Camera Crane Transport Vehicle Elevator System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The large size and weight of modern camera cranes pose challenges in transportation due to their high center of gravity and size, making conventional over-the-road trucking difficult and unstable.

Innovation Solution

A specialized vehicle with a front and rear elevator system and a deployable ramp allows for easier loading and lowers the center of gravity, providing stability and versatility for transporting large camera cranes, and can also function as a camera car for crew transport and filming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional over-the-road trucks are used to transport camera cranes, then transportation can be performed, but the high center of gravity and large size make the transport unstable and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport stabilityVSAvoidloading difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle employs dynamic elevators that can extend and retract vertically to accommodate the camera crane at different heights during loading and transport. The front elevator raises the crane onto the deck, while the rear elevator lowers it to the deck level, dynamically adjusting the system to handle the crane's weight and dimensions safely

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a vertical dimension to the loading process through the use of elevators. Instead of horizontal loading onto a conventional truck bed, the system uses vertical movement to lift and position the camera crane, transforming the loading operation from a horizontal to a vertical process that better manages the crane's center of gravity

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the camera crane is loaded onto the vehicle deck, then transportation is enabled, but the high center of gravity creates instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rear elevator positioned below the deck level allows the camera crane to be lowered into a lower vertical position during transport. This vertical positioning adjustment reduces the center of gravity height, improving vehicle stability while maintaining full transport capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The elevators act as intermediary mechanisms between the camera crane and the vehicle deck. By mediating the loading and positioning process, they enable precise control over the crane's vertical position, allowing optimization of the center of gravity for stable transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2856255B1Camera crane transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 CHAPMAN LEONARD STUDIO EQUIPMENT INC
  • EP2856255B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2856255B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2856255B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A camera crane carrier (40) includes a vehicle (48) with a front elevator (86) movable vertically between up and down positions, at a forward position on a deck of the vehicle. A back elevator (88) is movable vertically between up and down positions below the deck (90). A ramp (100) is extendible from the deck at the back end of the vehicle to the ground. The elevators allow a camera crane to be more easily loaded onto the vehicle, and also allow lowering the center of gravity of the loaded vehicle. The vehicle may optionally be used as a camera car when not carrying a camera crane. The camera crane may also be used when secured onto the deck of the vehicle.