Vehicle Support Assembly Pivoting Posts for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lifts either obstruct access for maintenance due to their design or are unsuitable for long-term storage, as four-post lifts allow vehicle driving but hinder access to underside components, while two-post lifts are better for access but not suitable for storage due to unsprung suspension.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle support assembly that includes a pair of carriage assemblies with movable arms on a runway lift, allowing posts to pivot and move between vertical and horizontal positions, enabling both access to underside components and storage by converting a four-post lift into a two-post configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a four-post vehicle lift is used, then the vehicle can be driven on and off for long-term storage, but the runways significantly obstruct access to the underside of the vehicle for maintenance work
Solution Approach 1:
The posts are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot between a vertical position (for storage) and a horizontal/angled position (for maintenance access). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same structure to serve both storage and maintenance functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The lift system is divided into independent posts that can be individually repositioned. Each post can be moved independently to the appropriate configuration, allowing flexible adaptation between storage mode (all posts vertical) and maintenance mode (posts moved away from center).
2Ease of operation
If a two-post vehicle lift is used, then access to the underside of the vehicle is improved, but the suspension components become unsprung which can cause damage during long-term storage
Solution Approach 1:
The posts dynamically change position based on operational needs. During storage, posts remain vertical to keep suspension sprung. During maintenance, posts are moved horizontally to provide clear access, temporarily accepting the unsprung condition only when necessary and controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The same lift structure serves multiple functions: it provides both long-term storage capability (with sprung suspension) and maintenance access (with posts repositioned). The system is designed to be universally applicable to both storage and maintenance operations, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment.
3Ease of operation
If the posts are moved to a horizontal storage position, then access for maintenance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and requires additional mounting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is integrated into the existing runway lift structure rather than being a separate add-on. The posts utilize the runway supports and existing mechanical components, merging the new functionality with the existing system to minimize additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The posts are designed to be self-sufficient with their own mounting and positioning mechanisms that utilize the existing runway infrastructure. Each post independently manages its own positioning between vertical and horizontal configurations without requiring complex external control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle support assembly mountable to a runway vehicle lift having a frame with a plurality of vertically oriented spaced apart support, a rack having a plurality of portions, wherein each portion is movably coupled to a different vertically oriented support, a runway vehicle support supported on the rack, a lift actuator coupled to the rack to move the rack and the runway vehicle support up and down. The vehicle support assembly comprising: a pair of carriage assemblies, each carriage assembly having an arm carriage and a two movable arms, each arm having a first end coupled to the arm carriage and a second end configured to engage an undercarriage of a vehicle; and a pair of posts wherein each post supports a carriage assembly, each post being movably coupled to the runway vehicle lift with a mount to move the post to and from a first position wherein the post is arranged vertically with the arms extended to support the vehicle above the runway vehicle support and a second storage position wherein the post is displaced from the first position.