WO2013081523A1 - Guiding control device for belt hoist - Google Patents

Guiding control device for belt hoist Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013081523A1
WO2013081523A1 PCT/SE2012/050750 SE2012050750W WO2013081523A1 WO 2013081523 A1 WO2013081523 A1 WO 2013081523A1 SE 2012050750 W SE2012050750 W SE 2012050750W WO 2013081523 A1 WO2013081523 A1 WO 2013081523A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
belt
guiding
control device
belt guide
hoist
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2012/050750
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Magnus Holmberg
Magnus BRÄNNSTRÖM
Original Assignee
Handicare Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Handicare Ab filed Critical Handicare Ab
Publication of WO2013081523A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013081523A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
    • B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
    • B66D1/28—Other constructional details
    • B66D1/36—Guiding, or otherwise ensuring winding in an orderly manner, of ropes, cables, or chains
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
    • A61G7/1013—Lifting of patients by
    • A61G7/1015—Cables, chains or cords
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61G—TRANSPORT, PERSONAL CONVEYANCES, OR ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PATIENTS OR DISABLED PERSONS; OPERATING TABLES OR CHAIRS; CHAIRS FOR DENTISTRY; FUNERAL DEVICES
    • A61G7/00—Beds specially adapted for nursing; Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons
    • A61G7/10—Devices for lifting patients or disabled persons, e.g. special adaptations of hoists thereto
    • A61G7/1063—Safety means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of patient lifts.
  • the invention relates to a guiding control device adapted for use with a patient lift hoist for detecting improper winding of a belt on the hoist.
  • Patient lifts are commonly used as an aid for lifting, lowering and/or moving persons who need such assistance, for example patients, elderly or disabled persons.
  • a patient lift usually comprises a hoist device for lowering and raising for example a harness holding the patient.
  • the hoist device may either be of the type having a rope which is wound on a drum or be a belt hoist having a belt which is wound on a wheel.
  • belt hoists In patient lifts, it is common to use belt hoists. A problem with belt hoists is disorderly winding of the belt on the wheel of the hoist. During use of patient lifts, there is a risk that the belt is not properly wound on the wheel or drum when the patient is slantingly uplifted relative the hoist, i.e. when the patient is not positioned beneath the patient lift. This may result in jamming of the hoist and/or damage to the belt.
  • Mechanical guiding arrangements for mechanically limiting inclination of the belt relative the hoist are known.
  • One an example of such a mechanical guiding means is disclosed in US4372452, where a ceiling mounted patient lift is described.
  • the patient lift has a guideway with a rectangular slot for guiding the belt there through.
  • a problem with such mechanical guiding arrangements is high friction and wear of the belt.
  • a guiding control device for proper winding of a belt of a hoist.
  • the guiding control device comprises a belt guide, a guiding member and at least one limit switch.
  • the belt guide has a belt slot for guiding the belt there through.
  • the guiding member is arranged to guide said belt guide to be moveable in a plane such that the belt slot is allowed to be tiltable and/or moveable in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot.
  • the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at a predetermined position relative the guiding member.
  • a hoist device comprising a motor driven belt hoist and a guiding control device according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the invention is based on the insight that by guiding the belt guide, the belt slot in the longitudinal direction may be limited to movement in a plane, thus inclination of the belt in the direction of the width of the belt relative the wheel of the hoist is allowed and may be detected and separated from inclination in other directions. Thus, a certain amount of inclination in the direction of the width of the belt may be allowed.
  • the belt guide i.e. the belt slot
  • a predetermined position relative the guiding member or within a predetermined position range, corresponding to an inclination in the direction of the width of the belt which is greater than what is desirable in order to prevent disorderly winding, unwanted inclination is detected.
  • a relative predetermined position and/or predetermined position range correspond to an inclination in the direction of the width of the belt which is greater than what is desirable.
  • the belt guide has a belt slot with a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction arranged to guide the belt passing there through during feeding and winding of the belt.
  • the guiding member is arranged to guide the belt guide in order to limit the belt slot to be moveable in a plane such that the belt through the belt slot is allowed to be inclined in the direction of the width of the belt, i.e. inclined in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot, or displaced in the direction of the width of the belt.
