INFLATABLE LIFTING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

An inflatable lifting system for a vehicle comprises N chambers arranged vertically in a stack, where N is an integer greater than two. N pressure sensors are configured to detect the pressure in the respective N chambers. A compressor is configured to supply pressurized gas. N valves are configured to selectively connect and disconnect the N chambers from the compressor. A controller is configured to control the N valves to inflate the N chambers sequentially in a predetermined order and to deflate the N chambers sequentially in reverse order.

Description

INITIATIONThe present invention relates to lifting devices for vehicles and, more particularly, to an inflatable lifting system for a vehicle. Inflatable lifting systems are known in principle; see, for example, publications DE 20 2007 011 680 U1, DE 75 33 295 U, DE 71 43 405 U, DE 10 2013 002 964 B4 and DE 20 2016 106 728 U1.A jack, for example a scissors, bottles or pneumatic jack, may be used to lift a heavy object, for example a vehicle. For example, the vehicle may need to be lifted when the vehicle has a flat tire that needs to be changed to ensure accessibility or when other operations need to be performed on the vehicle. The jacks are typically heavy and may require considerable physical effort in lifting the vehicle. When raising the vehicle on rougher surfaces that are not quite planar, the jacks may not be sufficiently stable.SUMMARYAccording to the invention, there is provided an inflatable lifting system for a vehicle, characterised by the features of claim 1.In other features, the N chambers are made of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of metal, rubber, and plastic. N pressure sensors are configured to respectively detect the pressure in the N chambers.In other features, a compressor is configured to provide pressurized gas. N valves are configured to selectively connect and disconnect the N chambers to and from the compressor. A controller is configured to control the N valves to pump up the N chambers one by one in a first predetermined order and pump down the N chambers one by one in the reverse order. The first predetermined order includes, in order, a lowermost one of the N chambers to an uppermost one of the N chambers.An inflatable lift system for a vehicle includes N chambers vertically arranged in a stack, where N is an integer greater than two. A lowermost of the N chambers includes an upper planar surface and a flexible material having sides connected to the upper planar surface and a bottom extending between the sides of the flexible material. An uppermost of the N chambers includes an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, bellows connecting the sides of the upper planar surface to the lower planar surface, and unfixed straps connecting the upper planar surface to the lower planar surface. One or more middle ones of the N chambers include an upper planar surface, a lower planar surface, a bellows connecting the sides of the upper planar surface to the lower planar surface, and secured straps connecting the upper planar surface to the lower planar surface.In other features, the N chambers are made of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of metal, rubber, and plastic. N pressure sensors are configured to respectively detect the pressure in the N chambers.In other features, a compressor is configured to provide pressurized gas. N valves are configured to selectively connect and disconnect the N chambers to and from the compressor. A controller is configured to control the N valves to pump up the N chambers one by one in a first predetermined order and pump down the N chambers one by one in the reverse order. The first predetermined order includes, in order, a lowermost one of the N chambers to an uppermost one of the N chambers.Further, areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes only.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are side cross-sectional views of an example of an inflatable lifting device according to the present invention; FIGS. 2A and 2B are side cross-sectional views of an example of an inflatable lifting device according to the present invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B are functional block diagrams of an example of a control system for an inflatable lifting device according to the present invention; and FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts of examples of methods for operating the inflatable lifting device according to the present invention.In the drawings, reference numerals may be used multiple times to identify similar and / or similar elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONWhile the inflatable lifting device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to an application example for lifting vehicles, the inflatable lifting device may also be used in other applications for lifting other types of heavy objects.Existing