Folding Loading Platform Frame for Simpler Vehicle Transporter Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motor vehicle converters for vehicle transporters require significant effort and complex adjustments to the wheelbase and functional systems, compromising production simplicity and safety.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle design featuring a loading platform with a divided support frame that allows bending movement via a joint device and lifting cylinder, enabling easy conversion without impairing existing systems, and incorporating stabilization elements for enhanced safety and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional conversion methods are used to create vehicle transporters, then the loading platform can be positioned for vehicle loading, but the production process requires considerable effort and complex adjustments to wheelbase and functional systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading platform positioning capabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame is divided into a front support frame and a rear support frame that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the loading platform to be positioned without complex adjustments to the entire vehicle structure, simplifying production while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rear support frame is made dynamically movable relative to the front support frame through an articulated device. This dynamic configuration enables the loading platform to achieve necessary positioning for vehicle loading without requiring complex fixed adjustments to wheelbase and functional systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the support frame is divided into front and rear sections with articulated movement, then production is simplified and existing systems are preserved, but additional components (articulated device, lifting cylinder) are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the support frame into front and rear sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled simplifies production processes. The segmented design allows existing vehicle systems to be preserved while adding only the necessary articulated connection components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the rear support frame can bend relative to the front support frame, then the loading platform can be easily positioned, but lateral forces may affect the joint device stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading platform positioning easeVSAvoidjoint device stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing element acts as a counterbalancing mechanism that opposes lateral forces acting on the articulated joint. By providing this stabilizing force, the joint device maintains stability during loading platform positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing element is pre-configured to counteract potential lateral forces before they can destabilize the joint device. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the articulated connection remains stable during the loading platform positioning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Simplifies production and maintains functionality of vehicle systems while improving driving safety and comfort through reduced lateral forces on the joint device and integration of stabilization elements.

Implementation Method 1

a lifting cylinder (14) designed to exert the bending movement between the rear support frame (10b) and the front support frame (10a), i.e., to provide the corresponding force required for the bending movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4389518A1Motor vehicle with loading platform
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 EDER AG BASEL
  • EP4389518A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4389518A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4389518A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a loading platform, in particular a motor vehicle (1) for transporting vehicles, and to a method for manufacturing the motor vehicle (1) according to the invention. The motor vehicle (1) according to the invention has a loading platform, as well as a front support frame (10a) and a rear support frame (10b). The front and the rear support frames are connected to each other via a joint device (11), which is designed to enable a folding movement of the rear support frame (10b) relative to the front support frame (10a) about an axis of rotation in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the motor vehicle (1) according to the invention has a lifting cylinder (14), which is designed to exert the folding movement between the rear support frame (10b) and the front support frame (10a).The loading platform of the motor vehicle (1) is rigidly connected to the rear support frame (10b) so that it can be moved from a working position to a rest position and vice versa by the folding movement of the rear support frame (10b). Furthermore, both the front and the rear support frames each have at least one support arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the supports having identical cross-sections.