Stamped Rear Bolster Relief for Repeated Dock Impacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo transport rear frames lack an effective loading dock engagement feature that can withstand repeated impacts, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in cargo handling.
Innovation Solution
A rear bolster for cargo transport rear frames, constructed as a sheet metal stamping with a base surface and a relief embossed in the rearward direction to form a loading dock engagement feature, which is designed to withstand repeated loading dock impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rear frame structures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but they cannot withstand repeated loading dock impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a relief feature with varying thickness in specific locations of the rear bolster. The relief portion has a first thickness that is greater than a second thickness, concentrating structural reinforcement exactly where loading dock impacts occur, rather than uniformly thickening the entire component. This localized reinforcement improves impact resistance while minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by integrating a relief feature into the sheet metal stamping process, creating a monolithic structure with varying material distribution. The relief portion forms an integrated composite structure where material is strategically concentrated to provide enhanced impact resistance without requiring separate reinforcement components or assemblies.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the rear bolster is reinforced to withstand impacts, then durability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reinforcement feature directly into the rear bolster stamping process. The relief feature is formed as an integral part of the sheet metal stamping operation, combining the bolster and reinforcement into a single manufactured component. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing steps, additional parts, or complex assembly processes, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving enhanced durability.
3Productivity
If a robust loading dock engagement feature is added, then cargo handling efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relief feature serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides loading dock engagement, absorbs impact forces, and reinforces the rear bolster structure. This multi-functionality allows the single relief feature to improve cargo handling efficiency while minimizing the addition of separate components or complex mechanisms, thereby avoiding excessive device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo transport rear frame includes a par of posts spaced apart in a width direction, an upper cross member extending along the width direction between respective upper ends of the pair of posts, and a rear bolster extending along the width direction between respective lower ends of the pair of posts. The rear bolster has a first side facing in a forward direction that is perpendicular to both the width and height directions, and the rear bolster has a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame. The rear bolster comprises a sheet metal stamping including a base surface and a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature configured to withstand repeated loading dock impacts.