Pivoting Cargo Cradle Layout for Log and Container Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo transport vehicles, specifically designed for logs, are inefficient as they cannot readily carry other types of cargo on return journeys, leading to wasted capacity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with pivotable cradles that can transition between extended and collapsed configurations, allowing for the carriage of elongate objects when extended and intermodal containers when collapsed, enabling versatile cargo handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is designed with fixed stanchions for carrying logs, then it can effectively transport elongate cargo, but it cannot readily carry other types of cargo such as intermodal containers
Solution Approach 1:
The stanchions are made dynamically reconfigurable through a pivotable cradle assembly that can transition between extended and collapsed positions. The cradle rotates about a longitudinal axis, allowing stanchions to extend perpendicular to the deck for log transport or collapse parallel to the deck for container transport, enabling the vehicle to adapt to different cargo types.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle structure is segmented into modular components: a deck, multiple pivotable cradles with stanchions, and an actuator system. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of each cradle assembly to configure the vehicle for specific cargo types, providing versatility without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Productivity
If the vehicle carries logs on outwardly extending stanchions, then it optimizes log transport capability, but the stanchions interfere with carrying intermodal containers on the return journey
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle assembly dynamically reconfigures the stanchion position based on cargo requirements. For log transport, stanchions extend outward to provide optimal support. For return journeys with intermodal containers, the cradle rotates to collapse stanchions parallel to the deck, eliminating interference and enabling container carriage.
Solution Approach 2:
The same vehicle structure performs multiple functions by reconfiguring the cradle assembly. The stanchions serve dual purposes: extending for log support during outbound journeys and collapsing for container accommodation during return journeys, maximizing vehicle utilization and reducing empty return trips.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle returns empty after delivering logs, then it completes the delivery task, but it wastes transport capacity that could be utilized for other cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is designed with universal cargo handling capability through the pivotable cradle system. After delivering logs, the cradles can be reconfigured to accommodate intermodal containers or other cargo types, allowing the vehicle to immediately undertake return cargo operations without requiring empty return trips, thereby doubling utilization rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle changes its structural parameters by rotating the cradle assembly between extended and collapsed configurations. This parameter change enables rapid adaptation between different cargo modes, allowing operators to efficiently switch from log delivery to return cargo transport based on available loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle for transporting cargo has a deck and a group of cradles. Each cradle in the group is pivotable relative to the deck between an extended configuration in which the cradles extend at a transverse angle relative to the deck, and a collapsed configuration in which the cradles are substantially flush with the deck. The vehicle has an actuator adapted to concurrently pivot two or more cradles in the group between the extended configuration and the collapsed configuration.