Plastic Transfer Plate with Rolling Elements for Cargo Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer plates are not suitable for various types of cargo units, particularly pallets, due to high friction stresses and size limitations, making them inefficient for automatic loading and use with different conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
A plastic transfer plate with freely rotating rolling elements along its surface allows for easy movement and loading of cargo units, including pallets of different sizes, by reducing friction and enabling efficient use with existing apparatuses and conveyor systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional transfer plate without rolling elements is used, then the structure remains simple, but the friction stress becomes too great for both the pallets and the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
Rolling elements are introduced as an intermediary component between the transfer plate and the cargo units. These rolling elements reduce direct friction contact by converting sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby significantly reducing the stress on both the pallets and the apparatus while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct sliding mechanical contact between the transfer plate and cargo units with a rolling contact system. This substitution of mechanical interaction mode reduces the friction stress from high levels to acceptable levels without requiring complex structural modifications to the transfer plate itself.
2Length of stationary object
If a conventional transfer plate is used, then the apparatus size remains compact, but the resistance due to friction becomes too great
Solution Approach 1:
Rolling elements serve as a mediating mechanism that reduces friction resistance without significantly increasing the apparatus dimensions. The rolling elements are integrated into the transfer plate structure, allowing the apparatus to maintain a compact size while experiencing dramatically reduced friction resistance during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual loading of cargo units onto the transfer plate is performed, then loading flexibility is maintained, but the loading speed becomes slow and demands a large loading space
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling elements enable cargo units to be easily maneuvered and positioned onto the transfer plate with minimal manual intervention. The reduced friction allows cargo units to be slid or rolled onto the plate more efficiently, thereby increasing loading speed while maintaining the flexibility to handle different cargo configurations.
4Force
If a rigid frame with idler wheels is used to push cargo into a cargo space, then the cargo can be pushed in, but the frame must be especially rigid and a great linear load is imposed on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid frame with idler wheels with a flexible transfer plate equipped with rolling elements. This substitution eliminates the need for an especially rigid frame structure while maintaining the pushing capability, as the rolling elements provide the necessary mechanical advantage without requiring a heavy-duty frame construction.
5Device complexity
If a transfer plate without rolling elements is used, then the plate structure remains simple and thin, but it is impossible to pull the plate from beneath generally utilized pallets
Solution Approach 1:
Rolling elements are introduced as an intermediary between the transfer plate and the pallet, enabling the plate to be easily extracted from beneath the cargo. The rolling elements reduce the friction lock between the plate and pallet surfaces, allowing the plate to be pulled out smoothly without damaging the pallet or requiring excessive force.
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 solution enables efficient, automated loading of various cargo units with reduced stress on both the cargo units and the apparatus, allowing for the use of different conveyor systems and accommodating different cargo space configurations.
Implementation Method 1
rolling elements being arranged, over at least part of the length of the transfer plate, on the side of it facing the cargo units to permit movement between the transfer plate and the cargo units
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer plate for loading a cargo space. The transfer plate (10) is intended to be moved, together with cargo units (11) , into the cargo space (12) and back again, the cargo units (11) remaining in the cargo space (12) . Rolling elements (13) are arranged, over at least part of the length of the transfer plate (10) , on the side of it facing the cargo units (11) to permit movement between the transfer plate (10) and the cargo units (11) . The transfer plate (10) is mainly of plastic and the thickness of the structure formed by the transfer plate (10) and the rolling elements (13) is less than 70 millimetres. The invention also relates to a method for loading a cargo space.