Pivotable Hoist Arm with Adjustable Winch for UTV Load Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UTV hoist designs are limited in lifting heavier objects due to fixed attachment locations and angles, requiring external, heavy, and time-consuming equipment for hauling large items.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, portable, and stowable hoist system with a pivotable arm structure and adjustable winch configuration that allows for varying hoist arm angles, enabling the lifting and transportation of heavier loads by attaching to utility vehicles, thereby optimizing weight distribution and center of gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fixed angle hoists are mounted to luggage racks on UTVs, then light weight objects can be lifted, but the system is limited to relatively light objects due to attachment locations and fixed angle hoist arms
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist arm structure is made dynamically adjustable through the winch mechanism, allowing the arm angle to change from fixed to variable positions. This enables the system to adapt to different load weights and lifting scenarios, resolving the contradiction between lifting capacity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The winch mechanism changes the physical parameter of hoist arm angle, allowing transformation from a fixed angle system to one with variable angles. This parameter change enables both heavier lifting capacity and improved adaptability to different operational requirements.
2Strength
If external hoist equipment is used for hauling large objects, then heavy objects can be lifted, but such equipment tends to be heavy and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist system is designed to be universally applicable to UTVs while maintaining a compact, lightweight form. The same system can lift both light and heavy objects by adjusting the arm angle, eliminating the need for separate heavy external equipment and reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustability of the hoist arm allows a single lightweight system to perform multiple lifting functions that would otherwise require separate heavy-duty equipment, thereby reducing the overall weight of moving objects needed.
3Strength
If conventional hoist systems are used, then lifting can be performed, but the systems are not compact and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The hoist arm structure can be positioned within the UTV frame structure when not in use, nesting the lifting mechanism within the vehicle's existing structure. This minimizes the volume required for storage while maintaining full lifting capability when deployed.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed attachment locations are used, then simple mounting is achieved, but flexibility in lifting heavier objects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The winch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fixed attachment point and the hoist arm, enabling flexible arm positioning while maintaining simple fixed mounting. This intermediary component provides the needed adaptability without complicating the basic mounting structure.
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 flexible lifting and transportation of heavier loads over varied landscapes without separate equipment, minimizing ground impact and facilitating easy storage and mounting, suitable for diverse applications like land maintenance and property management.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustment winch with an adjustment cable extending therefrom... the adjustment winch may be operated to extend a relative portion of the adjustment cable thereby pivotally lowering the hoist arm structure relative to the attachment location
Implementation Method 2
a first pulley rotatably mounted to a first location proximate the top end of the hoist arm structure and adapted to receive the adjustment cable, and a second pulley rotatably mounted to a second location proximate the top of the hoist arm structure for receiving a hoist cable
Implementation Method 3
said hoist cable having a distal end for coupling to an object to be lifted... the hoist may advantageously lift the object and locate it relatively closer to the center of gravity of the utility vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a hoist arm structure having top and bottom ends, and an attachment element to releasable attach the bottom end of the hoist arm structure to an attachment location of a utility vehicle whereby the hoist arm is able to pivot relative to said attachment location, the hoist system further comprising an adjustment winch having an adjustment cable extending therefrom with adjustment cable having a distal end opposite the crank, and such distal and adjustment winch adapted for securing to respective structural elements of a structural frame system, wherein such structural elements are located on opposite lateral side of the utility vehicle.