Self-Propelled Vehicle Articulated Loading Platform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-propelled vehicles are unstable on rough terrain and steep slopes, particularly when transporting bulky loads, as they lack the ability to adjust the loading platform's orientation and distance from the ground, limiting their operational safety and effectiveness in handling heavy loads like trunks or beams.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled vehicle with a box-shaped frame, multiple hinged arms, and an actuation assembly that allows adjustable orientation and distance of the loading member from the ground, equipped with rocker arms, linear actuators, and a monitoring system to maintain stability and balance, enabling safe operation on uneven terrain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the vehicle uses a fixed loading platform position, then the structure is simpler, but the vehicle cannot adapt to different terrain conditions and load requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to terrain conditionsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading platform is made dynamically adjustable through multiple articulated arms with variable angles and extendable telescopic sections. The platform can change its position, orientation, and distance from the ground by actuating the arms, allowing adaptation to various terrain conditions and operational requirements while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The loading platform system is divided into multiple independent articulated arms (first and second arms) that can be controlled separately. Each arm consists of segmented sections that can extend or retract independently, allowing fine-grained adjustment of the platform position without requiring a completely complex monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If telescopic arms are extended to adjust cabin inclination, then the adjustment range increases, but the wheels lose ground contact and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin inclination adjustmentVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle uses multiple independent articulated arms instead of a single telescopic arm system. This segmentation allows independent control of each arm, enabling the vehicle to adjust cabin inclination while maintaining wheel-ground contact through coordinated arm movements, thus preserving stability during adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle incorporates a monitoring system with sensors that detect the position and status of wheels and arms. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to adjust arm movements in real-time to maintain optimal wheel-ground contact and vehicle stability while achieving the desired cabin inclination adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the loading platform is kept at a fixed distance from the ground, then the structure is simpler, but the vehicle cannot optimize for different work requirements and terrain types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading platform position adjustmentVSAvoidactuation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading platform distance from the ground is made dynamically adjustable through telescopic arm sections that can extend and retract. The actuation mechanism uses coordinated control of multiple arms with variable angles to achieve platform position adjustment, balancing the need for adaptability with reasonable mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated arm system serves multiple functions: it adjusts the loading platform distance from the ground, changes the platform orientation, and adapts to various terrain conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each adjustment type, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3755554B1Self-propelled vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 GREEN TECH INNOVATION SRL
  • EP3755554B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3755554B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3755554B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A self-propelled vehicle (1) comprising a box-shaped frame (10) provided with a loading member (32) extending in a given direction (Dl) and with an actuation assembly (20) carried by the frame (10); a plurality of arms (42) being hinged to said frame (10) and having an end portion (44) provided with at least a wheel (46) connected to said actuation assembly (20) for the actuation thereof; the arms (42) being hinged to the frame (10) and articulated so as to adjust, as desired, the orientation and the distance of said loading member (32) with respect to the end portions (44).