Guiding Rail Blocking Element to Prevent Sliding Component Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible dunnage systems for transport and storage containers face challenges with ergonomics, durability, ease of assembly, and logistics efficiency, particularly in preventing sliding elements from unintentionally escaping guiding rails and requiring complex designs for maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A guiding rail with a movable blocking element that can selectively control the passage of sliding elements, allowing for secure engagement and disengagement within the guiding channel, and a method for using this blocking element to manage the movement of sliding elements, ensuring they do not escape while allowing for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If end caps and blocking elements are added to guiding rails to prevent sliding elements from escaping, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is integrated directly into the guiding rail structure, merging two separate components (guiding rail and blocking element) into a single unified component. This eliminates the need for separate end caps and blocking elements, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding rail is designed to serve multiple functions: it guides the sliding elements along its length and simultaneously provides integrated blocking features at its ends. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability of preventing sliding element escape.
2Reliability
If separate caps and blocking elements are used to cover and secure guiding rails, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is formed as an integral part of the guiding rail through a single extrusion process. This merging of components simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate machining, assembly, and fastening operations that would be required for separate caps and blocking elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding rail employs an extrusion manufacturing process that allows for complex cross-sectional geometries to be produced efficiently. By designing the blocking features as integral parts of the extruded profile, the manufacturing process remains simple and cost-effective while achieving the desired reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex designs with mountable/demountable parts are used, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
While the guiding rail itself is a unified extruded component, the sliding elements remain separate and can be independently removed. The integrated blocking element includes features that facilitate the removal and reinstallation of sliding elements, maintaining adaptability for maintenance while simplifying operations by eliminating separate blocking components.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is designed with features that automatically engage and disengage sliding elements during normal operation and maintenance. The integrated design provides self-contained functionality that simplifies user interaction, allowing for easy maintenance without requiring complex assembly or disassembly procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
In a first aspect, the invention concerns a guiding rail (6) comprising a guiding channel (10) having a slit opening (11). The guiding rail is further provided with one or more sliding elements (5), and a blocking element (9) coupled to the guiding rail. A blocking portion (22) of the blocking element is movable between first and second positions. In further aspects, the invention discloses a transport container (1) provided with such guiding rails, and a blocking element for such guiding rails.