Container Holding Brackets on Closed-Loop Conveyor for Street-Level Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container handling systems for transportation vehicles require time-consuming and costly methods like pallet trucks and cranes for loading and unloading, especially when the vehicle's floor is not flush with the loading hub's floor, and often necessitate re-loading due to non-optimal positioning of goods.
Innovation Solution
A container handling system featuring a closed-loop conveyor belt with a container holding arrangement that includes a hook cover and pivotable brackets for secure attachment and movement of containers, allowing for efficient positioning and loading/unloading without the need for re-loading or external lifting equipment, utilizing a motor and cable system for vertical movement and a tiltable rear end for street-level loading/unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If goods are stored on the floor of the truck compartment, then the loading/unloading process becomes simpler, but the vehicle requires a flush floor with the logistic hub which limits operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The container holding arrangement is designed to be movable along the conveyer belt, allowing dynamic repositioning of containers during the loading/unloading process. This enables the system to adapt to different operational scenarios and locations, resolving the contradiction between simple operation and operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If a pallet truck is used for loading and unloading, then the process becomes straightforward, but the vehicle must be positioned at a logistic hub with flush floors which increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The container holding arrangement is designed to be self-sufficient with its own attachment and detachment mechanisms. The brackets automatically engage with the conveyer belt and can be released without external assistance, enabling the system to perform its own service operations and eliminating the need for time-consuming manual intervention.
3Productivity
If goods are not positioned closest to the rear door, then loading efficiency is reduced, but re-loading is required which increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The container holding arrangement allows containers to be pre-positioned and secured on the conveyer belt before the loading/unloading operation begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that containers are optimally positioned in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-loading operations during the actual loading process.
4Strength
If a crane is used for loading and unloading, then heavy goods can be handled, but the system becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer belt acts as an intermediary mechanism between the container holding arrangement and the final delivery point. This intermediate system distributes the mechanical load across its structure and eliminates the need for complex crane mechanisms, providing a simpler alternative for handling heavy goods.
Data Source
AI summary
A container handling system includes a conveyer belt arranged in a closed loop, and a container holding arrangement comprising a first structure connected to, and movable along, the conveyer belt around the closed loop, and a second structure to attach the container holding arrangement to a container. The second structure has a hook cover attached to the first structure, and a pair of brackets to mechanically connect the second structure to the container. Each of the pair of brackets is pivotably movable relative to the hook cover between a released state in which a first portion of the bracket is arranged at a distance from an abutment surface of the hook cover, and a locked state in which the first portion, when subject to a force causing the pivotable movement of the bracket, abuts with the abutment surface of the hook cover.