Adjustable Archway With Pivot Joints For Vehicle Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional archways are static and inflexible, requiring multiple designs to accommodate vehicles of varying sizes, leading to inefficiencies and increased construction costs.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable archway system with integrated lighting and pivot joints that can adjust height and width to fit different vehicles, using extension mechanisms and pivot joints for flexibility, combined with deflectometry image analysis for damage detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional static archways are used, then construction is simple and cost-effective, but the archway cannot accommodate vehicles of varying sizes requiring multiple designs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different vehicle sizesVSAvoidarchway structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The archway structure transitions from a static fixed design to a dynamic adjustable system. The main frame incorporates extension mechanisms with pivot joints that enable the archway to change its height and width dimensions, allowing a single structure to adapt to various vehicle sizes rather than requiring multiple fixed designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The archway is divided into segmented components including the main frame, extension mechanisms, and adjustable panels. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different parts of the structure, enabling flexibility in accommodating various vehicle dimensions while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple fixed archway designs are used to accommodate different vehicles, then each design is optimized for specific vehicles, but construction costs and inefficiencies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The archway system is designed as a universal multi-functional structure that can serve multiple vehicle types and scanning locations. By incorporating adjustable extension mechanisms, a single archway design replaces the need for multiple fixed designs, reducing construction costs while maintaining the ability to optimize scanning for different vehicle sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the archway structure is made adjustable with extension mechanisms, then versatility increases, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of archway dimensionsVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The structure employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms with pivot joints that allow controlled movement while maintaining stability during operation. The extension mechanisms enable dimensional changes when adjustment is needed, while the ability to lock and stabilize the structure ensures reliability during vehicle scanning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260010060A1Adjustable archway system with integrated lighting, pivot joints, and patterned design

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 COPART INC

AI summary

An adjustable archway system comprises a main frame defining an archway through which a vehicle may pass. An extension mechanism integrated within the main frame is configured to adjust a height and width of the main frame to a plurality of positions. A plurality of cameras are mounted the main frame for capturing images of the vehicle passing through the archway of the main frame. A controller is configured to operate the extension mechanism to move between the plurality of positions of the main frame.