Spring-Reset Air Guide for Forklift-Safe Container Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard air guides in transport containers for sensitive goods are prone to damage from fork-lift trucks, leading to inefficiencies in air distribution and increased costs due to reduced system performance and repair needs, as well as difficulties in cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A spring arrangement within the air guide automatically resets it to its operational position, eliminating the need for stop chocks and brackets, and a locking device ensures it remains in place, while being made of resilient materials for enhanced durability and ease of cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stop chocks or stop brackets are arranged behind the air guide to prevent damage, then the air guide is protected against excessive movement, but the channel becomes partially jammed and air distribution efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful stop chocks and brackets are completely removed from the system. Instead, a resilient air guide is used that can absorb impact forces and return to its operational position automatically, eliminating the need for stop mechanisms that would obstruct the air channel and reduce efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide is made resilient (change in material property) so it can deform under impact and automatically reset to its operational position. This allows the air guide to be protected against damage without requiring stop chocks or brackets that would jam the channel and reduce air distribution efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the air guide is made openable for cleaning access, then cleaning becomes possible, but the structure becomes more complex and potentially more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is made dynamically openable through hinges, allowing it to be lifted for cleaning access while maintaining a simple overall structure. The resilient material and automatic resetting capability further simplify the design by eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms.
3Reliability
If an inward bulge is provided on the air guide, then the horizontal distance from projecting parts is increased and protection is improved, but the channel cross-section is reduced and air flow is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide is made resilient so it can deform under impact and automatically reset to its operational position with full channel cross-section. This eliminates the need for an inward bulge that would permanently reduce the channel area and obstruct air flow, while still providing protection against damage.
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 prevents air guide damage, maintains efficient air distribution, reduces repair costs, and simplifies cleaning, ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of the air treatment system.
Implementation Method 1
the container is provided with a spring arrangement that counteracts a movement of the air guide in the direction of the end wall
Implementation Method 2
the air guide can be pushed onto the end wall without meeting any obstructions, which reduces the risk of damaging the air guide
Data Source
AI summary
In a container 1 with an end wall 5, an air treatment system 6 that is arranged in the end wall 5 and comprises an opening 14 on its bottom side, through which it emits an air flow, a floor 2 provided with channels guiding the air flow in a direction away from the end wall 5, and an air guide 15 forming, in an operation position, together with a part of the end wall 5 and a part of the floor 2 an air channel 16 that guides the air flow between the opening 14 and the channels in the floor, it is endeavoured to prevent the air guide from being damaged by the forks of a fork lift truck. This is achieved in that the container 1 comprises a spring arrangement that counteracts a movement of the air guide 15 in the direction of the end wall 5.