Animal Transport Loading Flap Extension Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading flap devices for animal transport vehicles create a risk of injury as animals exit, due to a gap between the flap and the ground, which can cause tripping and trauma, especially on uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable loading flap device with an extension device, such as a bridge piece, that can be attached to the flap to bridge the gap between the flap and the ground, ensuring a secure and even surface for animals to exit, using a connecting means like a mechanical hinge or elastic material, and can be retrofitted to existing flaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the loading flap is designed with floor supports to maintain a distance from the ground in the folded-down position, then the loading flap is held securely in a stable lower position, but gaps remain between the loading flap and the ground causing injury risk to animals
Solution Approach 1:
The loading flap system is divided into the main loading flap and separate extension devices (bridge pieces). These extension devices can be attached to the outer edge of the loading flap to bridge gaps between the flap and ground, while the main flap structure maintains its stable positioned with floor supports.
Solution Approach 2:
Extension devices act as intermediary elements between the loading flap and the ground. These bridge pieces fill the harmful gaps without interfering with the loading flap's stable positioning mechanism, thereby eliminating injury risks while preserving stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the loading flap is folded down close to the ground to eliminate gaps, then animal safety is improved, but the loading flap cannot maintain a defined lower position on uneven ground
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-bridging function is separated from the positioning function. Extension devices handle gap bridging on uneven ground, while the loading flap with its floor supports maintains its defined lower position independently of ground irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension devices are designed to be flexible and adaptable, able to conform to uneven ground surfaces while the main loading flap maintains its structured positioning through floor supports, allowing the system to adapt to various ground conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If extension devices are permanently attached to the loading flap, then gap bridging is ensured, but the device complexity increases and retrofitting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The extension devices are designed with attachable and detachable connections to the loading flap. This dynamic configuration allows them to be installed when needed and removed when not required, maintaining simplicity while ensuring safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection state of the extension devices can be changed between attached and detached configurations. This parameter change allows the system to transition between different operational states without permanent modification, reducing overall device complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the loading flap structure is modified to eliminate gaps, then animal safety is improved, but the original height and ventilation characteristics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gap-bridging function is assigned to separate extension devices rather than modifying the main loading flap structure. This segmentation preserves the original flap design, its height characteristics, and ventilation properties while adding safety functionality through attached bridge pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
Extension devices serve as intermediary elements that eliminate gaps without requiring modifications to the loading flap's core structure. This allows the original ventilation and height characteristics to be maintained while still providing safe animal exit.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a loading flap device for animal transport vehicles, in particular for the transport of riding, pack, or working animals, comprising a loading flap (1) that is pivotably designed to move between a substantially vertical transport position and a lowered loading position, wherein, in the lowered loading position, the loading flap has a gap to the ground (110) at least at one point along an outer edge surrounding the loading flap. At least one extension device (20) is provided, which can be arranged on the loading flap via at least one connecting element (22) such that, in the lowered loading position, the extension device bridges the gap between the loading flap (1) and the ground (110) at at least one point.