Tilt System for Telescoping Mast Reducing Truck Bed Dead Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tilting and telescoping mast designs are not compact enough to minimize device footprint, leading to reduced cargo space and payload height in vehicles like trucks when mounted in tight spaces.
Innovation Solution
A tilting and telescoping mast assembly with a tilt mechanism that supports the mast for pivoting about a rotation axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, allowing for a compact design with a silent and non-contact detent mechanism, enabling the mast to be mounted closer to the vehicle's front wall without protruding above the truck bed, thus maximizing cargo space and payload height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mast is mounted with the pivot axis at the bottom end (prior art design), then the mast is stable and easy to support, but the device footprint is large and cargo space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the pivot axis from the bottom end of the mast to a position above the base mount, utilizing vertical spacing to create a compact horizontal footprint. The tilt mechanism uses a carriage that travels along angled guides, transforming the rotation motion into a compact path that minimizes the horizontal space required while maintaining mast stability during operation
2Area of stationary object
If the mast assembly is positioned to minimize footprint, then cargo space is maximized, but the mast height available for payload is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a telescoping mast design with multiple extendable sections that can be dynamically adjusted in length. When the mast is in the horizontal position, it occupies minimal vertical space, maximizing cargo area. When needed, the mast can be extended to provide sufficient payload height, and locked in position using detent mechanisms at various extension levels
3Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism is used for the tilt mechanism, then the mast is securely locked in position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a gravity-assisted detent locking system where the mast's own weight provides the locking force. As the mast is tilted to a desired angle, gravity causes it to settle into one of several detent positions, automatically locking without requiring additional actuators or complex locking mechanisms. The system uses spring-loaded detent elements that engage with corresponding slots in the carriage guides
Data Source
AI summary
A tilting and telescoping mast assembly having a compact device footprint that can be mounted in close proximity to, for example, a front wall of a truck bed (e.g., adjacent the cab) thereby reducing dead space within the truck bed and maximizing cargo space within the bed. The mast of the present disclosure is configured to be supported by its base in a first position when in the horizontal orientation and supported in a second position when in the vertical orientation, with the first and second positions being spaced apart horizontally and/or vertically.