A lift for raising or moving loads is disclosed. The lift is autonomous and comprises several parts for sensing and communicating as well as actuating a displacement. In some instances, the lift is moveable and includes optical and other sensors and can furthermore determine one or more vehicle wheel locations to position itself and raise a vehicle up off of the ground.

The present invention relates to the technical field of lifting platforms, in particular to a balance adjustment method for a lifting platform. By detecting the inclination to judge whether the platform is inclined, and then adjusting the lifting mechanism for balance adjustment; this adjustment method can automatically adjust the inclination of the lifting platform.

Method and related system to set-up and control a system for lifting loads, preferably motor vehicles, includes causing the user to be positioned at each column to be registered as belonging to the system and to provide an activation command in the user interface of each column to register it as belonging to the lifting system, the user interface providing no information to the user about the position of that column in relation to the other columns and to the load. The user then moves each registered column to any of the operating positions for lifting the load; by acting on the user interface of one of the registered columns, assigns to that column the role of command column; and commands, by acting on the user interface of the command column, the simultaneous lifting/lowering of at least one or all the columns of the lifting system.

Method and related system to set-up and control a system for lifting loads, preferably motor vehicles, includes causing the user to be positioned at each column to be registered as belonging to the system and to provide an activation command in the user interface of each column to register it as belonging to the lifting system, the user interface providing no information to the user about the position of that column in relation to the other columns and to the load. The user then moves each registered column to any of the operating positions for lifting the load; by acting on the user interface of one of the registered columns, assigns to that column the role of command column; and commands, by acting on the user interface of the command column, the simultaneous lifting/lowering of at least one or all the columns of the lifting system.

A control system detects a loaded state for a lifting device. The control system receives a current load value from a load sensor corresponding to a load on the lifting device and compares the current load value from a previously received load value to determine a change in load. The control system receives a current displacement value from a displacement sensor corresponding to a displacement of the lifting device and compares the current displacement value with a previously received displacement value to determine a change in displacement. The control system compares the change in load with the change in displacement to determine a current load slope. The lifting device in identified in a loaded state based on a comparison of the current load slope with a load slope threshold. The control system may stop extending the lifting device after reaching the loaded state and start extending all of the lifting devices in unison to lift the load off of a base surface after all of the lifting devices reach the loaded state.

A control system detects a loaded state for a lifting device. The control system receives a current load value from a load sensor corresponding to a load on the lifting device and compares the current load value from a previously received load value to determine a change in load. The control system receives a current displacement value from a displacement sensor corresponding to a displacement of the lifting device and compares the current displacement value with a previously received displacement value to determine a change in displacement. The control system compares the change in load with the change in displacement to determine a current load slope. The lifting device in identified in a loaded state based on a comparison of the current load slope with a load slope threshold. The control system may stop extending the lifting device after reaching the loaded state and start extending all of the lifting devices in unison to lift the load off of a base surface after all of the lifting devices reach the loaded state.

A bracket can be mounted to a mobile lift column. The bracket may include one or more hangers on which the cables extending between the individual mobile lift columns may be suspended. In this way, the cables are elevated from the floor and work surface and no longer present a tripping hazard for personnel in the work area nor an obstacle over which equipment must roll during the servicing of the vehicle. Advantageously, the brackets may be individually mounted to each lift column as original equipment when the column is purchased or as a retrofit improvement to existing lift columns.

A bracket can be mounted to a mobile lift column. The bracket may include one or more hangers on which the cables extending between the individual mobile lift columns may be suspended. In this way, the cables are elevated from the floor and work surface and no longer present a tripping hazard for personnel in the work area nor an obstacle over which equipment must roll during the servicing of the vehicle. Advantageously, the brackets may be individually mounted to each lift column as original equipment when the column is purchased or as a retrofit improvement to existing lift columns.

A platform twist mitigation apparatus operable to extend jacks into engagement with a surface disposed below a platform carrying the jacks, and to alternately extend and retract the jacks to change platform attitude relative to the surface. Tilt sensors are supported at spaced locations on the platform. An electronic control module is programmed to detect a platform twist condition in response to angle data received from the tilt sensors and to mitigate the platform twist condition by operating or modifying the operation of the jacks.

A platform twist mitigation apparatus operable to extend jacks into engagement with a surface disposed below a platform carrying the jacks, and to alternately extend and retract the jacks to change platform attitude relative to the surface. Tilt sensors are supported at spaced locations on the platform. An electronic control module is programmed to detect a platform twist condition in response to angle data received from the tilt sensors and to mitigate the platform twist condition by operating or modifying the operation of the jacks.