Flatbed Deck Assembly With Wheel Conveyance Slots
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flatbed trucks face difficulties in loading and unloading vehicles when their wheels do not rotate, leading to potential damage from skidding during the hauling process.
Innovation Solution
A deck assembly with longitudinal slots and conveyance assemblies, featuring rollers or other conveyance mechanisms, is integrated into the flatbed truck to facilitate the movement of vehicle wheels along the deck, ensuring smooth loading and unloading even when wheels are immobile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional flatbed deck is used without conveyance mechanisms, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to handle vehicles with non-rotating wheels is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The deck assembly is segmented into multiple longitudinal slots that can independently receive conveyance assemblies. Each slot operates as an independent unit that can be selectively activated based on the loading requirements, allowing the system to handle various vehicle conditions without requiring a completely complex integrated solution.
Solution Approach 2:
Conveyance assemblies act as intermediary elements between the deck and the vehicle wheels. These assemblies provide the necessary mechanical interaction to move vehicles with non-rotating wheels, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between the simple deck structure and the complex requirement of handling immobile wheels.
2Ease of operation
If conveyance assemblies are added to facilitate movement of non-rotating wheels, then the loading capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance assemblies are designed to be movable within the longitudinal slots rather than fixed permanently. This dynamic configuration allows the assemblies to be positioned as needed during loading operations and retracted when not in use, providing enhanced loading capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure when the conveyance function is not active.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance assemblies are designed to handle multiple scenarios: vehicles with rotating wheels, vehicles with non-rotating wheels, and vehicles of various sizes. This multi-functionality allows a single added component to address multiple loading challenges, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the deck structure is modified to include longitudinal slots and conveyance assemblies, then the versatility for different vehicle conditions is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal slots are designed as separate, modular features in the deck structure rather than a complex integrated cavity system. This segmentation allows each slot to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, and the conveyance assemblies can be produced as separate components that are then installed in the slots, significantly easing the manufacturing process while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A deck assembly configured for use in a flatbed truck is provided. The deck assembly includes a deck body having an upper surface, an opposing lower surface, a first end and an opposing second end. A plurality of longitudinal slots extend from the upper surface of the deck body into the deck body. A plurality of conveyance assemblies are positioned in each of the longitudinal slots. Each of the plurality of conveyance assemblies has a plurality of conveyance mechanisms configured to facilitate movement of a wheel of a recovered vehicle in a direction along the longitudinal slot.