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Product Designer
Product Manufacturer Product Description and Principal Function(s) Conventional curtain sided trailers have approximately 22 straps and buckles on each side to provide vertical tension to the curtain. The Freighter EziLiner has no buckles or straps and replaces these by a unique semi-automatic system for vertically tensioning the side curtains.The EziLiner uses a high tensile rope, passing through a series of arcs to provide vertical tension to the curtain. The rope is tensioned by four compressed air operated arms that come out from the side of the trailer to grab the rope and pull it downwards. The same design can also be applied to rigid truck bodies. Key Product Features and Benefits Background:Conventional curtain sided trailers and trucks have the curtains tensioned vertically by a series of straps and buckles along the side of the curtain. There are usually around 22 straps and buckles on each side of a semi-trailer. This design has remained effectively unchanged since the 1970’s when curtain sided trailers first became available. The strap and buckle system has several major drawbacks, as outlined below: 1): It is very time consuming: It can take a typical driver 15 minutes to open and close a set of trailer curtains to allow a trailer to be unloaded and loaded. In an industry with thin margins and rising fuel costs, time is a precious commodity and can make the difference between profit and loss. 2):It can lead to accidents: Loosening and tightening 44 buckles several times a day can lead to the development of RSI (carpal tunnel syndrome). Additionally, when the curtains are undone in windy conditions, the buckle can be easily blown into the face of the driver leading to facial injuries. 3): Drivers dislike opening and closing the buckles: The transport industry has a major problem with a shortage of drivers and an aging workforce. As so many drivers strongly dislike tightening buckles, a solution to this problem will also assist in retaining drivers in the industry. Freighter EziLiner: The EziLiner has no conventional straps or buckles to create vertical tension in the curtain. Instead it utilizes the theory of tension structure design to create the vertical tension. Along the bottom of the curtain of the EziLiner are a series of specially designed arcs. Through these arcs runs a high tensile synthetic cable that is hooked at each end of the trailer. On each side of the trailer, four tensioning arms, powered by compressed air, reach out from the side of the trailer to hook the cable and pull it downwards and back into the side of the trailer. A similar design with fewer tensioners is used for rigid truck bodies. The device is operated by a simple valve on the front wall of the trailer and the air supply of the truck provides the necessary force. Why does it represent excellence? 1): The EziLiner solves several major problems for transport operators: It dramatically reduces the time taken to load and unload. This means that, on a multi drop urban delivery route, efficiency gains of up to 25% are achievable. (calculated on an 8 drop per day route). In turn, this means that the operator may be able to do the same work with fewer trucks and trailers and utilizing less fuel. Thus saving money and reducing fuel consumption, traffic congestion and greenhouse gas production. It significantly reduces OH&S risks. It will make it easier to retain drivers in the industry. It should reduce wind drag in line haul operations, thus reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions. 2): Overall, it has potential to reduce greenhouse gas production. 3): The EziLiner is exclusively an Australian design and concept and is patent protected. 4): The EziLiner has strong international sales strong potential, especially in Europe. |
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Design Award
