Transmission assembly for shipboard lift platform

The transmission assembly with standardized 316L stainless-steel hydraulic cylinders addresses high costs and maintenance challenges of shipboard lift platforms by improving manufacturing efficiency and enabling easy part replacement.

EP4755779A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-06-10CHEN YING CHIH

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
CHEN YING CHIH
Filing Date
2025-02-24
Publication Date
2026-06-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing shipboard lift platforms face challenges with high manufacturing and maintenance costs due to bespoke hydraulic motors, and finding compatible replacements is difficult, especially in diverse marine environments.

Method used

A transmission assembly using 316L stainless-steel hydraulic cylinders with standardized specifications drives rotating arms and a loading platform, reducing the need for customized parts and facilitating easy replacement.

Benefits of technology

This design enhances manufacturing efficiency, lowers costs, and simplifies maintenance by using standardized hydraulic cylinders, ensuring easy part replacement and extended lifespan.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform is provided. The transmission assembly includes two transmission boxes (2) disposed on two sides of a chamber (11) of a watercraft (1) and pivotally connected to one end of two rotating arms (3) correspondingly. A transmission unit (4) is mounted in at least one of the transmission boxes (2) and composed of a first hydraulic cylinder (41) and a second hydraulic cylinder (42), both connected to a transmission wheel by a rope. A rotary shaft (31) on one end of the rotating arm is inserted through and connected with the first and the second transmission wheel (47, 48). Retraction of the hydraulic cylinders drives the rotating arms (3), a plurality of stair treads (5) between the rotating arms (3), and a loading platform (6) to be extended. By using the hydraulic cylinders with various specifications and reasonable prices as power sources, convenience in manufacturing and maintenance is effectively increased and cost for maintenance is significantly reduced.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention pertains to an essential component for maritime vessels, specifically focusing on a highly innovative transmission assembly that enhances shipboard lift platforms.Description of Related Art

[0002] To ensure that passengers can safely transition from the boat to the shoreline or directly into the sea, most yachts are equipped with advanced lift platforms. A notable example is detailed in the Taiwanese Pub. No. M490443 entitled "Lifting Platform Structure for Boat". This patent, developed by the same inventor as the present invention describes a sophisticated design featuring a Z-shaped rotating mechanism mounted on a watercraft, which has a rotating arm mechanism. The rotating arm pivots from the end of a fixed housing, a rotary power system strategically placed in the fixed housing. This rotating arm is designed with multiple stair treads, which provide a stable footing for passengers, while the opposite end is attached to a spacious loading platform. The first rotary power source drives the rotating arm, thereby lowering or raising the platform. As the rotating arm moves, both the stair treads and the loading platform rise or lower in unison, allowing for a smooth transition. When the lift platform / stairs are in desired position, passengers can elegantly step off the boat onto the shore or into the inviting sea, enhancing their overall experience while ensuring their safety and comfort.

[0003] The lifting platform structure described in Taiwanese Pub. No. M490443 adopts two hydraulic motors as the first rotary power source. However, it has specific limitations in design specifications. Moreover, the custom nature of boats complicates the procurement and / or cost of a Stainless-Steel hydraulic motors that aligns with the unique requirements of each vessel and the harsh conditions that they face day to day, this often results in the hydraulic motors being a bespoke product, leading to elevated manufacturing costs moreover incorrect material are used due to cost. Additionally, if the boat ventures into foreign waters and the hydraulic motor encounters malfunctions, finding a replacement motor with compatible specifications can prove to be a daunting task, creating significant hurdles in maintenance and its costs.