  • the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at a predetermined position relative the guiding member. Alternatively, when the belt guide is tiltable, the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at or above a
  • the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at or above a predetermined position relative the guiding member or within a predetermined range relative the guiding member.
  • the guiding member may be arranged to guide said belt guide such that the belt slot is tiltable only in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot and/or such that the belt slot in the longitudinal direction is moveable in a plane, in order to prevent said belt slot from being tiltable and/or moveable in the lateral direction of said belt slot.
  • the belt guide is only movable in the plane such that the belt slot is allowed to be tiltable and/or moveable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot, the belt guide will only move or tilt when the belt is inclined in the direction of the width of the belt. Thereby, a predetermined tilt of the belt slot in the longitudinal direction is signaled by the limit switch resulting in stopping of the winding.
  • the belt slot tilts and the belt guide thereby contacts the at least one limit switch resulting in a signal from the limit switch, thereby stopping the winding.
  • an inclination of the belt in the direction of the length of the belt will not tilt or move the belt slot and thus the belt guide which, in turn, will maintain the belt guide in a non-contacting state with the limit switch.
  • the longitudinal direction of the belt slot refers to the direction of extension of the belt slot. It is furthermore understood that the lateral direction of the belt slot refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt slot.
  • the direction of the length of the belt refers to the direction of extension of the belt. It is furthermore understood that the direction of the width of the belt refers to a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the belt, i.e. the width of the belt. It is also
  • belt hoist refers to a hoist or lift comprising a rotatable wheel or drum on which a belt is windable.
  • the rotatable wheel or drum may be rotated by means of a thereto coupled motor.
  • the guiding member comprises at least one guiding surface arranged to cooperate with at least one guiding surface of the belt guide.
  • the guiding member may comprise two guiding surfaces which are arranged on either side of the belt guide and arranged to be in sliding abutment with corresponding guiding surfaces of the belt guide on either side thereof.
  • the guiding member may be sandwiched between two guiding surfaces of the guiding member such that the guiding surfaces of the guiding member is essentially in abutment with the guiding surfaces of the belt guide. Because of the cooperation between the guiding surfaces of the belt guide and the guiding member, movement of the belt guide is limited to be allowed only in a plane.
  • the belt guide is rotatably coupled to the guiding member.
  • the belt guide is rotatably coupled to the guiding member by means of at least one screw, pin or axle.
  • the belt guide may be rotatably coupled to the guiding member by two screws which are screwed into the belt guide from opposite sides thereof. Thereby, the belt guide is only tiltable or rotatable relative the guiding member, and no other relative movement is allowed. This is an advantageous embodiment for achieving guiding of the belt guide such that movement is allowed only in a plane.
  • the guiding member comprises an elongated through hole in which the screw or pin is guided in order to allow movement of the belt guide in a winding direction of the belt through the belt guide.
  • the guiding control device may function as an end position detector as well by arranging the at least one limit switch to provide a signal when the belt guide is in the end position along the winding direction in the plane, limited by the elongated through hole.
  • the winding direction may be perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel of the belt hoist.
  • the said belt guide is resiliently coupled to the guiding member and/or a chassis portion of said hoist.
  • the guiding control device further comprises spring means coupled between the belt guide and the guiding member and/or a chassis portion of the hoist in order to resiliently align the belt guide in a straight position.
  • the spring means may comprise a plurality of helical compression springs arranged between the belt guide and the guiding member. It is advantageous to have the belt guide aligned in a straight position because the belt may then pass essentially unobstructed there through, i.e. without contacting the edges of the belt slot, when the belt is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel of the belt hoist.
  • the at least one limit switch is arranged to mechanically limit movement of said belt guide when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member.
  • the guiding member is arranged to mechanically limit movement of said belt guide when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member.
  • Fig 1 is an illustration of a guiding device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig 2 is an illustration of a guiding device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig 3 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in fig. 2, wherein the belt guide is in a recessed position.
  • Fig 4 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in fig. 1 , wherein the belt guide is in a tilted position.
