External Charger Platform With Blade Locking for Uneven Ground Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transporting an external charger, a heavy object, at uneven working sites poses challenges due to the risk of the charger falling during movement, as existing solutions do not effectively address the instability of the charger on unlevelled ground.

Innovation Solution

A wheeled platform with a pedestal, casters, and support pillars featuring an engagement part that allows the blade of a working vehicle to lift and secure the charger, along with a movement regulating member to prevent wobbling and falling, utilizing a U-shaped configuration for the engagement part and wheel stopper as the movement regulating member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the external charger is transported on an unleveled ground, then the charger can be moved to different working sites, but the charger may fall or become unstable during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport capability on unleveled groundVSAvoidstability during transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movement regulating member is nested within the engagement part structure. The engagement part has a U-shaped configuration that contains the movement regulating member inside it, allowing the regulating member to be integrated into the existing structure rather than being a separate external component. This nested arrangement enables the regulation function while maintaining the compact design needed for transport on uneven ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The movement regulating member acts as an intermediary between the engagement part and the blade. It mediates the interaction by providing a regulated engagement interface that prevents excessive movement while allowing the necessary lifting and securing actions. This intermediary component solves the stability problem without requiring fundamental changes to the charger or blade design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a dedicated movement regulating member is designed specifically for the engagement part, then the blade stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblade stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movement regulating member is designed with multi-functionality. It serves both as a structural component of the engagement part and as a regulation mechanism for blade stability. The U-shaped engagement part structure simultaneously provides the geometric constraint for blade engagement and houses the movement regulating member, eliminating the need for completely separate dedicated regulation components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The movement regulating function is merged with the engagement part structure. Rather than being a separate dedicated component, the regulation capability is integrated into the engagement part through the U-shaped configuration that inherently provides movement regulation. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining blade stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the engagement part is designed with tight clearance to prevent blade movement, then the charger stability is improved, but the blade cannot be properly engaged or lifted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharger stabilityVSAvoidblade engagement and lifting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement part design incorporates dynamic clearance characteristics. The U-shaped structure provides sufficient clearance when the blade is being engaged or lifted, allowing free movement and easy operation. However, when the blade is in the secured position, the movement regulating member provides dynamic constraint to prevent excessive movement. This dynamic approach to clearance management allows both easy engagement and stable transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the engagement part have different clearance characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The upper portion of the U-shaped engagement part has larger clearance to facilitate blade engagement and lifting operations. The lower portion, where the movement regulating member is positioned, has tighter clearance to prevent blade movement during transport. This localized quality variation optimizes both operability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4427970A1Wheeled platform for external charger and method for transporting external charger
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 TAKEUCHI MFG CO LTD
  • EP4427970A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4427970A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4427970A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An external charger is to be easily transported and securely prevented from falling during transport. A wheeled platform for external charger (1) for transporting an external charger (2) supplying electric power to a working vehicle driven by an electric motor includes: a pedestal (10) where the external charger (2) is placed; and a caster (12) and a support pillar (14) attached to the pedestal (10). The pedestal (10) or the support pillar (14) is provided with an engagement part (20) which a blade (122) of the working vehicle can be engaged with. The engagement part (20) is configured in such a way that a movement regulating member (30) preventing the blade (122) from wobbling can be attached in a state where the caster (12) is spaced apart from a ground by lifting the blade (122) further from a state where the blade (122) is engaged.