JP7654273B2 - Lifting aid - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a lifting assistance device.

It is known that workers performing tower work, etc., use elevators as lifting assistance devices to reduce fatigue caused by ascending and descending. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lifting assistance device that is attached to a long lifting rail composed of an engagement surface and an attachment part. Here, a rectangular hole is provided in the longitudinal direction of the engagement surface of the long lifting rail, and the lifting assistance device is provided with a sprocket that meshes with this rectangular hole. The lifting assistance device can run along the rail by rotating the sprocket.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-338480

The lifting assistance device supports the load in the lifting direction when traveling along the long lifting rail solely on one of the sprocket teeth (i.e., at one location). Therefore, there is a limit to the support capacity of the lifting assistance device.

This disclosure provides a lifting and lowering assistance device that has improved support force for supporting loads in the lifting and lowering direction.

The first disclosure is a lifting assistance device that assists a worker in ascending and descending along a long lifting rail with a plurality of holes drilled at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction while a fall prevention device is attached to the worker, and includes a main body that slidably engages with the long lifting rail, and a track that ascends and descends along the long lifting rail by driving a wheel composed of a plurality of track plates forward and backward, and the track has a plurality of blocks that protrude from the plurality of track plates and are each configured to engage with the holes, and two or more of the blocks can be driven forward and backward while maintaining a state of engagement with the holes.

According to the lifting assistance device of the first disclosure, when lifting or lowering along the long lifting rail, two or more of the blocks of the track are kept engaged with the holes of the long lifting rail. This allows the load in the lifting direction to be supported by two or more blocks (i.e., multiple locations), providing a lifting assistance device with improved support force for supporting the load in the lifting direction.

Here, the lifting assist device according to the first disclosure may be the lifting assist device according to the second disclosure described below. In this lifting assist device according to the second disclosure, the block has a chamfered portion in which the corners of the edge are rounded at the tip end on the side protruding from the track shoe, as viewed in the direction of the forward and backward drive.

The lifting assistance device according to the second disclosure reduces the risk of the edge of the tip of the block getting caught in the hole in the long lifting rail, making it possible to drive the track forward and backward more smoothly.

Here, the lifting and descending assisting device according to the first or second disclosure may be the lifting and descending assisting device according to the third disclosure described below. The lifting and descending assisting device according to the third disclosure includes an attachment section to which a lanyard of the fall arrest device can be attached, a detection device that detects the tension applied from the lanyard to the attachment section, and a control device that controls the forward and backward drive of the track based on the detection result of the detection device, and the control device executes multiple types of control including a start control that starts the forward and backward drive of the track when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a first threshold value, and a stop control that stops the forward and backward drive of the track when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value.

According to the lifting assist device of the third disclosure, when a worker wants the lifting assist device to assist in his/her lifting or descending, the worker can start the lifting assist device by placing part of his/her body weight on the mounting part. Furthermore, if a force that would cause the fall arrest device to start operating is applied to the mounting part, the lifting assist device stops the forward/backward drive of the track. This allows the lifting assist device to be provided as a safety device that ensures the safety of the worker.

Here, the lifting/lowering assist device according to the third disclosure may be the lifting/lowering assist device according to the fourth disclosure described below. This lifting/lowering assist device according to the fourth disclosure includes a stopper that stops the lifting/lowering by switching from a non-interfering state that does not interfere with the long lifting rail to a locked state that is locked to the long lifting rail, and the multiple types of control include a switching control that switches the stopper from the non-interfering state to the locked state when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a third threshold that is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

According to the lifting assistance device of the fourth disclosure, when a force that would cause the fall arrest device to start operating is applied to the mounting part, the lifting assistance device stops the lifting and lowering by using a stopper. This allows the lifting assistance device to be provided as a safety device that further ensures the safety of the worker.

Here, the lifting assist device according to the first or second disclosure may be the lifting assist device according to the fifth disclosure described below. In this lifting assist device according to the fifth disclosure, the crawler belt is driven forward and backward using electrical energy from a battery attached to the main body.

According to the lifting assistance device of the fifth disclosure, the lifting assistance device can move up and down without relying on an external power supply via a power supply line.

By incorporating the above configurations, the present disclosure can provide a lifting assistance device that has improved support force for supporting a load in the lifting and lowering direction.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a lift assist device 100 mounted on a long lift rail R20. FIG. A front view of the long lift rail R20. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the lift assist device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the lift assist device 100 according to the first embodiment. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an idler wheel 132 in FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the ring 133 in FIG. 5 . 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a stop mechanism 135 in FIG. 5 . FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the detection device 160 of FIG. 5 . 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the flow of control and power in the lift assist device 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detection device 360 in a lift assist device according to a second embodiment. FIG.

First Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting assistance device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure assists a worker M10 wearing a fall prevention device M20 to ascend and descend along a lifting route R10A (see the imaginary line in FIG. 1) set on a steel tower R10. Here, the steel tower R10 is provided with a long lifting rail R20 (described later) provided along the lifting route R10A. In addition, a lanyard M22 provided on the fall prevention device M20 is attached to the lifting assistance device 100. In this state, when the worker M10 ascends and descends the lifting route R10A, the lifting assistance device 100 lifts and descends along the long lifting rail R20 while pulling the worker M10 up via the lanyard M22 of the fall prevention device M20, thereby assisting the worker M10 in ascending and descending.

<Configuration of long lift rail>
2, the long lifting rail R20 is provided with a support plate R21 having a thickness capable of supporting the worker M10 and a rectangular cross section. A plurality of holes R21A are drilled in the support plate R21 at regular intervals R21L in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of holes R21A is formed in a rectangular shape.

Specifically, the long lift rail R20 is a rail made of metal (e.g., aluminum) with an H-shaped cross section, and has the strength to support the worker M10, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate R21 of the long lift rail R20 has a lower end R22 at one end in the longitudinal direction positioned below the steel tower R10 (see FIG. 1), and an upper end R23 at the other end positioned above the steel tower R10. The support plate R21 also has a notch R21B at a position spaced apart from the hole R21A at the lower end R22 by a distance R21L to one side. This notch R21B guides the block 133B (described later, see FIG. 5) into the hole R21A when the lift assist device 100 is attached to the long lift rail R20. Similarly, the support plate R21 has three rectangular small holes R21B drilled in place of the holes R21A at a distance R21L from the hole R21A at the top end R23. Furthermore, the support plate R21 has a circular small hole R21C drilled in a position at a distance greater than the distance R21L from the small hole R21B at the top end R23. Here, the small hole R21C is of a size that does not allow it to mesh with the block 133B. As a result, the block 133B of the wheel 133 (described later, see FIG. 5) interferes with the plate surface of the top end R23 of the support plate R21, thereby limiting the drive of the wheel 133. Then, the lifting assistance device 100 (see FIG. 5) can stop its ascent at the top end R23.

<Configuration of lift assist device>
As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the lifting assistance device 100 includes a main body 110 that slides and engages with the long lifting rail R20 to mount the lifting assistance device 100 on the long lifting rail R20. The main body 110 includes a pair of guide rollers 111 (see Fig. 3) at each of its upper and lower ends (see Fig. 5). Each pair of guide rollers 111 is rotatable in both directions of the lifting direction (see Fig. 5) in which the lifting assistance device 100 rises and falls, and is configured to sandwich the support plate R21 of the long lifting rail R20 from both sides. As a result, the two sets of four guide rollers 111 can smoothly lift and lower the lifting assistance device 100 by rolling on the side surface R21D of the support plate R21.

