Container Holding Pawl Geometry for Space-Efficient Block Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing block stacking arrangements require containers with projections into the interior to engage holding pawls, limiting the utilization of the container space and necessitating larger containers, which results in suboptimal space usage.
Innovation Solution
A holding pawl with a cutout directed into the pass-through opening, allowing containers to enter without projecting into the interior, and a pivot axis forming an angle of less than 75° with the opening, supporting the container in both longitudinal and transverse directions, and a V-shaped cutout to prevent tilting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a holding pawl is used to hold containers in the container receiving slot, then the container can be securely held, but a projection extending into the container interior is necessary to provide sufficient contact area, which reduces the container interior volume
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the container have a projection to engage the holding pawl, the invention inverts the approach by giving the holding pawl a cutout that receives the container corner. This reverses which component has the engaging feature, allowing the container to maintain its full interior volume while the holding pawl provides the necessary engagement geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the holding pawl by providing a cutout with specific angular dimensions (75° to 105°) that match the corner geometry of standard containers. This parameter change allows the holding pawl to engage containers at their corners without requiring any modifications to the container interior.
2Reliability
If the holding pawl is positioned to engage the container corner effectively, then secure holding is achieved, but the pivot axis must be at a specific angle to prevent tilting while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies a particular angular range (75° to 105°) for the cutout sides relative to the pivot axis, which optimizes the balance between holding stability and operational ease. This parameter optimization ensures that the holding pawl can effectively engage container corners while allowing smooth insertion and removal operations.
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
Enables full utilization of the container interior for objects like cardboard boxes, preventing snagging during insertion and removal, and optimizing space efficiency by accommodating containers without interior projections.
Implementation Method 1
a holding device at the pass-through opening, which has at least one holding pawl that is pivotable between a holding position and a release position
Implementation Method 2
the cutout is formed to be V-shaped. A V-shaped cutout allows the holding pawl to support the container with two 'arms,' wherein the arms point in different directions. This makes it possible to support the container in the directions of the two arms in a sufficient manner, such that tilting of the container can be prevented.
Data Source
AI summary
A block stacking arrangement that includes a plurality of container receiving slots; a loading space arranged in the direction of gravity below the container receiving slots; a pass-through opening between each of the container receiving slots and the loading space; and a holding device at the pass-through opening, which has at least one holding pawl that is pivotable between a holding position and a release position. The holding pawl has a cutout that, in the holding position, is directed into the pass-through opening.