Spring-Biased Hoist Coupling Preventing Accidental Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoist systems for moving persons risk accidental release of the coupling when unloaded, leading to potential safety hazards during lifting operations.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design featuring a spring-biased shaft that requires two active actions to release: turning the hook and displacing the shaft to a position where the flats are within the cutout, ensuring the coupling can only be released when not loaded, thereby preventing inadvertent release both when loaded and unloaded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hook is designed to grip around a shaft with flats that can pass the insertion opening at a specific angle, then the coupling can be released by turning the hook, but the coupling may be accidentally released when unloaded and cannot be released when loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is made movable along its longitudinal axis through a push-button mechanism that overcomes spring resistance. This dynamic element allows the shaft to shift position based on operational needs: in the first position during normal operation to prevent release, and in the second position during intentional release to allow the flats to pass through the insertion opening
Solution Approach 2:
The push-button mechanism performs a preliminary action by first displacing the shaft to the second position before the hook can be turned for release. This preliminary displacement of the shaft is required before the actual release can occur, ensuring that accidental release is prevented while allowing intentional release when the button is pressed
2Reliability
If the shaft is made movable along its longitudinal axis against spring resistance with a push-button mechanism, then the coupling provides enhanced safety by requiring two active actions for release, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button mechanism and shaft displacement function are merged into a single integrated component. The push-button directly engages with the shaft to move it along the longitudinal axis, combining the actuation and displacement functions in one element rather than using separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The spring automatically returns the shaft to the first position after the push-button is released, eliminating the need for additional mechanisms to reset the shaft. The spring-loaded system self-resets the coupling to its safe state after each release operation
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 coupling provides enhanced safety by ensuring it can only be released when not loaded, preventing accidental disengagement during lifting operations while allowing rapid release when necessary, without the need for additional safeguards like split-pins.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft is arranged for manual displacement in its longitudinal direction against the action of a spring
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling (12) including:- a housing (60) with a cutout (61);- a cylindric shaft (62) extending transversely to the cutout through aligned openings (75);- a hook (63) having a width which is less than the width of the cutout (61) and which has a receiving opening (64) with a diameter corresponding to the shaft diameter, and which is intended for receiving the shaft (62) and an insertion opening (65) having a width which is less than the shaft diameter and which is oriented at an angle relative to a direction of pull (66) by loading the hook (63), where the shaft (62) at a part (70) for disposition in the cutout (61) is provided with opposing flats (67) with mutual spacing which is less than the width of the insertion opening (65), wherein the shaft (62) is arranged for manual displacement in its longitudinal direction against the action of a spring (71), from a first position (69) where the flats (67) are located outside the cutout (61), and to a second position (68) where the flats (67) of the shaft are displaced into the cutout (61).