In this embodiment, each guide roller 111 has an engagement portion 111A that engages with the support plate R21 of the long lifting rail R20 from both sides in the thickness direction (both the top and bottom in FIG. 3). These engagement portions 111A prevent the lifting assistance device 100 from moving in any direction other than the lifting direction (see FIG. 5) in the above-mentioned mounted state.

In addition, the back surface 110B of the main body 110 of the lifting assistance device 100 is provided with an insertion block 110F having a hole 110E and an insertion hole 110G (see FIG. 5). Here, the hole 110E is a space in which a part of a wheel 133 (described later) of a track 130 (described later) can protrude from the back surface 110B at the same height as the guide roller 111 when viewed from below in FIG. 3. Then, a block 133B (described later), which is a part of the wheel 133 protruding from the hole 110E, can engage with a hole R21A of the long lifting rail R20 in the mounted state, as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, a fixing part 135F (described later) of a housing 135E (described later) in a stop mechanism 135 (described later) is fixed to the insertion block 110F. The housing 135E houses a flanged stopper 135A (described below) that slides in its storage space 135G (described below). The flanged stopper 135A is engaged with the long lift rail R20. The insertion hole 110G of the insertion block 110F is a hole that allows the rod 135B of the flanged stopper 135A to be inserted into the hole R21A.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lifting assistance device 100 includes a rod-shaped mounting portion 112 and a mounting hole 161D that allows the mounting portion 112 to be inserted into the main body 110. The mounting portion 112 has a detection target 114 fixed to the other end in the axial direction (see FIG. 9). The detection target 114 is a protrusion that protrudes outward from the side of the mounting portion 112, and the protrusion is provided to extend in the circumferential direction of the mounting portion 112. The detection target 114 is engaged with an elastic portion 162 (described later) that engages with the edge 161E of the mounting hole 161D, thereby preventing the mounting portion 112 from coming off the main body 110. The mounting portion 112 has a ring 112C fixed to one end in the axial direction. This ring 112C is large enough to accommodate the hook M22A (see FIG. 1) of the lanyard M22 (see FIG. 1) of the fall prevention device M20 (see FIG. 1). The strength of the ring 112C is set so that it can withstand the force that starts the fall prevention device M20 to activate. The worker M10 (see FIG. 1) is wearing a full harness M21 (see FIG. 1) from which the lanyard M22 extends. These features make it possible to restrict the movement of the worker M10 relative to the lifting assistance device 100.

The lifting assistance device 100 also includes an alarm (not shown). When a power switch (described below, not shown) is on and the fall arrest device M20 (see FIG. 1) has not yet started operating, this alarm performs an alarm operation to notify the outside.

<Configuration of main body>
The main body 110 includes side panels 110C and 110D for mounting various components on both sides of the support plate R21 of the long lifting rail R20. In this embodiment, an operation panel 120 (see FIG. 4), a crawler belt 130, a rotation mechanism 140, a power source 150, a detection device 160, and a control device 170 (see FIG. 10) are attached to the side panels 110C and 110D. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 120 allows an operator M10 (see FIG. 1) to set the lifting assist device 100 to an automatic state (described later) or a manual state (described later). As shown in FIG. 5, the crawler belt 130 includes a wheel 133 composed of a plurality of track plates 133A. The crawler belt 130 drives the wheel 133 forward and backward to allow the lifting assist device 100 to lift and lower along the long lifting rail R20. The rotation mechanism 140 is a drive source for driving the wheels 133 forward and backward. The power source 150 supplies power to various components that require power in the lifting assist device 100. The detection device 160 detects the tension applied to the attachment portion 112 from the hook M22A (see FIG. 1) of the lanyard M22 (see FIG. 1). The control device 170 controls the forward and backward drive of the wheels 133 of the crawler belt 130 based on the detection result of the detection device 160. In this embodiment, the control device 170 includes a stop mechanism 135 that stops the lifting and lowering of the lifting assist device 100 by switching the flanged stopper 135A shown in FIG. 8 between a non-interfering state and a locked state (described later). The operation panel 120, the crawler belt 130, the rotation mechanism 140, the power source 150, the detection device 160, and the control device 170 (and the stop mechanism 135) will be described below.

<Operation panel configuration>
The operation panel 120 is attached to the front surface 110A of the main body 110 as shown in FIG. 4. Here, the operation panel 120 includes a power switch (not shown), a manual changeover switch 120A, an up button 120B, a down button 120C, and an emergency stop button 120D. The power switch is a switch that switches the power supply to the detection device 160 (described later, see FIG. 5) and the alarm (not shown) between an on state and an off state by a battery 151 (described later, see FIG. 3) attached to the inside of the main body 110. The manual changeover switch 120A is operated by the worker M10 (see FIG. 1) to switch between an automatic state and a manual state. Here, the automatic state is a state in which the control device 170 raises and lowers the lifting assistance device 100 based on the detection result of the detection device 160. The manual state is a state in which the worker M10 (see FIG. 1) raises and lowers the lift-up assist device 100 by pressing the up button 120B or the down button 120C. The manual changeover switch 120A in this embodiment is, for example, a toggle switch. The up button 120B is an input button that raises the mounted lift-up assist device 100 while the manual changeover switch 120A is switched to the manual state and the up button 120B is pressed. Similarly, the down button 120C is an input button that lowers the mounted lift-up assist device 100 while the manual changeover switch 120A is switched to the manual state and the down button 120C is pressed. When the emergency stop button 120D is attached, it switches between an engagement state in which the flanged stopper 135A (described later, see FIG. 5) is engaged with the long lifting rail R20 (see FIG. 5) and a non-interference state in which the flanged stopper 135A does not interfere with the long lifting rail R20. The emergency stop button 120D in this embodiment is, for example, a push-lock/turn-reset button. Therefore, the emergency stop button 120D can be switched to an engagement state by pressing it, or to a non-interference state by turning it.

<Crawler track configuration>
7, the crawler belt 130 includes a drive wheel 131, an idler wheel 132, and a wheel 133 that spans between the drive wheel 131 and the idler wheel 132. The crawler belt 130 of the present disclosure is also called an endless track.

As shown in Figure 3, the drive wheel 131 has a shaft 131A, a pulley 131B, and a sprocket 131C. The shaft 131A is parallel to the plate surface of the support plate R21 in the mounted lift assist device 100 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the forward and backward movement direction of the lift assist device 100 (see Figure 5), and supports the drive wheel 131 on the main body 110. The shaft 131A supports the pulley 131B, which rotates by receiving the force of the transmission belt 142 (described later), and the sprocket 131C, which rotates following the pulley 131B, so that they can rotate relative to the main body 110. In addition, the sprocket 131C is provided with teeth 131D that can engage with the wheel 133, as shown in Figure 7. As a result, the pulley 131B of the drive wheel 131 receives the force of the transmission belt 142, and the rotation of the pulley 131B can realize the rotation of the sprocket 131C engaged with the wheel 133.

