Carrier Device for Commercial Vehicles with Automatic Payload Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for loading different types of payload bodies onto commercial vehicles, such as trucks and semitrailers, require manual intervention and multiple mechanical setups, which are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and can lead to damage to the vehicle or payload bodies due to the need for different guiding and locking mechanisms for containers and swap bodies.
Innovation Solution
A carrier device with integrated locking and guiding members that are automatically switchable based on the type of payload body, using sensors to detect the payload and adjust the mechanical setup, allowing for ergonomic and quick changes without manual intervention, and incorporating actuators for hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric operation to facilitate automatic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different mechanical set-ups are provided for loading different types of payload bodies, then the vehicle can handle various payload types, but the device complexity increases and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier device is designed with a universal mechanical setup that can handle both containers and swap bodies using the same guiding members and locking members. The guiding members can engage with both container corner fittings and swap body guiding channels, while the locking members can lock both payload types, eliminating the need for separate mechanical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding members are designed to be movable between different positions and orientations. They can be positioned in a first position for engaging container corner fittings and in a second position for engaging swap body guiding channels. This dynamic repositioning allows the same physical components to serve multiple functions without requiring manual reconfiguration.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to adjust mechanical set-up for different payload bodies, then the loading operation can be performed, but the loss of time increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the type of payload body to be loaded and autonomously positions the guiding members and locking members in the appropriate configurations. Sensors identify whether a container or swap body is being loaded, and the system automatically adjusts the mechanical setup without requiring the driver to manually intervene, thereby reducing both time loss and operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If guiding members are removed from the trailer for loading containers, then the container can be loaded, but the ease of operation worsens and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding members are designed to be dynamically repositionable rather than removed. They can be automatically positioned in a first configuration for container loading and in a second configuration for swap body loading. This eliminates the need for manual removal and reattachment operations, reducing both the complexity of operation and the risk of damage to the guiding members, trailer, or payload bodies during the switching process.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a carrier device (32) for a commercial vehicle (12), particularly a truck, a truck with a trailer or a semitrailer, for coupling different kinds of a payload body (10, 20) to the vehicle (12), wherein the carrier device (32) provides one or more locking members (18a, 18b) for locking a first kind of the payload body (10) and/or a second kind of the payload body (20); one or more guiding members (24a, 24b) engageable with the second kind of payload body (20), wherein the one or more locking members (18a, 18b) and the one or more guiding members (24a, 24b) are integrated in a device body (34); - the one or more locking members (18a, 18b) and/or the one or more guiding members (24a, 24b) are automatically releasable into a released position and/or engageable into an engaging position depending on the kind payload body to be loaded or being coupled to the vehicle (12); and - the one or more guiding members (24a, 24b) are switchable from an engaging position for engaging the second kind of payload body (20) to a released position for mounting the first kind of payload body (10) and the one or more locking members (18a, 18b) are switchable from an engaging position for engaging the first kind of payload body (10) and/or the second kind of payload body (20) to a released position for mounting of the second kind of payload body (20).