Dock Leveler Lip with Rubber Cover Mitigating Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dock levelers face issues with maintenance, security risks from sharp edges, and excessive vibrations and noise due to frequent use by heavy equipment, particularly forklifts.
Innovation Solution
A lip for dock levelers with a hinged edge and cover lining made of crosslinked rubber, which is vulcanized and reinforced with fibers or felts, attached via adhesive or mechanical fasteners, to mitigate impacts, shocks, vibrations, and noise, and features a tapered leading edge for improved flexibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the dock leveler lip is made of metal to provide structural strength, then the strength and durability are improved, but sharp edges and security issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal elongated body with a rubber cover lining. The metal provides structural strength while the rubber covering eliminates sharp edges and provides a safe surface. This is achieved by attaching the rubber cover lining to the metal elongated body, creating a composite structure that benefits from both materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible rubber cover lining that envelops the metal elongated body. This flexible covering eliminates sharp edges while maintaining the structural integrity of the metal core. The rubber cover acts as a protective shell that provides safety without compromising strength.
2Strength
If the dock leveler lip is made of metal to provide structural strength, then the strength and durability are improved, but excessive vibrations and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal elongated body with a rubber cover lining. The metal provides structural strength while the rubber damping material reduces vibrations and noise. This is achieved by attaching the rubber cover lining to the metal elongated body, creating a composite structure that benefits from both materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful vibrations and noise generated by metal-on-metal contact into beneficial damping effects by introducing rubber material. The rubber absorbs and dissipates vibrational energy, transforming the harmful mechanical vibrations into heat through internal friction, thereby reducing noise and vibration transmission.
3Strength
If the dock leveler lip is made of metal to provide structural strength, then the strength and durability are improved, but maintenance requirements increase due to frequent use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal elongated body with a rubber cover lining. The metal provides structural strength while the rubber cover lining provides wear resistance and shock absorption, reducing maintenance requirements. The combination protects the metal from direct contact and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a rubber cover lining that absorbs impacts and shocks before they can damage the metal elongated body. This protective layer prevents wear and damage during frequent use by forklifts and heavy equipment, thereby reducing maintenance requirements.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover lining is added to the lip to mitigate impacts, then impact absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal elongated body with a rubber cover lining. The metal provides structural strength while the rubber cover lining provides impact mitigation. This is achieved by attaching the rubber cover lining to the metal elongated body, creating a composite structure that benefits from both materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible rubber cover lining that envelops the metal elongated body. This relatively simple flexible covering provides impact absorption and mitigation without significantly complicating the overall device structure. The cover lining acts as a protective shell that adds functionality with minimal complexity.
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
The solution effectively reduces noise and vibrations, enhances maintenance by absorbing impacts, and increases the lifespan of dock leveler components by providing a safer and more durable interface for loading and unloading operations.
Implementation Method 1
excessive vibrations and/or noise
Implementation Method 2
crosslinked rubber, which is vulcanized and reinforced with fibers or felts
Implementation Method 3
crosslinked rubber, which is vulcanized and reinforced with fibers or felts
Data Source
AI summary
A lip hingedly connectable to a deck of a dock leveler, the lip comprising an elongated body having opposite top and bottom surfaces. The elongated body comprising a hinged edge removably and pivotally connectable to the deck; and a distal edge opposite the hinged edge. The lip further comprises a cover lining adapted to at least partially enclose the top and bottom surfaces of the elongated body so as to mitigate impacts thereon.