Adjustable Fork Sliding Prongs for Container Width Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fork systems require two different machines or forks to perform loading and unloading operations on 20-foot containers, due to the width of the forks being incompatible with the container access doors, leading to inefficiencies and wasted time.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable fork design with sliding prongs and sliders that can change width to fit through container doors and expand to support containers from the long side, using hydraulic or electric actuators controlled by a unified command system, allowing the same fork to perform both operations without needing to be swapped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fork width is increased to support containers from the long side, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the fork cannot enter the container through the access door
Solution Approach 1:
The fork employs a dynamic width adjustment mechanism where the two prongs can be moved relative to each other along the main frame. The prongs are guided by sliders that move along rails, allowing the fork to transition between a narrow configuration (for entering container doors) and a wide configuration (for supporting containers from the long side). This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between needing wide forks for load-bearing and narrow forks for door access.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of fork width by allowing the prongs to slide along the main frame. The width is not fixed but can be adjusted according to the operational requirements. When entering the container, the prongs are positioned close together; when supporting the container, the prongs are spread apart to match the container's width, thus resolving the contradiction between width requirements for different operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two different machines or forks are used for loading and unloading operations, then the operational versatility is improved, but the device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes a single fork capable of performing multiple functions by enabling width adjustment. The same fork can enter container access doors in narrow configuration and then expand to support containers from the long side in wide configuration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for two different forks or machines, reducing device complexity while maintaining operational versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the functions of two different forks (one for door access, one for long-side loading) into a single adjustable fork. By merging these two separate tools into one adaptable device, the system reduces the number of machines needed and eliminates the time required to interchange forks, while still providing both operational capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fork width is adjusted dynamically, then the adaptability to different container dimensions is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The width adjustment system is integrated into the fork's own structure, with sliders moving along rails that are part of the main frame. The adjustment mechanism is self-contained within the fork assembly, requiring no external assistance or complex external control systems. The operator controls the width adjustment through the existing hydraulic or electric systems already present in the forklift, maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is an adjustable fork, comprising: - a main frame (2); - a first and a second prong (5, 6), associated with the main frame (2); - a first slider (3) and a second slider (4), associated with the main frame (2) with the possibility of sliding along an adjustment direction (X) away from and towards each other for a predetermined adjustment stroke. The first prong (5) is associated with the first slider (3) with the possibility of sliding along the adjustment direction (X) for a predetermined adjustment stroke; the second prong (6) is associated with the second slider (4) with the possibility of sliding along the adjustment direction (X) for a predetermined adjustment stroke.