Pickup-Mounted Telescoping Conveyor for Constrained Site Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of compact, mobile, and accessible telescoping conveyor systems suitable for use on pickup trucks that do not require a commercial driver's license or specialized permitting, limiting their ability to access constrained work sites.

Innovation Solution

A compact mobile pickup truck mounted telescopic belt conveyor system utilizing aluminum and polymeric materials for reduced size and weight, featuring a serpentine belt design with sliding roller sections and hydraulic extensions, allowing for efficient and versatile material placement without the need for large commercial vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional large vehicle mounted telescoping conveyor systems are used, then material conveying capacity is sufficient, but the apparatus cannot access constrained work sites and requires commercial driver's license and specialized permitting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to constrained work sitesVSAvoidvehicle size and weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system employs telescoping sections that nest within each other when retracted, allowing the apparatus to fit into compact spaces on smaller vehicles while maintaining full extension capacity for material conveying. The nested configuration enables the conveyor to access constrained work sites that larger conventional systems cannot reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor is divided into multiple telescoping sections that can be independently extended and retracted. This segmentation allows the system to adapt its length and configuration to fit various vehicle platforms and access different work site geometries, thereby improving versatility without requiring oversized vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Weight of moving object

If compact pickup truck mounted conveyor systems are used, then accessibility to constrained areas is improved, but material conveying capacity and extension capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle size and weightVSAvoidconveyor extension capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple telescoping sections are nested within each other, with each section capable of extending beyond the previous one. This nested arrangement allows the conveyor to achieve significant extension length from a compact retracted state, enabling pickup truck mounting while maintaining adequate conveying reach for various material placement applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor system incorporates dynamic telescoping mechanisms that allow sections to extend and retract as needed during operation. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt its length to match the specific requirements of different work sites, maximizing conveying capacity from a compact platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If aluminum and polymeric materials are used for reduced size and weight, then fuel consumption and maintenance costs are reduced, but structural strength and durability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system utilizes composite construction combining aluminum structural components with polymeric materials for non-structural elements. This composite approach reduces overall weight and fuel consumption while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the aluminum framework that bears the primary loads during telescoping and material conveying operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables efficient and cost-effective material placement with reduced fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and environmental impact, while accessing areas inaccessible to conventional conveyor systems, due to its compact size and lightweight design.

Implementation Method 1

a serpentine belt configured to move material through friction contact with the conveyor surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

featuring a serpentine belt design with sliding roller sections and hydraulic extensions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS11993460B2Mobile and transferable telescoping conveyor apparatus and process

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 WILSON NEIL

AI summary

Provided is a portable conveying system mounted on a class 5 operable pickup truck rolling chassis with engine and transmission components for conveying material to a desired site comprising, a hydraulically operated telescopable conveying unit of a plurality of individual sections nesting in each other or extending out from each other when telescoping and an internal extendable and retractable conveying belt situated within said telescoping conveying unit, and operated manually or remotely controlled by PTO function of the pickup truck chassis engine, and wherein said individual telescoping sections are moveable relative to each other by rolling and/or sliding on polymeric slidable surfaces.