Vehicle Load Handling Device Using Ceiling Hatch Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In military vehicles, moving heavy components for assembly, repair, or maintenance is challenging due to their weight and cramped space, often requiring manual balancing or lifting, which is ergonomically questionable and inefficient, and existing attachment systems compromise interior space by extending into the vehicle's interior.

Innovation Solution

A device with a fastening mechanism that locks into a vehicle opening, such as a roof hatch, allowing the use of existing openings as attachment points without additional hardware, featuring a telescopic boom with an articulated joint for versatile load movement and a clamping connection for easy installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If attachment points extend downwards from the ceiling into the vehicle interior, then the device can be securely fastened, but the interior space available to the crew is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidinterior space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending attachment points downwards into the vehicle interior, the patent inverts the approach by having the fastening device extend upwards from the interior towards the ceiling opening. The fastening device is inserted through the ceiling opening and locked in place above the interior space, thereby securing the device without occupying valuable interior volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a vertical extension into the interior space to a horizontal/external positioning above the interior. The fastening device is positioned in the ceiling area and locks onto structural elements above the interior space, utilizing the third dimension (vertical space above the interior) to resolve the space conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If additional attachment points are provided to lock the fastening device, then the device can be securely fastened, but the vehicle interior space is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening securityVSAvoidinterior space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing ceiling opening, which serves multiple functions (ventilation, access, etc.), as the fastening location. By locking the fastening device into this pre-existing opening, the system avoids adding dedicated attachment points that would occupy interior space, while still achieving secure fastening through the multi-functional ceiling structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If manual balancing or lifting is used for heavy components, then no additional equipment is needed, but the work is ergonomically questionable and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidergonomic performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a load receiver as an intermediary device between the operator and the heavy component. This load receiver, attached to the fastening device, provides a mechanical advantage system that reduces the physical effort required by operators while maintaining equipment simplicity. The intermediary device transfers and distributes the lifting forces more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a telescopic boom with articulated joint is used, then versatile load movement is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload movement capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the boom structure into segmented sections that can be independently positioned and locked. The telescopic boom is divided into multiple telescoping segments, and the articulated joint is segmented into discrete positioning points. This segmentation provides versatility in reaching different locations while keeping each segment relatively simple in design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic structure where the boom can change its configuration (telescoping and articulating) to adapt to different load positions. The articulated joint allows the boom to dynamically adjust its angle and reach, providing versatile load movement capability while maintaining a compact stowed configuration when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2807053B1Device for moving loads inside a vehicle, vehicle, and method for moving loads inside a vehicle

Publication Date: 2017.12.27 KRAUSS MAFFEI WEGMANN GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device and to a method for moving loads inside a vehicle (2), comprising a fastening device (10) to be fastened to the vehicle (2) and a load receiving means (60) that is movably arranged opposite the fastening device (10), wherein the fastening device (10) can be locked into place in a vehicle opening (70). The invention further relates to a vehicle having a device (1) for moving loads inside the vehicle, comprising a fastening device (10) to be fastened to the vehicle and a load receiving means (60) that is movably arranged opposite the fastening device (10), wherein the fastening device (10) is locked into place in a vehicle opening (70). In one step of the method, the fastening device (10) is locked into place in a vehicle opening (70), and in a later step, the load is moved inside the vehicle (2).