Orbiting Ramp Assembly for Fast Deployment on Uneven Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ramp systems for delivery vehicles are cumbersome and time-consuming to deploy and stow, require stabilization legs, and experience accelerated wear due to supporting both load and operator weight, especially when used on uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An orbiting ramp assembly with a reinforced platform that slides or rotates from beneath the truck, utilizing low-friction vertical or horizontal bearing wheels and a polymeric slide assembly for easy deployment and storage, allowing a single operator to position the ramp within a 180-degree arc and stow it quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pivotally attached ramp with stabilization legs is used to provide flexibility in positioning, then adaptability to different delivery locations is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase due to requiring extension of stabilization legs and assembly/disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stabilization legs from the ramp assembly, extracting the problematic components that required extension and adjustment. The ramp is instead attached directly to the vehicle with a simplified pivot mechanism, eliminating the need for separate support structures and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the ramp extend outward from the vehicle door and requiring ground-based stabilization, the patent inverts the approach by having the ramp pivot inward toward the vehicle. The distal end pivots to rest against the vehicle body, using the vehicle itself as the support structure rather than requiring external stabilization legs.
2Strength
If a pivot mechanism supports both load and operator weight during operation, then the ramp can handle heavy deliveries, but wear and tear on the pivot mechanism accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pivot mechanism's responsibility for supporting operator weight by eliminating the need for operators to stand on or near the pivot point during deployment. The simplified pivot only handles the ramp's own weight and the load being transported, significantly reducing stress and wear on the mechanism while maintaining full load-bearing capacity.
3Ease of operation
If the ramp extends perpendicularly from the side door to reach the ground, then access to ground level is achieved, but positioning difficulty increases due to obstacles such as trees, curbs, and uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pivot mechanism that allows the ramp to rotate and adjust its angle during deployment. Instead of a fixed perpendicular extension, the ramp can pivot to accommodate varying ground levels and positions, enabling the distal end to reach the ground at optimized angles while avoiding obstacles like curbs and uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the ramp by allowing continuous adjustment of the pivot angle rather than fixing it at a perpendicular orientation. This enables the ramp to adapt to different ground conditions and delivery locations, improving both ease of deployment and adaptability to various environments.
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 orbiting ramp assembly provides efficient and low-maintenance access to ground level, reducing setup and storage time while minimizing wear and tear, as it remains securely attached to the truck and can be easily positioned on various surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing low-friction vertical or horizontal bearing wheels
Implementation Method 2
a polymeric slide assembly for easy deployment and storage
Data Source
AI summary
A ramp assembly for unloading goods from an elevated platform that includes a platform and a ramp that can be rotated or orbited around a perimeter of a platform without rotating the platform. The ramp assembly uses an orbiting assembly that includes a rail and a rider in order to permit easy placement of a lower end of a ramp relative to the platform.