[0004] Consequently, the current landscape presents a valuable opportunity for innovation, highlighting the pressing need for a redesign design of such lift platforms that are frequently in diverse harsh atmosphere encountered by the marine environment, this new approach focuses on function and durability while reducing operational challenges / costs, thereby ensuring a more enjoyable and efficient experience for all maritime enthusiasts.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform which not only effectively improves convenience in manufacturing and maintenance of a shipboard lift platform, but also significantly reduces maintenance and down time of shipboard lift platforms.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform includes a watercraft, two transmission boxes, two rotating arms, at least one transmission unit, a plurality of stair treads, and a loading platform. The two transmission boxes arranged side by side, working in pair. A pop-up floor is designed in an area between the two transmission boxes, while the two rotating arms are disposed in this area and positioned adjacent to the respective transmission boxes. The one transmission unit is mounted in at least one of the transmission boxes and composed of a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder, which are positioned horizontally and opposite to each other. One end of each of the rotating arms is connected with the adjacent transmission box by a rotary shaft. A piston rod of the first hydraulic cylinder and a piston rod of the second hydraulic cylinder are respectively connected to one end of a first rope and one end of a second rope through a first assembly box and a second assembly box correspondingly. The other end of the first rope and the other end of the second rope are respectively assembled with a first transmission wheel and a second transmission wheel. The other end of the first rope is mounted to an upper part of the first transmission wheel while the other end of the second rope is mounted to a lower part of the second transmission wheel. The plurality of stair treads is evenly spaced between the two rotating arms and the loading platforms, thereby a stairway is formed between the two rotating arms and the loading platforms.

[0007] Preferably, the watercraft is provided with a chamber on the stern of the watercraft where the two transmission boxes can be arranged at two opposite sides of the chamber provided.

[0008] While in use, the two hydraulic cylinders of the transmission unit drives the rotating arms to rotate, allowing the loading platform to move in a vertical manner. While the plurality of stair treads between the two rotating arms and the loading platform remain level to the loading platform. Thereby passengers can step on the shore or go in the sea from the watercraft using the shipboard lift platform. Moreover, the convenience of manufacturing and maintenance of the shipboard lift platform is effectively improved, and the cost of manufacturing and maintenance is reduced by using the 316L stainless-steel hydraulic cylinders instead of the previously used customized hydraulic motors.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a partial enlarged perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a partial enlarged top view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment in use according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of an embodiment in use according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is another perspective view of an embodiment in use according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] Refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform according to the present invention is provided. The transmission assembly includes a watercraft 1, two transmission boxes 2, two rotating arms 3, at least one transmission unit 4, a plurality of stair treads 5, and a loading platform 6. A chamber 11 is disposed on a stern of the watercraft 1. The two transmission boxes 2 are arranged at two opposite sides of the chamber 11 correspondingly and an area 21 is formed between the two transmission boxes 2. The two rotating arms 3 are disposed on the area 21 between the transmission boxes 2 and located adjacent to the two transmission boxes 2 correspondingly. One end of each of the rotating arms 3 is connected with the adjacent transmission box 2 by a rotary shaft 31. The one transmission unit 4 is mounted in at least one of the transmission boxes 2 and composed of a first hydraulic cylinder 41 and a second hydraulic cylinder 42, which are positioned horizontally and opposite to each other. The first hydraulic cylinder 41 and the second hydraulic cylinder 42 are 316L stainless-steel hydraulic cylinders. A piston rod 411 of the first hydraulic cylinder 41 and a piston rod 421 of the second hydraulic cylinder 42 are respectively connected to one end of a first rope 45 and one end of a second rope 46 through a first assembly box 43 and a second assembly box 44 correspondingly. The first rope 45 and the second rope 46 are both made of synthetic fiber. The other end of the first rope 45 and the other end of the second rope 46 are respectively assembled with a first transmission wheel 47 and a second transmission wheel 48. The other end of the first rope 45 is mounted to a lower part of the first transmission wheel 47 while the other end of the second rope 46 is mounted to an upper part of the second transmission wheel 48. Thereby a mounting area between the other end of the first cord 45 and the first transmission wheel 47 and another mounting area between the other end of the second rope 46 and the second transmission wheel 48 are arranged in a staggered manner. The rotary shaft 31 disposed on the end of the rotating arm 3 is inserted through centers of the first and the second transmission wheels 47, 48 to be connected with the first and the second transmission wheels 47, 48. The plurality of stair treads 5 is disposed between the two rotating arms 3 and the loading platform 6 is arranged at the other end of the two rotating arms 3.

