Motorized Load Carrier Drive for Compact Stowage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load carriers for vehicles are cumbersome to handle and require numerous measures for locking and stowing, making them inefficient in terms of space usage and operational ease.

Innovation Solution

A load carrier with a motorized drive system, such as a spindle drive or electric motor, allows for easy adjustment of load-carrying parts between usage and non-usage positions, using self-locking gears and manual operating elements like cranks, enabling effortless positioning and secure holding without additional locking devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual locking and jamming mechanisms are used to fix load-carrying parts in position, then the load carrier can be securely fixed, but the handling becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixationVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical locking and jamming mechanisms with an electromotive drive system (electric motor or hydraulic actuator) that automatically positions and secures the load-carrying part. This substitution eliminates the need for manual operation of complex locking mechanisms while maintaining secure fixation through motorized control and positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple locking and jamming measures are implemented to secure load-carrying parts, then positioning reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate locking and jamming functions into a single integrated electromotive drive system. The motorized actuator performs positioning, securing, and releasing operations that previously required multiple independent mechanical components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining positioning reliability through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If load-carrying parts are designed to be manually adjusted and locked, then structural simplicity is maintained, but operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromotive drive system enables the load-carrying part to automatically position and secure itself without requiring manual intervention for each adjustment. The motorized system performs the work that would otherwise require human effort, increasing operational efficiency despite the added complexity of the drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2671757B1Load carrier with a functional support
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 WESTFALIA AUTOMOTIVE
  • EP2671757B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2671757B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2671757B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The load carrier has support base (11) on which load supporting unit (22a) for carrying a load by bearing assembly is movably mounted. The support base comprises a manual and/or electrical and/or fluidic load carrying element drive (24a) for adjusting the load supporting unit relative to support base.