  • Fig 5 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in figs. 1 and 4, wherein the belt guide is in another tilted position.
  • Fig 6 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in fig. 2 and 3, wherein the belt guide is in a tilted position.
  • Fig 7 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in figs. 2, 3 and 6, wherein the belt guide is in another tilted position.
  • Fig 8 is an exploded view of the same guiding device as in figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7.
  • the guiding control device is directed such that the extractable end of the belt is pointing upwards, and is thus intended for use in a portable patient lift where the belt hoist is movable with the patient, i.e. the extractable or loose end of the belt is attached to the roof or a suspended rails system.
  • the invention is equally applicable to embodiments where the guiding control device is directed in any other direction, in particular the embodiment where the guiding control device is directed such that the extractable end of the belt points downwards, i.e. where the belt hoist is attached to a roof or to a suspended rail system and the loose end of the belt is connectable to the patient.
  • Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a guiding control device 1 having a belt guide 2.
  • the belt guide has a rectangular belt slot 3 through which the belt 4 is guided. It is understood that the belt slot has a cross section essentially the same as the cross section of the belt in order to provide a guiding effect.
  • the belt guide has a protruding portion 5 around the periphery of the belt slot 3 having rounded surfaces towards the belt 4.
  • the guiding member 6 has a U- shaped portion which is open upwardly.
  • the belt guide 2 is arranged in the U- shaped portion and is rotatably coupled thereto with screws 7a, 7b (not shown), each extending through holes 1 1 a, 1 1 b (not shown) in respective side 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion and fixed to the belt guide along its axis of rotation.
  • the belt guide 2 is thereby tiltable or rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot relative the guiding member.
  • the longitudinal direction of the belt slot 3 corresponds to the direction of the width of the belt 4 when the direction of the length of the belt is perpendicular to the belt guide 2.
  • the inner surfaces of the sides 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion are essentially in abutment with the sides of the belt guide 2.
  • the bottom surface 8c of the U-shaped portion limits the maximum tilting or rotation of the belt guide mechanically.
  • the guiding member 6 also has side portions 9a, 9b arranged at the ends of the U-shaped portions at a right angle thereto adapted to couple the guiding member to a hoist or the chassis of a hoist.
  • the guiding control device 1 is furthermore equipped with a limit switch 10.
  • the limit switch 10 extends along a portion of the bottom surface 8c of the U- shaped portion, i.e. beneath the belt guide 2. Thereby, the belt guide 2 may contact the limit switch 10 when tilted above a predetermined angle relative the guiding member such that the limit switch provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist.
  • the limit switch 10 further extends outside the bottom surface 8c of the U-shaped portion to be electrically connectable to for example an electronic control unit (ECU).
  • ECU electronice control unit
  • Helical springs (not shown) are arranged between the bottom surface 8c and the belt guide 2. The helical springs are arranged at each corner of the belt guide 2 to align the belt guide in a straight position relative the guiding member.
  • the belt guide 2 arranged in the U-shaped portion may also be rotatably coupled thereto with a pin or axle extending through holes 1 1 a and 1 1 b (not shown) in respective side 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion and fixed to the belt guide along its axis of rotation.
  • Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of a guiding control device 1 being similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 1.
  • the description above regarding fig. 1 also applies to fig. 2, and all figure references correspond to the references in fig. 1 .
  • the belt guide 2 is rotatably coupled to the guiding member with screws 7a, 7b (not shown), each extending through elongate holes 12a, 12b (not shown) in respective side 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion and fixed to the belt guide along its axis of rotation.
  • the belt guide 2 is thereby, unlike the embodiment shown in figure 1 , not only tiltable or rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot relative the guiding member, but also moveable in the direction of the elongation of the holes 12a, 12b.
  • This direction of the elongation or extension of the holes corresponds to the direction of the length or extension of the belt 4 if the belt is passed straight through the belt guide 2, and also corresponds to the plumb line if the belt hoist and the guiding control device is vertically arranged.
  • the inner surfaces of the sides 8a, 8b and the sides of the belt guide 2 functions as guiding surfaces to prevent tilting of the belt guide in any other direction except for in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot.
