Sling Bar Hub Layout for Balanced Hand Control Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sling bars in lift systems often become unbalanced and difficult to use due to off-centered mounting points for hand control devices, which can cause tilting and hinder the placement of slings or other devices.
Innovation Solution
A sling bar design featuring a central hub with radially arranged niches for magnetic mounting of hand control devices, maintaining the center of gravity and preventing tilting, and allowing for wireless operation or untethered use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hand control device is mounted using existing attachment points, then the hand control device can be mounted to the sling bar, but the sling bar becomes unbalanced and tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centrally located mounting point that is symmetric in position relative to the sling bar's center of gravity, creating a balanced configuration. This resolves the asymmetry caused by off-center mounting points in existing designs, allowing the hand control device to be mounted without causing the sling bar to tilt or become unbalanced.
2Ease of operation
If hand control device is held continuously by user, then the device remains accessible and controllable, but the operation becomes inconvenient and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the hand control device to mount and dismount itself through magnetic attraction without requiring continuous user holding. The magnetic mounting mechanism allows the device to be conveniently placed on the sling bar when not in use, and automatically secures itself, eliminating the need for continuous manual support while maintaining full accessibility and control capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If hand control device is mounted off-center, then the device can be attached to the sling bar, but difficulty arises in placing slings or other devices on the sling bar
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the mounting point at the center of the sling bar's center of gravity, the patent creates a symmetric balance point that does not interfere with the placement of slings or other devices. This central mounting location provides optimal clearance and access around the entire sling bar, eliminating the placement difficulties caused by off-center mounting points.
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 solution ensures the sling bar remains balanced and easy to use, with the hand control device securely mounted and accessible, preventing tilting and facilitating the placement of slings or other support devices.
Implementation Method 1
the hand control device becomes magnetically coupled to the ferromagnetic insert positioned within the internal hollow region
Data Source
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AI summary
A sling bar includes a frame defining a central hub, a first hook extending from the central hub, and a second hook extending from the central hub. The central hub includes a wall defining an internal hollow region and an external hub surface, the internal hollow region shaped and sized to receive a ferromagnetic insert therein, and one or more niches formed within the wall and recessed into the wall from the external hub surface, the one or more niches arranged radially around the internal hollow region and sized and shaped to receive a hand control device.