Vehicle Ramp Bracket With Rotating Mounting Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ramp systems for vehicles face challenges in providing a stable connection and secure storage, as they often restrict ramp placement angles and can become unsecured during transport, leading to potential damage or loss.

Innovation Solution

The ramp bracket assembly includes a mounting plate, support plate, and retaining channel, with a key member that engages with a vehicle sidewall mounting bracket, allowing for secure attachment and storage of ramps at various angles, including beyond 60 degrees, and features a connection element for stable ramp retention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional ramp connections are used to secure ramps to the tailgate, then the connection is stable for loading, but the ramp placement angle is limited to 60 degrees or less

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveramp placement angleVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket incorporates a rotating member that allows the ramp to be positioned at multiple angles relative to the tailgate. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the ramp to adapt to different placement angles while maintaining a stable connection through the rotating joint, resolving the contradiction between angle versatility and connection stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If ramps are laid in the truck bed for transport, then storage is simple, but the ramps can fall off and become lost or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage simplicityVSAvoidramp security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp storage system is divided into separate functional components: a dedicated storage compartment within the tailgate structure and a securing mechanism. This segmentation allows the ramp to be easily inserted into the storage compartment while the securing mechanism prevents it from falling off during transport, combining storage simplicity with ramp security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If ramps are stored in the truck bed alongside cargo, then storage space is utilized, but the ramps can move around and damage equipment or themselves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoiddamage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tailgate incorporates a pre-configured storage compartment with retaining structures designed to securely hold the ramp in place before transport begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures the ramp is properly positioned and secured alongside cargo, preventing movement and potential damage without requiring additional storage space or complex securing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10391945B2Ramp bracket

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A ramp bracket assembly for selectively storing a ramp in a rear of the vehicle is disclosed. The ramp bracket includes a mounting plate, a support plate, and a retaining channel. The mounting plate is spaced away from and fixedly connected to the support plate. The mounting plate further includes a key member that engages with a mounting bracket connectable to the vehicle sidewall. The retaining channel, which selectively receives a ramp, is fixedly connected to the support plate.