retracting a pair of lower right and left X-shaped arms 71L (71R) and a pair of upper right and left X-shaped arms 75L (75R) via the first link member 951L and second link member 953L along with movement of the movable part 93.