Electro-mechanical Linkage for Mobile Lifter Base Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile lifting devices for paraplegic individuals require significant manual strength to operate, have limited range of motion, and are not adjustable for use in confined spaces, making them difficult to use, especially for overweight or obese users.
Innovation Solution
A mobile lifting system with a base that has radially extending legs that can move between expanded and retracted positions, a rotatable head with an electro-mechanical linkage for controlled movement, and an actuator accessible to the user for upward and downward movement and rotation, allowing for independent operation and adjustment for different spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the lifting arm arrangement is manually pivoted to expand the feet members into the operative position, then the base achieves a stabilizing condition, but significant upper body extension and force are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pivoting system with an electro-mechanical linkage combination. The linkage includes an electric motor, gear train, and connecting rods that automatically extend the feet members when the lifting arm is raised, eliminating the need for manual force to expand the base footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-mechanical linkage is designed to automatically position the feet members into the extended stabilizing position before the user needs to be transferred. The system performs the base expansion action in advance as the lifting arm rises, so the stable base configuration is already in place when needed.
2Productivity
If the lever is rotated to lower the head and position the user in the sling, then transfer can be accomplished, but significant levels of force are required
Solution Approach 1:
The manual lever rotation mechanism is replaced with an electric motor-driven system. The motor rotates the head assembly to lower and raise the user, eliminating the need for the user to generate significant rotational force. The electro-mechanical linkage coordinates this rotation with base stabilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lifting arm arrangement is rotated about the post to move the user between positions, then transfer between locations is achieved, but significant manual force and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The manual rotation and lifting operation is replaced with an automated electro-mechanical system. The electric motor rotates the head about the post while the electro-mechanical linkage coordinates the vertical lifting motion, providing both rotational versatility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The head assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: vertical lifting, rotational movement between positions, and coordination with base stabilization. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated electro-mechanical linkage that manages both rotational and vertical degrees of freedom.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the base is expanded with legs extending outwardly, then stability is improved, but the footprint becomes too big for confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The base legs are designed as movable components that can dynamically change position between extended and retracted states. The electro-mechanical linkage automatically extends the legs to provide stability during transfer operations, then retracts them when mobility is needed, allowing the device to adapt its footprint based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The base legs are extended into the stabilizing position in advance of the transfer operation. The electro-mechanical linkage positions the legs outwardly before the user is lifted and transferred, ensuring stability is established before the critical transfer moment occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile lifting system comprising: a base including a plurality of spaced apart legs extending substantially radially relative to a post extending from the base wherein one or more legs of the base are movable between an expanded stabilizing condition and a retracted condition, the post movably supporting a head configured for rotation about the post, the head having a lifting arrangement attached thereto, the lifting arrangement being arranged for effecting upward and downward movement of a body support arrangement to raise and lower a disabled person during use, the body support arrangement being movable between a supporting position and an inoperative position, the body support arrangement being connected to the base through an electro-mechanical linkage combination which moves the base into the stabilizing condition when the body support arrangement is in the supporting position and moves the base into the retracted condition when the body support arrangement is in the inoperative position; the head being rotatable about the post for rotational movement of the body support arrangement to transfer a person between two seating positions which are angularly displaced and in proximity of the post; wherein end portions of the plurality of legs of the base are arranged substantially equally spaced apart on a diameter about the post when the base is in the stabilizing condition and wherein a first plurality of movable legs are movably attached to a centrally located base housing and a second plurality of fixed legs are fixedly attached to the base housing and wherein each of the movable legs is movable independently with respect to any other of the first plurality of movable legs from a first radial position to a second radial position to bring the base into a partially stabilizing condition; and an actuator configured to be operable by the disabled person to effect movement of the body support arrangement to move the body support arrangement upward and downward on the lifting arrangement and to rotate the head about the post, the post being located substantially at a centre of the base to provide stability as the body support arrangement on the head is rotated about the post While supporting the person and wherein the actuator and the electro-mechanical linkage are operably coupled to move the body support arrangement between a supporting position and an inoperative position.