Pivot-Leg Lifting Clamp for Lightweight Secure Gripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lifting clamps used in loading and unloading devices are heavy and cumbersome, making them inefficient for lifting and positioning various structural shapes.
Innovation Solution
A lifting clamp comprising a plurality of machined plates stacked and connected to form a C-shaped body with a pivot leg and locking mechanism, allowing for secure gripping and easy attachment to cranes or machines, featuring a pivotally connected pivot leg that can open and lock to accommodate objects of different sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional lifting clamps are used, then they can hold structural shapes securely, but they are heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting clamp is divided into multiple separate components including a C-shaped body, pivot leg, locking mechanism, and seat that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation reduces the weight of individual parts that need to be handled during operation while maintaining the overall functionality of the complete clamp system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot leg is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a retracted position (for easy operation) and an extended gripping position (for secure holding). This dynamic element reduces the operational effort required while maintaining clamping effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pivot leg is added to open and lock the seat, then the clamp can accommodate objects of different sizes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot leg combines multiple functions into a single component: it forms part of the gripping mechanism, provides the pivoting motion for opening/closing the seat, and works with the locking mechanism to secure objects of varying sizes. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot leg serves multiple purposes within the clamp system, acting as both a structural support element and the primary actuating mechanism for opening and closing the seat. This multi-functionality increases adaptability to different objects while minimizing the addition of separate components.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple machined plates are stacked to form the C-shaped body, then the clamp becomes more versatile and easier to assemble, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The C-shaped body is constructed from multiple separate machined plates stacked together rather than formed as a single complex piece. This segmentation allows each plate to be manufactured independently with standard precision tolerances, then assembled using simple fasteners, making the overall manufacturing process more feasible while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual plates are combined through stacking and fastening to create the complete C-shaped body structure. This merging of simple components achieves the complex geometry needed for versatility while keeping individual manufacturing operations straightforward and precision requirements manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting clamp for an object comprises a plurality of plates stacked and connected together to form seat for a portion of the object, a lifting portion for connecting to a crane or other machine, a pivot leg pivotally connected to the stacked plates for opening the seat, and a lock for selectively locking the pivot leg in a clamped position whereby it grips the object.