Tilting Container Trolley for Stable Stacking and Side Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for transporting containers outside of automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in providing stability to vertically stacked containers while allowing easy lateral access and vertical loading/unloading, often resulting in slip or collapse of the stack.
Innovation Solution
A unit for moving containers that can transition between a tilted movement configuration for transport and a non-tilted insertion/extraction configuration, featuring a tiltable container support surface that stabilizes containers during transport and allows vertical loading/unloading at ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If sidewalls are provided to the trolley to prevent containers from slipping or falling, then stability of the container stack is improved, but ease of lateral loading and unloading deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is divided into two functional zones: a first lateral side with an open configuration for easy loading/unloading, and a second lateral side with a closed configuration (sidewall) for stability. This segmentation allows each side to serve its specific purpose without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall structure is applied locally only to the second lateral side of the trolley, while the first lateral side remains open. This local quality approach provides stability where needed without obstructing access where loading and unloading operations occur.
2Quantity of substance
If containers are vertically stacked on the trolley for transport, then space utilization is improved, but stability during transport deteriorates due to risk of slip or collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley's lateral sides are segmented into open and closed configurations, creating a protective enclosure on one side while maintaining loading access on the other. This allows vertical stacking for space efficiency while the sidewall prevents lateral slip and collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall extends in the vertical dimension along the second lateral side, creating a protective barrier that stabilizes vertically stacked containers without interfering with the horizontal loading/unloading operation at the first lateral side.
3Ease of operation
If the trolley is designed for easy lateral access for loading and unloading, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of the container stack deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is segmented into two lateral sides with different configurations: the first lateral side is open for easy access, while the second lateral side has a sidewall for stability. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both functionalities at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The trolley employs asymmetric design where one lateral side is open and the other is closed with a sidewall. This asymmetry allows the structure to optimize for both ease of operation and stability simultaneously, rather than forcing a symmetric compromise.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a unit for moving at least one container when in a movement configuration, the unit having an open top for inserting or extracting a container in a substantially vertical direction when in an insertion/extraction configuration, wherein the unit is arranged to allow a container to be extracted from the unit via at least one lateral side of said unit, wherein the unit comprises a container support surface having a tilt angle arranged to tilt a container at an angle to the insertion/extraction direction when the unit is in the movement configuration.