Vehicle Gearbox Support Frame with Pivot Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face challenges when removing heavy and bulky vehicle parts, such as gearboxes, due to limited space and the need to rotate them for removal, which existing mechanical supports often hinder.

Innovation Solution

A support device with a pivot mount and a suspension system, including a connection bar and flexible straps, allows the gearbox to be freely suspended and rotated, reducing the operator's workload and enabling safe removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid mechanical support platform is used to hold the gearbox, then the gearbox can be supported stably, but the operator cannot easily reach the gearbox to rotate it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of gearbox supportVSAvoidease of rotating gearbox

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into separate functional elements: a stable base for support and a separate rotation mechanism. The gearbox is held by the base while the rotation function is provided by a independent pivot mechanism, allowing each function to be optimized without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pivot mount acts as an intermediary mechanism between the stable base and the gearbox. This pivot mount allows the gearbox to rotate freely while remaining supported by the base, solving the contradiction between stability and rotatability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gearbox is rotated before removal, then it can be brought through the openings in the vehicle chassis, but the existing support platform hinders the rotation operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to rotate gearboxVSAvoidease of rotating gearbox

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates a dynamic pivot mechanism that allows the gearbox to rotate freely around a vertical axis. This dynamic element enables the gearbox to be rotated into the correct orientation for removal without hindrance from the support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a simple raisable platform is used, then the structure is simple, but it provides additional hindrance to the operator in reaching the gearbox

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of support structureVSAvoidaccess to gearbox

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation function is extracted from the support platform and provided by a separate pivot mechanism. This allows the support platform to remain simple while the rotation capability is provided by a dedicated component that does not interfere with operator access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20240025710A1Support apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 HARPER MICHAEL PHILIP

AI summary

A frame to assist in removing parts from a vehicle is disclosed. The frame comprises a pivot mount, adapted to be pivotally mounted to a base; a suspension means and a connection bar linking the suspension means and the base in fixed spatial arrangement. A generally convex shape for the connection bar enables an object to be freely suspended from the suspension means such that an object can rotate about an imaginary line joining the suspension means to the base.Also disclosed is a method of removing a part such as a gearbox from a vehicle utilising the above frame.