Hinged Vehicle Inspection Pit Cover with Linear Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated retractable pit covers for vehicle inspection pits face challenges such as excessive storage void requirements, weight limitations, and high costs due to complex drive mechanisms, limiting the length of coverage and posing safety hazards due to incomplete closure.
Innovation Solution
A cover system using hingedly mounted rigid planar members with linear actuators, such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, that pivot between stowed and cover positions, eliminating the need for separate storage voids and complex drive mechanisms, and incorporating retractable support members to maintain the cover in place without continuous actuator power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated retractable pit covers with rolled or folded slats are used, then ease of operation is improved, but storage void requirement increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal storage (rolled/folded slats requiring large floor space) to vertical storage (cover plates standing upright against the pit wall). This dimensional change allows the cover to retract into a compact vertical configuration that utilizes the pit's depth rather than requiring additional horizontal storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is divided into multiple individual cover plates that can operate independently. Each plate has its own actuator and can be positioned separately, allowing the system to cover different portions of the pit opening selectively and retract plates individually, reducing the overall storage space required compared to a unified slat system.
2Reliability
If longer covers are provided to cover more pit length, then safety is improved, but weight becomes excessive for drive mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system is segmented into multiple independent cover plates, each capable of being actuated separately. This segmentation divides the total weight into smaller manageable portions, allowing each actuator to handle only the weight of its associated plate rather than the entire cover assembly, enabling coverage of longer pit lengths without excessive drive mechanism weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plates are designed to pivot between horizontal (covering) and vertical (retracted) positions dynamically. This dynamic configuration allows the system to provide full coverage when needed while minimizing the weight burden on actuators during operation, as each actuator only needs to move its individual plate through a controlled arc rather than managing the entire cover weight continuously.
3Length of stationary object
If two roller mechanisms are provided at either end of the pit, then coverage length is improved, but device complexity and cost increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using two complex roller mechanisms at opposite ends, the patent employs multiple independent cover plates with individual actuators distributed along the pit opening. Each plate-unit is a simple, self-contained mechanism that pivots on a vertical axis, eliminating the need for complex roller assemblies while achieving the same coverage capability through parallel operation of multiple simple units.
4Ease of operation
If linear actuators are used to close pit covers, then ease of operation is improved, but storage volume within pit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is mounted horizontally along the pit wall rather than vertically, allowing it to pivot with the cover plate in a horizontal plane. This reorientation enables the actuator to be positioned within the recess formed by the inclined sides of the mounting bracket, utilizing the available horizontal space within the pit structure rather than requiring additional vertical storage volume.
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
This solution allows for a longer covered pit length with minimal volume occupation and reduced costs, ensuring safety by ensuring the pit is consistently closed when not in use, reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
At least one actuator is operatively engaged with the at least one cover plate and arranged to move the at least one cover plate between the stowed and cover positions
Implementation Method 2
The at least one actuator is a preferably a linear actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder
Implementation Method 3
The at least one actuator is a preferably a linear actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder
Implementation Method 4
Mounting means is provided for hingedly mounting the at least one cover plate proximate the opening of a pit such that the at least one cover plate is rotatable between a stowed position and a substantially horizontal cover position
Data Source
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AI summary
A cover for a vehicle inspection and repair pit (1) comprises at least one rigid planar member defining a cover plate (14) for covering the pit (1). Mounting means (16) is provided for hingedly mounting the at least one cover plate (14) proximate the opening of the pit such that the at least one cover plate (14) is rotatable between a stowed position in which the pit (1) is open and a substantially horizontal cover position. At least one linear actuator (18) is operatively engaged with the at least one cover plate (14). The actuator (18) is arranged to move the at least one cover plate (14) between the stowed and cover positions when the cover plate (14) and actuator (18) are mounted relative to the pit opening.