Equipment Support Crank Mechanism for Load-Isolated Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment supports for motor vehicles require large and power-intensive mechanisms to adjust height, which can lead to unnecessary loading and potential damage during driving, especially when forces are applied to control elements.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism using a first crank lever, connecting rod, and guide, mimicking a reciprocating piston engine's movement, with a stop element to divert forces into the main support, reducing the load on the drive element and allowing for efficient adjustment between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional mechanism with drive elements is used to adjust the equipment support height, then the height adjustment function is achieved, but the mechanism requires generous dimensioning and high power due to forces from driver operation during driving
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of preventing forces from loading the drive element during driving, the invention inverts the approach by allowing forces to load the drive element only during stationary adjustment. The stop element prevents force transmission to the drive element during driving, effectively inverting the traditional load-bearing behavior to achieve simpler, less powerful drive components
Solution Approach 2:
A stop element is introduced as an intermediary between the equipment support and the drive element. This stop element acts as a mediator that selectively blocks force transmission during driving conditions, allowing the drive element to remain unloaded during operation while still enabling full adjustment functionality when stationary
2Reliability
If the mechanism is designed to handle forces during driving, then reliability is improved, but the drive element and mechanism must be generously dimensioned
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by designing the mechanism to be lightweight and simple, relying on the stop element to prevent force transmission during driving rather than over-engineering the drive elements to handle such forces. This inversion achieves reliability through selective load isolation rather than through massive component design
3Device complexity
If the stop element prevents force transmission to the drive element during driving, then the drive element can be smaller and less powerful, but the stop element and its positioning must be precisely designed
Solution Approach 1:
The stop element serves as a simple intermediary component that can be implemented with basic manufacturing techniques. Its function relies on geometric positioning rather than precision machining, allowing it to effectively block force transmission while maintaining ease of manufacture and assembly
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 minimizes power requirements and economic design by transferring forces effectively through the stop element, reducing the need for large and costly drive components, thus enhancing the stability and efficiency of the height adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
A drive is formed with a first crank lever and a connecting rod and a guide for the equipment support, a movement of the equipment support resembles the movement sequence of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine
Implementation Method 2
the stop for the stop element is positioned such that the equipment support can reach and overcome its upper dead center, and then on continued rotation in the same direction the stop element comes to rest on the stop. This prevents a force acting on the equipment support from above from being able to act on any drive element present, since the force is diverted into the main support via the stop element and the stop
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprising a main support an equipment support having a first position and a second position adjustable relative to the height of the main support. A first crank lever is mounted to the first bearing and rotatable about a first rotational axis via a first shaft. A connecting rod is connected to the first crank lever via a first joint and to the equipment support via a second joint. A guide is arranged such that the equipment support is displaceable while guided to remain parallel to the main support. The equipment support passes an upper dead center position when moving from a first to a second position by rotation of the first crank lever and, upon further rotation a stop element contacts a stop.