Rolling Transfer Plate for Heavy Cargo Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual cargo loading is costly in terms of personnel and time, and existing automated systems face difficulties with heavy loads due to the need for flexible transfer plates that are hard to push and may not conform well to uneven cargo container surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An automatic loading apparatus featuring a transfer plate with a rolling portion and a ramp, equipped with roller modules and a driving device, allowing for efficient alignment and movement into and out of cargo containers, reducing personnel and time costs while accommodating uneven surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible transfer plate is used, then the transfer plate can conform to the bottom surface in the cargo container, but it is difficult to push the transfer plate when cargos are heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to bottom surfaceVSAvoidpushing force required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer plate transitions from a static flexible plate to a dynamic rolling structure. The rolling portion with multiple roller modules allows the transfer plate to adapt to the bottom surface contour while reducing friction during pushing, converting sliding friction into rolling friction to significantly decrease the force required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the transfer plate surface from flexible to rigid-rolling. By incorporating roller modules with rotatable rollers, the surface maintains adaptability through the arrangement of rollers while providing rigid rolling contact that reduces pushing resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If a rigid transfer plate is used, then it is easier to push the transfer plate, but it cannot conform well to uneven bottom surfaces in the cargo container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepushing force requiredVSAvoidconformability to bottom surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rolling portion with rotatable roller modules provides dynamic adaptability. Each roller can rotate independently to accommodate variations in the bottom surface contour, allowing the rigid structure to conform to uneven surfaces while maintaining the pushing advantages of rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer plate is segmented into a rolling portion with multiple discrete roller modules and a ramp portion. This segmentation allows the rolling portion to adapt to surface variations while the ramp portion provides a fixed inclined structure for loading, combining adaptability with structural rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If manual stacking is used, then no special equipment is needed, but personnel and time costs are higher and safety issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment requiredVSAvoidloading efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic loading apparatus performs the loading operation autonomously. The transfer plate with rolling portion automatically positions and pushes cargos into the container under its own driving mechanism, eliminating the need for manual stacking while achieving high loading efficiency and reduced operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If a flat portion and rolling portion alternately arranged transfer plate is used, then movement is easier, but heavier cargos still have difficulty moving on the flat portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo movement easeVSAvoidforce required for heavy cargos

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer plate features a continuous rolling portion with multiple roller modules rather than alternating flat and rolling sections. This dynamic rolling surface provides consistent low-friction contact for heavy cargos throughout their entire movement path, eliminating the high-friction flat portions that impede heavy cargo movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 apparatus significantly reduces personnel and time costs for loading, efficiently uses cargo container space, and facilitates the loading of heavy cargos by providing a rigid and adaptable transfer plate that can conform to uneven surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

The rolling portion includes plural roller modules. Each of these roller modules includes a metal frame, and plural upper rollers and plural lower rollers disposed in the metal frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10781061B2Automatic loading apparatus and application of the same

Publication Date: 2020.09.22 FORMOSA HEAVY INDS CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides an automatic loading apparatus including a loading platform and a transfer plate. The transfer plate includes a rolling portion and a ramp portion. The rolling portion includes plural roller modules. Each of the roller modules includes a metal frame and plural upper rollers and lower rollers disposed in the metal frame. An upper surface of the transfer plate is made up of the upper rollers, and a lower surface of the transfer plate is made up of the lower rollers. The ramp portion is connected to the rolling portion and arranged on one end of the transfer plate.