Load Lifting Device Gas Strut Pulley System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load lifting devices require significant power to raise heavy loads to elevated heights, whether through motors or manual effort, due to the high forces needed to counteract the weight of the platform and load.
Innovation Solution
A load lifting device featuring an extendible support system with nested inner and outer housings, utilizing gas struts and a pulley system to reduce the operational force required, where the gas struts counteract the weight and the pulley system, which can be either manually or electrically powered, facilitates the extension of the support system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a motor or manual effort is used to lift the platform and load, then the platform can be raised to elevated heights, but large amounts of power are required
Solution Approach 1:
The gas strut acts as a counterweight mechanism by providing an upward force that counteracts the weight of the platform and load. This reduces the net force required from the actuation means, thereby lowering the power consumption while maintaining the ability to raise the platform to elevated heights
2Ease of operation
If heavy loads are raised to height, then access to elevated regions is achieved, but significant power is required to counteract the weight
Solution Approach 1:
The gas strut provides a counterbalancing force that reduces the effort needed to raise heavy loads, making operation easier while maintaining the capability to access elevated areas
3Ease of operation
If the gas strut urges the support means to extended position, then the force needed to operate actuation means is reduced, but the gas strut must be contained within the nested housing structure
Solution Approach 1:
The gas strut is integrated within the nested inner and outer housing structure, allowing the support means to extend and retract while keeping the gas strut contained. This nesting arrangement reduces the force needed to operate the actuation means while managing the complexity through compact integration
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 combination of gas struts and pulley systems significantly reduces the energy needed to lift loads, making it easier to access elevated areas with less operator effort or motor power, while maintaining robustness and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gas strut is located within the extendible support means... the gas strut reduces the force needed to operate the actuation means as the gas strut will at least partially counteract the weight of the platform and any load carried by it
Implementation Method 2
the actuation means comprises a pulley system, the pulley system comprising a drive loop located within the outer housing and permanently fixed to the inner housing
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a load lifting device (10) comprising a platform (18) fixed to an extendible support means (16) wherein at least one gas strut (30, 100) is associated with support means (16) and an actuation means (24) in the form of a pulley system (24) is associated with support means (16), actuation means (24) operable to enable extension of support means (16). The at least one gas strut (30, 100) acts to urge the support means (16, 86) to an extended position. The gas struts reduce the force needed to operate actuation means (24) as gas struts (30, 30', 100) at least partially counteract the weight of platform (18) and any load carried by it. Support means (16) comprises inner (20) and outer (22) housings, inner housing (20) nestable within outer housing (22).