As shown in Figure 5, the idler wheel 132 has a shaft 132A and a sprocket 132C. The shaft 132A extends in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the shaft 131A of the sprocket 131, and supports the idler wheel 132 at the bearing portion 113A. The shaft 132A supports the sprocket 132C rotatably relative to the tensioning mechanism 113. Here, the sprocket 132C has teeth 132D that can engage with the wheel 133, as shown in Figure 7. In addition, the tensioning mechanism 113 engages the teeth 131D, 132D of the sprockets 131C, 132C with the wheel 133 so that the wheel 133 spans between the sprocket 131 and the idler wheel 132 on the inside. As a result, the tensioning mechanism 113 can prevent the wheel 133 from coming off the sprockets 131C and 132C, as shown in FIG. 5, and can drive the wheel 133 forward and backward by rotating the drive wheel 131.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tensioning mechanism 113 includes a bearing 113A, a mounting block 113B, and an elastic body 113D. The bearing 113A supports both ends of the shaft 132A so that the shaft 132A can rotate relative to the bearing 113A, and is attached to the mounting block 113B. The mounting block 113B is fixed to the main body 110 (see FIG. 5). The mounting block 113B is provided with a lane 113C along which the bearing 113A can slide. The lane 113C is a guide that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long lift rail R20 (see FIG. 5) in the mounted state, and is provided with an elastic body 113D that can expand and contract in that direction. The elastic body 113D slides the bearing 113A by a biasing force so as to move away from the shaft 131A (see FIG. 5) along the direction in which the lane 113C extends. As a result, the tensioning mechanism 113 (see FIG. 5) can adjust the tension of the ring 133, which is engaged with the teeth 131D of the sprocket 131C and the teeth 132D of the sprocket 132C by moving the shaft 132A away from the shaft 131A as shown in FIG. 7. The dimension of the lane 113C in the extending direction is a length that makes it difficult for the ring 133 to come off the sprocket 131C and the sprocket 132C by sliding the bearing part 113A as shown in FIG. 5. The elastic body 113D is expandable and contractible, and has a strength (e.g., a compression spring) that can withstand the force that starts the fall arrest device M20 (see FIG. 1) to operate.

As shown in FIG. 7, the wheel 133 includes a plurality of (15 in FIG. 7) track plates 133A and a plurality of (15 in FIG. 7) blocks 133B that are protruding from each track plate 133A and are configured to engage with the holes R21A. A swingable connecting structure 133F consisting of a link 133G and a pin 133H is provided between adjacent track plates 133A in the wheel 133. Here, the wheel 133 in the mounted state is installed so that the belt on the side facing the long lift rail R20 is flexible. As a result, the wheel 133 in the mounted state can be driven by changing the direction of the tip 133C of the block 133B so that the edge 133D (described later) of the block 133B follows the outer shape of the support plate R21. The block 133B of the wheel 133 can be driven forward and backward while engaging with the hole R21A of the long lift rail R20. In other words, the wheel 133 can be driven forward and backward while two or more (four in FIG. 7) of the blocks 133B are engaged with the holes R21A at different locations (four locations in FIG. 7). That is, in the mounted lifting assist device 100, when the blocks 133B engaged with the holes R21A move downward, the long lifting rail R20 rises, and when the blocks 133B move upward, the long lifting rail R20 falls. In addition, the sprocket 131C of this embodiment has two or more (four in FIG. 7) of its teeth 131D engaged with the links 133G between the adjacent links 133G. Similarly, the sprocket 132C has two or more (four in FIG. 7) of its teeth 132D engaged with the links 133G between the adjacent links 133G. That is, the drive wheel 131 and the idler wheel 132 support the wheel 133 that is driven forward and backward by two or more (four in FIG. 7) teeth 131D, 132D of the respective sprockets 131C, 132C.

Block 133B also has a chamfered portion 133E where the corners of edge 133D are rounded off at tip 133C on the side protruding from track plate 133A when viewed in the direction of forward/reverse drive. As a result, block 133B, which moves away from hole R21A when track plate 133A moves forward, changes the orientation of tip 133C as chamfered portion 133E slides along the inner surface R21E on the lower side of hole R21A. Similarly, block 133B, which moves toward hole R21A when track plate 133A moves backward, changes the orientation of tip 133C as chamfered portion 133E rubs against the edge R21F on the lower side of hole R21A. This reduces the risk that the edge 133D of the tip 133C of the block 133B will get caught in the hole R21A of the long lift rail R20, allowing the wheel 133 to move forward and backward more smoothly.

<Configuration of Rotation Mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation mechanism 140 includes a prime mover 141, a shaft 141A, a pulley 141B, and a transmission belt 142. The prime mover 141 rotates the shaft 141A fixed to the pulley 141B using electric energy from a power source 150 (described later) attached to the main body 110. The prime mover 141 in this embodiment is, for example, an electric motor with a brake. The pulley 141B transmits its circumferential rotational force to the transmission belt 142. The transmission belt 142 is a belt (for example, a flat belt) that spans between the pulleys 141B and 131B so that the rotational force of the pulley 141B is transmitted to the pulley 131B. With these, the rotation mechanism 140 can transmit the rotation of the pulley 141B rotated by the prime mover 141 to the pulley 131B of the drive wheel 131. That is, the rotation mechanism 140 enables the wheels 133 to be driven to move forward and backward using electrical energy from a power source 150 attached to the main body 110 .

As shown in FIG. 5, the prime mover 141 has a motor 141C (see FIG. 10) that rotates the pulley 141B in the forward or reverse direction, and a brake 141D (see FIG. 10) that stops the rotation of the pulley 141B. Here, the forward rotation of the pulley 141B is realized by the motor 141C rotating the shaft 141A in the forward direction under the control of the control device 170 (described later) in the automatic state, or when the worker M10 presses the up button 120B (see FIG. 4) in the manual state. Similarly, the rotation of the pulley 141B is stopped by the brake 141D stopping the rotation of the shaft 141A under the control of the control device 170 in the automatic state. With these, the lifting assistance device 100 can be raised and lowered or stopped under the control of the control device 170 in the automatic state. The rotation of the pulley 141B in the reverse direction is achieved when the motor 141C rotates the shaft 141A in the reverse direction when the operator M10 presses the lowering button 120C (see FIG. 4) in the manual state.

<Configuration of stop mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 8, the stop mechanism 135 is composed of a flanged stopper 135A, an elastic body 135D, and a housing 135E.

The flanged stopper 135A comprises a rod 135B and a flange 135C. The rod 135B is a round bar with a cross section large enough to be inserted into the hole R21A, and when in the locked state, the side of the rod receives the force that starts the operation of the fall arrest device M20 (see FIG. 1). The flange 135C is a protrusion that projects outward from the side of the base of the rod 135B, and is provided so that this protrusion extends in the circumferential direction, forming a hollow tube with an inner bottom on the base side. The flanged stopper 135A in this embodiment is made of a magnetic material (e.g., iron). The flanged stopper 135A referred to here refers to the "stopper" in this disclosure.

The elastic body 135D is expandable and is attached to the flanged stopper 135A so as to expand and contract in the direction in which the rod 135B extends. Specifically, the elastic body 135D is positioned so that one end is engaged with the fixed portion 135F in the direction in which the rod 135B extends, and one end is engageable with the inner bottom of the flange 135C. With these, the elastic body 135D can insert the rod 135B of the flanged stopper 135A into the insertion hole 110G and the hole R21A. In this embodiment, for example, the elastic body 135D is in a natural state, and when the rod 135B is inserted into the insertion hole 110G and the hole R21A, the inner bottom of the flange 135C and the elastic body 135D in a contracted state (e.g., a compression spring) are engaged when the rod 135B is inserted into the insertion hole 110G and the hole R21A in the natural state, and the rod 135B is pulled in a direction away from the hole R21A. In other words, the elastic body 135D realizes an engagement state in which the flanged stopper 135A is engaged with the long lift rail R20, and a non-interference state in which the flanged stopper 135A does not interfere with the long lift rail R20.

