Passive Vehicle Container Access With Movable Side Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load handling systems for vehicles are complex and expensive due to their electromechanical actuation systems, necessitating a simpler and cost-effective alternative.
Innovation Solution
A load handling system with a container featuring a side wall that moves relative to a load carrying platform between two positions, allowing passive actuation, and a base with a cavity for receiving the side wall during vertical movement, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex electromechanical actuation system is used to enable container access and storage, then the container can perform its load handling function, but the system becomes expensive to purchase and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex electromechanical actuation system from the container and relocates the actuation function to the base station. The container itself becomes a passive load-bearing structure, while the base station's robotic arm performs all positioning and access operations. This separation eliminates the need for complex actuators within the container, reducing its complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be self-sufficient structurally, with the base station providing all active control and movement functions. The container's simple design allows it to serve itself as a passive carrier, while the intelligent base station handles all complex operations, dividing the system into simple passive components and a centralized intelligent controller.
2Ease of operation
If the side wall moves relative to the load carrying platform to enable access, then the load carrying platform becomes accessible, but the side wall must be received in a cavity during vertical movement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the load carrying platform relative to the side wall to enable access, the patent inverts the approach by moving the side wall relative to the stationary load carrying platform. The side wall slides vertically within guides on the platform, allowing the platform to become accessible while the side wall is received in a cavity in the base station during vertical container movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into distinct functional components: a stationary load carrying platform, a movable side wall, and a base station with cavity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the platform provides stable support, the side wall provides access when moved, and the base station receives the side wall during vertical movement, reducing 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 system achieves efficient and cost-effective storage and retrieval of vehicles with reduced complexity, enabling high-density parking while maintaining easy access to the load carrying platform.
Implementation Method 1
the load carrying platform has been lowered onto the support station such that the load carrying platform is accessible
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a load handling system including a container having a load carrying platform and a side wall extending around at least part of the perimeter of the load carrying platform. The side wall is to move with respect to the load carrying platform between a first position in which the load carrying platform is held substantially at a lower end of the side wall and a second position in which the load carrying platform is located substantially at or above an upper end of the side wall. The load handling system is configured to receive the side wall as the side wall moves after the load carrying platform has been lowered onto the support station.