Rolling Array Dock Bumper Reduces Friction Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dock bumpers suffer from increased wear and damage due to the use of airbrakes in heavy goods vehicles, leading to uneven wear, repetitive impact issues, and the need for full replacement despite only partial damage, along with frictional tearing and ripping, which increases maintenance costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A dock bumper system featuring a housing with rolling impact elements, where each impact element has a resilient inner member and a rigid outer sheath, allowing the impact elements to roll and absorb forces, reducing friction and enabling only damaged elements to be replaced, while the frame can be easily adapted for different sizes and heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid piece of resilient material is used for the dock bumper, then the dock bumper can absorb impact energy and protect the loading bay, but the high frictional coefficient causes the rubber to grip the vehicle causing tearing or ripping of the dock bumper
Solution Approach 1:
The dock bumper is segmented into multiple individual bumper elements arranged in a row, allowing selective replacement of only damaged elements rather than the entire bumper. This segmentation also enables the use of different materials or properties in different elements to address varying wear patterns and impact zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper elements are designed to be movable relative to the housing, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation during vehicle impact. This dynamic capability reduces static frictional gripping while maintaining impact absorption through controlled movement and rotation of the elements.
2Strength
If the dock bumper is made from resilient material like rubber, then it can provide cushioning and protection, but the high friction causes the vehicle to rub against the bumper creating uneven wear requiring full replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper is divided into multiple replaceable elements, so that uneven wear affecting only certain elements does not necessitate replacement of the entire bumper. Damaged elements can be individually identified and replaced, extending the overall service life of the dock bumper system.
Solution Approach 2:
Individual worn or damaged bumper elements can be discarded and replaced while the remaining functional elements are recovered and reused. This selective replacement strategy maximizes the utilization of undamaged portions of the bumper system.
3Strength
If the dock bumper is mounted on a sliding frame, then it can resist damage from vehicle impact, but the whole dock bumper still requires replacement even though only a small portion requires replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The dock bumper system is segmented into a stationary housing structure and multiple individual bumper elements. This segmentation allows the housing to remain in place while only the damaged elements are removed and replaced, significantly improving ease of repair compared to replacing the entire mounted assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The bumper elements are designed with dynamic mounting mechanisms that allow them to be independently removed and replaced while the housing remains fixed. This dynamic design enables maintenance personnel to access and replace individual elements without dismantling the entire bumper assembly.
4Force
If repetitive impact occurs at the same position on the dock bumper, then the impact force is concentrated on one area, but this causes impressions in the surface that prevent the vehicle from sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper elements are designed to move and rotate dynamically during impact, which redistributes the contact points and prevents the formation of permanent surface impressions. This dynamic movement ensures that subsequent vehicle passes do not encounter the same static surface features that would prevent sliding.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the bumper elements (such as their position, orientation, and shape) are allowed to change during operation through controlled movement and rotation. This parameter variation prevents the concentration of wear at fixed locations and maintains effective vehicle sliding capability.
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 extends the life of the dock bumper by distributing impact forces across a larger surface area, reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact by allowing only damaged parts to be replaced, and providing a visual guidance for reversing vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The impact elements are arranged in an array and are fixed to the housing such that the impact elements are able to roll within the housing
Implementation Method 2
The outer layer or sheath is relatively rigid compared to the impact absorbing member... reducing friction and enabling only damaged elements to be replaced
Implementation Method 3
Each impact element comprises an impact absorbing member and an outer layer at least partly enveloping the impact absorbing member
Implementation Method 4
The resilient nature of the rubber block allows the dock bumper to absorb some of the impact energy
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A dock bumper is provided. The dock bumper (10) comprises a housing holding a plurality of rollers (100) arranged in an array. The plurality of rollers are arranged to absorb impact from a reversing vehicle. Upon impact, outer surfaces (110) of the rollers (100) are arranged to rotate relative to the frame (20). Consequently, scrubbing between the vehicle and dock bumper (10) is reduced as are excess forces acting on fixings between the frame (20) and wall. Also, a surface area at each contact location is increased as a cushioning effect is provided by rotation of the roller, thereby prolonging the operation life of the rollers. Furthermore, in one form, the dock bumper (10) is modularised so that only worn or damaged rollers (100) need be replaced at one time.