Pneumatic Lifting Platform With Double-Jointed Support Arms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lifting platforms with support arms often obstruct repair work on the underbody of vehicles, particularly those with electric drives, as the arms prevent the maintenance flaps from opening, making battery maintenance difficult due to varying vehicle dimensions and support point positions.

Innovation Solution

A lifting platform with four pivotably mounted support arms, where at least one pair is adjustable and designed as double-jointed arms with angled joints, allowing for longer extension and horizontal angling to position under vehicles without obstructing maintenance access, and enabling the lifting columns to be placed in front of the vehicle's A-pillar for full door opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional rigid support arms are used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the arms obstruct repair work on the underbody and prevent maintenance flaps from opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to underbodyVSAvoidsupport arm structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm is divided into two segments: a rigid first portion providing structural stability, and a double-jointed second portion with articulated joints that can be angled to clear obstacles. This segmentation allows the arm to maintain strength while gaining flexibility to avoid obstructing maintenance flaps and underbody repair work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support arm transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic structure with articulated joints in the second portion. These joints allow the arm to change its configuration dynamically, angling upward or downward to clear obstacles such as maintenance flaps, while the first portion remains rigid for stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If support arms are made longer to reach support points, then the lifting platform can accommodate more vehicle types, but the arms obstruct access to the vehicle floor for maintenance work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle type accommodationVSAvoidmaintenance access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If lifting columns are positioned centrally under the vehicle, then the structure is compact, but the doors cannot be fully opened when the vehicle is raised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatform widthVSAvoiddoor opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms are designed with asymmetric characteristics: the first portion is rigid and relatively short, while the second portion is longer and contains articulated joints. This asymmetric design allows the arms to reach support points that are forward of the lifting columns, enabling central column positioning while maintaining door clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Ease of operation

If double-jointed arms with articulated joints are used, then the arms can be angled to avoid obstructing maintenance work, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidsupport arm structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3549900B1Pneumatic platform for motor vehicles

Publication Date: 2023.04.05 NUSSBAUM AUTOMOTIVE LIFTS GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

In a lifting platform with four support arms that are pivotably mounted on a lifting device, in particular on two lateral lifting columns, and whose free ends are movable under the support points of a motor vehicle to be lifted, wherein the support arms form a first and a second pair of support arms, and wherein at least the support arms of the first pair of support arms are length-adjustable and designed as rigid support arms that can only be pivoted about their pivot points on the lifting device, while the support arms of the second pair of support arms are designed as double-jointed arms with an additional articulating joint, it is provided that the support arms of the second pair of support arms are at least twice as long as the support arms of the first pair of support arms when retracted, and the articulating joints are designed in such a way thatthat the support arms of the second pair of support arms can be angled horizontally in both directions from a maximally extended position of the respective support arm for positioning under the support points of a motor vehicle to be lifted.