Rotating Ceiling-Mounted Display Hoist for Safe Ground-Level Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display systems that allow elevated displays to be raised and lowered for maintenance often suffer from visibility issues due to non-ideal orientations and lack of electrical power, leading to inefficient display setups and safety concerns during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a housing, rotator, and hoist that allows for the selective rotation and elevation of displays, with a rotator anchored to a ceiling and a hoist motor that winds and unwinds cables to lift and lower the display, while also providing electrical power through a conductive coupling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a display is attached to an elevated surface for exhibition, then the display visibility is improved, but the safety and speed of changing the display deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display system incorporates a motorized hoist mechanism that dynamically adjusts the display's vertical position, allowing it to be raised to an elevated visible position and lowered to a safe, accessible position for maintenance. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by separating the display's operational state (elevated for visibility) from its maintenance state (lowered for safety).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical system (hoist with cable and pulley) between the display and the ceiling attachment point. This intermediary mechanism enables safe ground-level operation while maintaining elevated display positioning, mediating between the conflicting requirements of visibility and maintenance safety.
2Ease of operation
If a ladder or lift is used to elevate a person to the display level, then the display can be changed, but safety concerns and process speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service display replacement at ground level through the automated hoist mechanism. The motorized system automatically lowers the display to working height and raises it back into position, eliminating the need for manual elevation equipment and allowing safe, efficient display changes without requiring personnel to work at height.
3Ease of operation
If an elongated device is used to change the display from ground level, then the person remains on the ground, but safety concerns and speed issues persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (using elongated tools or devices) with an automated motorized hoist system. This substitution dramatically increases productivity by enabling quick, one-button display replacement while maintaining ground-level safety, eliminating the inefficiencies of manual elongated device operations.
4Use of energy by moving object
If additional electrical wiring is installed for elevated displays, then electrical power is provided, but the device complexity and setup process increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist cable serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the display, enables vertical movement, and acts as a conduit for electrical power delivery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate wiring systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining electrical power provision to the elevated display.
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
Enables efficient display maintenance with improved visibility and reduced safety risks by allowing displays to be rotated and elevated for optimal viewing, while eliminating the need for additional electrical wiring and simplifying the display setup process.
Implementation Method 1
The hoist motor (416) may be configured to selectively rotate the member (418) such that a cable (421) functionally coupled to the member is wound about the member when the member is rotated in a first direction, and the cable is unwound from the member when the member is rotated in a second direction
Implementation Method 2
The rotator (125) may be configured to selectively rotate the housing (110) such that a display functionally coupled to the housing is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, a system of lifting, lowering and rotating a display may include a housing, a rotator, and a hoist. The rotator may be configured to selectively rotate the housing such that a display functionally coupled to the housing is rotated. The rotator may include an anchor and a rotating portion. The anchor may be configured to be attached to an elevated surface. The rotating portion may be configured to be functionally coupled to the housing, and configured to rotate relative to the anchor. The hoist may include a member and a hoist motor. The hoist motor may be configured to selectively rotate the member such that a cable functionally coupled to the member is wound about the member when the member is rotated in a first direction, and the cable is unwound from the member when the member is rotated in a second direction.