Nesting Lift Arm with Integrated Stops for Low-Clearance Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lifts lack efficient adjustable arms that can accommodate vehicles with low clearance and prevent overextension, while also providing a compact retracted length for accessing a wider range of lifting points.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a telescoping adjustable lift arm with a tapered adapter coupling arm and a nested configuration, featuring a groove and abutment system to prevent overextension and allow for a low-profile, extended position, and a retracted configuration that allows the adapter to be positioned close to the floor, enabling access to vehicles with low clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lift arm is extended to reach vehicles with low clearance, then the ability to lift low-clearance vehicles is improved, but the risk of overextension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating stops (256, 264) that prevent overextension of the lift arm before it can occur. The groove stop (264) in the adapter coupling arm and the stop (256) in the collar create predetermined limits that counteract the tendency toward overextension, allowing the arm to reach low-clearance vehicles safely.
2Length of moving object
If the lift arm is made telescoping with nested configuration, then the retracted length is reduced for broader vehicle access, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the nesting principle through its telescoping configuration where the adapter coupling arm (270) nests within the adjustable body (226), which in turn nests within the collar (224). This nested doll arrangement allows the lift arm to achieve a compact retracted length for accessing vehicles with wide spacing between lifting points.
3Manufacturing precision
If the adapter coupling arm is made adjustable with groove and abutment system, then the precision of position control is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the adapter coupling arm into functional segments: the groove (274) that receives the abutment, the tapered body (272) that provides structural support, and the coupling portion that connects to the adapter. This segmentation allows for precise position control through the groove-abutment interface while enabling modular manufacturing of each component.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle engagement assembly is attached to a vehicle lift, wherein the vehicle lift is configured to actuate the engagement assembly between lowered and raised positions, and the vehicle engagement assembly includes: a first arm including a first notch, a second arm including a second notch, an adapter coupling arm including a coupling portion, and an adapter that couples with the coupling portion. The second arm can transition between a first extended configuration and a first retracted configuration relative to the first arm. The adapter fits within the first notch when both the second arm is in the first retracted configuration and the adapter coupling arm is in the second retracted configuration. The adapter coupling arm is configured to transition between a second extended configuration and a second retracted configuration relative to the second arm.