Motor-Driven Wheel Lift Apparatus with Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting apparatuses for vehicle wheels are laborious, risky, and prone to wear, with complex mechanisms that require compressed air and are inflexible, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns, especially when connected to balancing machines.
Innovation Solution
A lifting apparatus with a wheel support actuated by a motor-driven articulated quadrilateral mechanism, featuring a lifting sensor and manual control system that allows precise positioning and automatic operation, reducing operator effort and enhancing safety and speed by using pressure sensors to control the lifting speed and acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scissor type articulation with creeping trucks and pneumatic piston actuator is used, then lifting force is reduced for the operator, but the apparatus becomes complex and readily subjected to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic piston actuator with an electric motor-driven system. The motor is connected to the scissor articulation through a transmission mechanism (worm gear and sector gear), substituting the complex pneumatic system with an electric drive system that is simpler, more reliable, and easier to control electronically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the creeping trucks from the scissor articulation, extracting the problematic wear-prone elements while retaining the essential lifting function. The scissor mechanism is simplified to use only rotation joints without the creeping truck components that caused wear issues.
2Measurement precision
If a sensor-based control system is implemented for precise height detection, then lifting position precision is improved, but operational speed decreases due to continuous data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements predetermined lifting positions that are pre-programmed into the control system. Instead of continuously processing sensor data to determine the target height, the system has pre-stored position values corresponding to common lifting heights. The control unit simply compares the sensor reading against these predetermined values, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic sampling of sensor data rather than continuous processing. The control unit checks the sensor signal at discrete intervals during the lifting operation, determining when the wheel support has reached the predetermined position. This periodic approach reduces computational burden while maintaining adequate measurement precision.
3Power
If compressed air supply is required for the pneumatic actuator, then lifting capability is achieved, but system reliability decreases due to additional components and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic actuator system with an electric motor-driven system. The motor provides the necessary lifting power through direct electrical drive, eliminating the need for compressed air supply, pneumatic hoses, and pneumatic components. This substitution improves reliability by removing the pneumatic system's vulnerability to leaks, contamination, and maintenance requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lifting apparatus for a vehicle wheel comprising a wheel support (12) which is selectively movable in order to lift or lower a vehicle wheel which is positioned thereon. An actuator group (40) is connected to the wheel support (12) in order to actuate the lifting and lowering thereof. A control unit is operationally connected to the actuator group (40) in order to control the actuation. A lifting sensor member (50) is provided to detect the height of the wheel support (12). At least one actuation instruction brings about the actuation of the actuator group (40) in order to lift the wheel support (12) from a lowered rest position to a predetermined lifting position, which is detected by the lifting sensor member (50).