Rotating Spool Stand for Single-Operator Track Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deployment methods for temporary road covering tracks require multiple operators and are time-consuming, especially in environments where speed and efficiency are crucial, such as rough terrain or hazardous areas.

Innovation Solution

A deployment apparatus with a spool stand that rotates between transportation and deployment configurations, featuring rigid arms extending from the spool stand to manage the unwinding of the track, allowing single-operator operation and efficient laying of the track without initial tension, using a heavy wheeled or tracked vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional deployment methods using flatbed vehicles with perpendicular spool mounting are used, then the road covering track can be deployed, but the process requires multiple operators and is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidnumber of operators required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spool stand is made rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing it to pivot between a first configuration (transportation) and a second configuration (deployment). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the spool to be positioned optimally for deployment operations, improving efficiency and reducing the need for multiple operators while maintaining deployment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the spool stand is mounted with winding axis perpendicular to vehicle longitudinal axis, then transportation is stable, but deployment requires complex manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment operation simplicityVSAvoidsetup and deployment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spool stand rotates about a vertical axis to transition between transportation and deployment configurations. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational phases, enabling faster setup and simpler deployment operations without requiring multiple operators or complex manual interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3219853B1Deployment apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 FAUN TRACKWAY
  • EP3219853B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP3219853B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3219853B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D

AI summary

A deployment apparatus (10) for laying a traversable road covering track, the apparatus comprising a base (16), a spool (18) mounted for rotation on said base, wherein a length of road covering track may be provided on said spool (18) in a roll having a leading outer end at a first longitudinal side of said spool, the apparatus further comprising at least one substantially rigid arm (22) that extends upwardly from said base (16), at a second, opposing longitudinal side of said spool (18), such that at least an upper end of said arm (22) is adjacent to the outer surface of said roll, in use.