Recovery Vehicle Lift Boom Pivoting for Higher Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current recovery vehicle systems face limitations in load capacity due to restricted pivot points, leading to potential tipping and require complex fixtures for different vehicles, making them time-consuming and restrictive.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lift device with a pivotably connected lift boom and support boom, allowing for two operating configurations: one where the support boom is restricted from rotating and another where it is freely pivotable, enabling adjustment of the pivot point and lift force, and a control mechanism to switch between these configurations using actuators and couplers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the support boom is fixedly mounted to the vehicle to be recovered to form a continuous rigid assembly, then the load capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to complicated fixtures and bespoke support booms required for different vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The support boom is made dynamically adjustable relative to the lift boom through a pivot connection with controllable movement. The pivot actuator enables the support boom to pivot between a first position (restricted rotation) and a second position (freely pivotable), allowing the system to adapt between rigid and flexible configurations based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameters of the lift mechanism by allowing the support boom to pivot to different positions. This changes the effective pivot point location and the mechanical advantage ratio, enabling adjustment of lift force characteristics without requiring different physical components for different vehicles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot point between the recovery vehicle and the recovered vehicle is spaced far from the recovery vehicle, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability worsens as the recovery vehicle is inclined to tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot point location is made dynamically adjustable through the pivotable support boom mechanism. The support boom can pivot between restricted and free positions, effectively changing the pivot point location along the boom length. This allows the system to move the pivot point closer to the recovery vehicle when lifting heavy loads to improve stability, while still maintaining adaptability for different vehicle types.
3Manufacturing precision
If the support boom is restricted from rotating about the lift boom, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation worsens as it requires complex fixtures for different vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control over the support boom's rotational freedom. The pivot actuator allows the operator to select between a restricted rotation mode (for precise positioning and manufacturing accuracy) and a freely pivotable mode (for easier operation and adaptation to different vehicles). This eliminates the need for complex fixed fixtures while maintaining precision when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The application relates to a vehicle lift device for a recovery vehicle. The vehicle lift device has a lift boom configured to be pivotably connected to the recovery vehicle and a support boom on the lift boom which is configured to support a vehicle to be recovered. The vehicle lift device is operable in a first operating configuration and a second operating configuration. In the first operating configuration, the support boom is restricted from rotating about the lift boom, and the support boom is configured to pivotably couple with a chassis of the vehicle to be recovered. In the second operating configuration, the support boom is pivotable about the lift boom and the support boom is configured to be restrictively coupled with the chassis of the vehicle to be recovered to restrict pivoting of the chassis relative to the support boom in at least one direction. The present invention also relates to a vehicle, a vehicle lift apparatus for a recovery vehicle, a control mechanism and method of operating a vehicle lift device for a recovery vehicle.