Base-Mounted Lifting System for Semitrailer Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics systems for articulated lorries face inefficiencies due to the mass-intensive conventional support assemblies needed for automated coupling and decoupling, leading to increased energy usage and stationary periods, which hinder the automation of goods flow.
Innovation Solution
A lifting system for semitrailers that includes an externally mounted, height-adjustable lifting device with an actuator unit, allowing the semitrailer to pivot between coupling and decoupling positions, reducing the overall mass of the articulated lorry and enabling efficient, automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional support assembly is used to support the semitrailer during decoupling, then the semitrailer can be stabilized on the base, but the mass of the articulated lorry increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is extracted from the semitrailer and mounted externally on the base. This removes the mass-intensive support assembly from the moving vehicle while retaining the stability function. The base-mounted lifting device provides support during decoupling without increasing the mass of the articulated lorry, as the lifting mechanism remains stationary on the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The base acts as an intermediary structure that provides support for the semitrailer during decoupling. Instead of the semitrailer carrying its own support assembly, the base serves as a stable intermediary platform with an integrated lifting device that temporarily supports the semitrailer, allowing smooth decoupling without mass-intensive components on the vehicle.
2Extent of automation
If a mass-intensive support assembly is carried on the semitrailer, then automated coupling and decoupling is enabled, but energy usage for propulsion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated coupling and decoupling functionality is extracted from the semitrailer and relocated to the base-mounted lifting device. This allows the semitrailer to be lighter and more energy-efficient while the base provides the automated support functions. The lifting device on the base enables automated operations without carrying mass-intensive components on the moving vehicle.
3Reliability
If conventional support assemblies are used, then semitrailer stability is maintained, but stationary periods increase reducing goods flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The base-mounted lifting device enables continuous and smooth decoupling operations without the need for heavy support assemblies. The lifting device can quickly adjust the semitrailer's position, enabling rapid decoupling and recoupling operations. This continuity of useful action reduces stationary periods and increases the goods flow rate while maintaining stability during transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting system for a semitrailer of an articulated lorry includes a lifting device where the semitrailer is adjustable by the lifting device in relation to a surface of a base element on which the semitrailer is positioned between a coupling position, in which a coupling element of the semitrailer is arranged at a coupling height above the surface of the base element, and a decoupling position, in which the coupling element is arranged at a decoupling height above the surface of the base element. The lifting device is associated with a surface segment of the base element where the surface segment is height-adjustable by the lifting device such that the semitrailer is adjustable between the coupling position and the decoupling position by an adjustment of the surface segment.