Lifting Device Latching Mechanism with Translational Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting devices lack sufficient security in the latching mechanism, leading to a risk of unintentional opening and potential load loss during lifting, transporting, and setting down operations.
Innovation Solution
The lifting device incorporates a latching part with wedge-shaped abutments and a control part that facilitates a translational movement for locking, ensuring the latching part is securely engaged with the lifting arms, preventing unintentional opening through a distinct translational movement required for release, and includes a restoring mechanism for user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple latching mechanism with single abutment is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the latching mechanism deteriorates due to risk of unintentional opening
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is segmented into multiple independent latching lugs (at least two) distributed at different positions on the latching part, each engaging with separate abutments on the lifting arms. This segmentation ensures that the failure or partial disengagement of one lug does not compromise the overall latching reliability, while maintaining a relatively simple structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching part is designed with latching lugs that automatically engage with the abutments during the closing movement, performing the latching action preliminarily before the load is applied. The wedge-shaped abutments are positioned to receive the latching lugs in advance, ensuring that the latching is established before any lifting force acts on the mechanism.
2Reliability
If wedge-shaped abutments with multiple latching lugs are used, then the reliability of the latching mechanism is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching part combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated component: multiple latching lugs, the control part for actuation, and the structural body are merged into one piece. The lifting arms also integrate the abutments directly into their structure. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the multi-lug latching configuration for high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutments are designed with wedge-shaped local geometry at specific engagement points with the latching lugs. This local wedge shape concentrates the latching force and provides mechanical advantage for secure engagement, while the rest of the lifting arms maintain a simpler structural form. The control part has localized actuation features that interface with the latching mechanism without requiring complex overall design.
3Reliability
If a control part with translational movement is added for secure latching, then the reliability is improved by preventing unintentional opening, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control part is designed with dynamic movement characteristics: it translates along the longitudinal axis during latching engagement and can rotate about a transverse axis for actuation. This dynamic behavior allows the control part to automatically guide the latching lugs onto the abutments during normal operation, providing secure latching without requiring precise manual positioning. The rotational degree of freedom enables easy actuation through a simple pivoting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The control part performs self-alignment and self-latching functions through its translational movement. When the lifting arms are closed, the control part automatically translates to position the latching lugs onto the abutments without requiring external intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms. The load applied during normal operation further secures the latching engagement, making the system self-reinforcing.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 1d~2
Figure 3~4d
AI summary
A lifting device for lifting, transporting and setting down loads, comprising a housing (12) with two lifting arms (14a, 14b) that define a load-bearing space open at least on one side between them, and each arm having an abutment (30a, 30b) against which a locking element (24) rests in its locked position with the respective abutment (30a, 30b), which in its released position is rotatably guided about a pivot axis (S) by means of an actuating device (48), is characterized in that the locking element (24) is provided with a control element (26) which, in its actuated or unactuated state, moves the locking element (24) in a translational movement (T2) transverse to the pivot axis (S) of the same out of or into a locking position with the respective abutment (30a, 30b).