Adjustable Locking Arm for Lift Gate Ramp Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift gate systems face challenges in maintaining the ramp in selected positions due to wear and tear, leading to improper engagement with the cam portion, which affects the ramp's ability to be properly stowed, retained, or aligned with the lift platform.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly comprising an elongated adjustable locking arm with a spring-loaded mechanism that engages with a cam portion having multiple engagement surfaces, allowing selective adjustment of the locking arm's length to maintain the ramp in stowed, retention, or ramp positions, and includes a coupling member for rotatable coupling to the lift platform section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-length locking arm is used to engage with the cam portion, then the structure is simple, but wear and tear causes improper engagement and the ramp cannot be properly maintained in selected positions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is made adjustable in length, transforming from a static fixed-length component to a dynamic adjustable component. This allows the locking arm to adapt to wear and tear over time by changing its length, thereby maintaining reliable engagement with the cam portion throughout the service life of the ramp assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The length parameter of the locking arm is made changeable through an adjustment mechanism. By modifying the length parameter of the locking arm, the system compensates for wear and tear on the engagement surfaces, ensuring continued proper engagement and reliable positioning of the ramp in selected positions.
2Reliability
If the locking arm length is made adjustable to compensate for wear, then engagement reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be operable by the user without requiring specialized tools or expertise. The user can independently adjust the locking arm length to compensate for wear, making the system self-maintaining and reducing the need for professional service intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment function is extracted as a separate, modular mechanism that can be independently operated. This allows the complexity to be isolated to a specific component that can be adjusted without affecting other parts of the ramp assembly, making the overall system more manageable despite the added complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single locking arm is used, then the device is simple, but it cannot maintain the ramp in multiple selected positions
Solution Approach 1:
The locking arm is designed with multiple engagement surfaces and corresponding cam surfaces that enable a single locking arm to perform multiple functions - maintaining the ramp in various selected positions including stowed, intermediate, and deployed positions. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single locking arm structure rather than requiring separate locking mechanisms for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement interface between the locking arm and cam portion is segmented into multiple discrete engagement surfaces. Each engagement surface corresponds to a specific ramp position, allowing the locking arm to selectively engage at different points along its length to maintain the ramp in multiple selected positions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures the ramp is reliably maintained in desired positions, reducing wear and tear issues by allowing for adjustable length and engagement with the cam surfaces, thus preventing the ramp from jutting out or failing to fold properly against the lift platform.
Implementation Method 1
a spring for spring loading the locking arm. A biasing tension in the spring urges a proximal end of the locking arm to engage with a cam portion of the ramp
Data Source
AI summary
A locking assembly for a ramp of a lift gate, the locking assembly including: an elongated adjustable locking arm pivotably disposed on a pivot point relative to the ramp, the locking arm including an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a length of the locking arm disposed on a proximal end for engaging a cam portion, where the length of the locking arm can be increased or decreased by adjusting the adjustment mechanism; and a resilient member for spring loading the locking arm, where a biasing tension in the resilient member urges the proximal end of the locking arm to pivotably engage with the cam portion to maintain the ramp in a selected position; and at least one fastener for coupling the locking assembly to a first surface of the ramp.