  • the sides of the belt guide 2 have a certain height to achieve this effect.
  • Fig. 3 shows the same embodiment as shown in fig. 2. All figure references correspond to the references in figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 illustrates that the guiding control device 1 also can detect an end position.
  • the belt guide When the harness, hook or the like which is coupled to the end 13 of the belt 4 reaches an end position, i.e. contacts the belt guide 2, the belt guide is pushed towards the bottom surface 8c of the U-shaped portion and into contact with the limit switch 10. Thereby, the limit switch provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist. In this position the screws 7a, 7b are in a first end of the elongate holes 12a, 12b. When the guiding control device is directed upwards, as shown in fig. 3, the first end of the elongate holes is their lower end.
  • Figs. 4 and 5 show the same embodiment as shown in fig. 1. All figure references correspond to the references in fig. 1 .
  • the belt guide 2 is tilted to the right above a predetermined angle relative the guiding member such that the belt guide 2 contacts the limit switch, which in turn provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist.
  • the belt guide 2 is tilted to the left in an analogous manner.
  • the screws 7a, 7b are thus rotated in the holes 1 1 a, 1 1 b of the sides 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion to limit movement of the belt guide relative the guiding member to tilting movement about the axis of rotation of the screws.
  • Figs. 6 and 7 show the same embodiment as shown in figs. 2 and 3. All figure references correspond to the references in figs. 1 , 2 and 3.
  • the belt guide 2 is tilted to the right above a predetermined angle relative the guiding member such that the belt guide 2 contacts the limit switch, which in turn provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist.
  • the belt guide 2 is tilted to the left in an analogous manner.
  • the screws 7a, 7b are in the second end of the elongate holes 12a, 12b, where the second end corresponds to the upper end in this figure.
  • Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7. All figure references correspond to the references in figs. 1 , 2, 3, 6 and 7.
  • Helical springs 14a-d are arranged between the bottom surface 8c and the belt guide 2. The helical springs are arranged at each corner of the belt guide 2 to align the belt guide in a straight position relative the guiding member.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Structure Of Belt Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

A guiding control device (1 ) for proper winding of a belt (4) of a hoist is provided. The guiding control device comprises a belt guide (2), a guiding member (6) and at least one limit switch (10). The belt guide (2) has a belt slot (3) for guiding the belt there through. The guiding member (6) is arranged to said belt guide (2) to be moveable in a plane such that the belt slot (3) is allowed to be tiltable and/or moveable in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot (3). The at least one limit switch (10) is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide (2) is at a predetermined position relative the guiding member (6). A hoist device comprising such a guiding control device is also described.

Description

GUIDING CONTROL DEVICE FOR BELT HOIST
Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of patient lifts. In particular, the invention relates to a guiding control device adapted for use with a patient lift hoist for detecting improper winding of a belt on the hoist.
Technical Background
Patient lifts are commonly used as an aid for lifting, lowering and/or moving persons who need such assistance, for example patients, elderly or disabled persons. Such a patient lift usually comprises a hoist device for lowering and raising for example a harness holding the patient. The hoist device may either be of the type having a rope which is wound on a drum or be a belt hoist having a belt which is wound on a wheel.
In patient lifts, it is common to use belt hoists. A problem with belt hoists is disorderly winding of the belt on the wheel of the hoist. During use of patient lifts, there is a risk that the belt is not properly wound on the wheel or drum when the patient is slantingly uplifted relative the hoist, i.e. when the patient is not positioned beneath the patient lift. This may result in jamming of the hoist and/or damage to the belt.
Mechanical guiding arrangements for mechanically limiting inclination of the belt relative the hoist are known. One an example of such a mechanical guiding means is disclosed in US4372452, where a ceiling mounted patient lift is described. The patient lift has a guideway with a rectangular slot for guiding the belt there through. A problem with such mechanical guiding arrangements is high friction and wear of the belt.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved guiding control device where the above mentioned problems of the prior art is at least partly alleviated.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a guiding control device for proper winding of a belt of a hoist is provided. The guiding control device comprises a belt guide, a guiding member and at least one limit switch. The belt guide has a belt slot for guiding the belt there through. The guiding member is arranged to guide said belt guide to be moveable in a plane such that the belt slot is allowed to be tiltable and/or moveable in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot. The at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at a predetermined position relative the guiding member.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a hoist device comprising a motor driven belt hoist and a guiding control device according to the first aspect of the invention.
