Modular Dolly Frame with Interchangeable Engagement Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dollies are cumbersome, lack proper support, especially lateral support, and are not suitable for a wide range of objects, often experiencing damage from rough handling due to fragile construction and limited adaptability.
Innovation Solution
A dolly design featuring a modular load-bearing frame with interconnectable beams and a separate, formable engagement member that can be customized for various objects, with robustly fixed wheels to withstand heavy loads and rough handling, allowing for easy repair and minimal component variety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If generic dollies are designed with simple welded steel beam frames to withstand heavy loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but the dollies become cumbersome and lack proper lateral support for contents
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly is divided into distinct functional modules: a robust welded steel beam frame for load-bearing, and separate plastic platform assemblies with integrated wheel mechanisms for support and mobility. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the frame provides strength while the modular platforms provide lateral support and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dolly combines different materials with complementary properties: welded steel beams for structural strength and load-bearing capacity, and plastic platform components for lateral support, corrosion resistance, and integrated wheel mounting. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to excel at its specific function.
2Ease of operation
If customized dollies are made with plastic platforms injection molded to conform to specific parcel shapes, then support for specific objects is improved, but the dollies become suitable for a very limited range of different objects and are rather frail
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly system transitions from static, purpose-built designs to a dynamic, reconfigurable platform. The standardized frame with interchangeable plastic platform assemblies allows the dolly to adapt its configuration based on the specific cargo requirements, providing both specialized support and versatility through modular reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The welded steel beam frame is designed as a universal, standardized structure that can accommodate multiple types of plastic platform assemblies. This universality allows a single frame design to serve multiple functions and transport various types of cargo, resolving the contradiction between specialized support and versatility.
3Device complexity
If wheels are attached directly to plastic platforms in traditional dollies, then the structure is simpler, but the castor flange shears off during rough handling by forklift forks
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel attachment mechanism is localized to specific reinforced areas on the plastic platform assemblies, with integrated mounting structures positioned to optimize strength. The welded steel beam frame provides additional local reinforcement at critical stress points, allowing the system to withstand rough handling without requiring complex overall restructuring.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a dolly(1)for transporting objects and a frame assembly for said dolly(1). The dolly(1) comprises an engagement member (20) made of formable material and having an engaging side (21) shaped for receiving 5 carriers and a back side (22) opposite to the engaging side (21), a load-bearing frame (10), to which a plurality of wheels (30) are mounted, and an abutment between the frame (10) and the engagement member (20) for fastening the engagement member (20) to the frame (10),whereby a single type of load-bearing 10 frame (10) is applicable to a variety of engagement members (20).