Foldable Vehicle Platform With Belt-Driven Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable platforms for vehicles, particularly in rescue vehicles, are complex and fail to provide a fast and reliable unfolding process, making it difficult to access high-position compartments and equipment, and there is a risk of items falling and causing injury.
Innovation Solution
A foldable platform with a pivoting device featuring a rigid arm hinged to the vehicle's structure, equipped with a first and second pulley system connected by an endless belt, allowing the plate to maintain a constant orientation during unfolding, ensuring easy access and safe deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a foldable step is provided under the locker to enable access to high-position compartments, then accessibility to vehicle compartments is improved, but the construction becomes complicated and the unfolding process is slow and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed as a dynamic structure that can pivot between a retracted position (stored within the vehicle compartment) and an unfolded position (extended outward to provide access). The pivoting device with rigid arm and pulley system enables smooth transition between states, making the structure adaptable to different operational requirements while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform serves multiple functions: it acts as a support structure during unfolding, provides a stable surface for personnel to stand on when extended, and can be configured in different positions to accommodate various access scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
2Productivity
If the plate is unfolded quickly to provide fast access, then productivity is improved, but the plate may not maintain proper orientation and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The pulley system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pivoting arm and the platform. As the rigid arm pivots to extend the platform, the pulleys guide the platform's movement to ensure it maintains a horizontal orientation throughout the unfolding process. This intermediary mechanism decouples the rotational motion of the arm from the translational motion of the platform, enabling fast deployment while preserving stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the platform is designed with a simple construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the unfolding process may not be reliable and fast
Solution Approach 1:
The platform utilizes the gravitational force and the mechanical advantage of the pulley system to assist its own deployment. When the rigid arm is pivoted to the extended position, gravity naturally helps lower the platform into its operational position, while the pulley system ensures smooth controlled movement. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex motors or actuators, maintaining construction simplicity while ensuring reliable and fast unfolding.
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 platform enables quick and reliable access to high-position compartments, reducing the risk of injury from falling items and simplifying the unfolding process, while maintaining the plate's orientation for stable deployment.
Implementation Method 1
On the rotation axis of the arm, a first pulley is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the vehicle structure. At the free end of the arm, a second pulley is connected to the plate, being rotatable around a second rotation axis. The first pulley and the second pulley are connected by an endless belt that is conducted over these pulleys.
Implementation Method 2
The first pulley and the second pulley are connected by an endless belt that is conducted over these pulleys. During the turning movement, the first pulley keeps its rotation position, since it is fixed with respect to the vehicle structure. Meanwhile the endless belt is displaced with respect to the arm and transmits a torque to the second pulley at the end of the arm.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a foldable platform for vehicles, comprising a plate and a pivoting device for pivoting the plate between a retracted position and an unfolded position. The pivoting device comprises a rigid arm being hinged to a vehicle structure and being turnable around a horizontal rotation axis. The first pulley is arranged on the rotation axis of the arm and fixed to the vehicle structure. A second pulley is connected to the plate and ro-tatable about a second rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the arm at the free end of the arm. An endless belt is conducted over the first and the second pulley.