Vehicle Hoist Positioning via Sensor Feedback and Tolerance Control
Solution Overview
Problem
The precise adjustment of vehicle hoist support arms requires visual judgment and diligence, which may not be consistently reliable, leading to potential mispositioning and safety issues during the lifting process.
Innovation Solution
The hoist system saves target support positions in a data memory, measures and compares actual positions, enabling lifting only when within a predetermined tolerance, with automated motorized adjustment and sensor feedback for safety and accuracy, including weight distribution monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual visual adjustment of support arms is used, then operator flexibility and simple device structure are maintained, but positioning precision and operating safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors detect the actual position of support arms, a computer compares actual positions with target positions from manufacturer data, and the system provides visual feedback through a display showing deviations. This closed-loop feedback system ensures precise positioning without requiring complex automated actuators for each support arm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the operator's existing visual inspection capability enhanced by digital display feedback, rather than replacing it with fully automated positioning mechanisms. The computer automatically processes position data and generates guidance information, allowing the system to self-monitor and guide adjustment without complex mechanical automation.
2Reliability
If automated positioning systems are implemented, then positioning precision and safety are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors support arm positions using sensors and provides real-time feedback through a display, enabling the operator to make precise adjustments. The computer processes position data and compares it with target positions, creating a reliable feedback loop that ensures safety without requiring fully automated positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that processes position data from sensors and generates guidance information for the operator. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between simple manual operation and complex automated systems, providing intelligent guidance while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive position monitoring is implemented, then positioning accuracy is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by measuring actual support arm positions with sensors, comparing them with target positions stored in the computer, and displaying the deviations to the operator. This feedback mechanism simplifies the measurement task by automatically processing complex position data and presenting it in an easily interpretable visual format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation with electronic sensors and digital display systems for position measurement. Instead of relying on the operator's unaided visual judgment, the system uses sensors to detect positions and a computer-generated display to present measurement information, significantly improving measurement precision while simplifying the operator's task.
Data Source
AI summary
A hoist for vehicles having two lifting columns arranged at both sides of a vehicle, each having two support arms that are supported in a horizontally pivotal and longitudinally adjustable fashion at their lifting column, and each having at their free end a support plate. These support plates are positionable at support positions underneath a vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer by an appropriate movement of the support arm. The manufacturer support positions are saved as target positions according to corresponding vehicle model in a data memory of the hoist, and coordinates of actual positions of the support plates are determined by measurements and perhaps calculations. A computer makes a comparison between the target and actual coordinates, and enables a lifting process of the support arms only when differences between the target and the actual coordinates are within a predetermined tolerance.