Hinged Door Guide Rail Extension for Automated Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing freight transport systems for loads on pallets, such as cars, are inefficient and unsafe due to operator-dependent control, leading to suboptimal loading, unloading, and potential danger, with manual gripping and positioning being time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A road vehicle equipped with a motorized manipulator moving along longitudinal guide rails, featuring hinged doors with extended guide rails for continuous operation, and coupling mechanisms for aligned loading structures, enabling automated and efficient loading and unloading with enhanced safety and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If operator-controlled manual gripping and positioning is used, then flexibility in handling different loads is maintained, but loading and unloading operations become time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and unloading speedVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs loading and unloading operations autonomously without continuous operator intervention. The control unit automatically controls the manipulator to grip, move, and position loads based on stored program instructions, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining handling flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical gripping and positioning operations are replaced by an automated motorized manipulator system controlled by a programable control unit. The mechanical system executes loading/unloading sequences automatically, replacing operator-dependent manual control with automated electromechanical control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If the manipulator moves only within the loading space, then the structure remains compact, but the manipulator cannot access extended loading positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulator travel distanceVSAvoidvehicle structure length
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail system is divided into modular sections that can be selectively extended. The guide rails include extendable portions that can be deployed when additional loading space is needed and retracted when not required, allowing the manipulator travel distance to be increased without permanently extending the vehicle structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rail configuration is made dynamic and adaptable. The guide rails can be extended or reconfigured depending on loading requirements, allowing the manipulator access to extended positions while maintaining a compact structure during transport. The system transitions between compact and extended states based on operational needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If loading structures are coupled together, then cargo capacity is increased, but alignment between guide rails becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo capacityVSAvoidguide rail alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment sensing means are provided to detect the relative positions of guide rails in coupled loading structures. The system uses this feedback information to automatically adjust or compensate for misalignments, ensuring precise guide rail alignment between coupled structures without requiring manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Alignment sensing means act as an intermediary between the coupled loading structures. These sensors detect positional deviations and provide information to the control system, which then coordinates the manipulator operations to accommodate or correct the misalignment, enabling seamless operation across coupled structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3191342B1Transport vehicle with extended longitudinal structure for a motor-driven handling device
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 LOHR ELECTROMECANIQUE
  • EP3191342B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3191342B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3191342B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6c

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport vehicle with an extended longitudinal structure for a motor-driven handling device. Loads (2) are loaded/unloaded in a loading space by a motor-driven handling device (5) which moves along longitudinal guide rails (7) supported by the vehicle (3). The transport vehicle is closed at the rear by two hinged doors (10), each door including a guide rail section (11) located at the same height as the guide rails. When the hinged doors are open to 90 degrees, each guide rail section extends one of the guide rails, allowing the motor-driven handling device to move simultaneously on both the guide rails and the guide rail sections.