Swivel Arm Lifting Mechanism With Continuous Pivot Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing swivel arm lifting devices for vehicles suffer from locking mechanisms that are not fully engaged in all positions, leading to incomplete support and potential misalignment during lifting, especially for precise positioning requirements, and the vehicle's weight causing uneven support on rubber plates.

Innovation Solution

A swivel arm device with a continuous pivotable design and positive locking elements, eliminating detent locks, allowing for precise and secure engagement across the entire swivel range, using a vehicle mounting part with a positive locking mechanism and optional force-generating devices to maintain engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If detent locking mechanisms are used in swivel arm lifting devices, then the locking function is provided, but the positioning precision is limited and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the detent locking mechanism entirely from the swivel arm joint. Instead of using teeth and detents that limit positioning precision, the invention uses a continuous pivotable connection with positive locking elements that engage with the vehicle mounting points to provide both reliable locking and precise positioning across the entire swivel range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a locking mechanism that engages at specific detent positions, the invention inverts the approach by allowing continuous pivoting and using positive locking elements to engage with the vehicle mounting points. This inversion enables precise positioning at any angle while maintaining reliable locking, eliminating the trade-off between locking function and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If detent locking mechanisms are used, then the support arm can be locked, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking functionVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex detent locking mechanism (teeth, detents, engagement surfaces) from the swivel arm joint. The invention replaces this complex system with a simpler continuous pivotable connection that uses positive locking elements engaging with vehicle mounting points, reducing device complexity while maintaining locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If rubber support plates are used for vehicle support, then the vehicle can be supported, but the connection security is insufficient under vehicle weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle supportVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces positive locking elements as intermediary components between the swivel arm and the vehicle mounting points. These locking elements engage with corresponding features on the vehicle, providing secure mechanical interlocking that maintains connection security under vehicle weight, while the rubber support plate continues to provide cushioning and ease of positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4707222A1Pivot arm device for a lifting device and lifting device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 MAHA MASCHINENBAU HALDENWANG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4707222A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4707222A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4707222A1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

Swivel arm device (100) for a lifting device comprising at least one swivel arm support (101), at least one swivel arm (102), at least one bearing (103), and at least one vehicle receiving part (200) which has a positive locking element (210). The at least one bearing (103) continuously pivots the at least one swivel arm (102) to the at least one swivel arm support (101).