Engine Transport System Automatic Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport systems for motor vehicle engines lack reliable positioning and pivoting capabilities, particularly due to the high weight of engines, which poses safety risks during handling and replacement in workshops.

Innovation Solution

A transport system featuring an adjustable locking unit that automatically secures the motor unit in a transport position, allowing for safe movement and pivoting, with a receiving body and motor unit design that ensures secure positioning without additional aids, and an anti-rotation device to prevent twisting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a transport system is designed to handle heavy motor vehicle engines, then the weight capacity is improved, but the reliability of positioning and safety during handling deteriorates due to the high weight posing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight capacityVSAvoidpositioning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking unit is designed to automatically lock the motor unit in the transport position as soon as it is placed on the load-carrying unit. This preliminary locking action prevents positioning errors and ensures safety before any movement or pivoting operations commence, directly addressing the reliability concern associated with heavy engine handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additional securing measures and locking mechanisms are added to ensure reliable positioning, then the positioning reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking unit is designed to perform its locking function automatically without requiring additional securing measures or manual intervention. The unit self-locks when the motor unit is placed in the transport position, eliminating the need for complex additional locking mechanisms while maintaining high positioning reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking unit integrates multiple functions into a single device: it provides automatic locking, positioning indication, and structural support. This multi-functionality achieves reliable positioning without increasing device complexity, as the same component performs multiple critical functions

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

3Ease of operation

If the transport system is designed to allow pivoting movements for positioning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of position security deteriorates since positional security is not guaranteed during pivoting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning easeVSAvoidposition security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking unit locks the motor unit in the transport position before any pivoting or movement operations are performed. This preliminary securing ensures that the engine remains securely positioned during ease-of-operation maneuvers, maintaining position security while enabling flexible positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3135440B1Transport system for motor vehicle engines
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 TKR SPEZIALWERKZEUGE GMBH
  • EP3135440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3135440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3135440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport system for motor vehicle engines, comprising an engine unit (3) that can be arranged on a motor vehicle engine and a load-bearing unit (2) that can be arranged on a load carrier. To provide a transport system that ensures reliable positioning of a motor vehicle engine connected to the transport system, a locking unit (7) adjustable between a locking position and a release position is arranged on the load-bearing unit (2), designed such that it automatically locks the engine unit (3) to the load-bearing unit (2) in a transport position.