The housing 135E is a cylinder fixed to the fixed part 135F, and has a storage space 135G and a solenoid 135H inside. Here, the storage space 135G is for slidably storing a part of the flanged stopper 135A. The solenoid 135H applies a force to the flanged stopper 135A so that a part of the flanged stopper 135A is stored in the storage space 135G, and moves the rod 135B away from the hole R21A. In other words, the solenoid 135H realizes a non-interference state in which the flanged stopper 135A does not interfere with the long lift rail R20. The solenoid 135H in this embodiment is a solenoid coil that forms a magnetic field when a current flows through it. As a result, when the flanged stopper 135A is a magnetic body, the solenoid 135H can store the flanged stopper 135A in the storage space 135G. The force that the solenoid 135H applies to the flanged stopper 135A is set to be greater than the force with which the elastic body 135D presses the flanged stopper 135A.

As a result, when the stop mechanism 135 is attached, it can switch between a non-interfering state and an engaged state, and the flanged stopper 135A can stop the lifting and lowering of the lifting and lowering assist device 100. As a result, the lifting and lowering assist device 100 equipped with the flanged stopper 135A can be provided as a safety device that ensures further safety for the worker M10 (see FIG. 1). Note that in the engaged state, the contact areas between the hole R21A, the flanged stopper 135A, and the insertion hole 110G are set so as to be able to withstand the force that initiates the operation of the fall prevention device M20 (see FIG. 1).

<Power supply configuration>
As shown in FIG. 10, the power source 150 includes a battery 151 and a converter 152. Here, the battery 151 is a supply source of electric energy (see FIG. 3) attached to the main body 110 via the side plate 110D, and is capable of directly supplying power to various components that require electric power in the lifting assistance device 100 in parallel (e.g., a rectangular rechargeable battery). The converter 152 is attached to the main body 110 via the side plate 110C (see FIG. 5), and converts the electric energy of the battery 151 into energy corresponding to the specifications of the electric devices used in the lifting assistance device 100 (see FIG. 5). The converter 152 in this embodiment includes, for example, an inverter 152A that converts a DC voltage into a single-phase AC voltage, and an inverter 152B that converts a single-phase AC voltage into a three-phase AC voltage. This allows the electric energy of the battery 151 to be converted into energy corresponding to the specifications of the motor 141C. Furthermore, a rectifier 152C that converts the electric energy supplied to the prime mover 141 into a direct current is connected between the inverter 152B and the brake 141D. This makes it possible to convert the electric energy supplied to the prime mover 141 into energy that corresponds to the specifications of the brake 141D.

In this embodiment, the electrical energy of the battery 151 in the power source 150 is also used to drive the crawler 130 forward and backward. This allows the lifting assistance device 100 to ascend and descend without relying on an external power supply via a power supply line. This eliminates the need to wire a power supply line to the tower R10 (see FIG. 1), which would be a hindrance to the worker M10 (see FIG. 1).

<Configuration of the detection device>
As shown in FIG. 9 , the detection device 160 includes an attachment receiving portion 161 , an elastic portion 162 , a detected portion 114 , and a detection portion 164 .

The mounting accommodation portion 161 is a wall that constitutes an accommodation space 161A that slidably accommodates the detected portion 114 of the mounting portion 112. This accommodation space 161A is connected to the outside via the mounting hole 161D. This allows the detected portion 114 to slide in the mounting accommodation portion 161 when the mounting portion 112 that is inserted through the mounting hole 161D moves in its axial direction. Note that the mounting accommodation portion 161 in this embodiment is made of, for example, a non-magnetic material (e.g., aluminum) that is difficult for the detection portion 164 to detect.

The mounting housing 161 is also provided with a detection arrangement section 161B in which the detection section 164 can be arranged. This detection arrangement section 161B allows multiple detection sections to be arranged in a row, and the row of detection sections is arranged so as to be parallel to the direction in which the detected section 114 slides in the mounting housing 161.

The elastic portion 162 is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction of the mounting portion 112. The elastic portion 162 is attached to the mounting portion 112 so as to be sandwiched between the edge 161E of the mounting hole 161D and the detected portion 114. This allows the elastic portion 162 to slide the detected portion 114 into the mounting accommodation portion 161 in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the mounting portion 112 from the hook M22A (see FIG. 1) of the lanyard M22 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the elastic portion 162 realizes the sliding of the mounting accommodation portion 161 so that the detected portion 114 moves away from the mounting hole 161D in the natural state, and moves the detected portion 114 closer to the edge 161E of the mounting hole 161D when tension is applied to the mounting portion 112. The elastic portion 162 in this embodiment is, for example, a compression spring made of a non-magnetic material.

Here, the detection target portion 114 of the mounting portion 112 that slides in the mounting accommodation portion 161 is such that the detection target portion 164 can recognize the presence of the detection target portion 114 when it approaches the detection target portion 164. In other words, the detection target portion 114 specifies the position of the detection target portion 114 in the accommodation space 161A by entering the area A16 where the detection target portion 164 is detectable. As a result, when the detection target portion 114 slides in the mounting accommodation portion 161 in response to the magnitude of the tension applied to the mounting portion 112, the detection target portion 114 can enter the area A16 where the detection target portion 164 is detectable. In this embodiment, the detection target portion 114 is a cylinder with an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the mounting accommodation portion 161 and a height that is the same as the dimension that allows it to straddle the area A16A and the area A16B in the axial direction of the mounting portion 112. The detected part 114 is made of a material (e.g., a magnetic material) that allows the detection part 164 to detect it.

When the detection unit 164 detects that the detected part 114 is in the detectable area A16, it sends this detection as a signal to the switch of the control device 170 (for example, a magnetic sensor). Here, the detection unit 164 includes a first detection unit 164A, a second detection unit 164B, and a third detection unit 164C that detect areas A16A, A16B, and A16C, which correspond to area A16. In this embodiment, areas A16A, A16B, and A16C have a range that can be detected with a certain width, not just the surface of each detection element. In addition, the signal line (not shown) through which the detection unit 164 sends a signal to the switch of the control device 170 is located in a position that is less susceptible to the magnetic field caused by the prime mover 141 and the solenoid 135H.

The first detection portion 164A is attached to the detection arrangement portion 161B so that when the elastic portion 162 is in its natural state, the position of the detectable portion 114 in the accommodation space 161A does not enter the area A16A where the first detection portion 164A can detect it. As a result, when the detectable portion 114 slides in the attachment accommodation portion 161 in response to the magnitude of the tension applied to the attachment portion 112, the first detection portion 164A can detect the detectable portion 114 that has entered the area A16A due to the slide.

The second detection portion 164B is attached to the detection arrangement portion 161B so as to detect the detected portion 114 when a braking load is applied as tension to the mounting portion 112, which is a stop condition of the prime mover 141 preset by the worker M10 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the second detection portion 164B is positioned closer to the edge 161E of the mounting hole 161D than the first detection portion 164A, and is positioned so that the detected portion 114 enters the area A16B following the distortion of the elastic portion 162 caused by the braking load. As a result, when a braking load is applied as tension to the mounting portion 112, the detected portion 114 enters the area A16B in the accommodation space 161A where the second detection portion 164B can be detected, and the second detection portion 164B can detect the detected portion 114.

The third detection portion 164C is attached to the detection arrangement portion 161B so as to be able to detect the detected portion 114 when a force that causes the fall prevention device M20 (see FIG. 1) to start operating, which is equal to or greater than the brake load, is applied as tension to the mounting portion 112. In other words, the third detection portion 164C is positioned closest to the edge 161E of the mounting hole 161D among the detection portions 164, and is positioned so that the detected portion 114 enters the area A16C following the distortion of the elastic portion 162 caused by the force that causes the fall prevention device M20 to start operating. As a result, when the fall prevention device M20 starts operating, the detected portion 114 enters the area A16C in the accommodation space 161A where the third detection portion 164C can be detected, and the third detection portion 164C can detect the detected portion 114. In addition, in this embodiment, the third detection portion 164C is positioned so that the detected portion 114 straddles area A16B and area A16C in the axial direction of the attachment portion 112.

