Folding Platform Gate Actuating Mechanism with Adjustable Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing movement mechanisms for hinged side walls of goods transport vehicles take up a lot of space, making it difficult to attach additional or larger components and risking damage to other parts when opened.

Innovation Solution

The movement mechanism features a stop element attached to the bearing arrangement with an adjustable stop counterpart on the lever arrangement, allowing the drop side to be set at a selectable angle, creating space and preventing contact with other components, and includes a compact design with a fork lever and traverses for efficient space use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the movement mechanism is designed with sufficient space for components, then access to parts is improved, but the mechanism takes up more space and risks contact with other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidspace occupied by mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the adjustable stop counterpart on the lever arrangement, utilizing the lateral dimension of the lever's travel path rather than requiring additional space in the vertical or longitudinal dimensions. This allows the limiting means to function effectively within the existing spatial envelope of the movement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the stop element is positioned to limit opening angle, then contact with other components is prevented, but adjustment accessibility becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidadjustment accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the stop element on the fixed bearing arrangement where adjustment would be difficult, the patent inverts the arrangement by placing the adjustable stop counterpart on the moving lever arrangement. This makes the adjustment point accessible from the outside when the lever is in its closed position, while the stop element remains in place to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the side wall is allowed to open fully, then access to components is maximized, but contact with other parts occurs causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoiddamage to components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic limiting system where the stop element and adjustable stop counterpart work together to dynamically control the opening angle. The system allows the side wall to open to the optimal angle for access while automatically preventing further opening that would cause contact with other components, thus resolving the contradiction between access and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1914112B1Actuating mechanism for a folding platform gate
Publication Date: 2009.04.15 FRANZ XAVER MEILLER FAHRZEUG UND MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1914112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1914112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1914112B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The mechanism has a lever arrangement (44) rotatable around a fixed lever axis with respect to a load box underbody, where the lever arrangement transfers the movement of a piston (40) of an actuator (30) i.e. hydraulic cylinder, in a pivoting of a platform gate (14). The actuator is supported at a bearing arrangement (32) with respect to the load box underbody. Mechanical limitation units enable the selective changeable fixing of the open position of the platform gate independent of a stopper position of the piston in the actuator.