Modular Loading Lift for Vehicle Payload Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Loading lifts used for cargo and accessibility are complex, heavy, and difficult to install and remove, making them unsuitable for frequent use and maintenance, especially in vehicles where they increase weight and reduce payload capacity.

Innovation Solution

A modular loading lift design consisting of a holding frame, carriage, and loading device, where each component can be easily assembled and disassembled, reducing weight and allowing for single-person handling, and featuring quick-release fasteners for secure attachment to vehicle holding points, enabling easy installation and removal without permanent TÜV approval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a loading lift is designed with a holding frame, carriage, and lifting device containing double rocker or parallelogram guide mechanisms, then the lifting function is achieved, but the structural complexity and installation difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting functionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading lift is divided into three independent modules: holding frame module, carriage module, and loading device module. Each module can be assembled and disassembled separately, reducing the overall structural complexity while maintaining the lifting function. The carriage module contains the lifting mechanism that can operate independently on the holding frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding frame is designed with guide rails that can accommodate different carriage configurations. The quick-release fastening system allows the same holding frame to be installed and removed from different vehicles, providing universal applicability across various vehicle types without requiring vehicle-specific customizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a loading lift is designed with complete modules that can be easily assembled and disassembled, then the ease of installation and maintenance is improved, but the structural stability and load-bearing capacity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding frame, carriage, and loading device are each pre-assembled as complete modules with all necessary connections and fastenings prepared in advance. This preliminary assembly ensures structural integrity within each module while allowing easy installation by simply connecting the pre-assembled units together through the quick-release fastening system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails act as an intermediary element between the holding frame and carriage, providing both guidance and structural support. The quick-release fastening system serves as an intermediary connection mechanism that maintains structural stability during operation while enabling easy assembly and disassembly when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a loading lift is installed permanently in a motor vehicle, then the lifting function is always available, but the vehicle payload capacity is reduced due to the significant weight of the loading lift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of lifting functionVSAvoidvehicle payload capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The loading lift is designed as a dynamic system that can be quickly installed and removed from the vehicle using the quick-release fastening system. This allows the vehicle to switch between having the lifting function available and having maximum payload capacity, adapting to different operational needs without being permanently constrained by the weight of the loading lift.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of moving object

If a loading lift is designed to be easily disassembled into individual components, then the ease of storage and transport is improved, but the time required for assembly and disassembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space requirementVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The loading lift is segmented into three main modules that can be stored separately when not in use, significantly reducing the storage space required compared to a monolithic design. The modular structure allows each component to be compacted or stored in different locations, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The quick-release fastening system acts as an intermediary connection mechanism that speeds up the assembly and disassembly process. Instead of requiring complex fastening operations, the quick-release mechanism allows modules to be connected and disconnected rapidly, reducing the time penalty associated with modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2260818B1Load lift
Publication Date: 2012.03.28 KOLLEWE DIETER
  • EP2260818B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2260818B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2260818B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

The lift has a retaining frame (1) fastened to a motor vehicle, and a carriage (2) moving back and forth in a direction at the frame. A loading device (3) is mounted at the carriage and is moved back and forth in another direction perpendicular to the former direction between a load position and a transport position. Each of the frame, carriage and the loading device has a module, where the modules are alternatively, individually and manageably connected with one another or inserted into each other for producing a prepared component. An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle comprising a loading area.