Transport Cover Arch Attachment Mechanism for Rapid Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering devices for transport means require lengthy and burdensome maintenance processes due to solidly mounted arches and cables, necessitating disassembly of adjacent arches and mechanical movement members for maintenance or replacement, posing risks and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with transverse elements equipped with rapid attachment and detachment members that allow individual removal from mechanical movement means without affecting adjacent elements or cables, using a removable attachment member with arched and flat portions to securely couple and decouple from cables, enabling independent replacement or maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If arches are solidly mounted on cables using cylindrical bushings, then connection strength and reliability are improved, but maintenance time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is divided into two separable parts: a first part that attaches to the cable and a second part that attaches to the arch. This segmentation allows the arch to be detached from the cable by simply removing the connection between the two parts, without needing to disassemble the cable-bushing-arch assembly as a whole. The first part remains on the cable while the second part is removed with the arch, enabling rapid maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the attachment function from the traditional integrated bushing and creates a separate, removable connection mechanism. The attachment member can be quickly detached from the arch while remaining on the cable, allowing the arch to be removed without affecting the cable or other arches. This extraction of the attachment function enables independent replacement of arches.
2Strength
If arches are solidly mounted on cables, then structural strength is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is segmented into a first part (on the cable) and a second part (on the arch), allowing the arch to be separated from the cable system for repair or replacement. The segmented design maintains structural integrity during operation but enables easy disassembly when maintenance is needed, without requiring tools or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a static, permanent connection to a dynamic, reversible connection. The attachment member can be quickly attached and detached, allowing the arch to be easily replaced while maintaining strong connection during normal operation. This dynamic capability improves ease of repair without compromising structural strength.
3Reliability
If traditional attachment methods are used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required tools and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is segmented into two simple parts that can be attached and detached without complex tools or procedures. The first part attaches to the cable and the second part attaches to the arch, creating a simple interface that maintains reliable connection during operation but allows easy separation for maintenance. This segmentation eliminates the need for specialized tools or complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member is designed to be self-servicing, allowing operators to attach and detach arches without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. The simple two-part design enables maintenance personnel to perform repairs using common tools, reducing the complexity of maintenance procedures while maintaining connection reliability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If arches are permanently attached to cables, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when cover replacement is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is segmented to allow the arch to be separated from the cable system, enabling replacement with different arch types or configurations. The first part remains on the cable while the second part can be removed and replaced, providing adaptability for cover replacement or arch upgrades without affecting the cable system or other arches.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system provides dynamic adaptability by allowing arches to be easily attached and detached. This enables the system to adapt to different cover requirements or arch types while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation. The reversible connection allows for flexible configuration changes without compromising the stability of the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Covering device (10) for the body (11) of a means of transport (12) comprising a tarpaulin (13), a plurality of transverse elements (15) disposed sliding on the length of the body (11) so as to draw the tarpaulin (13) concertina-wise and extend it above the body (11), and mechanical movement members (16) associated with the body (11) to move the transverse elements (11), and move the tarpaulin (13) between a covered position and an uncovered position of the load. Each transverse element (15) comprises respective attachment members which allow the rapid assembly/dis-assembly thereof on part (17) of the mechanical movement members (16), to allow the detachment thereof from the latter without affecting the adjacent transverse elements (15).