Undulating Link Device for Vehicle Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lift devices face challenges in securing a wide maintenance workspace due to the arrangement of undulating link devices, which hinder access to critical areas like engines and suspension systems, increase the overall size of the device, and restrict the approach direction, making maintenance workability and productivity inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The undulating link device is designed with links displaced along the left-right direction orthogonal to the vehicle approach direction, allowing for stable lifting of the vehicle without pulling the links in opposite directions, reducing the required rigidity and overall size, enabling point-symmetrical arrangement, and allowing maintenance from either direction, while a movable pit cover and plate form a wide work floor and secure pedestrian access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If each link is displaced along the vehicle longitudinal direction, then the undulating link device can lift the vehicle, but the maintenance work space is hindered and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the displacement direction of links from the vehicle longitudinal direction to the vehicle width direction (orthogonal dimension). This dimensional change allows the undulating link device to lift the vehicle effectively while keeping the links positioned away from the maintenance work spaces located beneath the vehicle, thus resolving the contradiction between lifting capability and maintenance accessibility.
2Power
If the undulating link device is arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, then lifting is achieved, but the spring load on each link increases and rigidity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of the undulating link device components, positioning links to extend in the vehicle width direction with strategic placement of pivot points and linkages. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the load distribution and mechanical advantage, reducing the spring load on individual links and lowering the rigidity requirements while maintaining effective lifting capability.
3Power
If links are displaced along the vehicle longitudinal direction, then lifting is possible, but the undulating link device hinders maintenance work spaces on front and rear wheel sides
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning the link displacement from the vehicle longitudinal direction to the vehicle width direction, the patent positions the mechanical components laterally rather than longitudinally. This ensures that the undulating link device operates in a dimension orthogonal to the maintenance work spaces beneath the vehicle, eliminating interference with technician access to the front and rear wheel areas while preserving lifting functionality.
4Area of stationary object
If the undulating link device is made compact by reducing link rigidity, then installation space is reduced, but lifting capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the link mechanism, including link lengths, pivot point positions, and displacement amplitudes in the vehicle width direction. By carefully selecting these parameters, the design achieves a compact configuration that reduces installation space requirements while maintaining sufficient lifting capability through optimized mechanical leverage and coordinated multi-link motion.
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 secures a wide, constant maintenance workspace, reduces the device's size and installation space, improves maintenance workability, and enhances productivity by allowing maintenance from either direction and reducing the risk of foot pinching, while maintaining efficient vehicle lifting and access.
Implementation Method 1
an undulating link device (30) constituted by a plurality of links
Implementation Method 2
keeps the vehicle support table (40) in the horizontal state to be raised and lowered only in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 3
the above-mentioned undulating link device (30) is arranged only in a portion immediately below a central portion sandwiched between a front wheel side and a rear wheel side along the vehicle longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a vehicle lift device (100), an undulating link device (30) of each of two raising/lowering devices (20) has each link displaced along the left-right direction (Y) orthogonal to an approach direction (X) of a vehicle (1), and keeps a vehicle support table (40) in a horizontal state to be raised and lowered only in the vertical direction.