Integrated Lighting Device for Vehicle Lifts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting devices lack adequate workspace illumination and clear indication of operating states, compromising worker safety and requiring separate lighting systems that increase complexity and costs.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a single lighting device providing both workspace lighting and operating status display lighting, controlled by a central device, using LED lights with adjustable geometry and color to indicate different operational states, along with an energy storage system for self-sufficiency, and optional acoustic signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate lighting systems are used for workspace illumination and operating status display, then each function can be optimized independently, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkspace safetyVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines workspace lighting and operating status display lighting into a single integrated lighting device. The lighting device includes a housing with a light source that can emit different colors (e.g., white for workspace lighting, red/yellow/green for operating status indicators). This merging eliminates the need for separate lighting systems while maintaining both functions, thereby reducing device complexity and costs without compromising workspace safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides workspace illumination and simultaneously displays operating status information through color-coded signals. The single device serves as both a general lighting source and a visual indicator system, making the lighting system universal and multi-functional rather than requiring specialized separate systems for each purpose

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate lighting devices are installed for workspace lighting and status indication, then functional requirements are met, but production costs and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworker safety awarenessVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging workspace lighting and status indication into one device, the patent reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, stored, and installed. The single lighting device with multi-color capability is more cost-effective to produce than multiple separate devices, while still providing clear visual information to workers about operating status and workspace illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single lighting device provides both workspace lighting and operating status display, then device complexity and costs are reduced, but the lighting device must perform multiple functions simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting system simplicityVSAvoidlighting function versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is designed with universal functionality to handle both workspace illumination and operating status display through a single light source that can emit different colors. This multi-functional design allows the device to adapt to different operational states (e.g., powered on, powered off, fault conditions) while maintaining structural simplicity and avoiding the need for multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances worker safety by providing clear operational status feedback and reducing production costs through simplified lighting systems, ensuring optimal working conditions and operational reliability.

Implementation Method 1

at least one energy store is provided on the lifting device, which supplies the lighting device with energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy storage: Accumulator (energy)

Implementation Method 2

The lighting device consists of a punctiform or planar lighting body with one or more LED lights

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2580151B1Lifting device for lifting and lowering loads, in particular vehicles
Publication Date: 2014.04.23 FINKBEINER GERHARD
  • EP2580151B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2580151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2580151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting apparatus (11) for lifting and lowering loads, in particular vehicles, having a lifting arrangement (14), on which a load-bearing means (17) can be arranged, having a drive arrangement (15), which moves the load-bearing means (17) up and down, having a control arrangement (25), which activates the drive arrangement (15) and one or more lighting arrangements (41), wherein each lighting arrangement (41) has working-area lighting (41) and operating-state-display lighting, for displaying at least one operating state, and each lighting arrangement (41) can be activated by the control arrangement (25) in the mode for working-area lighting or in the mode for operating-state-display lighting or in both modes.