Construction Hoist Tiltable Loading Surface Gap Bridging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing construction hoists require custom walkways to bridge varying distances between loading and unloading surfaces, which is inefficient and costly, especially in shipbuilding where deck dimensions differ, leading to wasteful disassembly and reassembly of equipment.

Innovation Solution

A construction hoist with load-bearing columns and a lifting unit that can slide and tilt, allowing the loading surface to adjust its position to bridge gaps of varying lengths without the need for custom walkways, utilizing anchorage means, lifting motors, pinions, and movement racks to facilitate movement and tilting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If custom walkways are built to bridge varying distances between loading and unloading surfaces, then the gap can be bridged for specific applications, but the device becomes complex and requires disassembly/reassembly for different applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying gap distancesVSAvoidcomplexity of custom walkways
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is made tiltable about a tilting axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. This enables the loading surface to be positioned at different angles to bridge varying gap distances without requiring custom walkways for each application, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hoist system is designed with a tiltable support structure that can accommodate multiple gap distances and configurations using the same basic components. This universal design eliminates the need for application-specific custom walkways, allowing the same hoist to serve multiple functions across different applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If custom steelwork walkways are constructed for specific applications, then the gap can be bridged accurately, but time is lost during disassembly and reassembly for subsequent applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of gap bridgingVSAvoidtime for disassembly and reassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tiltable support structure allows rapid adjustment of the loading surface position and angle to match different gap distances. This dynamic capability enables the same hoist to be quickly reconfigured for subsequent applications without time-consuming disassembly and reassembly of custom walkways, while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the loading surface is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying distances and deck dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of fixed structureVSAvoidability to accommodate varying distances
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates a tilting mechanism that allows the loading surface to be positioned at different angles and distances. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to varying gap distances and deck dimensions while maintaining relative structural simplicity through the use of a single tilting axis and standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4029820A1Construction hoist
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 FISAR HOLDING SA
  • EP4029820A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4029820A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4029820A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A construction hoist (12) adapted to be coupled to a structure comprises at least one load-bearing column (14, 16) arranged on an anchorage side (18) with anchorage means (20) adapted to anchor said at least one load-bearing column (14, 16) to a structure. The construction hoist (12) further comprises a lifting unit (22) provided with a loading surface (24) and a support structure (26) for the loading surface (24). The lifting unit (22) is adapted to slide along the at least one load-bearing column (14, 16) along a direction (X). The construction hoist (12) further comprises movement means (28) adapted to allow the sliding of said loading surface (24) with respect to said support structure (26) in a direction (Y) substantially transverse to the direction (X), between a retracted or rest position, and an extracted position in which said loading surface (24) protrudes from said support structure (24) on the anchorage side (18).