Stacked Motor Assembly for Compact Stage Hoist Footprint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hoists in performance venues are bulky due to the need for multiple units and redundant safety brakes, which increases cost, size, and complexity, making them inefficient in terms of space usage.
Innovation Solution
A compact stage hoist motor assembly is designed with two electric motors and brakes stacked within a common plane, driving a cable winch through drive couplings, reducing overall width and providing a smaller footprint suitable for performance venues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hoists are used for different scenery items, then versatility is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hoist functions into a single integrated unit by stacking multiple motors and brake assemblies vertically within a common housing structure. This merging approach allows one hoist to handle multiple scenery items differently than requiring separate hoists, thereby reducing the total space occupied while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple hoists to a vertical stacking arrangement. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the design accommodates multiple motors and brake assemblies within a compact footprint, reducing the horizontal space requirement while maintaining the capability to handle various scenery items.
2Reliability
If redundant safety brakes are added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple brake assemblies into a unified structure where each brake is mounted on a common shaft and controlled through a coordinated system. This merging reduces the complexity compared to having separate brake systems, as the brakes share common mounting structures and control mechanisms while maintaining redundant safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake assemblies are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as primary braking mechanisms and as redundant safety brakes. The universal design allows the same brake structure to perform multiple safety functions, reducing the need for entirely separate redundant brake systems and thereby reducing overall complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hoist size is increased for adaptability, then versatility is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (motors, brakes, shafts, and housing) into a single integrated hoist assembly. This consolidation reduces the total material requirements and manufacturing costs compared to producing separate hoists, while the integrated design provides adaptability for different scenery items through its multi-functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By stacking components vertically rather than arranging them horizontally, the patent achieves adaptability for multiple applications without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall material cost. The vertical arrangement allows multiple motors and brakes to share common structural elements, reducing total material usage while maintaining versatility.
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 compact design allows for efficient use of space in performance venues by reducing the overall width of the hoist assembly while maintaining operational functionality and safety through dual motor and brake operation.
Implementation Method 1
A compact stage hoist motor assembly is designed with two electric motors and brakes stacked within a common plane, driving a cable winch through drive couplings
Implementation Method 2
The first electric motor and the second electric motor are stacked one atop the other within a common plane. A cable winch is rotatable about a winch axis. The cable winch includes a cable winch shaft that is driven by the first and second electric motors through respective ones of a first drive coupling and a second drive coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A stage hoist motor assembly includes a first electric motor including a first brake and a second electric motor including a second brake. The first electric motor and the second electric motor are stacked one atop the other within a common plane. A cable winch is rotatable about a winch axis and includes a cable winch shaft that is driven by the first and second electric motors through respective ones of a first drive coupling and a second drive coupling. A width of the motors is less than a width of the winch. Moreover, the motors are stacked one atop the other within a common plane to provide a compact foot print that is favorable to use in performance venue environments.