Adjustable Particle Transport Frame Reducing Unloaded Footprint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional particle transport apparatuses have fixed dimensions, resulting in a large footprint when unloaded, making their transport inefficient from technical, economic, and sustainable perspectives.

Innovation Solution

A modular frame structure with transferrable elements that can adjust in size and shape to accommodate varying loads, allowing for increased or decreased inner space, enabling flexible configuration and reduced footprint during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the frame structure has fixed dimensions, then the inner space has a fixed volume suitable for loading particles, but the apparatus requires a relatively large footprint when transported in an unloaded state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of dimensionsVSAvoidfootprint of apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure employs transferrable frame structure elements that can be moved between different positions to dynamically adjust the inner space volume. When loaded, elements are arranged to maximize capacity; when unloaded, elements are repositioned to minimize footprint, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stationary area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure is divided into multiple transferrable elements that can be independently repositioned. This segmentation allows the apparatus to reconfigure its geometry based on loading state, transforming from a fixed-volume container to an adaptable structure that optimizes both loaded capacity and unloaded footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the apparatus is transported in an unloaded state with fixed dimensions, then the structure maintains its loading capacity, but the transport becomes highly ineffective due to large footprint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidparticles transported

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus dynamically reconfigures its frame structure based on operational state. In unloaded transport conditions, transferrable elements are repositioned to reduce footprint and improve transport efficiency. When particles need to be transported, the structure reconfigures to maximize inner space volume, directly addressing the contradiction between transport efficiency and quantity transported.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4180348A1Apparatus for transporting particles and method therewith

Publication Date: 2023.05.17 JSP INT SARL

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AI summary

An apparatus for transporting particles, such as polymer particles, particularly foamed polymer particles, the apparatus comprising a frame structure comprising a plurality of, particularly bar- or strut-shaped, frame structure elements defining an inner space, wherein the frame structure comprises at least one transferrable frame structure element which is transferrable from a first orientation and/or position to at least one second orientation and/or position so as to change the size of the inner space.