This allows the detection device 160 to detect the tension applied from the lanyard M22 to the attachment portion 112.

<Configuration of the control device>
As shown in Fig. 10, the control device 170 controls the lift assist device 100 in response to the operation of the operation panel 120. In other words, when the power switch (not shown) is on, the control device 170 controls the lift assist device 100 in an automatic state based on the output of the manual changeover switch 120A, or raises and lowers the lift assist device 100 in a manual state while the up button 120B or the down button 120C is pressed. When the power switch is on, the control device 170 presses the emergency stop button 120D to stop the lift assist device 100 from rising and lowering by the flanged stopper 135A (see Fig. 5). The control of the lift assist device 100 (see Fig. 5) performed in an automatic state by the control device 170 with the power switch on will be described below.

The control device 170 automatically controls the rotation mechanism 140. That is, the control device 170 controls the forward and backward movement of the wheel 133 (see FIG. 5) based on the detection results of the detection device 160. Here, the types of control executed by the control device 170 are set in multiple ways in response to the detection results of the detection device 160.

The control device 170 includes a switch 171C and a determination unit 172C. The switch 171C is a switch (e.g., a semiconductor switch) that switches between allowing current to flow from the inverter 152B to the motor 141C and blocking the current. When the determination unit 172C determines that a predetermined condition is met, it causes the switch 171C to allow current to flow from the inverter 152B to the motor 141C. Here, the determination unit 172C determines that when the detected portion 114 in the accommodation space 161A is positioned so as to enter the area A16A but not enter the area A16B, the magnitude of the tension applied to the attachment portion 112 detected by the detection device 160 exceeds the first threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value. Then, the determination unit 172C causes the switch 171C to allow current to flow from the inverter 152B to the motor 141C. In this embodiment, the determination unit 172C uses, for example, a first detection unit 164A and a second detection unit 164B.

As a result, the control device 170 (see FIG. 10) drives the motor 141C (see FIG. 10) when the detected part 114 in the storage space 161A is positioned so as to enter area A16A but not area A16B, as shown in FIG. 9. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the pulley 141B rotates, and the rotation of this pulley 141B is transmitted to the pulley 131B by the transmission belt 142. Then, the sprocket 131C rotates following the rotation of the pulley 131B, so that the wheel 133 engaged with the sprocket 131C is driven forward and backward. In other words, the control device 170 executes start control to start the forward and backward drive of the wheel 133 when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds the first threshold value. According to this start control, when worker M10 wants the lifting assistance device 100 to assist him/her in ascending or descending, he/she can start the lifting assistance device 100 by placing part of his/her body weight on the attachment part 112, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 170 includes a switch 171D and a determination unit 172D. The switch 171D is a switch (e.g., a semiconductor switch) that switches between allowing a current to flow from the rectifier 152C to the brake 141D and blocking the current. When the determination unit 172D determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied, it causes the switch 171D to allow a current to flow from the rectifier 152C to the brake 141D. Here, when the detection target portion 114 in the accommodation space 161A is positioned so as to enter the area A16B, the determination unit 172D determines that the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. In other words, when the brake load is applied as tension to the mounting portion 112, it determines that the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. In this case, the determination unit 172D causes a current to flow from the rectifier 152C to the brake 141D. Note that the determination unit 172D in this embodiment uses, for example, the second detection unit 164B.

As a result, the control device 170 (see FIG. 10) activates the brake 141D (see FIG. 10) when the detected portion 114 in the storage space 161A is positioned to enter the area A16B as shown in FIG. 9. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the pulley 141B comes to a stop, and the stop of rotation of the pulley 141B is transmitted to the pulley 131B by the transmission belt 142. Then, the sprocket 131C stops rotating following the stop of rotation of the pulley 131B, so that the wheel 133 engaged with the sprocket 131C stops moving forward and backward. In other words, the control device 170 executes stop control to stop the forward and backward movement of the wheel 133 when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. For this reason, if a tension force is applied to the mounting portion 112 that would cause the brake load or a force greater than the brake load to start activating the fall arrest device M20 (see FIG. 1), the lifting assistance device 100 can stop the forward and backward movement of the wheels 133.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 170 includes a switch 171G and a determination unit 172G. The switch 171G is a switch (e.g., a semiconductor switch) that switches between allowing a current to flow from the battery 151 to the solenoid 135H and blocking the current. When the determination unit 172G determines that a predetermined condition is met, it causes the switch 171G to block the current from the battery 151 to the solenoid 135H. Here, the determination unit 172G determines that when the detected portion 114 in the accommodation space 161A is positioned to enter the area A16C, the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds a third threshold value that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. In other words, when a force that starts the operation of the fall prevention device M20 (see FIG. 1) is applied as tension to the attachment portion 112, it determines that the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds a third threshold value that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. In this case, the determination unit 172G can cut off the current flowing from the battery 151 to the solenoid 135H. In this embodiment, the determination unit 172G uses, for example, the third detection unit 164C.

As a result, when the detected portion 114 in the storage space 161A is positioned to enter the area A16C as shown in FIG. 9, the control device 170 (see FIG. 10) applies a smaller force to the flanged stopper 135A (see FIG. 5) from the solenoid 135H (see FIG. 5). Then, the flanged stopper 135A is pressed by the elastic body 135D as shown in FIG. 5. The elastic body 135D then inserts the rod 135B of the flanged stopper 135A through the insertion hole 110G and the hole R21A. In other words, the control device 170 executes switching control to cause the stop mechanism 135 to switch the flanged stopper 135A from the non-interference state to the locked state when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device 160 exceeds a third threshold value that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. As a result, the lifting and lowering of the lifting assist device 100 can be stopped by the flanged stopper 135A.

Switch 171G (see FIG. 10) is also a switch (e.g., a semiconductor switch) that switches between allowing and blocking current flow from battery 151 (see FIG. 10) to the alarm (not shown). When determination unit 172G determines that a predetermined condition is met, switch 171G blocks the current flowing from battery 151 to the alarm. Here, the condition is the same as the condition that determines whether determination unit 172G blocks the current flowing from battery 151 to solenoid 135H. As a result, control device 170 (see FIG. 10) can prevent the alarm (not shown) from performing an alarm operation when detection target portion 114 in storage space 161A is positioned so as to enter area A16C, as shown in FIG. 9.

<How to use the lift assist device>
A method of using the lift assist device 100 according to the above-described first embodiment will be described.

First, the worker M10 puts on the full harness M21 of the fall arrest device M20 as shown in FIG. 1. The worker M10 also checks whether the full harness M21 he or she is wearing is connected to the lanyard M22. The worker M10 also checks the charge level of the battery 151.

Next, the worker M10 turns on the power switch (not shown) of the operation panel 120 of the lift assist device 100. This causes the alarm (not shown) to perform an alarm operation, thereby alerting the person who received the alarm.

Next, the worker M10 mounts the lifting assistance device 100 on the long lifting rail R20. Here, the worker M10 mounts the lifting assistance device 100 on the long lifting rail R20 so that the guide roller 111 rolls against the side surface R21D of the support plate R21 and the block 133B engages with the notch R21B. The worker M10 then switches the manual changeover switch 120A on the operation panel 120 to the manual state and presses the up button 120B. As a result, the lifting assistance device 100 rises along the extension direction of the long lifting rail R20 while the up button 120B is pressed. Note that the lifting assistance device 100 in the mounted state is raised so that the lower end R22 of the support plate R21 is exposed by about 50 cm in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the front side of the worker M10.