The invention is based on the insight that by guiding the belt guide, the belt slot in the longitudinal direction may be limited to movement in a plane, thus inclination of the belt in the direction of the width of the belt relative the wheel of the hoist is allowed and may be detected and separated from inclination in other directions. Thus, a certain amount of inclination in the direction of the width of the belt may be allowed. However, when the belt guide, i.e. the belt slot, is at and/or above a predetermined position relative the guiding member, or within a predetermined position range, corresponding to an inclination in the direction of the width of the belt which is greater than what is desirable in order to prevent disorderly winding, unwanted inclination is detected. Thus, a relative predetermined position and/or predetermined position range correspond to an inclination in the direction of the width of the belt which is greater than what is desirable.
In other words, the belt guide has a belt slot with a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction arranged to guide the belt passing there through during feeding and winding of the belt. The guiding member is arranged to guide the belt guide in order to limit the belt slot to be moveable in a plane such that the belt through the belt slot is allowed to be inclined in the direction of the width of the belt, i.e. inclined in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot, or displaced in the direction of the width of the belt. The at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at a predetermined position relative the guiding member. Alternatively, when the belt guide is tiltable, the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at or above a
predetermined tilting angle relative the guiding member. Alternatively, when the belt guide is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot, the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping the winding when the belt guide is at or above a predetermined position relative the guiding member or within a predetermined range relative the guiding member.
Put differently, the guiding member may be arranged to guide said belt guide such that the belt slot is tiltable only in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot and/or such that the belt slot in the longitudinal direction is moveable in a plane, in order to prevent said belt slot from being tiltable and/or moveable in the lateral direction of said belt slot.
Because inclination of the belt which could result in disorderly winding of the hoist is detectable, it is possible to stop the motor of the hoist. Furthermore, because the belt guide is only movable in the plane such that the belt slot is allowed to be tiltable and/or moveable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot, the belt guide will only move or tilt when the belt is inclined in the direction of the width of the belt. Thereby, a predetermined tilt of the belt slot in the longitudinal direction is signaled by the limit switch resulting in stopping of the winding. Thus when the belt is wound with a too large inclination or movement in the direction of the width of the belt, the belt slot tilts and the belt guide thereby contacts the at least one limit switch resulting in a signal from the limit switch, thereby stopping the winding. On the other hand, an inclination of the belt in the direction of the length of the belt will not tilt or move the belt slot and thus the belt guide which, in turn, will maintain the belt guide in a non-contacting state with the limit switch.
It is understood that the longitudinal direction of the belt slot refers to the direction of extension of the belt slot. It is furthermore understood that the lateral direction of the belt slot refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt slot.
It is furthermore understood that the direction of the length of the belt refers to the direction of extension of the belt. It is furthermore understood that the direction of the width of the belt refers to a direction perpendicular to the direction of the length of the belt, i.e. the width of the belt. It is also
understood that the winding direction refers to the direction in which the belt is straightly passed through the belt guide. It is furthermore understood that belt hoist refers to a hoist or lift comprising a rotatable wheel or drum on which a belt is windable. The rotatable wheel or drum may be rotated by means of a thereto coupled motor.
In an embodiment of the invention, the guiding member comprises at least one guiding surface arranged to cooperate with at least one guiding surface of the belt guide. The guiding member may comprise two guiding surfaces which are arranged on either side of the belt guide and arranged to be in sliding abutment with corresponding guiding surfaces of the belt guide on either side thereof. In other words, the guiding member may be sandwiched between two guiding surfaces of the guiding member such that the guiding surfaces of the guiding member is essentially in abutment with the guiding surfaces of the belt guide. Because of the cooperation between the guiding surfaces of the belt guide and the guiding member, movement of the belt guide is limited to be allowed only in a plane.
