Articulated Guard Structure for Truck Loading Plane Fall Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fall-preventing systems for vehicle-transporting trucks often hinder the widening of loading planes, making it difficult to open doors and pass operators, while also compromising protection during loading and unloading operations, and are cumbersome to use.

Innovation Solution

A fall-preventing system with an articulated guard-type structure that can move between two operating positions, allowing for increased lateral space without compromising protection, featuring a base connected to the loading plane via articulated kinematics and a locking device for easy switching between positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed lateral fall-preventing systems are installed on loading planes, then operator protection is improved, but lateral space for door opening and operator passage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefall protectionVSAvoiddoor opening and operator passage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guard structure is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to switch between a protection position (providing fall prevention) and a retracted position (providing lateral space for door opening and operator passage). The articulated connection enables the guard to dynamically adapt its position based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If removable or rotating guards are used to increase lateral space, then door opening and operator passage are improved, but fall protection is decreased during loading and unloading operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening and operator passageVSAvoidfall protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guard structure transitions from static or fully removable designs to a dynamically adjustable system that can be positioned in either a protection mode (during loading/unloading) or a retracted mode (during door operations), ensuring both safety and operational convenience are maintained at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The same guard structure serves multiple functions: providing fall protection during vehicle loading and unloading, and being retractable to allow door opening and operator passage. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protection systems for different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If fixed lateral protections are installed on loading planes, then operator protection is improved, but door damage risk increases due to careless opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator protectionVSAvoiddoor damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable guard structure can be retracted away from the loading plane edge when doors need to be opened, eliminating the risk of door damage while maintaining fall protection when the guard is in its protective position. This dynamic positioning prevents the harmful interaction between fixed guards and door operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2619033B1Fall-preventing system, particularly for vehicle- transporting trucks

Publication Date: 2019.07.03 ROLFO

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AI summary

A fall-preventing system (1) is described, particularly for a loading plane (3) of a vehicle-transporting truck, comprising at least one guard-type structure (5) integral with at least one base (7), such base (7) being connected articulated to an edge (9) of such loading plane (3) by interposing at least one articulated spacing kinematism (11).