Construction Equipment Transport Frame with Weight-Bearing Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation systems for construction equipment, such as power trowels, do not effectively distribute the operational weight during transport, potentially causing damage to the driven elements and limiting secure positioning on transporters.
Innovation Solution
A transportation system comprising a chassis, prime mover, driven element, and a frame with upwardly extending supports that bear the operational weight, including channel members and gates to secure the chassis, and a lifting device interface for easy loading and unloading, ensuring the driven element bears none of the weight during transport and protecting it from impact loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If construction equipment is transported on existing systems, then transportation is enabled, but the driven element bears operational weight causing potential damage and limited secure positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The transportation system divides the support function into multiple independent supports distributed across the frame, each bearing a portion of the operational weight. This segmentation prevents concentration of load on the driven element and distributes stress across multiple contact points, protecting the driven element during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame with upwardly extending supports acts as an intermediary between the construction equipment and the transporter. This intermediary structure assumes the operational weight that would otherwise be borne by the driven element, isolating the driven element from harmful impact loads during transportation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the driven element bears operational weight during transport, then equipment structure is maintained, but damage to driven element occurs and secure positioning is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple supports are distributed across the frame to bear different portions of the operational weight, creating stable contact points that prevent equipment movement while protecting the driven element. The segmentation of support functions allows secure positioning without concentrating load on vulnerable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The supports extend upwardly from the frame in a vertical dimension, creating a three-dimensional support structure that elevates the chassis and distributes weight vertically across multiple points. This dimensional approach enables stable positioning while removing the driven element from the load-bearing path.
3Reliability
If channel members with gates are used, then secure capture of chassis is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gates are designed to be movable between open and closed positions, allowing the transportation system to adapt its configuration. During loading, gates are open to receive the chassis; during transport, gates close to secure the chassis. This dynamic behavior provides secure capture without requiring permanently complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel members serve multiple functions: they guide the chassis during loading, support the chassis weight during transport, and secure the chassis when gates are closed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, balancing secure capture capability with overall system simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transportation system (119) for transporting construction equipment (10) that rides on a driven element during ordinary operation. The transportation system relieves a portion or all of the operational weight of the construction equipment from the driven element during transportation of the construction equipment. The transportation system includes a frame (120), upwardly extending supports (160) that support a chassis of the construction equipment, and a lifting device interface (140) for loading and unloading the transportation system with respect to a vehicle or trailer for transporting the construction equipment.