Rotatable Cargo Platform for Intermodal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation interchange systems are inefficient due to the need for overhead cranes, which impose structural stresses on containers and require time-consuming operations, and are not well-suited for transferring intermodal containers between trucks and guideway vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A transport interchange system with a rotatable cargo platform that allows direct intersection with a roadway, enabling intermodal containers to be transferred between trucks and guideway vehicles without lifting, reducing the need for intermediary steps and stabilizing the transfer process by aligning with the guideway system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If overhead cranes are used to transfer intermodal containers between trucks and guideway vehicles, then the transfer operation can be performed, but the structural integrity of containers is compromised and the operation becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo platform is positioned at the same elevation as the roadway, creating an equipotential transfer interface. This eliminates the need for vertical lifting operations that stress container structures, allowing containers to be transferred horizontally without structural compromise while maintaining high transfer speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the overhead crane intermediary from the transfer system. By providing direct horizontal access between the roadway and cargo platform, the time-consuming and structurally harmful crane lifting operation is completely eliminated, improving both productivity and container integrity
2Productivity
If overhead cranes are used for container transfer, then containers can be moved between transport modes, but the operation requires multiple intermediary steps reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead crane intermediary is completely removed from the transfer system. The cargo platform provides direct horizontal access from the roadway, eliminating multiple intermediary lifting and positioning steps, thereby simplifying the device and improving transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the roadway interface zone, the rotatable cargo platform zone, and the guideway vehicle zone. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently without requiring complex coordination of multiple intermediary steps
3Ease of operation
If the roadway intersects the guideway system at an angle, then trucks can travel more easily, but the alignment for container transfer becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo platform is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. This enables the platform to accommodate both the angled roadway approach for easy truck access and the proper alignment with the guideway vehicle for efficient container transfer, resolving the alignment complexity through motion
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable cargo platform serves as a dynamic intermediary between the angled roadway and the guideway system. It mediates the angular misalignment by rotating to the appropriate orientation, maintaining both truck accessibility and transfer alignment without increasing overall system complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a transport interchange system (10) includes a roadway (20) that intersects a guideway system (14) such that the roadway is discontinuous across the guideway system. A guideway (16) vehicle is provided that transports an intermodal container (12) over the guideway system. The guideway vehicle is operable to rotate the intermodal container from a first position in which the intermodal container is parallel to the roadway to a second position in which the intermodal container is parallel to the guideway vehicle.