Motorized Ceiling Display Manipulator with Counterweight Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for removing and reinstalling display items from high ceilings, such as ladders and long poles, are hazardous, expensive, and inefficient, as they require frequent climbing and handling, which can lead to accidents and damage to structures.

Innovation Solution

A motorized apparatus with a ceiling tube and housing system that uses a tension pulley and motor-driven take-up reel to raise and lower display items, allowing for remote control operation and eliminating the need for ladders or poles, with features like automatic leveling and battery-powered operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If employees use ladders to reach high ceilings for displaying items, then they can access ceiling-mounted displays, but the risk of falling and causing injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ceiling displaysVSAvoidsafety of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical ladder system with an electrical motorized system. The motorized apparatus suspends operators near the ceiling using a counterweight and cable system, eliminating the need for ladders and thereby removing the falling hazard while maintaining access to ceiling-mounted displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a motorized platform with counterweight system as an intermediary between the operator and the ceiling. This intermediary mechanism provides safe, controlled access to ceiling displays without requiring the operator to climb ladders, thus resolving the safety contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If employees use long poles to manipulate ceiling items from the ground, then the risk of falling is eliminated, but the pole becomes unwieldy and difficult to handle due to flexing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of operationVSAvoidhandling of apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the manipulation task into two separate functions: (1) a motorized platform that safely positions operators near the ceiling, and (2) simplified tools for manipulating displays. This segmentation eliminates the need for long, flexible poles while maintaining safety and ease of handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If ladders are frequently used for changing displays, then access to ceiling items is achieved, but additional expenses are incurred for purchasing, storage, and employee time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ceiling displaysVSAvoidtime for retrieving and storing equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The motorized apparatus is permanently installed and self-contained, eliminating the need to repeatedly retrieve and store ladders. The system serves itself by providing continuous, on-demand access to ceiling displays without requiring equipment management, thereby reducing time loss and operational expenses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Length of moving object

If narrow ladders are used to reach high ceilings, then vertical access is provided, but the ladders tip over easily and are ill-suited for supporting persons at great heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight reachVSAvoidstability of ladder

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the unstable narrow ladder with a motorized platform system that uses a counterweight and cable mechanism for support. This substitution provides stable, controlled positioning at ceiling heights without relying on narrow, tip-prone ladders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a counterweight system to balance and stabilize the motorized platform at elevated positions. The counterweight eliminates the instability inherent in narrow ladders by providing gravitational counterbalance, ensuring safe support for operators at great heights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 apparatus enables safe, efficient, and cost-effective manipulation of display items from high ceilings, reducing the risk of accidents and expenses associated with traditional methods, while providing convenient storage and easy adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

the tension pulley resiliently holds the line as the motor driven take up reel rotates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9691304B2Item hanging and manipulating apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 VOTOLATO EARL

AI summary

An apparatus for hanging and manipulating items that are suspended from a ceiling or wall. The apparatus includes hanging structures to suspend items from a wall or ceiling, a remotely controlled motorized take up reel system to raise and lower the items by way of suspension lines so the items can either be positioned, replaced, repaired or displayed, and a leveling system. The system can be safely operated without a person having to move a ladder in place and go up the ladder to work with the suspension item.