Vehicle Lifting Bench with Pit-Closing Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing car repair benches face difficulties in lifting damaged vehicles without posing a risk to workers, as they either require significant height adjustments or have open pits that pose safety hazards when lifted.
Innovation Solution
A car bench with a recessed pit design featuring a pantograph lifting device and a secondary platform lifted by pneumatic springs, which aligns with the floor when the deck is raised, closing the pit and eliminating height differences for easy vehicle placement and lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a recessed pit design with lifting device is used, then the car can be easily moved onto the bench without height differences, but the pit remains open when lifted creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent lifting mechanisms: one for the deck (vehicle support surface) and one for the platform (pit closure). This segmentation allows the platform to be lifted independently to close the pit while the deck remains at floor level for vehicle placement, thereby eliminating safety hazards while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is lifted in advance to close the pit before the deck is raised for vehicle lifting. This preliminary action ensures that the pit is covered and safe for workers before any vehicle lifting operation begins, preventing potential falls into the open pit.
2Power
If a pantograph lifting device is used, then the lifting capability is provided, but the height from ground when lowered is 40-50cm requiring difficult pushing
Solution Approach 1:
The deck is designed to be substantially aligned with the floor level when completely lowered, creating an equipotential surface that eliminates height differences. This allows vehicles to be easily rolled or pushed onto the bench without overcoming any vertical barrier, while the pantograph lifting device remains available to provide lifting capability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the bench is fully tilted at one end to facilitate car climbing, then ease of placement is improved, but sports cars with lowered spoilers cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The deck maintains a horizontal position substantially aligned with the floor, creating an equipotential surface that eliminates the need for tilting. This design accommodates all vehicle types including sports cars with lowered spoilers, as there is no angular barrier that could cause contact with the vehicle body.
4Ease of manufacture
If objects fall into the open pit, then damage to tools and lifting unit base occurs, but closing the pit requires additional structure
Solution Approach 1:
The platform serves dual functions: it acts as a closure for the pit to prevent objects and workers from falling in, and it can be lifted to allow vehicle access when needed. This multi-functionality provides protection against damage to tools and equipment without requiring complex additional structures.
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
Enables safe and effortless lifting of cars by closing the pit when the deck is raised, preventing worker hazards and object falls, while maintaining structural simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
second means (20) for lifting a platform (21) from the bottom (11) of the pit (12) to a position in which it is substantially aligned with the level of the floor so as to close the pit
Data Source
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AI summary
Bench for measuring the geometric parameters of a damaged car, comprising first lifting means (14) for a deck (15) onto which the car is to be arranged; the first lifting means (14) are of the type to be arranged on the bottom of a pit provided in the floor of the room in which the bench works and are adapted to allow a vertical movement of the deck (15) from a position which is substantially aligned with the level of the floor (13) to a position which is raised from the floor ( 13). The bench also comprises second lifting means (20) for a platform (21) to be arranged between the bottom (11) of the pit (12) and the deck (15); the platform (21) is shaped complementarily with respect to the plan contour of the pit (12). The second lifting means (20) allow a vertical movement of the platform (21) from a lowered position within the pit (12) to a raised position so as to close the pit (12) when the deck (15) is raised.