Vehicle Lift Measuring Device Sliding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake test benches installed on vehicle lifts suffer from measurement distortion due to bending of the support plane under vehicle weight, leading to inaccurate braking force measurements and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system with a slide unit that allows measuring devices to move apart when the lift raises and come together when lowering, avoiding stress and maintaining zero-point calibration, using biaxial force sensors and friction reduction elements to ensure accurate force measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle lift is used in lifting mode with the support plane at raised position, then the vehicle can be maintained, but the support plane bends under vehicle weight causing measurement distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring devices are made movable relative to the support plane through a sliding mechanism, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. This enables the system to maintain measurement accuracy in brake testing mode while accommodating the structural bending that occurs during lifting operations, thus resolving the contradiction between dual functionality and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring system is segmented into movable measuring devices that can be separated from the support plane structure. This segmentation allows the measuring devices to independently adjust their position and maintain proper alignment during brake testing, while the support plane can undergo bending during lifting without affecting measurement accuracy
2Device complexity
If the measuring devices are fixed on the support plane, then the structure is simple, but the devices are subjected to stresses and loads during lifting causing measurement distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring devices are designed to move relative to the support plane through a sliding mechanism guided by reference elements. This dynamic configuration allows the measuring devices to maintain their position and alignment independently of support plane bending, achieving both structural simplicity and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
A sliding mechanism with reference elements acts as an intermediary between the fixed support plane and the movable measuring devices. This intermediary allows the measuring devices to compensate for support plane deformation while maintaining accurate force measurements, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement accuracy
3Area of stationary object
If the support plane is used for both lifting and brake testing, then space is optimized, but frequent recalibration is required due to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The movable measuring devices with sliding mechanism automatically maintain their proper alignment and zero-point calibration regardless of support plane position or bending. This eliminates the need for frequent manual recalibration when switching between lifting and brake testing modes, reducing time loss while maintaining space optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring system performs self-calibration through the sliding mechanism that automatically maintains proper device alignment and zero-point reference. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the need for operator intervention for recalibration, reducing time loss while maintaining the space-efficient dual-use configuration
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
Prevents measurement distortion by maintaining device alignment and reducing friction, ensuring accurate braking force and efficiency measurements without the need for frequent recalibration, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a friction reduction element interposed between the movable part and the platform
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A system (100) for measuring the braking force of a vehicle (50) comprising a vehicle lift (10) provided with a platform (14) having a support plane (15) and a measuring unit (60) associated with the platform (14) configured to measure the vertical forces and/or the horizontal forces acting on the support plane (15) when the vehicle lift (10) operates in a brake test bench mode. The measuring unit (60) comprises at least one first measuring device (61) arranged on a first side (11) of the platform (14) and at least one second measuring device (62) arranged on a second side (12) of the platform (14). The system (100) also comprises a slide unit (40) configured to cause a mutual sliding of the first and of the second measuring device (61, 62) along a sliding direction (110) when the vehicle lift (10) moves from the lowered configuration to the raised configuration, and a sliding along an opposite direction (110') for approach the first measuring device (61) to the second measuring device (62) when the platform (14) is returned from the raised configuration in the lowered configuration, in such a way that the first and the second measuring device (61, 62) are not subjected to stresses, or loads [Fig. 1].