Transport Trolley Stacking Collar for Tilt-Proof Corner Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wheeled CC and DC/EC containers used for transporting plants are prone to deformation, leading to instability when stacked, posing a risk of tilting and crushing hazards due to their unstable corner supports, especially when supporting a load of up to 200 kg per corner.

Innovation Solution

A stacking safety device that secures upper transport trolleys on lower ones by engaging the corner supports, using a collar and recesses to prevent horizontal movement and tipping, with a design that can be retrofitted and easily attached without tools, ensuring stability and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional steel strapping is used to secure cargo, then high securing strength is achieved, but the risk of cargo breakage and injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring strengthVSAvoidcargo breakage and injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable foam tape instead of reusable steel strapping. The foam tape is designed to be single-use, providing sufficient securing strength for the journey then being discarded, eliminating the need for heavy steel straps that pose injury risks while maintaining adequate cargo security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from rigid steel to flexible foam, and changes the fastening mechanism from mechanical (straps with buckles) to chemical (adhesive bonding). This parameter transformation maintains securing effectiveness while eliminating the harmful sharp edges and rigidity of steel strapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If foam tape is applied to secure cargo, then easy application and removal is achieved, but securing strength may be insufficient for heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication and removal easeVSAvoidsecuring strength for heavy loads
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the foam tape itself: the foam material provides cushioning and friction, while the adhesive layer provides bonding strength. This merging of mechanical support and chemical bonding in a single component achieves both ease of application and sufficient securing strength for heavy loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam tape is constructed as a composite material system combining foam substrate (for structure and friction) with adhesive coating (for bonding). This composite structure enables the tape to simultaneously provide easy application through adhesive properties and adequate strength for heavy cargo through the combined mechanical and chemical fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If steel strapping is used to secure cargo, then high securing strength is achieved, but cleaning and reusability becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring strengthVSAvoidcleaning and reusability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The foam tape is designed as a disposable component that is applied once and discarded after use. This eliminates the need for cleaning and maintenance entirely, making the system easier to manage than reusable steel strapping that requires washing, drying, and inspection for reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If traditional securing methods are used, then cargo is secured, but time is lost during loading and unloading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo securityVSAvoidloading and unloading time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The foam tape is pre-coated with adhesive in the manufacturing process, eliminating the need for现场 application preparation. During loading, the tape can be immediately applied to cargo and surfaces, and the adhesive begins working instantly, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional methods that require assembly and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (straps, buckles, tensioning devices) with a chemical bonding system (adhesive). This substitution eliminates the time-consuming mechanical assembly and adjustment operations, allowing rapid application and removal of the securing material while maintaining cargo security.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3470298B1Stack securing for transport trucks
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 UWE DOMINIK
  • EP3470298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3470298B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3470298B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vertically stackable transport trolley (1) with a support frame (5) which has sleeve profiles (6) in corner areas that can be inserted into or attached to upwardly projecting corner supports (4), the latter being supported by the interaction of which with lower areas of sleeve profiles (6) of another transport trolley (1), is designed such that stacking devices (9) are assigned to the transport trolley (1) in the area of ​​the upper ends (8) of the corner supports (4), wherein a stacking device (9) at least substantially laterally surrounds the lower end of a sleeve profile (6) of the upper transport trolley (1) and holds it in a tilt-proof manner relative to a corner support (4) of the lower transport trolley (1).