Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02795100 2014-07-25
A Composite Lifting Stage
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lifing stage, in particular, a large-span
composite lifting
stage which is driven hydraulically.
Background of the Invention
A lifting platform for a stage is a mechanical device usually seen in a
theater, which is
arranged in stage area to perform a lifting movement in the vertical
direction, in order to be used
in a show and realize special performance effects. It can also be used to
convey actors, settings
and props. Common lifting platforms for stage in domestic and foreign theaters
usually have a
long and narrow shape, with a length of about 16m-18m which is corresponding
to the width of
a theater proscenium, and with a width of 3m-4m. The lifting movement of the
lifting platform
is realized by driving means such as using steel wire ropes, chains, gear
racks, screws-nuts and
so on at the both sides of the platform body structure. The specific driving
means depends on
speed, travel range, construction conditions and so on. The lifting platform
has a platform
structure of single layer or double layers, which can move up and down while
the entire platform
is being lifted.
Some special theaters require even longer lifting platforms, and a number of
hoistable
sub-stages can be arranged on the lifting platform in chessboard-like manner
in order to meet
more complex requirements of performance. For these lifting platforms, their
use will be
limited because of relatively large deformations of the lifting platforms
caused by the weight of
the platform body structure itself as well as the weight of its passangers.
Therefore, traditional
transmission routes and driving means cannot satisfy the application
requirements.
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CA 02795100 2014-07-25
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Summary of the Invention
In some cases, it may be desirable to solve the problem mentioned above. The
present
disclosure discloses a stable composite lifting stage with a large-span, which
has sub-stages
movable relative to each other.
In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite lifting
stage,
comprising a main stage having a platform surface; a plurality of hoistable
sub-stages supported
on the platform surface of the main stage; a plurality of driving means, each
for driving one of
the sub-stages; and a main control system. The main stage comprises a base
structure, fixed
guiding means for the main stage, and driving means for the main stage. The
base structure is a
steelwork. The fixed guiding means for the main stage are arranged at two ends
of the base
structure. The driving means for the main stage comprise symmetrically
arranged hydraulic
cylinders and hydraulic drivers. The hydraulic cylinders are secured to a
primary truss under the
base structure on their top. The base structure is supported and driven to
move vertically using
hydraulic jacking by the driving means for the main stage. The hoistable sub-
stages are
individually and independently movable in a vertical direction relative to the
platform surface of
the main stage. The pluarlity of sub-stage driving means are mounted on the
platform surface.
Each one of the sub-stage driving means comprises a winch and a steel wire
rope configured and
connected to vertically move the respective sub-stage relative to the platform
surface of the main
stage.
The present disclosure also discloses a composite lifting stage, comprising a
main stage,
sub-stages and a main control system. The main stage comprises a base
structure, fixed guiding
means for the main stage, and driving means for the main stage. The base
structure is a
steelwork, the fixed guiding means for the main stage are arranged at the both
ends of the base
structure, and the driving means for the main stage comprise symmetrically
arranged hydraulic
cylinders and hydraulic drivers. The top end of hydraulic cylinders are
secured to a primary truss
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under the base structure, and the base structure is supported and driven to
move vertically using
hydraulic jacking. The hoistable sub-stages are fixed on platform surface of
the main stage.
While the main stage moves vertically, the sub-stages relatively move in the
vertical direction, or,
otherwise, the sub-stages move independently. The sub-stages can move either
all synchronously,
separately, or in groups.
Preferably, the fixed guiding means for the main stage comprise a fixed
support and guide
rails arranged thereon, and the base structure has its both ends designed to
have guide shoes
matching with the guide rails.
Preferably, the sub-stages have a sub-stage supporting structure, a sub-stage
framework
structure, and sub-stage driving means, wherein the sub-stage supporting
structure is fixed on the
platform surface of the base structure. The sub-stage framework structure is
situated outside the
sub-stage supporting structure. The sub-stage framework structure is rectangle-
shaped, on frames
of whose four inner corners guiding wheels are secured. At the four outer
corners of the
sub-stage supporting structure guiding rails are arranged to match the guiding
wheels, and the
sub-stage driving means is mounted on the platform surface of the base
structure within each
sub-stage hoistable structure to drive using a winch with steel wire ropes,
which are connected to
four frameworks of the sub-stage framework structure.
