Rotating Work-Part Dolly for Upright Loading and Comfortable Retrieval
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dollies used in vehicle assembly lines force lineside team members to bend down to retrieve work parts, leading to ergonomic issues and potential strain, while loading work parts upside down causes deformation and retrieval difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A dolly assembly with a moveable base and part staging assembly that rotates between configurations, allowing work parts to be loaded upright and retrieved at a comfortable height, reducing ergonomic strain and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dolly is set at a low height for easy loading by conveyance delivery team members, then loading ease is improved, but lineside team members must bend down to retrieve parts, causing ergonomic deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly incorporates a movable platform that can be adjusted between a lower position for loading and a higher position for retrieval. The platform is connected to the dolly body via a mechanical linkage system that allows smooth transition between positions, enabling the dolly to adapt its height dynamically based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance delivery team member loads the part onto the dolly platform while it is in the lower position, then activates a lifting mechanism (such as a hand crank, hydraulic system, or automated lift) to raise the platform to the higher position before the lineside team member retrieves the part. This preliminary lifting action eliminates the need for lineside members to bend down.
2Quantity of substance
If work parts are loaded upside down to fit on the dolly, then space utilization is improved, but part deformation occurs and retrieval becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dolly platform can be rotated or tilted to different angles during loading and retrieval operations. The platform may be capable of rotating 180 degrees or tilting at specific angles to allow parts to be loaded in an upright position while maintaining compact storage space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The dolly platform design incorporates asymmetric support structures or guide mechanisms that encourage and facilitate upright loading of parts while still allowing the platform to be positioned at optimal angles for both loading and retrieval operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for delivering a work part to an assembly line worker using a dolly assembly in a first configuration and retrieving the work part from the dolly assembly by the assembly line work while the dolly assembly is in a second configuration. According to some embodiments, a dolly assembly is provided comprising a base assembly having a support member and a mobility mechanism, the support member positioned obliquely with respect to a horizontal plane. The dolly assembly also includes a part-carrying member rotationally connected to the support member and having a part-holding structure for receiving a work part. The part-carrying member extends downward at an angle below the horizontal plane when in a first configuration, and extends upward from at an angle above the horizontal plane when in a second configuration.