Adjustable Transport Frames for Vehicle Body Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transporting multiple vehicle bodies are inefficient in terms of space utilization, as they do not effectively maximize the use of container height and width, leading to suboptimal packing density.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a container with adjustable transport frames that allow each vehicle body to be positioned at a loading height less than the door height and then elevated to a shipping height greater than the door height but within the container's ceiling height, using telescopic support devices to optimize vertical stacking and inclination for increased packing density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the transport frame height is set to maximize container space utilization (greater than door height), then packing density improves, but the transport frame cannot be loaded through the door opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacking densityVSAvoidloading through door
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support devices are designed with variable length capability, allowing the transport frame height to be dynamically adjusted between a first height (less than door height for loading) and a second height (greater than door height for optimized packing). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to occupy different height states at different operational stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the height parameter of the transport frame by adjusting the support device lengths. During loading, the height parameter is set to a first value that allows passage through the door. After loading, the height parameter is changed to a second value that maximizes vertical space utilization in the container, thereby increasing packing density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the transport frame height is reduced to fit through the door opening, then loading is enabled, but vertical space utilization in the container decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading through doorVSAvoidvertical space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The variable length support devices enable the transport frame to dynamically change its height. It adopts a reduced height configuration during the loading phase to pass through the door opening, then transitions to an extended height configuration inside the container to maximize vertical space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the vertical dimension dynamically by changing the height of the transport frame. The same transport frame structure occupies different vertical positions at different times, effectively using the third dimension (height) to resolve the contradiction between loading accessibility and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If multiple bodies are stacked vertically to increase packing density, then space utilization improves, but the door height constraint prevents loading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacking densityVSAvoiddoor height
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The variable length support devices allow the transport frame to be in a compressed state during loading (height less than door height) and an extended state during storage (height greater than door height). This dynamic transformation enables the system to overcome the door height constraint while achieving vertical stacking for increased packing density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support devices are preliminarily adjusted to a shorter length before loading occurs, enabling the transport frame to pass through the door opening. After loading is complete, the support devices are extended to their full length to achieve the desired vertical stacking configuration and maximize packing density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3538453B1System for transporting multiple bodies
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 AUDI AG
  • EP3538453B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3538453B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3538453B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (2) for transporting multiple bodies (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for motor vehicles in a container (3). The container (3) has a cuboidal interior (8) with a ceiling height d and a door opening (10) with a door height t, wherein the door height t is lower than the ceiling height d. The system (2) has a transport frame (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for each body (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) to be transported, and each transport frame (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) has a first support device (14a, 14b, 14c) and a second support device (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d). The length of at least one support device (14a, 14b, 14c, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) can be changed, and each body (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) to be transported is to be arranged on a respective transport frame (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d). The maximum height of the transport frame (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) with the body (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged thereon is to be set to a value which is lower than the door height t, and the transport frame (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) with the body (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged thereon is to be guided through the door opening (10) and arranged in the interior (8) of the container (3). The maximum height of at least one transport frame (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) with the body (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) arranged thereon is to be set to a value which is higher than the door height t but maximally as high as the ceiling height d by extending the at least one support device (14a, 14b, 14c, 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d).