Lifting Device With Variable Length Supports For Confined Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lifting and transporting devices face challenges in navigating through confined spaces, such as power station halls, due to the requirement for extensive space to position their supports, which limits their flexibility and ability to handle generators with elevated bases.

Innovation Solution

A lifting and transporting device with at least eight vertical supports of variable length, where four are designed as lifting supports and the remaining as support supports, allowing for adjustable lengths only when unloaded, enabling the device to 'climb' over height differences and operate directly on a base without requiring additional space for support setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lifting and transport devices use four vertical supports, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot operate in confined spaces without additional support setup room

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibility in confined spacesVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the support function into two distinct types: lifting supports (with variable length for height adjustment) and support supports (with fixed length for stability). This segmentation allows the four supports to perform different functions simultaneously, enabling operation in confined spaces without additional support setup while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both lifting and support capabilities within the same four vertical supports. The lifting supports can extend and retract, while the support supports provide stable grounding, allowing the device to adapt to various operational environments including confined spaces without requiring additional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device uses variable length supports for lifting, then the device can handle height differences, but the device requires extensive space for support positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to handle height differencesVSAvoidspace required for support positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the lifting function (variable length supports) from the support function (fixed length supports), the device can handle height differences through the lifting supports while the support supports minimize the space required for positioning. The support supports are designed to fit into recesses, reducing the footprint needed for stable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the device uses fixed length support supports, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the device cannot adjust to varying heights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidheight adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the support system into lifting supports with variable length (for height adjustment) and support supports with fixed length (for stable grounding). This segmentation allows the fixed support supports to be manufactured more simply and cheaply, while the lifting supports provide the necessary height adaptability through their variable length mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the support system have different properties: lifting supports are designed with variable length capability for height adjustment, while support supports are designed with fixed length for stability and cost-effectiveness. This local differentiation optimizes both manufacturing cost and height adaptability in their respective roles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3259455B1Lifting and transportation device for a heavy load
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3259455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3259455B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3259455B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting and transport apparatus (1) for lifting and transporting a heavy load (2), comprising a frame (4) that can be moved back and forth at least in a horizontal displacement direction (X), the frame having four vertical supports (5) of adjustable length which are designed as lifting supports (5), each with an assigned lifting device, there also being securing means (14) provided on the frame (4) for the releasable attachment of the heavy load (2), characterized in that the frame (4) comprises at least eight vertical supports (5, 6) of adjustable length. The present invention also relates to a method for transporting a heavy load (2) using a lifting and transport apparatus (1) according to the invention.