Pneumatic Lifting Device with Extendable Wheels for Heavy Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for lifting and moving heavy objects, such as pianos and large flower pots, face limitations in generating sufficient lifting force and lateral stability, and often require multiple people or complex integration, while being costly and not easily adaptable for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically acting device with a box-like insert and inflatable cushion, equipped with extendable wheels and a hand pump, which allows for easy lifting and rolling of objects by distributing load across multiple wheels, ensuring high stability and easy installation in various objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If pneumatic or hydraulic lifting devices are used to generate sufficient lifting force, then the lifting capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic lifting device with an inflatable cushion to generate the necessary lifting force. The cushion can be inflated using a hand pump to lift heavy objects that cannot be moved manually, providing sufficient lifting force while maintaining relative simplicity through the use of basic pneumatic components rather than complex hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device is divided into separate functional components: an inflatable cushion for lifting, extendable wheels for moving, and a hand pump for operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the required lifting force.
2Force
If traditional lifting methods with multiple people are used, then sufficient lifting force is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables a single person to perform the lifting task independently using the hand pump and inflatable cushion system, eliminating the need for multiple people to manually lift the object. The system serves itself by providing mechanical assistance that one person can control.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical lifting effort of multiple people is replaced by a pneumatic system that can be operated by a single person through a hand pump, converting manual pumping action into sufficient lifting force through air pressure.
3Ease of operation
If wheels are extended downwards for moving objects, then mobility is improved, but the stability of the object deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheels are designed to be extendable and retractable rather than fixed. They can be extended when mobility is needed and retracted when stability is required, allowing the device to dynamically adapt its configuration based on the operational phase (lifting/moving vs. stationary).
Solution Approach 2:
The wheels undergo periodic extension and retraction cycles: extended during the moving phase to enable mobility, and retracted during the stationary phase to maximize stability. This periodic adjustment of wheel position resolves the contradiction between mobility and stability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the device is designed to be low-profile for easy installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the lifting force generation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable cushion and extendable wheel mechanism are nested within a compact box-like insert that fits into a recess in the base. When deflated and retracted, the components occupy minimal space, allowing a low-profile design that is easy to install. When inflated, the cushion expands to generate the required lifting force.
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
Facilitates the lifting and moving of heavy objects with enhanced lifting force and stability, allowing single-person operation and easy integration into diverse settings, while being cost-effective and space-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic lifting device with a box-like insert and inflatable cushion, equipped with extendable wheels and a hand pump
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The device is used to raise and move objects. The device has a box-like insert (2) for installing in the bottom side (3) of the object to be lifted. The box-like insert has at least three wheels (14), which are integrated in the box-like insert (2). By means of a pneumatic or hydraulic lifting apparatus in the box-like insert (2) having a hand pump (8) and a valve (9), the wheels (14) can be temporarily extended or pivoted downward out of the insert (2). The object equipped with the insert (2) is thus raised and can then be rolled away on the wheels (14).