Transfer Plate With Flexible Slippery Plastic for Cargo Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer plates face challenges in controlling movement when pushing loads into cargo spaces, leading to potential damage to the plate, load, and cargo space, especially when loading different types of cargo spaces, which complicates the loading process and increases the risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
A transfer plate with flexible slippery plastic and positioning means, such as spring elements and rolling elements, that allows controlled movement into and out of the cargo space, reducing friction and stress, and enabling automation without requiring separate control devices or sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a transfer plate is pushed into a cargo space with a load, then the loading process is automated and productivity increases, but control over the transfer plate is lost and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plate incorporates a flexible sheet that can deform elastically during pushing operations. This flexibility allows the plate to adapt to different cargo space geometries and positioning requirements, enabling controlled entry and exit while maintaining automation. The flexible sheet acts as a compliant element that absorbs positioning variations without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer plate system utilizes dynamic positioning where the plate can be pushed to different positions depending on the cargo space dimensions. The system transitions from static positioning to dynamic adaptation, allowing the same automated system to handle various cargo space types by adjusting the push distance and timing, thereby maintaining control while preserving productivity.
2Ease of operation
If side limiters are used to control the transfer plate, then control is provided during pushing, but the control effect diminishes as the transfer plate is pushed farther into the cargo space
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet replaces rigid side limiters by providing continuous compliance throughout the pushing process. Unlike rigid limiters that only work at fixed positions, the flexible sheet maintains control capability across the entire range of motion by deforming to accommodate the transfer plate's movement into the cargo space, preventing loss of control effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet acts as an intermediary element between the pushing mechanism and the transfer plate. It mediates the force transmission and positioning control, allowing the pushing mechanism to maintain control over the transfer plate throughout its entire journey into the cargo space, rather than relying on direct rigid contact that loses effectiveness at distance.
3Productivity
If the transfer plate is pushed hard to increase loading speed, then productivity improves, but friction increases and damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sheet serves as a friction-reducing interface between the transfer plate and the cargo space base. Its compliant nature allows for smoother contact and reduced sticking, enabling the transfer plate to be pushed with less force while maintaining control. This reduces both friction and stress on the system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet provides cushioning before the transfer plate makes full contact with the cargo space base. This pre-cushioning effect reduces impact forces and friction during the pushing process, allowing for faster loading speeds without increasing damage risk. The flexible material absorbs and distributes forces, preventing concentrated stress points.
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 enables safe and controlled pushing of loads into cargo spaces, reducing the risk of damage and enhancing loading automation, even when dealing with varied cargo space properties, by using flexible slippery plastic and positioning means like spring elements to maintain alignment and reduce friction.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible slippery plastic 36 that withstands both pushing and pulling
Implementation Method 2
Rolling elements are located on at least part of the length of the transfer plate, so that the pallets can be pushed by a conveyor system backwards on top of the transfer plate
Implementation Method 3
The positioning means may include spring elements 31
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer plate for loading a cargo space. The transfer plate (15) is intended to be moved, together with load units (10), into the cargo space (18), and out of the cargo space (18), while the load units (10) remain in the cargo space (18). The transfer plate (15) includes positioning means (30) for positioning the transfer plate (15) relative to the cargo space (18).