Motorized Dolly with Height-Adjustable Riser for Stone Slab Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of heavy and large natural and engineered stone slabs for countertops is challenging due to their weight and size, requiring multiple manual handlers and increasing installation costs, while also posing risks of damage and injury.
Innovation Solution
A motorized dolly equipped with a base, drive system, riser assembly, platform, and outrigger supports that allows for height adjustment, platform pivoting between transport and unloading positions, and a turning leg for navigating tight spaces, enabling efficient and safe movement of stone slabs through narrow areas and stairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to transport stone slabs, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but labor requirements increase and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical handling system with an automated motorized dolly system. The dolly includes a motorized drive system with wheels, a platform for carrying slabs, and control mechanisms that automate the transport process, eliminating the need for multiple manual handlers while maintaining operational simplicity through remote or automated control.
2Reliability
If multiple handlers are used to move stone slabs, then safety is improved, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized dolly is designed to perform the transport function independently without requiring multiple human handlers. The system includes self-contained motorized propulsion, platform stabilization mechanisms, and safety features that enable single-operator control while maintaining the safety previously achieved through multiple handlers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stone slabs are moved through narrow doorways and stairs, then delivery capability is improved, but risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities including height-adjustable platforms, articulated steering mechanisms, and variable speed control that allow the system to adapt to different terrain conditions such as narrow doorways and staircases. These dynamic features enable careful navigation through tight spaces while minimizing the risk of damage to the stone slabs.
4Productivity
If motorized dolly is used for transport, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized dolly system is divided into distinct functional modules: a motorized drive system with wheels, a height-adjustable platform mechanism, a steering and navigation system, and a control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier maintenance and operation despite the overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The motorized dolly significantly reduces the need for manual handling, minimizes damage and injury risks, and streamlines the installation process by allowing single-operator transport and precise placement of stone slabs, thereby lowering costs and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
a drive system including at least one motor disposed in the base and coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels configured to rotate the at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels for forward and backward movement of the base along the ground surface
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of outrigger supports can be configured to be deployed to contact the ground surface for stabilizing the base and the at least one slab received by the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized dolly for transporting at least one slab includes a base having a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the base for moving the base along a ground surface and a drive system including at least one motor disposed in the base and coupled to at least one of the plurality of wheels configured to rotate the at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels for forward and backward movement of the base along the ground surface. The motorized dolly also includes a riser assembly connected to the base configured to extend to increase a height of the at least one slab relative to the base and the ground surface and to retract to reduce the height of the at least one slab relative to the ground surface and the base.