Tank Cover Lifting Tool Balancing Offset Gravity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and attachment of heavy tank covers in industrial settings pose safety risks due to their weight and size, as well as challenges in maintaining the cover's upright position and aligning gaskets during installation.
Innovation Solution
A tank cover lifting tool with a handle center support, first and second handles, and lifting blocks that engage tank cover handles, allowing for the use of guide pins to secure the cover and maintain balance, reducing manual labor and preventing injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a field worker manually operates the tank cover by dragging the tank cover handles, then the tank cover can be moved, but the center of gravity offset causes the tank cover to flip over from the upright position, creating safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lifting tool as an intermediary device between the field worker and the tank cover. This tool includes a handle center support with lifting blocks that engage the tank cover handles, providing mechanical assistance to counteract the offset center of gravity and prevent flipping during manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting tool functions as a counterweight mechanism by positioning the handle center support at the correct location to balance the offset center of gravity of the tank cover. The lifting blocks engage the handles and provide upward force to counteract the downward moment caused by gravity, maintaining the tank cover in an upright position.
2Manufacturing precision
If a field worker manually holds the gasket in place while attaching the tank cover, then the gasket can be positioned correctly, but the heavy weight of the tank cover creates risk of hand injury from being caught between the cover and gasket
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting tool is installed on the tank cover before the attachment process begins. This preliminary action allows the tool to provide continuous support and control throughout the entire operation, including during gasket installation, preventing the tank cover from falling and eliminating the need for the field worker to manually hold the gasket.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting tool serves as an intermediary that provides mechanical support and control during the attachment process. By engaging the tank cover handles, the tool allows the field worker to maintain control of the heavy cover without direct hand contact with the gasket, eliminating the pinching hazard while still enabling precise hole alignment.
3Reliability
If the tank cover is held in the upright position during manual operation, then safety is improved, but the heavy weight and large size make manual operation difficult and require significant physical effort
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting tool acts as a mechanical counterweight system by positioning the handle center support to balance the offset center of gravity. The lifting blocks engage the handles and provide upward force to counteract the heavy weight, making it easier for the field worker to hold and maneuver the tank cover in the upright position without excessive physical effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting tool provides dynamic support during tank cover operation. The lifting blocks can engage and disengage from the handles, and the handle center support can be positioned to provide optimal balance during movement, allowing the field worker to easily transition the cover between positions while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A tank cover lifting tool is configured to remove or attach tank covers. The tank cover lifting tool includes a handle center support, a first handle connected to one end of the handle center support, and a second handle connected to another end of the handle center support. In addition, the tank cover lifting tool includes a first lifting block that is locked on the handle center support and that is configured to engage a first tank cover handle of a tank cover. Further, the tank cover lifting tool includes a second lifting block that is locked on the handle center support and that is configured to engage a second tank cover handle of the tank cover.