Telescoping Ramp Locking Mechanism for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescoping ramps are prone to collapse when heavier objects are placed on them in the extended state due to ineffective stop members, making them unsuitable for secure loading and unloading of cargo from vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping ramp system with a locking mechanism featuring spring-loaded locking pins that allow the ramp to be locked in fully extended, fully retracted, and intermediate positions, ensuring stability and secure positioning between the ramp sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If telescoping ramps are extended to sufficient length for loading heavy objects, then the ramp can span from the vehicle to the ground, but the ramp becomes unstable and prone to collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pins are positioned in advance at specific locations along the ramp sections. Before the ramp is fully extended and loaded, the locking pins are inserted into the apertures to pre-establish stable locked positions, preventing collapse when heavy objects are placed on the extended ramp.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pins act as intermediary elements between the first and second ramp sections. These pins physically connect the telescoping sections at intermediate positions, providing structural support and stability that prevents the ramp from collapsing under heavy loads while maintaining the extended length needed to span from vehicle to ground.
2Device complexity
If stop members are used to prevent ramp sections from sliding apart, then the ramp structure is simplified, but the stop members cannot prevent movement and are susceptible to collapse under heavier objects
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pins are spring-loaded to automatically engage with the apertures in the ramp sections. When the ramp is extended to a desired position, the spring force automatically pushes the locking pin into the aperture, locking the position without requiring additional manual intervention or complex mechanical stop members.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses spring force as an active parameter to maintain engagement between the locking pins and apertures. This spring force ensures continuous pressure and secure locking, transforming the passive stop members into active, reliable locking elements that can withstand heavy objects without collapsing.
3Ease of operation
If the ramp is designed to telescope for compact storage, then storage and transport become easier, but the ramp cannot be securely locked in intermediate positions
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp is divided into multiple sections with multiple apertures at different positions along each section. This segmentation allows the ramp to be telescoped to various lengths and locked at multiple intermediate positions, providing both compact storage capability and versatile position adjustment for different loading scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The spring-loaded locking pins can be easily inserted and removed from different apertures, allowing the ramp to adapt between fully retracted (compact storage) and various extended positions. This dynamic locking system enables both easy storage and flexible position adjustment.
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
The locking mechanism provides stability and secure positioning of the ramp sections, enabling safe loading and unloading of heavy objects while allowing for easy adjustment and storage of the ramp.
Implementation Method 1
The pair of locking pins may be spring loaded wherein each locking pin includes a biasing member that provides a bias force to position the locking pins in a locked position.
Data Source
AI summary
A telescoping ramp may include first and second ramp sections such that the second ramp section may be received within the first ramp section and translated between an extended position and a retracted position. The telescoping ramp may include a locking mechanism that extends between at least one of pairs of rails of the first and second ramp sections. The locking mechanism may include a pair of locking pins that is selectively engageable with the first and second ramp sections. In one embodiment, the pair of locking pins may include handle portions that may be disposed between the at least one of the pairs of rails. In such embodiment, an axial movement of the handle portions along a common axis of the pair of locking pins may lock the second ramp section relative to the first ramp section.