Cargo Dolly Suspension Maintaining Deck Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Perishable cargo is vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and tampering during transportation due to breaks in the 'cool chain' when moved on conventional dollies, leading to spoilage, damage, and security risks, especially in extreme climates and high-traffic airports.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-controlled cargo dolly with an integrated suspension system that maintains a consistent deck height and adjusts suspension force to accommodate varying cargo weights, ensuring the dolly operates at standardized loading dock heights while providing temperature control and shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional dollies are used to transport cargo, then the dollies can be easily operated and moved, but the deck height varies with cargo weight causing instability and requiring manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system automatically adjusts to varying cargo weights through its shock-absorbing mechanism, maintaining consistent deck height without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the cargo weight itself to compress the suspension springs to the appropriate level, eliminating the need for operators to manually adjust deck height.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system changes its mechanical parameters (spring compression, damping characteristics) in response to varying cargo weights, automatically maintaining optimal deck height. The system adapts its physical state based on the load parameters to preserve stability.
2Ease of operation
If cargo is placed on open transport dollies, then the dollies can be easily loaded and unloaded, but the cargo is exposed to extreme temperatures and direct sunlight causing spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transport dolly function with an enclosed cargo compartment that provides temperature control. The enclosure merges the previously separate functions of transport (open dolly) and environmental protection (covered wagon), allowing cargo to be transported while protected from extreme temperatures and sunlight.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosed cargo compartment acts as an intermediary between the external environment (extreme temperatures, sunlight) and the cargo. This intermediate structure protects the cargo from harmful environmental factors while still allowing the dolly to perform its transport function.
3Manufacturing precision
If the dolly deck height is adjusted manually for each cargo weight, then the deck height can be maintained at standardized heights, but this requires additional time and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system automatically maintains standardized deck height by using the cargo weight itself to set the appropriate suspension compression level. The system serves itself by translating varying load parameters into the appropriate deck height without requiring external intervention or time-consuming manual adjustments.
4Reliability
If shock absorption is added to protect cargo during transport, then cargo damage is reduced, but the dolly becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shock absorption to protect cargo, maintains standardized deck height for efficient loading/unloading, and compensates for varying cargo weights. By combining these functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively maintains the integrity of perishable cargo by maintaining a consistent deck height and temperature, reducing spoilage and damage, and enhancing security by allowing faster transportation with shock absorption, thus minimizing financial losses and safety threats.
Implementation Method 1
A suspension assembly is coupled between the deck and the chassis and is adapted to impart a variable suspension force on the deck
Implementation Method 2
The suspension assembly is adapted to impart a variable suspension force on the deck, the suspension force being adjusted so as to maintain the deck at a prescribed height
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo dolly having a suspension assembly incorporated therein, wherein the suspension assembly is adapted to maintain the dolly at a prescribed height relative to an underlying surface. Thus, as cargo is loaded onto the dolly, and subsequently unloaded from the dolly, the dolly will substantially remain at the same height, which facilitates use of the dolly with standardized loading docks, such as loading docks associated with aircraft.