Dock Leveler Gap Arrangement Reducing Vehicle Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stationary dock levellers cause unpleasant impacts on vehicles and drivers due to gaps and protruding edges at the transition between the ramp and loading bridge, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions and are often costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A stationary dock leveler design where the gap is arranged centrally across the swivel joint, ensuring that neither the frame plate nor the dock leveler plate extends beyond the joint's center, minimizing the vertical path and gap size when pivoted, thus reducing impact without additional components or complex constructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dock leveler plate extends beyond the swivel joint to ensure proper pivoting movement, then the pivoting function is maintained, but the gap size increases causing impact on vehicles and drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the gap asymmetrically relative to the swivel joint, specifically arranging it upstream of the joint rather than symmetrically around it. This asymmetric positioning allows the dock leveler plate to extend beyond the joint for proper pivoting while minimizing the gap size in the critical downstream area where vehicles pass, thereby reducing impact on drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the gap problem by considering the spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions. By positioning the gap upstream of the swivel joint and arranging the ramp plate and dock leveler plate at specific distances from the joint center, the solution optimizes the three-dimensional spatial relationship to minimize the vertical path and gap size while maintaining pivoting functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional components or complex constructions are used to reduce the gap, then the impact on vehicles is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves gap reduction through intelligent positioning and geometric arrangement of existing components rather than adding new components. The ramp plate and dock leveler plate are positioned at specific distances from the swivel joint center, allowing the existing structure to serve the dual purpose of maintaining pivoting movement while minimizing the gap, thereby avoiding additional manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces impact by changing the positional parameters of existing components. Specifically, the gap is arranged at a defined distance upstream of the swivel joint, and the plates are positioned at optimized distances from the joint center. These parameter changes optimize the gap size and vertical path without requiring additional components or complex constructions.
3Device complexity
If the gap is arranged centrally over the swivel joint, then the structure is simple, but the gap size increases causing noticeable impact on drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately breaks the symmetric arrangement by positioning the gap upstream of the swivel joint rather than centrally over it. This asymmetric positioning maintains structural simplicity while significantly reducing the gap size in the critical area where vehicles pass, thereby minimizing impact on drivers without complicating the overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The bridge has a ramp (10), and a load bridge (12) swivelably is held in the ramp over a horizontally aligned swivel joint (14). The load bridge has a load bridge plate (13) designed as an accessible surface, where a ramp plate (11) is provided in the ramp, and the swivel joint is directly arranged underneath a load bridge plate and/or the ramp plate. The ramp plate and the load bridge plate reach up to the swivel joint such that a gap (15) formed between the ramp plate and the load bridge plate is arranged over a middle of the swivel joint.