Vehicle Loading Floor Handle Mechanism Reduces Lifting Effort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable loading floors require significant vertical force to raise the floor panel, especially in vehicles with heavy floor plates, making the operation cumbersome and strenuous.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable loading floor mechanism featuring a pivoting handle connected to a support via a pull rod, where the handle's movement is transmitted to the support, allowing the floor to be raised with reduced effort by folding out and being supported under the base plate, with a return spring for easy lowering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the loading floor is raised by direct vertical lifting, then the floor panel can be adjusted to the upper position, but significant operator force is required making the operation cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static lifting operation into a dynamic mechanical process. The support element transitions from a folded state to an extended state during the lifting operation, creating a mechanical advantage that reduces the force required by the operator. The handle mechanism converts rotational motion into linear support extension, making the heavy floor panel easier to raise.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary between the operator and the loading floor. Instead of the operator directly lifting the heavy floor panel, the operator manipulates the handle which activates the support element. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the operator's input force and applies it at the optimal point to raise the floor panel with reduced effort.
2Ease of operation
If a handle is provided for lifting the loading floor, then the operator can grasp and lift the floor, but the handle becomes cumbersome when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed as a dynamic component that changes its spatial configuration based on operational needs. When not in use, the handle folds or retracts into a compact position that does not obstruct the trunk space. During operation, the handle extends to provide a comfortable grip for the operator. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between usability and spatial occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle mechanism employs a nesting principle where the handle structure can be folded or collapsed into a compact form when not in use. The handle may nest within or alongside other components of the loading floor mechanism, minimizing its spatial occupation in the retracted state while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
3Force
If the support is extended to raise the loading floor, then the floor can be raised with reduced force, but the support mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism is segmented into discrete functional components: the support element itself, the connection points to the floor panel, the linkage to the handle, and the actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex lifting function into manageable, modular parts that work together efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism employs asymmetric design in the arrangement of linkages and connection points to optimize the mechanical advantage during the lifting stroke. The geometry of the support element and its connection to the handle creates an asymmetric four-bar linkage that provides maximum force multiplication during the critical phase of raising the floor panel, while maintaining compact dimensions when retracted.
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 easier adjustment of the loading floor between positions with reduced operator effort, as the support unfolds to lift the floor, and a return spring facilitates folding back into the lower position, enhancing usability and reducing strain.
Implementation Method 1
the handle being kinematically connected to this support by means of at least one pull rod. When you move the handle, the support is also moved at the same time.
Implementation Method 2
The handle is designed according to the invention as a one-sided lever, one end of which is fixed to the base plate and the other end is adapted for the operator to grip. The support is then in the form of a bilateral lever
Implementation Method 3
The handle or the support can have a return spring for resetting to the position corresponding to the lower position of the loading floor, ie for folding the support into the plane of the loading floor.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a height-adjustable loading floor, in particular a loading floor in the vehicle trunk, which can be adjusted between a lower and an upper position. A handle (7) is pivotably attached to the top of the loading floor (1), and a support (9) is pivotably attached to the underside of the loading floor, the handle (7) being kinematically connected to the support by means of at least one pull rod (16). When the loading floor (1) is lifted during adjustment from the lower to the upper position, pivoting the handle (7) unfolds the support (9) under the loading floor (1), lifting it and thus facilitating its lifting. In the upper position of the loading floor (1), the support (9) supports its rear section.