Staircase Trolley with Adjustable Tracks and Tilting Load Bed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolleys are not capable of easily and safely transporting loads on a wide range of staircases, including both straight and helical staircases with low curvature radius, and lack adjustable transport conditions and load balancing.
Innovation Solution
A trolley with a main support frame, independently actuated tracks, tiltable load beds, and an auxiliary frame structure with adjustable wheels and actuators, allowing for adaptable movement on staircases by changing the orientation of tracks and load beds to compensate for slope and prevent slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-configuration trolley is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to various staircase types (straight, helical, different curvatures)
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley employs dynamically adjustable components including tiltable load beds that can rotate to match staircase angles, and tracks that can change orientation to follow helical or straight staircase configurations. This dynamic adaptability allows the same trolley structure to handle various staircase types without requiring multiple specialized designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley is divided into independent modular components: the main support frame, the load bed assembly, and the track system. Each module can be independently adjusted or reconfigured, allowing the trolley to adapt to different staircase geometries while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized modular units.
2Reliability
If the load bed is fixed in position, then the structure is stable, but the load cannot be balanced during transportation on inclined staircases
Solution Approach 1:
The load bed is designed with dynamic positioning capability through tilting mechanisms that can adjust the load bed angle to compensate for staircase inclinations. This dynamic adjustment ensures the load remains balanced and stable during transportation on inclined surfaces, preventing overturning while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tracks are fixed in orientation, then the mechanism is simple, but the trolley cannot navigate helical staircases with low curvature radius
Solution Approach 1:
The track system incorporates dynamic orientation adjustment mechanisms that allow the tracks to change their angular position to match the curvature of helical staircases. The tracks can be tilted and rotated to follow low curvature radius paths, enabling the trolley to navigate complex helical geometries while maintaining a relatively simple base mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If the trolley has fixed transport conditions, then the operation is simple, but the transport conditions cannot be adjusted during ascent and descent
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley features dynamically adjustable transport conditions through actuators that can modify the angle and position of the load bed and tracks during operation. These adjustments can be made in real-time during ascent and descent to optimize stability and performance for different staircase configurations, enhancing ease of operation despite the added adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trolley for the transportation of a load on staircases having at least one main track (3, 30) projecting below a main support frame (2) in order to define a first lower slide surface (4) for the trolley, motor means or actuation means for said at least one main track (3, 30), and at least one load bed (5) supported by said main support frame (2), comprising at least one auxiliary frame structure (7) provided with support and slide or roll means (8) delimiting a second slide surface (9) on the lower part, and lifting-lowering means (10a, 10b) for said at least one auxiliary frame structure (7) designed to move said at least one auxiliary frame structure (7) with respect to said main support frame (2) between: an upper rest position, in which said trolley (1) is movable by said at least one main track (3, 30), and a lower work position, in which said trolley (1) rests on said at least one auxiliary frame structure (7) and is movable on said slide or roll means (8).