Hitch Mounted Cargo Lifting Device with Pivoting Cradle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles with flat beds lack a structural device to assist in lifting and loading large objects onto the bed, necessitating a cargo lifting device that can be mounted to a hitch and pivot to elevate objects from the ground surface.
Innovation Solution
A hitch-mounted cargo lifting device comprising a hitch attachment, pivot member, and cradle member, where one side of the pivot member is fixedly attached to the cradle and the other is hingedly attached to the hitch, allowing the cradle to pivot from a vertical to a horizontal position, with a motor-driven reeled wire providing the necessary force for movement, and conventional cargo straps for securing objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cargo lifting device is added to a conventional vehicle, then the ability to lift large objects onto the cargo bed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the mounting structure for the cargo lifting device and the cargo bed support structure. The pivot member connects the cradle to the hitch, allowing the same hitch assembly to enable both lifting operations and cargo bed stabilization, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo lifting device is divided into discrete, modular components including the hitch attachment, pivot member, and cradle member. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured, assembled, and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining lifting capability.
2Productivity
If a motor driven actuator is added to flip the cradle, then the productivity of loading/unloading cargo is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motor driven actuator operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The motor activates only during the loading or unloading operation to flip the cradle between vertical and horizontal positions, then remains inactive during cargo transport or when the cradle is stationary, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining high productivity during active operations.
3Ease of operation
If the cradle is designed to pivot from vertical to horizontal position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism merges the cradle support function with the lifting function. The pivot member serves dual purposes: it supports the cradle in the vertical loading position and enables the cradle to rotate to the horizontal unloading position. This consolidation of functions into a single pivot mechanism reduces the number of separate components needed compared to having independent support and positioning systems.
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 the mechanical lifting and loading of large and heavy objects onto a cargo bed, overcoming limitations of prior art structures by providing a reliable and efficient method to elevate objects for transportation.
Implementation Method 1
a motor driven reeled wire is provided to supply the force to move the pivot member and cradle attachment between the unloading and loading positions
Implementation Method 2
the other is hingedly attached to the hitch attachment. This allows the pivot member and cradle attachment to be moved between a loading position
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch mounted cargo lifting device for lifting large objects onto a cargo bed of a vehicle to which it is attached includes a discrete hitch attachment, pivot member, and cradle member. One side of the pivot member is fixedly attached to the cradle member, and the other is hingedly attached to the hitch attachment. This allows the pivot member and cradle attachment to be moved between a loading position in which the cradle attachment is adjacent to a ground surface, and an unloading position in which the cradle attachment is adjacent to and aligned with the vehicle's cargo bed. In some embodiments, a motor driven reeled wire is provided to supply the force to move the pivot member and cradle attachment between the unloading and loading positions. Conventional cargo straps may be used to secure the cargo to the cradle.