Vehicle Load Carrier Support Arms for Vertical Lift and Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carriers for vehicles lack efficient mechanisms for vertically adjusting and pivoting support arms, leading to suboptimal ergonomics, ground clearance, and secure load attachment, especially when carrying heavy loads like E-bikes or gas cylinders.
Innovation Solution
A load carrier design featuring vertically adjustable and pivotable support arms with a common base part, allowing for oblique positioning and easy concealment when not in use, along with a detachable carrier part and plug-type connection for energy and signal transmission, enhancing stability, ergonomics, and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If support arms are made fixed and non-adjustable, then device complexity is reduced, but ergonomics and ground clearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are designed with vertical adjustability and pivotability, transforming them from fixed static structures to dynamic adjustable components. This allows the support arms to adapt their position and orientation to accommodate different load types and ergonomic requirements, directly resolving the contradiction between simplicity and ergonomics
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms enable continuous adjustment of vertical position and angular orientation parameters. By changing these parameters, the system can optimize ergonomics and ground clearance for different operating conditions without requiring complete redesign of the support structure
2Ease of operation
If support arms are vertically adjustable and pivotable, then ergonomics and ground clearance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical adjustment mechanism and pivot mechanism are integrated into a unified support arm assembly that shares common mounting points and structural elements. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate independent adjustment systems, while still providing both vertical and angular adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The support arms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable vertical height adjustment, allow angular pivoting for orientation, and accommodate various load configurations. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms into a single integrated component
3Ease of manufacture
If support arms are positioned horizontally, then docking procedure is simplified, but ground clearance and ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms can dynamically change their angular orientation from horizontal to oblique positions. During docking, they may be positioned horizontally for ease of connection, then adjusted to oblique positions for optimal ground clearance and ergonomics during operation, providing the best of both configurations
Data Source
AI summary
A load carrier (1) for a vehicle (25) has a plurality of movable, laterally spaced support arms (12, 13), which are configured to be releasably fastened to a carrier part (3, 3′, 3″). The load carrier (1) has a base part (2) to be permanently arranged on the vehicle (25), on which base part the plurality of support arms (12, 13) are jointly arranged. The plurality of support arms (12, 13) are jointly vertically displaceable, on the base part (10) with each being mounted to pivot about its own vertical axis (15).