Transfer Device Hooks with Vertical Superimposition for Compact Cargo Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer devices for cargo transfer occupy significant space due to the size of their hooks, restricting the placement of smaller cargo on the cargo placement part.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a pair of hooks that can be rotated between a protruding and retracting position, where in the retracting position, they are vertically superimposed to minimize space occupation, and are designed with a bent or bulging tip configuration to ensure stable engagement and reduced interference, along with a controller to manage hook rotation timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pair of hooks is designed with sufficient length to engage with cargo, then the engagement reliability is improved, but the space occupied by the hooks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hooks are designed to rotate between a protruding position for engagement and a retracting position for space reduction. This dynamic configuration allows the hooks to adapt their spatial occupation based on operational requirements, reducing the volume occupied by the hooks when not in use while maintaining engagement reliability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are configured to arrange vertically superimposed when falling down sideways in a mutually approaching direction during retraction. This dimensional reorganization transforms the spatial arrangement from horizontal separation to vertical stacking, effectively reducing the horizontal space occupied by the hooks while preserving their engagement capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pair of hooks is positioned to access smaller cargo, then the adaptability is improved, but the interference between hooks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tip of each hook is bent stepwise in the transferring direction more than the base end, creating an asymmetric configuration. This asymmetric design allows the hooks to nestle alongside each other during retraction, reducing mutual interference and enabling closer positioning to access smaller cargo while maintaining engagement reliability
3Volume of moving object
If the hooks are positioned closer together to reduce space, then the space occupation is reduced, but the engagement stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hooks rotate between protruding and retracting positions, dynamically adjusting their spatial relationship. During engagement, they protrude to maintain stable contact with the cargo; during retraction, they fold to minimize space occupation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between space reduction and engagement stability
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial parameters of the hooks are changed based on operational state - extending outward during engagement for stability and folding inward during retraction for compactness. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize both engagement stability and space occupation at different operational phases
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device that holds down a space occupied by a pair of hooks includes: a cargo placement part having a cargo placement surface for placing a cargo; a pair of hooks, each of which is rotated around a base end thereof between a protruding position where a tip thereof is engaged with a handle by protruding above the cargo placement surface and a retracting position where the tip thereof separates from the handle by retracting below the cargo placement surface. A slide arm moves the pair of hooks in the transferring direction with respect to the cargo placement part. When the pair of hooks is located in the retracting position, the hooks are arranged so as to be vertically superimposed by falling down sideways in a mutually approaching direction.