inflatable lifts are becoming increasingly larger due to the increase in vehicle weight. These inflatable lifts are large, heavy and difficult to store and / or transport. These inflatable lifts typically comprise a single air chamber or chambers having a plurality of spaces which are connected to one another and inflate simultaneously. In some examples, the inflatable lifting device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of chambers that are inflated in a predetermined order to provide a controlled lifting movement. In some examples, the predetermined order is sequentially from the lowermost chamber to the uppermost chamber. In other examples, other orders, such as top to bottom, may be used, for example, when the inflatable lift is connected to a bottom of the heavy object. In other examples, non-sequential inflation, e.g., in the middle, bottom, and then top, may be used.In some examples, some of the inflatable lift chambers are configured to perform different tasks during lifting. In some examples, the inflatable lift includes a lowermost chamber configured to conform to asperities of the ground surface. Conventional scissors, bottle and / or air jacks typically have a metal base that is sensitive to uneven surfaces. In some examples, one or more chambers of the inflatable lift include unfixed inner straps that cause an upper planar surface of the chamber to tilt and conform to a bottom surface of an object when the object is lifted. In some examples, other chambers of the inflatable lift have attached straps that force the chamber to inflate in a fixed or predetermined orientation (e.g., parallel to the ground).Referring now to Figures 1A-1C, an example of an inflatable lift according to the present invention includes a plurality of chambers arranged in a vertical stack. In some examples, the inflatable lift includes at least three chambers, including a lowermost chamber that does not contain straps and conforms to a lifting surface, one or more middle chambers with straps attached, and an uppermost chamber with straps unmounted to allow the uppermost chamber to tilt and conform to an opposing surface of the heavy object to be lifted.In FIG. 1A, inflatable lift 100 includes planar surfaces 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120. The sides of the planar surface 112 and the planar surface 114 are connected to each other by a bellows 130, and form a chamber 131. The sides of the planar surface 114 and the planar surface 116 are connected by a flexible material 132 and form a chamber 133. The planar surface 116 is attached to the planar surface 118. The sides of the planar surface 118 and the planar surface 120 are connected by a flexible material 134 and form a chamber 135. A flexible material 122 defines a bottom and sides of a chamber 123. The sides of the flexible material 122 are connected to the planar surface 120.In some examples, pairs of the planar surfaces that form the upper and / or lower sides of the chambers are connected by attached straps. The secured straps are fixedly attached to the facing surfaces of adjacent pairs of planar surfaces. In some examples, the straps provide that the planar surfaces of the chambers are parallel to each other and to the ground in the fully inflated state.In some examples, pairs of the planar surfaces that form the upper and / or lower sides of the chambers are connected by unfixed straps. With the straps not attached, the straps may move at some or all attachment points on the planar surfaces to allow for tilt. In some examples, the facing surfaces of the planar surface 112 and the planar surface 114 are connected by unfixed straps 140 to allow the planar surface 112 to tilt relative to the ground in one or more directions during lifting. In some examples, the facing surfaces of the planar surface 114 and the planar surface 116 are connected by attached straps 144. In some examples, the facing surfaces of the planar surface 118 and the planar surface 120 are connected by attached straps 148. In some examples, the chamber 123 does not include any straps to conform to a variable floor / lift surface. Further details of inflatable devices having pull straps can be found in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 11 084 541 B2 entitled "Internal Stretched Inflatable Structures".Inflatable lift 100 is shown in a pumped-down position in FIG. 1A and in various pumped-up positions in FIGS. 1B and 1C. In FIG. 1B, the planar surface 112 is parallel to the ground in the fully inflated state. In FIG. 1C, the chamber 123 is initially filled and can adapt to different floor / lift surfaces 160 after lifting. The bottom of chamber 123 conforms to the bottom / lifting surfaces 160.After the chamber 123 has been pumped up, the chamber 135 is pumped up. The straps 148 are secured and have a fixed length such that the planar surface 120 is parallel to the planar surface 118 when the chamber 135 is fully inflated. After the chamber 135 has been pumped