Transfer Plate Pin Engagement to Prevent Container Loading Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading apparatuses for shipping containers apply significant force to one end of the transfer plate, leading to buckling and potential damage to articles, and require support structures that can also cause damage during loading.
Innovation Solution
A transfer plate with series of holes and a transfer means comprising synchronized extendable and retractable sections that engage with the holes to minimize longitudinal buckling forces and prevent damage, using pins to pull the plate into and out of the container, with a barrier gate holding articles at a safe distance from the opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If significant force is applied to one end of the transfer plate to push it into the cargo space, then the load can be transferred into the container, but the transfer plate buckles and may damage the articles
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plate is divided into multiple segments by introducing a series of holes through its thickness, allowing different portions of the plate to move independently and distribute applied forces across multiple points rather than concentrating stress at a single location
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer plate has non-uniform thickness distribution, being thicker at the pushing end to withstand higher stresses and thinner at other sections to reduce weight and improve flexibility, creating localized structural properties matched to stress distribution
2Strength
If the transfer plate is thickened at one end in a wedge-like manner to accommodate forces, then the plate can withstand pushing forces, but the structure becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform thickening, the transfer plate features localized thickness variations with the thickest section at the pushing end and progressively thinner sections toward the rear, optimizing strength where needed while reducing overall complexity and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The plate is segmented into multiple thickness zones rather than a single uniform thickness, allowing each section to be optimized for its specific functional requirements while maintaining a simpler overall structure than wedge-like designs
3Stability of the object's composition
If support structures are used to hold articles during loading, then articles can be supported, but the support structures may damage the articles
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier gate acts as an intermediary structure that indirectly supports articles by defining the loading zone and preventing direct contact between support structures and articles, thereby providing support while avoiding damage
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of direct article support is extracted and replaced by the barrier gate's indirect containment function, removing the source of potential damage while maintaining the necessary support function
4Ease of operation
If a single transfer plate is used to move articles into the container, then the loading process is simple, but the plate may buckle under longitudinal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plate is segmented by drilling a series of holes through its thickness, creating multiple independent zones that can move relative to each other, thereby distributing longitudinal buckling forces across multiple segments and preventing plate failure while maintaining operational simplicity
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(h)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus (100) for loading a shipping container (101), comprising a transfer plate (103) having a series of holes (201, 202) therein and configured to slide, together with an article thereon, into and out of the shipping container (101), and a transfer means (104) positioned underneath the transfer plate (103) and configured to engage with the holes in the transfer plate and to retract or extend after engagement with the holes to pull the transfer plate into and out of the shipping container.