Trailer Portal Arch With Pivotable Stops For Inner Carriage Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailers for tugger trains face challenges in securely positioning and retrofitting inner carriages, as they require coordinated retrofitting of both the trailer and the inner carriage, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A trailer design featuring a portal-like arch with three lifting positions for the inner carriage, allowing it to be securely pushed into and out of a receiving area with lateral stops and projections for alignment and securement, and an adjustable lifting device for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded bolt on the gantry trailer is used to secure the inner carriage, then the inner carriage can be secured in the receiving area, but both the trailer and the inner carriage require coordinated retrofitting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the securing function from the inner carriage and places it entirely on the trailer side. The pivotable stop on the trailer can independently secure the inner carriage without requiring any modifications to the inner carriage itself, thus simplifying retrofitting while maintaining securing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable stop serves multiple functions: it acts as a stop during the pushing-in process, provides securing in the receiving area, and can be pivoted out of the way when not needed. This multi-functional component eliminates the need for coordinated retrofitting while maintaining reliable securing
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inner carriage is pushed into the receiving area from both sides, then transport flexibility is improved, but precise positioning and alignment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable stop is positioned in advance on the trailer to define the correct stopping position of the inner carriage. As the inner carriage is pushed in from either side, the stop preliminarily guides and limits the movement, ensuring precise alignment and positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable stop acts as an intermediary element between the inner carriage and the trailer structure. It mediates the pushing-in process by providing a physical reference point that ensures correct positioning regardless of which side the inner carriage is pushed from, thus maintaining positioning precision while allowing directional flexibility
3Speed
If the lifting device raises the inner carriage for transport, then transport speed is improved, but the inner carriage cannot be easily pushed in or out
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its position. During loading/unloading operations, the stop can be pivoted out of the way to facilitate easy pushing in or out of the inner carriage. During transport, the stop remains in its securing position to maintain stability, thus balancing ease of operation with transport requirements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b
AI summary
Trailers for a tugger train with a front and a rear trailer section connected to each other via a portal-like arch forming a receiving area for at least one inner carriage, wherein a lifting device is provided on the front trailer section and/or the rear trailer section, wherein the lifting device has three lifting positions, in a first lifting position of which the inner carriage in the trailer is raised for transport, in a second lifting position the inner carriage can be inserted into the receiving area from each side up to a stop, and in a third lifting position can be extended out of the receiving area on both sides.