Vault Lowering Aid Drill Drive Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vault lowering devices require significant manual force and time, and can result in uncontrolled descent, potentially causing damage or emotional distress, due to the need for manual rotation and cranking.

Innovation Solution

A vault lowering system that includes a geared box mechanism and a handheld drill, allowing for controlled raising and lowering of vaults without manual rotation, utilizing a drive shaft and sprocket system to reduce effort and time, and featuring a guide and bumper assembly for stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual rotation and hand-cranking are used to operate the vault lowering device, then the vault can be raised or lowered, but significant force and time are required, and uncontrolled descent may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidforce required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical cranking system with a drill-driven system. A drill (manual or power-driven) attaches to the gear box and rotates the shaft that winds the cable, eliminating the need for manual hand-cranking while providing controlled descent through the same cable winding mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a gear box as an intermediary mechanism between the drill and the cable spool. The gear box contains gears that transfer and amplify the rotational force from the drill to the shaft, enabling controlled operation with reduced direct manual effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual hand-cranking is used, then the vault lowering device can operate, but the process is time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of operationVSAvoidtime required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the slow manual cranking process with a drill-driven system that can rotate the shaft much faster. Power drills especially can significantly reduce the time required to wind the cable and lower the vault, while the gear mechanism maintains control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables periodic or intermittent operation where the drill can be activated in short bursts to rotate the shaft, rather than requiring continuous slow manual cranking. This reduces the total time while maintaining control through the cable winding system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the handle is removed and the vault is permitted to descend uncontrolled, then the lowering process may be faster, but damage to the vault or casket may occur and emotional stress may be caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of loweringVSAvoidcontrolled descent

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gear box acts as a controlled intermediary that mediates between the drill's rotational power and the cable winding. The gear mechanism ensures controlled descent by transferring rotation in a controlled manner, preventing uncontrolled free-fall while still enabling faster operation than manual cranking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides inherent feedback through the cable tension and gear mechanism. As the vault descends, cable tension feeds back to the gear system, naturally regulating the descent speed and preventing uncontrolled acceleration, while the drill operator can adjust power application based on the load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Significantly reduces the time and effort required to raise or lower a vault, ensuring controlled operation and minimizing the risk of damage or emotional distress, while being easily transportable.

Implementation Method 1

A vault lowering system may be employed which includes a vault lowering device and a vault lowering aid. The vault lowering aid may be attached to the gear box. The drive shaft may be rotated, utilizing a sprocket system to reduce effort and time, thereby raising or lowering the vault in a controlled manner.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS10258530B1Vault lowering devices and methods

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 ADVANCED FUNERAL SOURCE LLC

AI summary

A vault lowering aid comprising a housing; an elongated member; a drive shaft; a drive sprocket disposed within the housing and engaged with the draft shaft, such that a rotation of the draft shaft causes a rotation of the drive sprocket; at least one driven sprocket disposed within the housing and engaged with the drive sprocket via a chain, wherein the chain enables the rotation of the drive sprocket to cause a rotation of the driven sprocket; a driven shaft, wherein the driven shaft is engaged with the driven sprocket, such that the rotation of the driven sprocket causes the rotation of the driven shaft, and wherein the driven shaft is configured to engage a vault lowering device geared box; and at least one guide mechanism configured to secure the vault lowering aid on the geared box.