Container Handling Trolley With Indexing And Angular Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container handling trolleys face challenges in ensuring a secure and efficient watertight connection to insulators, particularly in confined environments, due to difficulties in alignment and frequent operation, which can lead to uncertainty and risk of damage.

Innovation Solution

A trolley system with a support plate and lifting means that aligns the container's connection parts vertically with the insulator's, featuring indexing mechanisms and angular orientation to ensure precise positioning and secure docking without manual adjustment, and includes torque limiting and rotational stops to prevent mishandling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual positioning and rotation of the container is performed by the user, then the container can be connected to the isolator, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming when the container is heavy or when access is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of container positioning and connectionVSAvoidtime for positioning and connection operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The trolley is equipped with automatic positioning means including indexing mechanisms that automatically align the container with the isolator connection point. The container self-positions through guide ramps that guide pins into notches, eliminating the need for manual alignment by the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical positioning and rotation operations are replaced by a motorized trolley system with automated lifting means and indexing mechanisms. The system uses mechanical actuators and guide structures to automatically perform alignment and connection operations that previously required manual effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If the container is positioned manually without precise alignment mechanisms, then the connection can be attempted, but there is uncertainty and risk of damage to components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of connectionVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning and connection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Guide ramps act as intermediary elements between the container pins and the isolator notches. These ramps gently guide the pins into proper alignment with the notches, preventing misalignment damage while simplifying the connection process. The indexing mechanisms serve as intermediaries to ensure precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates torque limiting means and angular stops that prevent excessive force or incorrect angular positioning before damage can occur. These protective mechanisms are built into the connection system to cushion against positioning errors and prevent component damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If the connection operations are performed at high frequency by the user, then transfer efficiency may improve, but user fatigue and operational errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency of connection and disconnection operationsVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trolley system performs self-positioning and self-alignment through its indexing mechanisms and guide structures, eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustment operations. The automated system can perform high-frequency connections without operator fatigue or error accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The trolley pre-positions the container and pre-aligns the connection interfaces before the actual connection operation. This preliminary positioning action ensures that each connection attempt is correct, enabling high-frequency operations without repeated failures or adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3401925B1Cart for manipulating a container with regard to his connection to an isolator
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 GETINGE LIFE SCI FRANCE
  • EP3401925B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3401925B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP3401925B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A trolley for handling at least one container (C) for the purpose of its airtight connection to an insulator by means of airtight connection, said connection being obtained by a relative rotation of the container (C) and a part of the insulator around a substantially vertical axis, said trolley (CH) comprising a support platform intended to support the container (C), means enabling the movement of the trolley relative to the ground, means for lifting the container to bring the container alongside the insulator, first indexing means (26) in position of the trolley (CH) relative to the insulator intended to cooperate with second indexing means in position carried by the insulator, and angular orientation means (24) of the container (C) relative to the trolley (CH) so that the container (C) has a determined position relative to the insulator when the trolley (CH) is in a position determined by the cooperation of the first and second indexing means.