Rotary Vehicle Body Shell Hoop Apparatus for Chassis Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for repairing and restoring automobile bodies face challenges such as limited access to underside areas, undue stress on the vehicle chassis, and space inefficiency when rotating the vehicle for better access, especially when the vehicle is disassembled and has rust or no roof structure for support.
Innovation Solution
A rotary apparatus with two vertically oriented hoops encircling the vehicle body shell around suspension areas, supported by roller-bases with foot-operated brakes for 360° rotation without additional space requirements, allowing for secure mounting and easy handling without additional obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle is mounted on rotatable mounting frames with lower connecting bars to enable 360° rotation, then the vehicle can be rotated fully for access, but the connecting bars create obstacles that impede movement and make the apparatus difficult to move around uneven terrain or load onto trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lower connecting bar from the mounting frame structure entirely. Instead of having a rigid bar connecting the front and rear mounting frames, the invention uses independent roller bases that allow the mounting frames to rotate freely without being constrained by a lower connecting bar, thereby eliminating the obstacle that impeded movement around the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces roller bases with brakes that allow the mounting frames to rotate dynamically during operation and be easily repositioned. The roller bases provide a dynamic support system that adapts to the rotation movement, eliminating the need for rigid lower connecting bars and enabling smooth 360° rotation without obstacles.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle is hung from mounting frames at both ends without center support to enable rotation, then the vehicle can be rotated for access, but undue stress is placed on the center of the chassis especially problematic for vehicles with rust or no roof structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support function into separate elements: the mounting frames are positioned at the front and rear suspension areas rather than hanging from the chassis center. This segmentation of the support structure eliminates the need for center chassis support while still enabling rotation, as each mounting frame independently supports the vehicle body at optimal structural points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the suspension areas as intermediary support points rather than directly supporting the vehicle body from the chassis center. The suspension areas act as mediators that provide structural support while allowing rotation, thereby eliminating undue stress on the center chassis while still enabling the required rotation for access.
3Reliability
If foot-operated brakes are added to lock the rotation position, then the vehicle can be securely locked, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates foot-operated brakes directly into the roller base assemblies, allowing the operator to lock and unlock the rotation position using simple foot pressure. This self-service braking mechanism eliminates the need for complex mechanical locking systems or additional operators, providing reliable locking with minimal added complexity through direct integration with the existing roller base structure.
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
Enables full 360° rotation of the vehicle body shell for improved access during repairs without stressing the chassis, reduces space usage, and allows single-person operation with easy locking and unlocking of the rotation position, facilitating efficient and comfortable repair processes.
Implementation Method 1
roller-bases with foot-operated brakes for 360° rotation
Implementation Method 2
foot-operated brakes for 360° rotation without additional space requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable apparatus for repairing and restoring vehicle body shells including a pair of vertically positioned hoops placed in a parallel relation mounted to the body shell for rotation about a horizontal axis. A plurality of connecting members attached in a spoke-like manner to support the body shell. A pair of generally stationary roller-bases supports the hoop assembly and facilitates rotation. The roller-bases include foot-operated brakes to prevent rotation of the assembly. A jacking-arm device facilitates the transfer of the assembly from the roller-bases to the removably connected upright rolling supports for traversing an area.