Trolley Wheel Configuration for Offset Mast Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual removal of heavy tire/wheel combinations from vehicles can lead to back and shoulder injuries due to the need for repetitive lifting, especially when the mast is centered, and offsetting the mast for better access introduces lateral twisting moments that existing systems struggle to manage smoothly.
Innovation Solution
A trolley with a generally rectangular hollow cavity and mounted wheels that resist both forward and lateral bending moments by engaging with the track's sides, allowing the mast to be offset while maintaining stability and ease of use with a wheel balancer or tire changer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mast is centered between the forks, then the lifting system is stable, but access to lug nuts is limited and manual lifting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is positioned offset from the centerline of the lifting forks, creating an asymmetric configuration that provides clear access to lug nuts on both sides of the wheel while maintaining structural stability through the trolley's moment-resisting design
2Ease of operation
If the mast is offset from centerline for better access, then access to lug nuts is improved, but lateral twisting moments are introduced that cause rough operation
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley acts as an intermediary component between the mast and track, incorporating moment-resisting features that counterbalance the lateral twisting moments generated by the offset mast configuration, thereby enabling smooth operation
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley's moment-resisting features provide counteracting forces that balance the lateral twisting moments produced by the offset mast, preventing rough operation and ensuring smooth lifting
3Device complexity
If manual lifting of heavy tires is performed, then the lifting system is simple, but back and shoulder injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting system performs the heavy lifting task automatically through the trolley and cable mechanism, eliminating the need for operators to manually lift heavy tires and thereby preventing back and shoulder injuries
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 trolley enables safe and quick lifting of tire/wheel combinations to chest height, reducing the risk of injury by distributing the lifting force effectively and allowing easy access to lug nuts, while maintaining smooth operation by resisting both forward and lateral bending moments.
Implementation Method 1
The upper and lower trolley wheels are in rolling contact with the front and rear sides of the track for resisting a forward bending moment in a down direction on the cradle. Upper and lower spacer wheels are in rolling contact with the right and left sides of the track for resisting a lateral bending moment on the cradle
Data Source
AI summary
A trolley for use in a cable lift having a mast with a generally rectangular hollow cavity forming a track in which the trolley may be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly. The trolley is connected to a cradle outside the mast upon which an object to be lifted may be placed. The trolley has trolley wheels which make rolling contact with a front and back side of the track to resist a forward bending moment in down direction on the cradle. The trolley has spacer wheels which make rolling contact with a right and left sides of the track to resist a lateral bending moment on the cradle such that the cradle may be mounted on the mast offset from centerline.