Underground Transport System with Straddle Carrier Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface transport systems, such as those using public roads, face issues like congestion, high energy consumption per volume, and limitations in slope handling, which hinder efficient and cost-effective goods transport, especially in port and city zones.
Innovation Solution
An underground transport system with a closed circuit of continuously moving transport platforms and straddle carriers that can accelerate intermediary transport means to match the platform speed, allowing for efficient transfer of goods without relying on existing infrastructure, enabling high-capacity transport and overcoming steep slopes without additional costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If surface transport systems using public roads are used, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but congestion occurs and energy consumption per volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface transport to underground transport, moving the transport system to a different spatial dimension. This allows the system to utilize the existing underground space while avoiding surface congestion, thereby increasing transport capacity without conflicting with surface infrastructure usage
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system is divided into separate functional components: underground transport platforms for bulk movement, straddle carriers for loading/unloading, and transfer means for interfacing with surface infrastructure. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and efficiently
2Ease of manufacture
If surface transport systems are used, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but energy consumption per transported volume is high
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the transport system underground, the patent eliminates the need to overcome surface friction and air resistance, reducing energy consumption. The underground environment provides a more efficient transport medium while still allowing connection to existing surface infrastructure at terminal points
Solution Approach 2:
The transport platforms move continuously in a closed circuit loop, maintaining constant motion and eliminating the start-stop cycles inherent in traditional rail or road transport. This continuous operation reduces energy consumption per unit of transport while maximizing infrastructure utilization
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional rail or road transport is used to overcome slopes, then existing infrastructure can be utilized, but additional costs for bottom protection or infrastructure modification are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the transport system by operating underground where slope constraints are different. The closed circuit loop allows the platforms to naturally navigate elevation changes through their continuous circular path, eliminating the need for additional bottom protection or infrastructure modification that would be required for traditional linear rail or road systems
4Productivity
If transport systems are strongly automated for continuous operation, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closed circuit loop design enables continuous operation of transport platforms without requiring complex scheduling or waiting periods. Platforms constantly circulate and are loaded/unloaded at appropriate points in their cycle, achieving high productivity through simple repetitive motion rather than complex automated control
Solution Approach 2:
Straddle carriers serve as intermediary devices that simplify the loading and unloading process. These self-contained units can independently pick up containers from surface infrastructure and transfer them to moving platforms, reducing the complexity of direct coupling between automated platforms and variable surface transport modes
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for the transport of goods, characterised in that it mainly consists of an underground transport system with transport platforms (18) that are mutually connected in a closed circuit and that are continuously moved at an adjustable, but mainly constant speed of rotation, and of at least two loading and unloading terminals (4) that are each provided with intermediary means of transport that can speed up goods to be transported from a standstill to the speed of rotation of the transport platforms (18), whereby the device is also provided with transfer means which make it possible to transfer the goods from the above-mentioned intermediary means of transport to the transport platforms (18) or vice versa.