Apparatus for self-levelling storing a plurality of objects such as trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mail trolleys require varying loading and unloading heights due to stacked trays, leading to inefficiencies and potential health and safety issues, as well as cumbersome unloading and storage of empty trays.
Innovation Solution
A platform movable along a post between two positions, with an expandable container and a resilient bias or hydraulic/pneumatic control, allowing for consistent loading/unloading height and storage of empty trays below full ones, facilitated by a retractable design for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If trays are stacked one on top of the other on a conventional trolley, then the trolley can transport multiple trays, but the loading and unloading height varies depending on the number of trays stacked, creating inconvenience and potential health and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is made movable along the post between a first position and a second position below the first position. When a first object is supported on the surface of the platform, the platform moves to the second position, maintaining a consistent working height regardless of the number of trays stacked. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing multiple trays to be transported while keeping the loading/unloading height constant.
2Productivity
If the top trays are unloaded and emptied, then the trays are available for reuse, but they must be put to one side because they cannot be placed back on the trolley until the last tray has been unloaded, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is disposed to one lateral side of the at least one post, with the post located outside the footprint of the platform surface. This spatial arrangement creates unused space underneath the platform where empty trays can be stored. By utilizing this vertical dimension beneath the platform, empty trays can be stored directly on the trolley structure rather than being placed to one side, eliminating the need to wait for complete unloading before storing empty trays.
3Device complexity
If the post is positioned within the footprint of the platform, then the structure is compact, but empty trays cannot be stored underneath the platform efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The post is positioned asymmetrically, located outside the footprint of the platform surface rather than within it. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the use of space by creating accessible area underneath the platform for storing empty trays, while maintaining overall structural compactness. The asymmetric positioning allows the platform to overhang the post, maximizing the usable storage space beneath.
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
This solution reduces the difficulty of loading at different heights, maintains a constant unloading height, and allows for efficient storage of empty trays, enhancing safety and usability in limited spaces.
Implementation Method 1
movement of the platform along the at least one post between the first and second positions may be controlled by a resilient bias or member, for example an elastic cord or spring
Implementation Method 2
an expandable container such as a bag for retaining objects on the platform, the expandable container being configured to expand as the platform moves from the first position to the second position
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~7
Figure 4
AI summary
Apparatus (10) comprises a base (12), a plurality of posts (14) attached to the base (12), and a platform (16) defining a surface (18) for supporting at least one mail tray. The platform (16) is coupled to the four posts (14) and is moveable therealong between a first position (20) and a second position (22) (shown in phantom lines) below the first position (20) when a first object (e.g. a full tray) is supported on the surface (18) of the platform (16). As other full trays are stacked on the apparatus (10), the platform (16) is displaced further from the first position (20) until eventually it reaches the base (12). When the full trays are unloaded from the apparatus (10), the platform (16) rises upwards, returning to the first position (20) when none remain on the surface (18). As the platform (16) rises, a space (32) between the platform (16) and the base (12) opens up and is a convenient place to store empty trays.