Lock and Anchor Lifting Connection with Segmented Elongated Hole

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting connections fail to securely maintain the connection between lifting equipment and loads under non-constant tensile loads, particularly in applications where secondary lifting mechanisms are used, such as construction sites, due to vibrations or impacts.

Innovation Solution

A lock and anchor system where the insertion section's cross section is designed to prevent the anchor head from being rotated out of a locked position, ensuring the anchor remains engaged behind the elongated hole, and can only be removed by rotating back into the insertion section, enhancing security against vibrations and impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the insertion section has a large cross-section to allow anchor rotation, then the anchor can be easily inserted and positioned, but the anchor can be accidentally rotated out of the locked position by vibrations or impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of anchor insertion and positioningVSAvoidsecurity of locked position against vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated hole is divided into two distinct sections: an insertion section with larger cross-section for easy anchor insertion and rotation, and a holding section with smaller cross-section for secure locking. This segmentation allows the same structure to provide both ease of operation and reliability for different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the elongated hole have different cross-sectional dimensions tailored to their specific functions. The insertion section has larger dimensions to accommodate anchor rotation, while the holding section has smaller dimensions to prevent accidental disengagement. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the contradiction between ease of insertion and security of locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the anchor head cross-section is smaller than the insertion section, then the anchor can be inserted and rotated, but the anchor may unintentionally disengage under dynamic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to rotate anchor for positioningVSAvoidprevention of unintentional disengagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static locking mechanism to a dynamic one where the anchor can be easily inserted and rotated during positioning, then automatically transitions to a secure locked state where the reduced cross-section of the holding section prevents further rotation and accidental disengagement under dynamic loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-sectional dimension of the elongated hole changes along its length, being larger in the insertion section to allow rotation and smaller in the holding section to prevent disengagement. This parameter change creates different functional zones within the same component, enabling both adaptability during insertion and reliability during locking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the holding section has a small cross-section to prevent disengagement, then the anchor is securely locked, but the anchor cannot be easily removed or repositioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of anchor in holding positionVSAvoidease of anchor removal and repositioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated hole is segmented into an insertion section with larger cross-section for easy anchor manipulation and a holding section with smaller cross-section for secure locking. This segmentation allows the system to provide both secure locking during operation and easy removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4328171A1Arrangement of a lock and an anchor for forming a lifting connection and corresponding lock and anchor
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 J D THEILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4328171A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4328171A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4328171A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is an arrangement comprising a lock 1 and an anchor 2, 2.1 for forming a lifting connection for lifting a lifting load connected to the anchor 2, 2.1, wherein the anchor 2, 2.1 has a pin 7 connectable to a lifting load and an anchor head 6 adjoining the pin 7 and projecting beyond the pin 7 transversely to its longitudinal extent 15, wherein the lock 1 has an elongated hole 10 with an insertion section 11 and a retaining section 12 adjoining the insertion section 11, the retaining section 12 differing in its clear width A1, A3 from that of the insertion section 11, wherein the elongated hole 10 has a cross-section in its insertion section 11 that is large enough to allow the anchor head 6 to pass through it in an insertion position and to allow the anchor 2, 2.1 inserted into the insertion section 11 to rotate about the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin. 7 is rotatable by an angle.A special characteristic is that - the insertion section 11 has a cross-section so small that the anchor head 6 cannot be extracted from the insertion section 11 in a locking position rotated by a certain angular amount about the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin 7 relative to the insertion position, since the anchor head 6 engages the elongated hole 10 at least partially 10 and - the lock 1 provides corresponding stop means with the anchor 2, 2.1, such that the anchor 2, 2.1 can only be displaced into the holding section 12 in its locking position and, when inserted therein, cannot be reset to the insertion position about the longitudinal axis 15 of the pin 7 by the angular amount.