Rotating Lift Platform for Side and Elevated Cargo Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivery vehicles face challenges in loading and unloading packages to non-standard locations, as existing systems are limited to rear access, making it difficult to deliver packages to sides or elevated platforms.
Innovation Solution
A cargo transfer device with a lift platform, turntable, and support structure that can extend, rotate, and move along a transverse axis, allowing the lift platform to be positioned and oriented to reach side or elevated delivery platforms, using a slider rail mechanism, rail lift, and linear actuator for precise placement and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rear ramp is used for loading/unloading, then the package can be transferred vertically between the truck floor and ground, but the delivery location is limited to directly behind the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo transfer device is divided into multiple independent functional modules: a lift platform for vertical movement, a turntable for rotation, a slider rail mechanism for lateral movement, and a support structure. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to reach various delivery locations while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple dynamic components including a movable lift platform that extends vertically, a rotatable turntable that changes orientation, and a slider rail mechanism that moves laterally. These dynamic elements enable the cargo transfer device to adapt its position and orientation to deliver packages to diverse locations such as side platforms, elevated surfaces, or ground level positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lift platform is extended and rotated to reach side delivery platforms, then delivery locations are expanded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo transfer device is designed as a multi-functional system where a single integrated structure performs multiple operations: the lift platform provides vertical movement, the turntable enables rotation to different angles, and the slider rail mechanism allows lateral positioning. This universal design allows one device to handle various delivery scenarios (side platforms, elevated surfaces, ground level) without requiring multiple separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a nested configuration where the lift platform is positioned on the turntable, which itself is mounted on the slider rail mechanism, which is coupled to the support structure. This nested arrangement allows compact storage when not in use and enables sequential activation of different components to achieve complex positioning tasks.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple mechanisms (slider rail, rail lift, linear actuator) are used for precise placement, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls package placement precision by independently adjusting multiple parameters: vertical height via the linear actuator and lift platform extension, lateral position via the slider rail mechanism, and orientation angle via the turntable rotation. By changing these parameters in combination, the system achieves precise positioning at diverse delivery locations while maintaining a modular architecture that manages overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle, cargo transfer device of the vehicle and a method of transferring a package between a vehicle to a delivery platform. A lift platform is extended from a floor of the vehicle via a support structure. The package is moved to the lift platform from one of the floor and the delivery platform. The lift platform is rotated via a turntable through a rotation angle. The support structure supports the turntable and the lift platform. The package is moved from the lift platform to the other of the floor and the delivery platform.