Self-Leveling Vehicle Ramp Pivotable Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle ramps create an unnecessary obstacle and uncomfortable bump when used at vertical level differences smaller than their design, due to a heightening of the traveling surface, which complicates loading and unloading.
Innovation Solution
A self-leveling vehicle ramp design featuring a pivotable lower joint and damping cylinders, allowing the ramp to adjust its angle and length to maintain a smooth surface, with optional elastic spacers and foldable parts for flexibility and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional fixed-angle ramp is used, then the ramp structure is simple and robust, but the traveling surface creates a heightening obstacle and uncomfortable bump when the vertical level difference is smaller than designed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed-angle ramp into a dynamic system where the ramp part can pivot around the upper joint to adjust its angle. The lower joint is made pivotable about the upper joint, allowing the ramp to adapt its geometry to different vertical level differences, thereby eliminating the heightening obstacle and creating a smooth traveling surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ramp into distinct functional parts: a floor attachment with upper joint, a pivotable lower joint, and a ramp part. This segmentation allows the lower joint to independently pivot relative to the upper joint, enabling angle adjustment while maintaining structural integrity through the connection between segments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ramp angle is fixed for a certain greatest vertical level difference, then the ramp structure is simple, but it creates an unnecessary obstacle and bump when used at smaller level differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adaptability through a dynamic pivotable lower joint that can rotate about the upper joint. This allows the ramp to adjust its effective angle and length according to the actual vertical level difference, making it versatile for different applications while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the ramp's geometric parameters (angle, effective length) to change dynamically through the pivotable lower joint mechanism. This enables the same ramp structure to accommodate different vertical level differences by changing its configuration rather than requiring multiple fixed-angle ramps.
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 self-leveling mechanism eliminates the heightening issue, providing a smooth and stable surface for loading and unloading, reducing obstacles and bumps, and allowing for efficient use across varying vertical level differences.
Implementation Method 1
said lower joint is formed as an elastic spacer which in one end is directly or indirectly connected to the floor attachment and in the other end is connected to the ramp part
Implementation Method 2
a first damping cylinder, preferably a gas cylinder, is in its one end connected to the floor attachment and in its other end connected to the ramp part for damping the movements of the ramp part in use and operation of the same
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-leveling vehicle ramp (20) provided with one or more ramp parts (281, 282) and which in turned-out position extend between a vertical upper level and a vertical lower level, which vehicle ramp (20) comprises a floor attachment (21) having an upper joint (24) to which a ramp part (281) is connected and mountable on a floor (22) in a transport vehicle, a lower joint (27, 97, 107) connecting the floor attachment (21) with the ramp part (281) and that the lower joint (27, 97, 107) is pivotable around the upper joint (24).