An automated cover assembly system (100) for in-ground vehicle lifts

Abstract

An automated cover assembly system (100) for in-ground vehicle lifts, comprising: an underground pit structure comprising a pit frame defining a pit opening in the workshop floor and guide rails extending along the longitudinal edges of the pit opening; a cover plate arrangement comprising a plurality of segmented cover plates configured to move along the guide rails between an extended position covering the pit opening and a retracted position within a cover plate storage area, each cover plate having a load-bearing bearing surface and adjacent cover plates being connected to each other via plate locking mechanisms;a drive mechanism comprising an electric motor functionally connected to a drive chain engaging with drive sprockets to impart linear movement to the cover plates along the guide rails; a sensor assembly comprising position sensors for detecting the position of each cover plate, proximity sensors for detecting obstacles, and load sensors for measuring the force exerted on the cover plates; a safety interlocking system comprising an emergency stop mechanism, locking pins for mechanically securing the cover plates in the extended position, and anti-crushing sensors along the leading edges of the cover plates; and a control unit comprising a programmable logic controller configured to receive signals from the sensor assembly and the safety interlocking system and to issue commands to the drive mechanism and the safety interlocking system;characterized in that the control unit enforces a three-stage safety interlock hierarchy, wherein a first stage requires that the sensor arrangement confirm the absence of persons and objects in the pit area before the retraction of the cover is initiated, a second stage requires that the position sensors confirm the complete retraction of the cover before the activation of a vehicle lifting unit is permitted, and a third stage requires that the vehicle lifting unit be confirmed in a fully lowered position before the extension of the cover is permitted.