Hitch-Mounted Screw Lift for Safer Walk-Behind Equipment Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of wheelless and trackless powered construction equipment poses a significant risk to workers due to the physical demands of manually loading and unloading these heavy and bulky machines onto and off trucks, leading to potential injuries and increased healthcare and economic burdens.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted transportation lift device with a screw jack powered lift mechanism that raises and lowers a cradle to securely hold and transport walk-behind construction equipment, eliminating the need for manual handling by allowing the equipment to be loaded and unloaded using its own power, thereby reducing the risk of worker injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to load and unload construction equipment onto truck beds, then the equipment can be transported, but worker injuries and health deterioration occur due to heavy lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The construction equipment's own vibrational or reciprocal motion is utilized to load the machine onto the transportation device, eliminating the need for manual lifting by workers. The equipment essentially loads itself through its operational motion.
Solution Approach 2:
A transportation device with a cradle and lift mechanism serves as an intermediary between the construction equipment and the truck bed. This device receives the equipment through its own motion and then mechanically lifts it onto the truck, preventing direct manual handling.
2Productivity
If workers manually lift heavy equipment onto truck beds, then transportation is achieved, but physical strain and economic costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical system of workers lifting equipment is replaced with an automated lift mechanism powered by a screw jack. This mechanical substitution eliminates human physical strain while maintaining transportation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The equipment's own motion is harnessed to initiate the loading process, converting the equipment's operational energy into loading action, thereby reducing the energy burden on workers.
3Ease of operation
If equipment is loaded onto elevated truck beds, then transportation is enabled, but accident risk increases due to height
Solution Approach 1:
The lift mechanism acts as an intermediary that safely bridges the gap between ground level and the elevated truck bed. It provides controlled lifting and lowering, eliminating the need for workers to manually handle equipment at height and reducing accident risk.
4Extent of automation
If a lift device is added to the transportation system, then manual handling is eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation device is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides a cradle to receive equipment, a lift mechanism to elevate it onto the truck, and can be attached to various truck types. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple operations into one device.
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
The device significantly decreases the likelihood of worker injuries by automating the loading and unloading process, enhancing safety and reducing physical strain, while also improving operational efficiency in transporting heavy construction equipment.
Implementation Method 1
a screw jack powered lift device that raises and lowers a cradle
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-mounted transportation lift for transporting wheelless or trackless, powered, construction equipment and a method of using same; wherein the transportation lift comprises a cradle comprising a horizontally oriented plate, the plate removably secures to and supports a base of the powered walk-behind equipment; a lifting device that supports a motorized screw jack, the lifting device further being attached to an automotive vehicle; wherein the motorized linear screw actuator moves the cradle between a loading position proximate to the ground and a carrying position distal from the ground.