Vehicular Cargo Loader With Winch-Driven Carriage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo loading and transportation systems face challenges in efficiently loading and unloading cargo from vehicle roofs, particularly for taller vehicles and heavier items, as they often require manual labor, risk injury, and involve complex setup and teardown processes.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular cargo loader system comprising a channel attached to the vehicle, a slideable carriage with a winch, and rungs forming a ladder, allowing for easy loading and unloading of cargo by reducing human effort and minimizing setup and teardown requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a portable step ladder is used to lift cargo to the vehicle roof, then cargo can be loaded onto the roof, but a person must manually lift the load while climbing the ladder which risks injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of lifting cargo while climbing a ladder with a motorized winch system. The winch mechanically lifts the cargo to the roof level, eliminating the need for a person to manually lift heavy loads while climbing, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary platform (the roof access platform) that serves as a intermediate structure between the ground and the vehicle roof. This platform, combined with the winch system, acts as a mediator to transfer cargo without requiring a person to directly lift it while climbing, thereby reducing injury risk while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If a rope is used to pull up heavy cargo to the vehicle roof, then cargo can be loaded onto the roof, but a person must pull up the heavy load which risks injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of pulling cargo up with a rope with a motorized winch system. The winch provides the mechanical force needed to lift heavy cargo, eliminating the need for a person to manually pull heavy loads, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and injury risk.
3Ease of operation
If a boom type crane is fitted to the vehicle roof to hoist cargo, then cargo can be loaded onto the roof, but the crane needs to be taken off or stowed while the vehicle is in transit and set up again to unload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic roof access platform that can be extended and retracted. The platform is in a retracted position during vehicle transit to maintain a compact profile, and can be extended at the destination to provide access to the roof for cargo unloading. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for complete setup and teardown of loading equipment, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal roof access system that serves multiple functions: it provides cargo loading capability, maintains a compact transit profile, and enables cargo unloading at the destination. The winch system and extendable platform work together to provide these multiple functions without requiring separate specialized equipment for each operation, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
4Productivity
If specialized vehicles are adapted to loading a limited range of cargo types, then loading for specific cargo types is efficient, but they are not suited to unloading or storing cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cargo handling system that can load, transport, and unload various types of cargo. The winch system combined with the extendable platform provides multi-functional capability to handle different cargo types and perform both loading and unloading operations, resolving the contradiction between loading efficiency and adaptability.
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
The system enables efficient and safe loading and unloading of various cargo types on virtually any vehicle roof, reducing human effort and risk, while simplifying the process and eliminating the need for extensive setup and teardown.
Implementation Method 1
a winch attached to the carriage to move the carriage along the channel
Data Source
AI summary
A loader device is disclosed for moving cargo to and from a vehicle roof. The loader, attached to trailers or other vehicles includes a channel, a carriage and a winch. The carriage, powered by the winch, travels up the channel to raise cargo to the vehicle roof. The carriage travels down the channel to lower cargo from the vehicle roof. Rungs attached to the channel form a ladder for human access to the vehicle roof. When not in use, the carriage folds to assume a smaller profile.