Wireless Pendant Control for Automated Adapter Spotting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lift systems face challenges in operator visibility and ease of use due to fixed control locations, making it difficult for operators to determine proper positioning of superstructures under the vehicle while controlling the lift.
Innovation Solution
A pendant control system with a wireless communication capability allows for flexible control of vehicle lift systems, enabling operators to control lift assemblies and position superstructures remotely, using a pendant control device with a membrane panel, joystick, and emergency stop button, and incorporating vehicle profiles for automated positioning of adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If controls are located in a fixed position (control cabinet or lift column), then control stability is improved, but operator visibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into a fixed control cabinet containing main controls and a movable pendant control unit that can be positioned anywhere within wireless range, allowing operators to separate control functions from fixed infrastructure while maintaining operational stability
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the fixed control cabinet and the movable pendant control, enabling control signals to be transmitted without physical connection constraints, thus resolving the conflict between fixed stability and movable flexibility
2Ease of manufacture
If controls are located in a fixed position, then installation simplicity is improved, but operator flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into stationary infrastructure (control cabinet with simplified installation) and mobile components (pendant control unit), allowing the fixed portion to remain simple while the mobile portion provides operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The pendant control unit introduces dynamic positioning capability to an otherwise static control system, allowing operators to move the control interface to optimal viewing positions while the fixed control cabinet maintains installation simplicity
3Device complexity
If manual positioning of superstructures is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Spotting cameras capture real-time images of adapter positioning, providing visual feedback to operators or automated systems to achieve precise positioning without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex automated mechanical positioning systems, the patent uses visual copying through camera images to replicate the desired positioning state, achieving precision through information rather than mechanical complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for operating a vehicle lift comprises at least one lifting assembly, a control unit, and a control pendant. The control pendant is configured to remotely control the motion of the vehicle lift through the control unit and to permit the lifting of a vehicle by the push of a single button on the control pendant and/or positioning of lift features in preparation for lifting a particular vehicle by the push of a single button. A menu screen and a plurality of menu buttons may be used together by a user to select one vehicle profile from a plurality of vehicle profiles. The selected vehicle profile may correspond to the vehicle being lifted and provides specific data with respect to how the at least one lifting assembly and/or the lift features should be moved for the particular vehicle being lifted.