Trailer Mechanical Arms and Cargo Carousel for Dockless Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The trucking industry faces challenges in efficiently loading and unloading cargo due to the need for specialized equipment and human supervision, leading to increased costs and labor shortages.
Innovation Solution
The integration of mechanical arms onto commercial shipping vehicles and trailers, which facilitate automated loading and unloading of cargo without the need for forklifts or loading docks, and the use of carousel systems within trailers to dynamically reposition cargo.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If specialized equipment such as forklifts and loading docks are used, then cargo loading and unloading can be performed, but operational costs increase and human supervision is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the loading and unloading function from external specialized equipment (forklifts, loading docks) and integrates it directly into the commercial vehicle through built-in mechanical arms and carousel systems. This eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment while maintaining the cargo handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The commercial vehicle is equipped with automated mechanical arms and carousel systems that enable the vehicle to load and unload cargo autonomously without requiring external forklifts or human supervision. The system serves itself by performing cargo handling operations independently.
2Productivity
If human supervision and intervention are used in loading and unloading, then cargo can be handled, but labor shortages and increased costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical arms and carousel systems are designed to operate autonomously without human intervention. The system automatically positions, loads, and unloads cargo based on programmed sequences, eliminating the need for human operators during cargo handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human mechanical operations with automated mechanical systems. The mechanical arms and carousel systems perform cargo handling tasks that previously required human workers, substituting automated machinery for human labor.
3Productivity
If cargo is loaded in a fixed order to minimize unloading handling, then handling efficiency improves, but flexibility in delivery routes and orders decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel system provides dynamic repositioning capability within the cargo hold, allowing cargo to be moved to different positions based on delivery requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to changing delivery orders while maintaining efficient unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical arms and carousel system can pre-position cargo during loading based on anticipated delivery sequences. By arranging cargo in optimal positions beforehand, the system prepares for future unloading operations, enabling flexible delivery orders without requiring extensive rehandling during unloading.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to commercial vehicle loading and unloading systems, and associated systems, devices, and methods. In one embodiment, a cargo loading and unloading system includes a cargo loading and unloading assembly and/or a cargo repositioning system. The assembly includes a first mechanical arm and a second mechanical arm that are mountable at opposite sides of an opening of the trailer. Each mechanical arm includes a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion. The first portions are configured to vertically raise and lower the second portions and move the second portions laterally along the opening of the trailer. The second portions include rollers and are configured to support cargo on the rollers as the mechanical arms are used to hold the cargo off the ground, and to selectively convey the cargo at least partially into or out of the trailer via the rollers.