In another embodiment of the invention, the belt guide is rotatably coupled to the guiding member. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the belt guide is rotatably coupled to the guiding member by means of at least one screw, pin or axle. The belt guide may be rotatably coupled to the guiding member by two screws which are screwed into the belt guide from opposite sides thereof. Thereby, the belt guide is only tiltable or rotatable relative the guiding member, and no other relative movement is allowed. This is an advantageous embodiment for achieving guiding of the belt guide such that movement is allowed only in a plane.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the guiding member comprises an elongated through hole in which the screw or pin is guided in order to allow movement of the belt guide in a winding direction of the belt through the belt guide. By allowing movement along a winding direction in the plane, the guiding control device may function as an end position detector as well by arranging the at least one limit switch to provide a signal when the belt guide is in the end position along the winding direction in the plane, limited by the elongated through hole. The winding direction may be perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel of the belt hoist. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the said belt guide is resiliently coupled to the guiding member and/or a chassis portion of said hoist. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the guiding control device further comprises spring means coupled between the belt guide and the guiding member and/or a chassis portion of the hoist in order to resiliently align the belt guide in a straight position. The spring means may comprise a plurality of helical compression springs arranged between the belt guide and the guiding member. It is advantageous to have the belt guide aligned in a straight position because the belt may then pass essentially unobstructed there through, i.e. without contacting the edges of the belt slot, when the belt is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wheel of the belt hoist.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the at least one limit switch is arranged to mechanically limit movement of said belt guide when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member. In yet another embodiment, of the invention, the guiding member is arranged to mechanically limit movement of said belt guide when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member. Brief Description of the Drawings
These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawing showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:
Fig 1 is an illustration of a guiding device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Fig 2 is an illustration of a guiding device in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
Fig 3 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in fig. 2, wherein the belt guide is in a recessed position.
Fig 4 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in fig. 1 , wherein the belt guide is in a tilted position.
Fig 5 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in figs. 1 and 4, wherein the belt guide is in another tilted position.
Fig 6 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in fig. 2 and 3, wherein the belt guide is in a tilted position.
Fig 7 is an illustration of the same guiding device as in figs. 2, 3 and 6, wherein the belt guide is in another tilted position. Fig 8 is an exploded view of the same guiding device as in figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Detailed Description
In the following description, an embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to a guiding control device having a belt guide which is rotatably coupled to the guiding member. In the following figures, the guiding control device is directed such that the extractable end of the belt is pointing upwards, and is thus intended for use in a portable patient lift where the belt hoist is movable with the patient, i.e. the extractable or loose end of the belt is attached to the roof or a suspended rails system. However, as is understood, the invention is equally applicable to embodiments where the guiding control device is directed in any other direction, in particular the embodiment where the guiding control device is directed such that the extractable end of the belt points downwards, i.e. where the belt hoist is attached to a roof or to a suspended rail system and the loose end of the belt is connectable to the patient.
Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a guiding control device 1 having a belt guide 2. The belt guide has a rectangular belt slot 3 through which the belt 4 is guided. It is understood that the belt slot has a cross section essentially the same as the cross section of the belt in order to provide a guiding effect. The belt guide has a protruding portion 5 around the periphery of the belt slot 3 having rounded surfaces towards the belt 4. The guiding member 6 has a U- shaped portion which is open upwardly. The belt guide 2 is arranged in the U- shaped portion and is rotatably coupled thereto with screws 7a, 7b (not shown), each extending through holes 1 1 a, 1 1 b (not shown) in respective side 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion and fixed to the belt guide along its axis of rotation. The belt guide 2 is thereby tiltable or rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot relative the guiding member. The longitudinal direction of the belt slot 3 corresponds to the direction of the width of the belt 4 when the direction of the length of the belt is perpendicular to the belt guide 2. The inner surfaces of the sides 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion are essentially in abutment with the sides of the belt guide 2. The bottom surface 8c of the U-shaped portion limits the maximum tilting or rotation of the belt guide mechanically. The guiding member 6 also has side portions 9a, 9b arranged at the ends of the U-shaped portions at a right angle thereto adapted to couple the guiding member to a hoist or the chassis of a hoist. The guiding control device 1 is furthermore equipped with a limit switch 10. The limit switch 10 extends along a portion of the bottom surface 8c of the U- shaped portion, i.e. beneath the belt guide 2. Thereby, the belt guide 2 may contact the limit switch 10 when tilted above a predetermined angle relative the guiding member such that the limit switch provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist. The limit switch 10 further extends outside the bottom surface 8c of the U-shaped portion to be electrically connectable to for example an electronic control unit (ECU). Helical springs (not shown) are arranged between the bottom surface 8c and the belt guide 2. The helical springs are arranged at each corner of the belt guide 2 to align the belt guide in a straight position relative the guiding member.
