Rotating Work Platform Mast Climb Through Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access platforms, such as mast climbing work platforms, face limitations in achieving great lifting heights and load capacities while maintaining stability, especially in applications like wind turbine towers and industrial chimneys, where supports are required but can obstruct the movement of rotating work platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system with a rotatable work platform that includes a substantially vertical mast structure, a frame structure that moves up and down, and a rotating frame allowing the work platform to rotate around both, enabling it to ascend and descend past supports, and featuring modular design for adjustable reach and ease of assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the mast structure is secured with supports to a structure to prevent tilting and swinging, then the stability and load capacity are improved, but the supports obstruct the movement of the work platform when ascending and descending
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into multiple segments with openings that can be independently positioned. These segmented sections allow the platform to pass through support locations during vertical movement while maintaining structural integrity and stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure incorporates movable sections with openings that can dynamically adjust their position. During ascent and descent, the openings align with support locations to allow passage, while during work operations, the structure maintains its stability-bearing configuration.
2Length of moving object
If the mast structure is made taller to achieve great lifting heights, then the lifting height is improved, but the structure becomes less stable and requires more supports
Solution Approach 1:
The mast structure is divided into multiple modular sections that can be stacked to achieve greater heights. Each section includes openings that align with support locations, allowing the structure to maintain stability through distributed support points rather than requiring a single continuous support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure with its openings is nested within the mast structure, creating a hierarchical system where the openings provide passage paths for supports while the outer mast structure provides overall structural integrity and height.
3Device complexity
If the work platform is made non-rotating to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operational flexibility in confined spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating mechanism is integrated into the existing frame structure with openings, combining the rotation function with the support-passing capability. The openings in the rotating frame allow supports to pass through during rotation, enabling the platform to achieve operational flexibility without adding separate complex mechanisms.
4Strength
If the frame structure is made solid without openings to maintain structural integrity, then the strength is improved, but the work platform cannot ascend and descend past supports
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is segmented into sections with openings positioned at specific locations. These openings are strategically placed to allow passage through supports while maintaining sufficient structural integrity in the remaining material, achieving a balance between strength and operational capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A rotatable work platform system comprising: a substantially vertical mast structure (1); a frame structure (80) which is connected to the mast structure (1) and adapted to move up and down along the mast structure (1). The system further comprises: a rotating frame (40) attached to the frame structure (80) and adapted to rotate around the frame structure (80) and the mast structure (1); and a work platform (10) connected to the rotating frame (40) for providing rotating motion of the work platform (10) around the mast structure (1). The rotating frame (40) and the frame structure (80) comprise openings (43, 83) which enable the rotating frame (40) and the frame structure (80) to ascend and descend along the mast structure (1) past one or more supports (50) immovably attached to the mast structure (1).