Spring-Loaded Bogie Restoring Horizontal Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The support roller bogie in lift trucks can become inclined when hanging between two baseboards of a pallet, leading to potential collisions with subsequent baseboards, causing noise, shocks, and movement of the pallet.

Innovation Solution

A support roller arrangement that includes a spring device coupled to the bogie and the bracket, forcing the bogie to return to a predetermined resting position once it loses contact with a baseboard, thereby preventing collisions with subsequent baseboards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the support roller bogie is allowed to pivot freely to climb over baseboards, then the ability to engage pallets in transverse direction is improved, but the bogie may become inclined and hit subsequent baseboards causing noise and shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to engage pallets in transverse directionVSAvoidnoise and shocks from bogie hitting baseboards
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a spring device that changes the positional parameter of the bogie by applying a restoring force. The spring forces the bogie to assume a predetermined position (horizontal orientation) after climbing, preventing it from hitting subsequent baseboards while maintaining the ability to pivot during the climbing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The spring device applies a preliminary restoring force to counteract the inclined orientation of the bogie before it can hit the subsequent baseboard. This preliminary anti-action prevents the harmful effect by actively pushing the bogie back to its proper position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a spring device is added to force the bogie to a predetermined position, then the harmful effects of bogie collision are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebogie collision with baseboardsVSAvoidstructure of support roller arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring device is designed to be self-actuating, automatically forcing the bogie to its predetermined position without requiring external control systems. The spring's elastic energy storage and release mechanism provides automatic position correction, simplifying the control architecture while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the bogie is constrained to remain horizontal at all times, then collision with baseboards is prevented, but the ability to climb over baseboards is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision preventionVSAvoidclimbing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system where the bogie is allowed to pivot freely during the climbing phase, then automatically returns to a horizontal position after clearing the baseboard. The spring device enables this dynamic behavior by applying force only when the bogie deviates from its predetermined position, not during the climbing action itself.

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 solution ensures smooth engagement between the lift truck's forks and the pallet by maintaining the bogie in a horizontal position, reducing noise, shocks, and pallet movement.

Implementation Method 1

a spring device that is coupled to the bogie and to the bracket (30) and configured to force the bogie towards a predetermined resting position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3967570B1A support roller arrangement for a lift truck
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING MFG SWEDEN
  • EP3967570B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3967570B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3967570B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A support roller arrangement (10) for a lift truck (50) comprising: - a bogie (21) with a pair of support rollers (22.1, 22.2); - a bracket (30) for attaching the bogie (21) to a lift truck (50), wherein the bogie (21) is pivotally attached to the bracket (30), characterized in a spring device (40) that is coupled to the bogie (21) and to the bracket (30) and configured to force the bogie (21) towards a predetermined resting position (A).