Transfer Carriage with Nested Beams and Pneumatic Bellows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer carriages are inefficient for loading and unloading containers with narrow and long spaces, as they require manual handling and additional equipment, leading to increased costs and reduced container volume utilization.
Innovation Solution
A transfer carriage with side-by-side parallel longitudinal transfer units, comprising an outer and inner beam with integrated air bellows, allowing vertical adjustment using compressed air, enabling easy movement and efficient loading/unloading by raising the load platform with air-powered bellows and wheels, eliminating the need for separate air sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional transfer carriages are used for loading containers with narrow and long spaces, then manual handling and additional equipment are required, but this leads to increased costs and reduced container volume utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer carriage merges the lifting mechanism and transfer function into a single integrated device. The air bellows are integrated within the beam structure, combining the pneumatic lifting system with the transfer carriage body, eliminating the need for separate lifting equipment and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer carriage is designed to perform multiple functions: it can load and unload containers, handle long items like aluminium profiles, and operates in various container configurations. The adjustable air bellows and wheel assembly provide universal applicability across different loading scenarios, reducing the need for specialized equipment
2Productivity
If air bellows are used for vertical adjustment, then loading/unloading becomes faster, but compressed air consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air bellows are designed to be adjustable in their vertical position, allowing dynamic adaptation to different loading conditions. The system can adjust the bellows extension based on the specific load requirements, enabling faster loading/unloading operations while optimizing compressed air consumption by using only the necessary amount of air for each specific task
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and position parameters of the air bellows dynamically. By controlling the compression and expansion of the air bellows, the system achieves vertical movement without requiring continuous high compressed air consumption, as the bellows can be adjusted to specific positions and then held, reducing overall air substance requirements
3Stability of the object's composition
If the transfer carriage is designed with inner and outer beams, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner beam is nested within the outer beam, creating a compact dual-beam structure. This nesting arrangement provides enhanced structural stability and load-bearing capacity while minimizing the overall footprint and visual complexity. The air bellows are positioned within the space between the nested beams, utilizing the existing structural volume rather than adding external components
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
Facilitates faster and cost-effective loading/unloading of long items like aluminium profiles by utilizing the full container volume, reducing manual handling and equipment needs, and allowing for efficient use of available compressed air.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer carriage is arranged movable by means of wheels, rolls, or similar. The wheels or rolls are usually in pairs so that there is one on both sides of the transfer carriage. There is a plurality of wheels or rolls in the longitudinal direction of the transfer carriage, as needed.
Implementation Method 2
In the space between the outer beam and inner beam, successive members have been installed, which are adjustable in the vertical direction by means of a medium and connected to the channel for the medium. Such members include, for example, air bellows that ascend or descend in the vertical direction according to whether more compressed air is led to the channel for the medium or whether it is reduced from the channel for the medium.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer carriage comprising at least one longitudinal transfer unit (1) arranged to be movable and comprising an outer beam (2) and an inner beam (3) which is arranged at least partly inside the outer beam (2), The first of the beams (2, 3) is a rectangular hollow beam, open at the top, and the second of the beams is a rectangular hollow beam (2, 3), open at the bottom. The outer beam (2) and inner beam (3) are connected by a limiter (4) allowing vertical movement. The transfer unit (1) has a channel for a medium (5), to which are connected successive members (7) adjustable in the vertical direction by means of the medium and installed in a space (6) formed between the outer (2) and inner beam (3).