Articulated Reel Trailer Loading Without External Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low-loaders, designed for heavy equipment, present logistical issues due to excessive weight and size, limiting access to certain routes and requiring additional lifting equipment for loading and unloading reels, especially at remote sites.
Innovation Solution
A trailer with articulated arms and a hoist mechanism that allows for loading and unloading reels without external lifting equipment, featuring synchronized movement of elongate members and a jack for stabilization, enabling efficient positioning and transport of reels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a low-loader trailer is used to transport reels, then the reel can be positioned with a lower centre of gravity and easy access for loading/unloading is provided, but the trailer becomes excessively heavy and large, limiting access to certain routes and exceeding bridge weight limits
Solution Approach 1:
The loading means is divided into two separate articulated arms located on each side of the trailer, allowing independent operation and reducing the need for a single heavy lifting structure. Each arm can be retracted along the side of the trailer when not in use, minimizing the trailer's overall size and weight while maintaining loading capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arms are designed to be movable and adjustable, extending rearwardly when loading is required and retracting to a compact position during transport. This dynamic configuration allows the trailer to adapt between a lightweight transport state and a fully functional loading state, avoiding the need for permanently heavy structural components.
2Strength
If a low-loader trailer is used to transport reels, then structural robustness for heavy equipment is achieved, but the trailer weight increases, requiring alternate routes and increasing travel time
Solution Approach 1:
The loading and unloading function is extracted from the trailer's main structural body and implemented as separate, removable articulated arms. This allows the trailer chassis to be designed for minimal necessary strength during transport, reducing overall weight and enabling direct route selection without requiring the heavy reinforcement needed for integrated lifting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameters of the trailer are optimized by transitioning from a permanently robust low-loader design to a lightweight chassis that gains strength only when needed. The articulated arms provide the necessary structural support during loading operations but can be positioned to minimize their impact on the trailer's overall weight and dimensions during transport.
3Device complexity
If external lifting equipment such as cranes or forklifts is used for loading and unloading reels, then the trailer design can be simplified, but additional logistical issues and costs arise, especially at remote unloading sites
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arms are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as both the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism, and can be used to handle reels of various sizes. The same structure that enables loading at the departure point also enables unloading at the destination, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer is equipped with self-contained loading and unloading capabilities through the articulated arms, allowing it to service itself without requiring external cranes or forklifts. The hoist means integrated into the articulated arms enables the trailer to independently lift and position reels, making the system self-sufficient and highly adaptable to remote locations where external equipment may not be available.
4Ease of operation
If the first elongate members are extended rearwardly to load reels, then loading capability is improved, but the trailer length increases, potentially affecting transport logistics
Solution Approach 1:
The first elongate members are designed as telescopic or extendable structures that can increase in length during the loading operation and then retract to a compact configuration during transport. This dynamic length adjustment allows the trailer to achieve the necessary extended reach for loading reels while maintaining a compact overall length for efficient transport logistics.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate members are divided into multiple segments that can extend and retract independently, allowing the loading structure to reach rearwardly when needed while keeping the retracted profile compact. The segmented design enables the members to fold or telescope along the side of the trailer, minimizing the impact on trailer length during transport while maintaining full loading capability when extended.
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
Enables efficient loading and unloading of reels on and from the trailer, reducing logistical challenges and costs associated with external lifting devices, and allowing access to routes restricted by weight or size limitations.
Implementation Method 1
the second elongate members being provided with respective jacks to stabilise the loading means with respect to the ground surface
Implementation Method 2
the hoist means is operable to lift the reel from the support surface to an effective height greater than an effective height of a deck of the trailer
Implementation Method 3
each articulated arm comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member pivotally mounted to the first elongate member
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer for lifting and positioning at least one reel thereon. The trailer includes a pair of articulated arms comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member pivotally mounted to the first elongate member. The first elongate members are generally horizontal and movable relative to the trailer between a retracted position and a rearwardly extended position. The second elongate members are pivotable between a horizontal position in parallel alignment with the first elongate members and an upright position wherein the second elongate members are orthogonal to the first elongate members. The second elongate members are provided with respective jacks to stabilise them with respect to the ground surface. A hoist to lift the reel from the support surface to an effective height greater than an effective height of a deck of the trailer is disposed between the second elongate members.