Towable Support Drawbar Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for towing shelves or supports in warehouses face challenges such as complex and costly mechanical coupling, unreliable force transmission, and risks of tipping or damage, particularly when using lifting devices or requiring precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A towable support system featuring a coupling element with an elongated traction bar and jaws with notches, allowing for secure and efficient mechanical connection between a towing vehicle and a support, with features like convergent or divergent profiles for precise alignment and vertical locks to prevent tipping, along with sensors for secure lashing verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lifting equipment is used to raise the shelf, then the vehicle can move the support without complex alignment, but the vehicle requires heavy and expensive equipment with risk of tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lifting function from the towing vehicle by using a separate drawbar that extends upward from the support. The clamping assembly only needs to clamp the drawbar, not lift the entire support structure, thereby removing the need for heavy lifting equipment while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The drawbar acts as an intermediary element between the support and the clamping assembly. It provides a dedicated clamping surface that simplifies the coupling mechanism, allowing the vehicle to tow the support without requiring complex lifting or alignment mechanisms
2Reliability
If precise alignment is required for coupling, then the mechanical connection is reliable, but the coupling process becomes complex and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping assembly is designed to clamp the drawbar at multiple possible positions along its length. This creates an equipotential situation where the coupling remains reliable regardless of the exact alignment position, eliminating the need for precise alignment while maintaining coupling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The drawbar is designed as a separate, modular element with notches at different positions. This segmentation allows the clamping assembly to engage with the drawbar at various locations, providing reliable coupling without requiring precise alignment between the vehicle and support
3Reliability
If complex coupling systems are used to improve force transmission, then the mechanical coupling is reliable, but the system becomes difficult to implement and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The drawbar is pre-equipped with notches at specific positions before the coupling operation. This preliminary preparation allows the clamping assembly to reliably engage and transmit forces without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or difficult implementation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the drawbar (length, notch positions, dimensions) to optimize force transmission. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system achieves reliable coupling with a simple clamping mechanism, avoiding complex systems while maintaining ease of manufacture
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a system (1) of towable supports comprising a plurality of movable supports (2), each of the supports (2) comprising a coupling element for coupling with a towing vehicle (10) in order to allow the latter to move the support, at least one motorised towing vehicle (10), comprising an assembly for clamping the coupling element, the coupling element comprising an elongate drawbar (6), and the clamping assembly of the towing vehicle (10) comprising opposing jaws (11) for clamping the drawbar (6).