Radio-Controlled Ramp Load Assist System for Hand Truck Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Loading and unloading heavy or bulky goods from cargo trucks using hand trucks is challenging due to the risk of the hand truck becoming out of control or gaining speed on ramps, leading to potential operator injury and cargo damage.
Innovation Solution
A radio-controlled cargo truck ramp load assist system that includes a hook engagement device in a longitudinal slot of the ramp, actuated by a motor system, and a remote controller with a radio transceiver to control the hook's movement, allowing safe and controlled operation of the hand truck up and down the ramp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a ramp is used to bridge the elevation gap for loading/unloading, then cargo handling is enabled, but the hand truck may become out of control or gain speed down the ramp
Solution Approach 1:
A motorized actuator system serves as an intermediary between the hand truck operator and the hand truck movement on the ramp. The actuator provides controlled force to assist the operator in moving the hand truck up and down the ramp, preventing uncontrolled movement while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical system of pushing/pulling the hand truck on the ramp is replaced with a motorized actuation system. The actuator uses controlled mechanical force to move the hand truck, replacing the purely manual mechanical effort with an assisted motorized system that ensures safety and control.
2Ease of operation
If the hand truck is pushed manually up and down the ramp, then operation simplicity is maintained, but operator injury and cargo damage may result
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system acts as a protective intermediary between the operator and the dangerous uncontrolled movement. It provides controlled assistance that prevents the hand truck from gaining excessive speed or becoming uncontrollable, thereby eliminating the harmful factors of operator injury and cargo damage while preserving operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized actuator provides beforehand cushioning by being ready to provide controlled resistance or assistance before uncontrolled movement can occur. The system preemptively manages the forces on the hand truck during ramp movement, preventing dangerous situations before they arise.
3Reliability
If a motorized actuator system is added to control hand truck movement, then safety and control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized actuator system is designed to perform multiple functions: it assists with loading, controls descent, and can be integrated with the existing ramp structure. By making the actuator system multi-functional, the added complexity is justified by the multiple safety and operational benefits it provides.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system is merged with the existing ramp structure, combining the motorized control mechanism with the physical ramp. This integration reduces overall system complexity by eliminating separate components and combining functions into a unified structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo truck ramp load assist system comprises a hand truck engagement device disposed in a longitudinal slot in a cargo truck ramp, a first actuator coupled to the hook operable to effect displacement of the hand truck engagement device along the longitudinal slot in the ramp, a remote controller coupled to a hand truck and equipped with a first radio transceiver, a second radio transceiver coupled to the first actuator operable to receive directional/speed control signals from the remote controller, and the hand truck engagement device operable to engage the hand truck and the first actuator effecting displacement of the hand truck engagement device up and down the ramp in response to the directional/speed control signals to facilitate the hand truck going up and down the ramp.