Vehicle Lift Voltage Detection Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians servicing hybrid or electric vehicles face shock hazards due to high voltage battery packs, which can be inadvertently shorted to the vehicle frame, posing a risk especially for those without proper training or experience in handling these vehicles, and existing systems lack effective detection methods to warn of such hazards.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lift system equipped with electrodes that make electrical contact with the vehicle's liftable structures and a voltage detector system capable of detecting harmful voltages above 60 VDC, sending a warning signal to the technician to alert them of potential shock hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians service hybrid or electric vehicles without detection systems, then productivity is maintained, but safety reliability deteriorates due to shock hazards from high voltage battery packs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electrodes as intermediary components attached to the vehicle lift's lifting components. These electrodes serve as mediators between the detection system and the vehicle, making electrical contact with liftable structures (frame, tires, axles) to detect high voltage charges without requiring direct technician contact with the vehicle. This intermediary approach enables safety detection while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If voltage detection electrodes are attached to lifting components, then measurement precision improves for detecting harmful voltages, but device complexity increases due to additional components and installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed with multi-functionality by integrating voltage detection capability into the existing vehicle lift infrastructure. The electrodes are attached to lifting components that already contact the vehicle during normal operation, allowing the same system to perform both lifting and safety detection functions. This universal approach enables accurate voltage measurement without adding separate dedicated detection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the self-service principle by utilizing the vehicle lift's own lifting components as the platform for electrode attachment. The lifting components naturally contact the vehicle's liftable structures during operation, providing the detection system with automatic access to measurement points without requiring additional positioning mechanisms or manual intervention for each detection event.
3Reliability
If automatic voltage detection is implemented before servicing, then technician safety improves, but loss of time increases due to additional detection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system performs preliminary voltage detection automatically as soon as the vehicle is positioned on the lift and the lifting components make contact. This preliminary action occurs before the technician begins any servicing work, ensuring that high voltage hazards are identified and addressed (through grounding or discharge procedures) before potential exposure. The detection is built into the initial setup phase rather than adding a separate time-consuming step.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements immediate feedback by continuously monitoring voltage levels through the electrodes and providing real-time warnings to technicians. When high voltage is detected, the system instantly alerts the technician, enabling immediate protective actions. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual voltage checking procedures and integrates safety monitoring into the normal workflow without significant time penalty.
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
The system effectively detects and warns technicians of high voltage hazards on vehicles, enabling safer servicing by preventing electrical shocks and allowing for appropriate measures to be taken to discharge or ground the voltage, thereby ensuring technician safety.
Implementation Method 1
The electrodes are operable to make electrical contact with the liftable structures of the vehicle when the lifting components engage the liftable structures
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lift system includes a vehicle lift operable to lift a vehicle to be serviced by a technician. The vehicle lift includes lifting components for engaging and lifting the vehicle at liftable structures of the vehicle. Electrodes are positioned on the lifting components of the vehicle lift. The electrodes are operable to make electrical contact with the liftable structures of the vehicle when the lifting components engage the liftable structures. A voltage detector system is in electrical communication with the electrodes. The voltage detector system is operable to detect voltages at the electrodes capable of harming the technician. The voltage detector system is also operable to send a warning signal to the technician indicating that a harmful voltage has been detected on the electrodes when the electrodes make electrical contact with the liftable structures of the vehicle.