Tiltable Extendo Conveyor With Movable Platform For ErgonomicULD Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The loading of mixed shipments into aviation unit load devices is time-consuming and ergonomically challenging for operators, leading to inefficiencies and potential injuries due to the need for manual handling and frequent bending.
Innovation Solution
A shipment loading system comprising a tiltable and extendable conveyor with a movable platform that allows operators to load shipments efficiently and ergonomically by bringing the shipments close to the operator's height and position, enabling easy access to the unit load device without the need for extensive walking or climbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of shipments is used, then flexibility in handling different shipment types is maintained, but loading time increases and operator ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A movable platform is introduced as an intermediary between the ground floor and the conveyer. The platform can be positioned at different heights and locations, allowing operators to stand on it while receiving shipments from the tiltable conveyer and placing them into the unit load device. This mediator eliminates the need for operators to repeatedly bend and stoop, improving ergonomics without reducing loading speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a tiltable conveyer that can adjust its angle and position dynamically. The conveyer can tilt to different angles and extend to different positions along its longitudinal axis, allowing it to deliver shipments directly to the operator's hands at various heights. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different loading scenarios while maintaining operator ergonomics and high productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed conveyer system is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different loading positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyer is designed with tilting and extending capabilities, allowing it to adjust its position and angle dynamically. The conveyer can tilt across its longitudinal axis and extend along its length, providing adaptability to different loading positions and heights. This dynamic structure enables the system to handle various shipment types and loading scenarios while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated mechanical designs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shipment loading system for loading shipments into an unit load device, comprising a conveyer, a platform and a cargo space for placing the unit load device on a static rack, whereby the conveyer is provided on a ground floor and tiltable across its longitudinal axis, the conveyer comprises an extendo extending the conveyer along the longitudinal extension of the conveyer, the extendo is movable between a retracted position and an extracted position, in the extracted position the extendo faces the cargo space, the platform is movable between a first position and a second position along the longitudinal extension of the conveyer, in the first position the platform faces the cargo space and at least in one of the first and second positions the platform is arranged between the ground floor and the conveyer.