Load Handling Trolley Ramp Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load handling trolleys face issues with the pins on the load engager's side walls becoming load-bearing, leading to shear-off failures and high repair costs, while grooves in the bogie assemblies create weak points, making them prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
The design features a ramp with guiding means on the underside of the load engager and a raising-and-lowering mechanism with transverse protrusions in the bogie assemblies, eliminating the need for pins and grooves, allowing for easy and cost-effective replacement of components if they fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pins are provided on the load engager's side walls and grooves are provided in the bogie assemblies, then the load engager can be raised and lowered relative to the bogie assembly, but the pins become load-bearing and are prone to shear-off failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pins from the load engager's side walls and the corresponding grooves from the bogie assemblies. Instead, it provides guiding means on the ramp and transverse protrusions on the raising-and-lowering means that cooperate to guide the longitudinal movement, thereby eliminating the load-bearing pins that were prone to shear-off failures while maintaining the raising and lowering capability
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than having pins on the load engager travel in grooves in the bogie assembly, the patent inverts the arrangement by providing guiding means on the ramp (attached to the load engager) and transverse protrusions on the raising-and-lowering means (part of the bogie assembly), reversing which component contains the guiding features and which contains the moving protrusions
2Ease of operation
If grooves are provided in the bogie assemblies to accommodate pins, then the load engager can move longitudinally, but the grooves create weak points making the bogie assemblies prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the grooves from the bogie assemblies entirely. Instead of cutting grooves into the bogie assembly sides, it provides transverse protrusions on the raising-and-lowering means that cooperate with guiding means on the ramp, thereby removing the weak points created by grooves while maintaining the necessary longitudinal movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the ramp with guiding means as an intermediary component that mediates between the load engager and the bogie assembly. The guiding means on the ramp works with the transverse protrusions on the raising-and-lowering means to enable longitudinal movement without requiring grooves in the bogie assembly, thus protecting the structural integrity of the bogie assembly
3Adaptability or versatility
If pins and grooves are used for raising and lowering, then the mechanism is well-established, but repair costs are high when components fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the guiding function from the load-bearing function. The ramp with guiding means can be replaced independently of the bogie assembly, and the transverse protrusions on the raising-and-lowering means are separate replaceable components. This modular segmentation allows for lower-cost repairs compared to replacing entire bogie assemblies with integrated grooves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the ramp and guiding means as replaceable components that can be easily swapped out when worn or damaged. These are designed as simpler, less expensive components compared to the complex bogie assembly structure, allowing for cost-effective replacement rather than expensive repair or complete assembly replacement
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the load handling trolley's reliability by simplifying construction, reducing the risk of component failure, and enabling maximum lift without the need for expensive repairs, as the ramp and raising-and-lowering means can be easily replaced if they fail.
Implementation Method 1
raising-and-lowering means 34 comprises a pair of spaced walls 36 having a roller 38 mounted therebetween. Associated with roller 38 is a ramp 40 secured to the underside of load engager 12, whereby, from a lowered position, movement of the bogie assemblies 20 along load engager 12 causes roller 38 to move over ramp 40 to urge load engager 12 upwards
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~4c
AI summary
A load handling trolley, of the type that normally runs in a channel-led track, comprising: an elongate load engager, having a load-receiving surface, which is raisable and lowerable relative to at least one bogie assembly via a roller and a ramp (140). The ramp (140) comprises guiding means (508) and the bogie assembly comprises a pair of pins that interacts with the lateral guides of the ramp (508).