Cruciform Tray Openings for Stable Goods Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems with round holes in trays for lifting goods are prone to improper lifting, tipping, and potential damage, especially for delicate items, due to inconsistent pin-goods interaction.
Innovation Solution
A transport system using a plastic tray with cruciform openings and complementary cruciform lifting pins that provide stable support and minimize damage, allowing goods to be positioned anywhere on the tray without tipping, even for small items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If round holes are used in the tray bottom for lifting pins, then the tray structure is simple, but the goods can tip over or be lifted insufficiently and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The round hole is segmented into a cruciform shape with four distinct arms, creating multiple contact points for the lifting pin. This segmentation allows the pin to engage with the goods more reliably while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cruciform opening introduces asymmetry in the lifting interface, with four directional arms that can engage with goods from multiple orientations. This asymmetric design improves lifting reliability for goods positioned at various locations on the tray.
2Device complexity
If round lifting pins are used, then the device is simple, but the goods can be damaged or small holes can be made in filigree items
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting pin is segmented into a cruciform shape with four arms instead of a single round shaft. This segmentation distributes the lifting force across multiple contact points, reducing the risk of concentrating force on a single point and causing damage to delicate goods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cruciform lifting pin provides different local contact characteristics at each arm, allowing for distributed force application. This local quality variation prevents excessive stress concentration on any single point of the goods, protecting fragile items from damage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cruciform openings are used in the tray bottom, then the stability of the tray surface is greater, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opening is segmented into a cruciform pattern with four arms radiating from a central point. This segmentation creates multiple support points that distribute the load and enhance tray surface stability while maintaining a relatively simple geometric pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The cruciform opening introduces a dimensional complexity that enhances stability by creating a three-dimensional interaction pattern between the lifting pin and the tray bottom. The four-arm configuration provides rotational and translational stability simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If cruciform lifting pins are used, then the guidance of the goods is better and tipping is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting pin is segmented into a cruciform shape that can be manufactured using standard forming processes. The four-arm configuration provides multiple guidance points for the goods, improving operational ease while the segmented geometry can be efficiently manufactured through techniques like injection molding or stamping.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system for conveying a plastic tray for transporting and unloading goods is described, wherein the plastic tray has a bottom, a frame and openings with a cruciform cross-section in the bottom for the reach-through of lifting pins of the transport system, and wherein the transport system has a conveyor belt and an unloading station with lifting pins. The lifting pins have a cruciform cross-section, which is complementary to the cruciform openings of the plastic tray.