Modular Vehicle Ramp System with Composite Foam Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle ramp systems are heavy, non-modular, and lack flexibility, posing safety risks during assembly and use, especially on soft surfaces, and fail to provide stable access to vehicles with low clearance.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle ramp system constructed from lightweight, monolithic composite materials, such as expanded polystyrene foam encapsulated in high tensile strength polyurea coating, allowing reconfiguration with the vehicle in place, featuring adjustable components and a solid footprint to prevent sinking into soft surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ramps are constructed from formed steel to achieve strength and economy, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases making them difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining expanded polystyrene foam (lightweight core) with polyurea coating (durable outer layer). This composite structure achieves the necessary structural strength while maintaining lightweight properties, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight. The foam provides structural integrity and the polyurea coating provides durability and surface protection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If modular ramp segments are assembled before vehicle placement to ensure alignment, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ramp into separate modular segments (approach ramp and wheel support ramp) that can be independently positioned and then connected. This segmentation allows the vehicle to be driven onto the approach ramp first, providing stability during the assembly process, and then the wheel support ramp can be attached without requiring complete pre-assembly, thus reducing assembly complexity while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If ramp bottom surface area is increased to prevent sinking into soft surfaces, then stability on soft surfaces is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a solid bottom surface specifically at the critical contact points with the ground (approach ramp bottom) while keeping other portions of the ramp structure lighter. The expanded polystyrene foam core provides sufficient bottom surface area and distribution of weight to prevent sinking into soft surfaces, while the overall ramp structure remains lightweight and simple in design.
4Ease of manufacture
If ramps are made non-modular to simplify construction, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses segmentation to create modular ramp segments that can be manufactured using simple, standardized processes. Each segment is designed with standardized connection features that allow easy assembly and disassembly. This modular approach maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardization while providing flexibility to configure ramps for different vehicle types and application scenarios.
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 modular system provides stable, durable, and versatile access to vehicles, suitable for various configurations and surfaces, enhancing safety and usability while supporting vehicles of different weights and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-component ramp system wherein each of the components is modular and comprised of an expanded foam plastic core
Implementation Method 2
expanded polystyrene foam which is encapsulated in a high tensile strength polyurea coating
Data Source
AI summary
A modular vehicle ramp system is provided for elevating all four wheels of a vehicle off of the ground to allow a user easy access beneath the elevated vehicle. The components are modular allowing the ramp system to be employed in several different reconfigurable arrangements. A first embodiment provides one wheel support and one ramp that releasably engages with the wheel support. In another embodiment, at least two wheel supports are employed with two corresponding ramps releasably engaged therewith. Finally in another embodiment, two bridge sections extend between two wheel supports positioned at the front and two wheel supports positioned at the rear. Two ramps are releasably engaged with either the two forward or rear wheel supports such that a car can be driven up the ramps and over the bridge sections such that the four vehicle wheels are supported on the four wheel supports.