Fork-Mounted Roll Container Inverter for Stable Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for inverting roll containers are inefficient and costly, particularly when dealing with heavy containers that are difficult to manually invert.
Innovation Solution
A device is designed to be attached to the fork arms of an industrial truck, featuring a rotating portion with fork elements that can engage with the base of a roll container, allowing for efficient inversion by minimizing the distance between the fork elements and enabling stable engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a lifting mechanism is used to grip, lift, rotate and lower a roll container, then heavy roll containers can be inverted, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: an attachment portion that connects to the industrial truck's fork arms, and a rotating portion that performs the inversion function. This segmentation allows the complex inversion mechanism to be isolated from the lifting function, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing costs while maintaining the ability to handle heavy roll containers
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be universally compatible with standard industrial trucks by attaching to their existing fork arms. The rotating portion with fork elements can engage with the base portion of various roll container types, making the device multi-functional and adaptable to different applications without requiring custom lifting mechanisms for each truck
2Volume of moving object
If the distance between fork elements is minimized for space-saving, then the device size is reduced, but the engagement stability with roll container base portion may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating portion is mounted to rotate on the attachment portion, creating a dynamic structure that can adapt during operation. The fork elements can pivot and adjust their position dynamically as the roll container is engaged and inverted, ensuring stable engagement even with minimal distance between elements. This dynamic capability maintains reliability while minimizing the device's footprint
3Productivity
If the rotating portion is mounted rotatably on the attachment portion, then roll containers can be inverted efficiently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the attachment portion from the rotating portion with a clear rotational interface, the invention isolates the complexity of the inversion mechanism to a specific segment. This modular approach allows the rotating portion to be optimized for inversion efficiency while the attachment portion remains simple and compatible with standard equipment, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall device 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 device provides a cost-effective and ergonomic solution for inverting roll containers, ensuring safe and efficient operation while reducing manual labor requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating portion (20) which is mounted on the attachment portion (10) so as to be revolvable about an axis of rotation (Z)
Implementation Method 2
The rotating portion (20) can be fixed to the attachment portion (10) so as to be revolvable, in particular by means of a rotary bearing (16)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for inverting roll containers and for attachment to fork arms of an industrial truck, includes an attachment portion for attachment to the fork arms and a rotating portion which is revolvably mounted on the attachment portion, wherein the rotating portion includes two fork elements for engaging in a base portion of a roll container, and wherein a distance between the two fork elements is provided, and a length of the two fork elements is provided, and the length is at least twice as great as the distance, and the rotating portion includes a spacer element for spacing the two fork elements relative to a floor.