Extendable Cargo Bed Ramp Assembly With Nested Ramp Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo bed systems in vehicles, such as pickup trucks, lack an efficient mechanism for transitioning between standard and extended positions while accommodating a ramp assembly that can be easily deployed and stowed, limiting cargo access and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A cargo bed system with a bed floor assembly that transitions between standard and extended positions, accompanied by a ramp assembly comprising a first and second ramp section that are extendable and retractable, allowing the ramp assembly to move between stowed and deployed positions, with the second ramp section nesting beneath the bed floor assembly when stowed, and being slidable and pivotably coupled to the bed floor assembly for enhanced cargo access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cargo bed is extended to increase cargo capacity, then the cargo space is improved, but the ramp assembly deployment and stowage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp assembly is designed with nested sections where the second ramp section nests within the first ramp section, and both nest beneath the bed floor assembly when stowed. This nesting mechanism allows the ramp to be compact during storage while maintaining full deployable length for cargo access, resolving the contradiction between extended cargo space and ramp mechanism complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the ramp assembly is made extendable to accommodate extended bed position, then the cargo accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp assembly is divided into multiple sections (first ramp section and second ramp section) that can be extended and retracted relative to each other. This segmentation allows the ramp to adapt its length to match the bed extension state, improving cargo accessibility while managing structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp assembly incorporates dynamic extension and retraction capabilities, allowing it to transition between different length states. The second ramp section can be extended or retracted relative to the first ramp section based on whether the bed is in extended or standard position, optimizing cargo accessibility for each configuration.
3Volume of moving object
If the bed floor assembly is made extendable, then the cargo capacity is improved, but the ramp assembly integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp assembly is integrated with the bed floor assembly through a unified coupling mechanism. The ramp assembly moves together with the bed floor assembly between standard and extended positions, and the nested configuration allows both components to share the same storage space beneath the bed floor, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo bed system of a vehicle includes a bed floor assembly of a cargo bed. The bed floor assembly is configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard bed position and an extended bed position. A ramp assembly moves together with the bed floor assembly back-and-forth between the standard bed position and the extended bed position. The ramp assembly is configured to move back-and-forth between a stowed position and a deployed position.