Support Leg Assembly Weight Sensing for Safe Vehicle Leveling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting support arrangements for motorized vehicles lack effective safety measures to ensure stable and safe operation, particularly in detecting and preventing unsafe loading conditions and vehicle instability, which can lead to accidents.

Innovation Solution

A safety device integrated into the lifting support arrangement that includes sensors to detect vehicle weight characteristics, center of gravity, and environmental conditions, providing real-time feedback and initiating safety measures such as preventing vehicle movement if unsafe conditions are detected, and ensuring all leveling jacks are properly engaged with the ground.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lifting support arrangement operates without integrated weight detection technology, then the device complexity remains low, but safety and reliability are compromised due to undetected weight and loading issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only controls the lifting support arrangement but also detects weight characteristics (total weight, axle loads, center of gravity position) and provides operator information. This multi-functionality integrates safety features into existing infrastructure rather than adding separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting support arrangement uses its own control device and existing sensors to detect weight characteristics and provide safety functions. The system self-monitors its operational state without requiring external detection equipment, thereby improving safety while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If weight detection technology is integrated into the lifting support arrangement, then safety and reliability improve, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control functions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only controls the lifting support arrangement but also detects weight characteristics (total weight, axle loads, center of gravity position) and provides operator information. This multi-functionality integrates safety features into existing infrastructure rather than adding separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting support arrangement uses its own control device and existing sensors to detect weight characteristics and provide safety functions. The system self-monitors its operational state without requiring external detection equipment, thereby improving safety while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the lifting support arrangement lacks environment sensing technology, then the device complexity remains low, but the ability to prevent accidents and ensure safe operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only controls the lifting support arrangement but also detects weight characteristics (total weight, axle loads, center of gravity position) and provides operator information. This multi-functionality integrates safety features into existing infrastructure rather than adding separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting support arrangement uses its own control device and existing sensors to detect weight characteristics and provide safety functions. The system self-monitors its operational state without requiring external detection equipment, thereby improving safety while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3498548B2Lifting support assembly with a securing device
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ALOIS KOBER GMBH
  • EP3498548B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3498548B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3498548B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a support leg assembly (3) for a preferably motorized road vehicle (1) with a chassis (2), in particular for motorhomes, sales vehicles or special-purpose vehicles, and a front and rear axle assembly (26, 26'), wherein the support leg assembly (3) comprises several, in particular four, support legs (4, 7) with a control unit (57). The support leg assembly (3) has a safety device (73, 86, 94) for the support leg assembly (3) and/or the road vehicle (1), wherein the safety device (86) comprises a detection device for weight characteristics of the road vehicle (1), in particular for the front and rear axle loads.