Multiaxial Lifting Device for Reduced Drive Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting devices for handling heavy loads pose risks of injury to workers and damage to loads, require high drive force or energy, are inflexible, costly, and lack integration flexibility with existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a multiaxial kinematic mechanism and integrated weight compensation units that dynamically adjust to minimize drive energy, allowing safe, flexible, and efficient manipulation of loads, compatible with manual, semi-automated, or automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a known auxiliary drive is used to pivot a manipulator arm, then the manipulator arm can be pivoted with support, but the drive force or drive energy required is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principles by using a piston-cylinder module to compensate for the weight force of the load. The piston-cylinder module generates an opposing force that balances the gravitational force acting on the load, thereby reducing the drive energy required by the auxiliary drive to pivot the manipulator arm. This is achieved by connecting the piston-cylinder module to the manipulator arm or support structure, allowing it to dynamically counterbalance the load weight during movement.
2Ease of operation
If generic lifting devices are used to handle heavy loads, then the worker is relieved of manual handling, but the interaction carries risks of injury to the worker or damage to the load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the worker and the lifting device. The control unit monitors the operational state of the lifting device and automatically activates the piston-cylinder module when weight compensation is required. This intermediary system eliminates the need for direct worker intervention in weight compensation, thereby reducing the risk of injury while maintaining ease of operation. The control unit acts as a safety mediator that autonomously manages the interaction between human operator and heavy load.
3Extent of automation
If fully automated systems with articulated robots are used, then load handling is automated, but the investment costs are high and the systems are relatively inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automation function into a modular piston-cylinder module that can be independently added to existing manual lifting devices. Rather than implementing a fully automated articulated robot system, the invention divides the automation requirement into a specific weight compensation function that can be selectively activated. This segmented approach allows partial automation of the weight compensation task while maintaining the flexibility of manual operation for other aspects, thereby achieving automation benefits without sacrificing adaptability or requiring high investment in complete robotic systems.
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 device ensures safe, energy-efficient, and adaptable load handling with reduced drive energy consumption, enabling integration into existing systems and minimizing worker injury risk.
Implementation Method 1
at least one piston-cylinder module (12) which can be connected to the manipulator arm (02) or to a support structure (16) and which has a cylinder axis (12L) which, in an operative state, coincides with the first axis (41)
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting device (01) for manipulating a load (06), the lifting device (01) comprising a multiaxial kinematic mechanism (04) on which at least one manipulator arm (02) is mounted, the manipulator arm (02) being configured to move about and/or along multiple axes of movement (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and having a holding means (05) for the load (06), wherein a positioning unit (07, 08, 09, 10, 11) acting on the multiaxial kinematic mechanism (04) and serving to move the manipulator arm (02) and a weight compensation unit (12, 13) for compensating for the weight force (FG) of the load (06) are associated with at least one of the axes of movement (41, 42, 43, 44, 45). Furthermore, a method for manipulating a load by means of at least one lifting device (01) is disclosed.