Lowerable Side-Mounted Cargo Holder with Folding Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing long goods holding devices for vehicles face challenges such as ergonomic and safety issues, particularly when transporting elongated items like rods or ladders, as they often require hydraulic systems, are difficult to handle, and do not adapt well to different vehicle types or sizes, leading to instability and increased vehicle width.
Innovation Solution
A transport goods holding device with a modular design featuring a carrier unit, a transport goods receiving unit, and a parallel joint unit that can be mounted on the side of a vehicle, allowing for pivoting between loading and transport positions, with a folding arm that can be folded in to reduce vehicle width and enhance safety, and utilizing a support spring for ergonomic loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hydraulic lifting device is used to raise and lower the cargo holding device, then the lifting function is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic lifting system with a mechanically simple parallel joint linkage system. The parallel joints (four-bar linkages) naturally provide the lifting and lowering motion through mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic components while achieving the same functional result of raising and lowering the cargo holding device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic parallel joint linkages that automatically adjust their position and mechanical advantage ratio during the lifting cycle. As the cargo holding device moves from horizontal to vertical position, the parallel joints dynamically change their configuration, providing optimal mechanical advantage at each stage of the motion without requiring active control systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cargo holding device is mounted on the side of the vehicle, then it is suitable for vans with closed side walls, but the lifting mechanisms must be mounted laterally outside the side wall, posing a safety risk to other road users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the parallel joint linkages and all lifting mechanisms to be completely nested within the vehicle's side wall structure. The cargo holding device pivots and moves within the confines of the vehicle body, with no external protruding components, thereby eliminating safety risks to road users while maintaining adaptability to van configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the lifting motion from a lateral external movement to a vertical internal movement within the vehicle's third dimension. The cargo holding device is raised and lowered along the vertical axis within the vehicle's interior space, rather than moving laterally outside the vehicle body, thus resolving the safety conflict.
3Ease of operation
If the folding arm is extended to receive long goods, then the loading capability is improved, but the overall vehicle width increases, hindering handling and posing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically foldable arm mechanism that can extend perpendicular to the vehicle side wall during loading operations to accommodate long goods, then folds parallel to the vehicle side wall during transport. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the vehicle width to change based on operational requirements, providing both loading capability and compact transport profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo receiving structure is segmented into a folding arm that can independently change its orientation. The folding arm is divided into movable segments connected by joints, allowing it to extend outward for loading and then collapse against the vehicle body for transport, effectively reducing the vehicle's overall width when not in use.
4Strength
If a frame constructed of beams and struts is used, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the device is limited to a specific length and essentially to one or a few vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cargo holding device into modular segments: a support unit attached to the vehicle, a parallel joint unit with linkages, and a cargo receiving unit. These modular components can be independently configured and adjusted to suit different vehicle types and cargo lengths, replacing the fixed monolithic beam-and-strut frame with adaptable modular sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallel joint linkage system serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables lifting and lowering motion, and allows adjustment to different cargo lengths and vehicle configurations. This multi-functional design replaces the specialized beam-and-strut frame that was limited to specific applications, achieving universality across different vehicle types and cargo requirements.
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 provides improved operational safety, ergonomic handling, and adaptability to various vehicle types and load sizes, ensuring secure and efficient transport of long goods without the need for hydraulic systems, while maintaining vehicle door accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the pivoting movement being supported by a spring
Implementation Method 2
a parallel-joint unit with parallel links which are rotatably mounted parallel to one another in fixed link bearings on a support beam of the support unit and in free link bearings on a pivot beam of the load-receiving unit
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lowerable cargo holding device (7) for a vehicle (1), wherein the cargo holding device (7) comprises at least one holding module (6), the holding module (6) comprising: - a cargo receiving unit (16) with receiving and/or fastening means for a cargo (2), - a support unit (14) that is attached or attachable to a vehicle (1), and - a parallel link unit (15) with parallel parallel links (19, 20) that are rotatably mounted parallel to each other on a support beam (17) of the support unit (14) in fixed link bearings (34, 35) and on a pivot beam (22) of the cargo receiving unit (16) in free link bearings (36, 37) such that the cargo receiving unit (16) is pivotable relative to the support unit (14) between a pivoted position and a pivoted position. The support unit (14) is designed for lateral attachment to the vehicle (1).The load-bearing unit (16) has a folding arm (23) which is mounted on the pivot beam (22) such that the folding arm (23) is movable between a folded position, in which the folding arm (23) extends parallel or substantially parallel to the pivot beam (22), and an unfolded position, in which the folding arm (23) projects from the pivot beam (22) at a right angle or substantially at a right angle to the load-bearing unit (2). According to another viewpoint, the parallel links (19, 20) point upwards from the fixed pivot bearings (34, 35) in the folded position and towards the vehicle (1) or towards one side of the vehicle of the support beam (17). According to yet another viewpoint, two holding modules (6) are provided for the joint holding of an elongated load (2), which are pivotable independently of each other.The invention also relates to an assembly kit (18) and a method for assembling a holding module (6) of a transport goods holding device (7).