Adjustable Guardrail for Construction Equipment Height Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing guardrails on construction equipment are too high to satisfy freighter height limitations, limiting the number of machines that can be shipped simultaneously and increasing transportation costs, as they often need to be detached and reattached during transport.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable guardrail system with a connector mechanism allowing the upper guardrail part to pivot or slide relative to the lower guardrail part, enabling height adjustment to comply with freighter height restrictions without the need for detachment, and providing stability against vibrations during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guardrail height is increased to provide safety, then safety performance is improved, but the guardrail cannot satisfy freighter height limitations and transportation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guardrail system transitions from a fixed height structure to a dynamically adjustable height structure. The connector allows the upper guardrail part to pivot between an erected position (providing safety) and a folded position (reducing height for transportation), enabling the system to adapt its height based on operational or transportation needs.
2Strength
If the guardrail is made as a single fixed frame to endure vibration loads, then structural strength is improved, but the guardrail cannot be adjusted for different height requirements and adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guardrail is divided into multiple segments: a lower guardrail part fixed to the upper structure, and an upper guardrail part connected via a connector. This segmentation allows the upper part to pivot relative to the lower part, providing height adjustability while maintaining structural integrity through the connector design that accommodates vibration loads.
3Productivity
If the guardrail is detached to satisfy height limitations, then transportation space utilization is improved, but additional costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of detaching the guardrail, the system uses a dynamic folding mechanism where the upper guardrail part pivots to a folded position via the connector. This reduces the overall height to satisfy freighter limitations while keeping the guardrail attached, eliminating the need for detachment and reattachment operations.
4Productivity
If more construction equipment is shipped simultaneously to reduce transportation costs, then transportation cost efficiency is improved, but freighter height limitations prevent increased capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable height mechanism allows the guardrail to be folded during transportation, reducing the overall height of construction equipment to comply with freighter height limitations. This enables maximum shipment capacity and allows more equipment to be transported simultaneously, improving transportation cost efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a guardrail for construction equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a guardrail for construction equipment that can adjust the overall height thereof, for example, to satisfy a height limit when a cargo ship is loaded with construction equipment, thereby increasing the amount of loaded construction equipment to reduce a transportation cost. To this end, the present invention provides a guardrail for construction equipment, comprising: a lower guardrail fixed to the edge of an upper body of the construction equipment; an upper guardrail connected to the lower guardrail; and a connecting part that is formed between the lower and upper guardrails to connect the lower and upper guardrails and enables the upper guardrail to move toward the lower guardrail, thereby adjusting the overall height made by the lower and upper guardrails.