Self-locking Lift System with Automatic Nut Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift systems using hydraulic cylinders are insecure and inefficient, particularly when multiple cylinders are used, as they lack secure locking mechanisms during lifting and lowering, risking load damage and user safety due to potential rapid pressure loss and requiring manual operation of lock nuts, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A lift system with a cylinder, piston, and threaded member, where a nut is selectively engageable with the end surface to limit axial movement, driven by a motor and sensor assembly to maintain engagement with the end surface, ensuring secure locking and automatic operation through a drive mechanism and control valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manually-turned lock nut is used after lifting, then the load can be secured, but the operation becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lock nut automatically engages with the end surface during the lifting operation itself, without requiring separate manual intervention. The system uses the lifting motion to drive the lock nut into engagement, making the locking process self-executing and eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining load security
Solution Approach 2:
The lock nut engagement is performed preliminarily during the lifting process before the load needs to be secured. By integrating the locking action into the lifting sequence, the system prepares the secured state in advance, avoiding post-lifting manual locking operations
2Productivity
If fluid cylinders are used for lifting, then the load can be lifted efficiently, but the system becomes insecure due to potential rapid pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The lock nut provides a mechanical backup support that engages beforehand during the lifting process. This mechanical engagement acts as a safety cushion against potential hydraulic failure, ensuring that even if rapid pressure loss occurs, the load remains secured by the lock nut rather than being dropped
Solution Approach 2:
The lock nut serves as an intermediary mechanical element between the hydraulic system and the load. It translates the lifting motion into a secure mechanical engagement that independently supports the load, providing an additional layer of security that does not rely solely on hydraulic pressure
3Force
If multiple hydraulic cylinders are used, then the necessary force and balance can be provided, but the manual operation of multiple lock nuts becomes especially time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Each hydraulic cylinder's lock nut automatically engages during its respective lifting operation, eliminating the need for separate manual locking of each cylinder. The system performs the locking function itself through the lifting motion, reducing the time required to secure multiple cylinders while maintaining the necessary lifting force and balance
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
The system provides secure locking during lifting and lowering, preventing load damage and user risk by automatically maintaining engagement with the end surface, even in case of pressure loss, and reduces manual operation time, enhancing efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid lift systems (e.g., those incorporating hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic jacks) may be used for lifting or lowering large loads
Implementation Method 2
a threaded member supported for movement with the piston. The lift system further includes a nut threadedly engaging the threaded member
Data Source
AI summary
A lift system includes a cylinder having an end surface, a threaded member supported for movement with a piston, and a nut threadedly engaging the threaded member and selectively engageable with the end surface. Engagement of the nut and the end surface limits axial movement of the piston relative to the cylinder in at least one direction. A drive mechanism rotates the nut relative to the threaded member, and a control valve controls movement of the piston relative to the cylinder. A drive control mechanism controls operation of the drive mechanism and rotation of the nut. A nut sensor senses a portion of the nut. The nut sensor is in communication with at least one of the control valve and the drive control mechanism. When the nut sensor detects a portion of the nut, the control valve stops movement of the piston or the drive control mechanism stops rotation of the nut.