Wheel Platform Stopper Linkage for Secure Orientation Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orientation correction systems for vehicles risk wheels falling off the wheel receiving platform during lifting due to external forces acting on the wheels.
Innovation Solution
An orientation correction apparatus with a wheel receiving portion, lifting unit, stopper, and wire mechanism that includes a wire connected to the stopper to pivot the stopper from a standby to a restricting position, preventing wheel movement and ensuring the wheel remains on the platform during lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the wheel receiving platform is lifted to correct vehicle orientation, then the orientation correction function is achieved, but the wheel may fall off the platform due to external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is pre-positioned at the standby position before lifting occurs. When the platform is raised, the wire mechanism automatically activates the stopper to pivot to the restricting position, preventing wheel displacement before it can become a hazard. This preliminary positioning and automatic activation ensures safety is prepared in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire mechanism acts as an intermediary between the lifting unit and the stopper. As the platform rises, the wire transmits the lifting motion to pivot the stopper from standby to restricting position, mediating the force transmission to ensure the stopper engages at the precise moment needed to secure the wheel.
2Reliability
If a stopper mechanism is added to prevent wheel fall-off, then wheel retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is designed with pivotability rather than being a fixed rigid structure. It can dynamically transition between standby position (when not needed) and restricting position (when wheel retention is required). This dynamic capability allows the same component to serve dual purposes: maintaining wheel access during lowering and preventing wheel fall-off during lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety barrier to prevent wheel fall-off during lifting, and simultaneously serves as a positional guide for the wheel during platform lowering. The wire mechanism integrates the activation function, allowing one component system to handle both safety and guidance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An orientation correction apparatus includes: a lifting unit that lifts and lowers a wheel receiving portion, which supports the wheel, between a lowered position and a raised position; a stopper that is pivotably supported by the wheel receiving portion, is positioned at a standby position when the wheel receiving portion is in the lowered position, and is positioned at a restricting position for restricting movement of the wheel from the wheel receiving portion when the wheel receiving portion is in the raised position; and a wire mechanism that includes a wire, one end portion of which is connected to the stopper, and causes the stopper to pivot from the standby position to the restricting position by pulling the stopper via the wire when the lifting unit lifts the wheel receiving portion to the raised position.