Dock Leveler Rear Headers Debris Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vertically stored dock levelers accumulate debris when in an upright position due to the angled orientation of rear headers, which can lead to debris falling onto the pit floor when the leveler is moved to an operating position, compromising cleanliness and safety.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of rear headers with a forward-sloped portion or tapered plates that direct debris away from the rear edge of the deck and towards the pit floor, preventing accumulation and maintaining cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rear headers are oriented at an angle for vertical storage, then the dock leveler can be stored upright, but debris accumulates on the rear headers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical storage positionVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rear header is inverted in its orientation so that the top surface slopes away from the deck plate rather than toward it. This reversal of the normal angle prevents debris from sliding onto the header during vertical storage, eliminating the debris accumulation problem while maintaining vertical storage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The rear header has different surface orientations for different functions: the side surface maintains the angled orientation for vertical storage stability, while the top surface is made sloped away from the deck to prevent debris accumulation. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between storage stability and debris prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If rear headers are made straight and perpendicular, then debris accumulation is reduced, but vertical storage stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris accumulationVSAvoidvertical storage position

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rear header employs different geometric properties in different regions: the side profile maintains the angled configuration necessary for vertical storage stability, while the top surface is designed with a slope away from the deck to prevent debris accumulation. This localized differentiation allows both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire header perpendicular to eliminate debris accumulation, only the top surface is inverted in its slope direction. This partial inversion maintains the angled side profile for storage stability while preventing debris accumulation on the top surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20240253918A1Rear headers for dock levelers

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 RITE HITE HLDG CORP

AI summary

Rear headers for dock levelers. An example dock leveler includes a deck movable between a stored position and an operating position; and a rear header coupled to the deck, the rear header including a hinge lug; a mounting plate to couple to the hinge lug, the mounting plate defining a first sloped surface oriented toward a rear surface of the deck when the dock leveler is in the stored position; and a tilt plate coupled to the mounting plate, the tilt plate defining a second sloped surface oriented away from the rear surface of the deck when the dock leveler is in the stored position.