Monorail Trolley Flange Dynamics for Compact Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monorail transport systems face issues with compactness and load distribution due to geometric variations in the monorail track, leading to uneven wheel loading and incompatibility with buildings of limited height, and oversizing wheels and structures to mitigate these issues increases costs and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A monorail transport system with a frame having two flanges connected by relative movement means, such as connecting rods and joints, allowing the wheels to maintain contact with the track through rotational or translational movement, ensuring uniform load distribution across all wheels regardless of track variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If aluminum profiles are used as the track, then the geometry of the running surfaces is correct with limited variations, but the height of the system accumulates significantly making it incompatible with buildings of limited height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the flange structure movable rather than rigid. The flanges are connected by connecting means that allow relative movement, enabling the system to adapt to track geometric variations dynamically. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for oversized rigid components, reducing overall system height while maintaining precise running surface geometry.
2Ease of manufacture
If the monorail track has geometric variations at junctions, then the system can be assembled in segments, but this creates steps in the running flanges leading to uneven load distribution and excessive pressure on diagonal wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics by enabling the flanges to move relative to each other through connecting means. This relative movement allows the flange structure to follow the track's geometric variations at junctions, ensuring that all four wheels remain in contact with the monorail and distributing the vertical load uniformly across all wheels, regardless of track irregularities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the geometric parameters of the flange structure (relative position and orientation) to change in response to track variations. The connecting means enable the flanges to adjust their configuration, changing the system's parameters to adapt to external conditions and maintain reliable operation.
3Reliability
If wheels and trolley structure are oversized to avoid uneven load distribution, then load distribution improves, but manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using oversized static components, the patent employs a dynamic flange structure that can adapt to track variations. This dynamic adaptation allows the use of normally sized wheels and structure while maintaining uniform load distribution, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs compared to oversized designs.
4Reliability
If oversized structure is used to compensate for track variations, then wheel contact reliability improves, but the system becomes incompatible with compact conveying solutions requiring limited height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using a dynamic flange structure with connecting means that allow relative movement. This dynamic design maintains reliable wheel contact through adaptation to track variations without requiring oversized components, thus keeping the system height compact and compatible with space-constrained applications.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an overhead conveyor trolley (1) for transporting loads, intended to run on a monorail (20). The trolley (1) comprises a chassis (2) having a first flange (3) and a second flange, opposite the first flange (3). Each flange (3) carries two wheels (5, 6) intended to run on a track of the monorail. According to the invention, the first flange (3) is connected to the second flange by first connecting means (9) allowing relative movement of one flange (3) with respect to the other.