Development of a 120kg Load Lifting Capacity Scissor Elevator Platform

Abstract

This work focused on the development of a 120kg load lifting capacity scissor elevator platform (SEP) with a horizontally positioned rack and pinion gear actuating mechanism which is driven by a DC motor. The time of lift to an elevated height of 0.9m is 30s. Simulation of a typical SEP structure in the 3D workspace of a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software package was carried out to investigate the balance of the SEP structure, the stresses experienced, the efficiency, and safety of operations. A prototype was also fabricated for the physical demonstration of SEP. The SEP can be used for a range of engineering applications such as making an adjustable workbench for workshop use, solving the problem of table adjustment for height-challenged personnel, or used as a load-transferring device if mobile to transfer loads between two or more elevated locations during construction or maintenance work. Calculated results give the platform weight as 136.693N, the scissor arms weight as 188.205N, the total structure weight as 1502.098N, the stress in the scissor arm at maximum platform elevation as 1.702MPa, the stress in the scissor arm at minimum platform elevation as 4.928MPa, the maximum actuation force as 4126.980N, and the power required to drive the mechanism as 26.963W. Autodesk Inventor Pro simulation results show that a wide range of data can be sourced when one considers the real-time behavior of SEP. The results also indicated the values of the reaction forces, reaction moments, stresses, strains, and displacements developed at every joint, link, hinged support, and every other point in a 3D workspace.