Modular Vehicle Cradle With Nesting Parts for Compact Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cradles for material handling vehicles are large, require substantial assembly/disassembly time, and are not adaptable to different vehicle types, leading to inefficient shipping and storage, while also posing challenges in training and supervision due to their size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A cradle system comprising removable legs and sleighs that attach to the mast and base of the material handling vehicle, allowing for quick assembly/disassembly and minimal footprint when not in use, supporting the vehicle in a horizontal position, and enabling efficient storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cradles are used for shipping material handling vehicles, then the vehicles can be transported in a horizontal position with structural support, but the cradles require extensive assembly and disassembly time and need to be reconfigured for different vehicle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle system is divided into separate modular components including legs, cross members, and support elements that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows quick configuration for different vehicle sizes without requiring complete reconstruction of the entire cradle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that can be dynamically adapted to different material handling vehicle dimensions. The modular design enables the cradle to be quickly reconfigured for various vehicle sizes, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system.
2Reliability
If conventional cradles are used for shipping material handling vehicles, then the vehicles can be transported in a horizontal position, but the cradles are as large as the vehicles and require substantial storage space
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cradle into separate modular components, the system can be disassembled into compact parts that occupy significantly less storage space than a complete conventional cradle. The modular pieces can be stored separately or consolidated in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cradle components are designed to nest within each other when disassembled, with smaller elements fitting inside larger ones. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall storage volume required while maintaining the full functionality of the cradle when assembled.
3Reliability
If conventional cradles are used for shipping material handling vehicles, then the vehicles can be transported in a horizontal position, but the cradles must be reconfigured to use on other material handling vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmented design allows selective assembly of cradle components to match different vehicle sizes and configurations. Standardized connection interfaces enable quick adaptation to various material handling vehicles without requiring custom-designed cradles for each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle system employs universal standardized components and connection mechanisms that can be applied across different material handling vehicle types and sizes. This multi-functionality allows a single set of modular components to serve multiple vehicle configurations, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific cradle designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A cradle system for a material handling vehicle including two or more elongated legs configured to removably attach to a mast of the material handling vehicle and two or more sleighs configured to removably attach to a base of the material handling vehicle. The cradle system may include a brace configured to removably attach to the legs and a crossmember configured to removably attach to the sleighs. The cradle system has a vehicle configuration in the various components are coupled with a material handling vehicle. With the material handling vehicle in a horizontal position, the attached elongated legs and the attached sleighs support the material handling vehicle above a surface. The cradle system has a storage configuration in which the various components are nested together to minimize the area of the cradle system.