Crane Mat Lift Vertical Storage Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing crane mat systems for truck-mounted cranes are cumbersome due to the heavy weight and space requirements of crane mat pads, necessitating a solution for efficient storage and organization when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular mat lift system featuring a channel track with a winch and trolley mechanism that stores and retrieves mat pads from a vertical to horizontal orientation, allowing for easy access and organization on the rear end of the truck-mounted crane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If crane mat pads are stored on the truck-mounted crane, then mat pads are readily accessible, but the truck-mounted crane occupies excessive space and becomes difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The mat lift system utilizes the vertical dimension by mounting the channel track on the rear vertical surface of the truck-mounted crane. The trolley travels along this vertical track, allowing mat pads to be stored and retrieved from a vertical orientation rather than occupying horizontal space on the truck bed. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by providing accessibility without increasing the truck's footprint.
2Volume of moving object
If mat pads are stored vertically, then space efficiency is improved, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley acts as an intermediary mechanism between the vertical storage position and the deployment position. It travels along the channel track to transport individual mat pads from the vertical stack to the horizontal deployment location. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by automating the conversion between vertical storage and horizontal deployment, reducing the complexity of manual handling while maintaining space efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A mat lift is disclosed. In an example, the mat lift may be configured to work with a truck-mounted crane to store and organize a plurality of mat pads. An example of the mat lift includes a channel track that extends rearwardly on a back end of the truck-mounted crane. The example channel track has a downward bend that extends the channel track vertically down a rear surface of the truck-mounted crane. The example channel track also includes a winch or roller that drives a cable or chain in order to move a trolley from a first horizontal end to a second vertical end of the channel track. In an example, the trolley includes a post member configured to receive at least one of the plurality of mat pads thereon.