Folding Wheel Retainer for Tow Truck Boom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel lift systems for vehicles require manual manipulation to move between use and stowed positions, posing safety hazards and inefficiencies, especially when used with roll-back type trucks where the boom assembly cannot be rotated upwards.
Innovation Solution
A wheel lift system with a collapsible wheel retainer system that includes a cross bar, a first arm, a second arm pivotally coupled to the first arm, and a cam mechanism allowing the second arm to automatically move from a use position to a stowed position without manual intervention, utilizing powered actuators to facilitate movement between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wheel retainer system is permanently coupled to the cross bar and outwardly extends therefrom, then the wheel retainer system is readily available for use, but it occupies excessive space and creates safety hazards when the transporter vehicle is traveling without a vehicle in tow
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel retainer system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between an extended operational position and a retracted stowed position. The collapsible structure allows the L-shaped members to fold against the cross bar member, transitioning from a space-occupying extended state to a compact retracted state, thereby eliminating safety hazards during transport while maintaining operational readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel retainer system is divided into separable components including the cross bar member and the L-shaped members that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the L-shaped members to be collapsed against the cross bar member when not in use, reducing the overall space occupied and eliminating safety hazards while preserving the ability to quickly deploy when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the wheel retainer system is manually removed and moved to reduce space occupation, then safety hazards are reduced, but operator time and effort are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel retainer system incorporates a self-stowing capability where the L-shaped members automatically collapse against the cross bar member through the cam mechanism when the boom assembly is raised to its upper position. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual intervention to reduce space occupation and eliminate safety hazards, thereby saving operator time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that the act of raising the boom assembly for transport automatically triggers the collapse of the wheel retainer system into its compact stowed position. This preliminary action ensures that the safety-reducing function is performed in advance as part of the normal operational sequence, eliminating the need for separate manual stowing operations.
3Device complexity
If the L-shaped members are fixedly coupled to the cross bar member, then the structure is simple and robust, but the system cannot be collapsed to reduce space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the L-shaped members and the cross bar member is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than permanently fixed. The pivoting joints and cam mechanism enable the L-shaped members to rotate and collapse against the cross bar member, transforming the structure from a fixed extended configuration to a compact retracted configuration, thereby reducing space occupation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The L-shaped members are designed to nest against the cross bar member when collapsed, with the second segment of the L-shaped member folding against the first segment and the cross bar member. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume occupied by the wheel retainer system when retracted, while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of pivoting connections.
4Volume of moving object
If the wheel retainer system is made collapsible, then space occupation is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible wheel retainer system uses simple pivoting joints and a cam mechanism to enable collapse, rather than complex articulated structures. The L-shaped members connect to the cross bar member through pivots that allow rotation, and the cam mechanism provides a straightforward locking and unlocking action, keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple while achieving the space-reducing collapse function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary element that simplifies the collapse operation. By using the cam to engage with the cross bar member and control the folding motion, the system achieves a controlled collapse without requiring complex actuators or multiple locking mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in mechanism complexity.
5Device complexity
If manual manipulation is required to move the wheel retainer system between positions, then the mechanism can be simpler, but operator safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel retainer system automatically collapses into its stowed position through the cam mechanism when the boom assembly is raised, without requiring manual manipulation. This self-service feature eliminates operator safety risks associated with manual handling of the wheel retainer system during the stowing operation, while the mechanism remains relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed to automatically engage and control the collapse of the L-shaped members before any manual intervention would be needed. This preliminary action prevents the need for operators to manually manipulate the wheel retainer system in potentially hazardous positions, thereby eliminating safety risks while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
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
Enables efficient and safe operation by allowing the wheel retainer systems to be automatically moved to a stowed position, reducing safety hazards and saving operator time, while maintaining functionality for vehicle towing without manual manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
a cam supported at the second arm and configured to move the second arm from the use position to the stowed position
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel lift system for use with a transporter vehicle is provided. The wheel lift system comprises a boom assembly, a cross bar supported at a distal end of the boom assembly, a first arm supported at the cross bar and configured to move between a stowed position and a use position, and a second arm movably coupled to the first arm and configured to move between a stowed position and a use position. A cam is provided for moving the second arm from the use position to the stowed position. The wheel lift system may optionally include an unfolding mechanism for moving the second arm from the stowed position to the use position.