Flatrack Assembly Aid for Wind Turbine Pre-Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The construction of wind turbines requires complex and cost-intensive special assembly aids for pre-assembly activities, which need to be transported to and from the installation site, increasing logistical and production costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of flat racks as assembly aids, detachably connected with assembly aid elements, provides a stable and level surface for assembling wind turbine components, reducing the need for specialized equipment by utilizing existing or locally available flat racks, and incorporating leveling devices and ballast elements for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex special assembly aids are used for pre-assembly activities, then assembly stability and functionality are improved, but transport costs and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using flat racks that serve dual purposes: as transport containers for delivering wind turbine components to the erection site and as assembly aids for pre-assembly activities. This eliminates the need for separate specialized assembly equipment, reducing production costs while maintaining assembly functionality through the flat rack's structured design with support elements and connection points.
2Reliability
If complex special assembly aids are used for pre-assembly activities, then assembly stability and functionality are improved, but transport costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using flat racks that serve dual purposes: as transport containers for delivering wind turbine components to the erection site and as assembly aids for pre-assembly activities. This eliminates the need for separate specialized assembly equipment, reducing production costs while maintaining assembly functionality through the flat rack's structured design with support elements and connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the transport function and assembly aid function into a single integrated system. The flat rack structure combines transportation capabilities with built-in assembly support features such as support legs, connection points, and stabilization elements, allowing the same equipment to perform both transport and assembly functions without requiring additional specialized equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized assembly equipment is transported to and from the installation site, then assembly functionality is improved, but logistical complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using flat racks that serve dual purposes: as transport containers for delivering wind turbine components to the erection site and as assembly aids for pre-assembly activities. This eliminates the need for separate specialized assembly equipment, reducing production costs while maintaining assembly functionality through the flat rack's structured design with support elements and connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the assembly aid functionality from separate specialized equipment and integrates it directly into the flat rack structure. By incorporating support legs, connection points, and stabilization elements as integral parts of the flat rack, the design eliminates the need to transport and set up additional specialized assembly equipment at the installation site.
4Ease of manufacture
If flat racks are used as assembly aids, then transport costs are reduced, but assembly stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding specific structural enhancements to the flat rack at critical locations where assembly stability is needed. These include extendable support legs positioned at corners and intermediate points, connection points for securing components, and ballast element attachment points. The flat rack maintains its simple transport design overall while having localized stability features where required for assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using extendable and adjustable support legs that can be configured based on the specific assembly requirements. The support legs can be extended outward and downward to provide stable support during assembly operations, then retracted or adjusted when not needed, allowing the flat rack to adapt its stability characteristics to different assembly scenarios while maintaining transport efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the use of transport means – namely flatracks (2) – in the construction of wind turbines, in particular in the necessary pre-assembly of component groups at the construction site of a wind turbine, as well as a corresponding assembly aid (1). The use of flatracks (2) for assembling component groups of a wind turbine at its construction site is characterized in that at least two flatracks (2) are detachably connected to at least one assembly aid element (6), wherein the assembly aid element (6) is designed to support or detachably receive at least one component (10, 12) of the component group to be assembled.The assembly aid (1) according to the invention for assembling component groups of a wind turbine at its erection site comprises at least two flatracks (2) which are detachably connected to at least one assembly aid element (6), wherein the assembly aid element (6) is designed to support or detachably receive at least one component (10, 12) of the component group to be assembled.