Vehicle Lifting Arms with Automatic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lifting devices are prone to unstable contact between the vehicle and the lifting pads due to unpredictable arm movements, which can lead to dangerous situations, especially when interacting with external forces or uneven vehicle surfaces, and do not adequately ensure safety and stability during lifting and lowering operations.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a stationary structure and a movable platform, featuring hinged arms with locking mechanisms that securely position the pads in contact with the vehicle, preventing unintended rotation and ensuring stable interaction with the vehicle's surface, while allowing for flexible adjustment and compliance with safety regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hinged arms are provided to allow selective rotation for positioning pads, then the flexibility and adaptability of the lifting device is enhanced, but the arms are subjected to unexpected rotation from external forces causing instability and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The arm transitions from a static hinged connection to a dynamic locked connection. The locking mechanism allows the arm to be rotated to different positions during operation, then securely locked in place to prevent unintended movement. This dynamic transition between movable and fixed states resolves the contradiction by providing both flexibility during positioning and stability during lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is engaged before the lifting operation begins, preliminarily securing the arm in the desired position. This preliminary action prevents unexpected rotation during the lifting process, ensuring stability while maintaining the ability to adjust positions beforehand.
2Ease of operation
If the arms are hinged to allow rotation for positioning, then the operator can adjust the final position of individual arms, but the degree of freedom gives rise to unstable contact between the vehicle bottom and pad
Solution Approach 1:
The arm connection transitions from a continuously movable hinged joint to a dynamically controlled joint that is locked in position. The locking mechanism maintains the arm at a fixed angle relative to the platform, ensuring stable contact between the pad and vehicle bottom while still allowing adjustment to different positions when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hinged arm and the platform. It mediates the conflict between needing rotational freedom for positioning and requiring stability for safe operation by securing the arm at the desired angle, thereby ensuring stable pad-vehicle contact.
3Reliability
If locking means are added to prevent unintended arm rotation, then safety and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the natural movement of the arm. As the arm rotates to its operational position, the locking mechanism automatically engages without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. This self-service approach maintains safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, dedicated mechanism rather than being integrated into the hinged connection itself. This modular approach allows for a simple, focused locking design that adds minimal complexity while effectively preventing unintended arm rotation and ensuring safety.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device for lifting vehicles, comprising a stationary structure (2) intended to be supported or anchored on the ground (S) or installed in a recess formed in the floor, a movable structure (4) operatively connected to the stationary structure (2), a plurality of arms (18) having one end (19) hinged to the movable structure (2) and a free end (20) with which a pad element (21) designed to come into contact with the vehicle to be lifted is associated; actuating means (5) designed to selectively lift and lower the movable structure (4) with respect to the stationary structure (2) between two predetermined limit positions; each arm is designed to selectively rotate about a respective substantially vertical hinge axis (Y) between an inactive position and an active position in which the pad element (21) comes into contact with the vehicle. Locking means (29) are provided to promote the selective and automatic locking of a arms (18) in the active position.