Packaged Blade Assembly with Gliding Elements for Forklift Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation, handling, and storage of machine implements, such as blade and push arm assemblies, are labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need for re-orientation and additional handling costs, as existing solutions do not provide an improved packaged design for efficient loading and unloading.
Innovation Solution
A packaged assembly with a blade assembly, push arm assembly, and support members, including gliding elements and separator blocks, that allows for horizontal orientation and interaction with a fork lift for efficient loading and unloading without re-orientation, using steel tapes for bundling and securing the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the blade and push arm assembly is stored in an open top container and unloaded using a crane, then the implement can be transported and stored, but the process becomes labor-intensive, time-consuming, and requires additional handling costs and space for re-orienting
Solution Approach 1:
The packaged assembly is divided into distinct modular components (blade assembly, push arm assembly, support members, separator blocks) that can be independently handled and positioned. This segmentation allows the fork lift to efficiently manipulate specific portions of the assembly without requiring complete disassembly or complex re-orientation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Support members with gliding elements act as intermediaries between the packaged assembly and the container floor, enabling smooth movement and positioning. The gliding elements reduce friction and allow the assembly to be easily slid into place by the fork lift, eliminating the need for crane-based lifting and manual re-orientation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the blade assembly is re-oriented to a stable position after unloading, then proper storage configuration is achieved, but additional labor and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packaged assembly is pre-configured in a stable, horizontally-oriented configuration before loading into the container. The blade assembly, push arm assembly, and separator blocks are arranged in advance to maintain structural stability, eliminating the need for post-unloading re-orientation operations and reducing handling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator blocks with depressions and protrusions create a self-aligning, self-stabilizing structure that automatically maintains the correct orientation of push arms relative to the blade assembly. This self-service mechanism ensures proper configuration without requiring external intervention or complex positioning operations during storage and handling.
3Ease of operation
If traditional packaging without gliding elements is used, then simpler structure is maintained, but sliding and re-positioning operations become difficult and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The gliding elements provide continuous feedback through their interaction with the container floor surface, enabling smooth, controlled movement of the packaged assembly. As the fork lift applies force to move the assembly, the gliding elements automatically adjust to maintain optimal contact and reduce friction, facilitating easy re-positioning without requiring excessive force or complex mechanisms.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the packaged assembly requires re-orientation for storage, then proper storage configuration is achieved, but additional labor costs and handling time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly, push arm assembly, support members, and separator blocks are merged into a single integrated packaged assembly that maintains its stable configuration throughout handling and storage operations. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate re-orientation steps, as the entire assembly can be moved and positioned as one unit while maintaining proper internal alignment and stability.
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 packaged assembly reduces handling time and costs by enabling efficient loading and unloading with a fork lift, minimizing labor and space requirements, and maintaining a stable configuration during storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
One of the pair of support members includes a plurality of gliding elements attached thereto. The plurality of gliding elements is configured to slide the blade assembly along a work surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaged assembly for a work implement is provided. The packaged assembly includes a blade assembly, a brace assembly, a push arm assembly, a pair of support member, and plurality of separator blocks. The packaged assembly is bundled in a manner such that the packaged assembly lies in a horizontal orientation. The packaged assembly is configured to cooperate and interact with a fork lift, such that the fork lift performs loading and unloading operations of the packaged assembly without re-orienting the packaged assembly.