Rail Alignment Means for Transportation Unit Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring transportation units, such as containers, between trucks and railcars are complex, expensive, and inefficient, often requiring large, stiff structures to maintain alignment and stability, which can lead to deformation and system jamming during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing connection members that engage both transportation vehicles to align transfer surfaces, reducing the need for expensive and stiff structures by allowing the transfer surfaces to pivot and maintain vertical alignment, with safety mechanisms to prevent disconnection during transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If large, stiff structures are used to maintain alignment and stability during transfer, then stability and alignment are improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and deformation and jamming may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by allowing the transfer surfaces to pivot relative to each other during the transfer operation. Instead of using large, stiff structures to maintain alignment, the system enables controlled movement and adaptation of the transfer surfaces through pivoting connections, reducing structural complexity while maintaining alignment stability throughout the transfer process.
2Device complexity
If connection members are used to align transfer surfaces by engaging both transportation vehicles, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may be compromised during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing connection members that engage both transportation vehicles as mediators to establish and maintain alignment between transfer surfaces. These connection members act as intermediaries that coordinate the positioning of both vehicles, simplifying the alignment mechanism while ensuring reliable connection throughout the transfer operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If transfer surfaces are allowed to pivot to maintain vertical alignment, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but control precision becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing transfer surfaces that can pivot during the transfer operation. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain vertical alignment through controlled movement rather than relying on high manufacturing precision. The pivoting mechanism automatically adapts to position changes, making the system easier to operate while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for transferring a transportation unit, for example a container, from one transportation vehicle to another, the system further comprising an aligning mechanism having two connection members, said connection members each having a first position and a second position, in the first position, the connection member is only in contact with the first or second transportation vehicle respectively and in the second position the connection member is enabled such that it is in contact with both the second or first transportation vehicle respectively in addition to the first or second transportation vehicle, and in that said connection members and said transportation vehicles are arranged such that the connection between the transportation vehicle and the connection member in the connection member's second position ensures vertical alignment of the adjacent ends of upwardly facing transfer surfaces of the first and second transportation vehicles during the transfer of the transportation unit.