up, the chamber 133 is pumped up. The straps 144 are secured and have a fixed length so that the planar surface 116 is parallel to the planar surface 114 when the chamber 133 is fully inflated.After the chamber 133 has been pumped up, the chamber 131 is pumped up. The straps 144 are not attached so that the planar surface 112 can tilt and conform to a surface of the object to be lifted (e.g., a vehicle or other object). In other words, the planar surface 112 may be parallel to the planar surface 114 (as shown in FIG. 1B ) or may form an angle relative to the planar surface 114 (as shown in FIG. 1C ), depending on the orientation of a surface of the object facing the inflatable lift 100.In some examples, planar surfaces 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120 are made of metal, rubber, plastic, or other material. In some examples, the flexible material 132, 134, and 122 and the bellows 130 include rubber. In some examples, a metal ring 155 (FIG. 1B ) is used to attach the flexible material to a planar surface.In FIGS. 2A and 2B, inflatable lift 200 includes one or more planar surfaces 212, 214, 216, and 220. The sides of the flat surface 212 and the flat surface 214 are connected to each other by a bellows 230 and form a chamber 231. The sides of the planar surface 214 and the planar surface 216 are connected together by bellows 232 and form a chamber 233. The sides of the planar surface 216 and the planar surface 220 are connected to each other by a bellows 234 and form a chamber 235. A chamber 223 is connected to the planar surface 220.In some examples, the planar surfaces are connected by attached straps or unfixed straps. The facing surfaces of the planar surface 212 and the planar surface 214 are connected by unfixed straps 240 (to allow the planar surface 212 to tilt during lifting). The facing surfaces of the planar surface 214 and the planar surface 216 are connected by attached straps 244. The facing surfaces of the planar surface 216 and the planar surface 218 are connected by attached tension straps 248. A flexible material 222 defines a bottom and sides of a chamber 223. The sides of the flexible material 222 are connected to the planar surface 220.Inflatable lift 200 is shown in a pumped-out position in FIG. 2A and in an inflated position in FIG. 2B. In FIG. 2B, the chamber 223 is initially filled and may conform to different floor / lift surfaces. A bottom of the chamber 223 conforms to the bottom / lifting surfaces. After the chamber 223 is pumped up, the chamber 235 is pumped up. The straps 248 are secured and have a fixed length such that the planar surface 220 is parallel to the planar surface 216 when fully inflated. After inflation of chamber 235, chamber 233 is inflated. The straps 244 are secured and have a fixed length such that the planar surface 216 is parallel to the planar surface 214 when fully inflated. After the chamber 233 has been pumped up, the chamber 231 is pumped up. The straps 244 are not attached so that the planar surface 212 can tilt and conform to a facing surface of the object to be lifted (e.g., a bottom of a vehicle or other heavy object). In other words, the planar surface 212 may be parallel to the planar surface 214 or may form an angle relative to the planar surface 214.In FIGS. 3A and 3B, examples of control systems for the inflatable lifting device are shown. In FIG. 3A, the control system 300 includes a controller 310 and a compressor 314 that supplies compressed gas such as air. A manifold 318 is connected to an output of the compressor 314 and includes N valves 322- 1, 322- 2,..., 322-N corresponding to the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., 330-N. N pressure sensors 334- 1, 334- 2,..., 334-N are disposed in the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., 330-N to detect the pressure within the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., and 330-N. The controller 310 receives outputs from the N pressure sensors 334- 1, 334- 2,..., 334-N and is configured to control the N valves 322- 1, 322- 2,..., 322-N to inflate and deflate the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., 330-N in response to the sensed pressures, as described further below. An input device 336 comprises one or more control elements such as buttons or a touchscreen, with which the inflatable lifting device can be controlled. In other examples, the compressor includes internal valves that control the outputs to each of the chambers. In some examples, the valves have three positions, including open, closed, and venting to atmosphere. Alternatively, another set of valves may be used to vent the gas to the atmosphere as the chambers are pumped.In FIG. 3B, the control system 350 includes the controller 310 and a compressor 314. The compressor 314 is connected to the N valves 322- 1, 322- 2,..., 322-N corresponding to the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., 330-N. The N pressure sensors 334- 1, 334- 2,..., 334-N are disposed in the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., 330-N to detect the pressure inside the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., and 330-N. The controller 310 receives outputs from the N pressure sensors 334- 1, 334- 2,..., 334-N and is configured to control the N valves 322- 1, 322- 2,..., 322-N to inflate and deflate the N chambers 330- 1, 330- 2,..., 330-N in response to the sensed pressures, as described further below.Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, flow diagrams of methods of operating the inflatable lift are shown. FIG. 4A illustrates a method 400 for inflating the inflatable lifting device. If a pump up button is pressed at the input device, as determined at 410, N is set equal to the number of chambers at 412 and the compressor is pressed at 414. At 418, a valve for chamber N (e.g., chamber 123) is opened and pressure P N in chamber 123 is measured. If the pressure P N in the chamber N is less than a predetermined pressure determined at 422, the method continues with inflating the chamber at 426. At 428, the method determines whether the inflation button is still on. If 428 is true, the method returns to 418. If the inflation button is off at 428, the method ends and the inflatable lift is partially inflated.If the pressure in chamber 123 is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure determined at 422, the method closes the valve for chamber N. If N is not equal to M at 444, method N decreases and returns to 418. If all chambers are to be inflated, M=1; however, M can be set to 2, 3,..., N-1, which corresponds to the inflation of fewer chambers. For example, if M=1 the top chamber is inflated. When M=2, the top chamber is not inflated. The process is repeated for each of the chambers until N - M + 1 chambers are filled and the inflatable elevator is fully inflated. If N=M at 444, the method ends.FIG. 4B illustrates a method 450 for pumping down the inflatable lifting device. If a pump down button is pressed at the input device, as determined at 460, then T is set to 1 at 464. At 468, a valve for chamber T (e.g., chamber 131) is opened and the pressure in chamber 131 is measured. If the pressure in the chamber is greater than a predetermined pressure determined at 422, the method continues pumping the chamber at 476. The method determines at 478 whether the pump down button remains on. If the pump down button is off at 478, the method ends and the inflatable lift is partially pumped down.If the pressure in the chamber is less than or equal to a predetermined pressure, as determined at 472, the method determines whether T=P (N being the number of chambers and P≤N). For example, P=N applies in the case where all the chambers are pumped out. If 484 is false, the method continues to 488 and sets T=T+1. The process repeats for the next chamber. If T=P at 484, the method ends.The inflatable lifting device uses pneumatic chambers with straps to lift heavy objects such as a vehicle. The compact and light inflatable lifting device allows higher lifting loads and requires less packaging space in the stowed state. Also, compared to conventional vehicle lifting techniques, the inflatable lifting device weighs less.LegendIn the drawing figures, N represents No and Y represents Yes.

Claims

An inflatable lift system (100) for a vehicle, comprising: N chambers (131, 133, 135, 123) vertically arranged in a stack, wherein N is an integer greater than two; wherein a lowermost (123) of the N chambers (131, 133, 135, 123) comprises an upper planar surface (120) and a flexible material (122) having sides connected to the upper planar surface (112) and a bottom connecting the sides of the flexible material (122); an uppermost (131) of the N chambers (131, 133, 135, 123) comprising an upper planar surface (112), a lower planar surface (114), a bellows (130) connecting the sides of the upper planar surface (112) to the lower planar surface (114), and unfixed straps (140) connecting the upper planar surface (112) to the lower planar surface (114), the unfixed straps (140) being movable at the attachment points to the planar surfaces (112, 114); and one or more middle (133, 135) of the N chambers (131, 133, 135, 123) comprises an upper planar surface (114, 116), a lower planar surface (116, 120), a flexible material (132, 134) connecting the sides of the upper planar surface (114, 116) to the lower planar surface (116, 120), and attached tension straps (144, 148) connecting the upper planar surface (114, 116) to the lower planar surface (116, 120).The inflatable lift system (100) of claim 1, wherein the N chambers (131, 133, 135, 123) are comprised of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of metal, rubber, and plastic.The inflatable lift system (100) of claim 1, further comprising N pressure sensors (334-1, 334-2,..., 334-N) configured to sense the pressure in the respective N chambers (131, 133, 135, 123).

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