Locking Members for Pallet Fork Tine Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet fork designs for wheel loaders lack an efficient mechanism to restrict the swingable and lateral motion of fork tines, which can lead to instability and reduced operational efficiency when handling palletized loads.
Innovation Solution
A pallet fork design that includes a frame, fork bar, and fork tines with a bracket and locking members, allowing for selective engagement of the fork tines with a carriage plate to restrict swingable motion, and an additional locking mechanism to control lateral motion, enabling customizable positioning and secure load handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fork tines are made swingable and laterally movable relative to the fork bar, then adaptability for different loading positions is improved, but stability during load handling deteriorates due to uncontrolled motion
Solution Approach 1:
The fork tine is designed with selective mobility - it can swing and move laterally when positioning is needed, then be locked in place when stability is required. The locking member transitions the system from a static to a dynamic state, allowing the fork tine to change its degree of freedom based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary between the fork tine and the carriage plate/frame. It mediates the conflict between mobility and stability by providing a mechanism to either allow motion or restrict it, depending on whether the fork tine needs to be repositioned or held steady during load handling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to restrict fork tine motion, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to be manually operable by the operator without requiring additional power sources, complex actuating mechanisms, or specialized tools. The simple design allows the operator to easily engage and disengage the locking mechanism as needed, maintaining stability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct components - the locking member itself, the bracket on the fork tine, and the engagement features on the carriage plate. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing the required stability function.
3Productivity
If a locking mechanism is installed on the pallet fork, then operational efficiency is improved through secure load handling, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member and associated components are designed using simple, inexpensive materials and manufacturing processes. The bracket is attached to the fork tine using cost-effective methods such as welding or bolting, and the locking member itself is a simple metal component that can be mass-produced at low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is integrated with existing pallet fork components - the bracket is attached to the fork tine, and the locking member engages with both the fork tine and the carriage plate or frame. This merging approach allows the locking function to be added without requiring entirely new components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet fork including a frame and a fork tine. The frame supports a fork bar and a carriage plate. Further, the fork bar and the carriage plate extend in a longitudinal direction of the pallet fork. The fork tine is mounted to the fork bar. Also, the fork tine has a swingable motion and a lateral motion relative to the fork bar. Moreover, the fork tine includes a vertical leg and a horizontal leg. A bracket is attached to the vertical leg of the fork tine. A first locking member is selectively inserted in the bracket to engage the fork tine with the carriage plate and restrict the swingable motion of the fork tine.