Spool-Driven Lift Housing for Safer Wire Bundle Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual installation and removal of wire bundles in aircraft compartments pose safety risks and ergonomic challenges, requiring multiple operators and physical capability.
Innovation Solution
A lift system with a first and second clamp assembly, a gear assembly, and a spool assembly that controls the rotation of straps to move objects vertically, reducing manual labor and operator strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual lifting and holding of wire bundles is used during installation, then the installation process can be completed, but operators are exposed to dangerous operating conditions and ergonomic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical lift system as an intermediary device between the wire bundles and operators. The system includes a housing with a spool assembly that winds and unwinds straps to lift and position wire bundles, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle heavy loads. This intermediary mechanism transfers the lifting function from human operators to a dedicated mechanical system, resolving the contradiction between completing installation and preventing operator injury.
2Force
If multiple operators are used to manually install wire bundles, then the physical load can be distributed, but the complexity of the installation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lift system is designed to autonomously perform the lifting operation through its spool assembly mechanism. The system self-regulates the lifting process by winding straps around the spool to raise wire bundles and unwinding them to lower bundles, eliminating the need for multiple operators to coordinate manual lifting. This self-service capability concentrates the lifting function in a single automated system, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining adequate lifting capacity.
3Productivity
If manual handling of wire bundles is required, then installation can be completed, but operators must be physically capable of completing the work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (operators physically lifting and positioning wire bundles) with an automated mechanical system (motor-driven spool assembly). The spool assembly, controlled by a motor, performs the lifting and positioning functions that previously required human physical effort. This substitution eliminates the physical capability requirements for operators while maintaining installation completion, as the automated system handles all heavy lifting and positioning tasks.
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 lift system provides safer working conditions, reduces the number of operators needed, and allows physically incapable individuals to install wire bundles efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The spool assembly may include a rotating extension component that may rotate in the first direction of rotation or the second direction of rotation. The second end of the first strap and the fourth end of the second strap may be operably coupled with the rotating extension component. In one example, a portion of the first strap and a portion of the second strap may wrap around an outer surface of the rotating extension component responsive to the spool assembly rotating in the first direction of rotation.
Implementation Method 2
The gear assembly may control a speed of rotation of the spool assembly, and may additionally or alternatively control the direction of rotation of the spool assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lift system (100) and method include a first clamp assembly (102), a second clamp assembly (104), and a gear assembly (106) including one or more gears. The lift system (100) includes a lift housing (108) having a housing cavity (140) with a spool assembly (110) disposed within the housing cavity (140). The spool assembly (110) is coupled with the gear assembly (106) that controls a direction of rotation of the spool assembly (110). A first strap (112) extends between a first end (116) coupled with the first clamp assembly (102) and a second end (118) coupled with the spool assembly (110). A second strap (114) extends between a third end (120) coupled with the second clamp assembly (104) and a fourth end (122) coupled with the spool assembly (110). The lift housing (108) moves in a first direction (130) responsive to the spool assembly (110) rotating in a first direction of rotation (174), and the lift housing (108) moves in a second direction (132) responsive to the spool assembly (110) rotating in a second direction of rotation (176).