Hinged Vehicle Ramp With Raised Traction Web
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ramp devices for loading and unloading vehicular machines lack adequate traction and safety features, often resulting in slippage and accidents, and are not universally compatible with different types of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A ramp design featuring parallel rails and a webbed surface with raised members for traction, hinged sections for compact storage, and a strap attachment system to secure the ramp to the vehicle, providing improved traction and safety during use and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ramp is designed with a smooth surface for easy vehicle movement, then vehicle loading is facilitated, but user traction and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp incorporates different surface characteristics in different locations: the vehicle contact surfaces (side rails and center rail) remain smooth for easy vehicle movement, while the web portions include raised members that provide traction for user footwear. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing smooth surfaces where vehicles need to glide and textured surfaces where users need grip.
2Reliability
If a ramp is designed with adequate user walking surfaces for safety, then user traction is improved, but vehicle glide smoothness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The web includes raised members that provide traction for user footwear, while the side rails and center rail maintain smooth surfaces for vehicle contact. This spatial differentiation allows the ramp to provide both user safety and vehicle glide smoothness simultaneously in different locations.
3Reliability
If a ramp is designed to be securely attached to prevent ejection, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into multiple independent components: a strap for circumferential attachment, a hook for securing to the tailgate, and a ratchet mechanism for tensioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function simply, while collectively providing secure attachment without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet mechanism provides self-tensioning capability, automatically maintaining secure attachment without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or complex control systems. The strap system self-adjusts to fit different tailgate configurations.
4Strength
If a ramp is designed as a single rigid piece for structural strength, then load bearing capacity is maintained, but compact storage and transport become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is divided into multiple rigid sections (left side portion, right side portion, and center portion) connected by hinges. Each section maintains structural strength independently, while the hinges allow the sections to fold together for compact storage and transport, resolving the contradiction between strength and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp transitions from a static rigid structure during use to a dynamic folded configuration for storage. The hinges enable this transformation, allowing the ramp to maintain rigidity when loaded while becoming compact when empty.
5Ease of operation
If a ramp is designed with hinged sections for compact storage, then storage ease is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is segmented into discrete sections connected by simple hinges rather than a complex continuous folding mechanism. Each hinge connects only adjacent sections, simplifying the overall mechanism while enabling compact storage through folding.
6Reliability
If ramps are designed specifically for certain vehicle types, then vehicle-specific traction is optimized, but universal compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp design incorporates universal features including adjustable width, configurable rail heights, and adaptable web patterns that can accommodate different vehicle types (ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, etc.). The modular section design allows the ramp to be configured for various vehicle dimensions and weights, achieving multi-functionality without sacrificing vehicle-specific performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A ramp is configured to allow a vehicular machine to move from a ground surface to an elevated surface of a transport vehicle. The ramp has a length along a longitudinal direction and includes a first portion, a first web, and a second portion. The first portion includes a first rail and a second rail, each of the first and second rails being oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. The first web is positioned on the first portion and includes a first array of raised members arranged so that a first plurality of longitudinal travel paths are defined on the first web between at least some of the raised members of the first array. The second portion is connected to the second rail at a first hinge. The second portion includes a third rail and a fourth rail.