Preferably, both inner sides of each corner of the sub-stage framework
structure are
provided with the guiding wheels, and both outer sides of each corner of the
sub-stage supporting
structure are provided with the guiding rails.
Preferably, a motor of the winch with steel wire ropes is arranged in the
middle position,
whose power is divided into two parts by means of a power division gear box
and transmission
shafts, and then is distributed to an end steel wire rope roller through a
double-stage reduction
box.
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Preferably, the driving means for lifting the main stage uses 8 hydraulic
cylinders, which
are balanced by means of position encoders and load sensors. Travel switches
are installed to set
up limited positions to which the lifting stage can reach and different
positions within the travel
range for the lifting stage to stop, and safety side detector devices are
arranged beneath the
lateral sides of the base structure.
Preferably, the main stage has a length of 18m to 33m, a width of 3m to 6m,
and a lifting
travel range for the main stage of 15.5m.
Preferably, the sub-stages are separated into two rows, with 11 in each row,
with a cross
section of 3mx3m, and with a lifting travel range of 4 m relative to the main
stage.
Preferably, the sub-stages are secured on the platform surface of the main
stage in a
chessboard-like manner.
Preferably, four sides of the sub-stage framework structure all have a depth
of 150 mm, on
which four sides LED screens are mounted.
An advantageous effect of an embodiment of the present invention may be that:
the
main-stage base structure is jacked using hydraulic cylinders to avoid large
deformations of the
lifting stage over a large span. With a composite manner, the lifting stage
can move separately or
simultaneously. The sub-stage hoistable structures can move either
independently, synchronously,
or in group with respect to each other. In such a way, more flexible kinetic
effect can be
achieved to meet the requirements of better performance, and the travel range
of the entire lifting
stage can be increased.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a structure diagram of an embodiment according to the present
invention.
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Figure 2 is a structure diagram illustrating the connection of the fixed
guiding means for
the main stage and the base structure according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic of the main-stage structure and the sub-stage
hoistable structure
according to the present invention when lifted to the highest position.
Figure 4 is a schematic of the main-stage structure according to the present
invention
when lifted to the highest position.
Figure 5 is a schematic of the main-stage structure and sub-stage hoistable
structure
according to the present invention when moved to the lowest position.
Figure 6 is a schematic of the sub-stage supporting structure according to the
present
invention.
Figure 7 is a schematic of the sub-stage framework structure according to the
present
invention.
Figure 8 is a schematic illustrating the connection of the sub-stage framework
structure
and the sub-stage supporting structure according to the present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic of the sub-stage driving means according to the
present
invention.
Detailed Description of Embodiments
The present invention will be further illustrated hereinafter with reference
to the
drawings:
A composite lifting stage, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a main stage, sub-
stages and a
main control system, wherein the main stage comprises a base structure 1,
fixed guiding
means 2 for the main stage, and driving means 3 for the main stage. The base
structure 1 is a
rectangular steelwork. This structure is designed to meet the requirements for
the supporting
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and fixing of the sub-stage hoistable structures under rated load. The bending
deformation of
the structure does not exceed 1/750 of the span of the main stage, and the
levelness and
repositioning resolution is 2 mm.
The fixed guiding means 2 for the main stage are arranged at the both ends of
the base
structure 1. It comprises a fixed support 21 and guide rails 22 arranged
thereon. The base
structure 1 has its both ends designed to have guide shoes 11 matching with
the guide rails 22,
as shown in Figure 2, to ensure stable operation of the main stage. The
driving means 3 for
the main stage comprise symmetrically arranged hydraulic cylinders and
hydraulic drivers.
The top end of the hydraulic cylinders are secured to a primary truss under
the base structure.
The foundations of the hydraulic cylinders are stored in a foundation pit in
the base. The
hydraulic drivers are located in a machine room.
In this embodiment, the base structure 1 is jacked and driven to move
vertically using
eight hydraulic cylinders. The arrangement of the hydraulic cylinders ensures
evenly
distributed stress. The hydraulic cylinders are balanced by means of position
encoders and
load sensors to ensure the levelness and positioning resolution of the lifting
stage.
