Locking Leak Containment Tray for Sloped Lift Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fluid leakage from mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) can contaminate clean environments, especially when operating on uneven or sloped surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A leak containment system comprising a mounting bracket, a tray with perimeter walls forming a fluid container, and a locking mechanism to secure the tray within the bracket, effectively capturing and containing hydraulic fluid leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the MEWP operates on uneven or sloped surfaces, then the mobility and working capability are improved, but hydraulic fluid leakage occurs and contaminates the environment
Solution Approach 1:
A leak containment system is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydraulic system and the external environment. The system includes a mounting bracket with a channel, a removable tray that receives the channel, and a locking mechanism to secure the tray in place. This intermediary structure captures hydraulic fluid before it can contaminate the environment, allowing the MEWP to operate on various terrains without causing pollution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a leak containment system is added to the MEWP, then environmental contamination is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leak containment system is divided into separate modular components: a mounting bracket with an integrated channel, a removable tray, and a locking mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently, easier to assemble and disassemble, and simpler to maintain. The modular design reduces overall system complexity while effectively preventing hydraulic fluid leakage.
3Reliability
If the tray is securely locked to the mounting bracket, then fluid containment reliability is improved, but the ease of removal for cleaning decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing it to transition between locked and unlocked states. The mechanism includes a locking member that can engage with a locking surface on the tray to secure it during operation, but can also be easily disengaged when removal is needed for cleaning or maintenance. This dynamic design maintains fluid containment reliability during use while enabling easy tray removal when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A leak containment system (50) includes a mounting bracket (62), a tray (64), and a locking mechanism (66). The mounting bracket has a first rail (68), a second rail (70), and a panel (72) extending between the first rails and the second rail. The panel is vertically offset from feet (74, 78) formed on the first rail, and a channel (90) is defined by at least the first rail and an underside of the panel. The tray is removably received within the channel. The tray includes a bottom surface (92) surrounded by perimeter walls (94, 96, 98, 100) that together define a fluid container. The perimeter walls include a front perimeter wall (100) that extends upwardly above the other walls. The locking mechanism is coupled to the mounting bracket and is configured to selectively engage the front perimeter wall of the tray to restrict movement of the tray outward from the channel.