Telescoping Mobility Lift for Rear Door and Plate Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift systems for personal mobility devices on automobiles obstruct the rear door, license plate, and rear window when connected to the hitch, making it difficult to operate the vehicle safely and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile lift system that can be stowed to allow the rear door to be opened, with a design that ensures the license plate and rear window remain visible, and does not obstruct the rear-view camera, featuring adjustable components and a telescoping mechanism for easy loading and carrying of mobility devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional lift system is connected to the automobile hitch, then the personal mobility device can be carried, but the rear door, license plate, and rear window are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The lift system employs a telescoping mechanism with multiple sections that can extend and retract. When not in use, the lift system retracts to a compact size that clears the rear door, license plate, and rear window. When needed, it extends to provide full carrying capability, dynamically adapting its dimensions to resolve the contradiction between accessibility and carrying function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift system is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be independently extended and retracted. This segmentation allows the system to reduce its overall length when carrying is not needed, clearing obstructions to the rear door and license plate, while maintaining full extending capability when required for carrying mobility devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional lift system is connected to the automobile hitch, then the personal mobility device can be carried, but the license plate visibility is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The lift system dynamically adjusts its length through telescoping sections. When retracted, it maintains sufficient clearance from the rear bumper to allow full visibility of the license plate. When extended, it provides the necessary carrying length, thus resolving the contradiction between visibility and carrying capability through dynamic dimensional adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional lift system is connected to the automobile hitch, then the personal mobility device can be carried, but the rear window visibility is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism allows the lift system to retract to a compact configuration that clears the rear window when carrying is not needed, maintaining visibility. When carrying is required, the system extends to provide adequate carrying length, dynamically resolving the contradiction between visibility and carrying function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the lift system is extended to carry a mobility device, then carrying capacity is achieved, but the system length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lift system uses a telescoping mechanism with multiple extendable sections that allow it to dynamically change its length. When carrying capacity is needed, the sections extend to provide adequate length. When not in use, the sections retract to minimize overall length, resolving the contradiction between carrying capacity and compact storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping sections are nested within each other when retracted, with smaller sections inside larger ones. This nesting arrangement allows the lift system to achieve full extended length for carrying while maintaining a compact retracted profile that minimizes space occupation when not in use.
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
Enhances vehicle operability by allowing easy access to the trunk, visibility through the rear window, and maintaining the visibility of the license plate while the lift system is engaged, ensuring safer and more convenient vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
a lift mechanism, the lift mechanism having a telescoping support; and a drive assembly, the drive assembly configured to extend and retract the telescoping support
Implementation Method 2
a first rail having an outward end and an inward end engaged with the first end of the support bar, the first rail rotatably engaged with the support bar, and a second rail having an outward end and an inward end engaged with the second end of the support bar, the second rail rotatably engaged with the support bar
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a lift system configured to engage with the rear portion of an automobile are disclosed. The lift system can include a lift assembly. The lift assembly can include a platform. The platform can have a first rail and a second rail and each of the rails can be configured to be rotatably engaged with a support bar. The lift system can also include a lift mechanism having a telescoping support and a drive assembly. The lift assembly can be moved between a stowed position, a loading position, and a carrying position