As is understood, the belt guide 2 arranged in the U-shaped portion may also be rotatably coupled thereto with a pin or axle extending through holes 1 1 a and 1 1 b (not shown) in respective side 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion and fixed to the belt guide along its axis of rotation.
Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of a guiding control device 1 being similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 1. The description above regarding fig. 1 also applies to fig. 2, and all figure references correspond to the references in fig. 1 . The belt guide 2 is rotatably coupled to the guiding member with screws 7a, 7b (not shown), each extending through elongate holes 12a, 12b (not shown) in respective side 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion and fixed to the belt guide along its axis of rotation. The belt guide 2 is thereby, unlike the embodiment shown in figure 1 , not only tiltable or rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot relative the guiding member, but also moveable in the direction of the elongation of the holes 12a, 12b. This direction of the elongation or extension of the holes corresponds to the direction of the length or extension of the belt 4 if the belt is passed straight through the belt guide 2, and also corresponds to the plumb line if the belt hoist and the guiding control device is vertically arranged. The inner surfaces of the sides 8a, 8b and the sides of the belt guide 2 functions as guiding surfaces to prevent tilting of the belt guide in any other direction except for in the longitudinal direction of the belt slot. The sides of the belt guide 2 have a certain height to achieve this effect. Fig. 3 shows the same embodiment as shown in fig. 2. All figure references correspond to the references in figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 illustrates that the guiding control device 1 also can detect an end position. When the harness, hook or the like which is coupled to the end 13 of the belt 4 reaches an end position, i.e. contacts the belt guide 2, the belt guide is pushed towards the bottom surface 8c of the U-shaped portion and into contact with the limit switch 10. Thereby, the limit switch provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist. In this position the screws 7a, 7b are in a first end of the elongate holes 12a, 12b. When the guiding control device is directed upwards, as shown in fig. 3, the first end of the elongate holes is their lower end.
Figs. 4 and 5 show the same embodiment as shown in fig. 1. All figure references correspond to the references in fig. 1 . In fig. 4, the belt guide 2 is tilted to the right above a predetermined angle relative the guiding member such that the belt guide 2 contacts the limit switch, which in turn provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist. In fig. 5, the belt guide 2 is tilted to the left in an analogous manner. The screws 7a, 7b are thus rotated in the holes 1 1 a, 1 1 b of the sides 8a, 8b of the U-shaped portion to limit movement of the belt guide relative the guiding member to tilting movement about the axis of rotation of the screws.
Figs. 6 and 7 show the same embodiment as shown in figs. 2 and 3. All figure references correspond to the references in figs. 1 , 2 and 3. In fig. 6, the belt guide 2 is tilted to the right above a predetermined angle relative the guiding member such that the belt guide 2 contacts the limit switch, which in turn provides a signal for stopping winding of the belt on the hoist. In fig. 7, the belt guide 2 is tilted to the left in an analogous manner. The screws 7a, 7b are in the second end of the elongate holes 12a, 12b, where the second end corresponds to the upper end in this figure.
Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7. All figure references correspond to the references in figs. 1 , 2, 3, 6 and 7. Helical springs 14a-d are arranged between the bottom surface 8c and the belt guide 2. The helical springs are arranged at each corner of the belt guide 2 to align the belt guide in a straight position relative the guiding member. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that a number of changes and modifications, or alterations of the invention as described herein may be made. In particular it should be noted that although the figures show a guiding control device where the belt and the belt slot are directed upwards, the invention is equally applicable to embodiments where they are directed downwards, or in any other direction. Thus, it is to be understood that the above description of the invention and the accompanying drawings are to be regarded as a non-limiting examples thereof and that the scope of the invention is defined in the appended patent claims.

Claims

Claims
1 . A guiding control device for proper winding of a belt of a hoist, said device comprising:
- a belt guide having a belt slot for guiding said belt there through;
- a guiding member being arranged to guide said belt guide to be moveable in a plane such that said belt slot is allowed to be tiltable and/or moveable in the longitudinal direction of said belt slot;
- at least one limit switch arranged to provide a signal for stopping said winding when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member.
2. The guiding control device according to claim 1 , wherein said guiding member comprises at least one guiding surface arranged to cooperate with at least one guiding surface of said belt guide.
3. The guiding control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said belt guide is rotatably coupled to said guiding member.
4. The guiding control device according to claim 3, wherein said belt guide is rotatably coupled to said guiding member by means of at least one screw or pin.
5. The guiding control device according to claim 4, wherein said guiding member comprises at least one elongated through hole in which said at least one screw or pin is guided in order to allow movement of said belt guide in a winding direction of the belt through the belt guide.
6. The guiding control device according to any one of the claims 3 - 5, wherein said at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping said winding when said belt guide is tilted relative said guiding member at or above a predetermined angle in either direction.
7. The guiding control device according claim 6, wherein said at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping said winding when said belt guide is at a predetermined position along said winding direction.
8. The guiding control device according to any one of the claims 3 - 6, wherein said guiding control device further comprises at least one additional limit switch arranged to provide a signal for stopping said winding when said belt guide is at a predetermined position along said winding direction.
9. The guiding control device according to any one of the claims 3 - 6, the at least one limit switch is arranged to provide a signal for stopping said winding when said belt guide is at a predetermined position along said winding direction.
10. The guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said belt guide is resiliently coupled to said guiding member and/or a chassis portion of said hoist.
1 1 . The guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said belt slot is a rectangular slot.
12. The guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said belt slot comprises rounded edges.
13. The guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said limit switch is selected from a group comprising an
electromechanical switch, a touch switch and an optical switch.
14. The guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said belt guide is arranged to contact said at least one limit switch when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member.
15. The guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one limit switch and/or said guiding member is arranged to mechanically limit movement of said belt guide when said belt guide is at a predetermined position relative said guiding member.
16. A hoist device comprising a motor driven belt hoist and a guiding control device according to any one of the preceding claims.
17. The hoist device according to claim 16, wherein said holding member is a portion of a chassis of the hoist device.
18. The hoist device according to claim 16 or 17, where the hoist device comprises means for turning on or off the motor in response to a signal from said limit switch.
PCT/SE2012/050750 2011-12-02 2012-06-29 Guiding control device for belt hoist WO2013081523A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE1151148-2 2011-12-02
SE1151148 2011-12-02

Publications (1)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110550554A (en) * 2019-09-09 2019-12-10 长沙凯泽工程设计有限公司 Glass's for building hoist and mount protection fixing device

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4372452A (en) * 1980-12-24 1983-02-08 Independent Transfer Equipment Co. Transfer hoist for disabled persons
CN2067700U (en) * 1990-03-31 1990-12-19 张明彦 Platen type limit twist preventing device for electric hoist
JP2004331321A (en) * 2003-05-08 2004-11-25 Meiden Kosan Kk Elevation device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4372452A (en) * 1980-12-24 1983-02-08 Independent Transfer Equipment Co. Transfer hoist for disabled persons
CN2067700U (en) * 1990-03-31 1990-12-19 张明彦 Platen type limit twist preventing device for electric hoist
JP2004331321A (en) * 2003-05-08 2004-11-25 Meiden Kosan Kk Elevation device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110550554A (en) * 2019-09-09 2019-12-10 长沙凯泽工程设计有限公司 Glass's for building hoist and mount protection fixing device

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