Driven Roller Transfer Mechanism for Airport Container Dollies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container transporter systems face challenges in efficiently and automatically transferring cargo between different types of dollies and high loaders on airport aprons, particularly due to the lack of driven rollers on commercially available dollies, which requires manual handling and increases loading time and risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
A takeover device with a driven contact roller is integrated into the container transporter to automatically move loads from adjacent transport vehicles onto the container transporter, using friction or direct contact with dolly rollers or the container's underside, and includes sensors and adjustable positioning elements to accommodate various dolly configurations and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pushing is used to transfer containers between high loader and container transporter, then the transfer can be performed with existing equipment, but the loading time increases and the work becomes strenuous
Solution Approach 1:
The container transporter's driven transport rollers automatically take over and pull the container onto the loading area without requiring manual pushing. The system uses its own driven rollers to perform the transfer operation, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing loading time.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical pushing action is replaced by an automated mechanical system where the driven transport rollers of the container transporter automatically engage with the container and pull it onto the loading area, substituting human labor with automated mechanical transfer.
2Loss of time
If the container transporter drives directly to the dolly without intermediate transfer, then transfer time is reduced, but the precision positioning required increases the risk of damage to the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The high loader serves as an intermediary platform between the container transporter and the aircraft. The container is first transferred to the high loader's loading area, which is positioned precisely next to the aircraft hatch, and then the high loader extends its loading platform to the aircraft hatch height for safe manual or automated transfer, reducing the risk of aircraft damage.
3Productivity
If containers are transferred manually from dolly to container transporter, then existing equipment can be used, but the elongated container orientation requires 90° rotation which increases loading time
Solution Approach 1:
The container transporter's loading area and transport rollers are designed to dynamically adapt to different container orientations. The driven rollers can engage with containers regardless of their initial orientation on the dolly, automatically handling the orientation adjustment as part of the transfer process without requiring manual rotation.
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
Enables efficient and automatic transfer of cargo without the need for manual handling, reducing the risk of damage and increasing operational efficiency by allowing interaction with all commercially available dollies, regardless of their configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a driven contact roller is integrated into the container transporter to automatically move loads from adjacent transport vehicles onto the container transporter, using friction or direct contact with dolly rollers or the container's underside
Data Source
AI summary
In order to avoid having to manually push containers (50) from a dolly (52), whose rollers (56) in the loading platform (53) are not driven, onto the container transporter (1), the container transporter (1) has a transfer device (4) with a motor drive (5) which can be extended from one of the three free sides of the container transporter (1) and pulls containers (50) over by means of a driven transfer roller (6) attached to a dolly roller (56).