Conveyor Belt for Work Platform Loading on Track Repair Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles designed for track repair work face challenges in simplifying the loading of heavy or bulky objects onto the working platform, requiring significant physical effort and limited flexibility in material transfer.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor belt with a transport direction running in the longitudinal direction of the machine frame, adjustable in height and length, is positioned at the machine end, allowing for effortless transfer of loads onto the working platform by enabling longitudinal displacement and height adjustment, facilitating the loading of heavy or bulky objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If heavy or bulky objects are manually loaded onto the working platform, then the platform can be equipped with necessary materials, but significant physical effort is required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLoading easeVSAvoidPhysical effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A conveyor belt is introduced as an intermediary device between the ground and the working platform. The conveyor belt receives objects from the ground and automatically transports them to the platform, eliminating the need for manual lifting and placement of heavy or bulky materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical system of lifting and carrying objects is replaced with an automated conveyor belt system. The conveyor belt uses mechanical transmission through drives and rollers to automatically transport materials, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyor belt is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but optimal material transfer to the work platform cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConveyor positioning flexibilityVSAvoidConveyor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through two independent adjustment mechanisms: longitudinal displacement along the machine frame and vertical height adjustment. This allows the conveyor to adapt its position to optimize material transfer to the working platform at different locations and elevations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt serves multiple functions: it can be positioned longitudinally to accommodate different loading locations, adjusted in height to match the working platform elevation, and configured to handle various types of materials. This multi-functionality makes the system adaptable to different operational requirements.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2318252B1Vehicle having a work platform
Publication Date: 2014.10.08 PLASSER & THEURER EXPORT VON BAHNBAUMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP2318252B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A conveyor belt (10) having a transport direction (13) running in the machine longitudinal direction (7) is arranged on a machine end (8) of a vehicle (1). The conveyor belt (10) comprises a redirecting end (14) adjacent to a work platform (6) lowered in a transfer position. Therefore, heavy or bulky freight can be transported easily onto the work platform (6) from an adjacent vehicle.