Automotive Lift Swing Arm Restraint System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive lift devices face safety issues due to malfunctioning swing arm restraint devices, which can lead to unintended pivoting and vehicle falls during lifting, necessitating improved restraint mechanisms to prevent such incidents.

Innovation Solution

A swing arm restraint system featuring a movable carriage with a swing arm mounting portion, a first swing arm restraint housing, and two restraint devices that can be selectively arranged in locked or unlocked positions to securely hold the swing arm in place, preventing unintended pivoting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a swing arm restraint device is used to lock the swing arm in place, then the swing arm stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional restraint mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswing arm stabilityVSAvoidrestraint device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the restraint device with the swing arm mounting portion by providing a restraint housing that is non-rotatably connected to the mounting portion. The first restraint device is located within the housing and connected to it, while the second restraint device is operably connected to the swing arm. This integration reduces overall system complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements nesting by placing the first restraint device within the restraint housing, which is itself connected to the swing arm mounting portion. The second restraint device is positioned such that it can rotate with the swing arm relative to the housing. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact structure, improving stability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a restraint device with two components is used to selectively lock and unlock the swing arm, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complex locking mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic characteristics by allowing the second restraint device to rotate relative to the first restraint device and housing. This rotation capability enables the swing arm to be easily inserted and removed from the locked position, improving ease of operation while maintaining safety through the selective locked/unlocked positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional restraint approach by allowing the swing arm to rotate with the second restraint device relative to the housing, rather than requiring the housing to move. This inversion simplifies the operation of locking and unlocking, as the swing arm itself performs the engagement/disengagement action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the restraint devices are non-rotatably coupled to prevent swing arm pivoting, then the safety is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates as the swing arm cannot be repositioned

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidswing arm repositionability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the restraint system with selective locked and unlocked positions. When unlocked, the second restraint device can rotate relative to the first restraint device and housing, allowing the swing arm to be repositioned for different lifting points. When locked, the devices are non-rotatably coupled to ensure safety during lifting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11591195B2Automotive lift and swing arm restraint system for automotive lift

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 AUTOMOTIVE LIFT INST

AI summary

A swing arm restraint system for an automotive lift includes a movable carriage including a swing arm mounting portion. A first swing arm restraint housing is non-rotatably connected to the swing arm mounting portion, the first swing arm restraint housing including a first internal space. A first swing arm is pivotally connected to the swing arm mounting portion and is rotatable relative to the first swing arm restraint housing. A first restraint device is located in the first internal space and connected to the the swing arm restraint housing. A second restraint device is operably connected to the first swing arm such that the second restraint device rotates with the first swing arm relative to the first swing arm restraint housing. The first and second restraint devices are configured to be selectively arranged in either one of: (i) a locked position where the first and second restraint devices are non-rotatably coupled such that said first swing arm and said second restraint device are non-rotatably coupled to said first swing arm restraint housing; (ii) an unlocked position where the first and second restraint devices are decoupled with respect to each other such that said first swing arm and said second restraint device are rotatable relative to said first swing arm restraint housing.