Travel switches are installed to set up to limit the height to which the
lifting stage can
reach and different positions within the travel range for the lifting stage to
stop, such as to
ensure safe operation of the lifting stage. Safety side detector devices are
arranged beneath
lateral sides of the base structure 1. Once the lower part of the sides
touches any object in the
lifting process, the sensors will send a signal to the main control system.
Then, the main
control system will shut down the power immediately to stop running of the
lifting stage to
ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
The sub-stages are secured on the platform surface of the main stage in a
chessboard-like
manner. While the main stage moves vertically, the sub-stage hoistable
structures relatively
move in the vertical direction, or, otherwise, the sub-stages move
independently. As shown
in Figures 6-8, the sub-stages comprise a sub-stage supporting structure 4, a
sub-stage
framework stricture 5, and sub-stage driving means 6.
CA 02795100 2012-11-08
The sub-stage supporting structure 4 is fixed on the platform surface of the
base structure
1. The sub-stage framework structure 5 is situated outside the sub-stage
supporting structure
4. The
sub-stage framework structure 5 is rectangle-shaped, on frames of whose four
inner
corners adjustable guiding wheels 51 are secured. The four outer corners of
the sub-stage
supporting structure 4 are provided with guiding rails 41 to match the guiding
wheels 51, so
that the sub-stages will not shake in the lifting process due to movement of
the actors and
offset load applying thereon. Thus smooth operation of the sub-stage framework
structure 5
can be achieved.
The guiding wheels 51 can move vertically along the guiding rails 41 of the
sub-stage
supporting structure 4. Both of the inner sides of each corner of the sub-
stage framework
structure 5 are provided with guiding wheels 51. Both of the outer sides of
each corner of the
sub-stage supporting structure 4 are provided with guiding rails 41.
The sub-stage driving means 6 is mounted on the platform surface of the base
structure 1
within each sub-stage hoistable structure to move them virtically using a
winch with steel wire
ropes. A motor 61 is arranged in the middle position, whose power is divided
into two parts
by means of a power division gear box and transmission shafts, and then
distributed to an end
steel wire rope roller 63 through a double-stage reduction box 62. The steel
wire ropes are
connected to four frameworks of the sub-stage framework structure 5. Such
arrangements
can enable the lifted four points to work synchronously, as shown in Figure 9.
Each of the
sub-stages are driven to move vertically through the winch with steel wire
ropes and guiding
wheels. Alternatively, the sub-stages can move relative to each other while
moving
integrally.
The four sides of the sub-stage framework structure 5 all have a depth of
150mm. LED
screens are mounted on these four sides, on which video programs can be played
during the
performance according to the story to accentuate the performance and improve
the
performance effect. By controlling the lifting of the sub-stages and the
combinations of the
sub-stages at different positions, various effects of the changing stage can
be presented, and
the director may fully express his imagination and expression.
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The main stage can have a length of 18m-33m, a width of 3m-6m, and a lifting
travel
range of 15.5m. In this embodiment, the main stage has a length of 33m, a
width of 6m.
The sub-stages are separated into two rows, with 11 in each row, which are
used to constitute
various heights of performance and appearances of the main stage during
performance. Each
of the sub-stages has a cross section of 3m X 3m, and a travel range of 4m
relative to the main
stage. When cooperating with the main stage, its effective stage showing area
can vary from
the height of 4m above to 15.5m below the surface of the main stage. In the
lowest position,
the setting of the set storage area in understage below the stage can be moved
to the composite
lifting stage.
The movement of the main stage and the sub-stages is controlled by the main
control
system. They
can move separately or synchronously. The sub-stages can move
independently, synchronously or operate in group, such that more flexible
kinetic effects can
be achieved to meet the requirements of better performance, and the travel
range of the entire
lifting stage can be increased.
The description above is merely to illustrate some preferred embodiments of
the present
invention, and in no way means to limit the scope of the present invention.
Any equivalent
alternations and modifications made within the claimed scope of the present
invention are
believed to fall into the scope of the present invention.
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