Receptacle Bumper Layout for High-Speed Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for receiving high volumes of items, such as mail or industrial components, face structural fatigue and damage due to cyclic stress and impact forces, leading to frequent repairs and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a receptacle with a guiding surface and a separate bumper with an impact surface that absorbs the impact force of incoming items, decoupling the impact absorption from the receptacle's structural integrity, allowing the receptacle to move at high speeds without sustaining damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the receptacle directly receives high-volume items at high speed, then productivity increases, but the receptacle suffers from cyclic stress and structural fatigue leading to fracture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem handling volumeVSAvoidreceptacle durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the receptacle into two functional segments: a durable frame structure and a replaceable impact-absorbing liner. The liner is positioned between incoming items and the frame, absorbing impact forces while the frame maintains structural integrity. This segmentation allows the receptacle to handle high-volume items without the frame suffering from cyclic stress and structural fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact-absorbing liner is pre-installed in the receptacle frame to provide cushioning before items are received. This beforehand cushioning protects the frame from impact forces during high-speed item handling, preventing structural fatigue and fracture while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the receptacle is reinforced to withstand impact forces, then reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceptacle durabilityVSAvoidreceptacle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reinforcing the entire receptacle frame, the system segments the structure into a simple frame and a separate impact-absorbing liner. The liner handles all impact forces while the frame maintains a simple, easy-to-manufacture design without additional reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact-absorbing liner is designed as a simpler, potentially replaceable component that absorbs impact forces. This allows the main frame to remain structurally simple and easy to manufacture, while the liner handles the wear and tear from repeated impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the receptacle absorbs impact forces directly, then the item reception function is maintained, but wear and tear increases reducing the operational lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem reception functionVSAvoidreceptacle lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is segmented into a frame and an impact-absorbing liner, where the liner specifically handles impact absorption during item reception. This protects the frame from wear and tear while maintaining the item reception function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The impact-absorbing liner acts as an intermediary between incoming items and the receptacle frame. It absorbs impact forces during item reception, protecting the frame from wear and tear while allowing the item reception function to continue uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system effectively mitigates the impact forces on the receptacle, reducing wear and tear, extending its lifespan, minimizing downtime for repairs, and enhancing operational efficiency by separating the functions of impact absorption and item reception.

Implementation Method 1

at least one bumper separate from the receptacle and comprising an impact surface that intersects the final direction of travel, with the impact surface extending at least partially into the receiving space of the receptacle and configured to absorb an impact force of the item as the receptacle moves relative to the bumper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force absorption: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentUS10899570B2Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 US POSTAL SERVICE

AI summary

Systems, devices and methods for receiving an item in a receptacle are disclosed. Features are disclosed for receiving and guiding an item in a receiving space of a receptacle so as to attenuate or remove the impact force of the item on the receptacle. Some embodiments of the disclosure include a bumper having an impact surface which absorbs most or all of the impact force of the item and thereby mitigates or removes the imposition of cyclic impact loads on the receptacle from repeated receipt of items. The bumper may be structurally and/or functionally de-coupled or otherwise physically separated from the receptacle such that an advantageous division of labor is created between absorbing the impact and receiving the item. This disclosure may be useful, for example, in modern industrial operations where a high volume of items are received daily, such as in mail sorting and handling operations.