[0011] Refer to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, when the watercraft 1 is at the destination and passengers intend to participate in sea activities, the first hydraulic cylinder 41 at a lower portion of the transmission unit 4 is driven to work and the piston rod 411 of the first hydraulic cylinder 41 is retracted so that the first transmission wheel 47 is rotated clockwise from a state of being pulled through the first rope 45. Then the second hydraulic cylinder 42 at an upper portion works and the piston rod 421 is extended to release the second transmission wheel 48 from a state of being pulled through the second rope 46. At the moment, the rotary shaft 31 used for assembling the rotation arm 3 with the first transmission wheel 47 and the second transmission wheel 48 is also rotated clockwise to drive the rotation arm 3 to swing downward a preset angle. The plurality of stair treads 5 disposed between the two rotating arms 3 are also extended to become a set of stairs along with downward movement of the rotating arms 3. When the rotating arms 3 swing downward to a certain position, the loading platform 6 at the other ends of the two rotating arms 3 and a part of the plurality of stair treads 5 are under water for allowing the passengers to walk down the plurality of stair treads 5 from the watercraft 1 to the sea through the loading platform 6 safely and conveniently.

[0012] Moreover, also refer to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, to retrieve the plurality of stair treads 5 and the loading platform 6, the second hydraulic cylinder 42 at an upper portion of the transmission unit 4 is driven to work and the piston rod 421 of the second hydraulic cylinder 42 is retracting so that the second transmission wheel 48 is pulled to rotate counterclockwise through the second rope 46. Then the piston rod 411 of the first hydraulic cylinder 41 at the lower portion of the transmission unit 4 is extended to release the first transmission wheel 47 from a state of being pulled through the first rope 45. At the moment, the rotary shaft 31 used for assembling the rotating arm 3 with the first transmission wheel 47 and the second transmission wheel 48 is also rotated counterclockwise to drive the rotating arm 3 to rotate upward and toward the area 21 formed between the two transmission boxes 2. Thereby the plurality of stair treads 5 disposed between the two rotating arms 3 are rotating together with the rotating arms 3 to be mounted into the area 21 between the two transmission boxes 2 for storage. Then the loading platform 6 at the other ends of the two rotating arms 3 is just covering an opening of the area 21 smoothly.

[0013] Also refer to Fig. 7, when the shipboard lift platform is required for boarding or other activities, the first hydraulic cylinder 41 and the second hydraulic cylinder 42 of the transmission unit 4 are driven to work and make the rotating arms 3 assembled with the first hydraulic cylinder 41 and the second hydraulic cylinder 42 swing upward to a preset angle through the first transmission wheel 47 and the second transmission wheel 48 correspondingly. At the moment, the plurality of stair treads 5 connected with the two rotating arms 3 are rotated to become a set of stairs along with the upward movement of the rotating arms 3. After the rotating arms 3 being moved upward to a certain position, the loading platform 6 at the other ends of the two rotating arms 3 is also lifted to a certain height. Thus the passengers can step on the shore from the watercraft 1 or get on the watercraft 1 through the plurality of stair treads 5 and the loading platform 6 safely.

[0014] By using the hydraulic cylinders of various specifications as power sources to drive the rotating arms 3, the plurality of stair treads 5, and the loading platform 6 for lifting and lowering, the present invention not only enhances the manufacturing efficiency and reduces the manufacturing cost of shipboard lift platforms but also eliminates the need to order customized hydraulic motors. Moreover, when a vessel is sailing abroad and a hydraulic cylinder malfunctions, a replacement hydraulic cylinder of the same specification can be easily found locally, allowing for quick replacement of faulty hydraulic motors and other components. Consequently, this effectively addresses the shortcomings of high costs and difficulty in finding compatible replacement parts for hydraulic motors. Furthermore, hydraulic cylinders have a longer lifespan and are easier to maintain, thereby significantly reducing service costs.

