Electric Mover with Positionable Legs for Heavy Load Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand trucks lack the versatility and support needed for efficiently handling oversized and weighty cargo, as well as the ability to seamlessly transition between manual and powered operation.
Innovation Solution
The electric mover, a hand truck with a main frame, positionable leg assembly, and transaxle system, allows for variable angular positioning of legs and includes a fork extensions assembly and rolling attachment for enhanced support, and can be powered by dual batteries for efficient movement of heavy loads, also functioning as a motorized tug or with a cage-type container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a hand truck is designed to handle oversized and weighty cargo, then the structural support and stability are improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck incorporates a positionable leg assembly that can be dynamically adjusted between extended and retracted positions. When extended, the legs provide additional structural support and stability for oversized and weighty cargo. When retracted, the legs minimize device complexity and maintain a compact profile. This dynamic adaptability allows the same structure to serve multiple functional requirements.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for heavy loads, then ease of operation is improved, but the productivity and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck is designed with multi-functionality to operate in two distinct modes: manual operation and electric-powered operation. The manual mode provides ease of operation for lighter loads or short distances, while the electric-powered mode with dual batteries and transaxle system delivers high productivity for heavy loads or long distances. This universal design allows users to select the appropriate operation mode based on specific task requirements, thereby achieving both ease of operation and high productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hand truck is designed for versatile use cases including towing and container handling, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck employs a modular design with segmented functional components. The positionable leg assembly can be independently configured for different applications such as towing or container handling. The fork extensions assembly is a separate modular component that can be attached or detached as needed. This segmentation allows the base unit to remain relatively simple while providing access to complex functionality through optional attachments and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand truck incorporates dynamic, adjustable components including the positionable leg assembly with variable angular positioning and the fork extensions assembly that can be positioned at different angles. These dynamic elements allow the same basic structure to adapt to diverse use cases such as towing, container handling, and transporting oversized cargo, thereby achieving high versatility without requiring multiple specialized devices.
4Power
If dual batteries and transaxle system are added for powered operation, then power and productivity are improved, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck incorporates a positionable leg assembly that can be dynamically adjusted between extended and retracted positions. When extended, the legs provide additional structural support and stability for oversized and weighty cargo. When retracted, the legs minimize device complexity and maintain a compact profile. This dynamic adaptability allows the same structure to serve multiple functional requirements.
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 the efficient handling of oversized and weighty cargo with additional structural support, facilitating both manual and powered operation, and providing versatility in use cases such as towing and container handling.
Implementation Method 1
can be powered by dual batteries for efficient movement of heavy loads
Implementation Method 2
transaxle system... can be powered by dual batteries
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive concept relates to a manually operated hand truck that can also be electrically powered, the apparatus referred to as an “electric mover.” The electric mover includes a main frame comprising handle bars, upper and lower load stabilizers, and a load plate connected to the main frame. In powered operation, a pair of co-axial drive wheels, positioned at the lower extremity of the main frame, is driven by a transaxle. The transaxle receives power through a control box containing a pair of replaceable batteries. The electric mover is further constructed with a positionable leg assembly comprising two moveable legs, each having a bottommost caster wheel. The moveable legs may be pivotally arranged at either an extended working position, or a stowed position against the frame, which provides an alternative load bearing configuration. Additional components include a customized fork extensions assembly and a rolling wheel attachment.