Load Carrier Tilting Mechanism With End-Stroke Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tilting mechanisms for load carriers often cause vibrations when the movable portion reaches an extended position, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A tilting mechanism with a damping mechanism that decelerates the movement of the coupling portion to the extended position, preventing abrupt stops and vibrations, and an urging mechanism to assist in the tilting motion, comprising a first coupling portion hingedly connected to the movable portion and a second coupling portion connected to the stationary portion via a kinematic chain, with a dampening mechanism providing resistance only during extension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the movable portion is moved quickly to the extended position, then the operation speed is improved, but vibrations are generated leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A damping mechanism is integrated into the tilting mechanism to provide damping force before the movable portion reaches the extended position. This damping force increases as the movable portion approaches the extended position, cushioning the motion and preventing abrupt stops that would cause vibrations and potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting mechanism employs dynamic control of the movable portion through a damping mechanism that adjusts the damping force based on the position and velocity of the movable portion. The damping force is minimal during most of the motion to allow quick operation, but increases significantly near the extended position to prevent vibrations and damage.
2Reliability
If the movable portion is moved slowly to the extended position, then vibrations are reduced, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping mechanism operates in a periodic manner, providing minimal resistance during most of the motion stroke to allow fast operation, and then providing strong damping force only in the final portion of the stroke where the movable portion approaches the extended position. This periodic action pattern optimizes both speed and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping mechanism changes the damping parameter dynamically based on the position of the movable portion. The damping coefficient is low during the majority of the motion to maintain high operation speed, and then increases sharply when the movable portion nears the extended position to eliminate vibrations without significantly increasing overall operation time.
3Power
If a strong force is applied to move the movable portion, then the tilting speed is improved, but the risk of generating vibrations and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damping mechanism provides a counteracting force that opposes the motion of the movable portion as it approaches the extended position. This counterforce balances the momentum of the movable portion, preventing excessive force application that would cause vibrations and potential damage, while still allowing high-speed operation during the majority of the stroke.
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 solution effectively reduces or eliminates vibrations and assists in smooth tilting movements, ensuring the movable portion can be safely and efficiently moved to a non-use position without damage.
Implementation Method 1
damping mechanism (7) configured to at least partially decelerate or limit a movement speed of the first coupling portion (5) up on moving the same to the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a tilting mechanism for a load carrier. The tilting mechanism may be configured to assist a pivoting movement of the movable portion of the load carrier at least into a non-use position of the movable portion. The tilting mechanism may comprise a first coupling portion configured to be coupled to the movable portion of the load carrier and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Furthermore, the tilting mechanism may comprise a dampening mechanism which is configured to at least partially decelerate or limit a movement speed of the first coupling portion upon moving the same to the extended position.