Car Transport Vehicle Layout for Maneuverable Self-Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for transporting motor vehicles, such as car transporters and trailers, are rigid, difficult to maneuver, and require specialized personnel and equipment, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in flexibility and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle designed for transporting motor vehicles, featuring a frame with a loading platform and wheels arranged to allow for flexibility and maneuverability, with a cabin that accommodates the driver and passengers, and includes a ramp for easy loading and unloading of vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If car transporters are used to transport motor vehicles, then transportation capacity is improved, but maneuverability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation capacityVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is divided into a base vehicle and a detachable transport module. The transport module can be separated from the base vehicle, allowing the base vehicle to maneuver independently while the transport module can be attached when transportation capacity is needed. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling both high transportation capacity when attached and good maneuverability when separated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If car transporters with multiple platforms are used, then transportation efficiency is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport module employs movable and adjustable platforms that can be dynamically reconfigured. The platforms are designed to be movable relative to each other and adjustable in position, allowing the system to adapt to different transportation needs without requiring a permanently complex multi-level structure. This dynamic design maintains transportation efficiency while reducing inherent device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If specialized personnel are used for loading and unloading, then loading safety is improved, but operation cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading safetyVSAvoidoperation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transport module is designed with self-loading and self-unloading capabilities through its movable platforms and integrated mechanisms. The system can load and unload vehicles autonomously without requiring highly specialized external personnel, thereby maintaining loading safety through designed safety features while significantly reducing operation costs associated with specialized labor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If strict speed limits are imposed on car transporters, then transportation safety is improved, but transportation time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation safetyVSAvoidtransportation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the base vehicle from the transport module, the base vehicle can travel at normal speeds to the destination while the transport module remains stationary or is transported separately. Only during the final approach and loading phase does the system operate at reduced speeds, thereby maintaining transportation safety during critical operations while minimizing overall transportation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4570591A1Vehicle for transporting motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 FERRARI SPA
  • EP4570591A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4570591A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4570591A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A vehicle (1) for transporting a motor vehicle (100) comprising a frame (2) and a plurality of wheels (3, 4, 5) rotatable relative to the frame (2) about respective rotational axes (A, B, C). The frame (2) comprises, in turn, a cabin (7) adapted to house at least one driver of the vehicle (1) and a loading platform (6) adapted to support the motor vehicle (100) during transport. The vehicle (1) further comprises a front end (1a) and a rear end (1b) opposite to each other along an advancement direction (V) of the vehicle (1). The cabin (7) comprises a first portion (7a), which extends between the front end (1a) and the loading platform (6) along a longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle (1) and a second portion (7b), which extends cantilevered from the first portion (7a) at the loading platform (6) along the longitudinal direction (X). The second portion (7b) is at least in part spaced apart from the loading platform (6) along a vertical direction (Z) and defines a housing (60) together with the loading platform (6) for housing the motor vehicle (100).