Container Guide Wall With Spring Return Against Forklift Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handling systems in transportation containers for sensitive goods face issues with air distribution efficiency and damage from forklifts, leading to reduced system performance and increased costs due to the need for stop blocks and complex cleaning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded guide wall that automatically returns to its operating position, eliminating the need for stop blocks and allowing the bulkhead to be fully pushed against the end wall, combined with a locking device for manual access and a resilient material design for enhanced durability and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stop blocks or stop brackets are placed behind the bulkhead to prevent damage, then the bulkhead can be partially protected from complete obstruction, but the bulkhead can still be damaged and the system requires additional components that increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead is pre-formed from resilient material with built-in spring capability, so it automatically returns to its original position after being pushed by forklifts, eliminating the need for separate stop blocks or brackets
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkhead material properties are changed to be resilient rather than rigid, allowing it to deform under force and automatically return, transforming it from a static protective barrier to a dynamic self-recovering component
2Ease of operation
If the guide wall is made accessible for cleaning by being hinged and made of light materials, then cleaning becomes easier, but the guide wall becomes more vulnerable to damage from forklifts
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wall material is changed from rigid (aluminum or glass-fibre reinforced plastic) to resilient material, maintaining structural integrity while allowing deformation that protects against damage and enables cleaning access
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bulkhead is pushed further towards the end wall to increase horizontal distance from forklift forks, then the risk of being hit is reduced, but the channel cross section is reduced and air distribution is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead is made dynamically responsive to forklift pressure, moving slightly when pushed but automatically returning to its optimal position, rather than being fixed in a compromised position
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient bulkhead self-regulates its position by automatically returning to its original configuration after being pushed, maintaining optimal channel cross-section without manual intervention
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
This solution enhances air distribution efficiency, reduces the risk of damage to the guide wall, simplifies cleaning, and lowers maintenance costs by ensuring smooth operation and robust construction.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device which resists movement of the baffle towards the end wall
Implementation Method 2
the spring device automatically returns it to its operating position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container (1) comprising an end wall (5), and air conditioning system (6), arranged in the end wall (5) and having an opening (14) on its underside through which it ejects an air current, a floor (2), provided with ducts, which guides the air current in a direction away from the end wall (5), and a guide wall (15) defining an air duct (16) together with a part of the end wall (5) and a part of the floor (2) when in the operating position, said air duct guiding the air current between the opening (14) and the ducts in the floor. The aim of the invention is to prevent the guide wall from being damaged by the forks of fork lifts. The invention is characterized in that the container (1) is equipped with a spring device that counteracts a movement of the guide wall (15) towards the end wall (5).