Next, the worker M10 attaches the hook M22A of the lanyard M22 to the ring 112C of the attachment portion 112.

Next, the worker M10 switches the manual changeover switch 120A on the operation panel 120 to the automatic state.

Next, the worker M10 places part of his/her body weight on the attachment part 112. Then, when the control device 170 in the automatic state determines that the magnitude of the tension applied to the attachment part 112 detected by the detection device 160 exceeds the first threshold value and is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the control device 170 causes a current to flow from the inverter 152B to the motor 141C. Then, the pulley 141B rotates in the forward direction, and the rotation of the pulley 141B is transmitted to the pulley 131B by the transmission belt 142. Then, the sprocket 131C rotates in the forward direction following the rotation of the pulley 131B, so that the wheel 133 engaged with the sprocket 131C starts to move forward. As a result, the lifting assistance device 100 starts to drive the wheel 133 forward with the tension applied to the attachment part 112, thereby assisting the lifting of the worker M10.

Here, the wheel 133 in the installed state changes the direction of the tip 133C of the block 133B so that the edge 133D of the block 133B follows the outer shape of the support plate R21, and drives forward. The blocks 133B of the wheel 133 then drive forward while engaging with the holes R21A of the long lifting rail R20. In other words, the wheel 133 can be driven forward while four of these blocks 133B are kept engaged with the four holes R21A. That is, the lifting assistance device 100 in the installed state rises up the long lifting rail R20 when the blocks 133B engaged with the holes R21A move downward. Also, when the track plate 133A moves forward, the blocks 133B that move away from the holes R21A change direction with a movement such that the chamfered portions 133E slide along the inner surface R21E on the lower side of the holes R21A, so that the forward drive of the wheel 133 is smooth.

When the worker M10 applies a brake load as tension to the mounting portion 112, the detection device 160 determines that the magnitude of the tension exceeds the second threshold. Therefore, the control device 170 causes a current to flow from the rectifier 152C to the brake 141D. Then, when the brake 141D is driven, the pulley 141B is stopped, and the stop of rotation of the pulley 141B is transmitted to the pulley 131B by the transmission belt 142. Then, the sprocket 131C stops rotating following the stop of rotation of the pulley 131B, so that the wheel 133 engaged with the sprocket 131C stops moving forward and backward. As a result, when a force that starts the operation of the fall prevention device M20, which is equal to or exceeds the brake load, is applied to the mounting portion 112, the lifting assistance device 100 can stop the forward and backward movement of the wheel 133. For this reason, the lifting assistance device 100 can be provided as a safety device that ensures the safety of the worker M10.

When the fall prevention device M20 starts to operate, the force applied to the fall prevention device M20 is applied to the mounting part 112 via the hook M22A. At this time, the magnitude of the tension applied to the mounting part 112 is a third threshold value that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. Therefore, the control device 170 cuts off the current flowing from the battery 151 to the solenoid 135H. Then, the force applied by the solenoid 135H to the flanged stopper 135A becomes smaller. As a result, the flanged stopper 135A is pressed by the elastic body 135D. Then, the elastic body 135D inserts the rod 135B of the flanged stopper 135A through the insertion hole 110G and the hole R21A. That is, the control device 170 executes switching control to switch the flanged stopper 135A from a non-interference state to a locked state. This allows the lifting and lowering assistance device 100 to be stopped by the flanged stopper 135A.

In addition, when the fall prevention device M20 starts to operate, the control device 170 prevents the alarm (not shown) from performing an alarm operation.

Next, when the worker M10 finishes working on the tower R10, he switches the manual changeover switch 120A on the operation panel 120 to the manual state and presses the descent button 120C. As a result, the lifting assistance device 100 descends along the extension direction of the long lifting rail R20 while the descent button 120C is being pressed.

<Action and Effects>
According to the above-described lifting assistance device 100, when lifting or lowering along the long lifting rail R20, two or more of the blocks 133B of the wheels 133 are kept engaged with the holes R21A of the long lifting rail R20. This makes it possible to provide a lifting assistance device 100 that supports a load in the lifting direction by two or more blocks 133B (i.e., four locations) and has improved support force for supporting the load in the lifting direction.

The lifting assistance device 100 described above reduces the risk of the edge 133D of the tip 133C of the block 133B getting caught in the hole R21A of the long lifting rail R20, making it possible to drive the wheel 133 forward and backward more smoothly.

According to the above-described lifting assistance device 100, when the worker M10 wants the lifting assistance device 100 to assist him/her in lifting up or down, he/she can start the lifting assistance device 100 by placing part of his/her body weight on the attachment portion 112. Furthermore, when a force that would cause the fall prevention device M20 to start operating is applied to the attachment portion 112, the lifting assistance device 100 stops the forward/backward drive of the wheels 133. This allows the lifting assistance device 100 to be provided as a safety device that ensures the safety of the worker M10.

According to the above-mentioned lifting and descending assistance device 100, when a force that would cause the fall prevention device M20 to start operating is applied to the mounting portion 112, the lifting and descending assistance device 100 stops the lifting and descending by the flanged stopper 135A. This allows the lifting and descending assistance device 100 to be provided as a safety device that further ensures the safety of the worker M10.

The above-mentioned lifting and lowering assistance device 100 can lift and lower without relying on an external power supply via a power line.

Second Embodiment
Next, the configuration of a lift assist device (not shown) according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The lift assist device according to the second embodiment is a modified version of the lift assist device 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, components common to the components of the lift assist device 100 according to the first embodiment are assigned reference numerals obtained by adding "200" to the reference numerals assigned to the components of the lift assist device 100 according to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

<Configuration of the detection device>
As shown in FIG. 11 , the detection device 360 includes an attachment receiving portion 361 , an elastic portion 362 , a detection target portion 314 , and a limit switch 364 .

The mounting accommodation portion 361 is a wall that constitutes an accommodation space 361A that slidably accommodates the detected portion 314 of the mounting portion 312. This accommodation space 361A is connected to the outside via the mounting hole 312A. The mounting accommodation portion 361 is also provided with a slit 361C that allows the protruding portion 314B (described later) of the detected portion 314 to slide. As a result, when the mounting portion 312 inserted through the mounting hole 312A moves in its axial direction, the protruding portion 314B of the detected portion 314 can slide in the slit 361C following the movement of the mounting portion 312.

The mounting housing 361 is also provided with a switch arrangement section 361B in which a limit switch 364 can be arranged. This switch arrangement section 361B allows multiple limit switches to be arranged in a row, and the row of limit switches is arranged parallel to the direction in which the detection target section 314 slides in the mounting housing 361.

The elastic portion 362 is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction of the mounting portion 312. The elastic portion 362 is attached to the mounting portion 312 so as to be sandwiched between the edge 361E of the mounting hole 361D and the detected portion 314. This allows the elastic portion 362 to slide the detected portion 314 into the mounting accommodation portion 361 in response to the magnitude of tension applied to the mounting portion 312 from the lanyard M22.

