Cargo Handling System with Movable Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of commercial vehicles face significant physical effort and reduced productivity when loading or unloading heavy or bulky items due to the elevated position of the vehicle floor, which can lead to physical damage and slow down operations.
Innovation Solution
A handling system comprising a fixing portion attached to the vehicle wall, a movable portion that rotates and lifts along a vertical axis, and lifting means such as a cable and actuator device, allowing for easy movement and positioning of loads without manual effort, with locking mechanisms for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the vehicle floor is positioned at an elevated height to maximize cargo space, then the cargo storage capacity is improved, but the ease of loading and unloading operations deteriorates due to increased physical effort required by users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical system consisting of a movable platform and lifting mechanism that acts as a mediator between the elevated cargo floor and the user. The platform can be positioned at different heights and locations within the cargo space, providing a flexible intermediate surface that bridges the height gap without requiring the user to manually lift heavy loads to the full floor level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical lifting system with an automated lifting mechanism. The system uses an actuator (such as a hydraulic cylinder, electric motor, or pneumatic device) to automatically raise and lower the movable platform, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical power. This allows users to simply guide or position light control elements rather than manually handle heavy cargo.
2Device complexity
If manual handling of heavy loads is used to avoid additional system complexity, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity and operation speed deteriorate due to slow loading and unloading processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements to the otherwise static cargo space. The movable platform can be repositioned along guides or rails to different locations and heights, transforming the rigid cargo environment into a dynamic system that adapts to different loading scenarios. This dynamic capability enables faster operation compared to fixed manual handling, while the modular design keeps the added complexity manageable.
3Strength
If the vehicle floor is kept at a fixed elevated position to maintain structural integrity, then the structural strength is preserved, but the adaptability to different loading scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cargo handling function into two independent parts: the fixed structural floor that maintains structural integrity, and the movable platform that provides adaptability. The fixed floor remains as the load-bearing structure, while the separate movable platform can be independently positioned and configured for different loading scenarios, allowing both structural strength and versatility to coexist.
Data Source
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AI summary
Vehicle (1) comprising a plurality of walls (2) and a floor (5) connected to each other to delimit a space (4) suitable for housing a load, and a handling system (10) for handling the load onto/from said floor (5), said handling system (10) comprising: - a fixing portion (11), - a movable portion (12) carried in a movable manner with respect to a longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle (1) by the fixing portion (11) and movable between two operating positions, and - lifting means (13) carried by the movable portion (12) and configured to be connected to the load and to handle it along a vertical direction.