Multistage Elevating Conveyance with Counterweight Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevating conveyance devices for automobile bodies in assembly lines face limitations in versatility and cost, with table-lifter types lacking flexibility in installation and multijoint robot types being costly, while drop-lifter types require ceiling support and have limited lifting distance.
Innovation Solution
A multistage extensible column system with a base, fixed and movable column portions, and an extending and contracting drive mechanism that includes counter weights and winding transmission tools, allowing for vertical extension and contraction to achieve a long lifting distance while maintaining stability and reducing facility costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a table-lifter type elevating conveyance device is used, then the layout is relatively free and it can be installed on the floor surface, but the lifting distance is limited to comparatively small distances
Solution Approach 1:
The elevating mechanism is divided into multiple stages with separate elevating units (first elevating unit 10 and second elevating unit 20) that can extend sequentially. The object support device can be elevated by the first elevating unit, then further elevated by the second elevating unit, enabling long lifting distances while maintaining floor installation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a horizontal extension dimension by allowing the object support device to extend horizontally from the elevating mechanism during elevation. This dimensional change enables the system to achieve both long lifting distances and installation flexibility by separating the vertical elevation function from the horizontal positioning function
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multijoint robot type elevating conveyance device is used, then the transfer path freedom is high, but the facility cost remarkably increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a fixed elevating mechanism and a movable object support device with horizontal extension capability. This segmentation replaces complex multijoint robot mechanisms with simpler, dedicated elevating and extending units, reducing facility cost while maintaining transfer path freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The object support device incorporates dynamic horizontal extension capability during the elevation process, allowing flexible positioning at different heights without requiring complex multijoint mechanisms. This dynamic adaptation achieves transfer path freedom through coordinated elevation and extension rather than through robotic articulation
3Length of moving object
If a drop-lifter type elevating conveyance device is used, then the lifting distance can be long, but the upper ends of the columns must be joined to and supported by a beam on the ceiling side, so that the device cannot be easily installed on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of supporting the elevating columns from the ceiling side as in conventional drop-lifter types, this patent inverts the support structure by anchoring the elevating mechanism to the floor and extending upward. The fixed elevating unit is grounded on the floor surface, eliminating the need for ceiling beams while achieving long lifting distances
Solution Approach 2:
The elevating system is segmented into a floor-mounted fixed elevating unit and a movable object support device. This segmentation enables the system to achieve long lifting distances through sequential elevation stages while maintaining floor installation capability, as each stage is self-supported from the floor upward
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 system enables a self-standing, free-layout elevating conveyance device that can handle heavy objects with a compact design, offering flexibility in installation and reduced weight and size, while maintaining stability and efficiency in conveying objects over long distances.
Implementation Method 1
a counter weight 20 supported on the fixed column portion 3 of the multistage extensible column 1 movably vertically within a range of the height of the fixed column portion 3, a winding transmission tool 21a which applies the gravity of the counter weight 20 upward to the next mid-stage elevating column portion 4a
Data Source
AI summary
An elevating conveyance device with improved versatility which can be utilized for transferring an automobile body in an automobile assembly line, etc., and according to a first aspect of the invention, the elevating conveyance device includes a multistage extensible column, a transfer means, and an extending and contracting drive mechanism, where the multistage extensible column includes a fixed column portion, one or more mid-stage elevating column portions, and a final-stage elevating portion, the transfer means is provided on the final-stage elevating portion, and the extending and contracting drive mechanism includes a counter weight supported on the fixed column portion movably vertically in a range of the height of the fixed column portion, a winding transmission tool which applies the gravity of the counter weight upward to the next mid-stage elevating column portion, an elevating drive means which drives and elevates the next mid-stage elevating column portion with respect to the fixed column portion, and winding transmission tools which convert an upward movement of the mid-stage elevating column portion into an upward movement of the next mid-stage elevating column portion or final-stage elevating portion.