Self-Elevating Platform Cart with Extensible Support Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport equipment, such as carts or hand trucks, require manual effort to move loads up stairs, limiting the weight that can be transported due to user strength constraints.
Innovation Solution
A self-elevating platform system that can autonomously or semi-autonomously move loads between two surfaces, utilizing a main lift mechanism and extensible support beams to stabilize and lift the load, allowing it to traverse between levels while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional transport equipment like carts or hand trucks are used, then the device complexity is low, but the weight of load that can be transported is limited by user strength
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the lifting function into multiple independent components: a main lift mechanism for vertical elevation and extensible support beams for lateral stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the transport of heavier loads without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beams are designed to be extensible rather than fixed, allowing the system to dynamically adjust its configuration during operation. The beams extend laterally to provide stability when needed and can be retracted when not required, enabling the platform to handle varying load weights without requiring a permanently complex support structure.
2Weight of moving object
If a self-elevating platform with main lift and support beams is used, then the weight of load that can be transported increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main lift mechanism serves multiple functions: it elevates the platform vertically, stabilizes the system during transitions, and works in coordination with the support beams to distribute load. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while handling heavy loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The extensible support beams act as intermediaries between the main lift mechanism and the ground surface. They transfer and distribute the forces generated by the main lift, providing lateral stability without requiring the main lift structure itself to be overly complex or rigid.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the platform uses extensible support beams and height supports, then the stability of the platform is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support beams and height supports are designed with extensibility, allowing them to dynamically adapt to different operational conditions. They extend to provide maximum stability when the platform is elevated or transitioning, and can be retracted to simplify the structure during horizontal movement, thus achieving stability without permanent structural complexity.
4Productivity
If conventional carts requiring manual effort are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the productivity is limited by user strength
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities and self-stabilizing mechanisms that allow it to operate without continuous manual intervention. The system can autonomously position itself, extend its support structures, and execute lifting operations, thereby dramatically increasing productivity while maintaining ease of operation through remote or automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are shown for self-elevating platform carts that can transport a load from an initial surface to a destination surface that can be at a higher level, lower level or same level across a horizontal distance and/or barrier. One example extends a front height support to contact the destination surface and extends a rear height support control to contact the initial surface. A main lift is retracted and the system moved forward until main wheels on the main lift contact the destination surface. The main lift is extended and the extensible support beams and height supports are retracted. Another example traverses intermediate surfaces using a vertical stabilizer to stabilize the main lift on surfaces at different levels. The main lift can be the only power lift for the cart.