Portable Road Plate Moving System with Adjustable Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moving and repositioning large, heavy road plates is unsafe and inefficient, often requiring multiple workers and expensive motorized equipment, as existing solutions are not adapted for the size and weight distribution of road plates.
Innovation Solution
A portable system with a frame that straddles the road plate, featuring detachable attachment mechanisms and rollers for movement, along with a lifting mechanism like a jack screw for height adjustment, allowing for safe and efficient relocation by one or two workers without heavy equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional methods using cranes or tractors are used to move road plates, then the road plate can be moved, but expensive equipment must be kept on site for several weeks and considerable time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the road plate moving task into distinct functional components: the frame structure, attachment mechanisms, roller assembly, and lifting mechanism. Each component performs a specific function that can be independently optimized and assembled, enabling rapid deployment without extensive equipment setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable system acts as an intermediary device between the road plate and the vehicle. The frame with rollers and attachment mechanisms mediates the transfer of the heavy road plate from its original position to the vehicle, eliminating the need for expensive cranes or tractors while maintaining safe moving capability.
2Reliability
If multiple workers and expensive motorized equipment are used to move road plates, then safety is improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables one or two workers to safely move the road plate using the mechanical advantage provided by the lifting mechanism and rollers. The device is designed to be self-sufficient, requiring minimal human intervention and no additional heavy equipment, thereby maintaining safety while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static heavy equipment requirement to a dynamic portable system. The frame with rollers provides dynamic movement capability, allowing the road plate to be rolled along the ground while the lifting mechanism dynamically adjusts height, enabling safe movement with minimal equipment.
3Device complexity
If a portable system with rollers and lifting mechanism is used, then equipment cost is reduced, but the system must accommodate uneven terrain and size variations
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with universal attachment mechanisms that can accommodate road plates of various sizes and weights. The adjustable attachment points and robust frame structure enable the same system to handle different road plate configurations, while the rollers can adapt to uneven terrain surfaces.
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 safe and efficient movement and repositioning of road plates by one or two workers, reducing the need for expensive equipment and minimizing time and labor, while accommodating uneven terrain and size variations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least two rollers bearing a lifting mechanism configured to raise and lower the height of the frame relative to the rollers
Implementation Method 2
the frame attached to at least two rollers that are configured to roll in a desired direction of movement
Data Source
AI summary
A road plate moving system and method is disclosed that makes it easier, safer, and more economical to move road plates. A frame detachably attaches to a road plate at the centre of the road plate, and the frame is detachably attached to a vehicle, and the frame is attached to rollers that straddle the road plate and are configured to move in the desired direction of travel. Each roller has a lifting mechanism to adjust the height of the frame relative to the bottom of the rollers. In use, the frame is attached to the road plate, and the road plate is lifted off the ground by the rollers lifting the frame, and the frame and road plate are pulled forward or backwards by the vehicle to move the road plate, which is then lowered to the ground. In a second embodiment, the road plate is lifted by a lifter located above the centre of the road plate.