Here, the detection target portion 314 is provided with a protruding portion 314B that protrudes outward from its side surface and a non-protruding portion 314A that does not protrude. This protruding portion 314B extends in the axial direction of the mounting portion 312, and has two inclined surfaces 314D and 314E that are connected to the non-protruding portion 314A at both ends in the axial direction, and a flat surface 314C that connects between these inclined surfaces 314D and 314E. Here, the protruding portion 314B has a protruding height of the flat surface 314C set so that the flat surface 314C contacts the limit switch 364 when the detection target portion 314 slides in the mounting accommodation portion 361. This contact state is a state in which the actuator B36 and the contact portion C36 in the limit switch 364 are in contact with each other when the actuator B36 is pressed against the flat surface 314C. As a result, when the detected portion 314 slides in the mounting accommodation portion 361 in response to the magnitude of the tension applied to the mounting portion 112, the flat surface 314C of the protruding portion 314B presses the actuator B36, thereby realizing the contact state of the limit switch 364. Note that in this embodiment, the flat surface 314C is configured so that it can straddle the first contact portion C36A and the second contact portion C36B in the axial direction of the mounting portion 312. The detected portion 314 is made of the same material as the mounting accommodation portion 361.

The limit switch 364 sends a signal to a switch of a control device (not shown) that the actuator B36 is in contact with the flat surface 314C of the protrusion 314B. In other words, the limit switch 364 can detect the position of the flat surface 314C in the storage space 361A from the contact state. The limit switch 364 includes a first limit switch 364A, a second limit switch 364B, and a third limit switch 364C that can respectively realize the contact state. The first limit switch 364A, the second limit switch 364B, and the third limit switch 364C are equipped with a first actuator B36A, a second actuator B36B, and a third actuator B36C, which correspond to the actuator B36, respectively. Similarly, the first limit switch 364A, the second limit switch 364B, and the third limit switch 364C each have a first contact portion C36A, a second contact portion C36B, and a third contact portion C36C, which correspond to the contact portion C36.

Here, the first limit switch 364A is positioned so that the flat surface 314C presses the first actuator B36A when the protrusion 314B slides a predetermined distance, thereby realizing a contact state. Similarly, the second limit switch 364B is positioned so that the flat surface 314C presses the second actuator B36B when the protrusion 314B slides a predetermined distance, thereby realizing a contact state. Similarly, the third limit switch 364C is positioned so that the flat surface 314C presses the third actuator B36C when the protrusion 314B slides a predetermined distance, thereby realizing a contact state. In other words, each of the actuators of the limit switches is arranged in a direction parallel to the extension direction of the slit 361C through which the protrusion 314B slides. In addition, the first actuator B36A, the second actuator B36B, and the third actuator B36C each have a roller 365 that can roll on the flat surface 314C and the inclined surfaces 314D and 314E when the protrusion 314B slides. This reduces the risk of the protrusion 314B being scratched by the first actuator B36A, the second actuator B36B, and the third actuator B36C rubbing against the protrusion 314B.

The first limit switch 364A is attached to the switch arrangement portion 361B so that when the elastic portion 362 is in the natural state, the flat surface 314C of the detected portion 314 does not press the first actuator B36A to achieve a contact state. As a result, when the detected portion 314 slides in the mounting accommodation portion 361 in response to the magnitude of the tension applied to the mounting portion 312, the flat surface 314C of the protruding portion 314B can press the first actuator B36A to achieve a contact state. The first limit switch 364A can then send a signal representing the contact state achieved by the sliding of the detected portion 314 to a switch of the control device (not shown). In other words, the first limit switch 364A can send a signal representing that the flat surface 314C of the detected portion 314 is in a position to press the first actuator B36A to the switch of the control device (not shown).

The second limit switch 364B is located closer to the edge 361E of the mounting hole 361D than the first limit switch 364A. The second limit switch 364B is attached to the switch arrangement portion 361B so as to detect the detected portion 314 when a brake load is applied as tension to the mounting portion 312, which is a stop condition of the prime mover (not shown) previously set by the operator M10 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the second limit switch 364B realizes a contact state by the flat surface 314C of the detected portion 314 displaced in response to the strain of the elastic portion 362 caused by the brake load pressing the second actuator B36B. As a result, when the brake load is applied as tension to the mounting portion 312, the detected portion 314 puts the second limit switch 364B in a contact state, and it is possible to detect that the flat surface 314C of the detected portion 314 is in a position to press the second actuator B36B.

The third limit switch 364C is located closest to the edge 361E of the mounting hole 361D among the limit switches 364. The third limit switch 364C is attached to the switch arrangement section 361B so as to be able to detect the detection target 314 when a force that causes the fall prevention device M20 to start operating, which is equal to or greater than the brake load, is applied as tension to the mounting section 312. In other words, the third limit switch 364C realizes a contact state by the flat surface 314C of the detection target 314, which is displaced in response to the distortion of the elastic section 362 due to the force that causes the fall prevention device M20 to start operating, pressing the third actuator B36C. As a result, when the fall prevention device M20 starts operating, the detection target 314 puts the third limit switch 364C in a contact state, and it is possible to detect that the flat surface 314C of the detection target 314 is in a position to press the third actuator B36C. In addition, in this embodiment, the third limit switch 364C is positioned so that the flat surface 314C of the detected portion 114 straddles the second contact portion C36B and the third contact portion C36C in the axial direction of the mounting portion 312.

This allows the detection device 360 to detect the tension applied from the lanyard M22 to the attachment portion 312.

<Action and Effects>
According to the above-mentioned lift assist device (not shown), the detection device 360 can detect the tension applied to the mounting portion 312 by the limit switch 364 .

The lifting and lowering assistance device according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments has the above-mentioned configuration, and thus can provide a lifting and lowering assistance device 100 with improved support force for supporting a load in the lifting and lowering direction.

<Other embodiments>
The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes are possible without departing from the purpose of the present invention. In other words, the embodiment of the present invention may include all substitutions, modifications, and changes that do not deviate from the spirit and purpose of the claims attached to this specification. For example, the following various embodiments can be implemented as the embodiment of the present invention.

In the lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure, there may be three or more guide rollers attached in the lifting direction of the main body. In such a case, the contact surface of the engagement portion that engages with the long lifting rail of the lifting assistance device becomes wider by the number of guide rollers attached, and these contact surfaces can firmly support the lifting assistance device by the long lifting rail. In addition, the size and thickness of the flange of the guide roller that engages with the support plate of the long lifting rail may be appropriately set according to the number of attached guide rollers.

The lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure may be arranged so that the position of the drive wheel and the position of the idler wheel are reversed when the device is attached. In such a case, the position of the elastic body of the tensioning mechanism is a position where the force that initiates the operation of the fall prevention device is unlikely to be applied. In this way, even if the fall prevention device starts to operate, the lifting assistance device makes it difficult for the idler wheel to approach the drive wheel, thereby suppressing deflection of the wheel.

In the lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure, the track may include a pair of rollers positioned between the drive wheel and the idler wheel. This pair of rollers may be rotatable in both directions of the track's forward and backward movement, and may be configured to pinch the belt on the side of the wheel that faces the long lifting rail and the opposite side of the wheel when it is installed, from the inside and outside of the wheel. In such a case, the pair of rollers can make it more difficult for the wheel to come off the drive wheel sprocket and the idler wheel sprocket.

In the lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure, the block does not have to have a chamfered portion on the edge of the tip end protruding from the track shoe when viewed in the direction of forward and backward drive.

The lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure does not need to be equipped with a stop mechanism.

In the lifting assist device according to the present disclosure, the main body may be provided with a plurality of stop mechanisms. Furthermore, each stopper in each of these stop mechanisms may be inserted into a corresponding hole. In such a case, the lifting assist device has the stoppers and holes engaged at a plurality of points, and these engagements enable the lifting assist device to be firmly supported by the long lifting rail.

In the lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure, the housing of the stop mechanism may be provided with heat dissipation fins on its outside. In such a case, the heat dissipation fins can cool the solenoid, which generates heat when a current flows through it. This can suppress a decrease in the force applied to the flanged stopper due to heat generated by the solenoid. This allows the flanged stopper to maintain a non-interfering state for a long period of time when attached.

