Stand for storing and/or transporting glass panels of large dimensions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for transporting large glass panels are inefficient, as they require multiple trucks or containers, leading to high transport costs and CO2 emissions due to non-retractable supports, limiting the quantity that can be transported in a single trip and causing economic and environmental issues.

Innovation Solution

A retractable easel system with a horizontal support structure and securing means that links multiple easels together, allowing for stable transport of large glass panels by road, rail, and sea, increasing the quantity transported per trip while reducing costs and emissions by optimizing load distribution and using a locking system to prevent separation during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple trucks or containers are used to transport large quantities of glass panels, then the transport capacity is sufficient, but the transport cost and CO2 emissions increase significantly due to empty return trips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of glass panels transportedVSAvoidCO2 emissions and transport cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system is divided into multiple modular easels that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each easel can carry glass panels, and multiple easels can be linked together to form a larger transport structure, allowing flexible adaptation to different transport capacities and reducing the need for multiple separate trips

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The easel structure incorporates retractable support legs and adjustable securing mechanisms that can be dynamically configured during loading and transport. The support legs can be extended during loading and retracted during transport to optimize space and reduce the number of trips required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fixed supports are used for glass panels, then the panels are stable during transport, but the supports cannot be removed or retracted leading to inefficient space utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of glass panelsVSAvoidremovability and retractability of supports
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support legs are designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing them to be extended when needed for panel stability and retracted when not needed to optimize space utilization during transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure allows for parameter changes in terms of extension and retraction of support legs, enabling the same structure to provide both stability during loading/unloading and compactness during transport

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If single easel transport is used by road, then the easel is easy to handle, but only one easel can be transported per truck limiting the quantity of panels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of handling easelVSAvoidnumber of panels per transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system uses multiple independent but linkable easels that maintain individual ease of handling while being capable of connection to form larger transport units, balancing operational simplicity with increased capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple easels can be securely linked together using coupling mechanisms to form a unified transport structure, allowing multiple panels to be transported simultaneously while maintaining the operational advantages of modular construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If large glass panels are transported in containers by train or river, then the panels are protected, but only one device at a time can be placed in a container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of glass panelsVSAvoidnumber of panels per container
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system divides the load into multiple modular easels that can be individually placed in containers or linked together, allowing flexible configuration to maximize container utilization while maintaining panel protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple easels can be linked together to form a unified structure that occupies optimized space within containers, allowing more panels to be transported per container while maintaining the protective benefits of individual easel structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2847112B1Stand for storing and/or transporting glass panels of large dimensions
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 AGC GLASS EUROPE SA
  • EP2847112B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2847112B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A stand for storing and/or transporting glass panels of large dimensions including a horizontal support structure and at least one support frame provided to support the glass panels. The stand comprises at least one securing device for securing the stand to another stand.