Mobile Lift Caddy for Vehicle Transfer Between Repair Bays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions do not provide a means to efficiently transfer a partly-repaired vehicle from a primary lift to another location, leaving the primary lift idle and unavailable for other repairs, as existing motor-driven wheeled dollies and vehicle-lifting jacks cannot remove or transport vehicles from a fixed primary lift.
Innovation Solution
A mobile lift system comprising a mobile caddy that can engage and lift vehicle lift pads from a primary lift, allowing the vehicle to be transported to another location, with the caddy being self-powered and remotely controlled, featuring adjustable lift arms and mobility drives for precise positioning and secure transfer of the vehicle and lift pads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a primary lift is used to hold a vehicle for repair, then the vehicle can be elevated for access to lower portions, but the lift becomes tied up and unavailable for other vehicles when repair is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the lifting function by separating the primary stationary lift from the vehicle transport function. The primary lift only needs to hold the vehicle temporarily, while the mobile caddy handles the actual transport, allowing the primary lift to be released and reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile caddy acts as an intermediary device between the primary lift and the final destination. It accepts the vehicle from the primary lift and transports it independently, serving as a mediator that frees the primary lift for other uses.
2Ease of operation
If a vehicle is lowered from the lift to move it, then the vehicle can be transported on its own wheels, but this is impossible if the vehicle is missing suspension components
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the lifting support function from the transport function. The mobile caddy provides complete support for vehicles with compromised mobility, eliminating the need for the vehicle to support itself during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile caddy replicates the lift support function in a mobile platform, creating a portable version of the lifting capability that can transport vehicles regardless of their suspension status.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing motor-driven wheeled dollies are used to support a wheel, then a single wheel can be supported, but they cannot remove the vehicle from the lift or transport it to another location
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile caddy is designed as a universal platform that combines lifting, transporting, and positioning functions in a single device. It can accept vehicles from any primary lift and transport them to various destinations, replacing the need for multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the lifting arm mechanism with the mobile transport platform. The lift arms are integrated into the mobile caddy structure, combining the support and transport functions into one unified system.
4Productivity
If vehicle-lifting jacks are used to support frame points and lift the vehicle, then the vehicle can be elevated for transport, but these do not lift a vehicle from a primary lift or hoist
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile caddy serves as an intermediary that interfaces with the primary lift's receptacle fixtures. It accepts the vehicle through the existing lift infrastructure and provides independent transport capability, bridging the gap between stationary lift and mobile transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static lift arms to dynamically mobile lift arms on the caddy. The lift arms on the mobile caddy can move with the platform, providing adaptive support during transport rather than being fixed to a stationary structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile lift caddy is configured to remove a vehicle from a primary lift while the vehicle is elevated above the workplace floor and then transport the vehicle to another location. The mobile lift caddy is dimensioned to fit between vertical lift posts of the primary lift. A mobility drive arrangement moves the caddy under operator control to and from the workplace location. Caddy lift arms are configured to accept a portion of removable lift pad assemblies at the lift arms of the primary lift, to lift out the lift pad assembly with the vehicle supported on the lift pads.