The lifting assist device according to the present disclosure may be provided with a detector that detects the charge level of the battery and an alarm that notifies the worker of this detection. Furthermore, when the detector detects that the battery charge level has reached the electrical energy required for the lifting assist device when the worker descends, the alarm may notify the worker of this detection. In such a case, the worker descending the tower can use the electrical energy of the battery to lower the lifting assist device.

In the lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure, the mounting part may be provided with a sliding part that assists the detected part in sliding in the mounting housing part in the axial direction. The sliding part may be set so that the radial dimension of the mounting part is larger than that of the detected part. The sliding part may be made of a material that is softer than the mounting housing part. In such a case, the mounting housing part can reduce the risk of being scratched by the sliding of the detected part. The sliding part may slide the mounting housing part at a position farther away from the detected part relative to the edge of the mounting hole. In such a case, the sliding part can reduce the risk of scratching the elastic part.

In the lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure, the second threshold value and the third threshold value may be the same. That is, the determination unit included in the control device may determine that when the detectable portion in the storage space is positioned so as to enter the area of the second detection unit, the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a third threshold value that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. In such a case, the control device can cause the stop mechanism to switch the flanged stopper from a non-interfering state to a locked state without using the third detection unit.

The lifting assistance device according to the present disclosure may have a fourth detection unit attached to the mounting housing, intermediate the first detection unit and the second detection unit. The detected unit may be a cylinder with an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the mounting housing, and with a height equal to the dimension capable of spanning the area in the axial direction of the mounting unit where the first detection unit is detectable and the area in the axial direction of the mounting unit where the fourth detection unit is detectable. The motor may be capable of changing the torque at which the pulley rotates. The control device may change the output of the motor in response to a signal sent by the fourth detection unit so as to increase the torque at which the pulley rotates. In such a case, the lifting assistance device can pull the worker with an appropriate force according to the weight of the worker resting on the mounting unit.

100 Lifting auxiliary device 110 Main body 110A Front 110B Back 110C Side plate 110D Side plate 110E Hole 110F Insertion block 110G Insertion hole 111 Guide roller 111A Engagement part 112 Mounting part 112C Ring 113 Tension mechanism 113A Bearing part 113B Mounting block 113C Lane 113D Elastic body 114 Detected part 120 Operation panel 120A Manual changeover switch 120B Up button 120C Down button 120D Emergency stop button 130 Track 131 Start wheel 131A Shaft 131B Pulley 131C Sprocket 131D Teeth 132 Idler wheel 132A Shaft 132C Sprocket 132D Teeth 133 Wheel 133A Track shoe 133B Block 133C Tip portion 133D Edge portion 133E Chamfered portion 133F Connecting structure 133G Link 133H Pin 135 Stop mechanism 135A Flanged stopper 135B Rod 135C Flange 135D Elastic body 135E Housing 135F Fixed portion 135G Storage space 135H Solenoid 140 Rotation mechanism 141 Prime mover 141A Shaft 141B Pulley 141C Motor 141D Brake 142 Transmission belt 150 Power source 151 Battery 152 Converter 152A Inverter 152B Inverter 152C Rectifier 160 Detection device 161 Mounting accommodation portion 161A Accommodation space 161B Detection arrangement portion 161D Mounting hole 161E Edge 162 Elastic portion 164 Detection unit 164A First detection unit 164B Second detection unit 164C Third detection unit 170 Control device 171C Switch 171D Switch 171G Switch 172C Determination unit 172D Determination unit 172G Determination unit 312 Mounting unit 314 Detected unit 314A Non-protruding unit 314B Protruding unit 314C Flat surface 314D Inclined surface 314E Inclined surface 360 Detection device 361 Mounting accommodation unit 361A Accommodation space 361B Switch arrangement unit 361C Slit 361D Mounting hole 361E Edge 362 Elastic unit 364 Limit switch 364A First limit switch 364B Second limit switch 364C Third limit switch 365 Roller A16 Area A16A Area A16B Area A16C Area B36 Actuator B36A First actuator B36B Second actuator B36C Third actuator C36 Contact part C36A First contact part C36B Second contact part C36C Third contact part M10 Worker M20 Fall prevention device M21 Full harness M22 Lanyard M22A Hook R10 Steel tower R10A Lifting path R20 Long lifting rail R21 Support plate R21A Hole R21B Small hole R21C Small hole R21D Side R21E Inner surface R21F Edge R21L Spacing R22 Bottom end R23 Top end

Claims (5)

A lifting assistance device that assists a worker in ascending and descending along a long lifting rail having a plurality of holes drilled at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction while a fall prevention device is attached to the worker, the lifting assistance device comprising:
a main body portion that is slidably engaged with the long lift rail;
a track in which a wheel composed of a plurality of track plates is stretched between a drive wheel and an idler wheel, and the wheel is driven forward and backward by rotation of the drive wheel , thereby ascending and descending along the long lifting rail;
a tensioning mechanism for adjusting the tension of the wheel by moving the axis of the idler wheel away from the axis of the drive wheel;
The ring is installed so that the band on the side facing the long lift rail is bent toward the long lift rail,
The crawler belt includes:
a plurality of blocks protruding from the plurality of track shoes, each of the blocks being configured to engage with the hole;
Two or more of these blocks can be driven forward and backward while maintaining a state in which they are engaged with the holes.
Lifting assistance device. The lift assist device according to claim 1,
The fall arrest device has an attachment portion to which a lanyard can be attached,
the main body portion is slidably engaged with the long lifting rail, thereby placing the lifting assist device in a mounted state on the long lifting rail,
The drive wheel and the idler wheel each have a plurality of teeth that are engaged with the wheel, and support the wheel that is driven to move forward and backward by these teeth,
The wheel is stretched between the drive wheel and the idler wheel such that the number of the track plates included in the belt facing the long lift rail is greater than the number of the track plates included in the belt opposite to the long lift rail,
The tensioning mechanism includes:
A bearing portion that supports the idler wheel;
a lane that is a guide extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long lifting rail in the installed state;
and an elastic body that biases and slides the bearing portion so as to move away from the axis of the drive wheel along the extension direction of the lane, thereby making it difficult for the wheel to come off the drive wheel and the idler wheel,
The elastic body is stretchable and has a strength sufficient to withstand the force that starts the fall arrest device from operating.
Lifting assistance device. The lifting assist device according to claim 1 or 2,
An attachment portion to which a lanyard of the fall arrest device can be attached;
A detection device that detects a tension applied from the lanyard to the attachment portion;
a control device that controls the forward and backward driving of the crawler belt based on a detection result of the detection device,
The control device includes:
a start control that starts the forward/backward driving of the crawler belt when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a first threshold value;
a stop control for stopping the forward/backward driving of the crawler belt when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value.
Lifting assistance device. The lifting assist device according to claim 3,
a stopper that stops the lifting and lowering by switching from a non-interfering state that does not interfere with the long lifting rail to a locked state that is locked with the long lifting rail;
The plurality of types of controls include a switching control for switching the stopper from the non-interference state to the engagement state when the magnitude of the tension detected by the detection device exceeds a third threshold value that is equal to or greater than the second threshold value.
Lifting assistance device. The lifting assist device according to claim 1 or 2,
the block has a chamfered portion in which a corner of the edge is rounded at a tip end portion on a side protruding from the track shoe when viewed in the direction of the forward/reverse drive,
The crawler belt performs the forward and backward driving using electric energy from a battery attached to the main body.
Lifting assistance device.

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