Food Transport Trolley Layout for Mixed Container Lengths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food transport trolleys, such as banquet trolleys, are limited in their ability to efficiently store both long and short food containers due to a central profile that divides the interior, restricting the use of the clear width and requiring long support elements to be pivoted for storage.
Innovation Solution
A food transport trolley design that allows for the storage of shorter containers in one area and longer containers or support elements in another, using a receiving element that can be adjusted in height and fixed securely, enabling the full use of the interior width without the need for pivoting long elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a continuous middle wall is used to divide the interior into two partial interior spaces, then the interior is clearly separated for organizing different types of containers, but the clear width of the interior cannot be fully utilized and long support elements must be swiveled around the central profile for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving element is divided into multiple separate receiving portions (first receiving portion and second receiving portion) instead of using a continuous middle wall. This segmentation allows long support elements to span across the entire clear width of the interior without being blocked by a central structure, while still providing organized storage spaces for different types of containers on either side
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving portions are arranged laterally at different positions rather than vertically stacking, allowing long support elements to be stored horizontally across the full width of the interior. This dimensional rearrangement eliminates the need to swivel long elements around a central profile
2Ease of operation
If a permanently installed central profile is used to divide the loading opening into two partial openings, then the loading opening is organized for different container types, but the entire clear width of the interior cannot be used for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving element is made movable and adjustable rather than permanently installed. It can be positioned at different locations within the interior space, allowing the system to adapt between configurations optimized for loading (receiving element near opening) and storage (receiving element positioned to maximize clear width utilization)
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving element serves multiple functions: it organizes the loading opening like a central profile, but simultaneously allows full clear width utilization for storage by being positioned laterally. It can accommodate both short food containers in its receptacles and long support elements in the unobstructed interior space
3Ease of operation
If long support elements are stored by swiveling around a central profile, then the elements can be positioned in the interior, but the process is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving element is extracted from the central position and relocated to lateral positions within the interior. This removal of the central obstruction eliminates the need for swiveling long support elements, allowing them to be directly inserted and positioned in a simple linear motion across the full clear width
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The transport carriage (100) has a body (102) with two side walls (108), where an inner chamber (112) surrounds the body. The receivers (140) are arranged on the side walls for a food container (114) or bearing elements and a receiving element is arranged between the side walls, where the receiving element is provided with another receiver for a food container or support elements. The receiving element extends over less than the entire internal height of the inner chamber.