Freight Compartment Tiering Structure With Embedded Belt Guide

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tiering devices for freight compartments occupy a large amount of space within the compartment, affecting the loading and unloading of goods due to the use of transmission parts like synchronous belts and threaded rods.

Innovation Solution

The design embeds a synchronous belt within the sidewall of the freight compartment, utilizing a vertical guide track with a belt guide channel and a sliding mount system that allows the support member to be adjusted in height without occupying additional space, using an electric motor-driven mounting shaft and pretensioning mechanism for tension adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a synchronous belt is used as a transmission part to achieve automatic lifting and lowering of support cross beams, then the lifting and lowering operation is automated, but the synchronous belt occupies space inside the freight compartment and affects loading/unloading goods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic lifting and loweringVSAvoidspace occupied by synchronous belt
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronous belt is nested within the sidewall structure by creating a belt channel that guides the belt through the sidewall thickness. The belt runs vertically within this channel, allowing the transmission mechanism to be embedded in the sidewall rather than protruding into the freight compartment space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission mechanism is moved from the horizontal dimension (protruding into the compartment) to the vertical dimension (embedded in the sidewall thickness). The belt channel extends vertically through the sidewall, allowing the synchronous belt to operate in the thickness dimension of the sidewall rather than occupying the compartment's internal volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the synchronous belt is embedded within the sidewall to reduce space occupation, then the space inside the freight compartment is reduced, but the sidewall thickness must be sufficient to accommodate the belt channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied by tiering deviceVSAvoidsidewall thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sidewall is segmented into functional zones: an external drive portion where the motor is mounted, a belt channel portion that guides the synchronous belt, and an internal support portion. This segmentation allows the belt to be routed efficiently through the sidewall thickness, minimizing the required thickness while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sidewall is designed with localized features including a belt channel with specific cross-sectional shape and dimensions, snap-in ports for positioning, and reinforcement elements. These local modifications optimize the belt embedding while minimizing the overall sidewall thickness requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If a support plate is used instead of support cross beams to reduce space occupation, then fewer lifting mechanisms are needed (only at four corners), but the support plate may have limited load distribution capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied by lifting mechanismVSAvoidload distribution capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate and support cross beam functions are merged into a single integrated support member. This hybrid structure combines the area distribution advantage of plates with the structural strength of beams, providing both broad load distribution and high load-bearing capacity while requiring lifting mechanisms only at the corner positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces space occupation inside the freight compartment while enabling smooth operation and stable performance of the tiering device, facilitating efficient loading and unloading of goods without interfering with the synchronous belt's operation.

Implementation Method 1

synchronous belt...to perform lifting and lowering of a support member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

electric motor-driven mounting shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

pretensioning mechanism for tension adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4029766B1Layering device for carriage
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 ZHEJIANG TOPSUN LOGISTIC CONTROL CO LTD
  • EP4029766B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4029766B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4029766B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a tiering device for a freight compartment, which pertains to the technical field of logistic and transportation equipment. It solves the problem in the prior art that existing tiering devices for a freight compartment occupy a relatively large space inside the freight compartment. The tiering device for a freight compartment according to the present invention comprises: a sidewall of the freight compartment, a transmission part, and a vertical guide track; the transmission part lift/lower support members, the support members forms placement area for goods. Half of the transmission part is buried inside a belt guide channel on the vertical guide track, the other half is located inside the vertical guide track or is flush with the groove opening of the vertical guide track. The present invention has the advantage of occupying less space inside the freight compartment, thus facilitating loading/unloading goods to/from the freight compartment.