Multi-Axis Equipment Mounting for Full Automotive Part Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment handling and repair stands for automotive parts require manual lifting and obstruct access to parts, limiting the range of motion and access to all surfaces, posing safety risks and convenience issues for mechanics.
Innovation Solution
An equipment handling apparatus with a base, a mast, an equipment head, and a mounting device that allows for translation and independent rotation along multiple axes, enabling complete access and safe handling of automotive parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a horizontal equipment mount is used to support automotive parts, then the part can be held securely, but access to all surfaces of the part is obstructed and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic mounting system with multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the equipment head to rotate about a first axis and the mounting device to rotate about a second axis independent of the first. This dynamic configuration enables the mounted part to be oriented in multiple positions, providing complete access to all surfaces while maintaining secure support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-axis horizontal mounting system to a multi-axis three-dimensional mounting system. By adding rotation about a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis, the system gains additional dimensional freedom, allowing the part to be accessed from all directions without obstruction.
2Device complexity
If manual lifting is used to attach automotive parts to the equipment stand, then no additional lifting mechanism is needed, but safety risks and convenience issues arise for mechanics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an equipment head as an intermediary component between the mast and the mounting device. This intermediary structure provides a standardized interface that simplifies the attachment process, allowing parts to be securely mounted without direct manual lifting, thereby improving safety while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If the equipment mount is positioned to support the part, then the part can be held securely, but the mount obstructs access to at least a portion of the automotive part
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is designed with independent rotation about a second axis, allowing it to be positioned away from obstructing the part surfaces that need to be accessed. The dynamic positioning capability enables the mount to clear the working area while maintaining secure support of the part.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment handling apparatus is described. The equipment handling apparatus includes a base and a mast coupled to the base, an equipment head coupled to and translatable along the mast, and a mounting device rotatably coupled to the equipment head. In this regard, the mast is aligned along a first axis, and the equipment head includes a rotatable head shaft defining a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. The mounting device includes a second shaft independently rotatable about a third axis non-parallel to the second axis. The equipment handling apparatus provides for translating the equipment head, rotating the head shaft, and for rotating the second shaft independent of the head shaft.