Pivoting Ramp Wall with Counterbalancing Spring for Manual Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial containers with ramp walls require heavy-duty equipment for loading and unloading heavy materials, and there is a need to improve the ease of material loading and securing during transport.
Innovation Solution
The container design features a pair of ramp walls with pivot assemblies and counterbalancing helical torsion springs, allowing for manual movement between closed and open positions, and includes a flexible top cover with support bars and securing straps for secure transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heavy-duty equipment is used to load and unload heavy materials, then the loading and unloading capability is improved, but the equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing torsion springs to the ramp wall assembly to offset the weight of the ramp wall itself. This counterweight mechanism allows the ramp wall to be manually positioned between horizontal and vertical orientations without requiring heavy-duty equipment, thereby resolving the contradiction by enabling easy operation while maintaining structural capability.
2Strength
If the ramp wall is made heavy-duty to support equipment weight, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the ease of manual operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Counterbalancing torsion springs are integrated into the pivot assembly to provide a counterweight effect that offsets the gravitational force on the ramp wall. This allows the ramp wall to support heavy loads when in the vertical position while remaining easy to maneuver manually during positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp wall assembly is designed with pivot connections that allow dynamic movement between horizontal and vertical positions. The combination of pivot shafts, pivot holes, and torsion springs creates a dynamic system that adapts to different operational states, enabling both heavy load support and easy manual repositioning.
3Ease of operation
If the container has open ends for easy loading, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security and protection of contents during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp wall serves as a dynamic closure element that can be positioned vertically to seal the container end during transport, providing security and protection. During loading operations, the ramp wall can be pivoted to a horizontal position to create an open end for easy material access. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between security and ease of loading.
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 easier and safer loading and unloading of materials, reducing the need for heavy equipment and ensuring secure transport by allowing manual operation of ramp walls and providing a secure cover for contents.
Implementation Method 1
at least one counterbalancing helical torsion spring cooperating with the pivot shaft to bias the ramp wall during movement between closed and open positions
Implementation Method 2
pivot assembly include at least one pivot shaft extending through one end of the ramp wall and at least one counterbalancing helical torsion spring cooperating with the pivot shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A container for storing and transporting material includes a container body having a bottom wall and a pair of parallel spaced side walls connected with opposite edges of the bottom wall to define a chamber having first and second open ends. A pair of ramp walls are connected with the container body adjacent the first and second open ends, respectively. Each ramp wall includes at least one pivot assembly, which provides pivotal movement of the ramp wall between closed and open positions, respectively. Preferably, the pivot assembly includes at least one pivot shaft extending through one end of the ramp wall and at least one counterbalancing helical torsion spring cooperating with the pivot shaft to bias the ramp wall during movement between closed and open positions.