Fold-Down Tray Hinge With Clamping Lever for Compact Trolley Storage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rigid and immovable shelves on load transport vehicles pose a challenge when trying to stow them away for space-saving purposes.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with a tensioning lever, pull rod, connection elements, and positioning elements allows for the variable positioning and folding of shelves, enabling the reduction of the vehicle's dimensions by allowing the shelves to be folded down.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If shelves are rigidly and immovably attached to the load transport trolley, then the shelves provide stable support for loads, but the trolley cannot be stored in a space-saving manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf stabilityVSAvoidtrolley storage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is transformed from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamically adjustable one. The clamping device allows the shelf to be positioned at different angles relative to the trolley frame, enabling it to be folded flat downwards for compact storage or positioned at optimal angles for load support during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf assembly is divided into separable components: the shelf tray, the clamping device with drawbar, and the connecting elements. This segmentation allows the shelf to be independently adjusted and positioned relative to the trolley frame, enabling both stable support and compact storage configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the shelf is made foldable to reduce storage volume, then the trolley can be stowed away compactly, but the shelf may become less stable when carrying loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrolley storage volumeVSAvoidshelf stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable one. When folded flat for storage, the shelf achieves compact volume. When positioned at optimal angles during transport, the clamping device provides stable support, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and load-bearing stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The angle between the shelf and trolley frame is changed as a key parameter. The clamping device enables adjustment of this angle to optimize both storage compactness and load support stability, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If a clamping device with multiple connecting elements is used to enable variable shelf positioning, then the shelf can be folded flat for compact storage, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrolley storage volumeVSAvoidclamping device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is segmented into functional components (clamping lever, drawbar, connecting elements, positioning elements) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This modular approach manages complexity by allowing each component to perform a specific function while working together to achieve compact shelf storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element is designed as a cylindrical tube that can receive and accommodate the drawbar within it. This nesting arrangement reduces the overall space required for the clamping mechanism and simplifies the structural configuration, enabling compact shelf positioning without excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3820652B1Hinge for load transporter
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 HILTI AG
  • EP3820652B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820652B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820652B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clamping device for variably positioning an angular adjustment of at least one tray on a load transport trolley for transporting loads, preferably tool boxes. The clamping device contains a clamping lever for reversibly adjusting the clamping device in a clamped or released position, wherein, in the released position, the tray, a pull rod which is movable reversibly by the clamping lever into a first or second position, wherein the clamping device is in the clamped position when the pull rod is adjusted into the first position, and the clamping device is in the released position when the pull rod is adjusted into the second position; an attachment element for connecting the tray to the clamping device, and a first and second connecting element for connecting the clamping device to a frame of the load transport trolley.