Vehicle–Platform Supply Connection With Floating Lift Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face issues with increased energy consumption and potential collisions due to the pulling force in bendable connections between vehicles and platforms, particularly influenced by factors like wind, weight, and length, which can cause side drift and slack, leading to inefficiencies and hazards.

Innovation Solution

A supply system with a bendable connection element that includes floating units attachable to the connection, controlled by a unit that adjusts their presence based on pulling force, height, and environmental conditions to mitigate the pulling force and prevent collisions, using a winch and control unit to manage the connection's length and floating unit attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the length of the bendable connection element is increased to allow greater freedom of movement for the vehicle, then the vehicle's mobility is improved, but the weight force and pulling force of the connection element increases, leading to higher energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of bendable connection elementVSAvoidenergy consumption of vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the anti-weight principle by introducing floating units (buoyancy devices) that generate an upward buoyant force to counteract the downward weight force of the bendable connection element. This reduces the net pulling force that the vehicle must overcome, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining connection length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Length of moving object

If the length of the bendable connection element is increased to provide greater operational range, then the vehicle's operational flexibility is improved, but the slack of the connection element increases, causing potential collisions with objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of bendable connection elementVSAvoidcollision risk with objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By using floating units to support the connection element, the connection is lifted off the ground, eliminating slack-induced collisions with ground objects while maintaining the benefits of a long connection for operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Use of energy by moving object

If floating units are added to the bendable connection element to reduce pulling force, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption of vehicleVSAvoidcomplexity of supply system

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floating units are designed to autonomously attach to and detach from the bendable connection element based on predetermined conditions (such as when the vehicle reaches certain positions or when pulling force thresholds are exceeded), eliminating the need for complex manual control systems and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If the pulling force in the bendable connection element is reduced by various means, then energy consumption is reduced, but the stability of the connection may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption of vehicleVSAvoidstability of bendable connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The floating units provide stable buoyant support that reduces pulling force while maintaining connection stability through controlled attachment and detachment mechanisms that ensure the connection remains secure during vehicle operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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

Reduces energy consumption and prevents collisions by dynamically managing the connection's length and floating units, ensuring stable operation and efficient use of resources.

Implementation Method 1

at least one floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) for lifting the bendable connection element (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4261129B1Supply system for a vehicle connected to a platform

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 AGCO INT GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6B

AI summary

A supply system (1) for connecting a first vehicle (2) has a platform (3), a first vehicle (2), a bendable connection element (4) with one end connected with the first vehicle (2) and another end connected with the platform (3) and at least one floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) for lifting the bendable connection element (4) at least partly over a minimum floating height (24). The at least one floating unit (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) is attachable to the bendable connection element (4) distant from the first vehicle (2).