Retractable Arm Vehicle Lift with Grip Stop Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lifts, such as column lifts and in-ground scissors lifts, are bulky and lack flexibility and safety in supporting lifted vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lift system comprising a movement system installed in a pit, a platform engaged with the movement system, an arm movable relative to the platform for lifting vehicles, and a stop mechanism that moves between grip and release positions to control the arm's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If column lifts with vertical columns and extensible arms are used, then vehicles can be lifted and serviced, but the lift structure becomes bulky and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed to be retractable into the platform structure when not in use, similar to nested dolls. The first arm can be retracted into the platform, and the second arm can be retracted into the first arm, creating a compact nested configuration that significantly reduces the volume occupied by the lift structure while maintaining full functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift structure transitions from a static bulky form to a dynamic compact form through the movable arms. The arms can extend outward when vehicle lifting is required and retract into the platform when not in use, allowing the structure to adapt its volume dynamically based on operational needs, thus resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient lifting capability and minimizing space occupation.
2Volume of moving object
If in-ground scissors lifts are used to reduce bulk, then the lift is more compact, but the lift lacks flexibility in positioning and supporting vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The arms are designed with movable connections to the platform, allowing them to extend and retract dynamically. This dynamic capability enables the compact in-ground lift to achieve flexible arm positioning when needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining a compact structure and providing positioning flexibility for vehicle support.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift structure is segmented into the platform and multiple movable arms that can independently extend and retract. This segmentation allows the arms to be positioned flexibly relative to the platform while the overall structure remains compact when arms are retracted, enabling both compactness and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If arms are made movable relative to the platform, then flexibility in arm positioning is improved, but the safety of vehicle support may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A stop mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the movable arm and the platform. This stop can engage with the arm to block its movement, providing a safety mechanism that prevents unintended arm movement while allowing controlled flexibility when the stop is disengaged. This resolves the contradiction by mediating between movement flexibility and support safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the arm and platform is designed to be dynamically controllable - allowing movement when needed for positioning flexibility, but capable of being locked or blocked by the stop mechanism when vehicle support safety is required. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt its degree of freedom based on operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lift comprising a movement system configured to be installed in a pit in the ground, a platform engaged with the movement system and movable entering to and exiting from the pit, at least one arm carried by the platform and configured for contacting a vehicle to be lifted. The arm is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The lift comprises a stop movable relative to the platform between a grip position where it engages the arm and a release position where it disengages the arm. The lift comprises an actuator carried by the platform and active on the stop to move said stop between the grip position and the release position.