Tilting Load Support Structure for Passing Overhead Obstacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transporting bulky loads past obstacles like high-voltage lines are inefficient, costly, and disruptive, often requiring detours or temporary line uncoupling, which cause time loss and economic impact.

Innovation Solution

A device with a moveable support structure and tiltably mounted supports, each equipped with jacks and support connections, allows the load to be stably transported past obstacles by iteratively tilting and adjusting supports to clear the path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If detours are taken to avoid obstacles, then the passage of loads is enabled, but time loss and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage of loadsVSAvoidtransport time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure employs dynamically adjustable supports that can be tilted between a supporting position (perpendicular to the base) and a tilted position (parallel to the base), allowing the device to adapt its configuration in real-time to clear obstacles without requiring detours, thereby maintaining transport efficiency while ensuring load passage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If obstacles are temporarily uncoupled or interrupted, then the passage of loads is enabled, but organizational complexity increases and local nuisance occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassage of loadsVSAvoidorganizational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device introduces a mechanical intermediary system consisting of tiltably mounted supports that act as a mediator between the load and obstacles. Instead of directly interfering with the obstacle (uncoupling lines), the supports mechanically clear the path by tilting, thereby enabling load passage without organizational complexity or local nuisance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the height of supports is increased to clear obstacles, then the passage of loads is enabled, but the stability of the load may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclearing obstaclesVSAvoidload stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure employs dynamically adjustable supports that can be tilted between a supporting position (perpendicular to the base) and a tilted position (parallel to the base), allowing the device to adapt its configuration in real-time to clear obstacles without requiring detours, thereby maintaining transport efficiency while ensuring load passage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is segmented into multiple independent tiltably mounted supports rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows individual supports to be tilted independently to clear obstacles while others maintain load support, preserving both obstacle-clearing capability and load stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient, stable, and safe transportation of loads over obstacles without disrupting them, reducing time and cost by avoiding detours and line uncoupling.

Implementation Method 1

The jack can for example be executed as a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The jack can for example be executed as a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure cylinder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 3

Each upward directed support is provided with a support connection which at or near its one end is hingedly connected to the support and at or near its other end is hingedly connected to the support structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge mechanism: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP4678471B1Device and method for transporting a load past obstacles in the air
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 SARENS NV SA
  • EP4678471B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678471B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4678471B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and method for transporting a load (10) past an obstacle in the air. The device comprises a support structure (1) which is moveable in a transport direction (2) and at least three pairs of upward directed supports (7) whereby the supports of each pair are positioned at a distance from each other in the transport direction and whereby the supports are tiltably mounted on the support structure. Also characteristic is that every support comprises a jack (17) that is moveable in an upward direction between a supporting position (19) and a resting position (20) and a support connection (21) which is hingedly connected to the support and the support structure, whereby the support connection is configured such that the support connection supports the support during tilting.