Passive Lift Support Status Detection Through Actuator Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive lift supports in work machines have relatively short service lives and weaken over time, leading to increased load on actuators, which can result in premature wear and higher costs due to the need for multiple actuators to compensate for the reduced support.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a computing system to monitor load-related parameters and determine the operational status of passive lift supports by comparing these parameters to thresholds, allowing for timely replacement and reducing the load on actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If passive lift supports are used to replace actuators, then cost is reduced, but service life is shortened and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a passive lift support with an actuator to create a hybrid system. The passive lift support handles the static support load while the actuator provides dynamic positioning, merging the cost benefits of passive supports with the reliability of active actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive lift support performs preliminary action by providing initial support and reducing the load on the actuator before the actuator needs to operate, thereby extending the service life of the actuator and improving overall system reliability.
2Device complexity
If passive lift supports are used instead of actuators, then device complexity is reduced, but load capacity on remaining actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive lift support acts as a counterweight mechanism, providing an opposing force that balances the static load. This reduces the net force that the actuator must overcome, allowing the actuator to operate within its capacity even though the total number of actuators is reduced.
3Ease of manufacture
If passive lift supports are used to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but maintenance cost increases due to shorter service life
Solution Approach 1:
The passive lift support performs preliminary action by providing initial support and reducing the load on the actuator before the actuator needs to operate, thereby extending the service life of the actuator and improving overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring to detect when the passive lift support is failing, providing feedback that allows for timely replacement before complete failure occurs, thereby reducing unexpected maintenance costs and improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for monitoring the operational status of passive lift supports includes an actuatable component configured to be moved across a range of movement between a first position and a second position, and an actuator coupled to the component and being configured to actuate the component across the range of movement. The system also includes a passive lift support coupled to the component and being configured to provide a supplemental actuation force as the actuator is being used to actuate the component across the range of movement. In addition, the system includes a computing system configured to monitor a load-related parameter indicative of a load being carried by the actuator. The computing system is further configured to determine an operational status of the passive lift support based at least in part on the monitored load-related parameter.