90-Degree Clamping Attachment for Utility Vehicle Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility vehicle operators face challenges in moving and handling materials like logs, pipes, and containers using existing fork attachments, which often require manual intervention and result in reduced productivity and increased fatigue.
Innovation Solution
A material handling attachment with clamping devices, featuring frame elements positioned at 90 degrees and actuated by movement mechanisms, securely retains loads on utility vehicles, allowing for improved handling and automation of material movement without operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used to handle materials like logs, pipes, and containers, then operator control is maintained, but productivity is reduced and operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is designed to automatically clamp and release materials without requiring continuous operator intervention. The system uses the vehicle's existing hydraulic system to power the clamping action, allowing the attachment to handle materials autonomously while maintaining operator control through automated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated hydraulic actuation system. The hydraulic cylinder automatically extends and retracts to clamp and release materials, substituting the need for manual mechanical manipulation and reducing operator fatigue while improving productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing fork attachments are used, then the attachment structure is simple, but the ability to handle diverse materials like logs, pipes, and containers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is designed as a universal attachment that can handle multiple types of materials (logs, pipes, containers, and other irregular shapes) using the same basic structure. The adjustable clamping mechanism provides multi-functionality, allowing a single attachment design to accommodate diverse material types without requiring separate specialized attachments for each material.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device incorporates movable and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different material shapes and sizes. The hydraulic actuation system allows real-time adjustment of clamping force and position, enabling the attachment to accommodate diverse materials like logs, pipes, and containers while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Extent of automation
If automated clamping mechanisms are introduced, then material handling automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vehicle's existing hydraulic system to power the clamping mechanism, rather than introducing a completely new automated system. The hydraulic cylinder integrates with the vehicle's current infrastructure, providing automated clamping action while minimizing additional complexity by leveraging already-present hydraulic components and systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an example embodiment a clamping device comprising a first clamping device frame element coupled with a portion of a work tool coupled with the utility vehicle, a second clamping device frame element pivotally coupled with the first clamping device frame element, where the second clamping device frame element includes a first section and a second section, where the first section and the second section are positioned at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to each other, and a first movement actuator that movably couples the first clamping device frame element and the second clamping device frame element.