Load Handling Mechanism With Adjustable Weight Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial robots used for lifting and moving loads pose safety hazards due to potential collisions and the risk of damage from failed drive systems, necessitating extensive safety precautions and exclusion of humans from the operating area.
Innovation Solution
A work device with a weight compensation device that absorbs a significant portion of the load's weight, allowing the drive device to operate with minimal force, ensuring safe and comfortable lifting and movement, even in the event of drive failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a drive device is used to hold and move the load, then the load can be transported automatically, but the drive device poses safety hazards in case of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a weight compensation device that acts as a counterweight system to balance the load's weight force. This counterweight mechanism ensures that if the drive device fails, the load is already balanced and cannot cause damage through uncontrolled movement, thus resolving the safety hazard while maintaining automatic transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The weight compensation device provides beforehand cushioning by pre-balancing the load's weight force before any potential drive failure occurs. This preparatory balancing act ensures that even if the drive fails, the system remains in a safe state where the load cannot cause damage, effectively cushioning against future failures
2Productivity
If the drive device must overcome the full weight of the load, then the load can be moved, but large forces and extensive safety precautions are required
Solution Approach 1:
The weight compensation device functions as a counterweight system that balances the load's weight force, thereby reducing the force that the drive device must exert to move the load. The drive device only needs to overcome friction and inertia rather than the full gravitational force, enabling load movement with minimal force
Solution Approach 2:
The weight compensation device creates a counterbalancing force that copies and opposes the gravitational force acting on the load. By generating an equal and opposite force, the system effectively neutralizes the weight effect, allowing the drive device to move the load with minimal effort
3Reliability
If safety zones are established to protect workers, then collision risks are reduced, but human presence in the operating area is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The weight compensation device eliminates the need for exclusion zones by balancing the load's weight force, thereby removing the primary safety concern that would otherwise require workers to stay outside the operating area. With the load balanced and incapable of causing damage through uncontrolled movement, workers can safely remain within the working area
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 weight compensation device enables safe and efficient movement of loads with minimal force requirements, reducing the need for extensive safety measures and allowing human presence in the operating area, while ensuring high safety standards and cost-effective drive motor design.
Implementation Method 1
the weight compensation device serves to absorb at least a portion of the weight force of the external load
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for lifting and moving an external load (1), comprising a base body (14), a holding element (10) for the load (1), wherein the holding element (10) is movable relative to the base body (14), at least one drive device (52) designed to move the holding element (10) together with the load (1), and a control unit (11) for controlling the drive device (52). The holding element (10) together with the load (1) can be moved automatically, at least in sections, by the control unit (11) via the drive device (52). The device includes a weight compensation device (24) for absorbing at least part of the weight force of the external load (1), particularly during the automatic movement of the load (1) by means of the drive device (52). The force applied by the weight compensation device (24) is adjustable, particularly by means of the control unit (11).