A-Frame Trailer Securing Strap Suspension for Covered Worktop Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting large and delicate planar goods like worktops efficiently while protecting them from exposure to sharp objects, sudden impacts, vibration, dirt, moisture, and extreme temperatures is challenging, especially during inclement weather.
Innovation Solution
An HGV trailer system featuring a deck with a securing strap and a biasing element, such as a bungee cord, that secures and suspends the strap above the deck, allowing for efficient loading and unloading while maintaining protection from the elements, and an A-frame with a weather cover to safeguard the goods during transit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If goods are transported in an open or partially covered vehicle, then loading and unloading efficiency is improved, but goods are exposed to harmful factors such as moisture, dirt, and extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The weather cover is pre-installed on the A-frame before loading goods onto the vehicle. This preliminary action ensures that goods are already protected from harmful environmental factors before they are exposed during the loading process, resolving the contradiction between loading efficiency and protection from elements.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible weather cover made of weather-resistant material is used to enclose the goods on the A-frame. This thin film structure provides protection against moisture, dirt, and temperature extremes while maintaining a compact design that does not significantly increase loading complexity.
2Reliability
If securing straps are attached directly to the deck, then securing reliability is improved, but the straps may come into contact with and damage the goods during loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element elevates the securing strap from the horizontal plane of the deck into the vertical dimension, suspending it above the goods. This dimensional change allows the strap to maintain reliable securing force while eliminating direct contact with the goods, preventing damage during loading and unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element acts as an intermediary between the securing strap and the deck, providing a flexible connection that maintains securing reliability while preventing the strap from becoming a sharp object that could damage goods. The elastic nature of the biasing element allows the strap to exert force without rigid contact.
3Device complexity
If manual tensioning of securing straps is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming adjustment during loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element is configured to automatically tension the securing strap through its elastic properties when the A-frame is placed on the vehicle. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual tensioning adjustments, significantly improving loading and unloading speed while adding minimal complexity to the securing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the elastic parameter of the biasing element to automatically adjust strap tension based on the position and weight of the loaded A-frame. This parameter-based automatic adjustment replaces manual tensioning operations, increasing productivity without requiring complex mechanical tensioning devices.
4Ease of operation
If the weather cover is removed or adjusted during loading, then access to goods is improved, but protection from harmful factors is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The weather cover is installed on the A-frame before goods are loaded onto the vehicle. This preliminary protective action allows loading operations to proceed with the goods already enclosed, eliminating the need to remove or adjust the cover during loading and maintaining continuous protection from harmful environmental factors.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures secure and efficient transportation of planar goods by minimizing exposure to harmful factors and allowing for easy loading and unloading without adjusting the weather cover, even during adverse weather conditions, while the frangible clips ensure safety in transit incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element (e.g., a tensioning element, elastic element and/or bungee cord) attached to the securing strap and configured to bias the securing strap away from the deck
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An HGV trailer (200) for transporting goods such as worktops (1), the trailer comprising: a deck (204) configured to receive an A-frame (100) for holding the goods; a securing strap (326) for securing an A-frame to the deck; and a biasing element (322) attached to the securing strap and configured to bias the securing strap away from the deck. An A-frame (100) and a method (500) are also provided.