Toggle Lever Roof Actuator with Contour-Driven Early Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing device for raising and lowering a commercial vehicle roof is not user-friendly, particularly under time pressure in the forwarding trade, as it requires multiple steps and holds for actuation, making the process inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The actuating elements are arranged to allow both raising and lowering of the roof with a single movement, enabling the toggle lever to be actuated from a folding angle of less than 15°, eliminating the need for additional levers and reducing the time required for the lowering process by engaging the first actuating element shortly before reaching the folding position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate actuating lever is used to lower the roof after folding the toggle lever assembly, then the roof can be lowered, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lowering function into the main toggle lever assembly itself. The first lever link is designed with a contour that directly engages the chain element, eliminating the need for a separate actuating lever. This merging of functions reduces operational complexity while maintaining the roof lowering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first lever link serves multiple functions: it acts as both the structural component of the toggle lever assembly and the actuating mechanism for lowering the roof. By making the first lever link multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated lowering components, thereby simplifying the overall device.
2Productivity
If the toggle lever assembly is fully folded before actuating the lowering mechanism, then the roof can be lowered, but the process requires multiple steps and holds, making it inefficient under time pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The contour of the first lever link is pre-designed to engage the chain element at a specific folding angle during the folding motion itself. This preliminary arrangement of the actuating elements ensures that as soon as the folding angle is reached, the lowering action automatically begins without requiring additional steps or time-consuming holds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous lowering action by designing the engagement between the first lever link contour and the chain element to occur seamlessly during the folding motion. The useful action of lowering the roof continues without interruption or停顿, eliminating the need for multiple steps and holds, thereby saving time and improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the second actuating element engages the first actuating element at a specific folding angle, then lowering can begin early, but the engagement timing must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the engagement timing by designing the contour of the first lever link with specific geometric parameters. The contour is shaped to engage the chain element at a predetermined folding angle, allowing early initiation of lowering while maintaining ease of operation. The parameter optimization of the contour geometry ensures reliable engagement without requiring excessive manufacturing precision.
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 configuration allows for time-saving and efficient roof operation, reducing user effort and enabling height adjustment to any intermediate height during lowering, with the option to adjust the actuating stroke path for long-term use.
Implementation Method 1
The second actuating element can, for example, be pressed into the second unfolded position by a spring element
Implementation Method 2
The first actuating element is designed as a downward-pointing cylinder pin that can be displaced upwards relative to the lifting element for actuation. A cylinder forms a stable and compact standard shape
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device has a post (1) comprising an operating element that is operated for lowering a lifting element (12). A lever link (4) comprises another operating element for actuating the former operating element. The operating elements are arranged such that the latter operating element is operated in short time before the former element reaches a folded position during folding movement of the lever link from an unfolded position to the folded position. The latter operating element is arranged such that the former operating element actuated in the folded position.