Tail Lift Platform With Identical Parallel Support Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tail lift systems for vehicles and trailers are costly and require different structural designs for lifting and folding actuators, leading to increased production and maintenance costs, and are not easily adaptable to various load requirements or configurations.
Innovation Solution
A modular tail lift system with identical, parallel supporting structures for both lifting and folding actuators, allowing for a unified control system and reduced component inventory, along with a connecting element for even force distribution and underrun protection, enabling efficient handling of high loads and various configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different structural designs are used for lifting and folding actuators, then functional requirements are met, but production and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the second supporting structure to be identical to the first supporting structure, allowing both lifting and folding actuators to operate on the same structural design. This multi-functional approach enables a single structural template to serve multiple purposes, reducing production variety and maintenance complexity while meeting all functional requirements for both lifting and folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the design of the first and second supporting structures into a unified identical structure. By combining the design requirements into a single structural solution, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and maintain two different structural types, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying spare parts inventory while still accommodating both lifting and folding actuator functions.
2Ease of operation
If two different supporting structures are designed, then lifting and folding functions are fulfilled, but component inventory and spare parts management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a universal supporting structure design that serves both lifting and folding functions. The second supporting structure is made identical to the first, allowing the same structural components to be used for both actuator types. This reduces component inventory variety and simplifies spare parts management while maintaining full operational capability for both lifting and folding functions.
3Device complexity
If structural equality is intended for both supporting structures, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but functional differentiation for lifting and folding is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural designs of both supporting structures into a single identical design, eliminating manufacturing cost differences. Simultaneously, it differentiates the functional roles through the assignment of different actuators (lifting actuator on first structure, folding actuator on second structure) to the identical structures, thereby achieving both cost reduction and functional differentiation through the same structural template.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a universal supporting structure that can fulfill multiple functional roles. The identical structure is adapted to serve both lifting and folding functions through the integration of respective actuators, demonstrating that structural equality does not compromise functional differentiation when the same structure is appropriately configured for different purposes.
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
This design significantly reduces production and maintenance costs, simplifies spare parts management, and allows for safe handling of high loads, while maintaining high functionality and adaptability across different applications.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting actuator (16) for generating a force for lifting and lowering the tail lift (15) with the load (25)
Implementation Method 2
a folding actuator (17) for generating a force for pivoting the tail lift (15) from the horizontal into the vertical and vice versa
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A loading platform system (10) for attachment to vehicles (11) and/or vehicle trailers and/or semi-trailers, in particular trucks, is proposed, comprising two substantially parallel-spaced support structures (12, 14), each substantially parallelogram-shaped, wherein a first support structure (12) performs a lifting and lowering movement of a substantially plate-shaped loading platform (15) by means of a force introduced into the support structure (12, 14) and generated by a lifting actuator (16), and a folding actuator (17) performs a pivoting of the loading platform (15) from the horizontal to the vertical and vice versa.The force generated by the folding actuator (17) is introduced into the same first supporting structure (12) into which the force generated by the lifting actuator (16) is also introduced, wherein the force introduction points of both the lifting actuator (16) and the folding actuator (17) lie in the same first supporting structure 12, in the plane (18) formed by the pivot points A1, B1, C1, D1 and E1, F1, in which the lifting actuator (16) and the folding actuator (17) act with respect to the forces they exert on or in the supporting structure (12).