[0015] The above embodiments or figures are not intended to limit the implementations of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the first assembly box 43 and the second assembly box 44 can be omitted so that the piston rod 411 of the first hydraulic cylinder 41 and the piston rod 421 of the second hydraulic cylinder 42 are directly connected to one end of the first rope 45 and one end of the second rope 46 respectively. The arrangement of the chamber 11 on the watercraft 1 can also be omitted so that the two transmission boxes 2 are directly arranged at the watercraft 1. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present invention may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0016] According to the above embodiments, the present invention has the following advantages. 1. By using the hydraulic cylinders with various specifications and reasonable price as power sources for driving the lift platform, not only cost for maintenance of the shipboard lift platform is significantly reduced, production efficiency of the shipboard lift platform is also increased. 2. By using the hydraulic cylinders with various specifications and reasonable prices as power sources, the hydraulic cylinders with the same specifications can be found easily for replacement when the hydraulic cylinders are damaged or out of order. This helps increase convenience in maintenance and reduce maintenance cost.

[0017] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalent.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]Refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform according to the present invention is provided. The transmission assembly includes a watercraft 1, two transmission boxes 2, two rotating arms 3, at least one transmission unit 4, a plurality of stair treads 5, and a loading platform 6. A chamber 11 is disposed on a stern of the watercraft 1. The two transmission boxes 2 are arranged at two opposite sides of the chamber 11 correspondingly and an area 21 is formed between the two transmission boxes 2. The two rotating arms 3 are disposed on the area 21 between the transmission boxes 2 and located adjacent to the two transmission boxes 2 correspondingly. One end of each of the rotating arms 3 is connected with the adjacent transmission box 2 by a rotary shaft 31. The one transmission unit 4 is mounted in at least one of the transmission boxes 2 and composed of a first hydraulic cylinder 41 and a second hydraulic cylinder 42, which are positioned ho...

Claims

1. A transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform comprising a watercraft (1), two transmission boxes (2), two rotating arms (3), at least one transmission unit (4), a plurality of stair treads (5), and a loading platform (6); the two transmission boxes (2) are arranged at two opposite sides and disposed side by side on the watercraft (1); an area (21) formed between the two transmission boxes (2); the two rotating arms (3) disposed on the area (21) between the transmission boxes (2) and arranged adjacent to the two transmission boxes (2) correspondingly; one end of each of the rotating arms (3) connected with the adjacent transmission box (2) by a rotary shaft (31); the one transmission unit (4) mounted in at least one of the transmission boxes (2) and composed of a first hydraulic cylinder (41) and a second hydraulic cylinder (42); a piston rod (411) of the first hydraulic cylinder (41) and a piston rod (421) of the second hydraulic cylinder (42) respectively connected to one end of a first rope (45) and one end of a second rope (46) correspondingly; the other end of the first rope (45) and the other end of the second rope (46) respectively mounted to a first transmission wheel (47) and a second transmission wheel (48); the rotary shaft (31) disposed on the end of the rotating arm (3) being inserted through centers of the first transmission wheel (47) and the second transmission wheels (48) to be connected with the first and the second transmission wheels (48); the plurality of stair treads (5) disposed between the two rotating arms (3), and the loading platform (6) arranged at the other end of the two rotating arms (3).

2. The transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission unit (4) further includes a first assembly box (43) and a second assembly box (44); the first assembly box (43) is located between the piston rod (411) of the first hydraulic cylinder (41) and the first rope (45); the piston rod (411) of the first hydraulic cylinder (41) and one end of the first rope (45) are connected to the first assembly box (43); the second assembly box (44) is located between the piston rod (421) of the second hydraulic cylinder (42) and the second rope (46); the piston rod (421) of the second hydraulic cylinder (42) and one end of the second rope (46) are connected to the second assembly box (44).

3. The transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder (41) and the second hydraulic cylinder (42) of the transmission unit (4) are positioned horizontally and opposite to each other; the other end of the first rope (45) is mounted to a lower part of the first transmission wheel (47) while the other end of the second rope (46) is mounted to an upper part of the second transmission wheel (48); wherein a mounting area between the other end of the first cord (45) and the first transmission wheel (47) and another mounting area between the other end of the second rope (46) and the second transmission wheel (48) are arranged in a staggered manner.

4. The transmission assembly for a shipboard lift platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the watercraft (1) is provided with a stern and a chamber (11) is disposed on the stern of the watercraft (1); the two transmission boxes (2) are arranged at two opposite sides of the chamber (11) correspondingly.