Lift Frame Assembly With Retractable Locks for Container Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lift frame designs for handling ISO containers require significant manual intervention and have limited lateral alignment margins, making them inefficient and operator-dependent, especially when dealing with uneven terrain or inclined positions.
Innovation Solution
The lift frame assembly features retractable connecting structures with a pivot axis parallel to the vertical symmetry axis, allowing for robust and rigid locking without adding width, and enabling automatic or semi-automatic operation from within the vehicle cabin, with actuators and sensors for precise alignment and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual locking mechanisms with pins are used, then the locking function is simple and reliable, but significant manual intervention is required reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure is designed to automatically lock when the lift frame approaches the container. The locking protrusion on the connecting structure engages with the locking surface on the container body without requiring manual pin insertion, enabling the system to perform the locking function autonomously during the approach phase
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical pin locking system is replaced with an automated mechanical engagement system. The connecting structure uses a locking protrusion that automatically engages with a locking surface through mechanical force during approach, eliminating the need for manual pin insertion while maintaining reliable locking
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot axis is arranged laterally perpendicular to the lift frame plane, then the locking mechanism is compact, but lateral alignment margin is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis is reoriented from a lateral arrangement (perpendicular to lift frame plane) to a vertical arrangement (parallel to vertical symmetry axis). This dimensional change in the pivot axis orientation allows the connecting structure to pivot vertically during approach, providing lateral alignment capability while maintaining a compact locking mechanism
3Strength
If robust and rigid locking is achieved without adding width, then the locking strength is maintained, but the connecting structure design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting structure employs dynamic pivoting motion around a vertical axis during the approach phase, allowing automatic alignment with the container. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the structure to achieve proper engagement geometry without requiring additional width, while the pivoting mechanism itself adds design complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A lift frame assembly (14) for a working equipment arranged to load and unload a load carrying object to/from a vehicle, the lift frame assembly (14) comprises a lift frame (16) arranged to connect the working equipment to the load carrying object during loading and unloading to/from the vehicle, a set of connectors mounted to the lift frame (16) that is further arranged to lock the lift frame (16) to corresponding connecting portions of the load carrying object during loading and unloading to/from the vehicle (4). Each of at least two of the set of connectors (20, 24) comprises a connecting structure (51) arranged to pivot around a pivot axis (57) between a closed position wherein the lift frame (16) is arranged to be locked to the load carrying object (8) and a retracted position range wherein the lift frame (16) is not locked to the load carrying object (8). The connecting structure (51) is arranged to be pivoted into a fully retracted position range, being a position range where no part of the connecting structure (51) extends beyond a planar virtual contact plane V defined by load carrying object contacting surfaces of the front side (56) of the lift frame (16) in the direction of the load carrying object (8).