Vehicle Ramp Latch with Arcuate Jaws for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bi-fold vehicle ramps often vibrate and produce unwanted noise during transport, necessitating a secure mechanism to prevent excessive vibration and noise.
Innovation Solution
A ramp assembly with an inboard and outboard section, a latch assembly featuring an elongated shaft and arcuate jaws, and a knob that snappingly engages to secure the ramp sections together, utilizing a noise-reducing material to minimize vibration and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the ramp is left unsecured in storage position, then the ramp can be easily deployed, but the ramp vibrates and produces unwanted noise during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp latch system is designed to automatically engage when the ramp sections are folded together, eliminating the need for manual securing operations. The knob and arcuate jaw mechanism self-activates through the natural folding motion, providing both ease of operation and effective vibration suppression without requiring additional user actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp is divided into multiple sections that can be independently positioned, with the latch mechanism securing these segments together. This segmentation allows the ramp to be folded into a compact configuration while maintaining the ability to secure individual sections, reducing vibration and noise during transport.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a latch mechanism is added to secure the ramp, then vibration and noise are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism automatically engages through the ramp's own folding motion, with the knob and arcuate jaw system activating without external intervention. This self-service approach reduces the perceived complexity for the user while providing effective vibration and noise suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the knob and the arcuate jaw, providing the necessary engagement force and maintaining the latched state. This intermediate component simplifies the overall mechanism by using elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical linkages to achieve secure engagement.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the ramp sections are tightly secured, then vibration is minimized, but the ease of deployment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from an unlocked to a locked state through dynamic motion during the folding process. The elastic member stores energy during engagement and maintains a secure connection during transport, while allowing quick release when needed, thus balancing vibration minimization with ease of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp's own folding motion triggers the latching action, converting the deployment movement into the securing action. This self-service mechanism ensures that the same motion used to fold the ramp also activates the latch, eliminating the need for separate securing operations and maintaining ease of deployment.
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 solution effectively secures the ramp sections, reducing vibration and noise during transport, enhancing the user experience by maintaining the ramp in a stable folded state and minimizing noise inside the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a noise-reducing material to minimize vibration and noise
Data Source
AI summary
A ramp assembly with an inboard ramp section, an outboard ramp section pivotally coupled to the outboard ramp section, a knob coupled to one of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, a ramp latch coupled to the other of the inboard ramp section or the outboard ramp section, the ramp latch comprising, an elongated shaft extending from a proximal section towards a distal section, a first arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, a second arcuate jaw extending from the distal section away from the elongated shaft, the first and second arcuate jaw defining an opening therebetween, and wherein the knob is selectively positionable at least partially within the opening.