Reusable Panel Lifting Hook for Weld-Free Building Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for lifting and installing building panels are inefficient, costly, and result in material waste due to the use of disposable welded lifting points that remain permanently attached to the panels, requiring time-consuming on-site welding and posing safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A reusable lifting apparatus that engages with pre-formed holes in the building panel frame, utilizing a hook portion, collar, and keeper pin for secure attachment and detachment, eliminating the need for on-site welding and allowing quick engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable welded lifting points are used to attach panels to cranes, then secure lifting can be achieved, but material waste increases and installation time increases due to welding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is divided into separate components: reusable lifting apparatus and disposable inserts. The inserts are placed in holes drilled through the panel, and the reusable apparatus engages with these inserts. This segmentation allows the main lifting apparatus to be reused across multiple panels while only the small inserts are consumed, significantly reducing material waste compared to welding entire lifting points to each panel.
Solution Approach 2:
Holes are pre-drilled through the panel frames at predetermined locations during manufacturing or before installation. These pre-formed holes accommodate the reusable lifting apparatus, eliminating the need for on-site welding operations and reducing installation time while maintaining secure lifting capability.
2Reliability
If disposable welded lifting points are used, then lifting security is ensured, but installation time increases due to on-site welding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Holes are pre-drilled through the panel frames at predetermined locations during manufacturing or before installation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site welding operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining secure lifting capability through the reusable apparatus that engages with the pre-formed holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical insertion system. Instead of welding lifting points to panels, holes are drilled and reusable lifting apparatus are mechanically engaged with inserts placed in these holes. This substitution eliminates time-consuming welding operations while ensuring lifting security.
3Reliability
If threaded attachment mechanisms are welded to brackets, then secure panel attachment to crane is achieved, but structural integrity of panels is compromised and surface is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into separate components: reusable lifting apparatus and disposable inserts. The inserts are placed in holes drilled through the panel, and the reusable apparatus engages with these inserts. This segmentation allows secure attachment without welding, preserving panel structural integrity and surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding process is replaced with a mechanical insertion system. Holes are drilled and reusable lifting apparatus are mechanically engaged with inserts, eliminating the need to weld threaded attachment mechanisms to brackets. This preserves the panel's structural integrity and surface quality while achieving secure attachment.
4Ease of operation
If temporary lifting points are fastened onto panels, then lifting capability is provided, but panel surface is damaged and lifting points remain permanently attached
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system is segmented into reusable apparatus and disposable inserts. The inserts are placed in holes drilled through the panel, allowing lifting capability without permanent attachment. After use, the reusable apparatus can be removed cleanly, leaving no damage or marks on the panel surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable inserts are discarded after single use, while the reusable lifting apparatus is recovered and reused on subsequent panels. This allows lifting capability to be provided without permanently attaching anything to the panel, and the reusable apparatus can be recovered without leaving damage or marks on the panel surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting apparatus for a building panel may include a hook portion configured to engage with pre-formed holes in a building panel frame. A body portion may connect to the hook portion. A collar assembly may mount on the body portion. The collar assembly may comprise a collar ring configured to prevent complete passage of the lifting apparatus through an access hole in the building panel. A keeper pin may limit movement of the collar ring relative to the body portion. A swivel connector may attach to the body portion opposite the hook portion. The swivel connector may couple with a lifting device. The hook portion may include a J-shaped distal end sized to fit within the pre-formed holes. The body portion may define multiple keeper pin apertures spaced along its length. The swivel connector may enable rotation in multiple planes.