Wall Grabbing Device with Guided Hooks for Modular Wall Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting and installing heavy wall structures in modular construction units is challenging due to the need for efficient lifting and precise placement, which existing methods fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A wall grabbing system comprising a wall grabbing device with a frame assembly, hook assembly, and actuator, which secures to a machine like a forklift, allows for easy and secure lifting and placement of wall structures by engaging hooks with the wall frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heavy wall structures are lifted and transported manually or with conventional equipment, then the wall structures can be moved to installation locations, but the process is inefficient, unsafe, and lacks precise placement control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wall grabbing device as an intermediary tool between the lifting equipment and the wall structure. This device includes a frame assembly with wall guides and a hook assembly that can be lowered onto the wall structure, engaged, and then lifted. The intermediary device simplifies the operation by providing a standardized interface for grabbing and lifting heavy wall structures, making the process safer and more efficient without requiring direct manual handling of the heavy walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook assembly is designed to be movable relative to the frame assembly, allowing it to transition between an extended position (for lowering onto the wall structure) and a retracted position (for engaging the wall structure). This dynamic configuration enables the device to adapt to the wall structure during the grabbing process, improving ease of operation while maintaining high productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If wall structures are lifted with conventional equipment, then lifting can be achieved, but precise placement and controlled lowering are difficult to accomplish
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting and placement system is segmented into distinct functional components: the frame assembly provides structural support and guidance, the wall guides ensure proper alignment, and the hook assembly provides the grabbing and lifting function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving precise placement without requiring an overly complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall guides act as intermediaries between the frame assembly and the wall structure, providing controlled guidance during the lowering and placement process. This intermediary mechanism enables precise placement by constraining the movement path of the wall structure, achieving high placement precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Strength
If a simple grabbing mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely engage and lift heavy wall structures is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated wall grabbing device: the frame assembly provides structural strength, the wall guides provide alignment and guidance, and the hook assembly provides the grabbing mechanism. This merging of functions into one cohesive device achieves the necessary grabbing force and secure engagement without requiring multiple separate complex systems, balancing strength requirements with acceptable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wall grabbing system and method of grabbing a wall structure of a modular construction unit. The wall grabbing system includes a machine attachment structure and a wall grabbing device coupled to the machine attachment structure. The wall grabbing device includes a frame assembly having one or more wall guides and a hook assembly coupled to the frame assembly between the one or more wall guides. The hook assembly includes one or more hooks and an actuator. The one or more hooks are configured to engage the wall structure. The actuator is coupled to the frame assembly and includes an actuator shaft coupled to the hook assembly. The actuator moves the hook assembly from an extended position to a retracted position such that the one or more hooks engage the wall structure in the retracted position to grab the wall structure.