Scissor Lift Assembly With Variable Link Lengths for Confined Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lift equipment faces challenges in navigating uneven floors, low ceilings, and constricted access points, and is burdened by delicate floor surfaces, making operation difficult and cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A scissor stack assembly with scissor crosses of varying dimensions is used in lift equipment, facilitating improved mechanical performance, including lower internal stresses, increased lift height, enhanced lift capacity, and a compact footprint, allowing operation in challenging environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional scissor lift equipment is used, then it can provide lifting function, but it cannot operate in confined spaces with low ceilings and constricted access points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate in confined spacesVSAvoidfootprint of scissor lift

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scissor stack is divided into multiple scissor crosses (first, second, third scissor crosses) with different link lengths, creating a segmented structure that can navigate confined spaces while maintaining lifting capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the scissor stack have different link lengths (first link length different from second and third link lengths), optimizing each section for specific spatial constraints encountered during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Length of stationary object

If scissor crosses with varying link lengths are used, then lift height and lift capacity are increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelift heightVSAvoidcomplexity of scissor stack assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scissor crosses are designed with asymmetric link lengths, where the first scissor cross has a different link length than the second and third scissor crosses, enabling optimized lift height and capacity while maintaining manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stress or pressure

If scissor crosses with varying link lengths are used, then internal stresses and actuator loads are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepeak stresses in scissor stackVSAvoidease of manufacturing scissor stack assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The link lengths of the scissor crosses are varied as a design parameter (first link length different from second and third link lengths) to optimize stress distribution and reduce peak stresses while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250263280A1Scissor lift

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 CUSTOM EQUIPMENT LLC

AI summary

Lift equipment includes a chassis, a prime mover, multiple wheels, a lift platform, and a scissor stack assembly. The scissor stack assembly includes a first scissor cross, a second scissor cross, a third scissor cross, and an actuator. The first scissor cross is coupled to the chassis and has first links of a first link length. The second scissor cross is coupled to the lift platform and has second links of a second link length. The third scissor cross is coupled between the first scissor cross and the second scissor cross and has third links of a third link length. The actuator is coupled to the prime mover and is configured to transition the scissor stack assembly between a retracted position and an extended position. The first link length is different than at least one of: (i) the second link length or (ii) the third link length.