Warehouse Racking Protector with Resilient Grip and Impact Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protectors for warehouse racking are difficult to install safely, prone to movement during impact, and do not fit variously sized structural supports effectively, leading to increased risk of damage when hit by fork lift trucks.
Innovation Solution
The protector features a non-slip member with a high coefficient of friction to prevent movement, a bumper that dissipates impact force through flexure, and a hinge system with adjustable resilience for easy installation and secure fit on different sizes of structural supports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mouth of the protector is forced open for attachment, then the protector can be installed on the structure, but the hands of the user can be nipped making it dangerous to fit
Solution Approach 1:
The protector incorporates a resilient closing force mechanism that dynamically opens the mouth during installation and automatically closes it after the structure is inserted. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for manual forcing and prevents user injury from pinched hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The protector uses its own resilient properties to perform the installation action. The resilient closing force automatically opens the mouth wide enough for insertion and then self-closes around the structure without requiring additional manual manipulation, making the system self-servicing during installation.
2Reliability
If the mouth is made to fit one size of structural support, then the attachment is secure, but it is necessary to provide mouths of many thicknesses to protect different sized supports
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is designed with a universal mouth configuration that can accommodate multiple sizes of structural supports. The resilient closing force adapts to different diameters, allowing a single protector design to securely attach to various support sizes without requiring multiple specialized versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient closing force parameter allows the mouth to dynamically adjust its effective size. The mouth can open wide to accommodate larger supports and close tightly around smaller supports, with the resilient force maintaining secure attachment across different size parameters.
3Ease of operation
If the mouths are not an exact precise fit, then installation is easier, but the protectors can move from side to side on the support increasing the risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient closing force creates a dynamic fit where the mouth continuously exerts a closing force on the structure. This dynamic engagement prevents sideways movement and maintains stability during impact, while still allowing easy installation as the mouth can open sufficiently wide before closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient closing force applies a preliminary constraining action that prevents unwanted movement before impact occurs. The continuous closing force keeps the protector firmly positioned on the support, preventing sideways displacement that could lead to damage during fork lift truck impact.
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 provides enhanced protection by reducing the likelihood of protector movement, ensuring a secure fit on variously sized supports, and facilitating easy installation while effectively absorbing impact forces, thus minimizing damage to the racking.
Implementation Method 1
the protector including at least one non-slip portion arranged, in use, to be contacted by the structure to resist movement of the protector on the structure
Implementation Method 2
the bumper being arranged to protect the structure when impacted, the protector including at least one non-slip portion arranged, in use, to be contacted by the structure to resist movement of the protector on the structure
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
There is provided a protector (10) for protecting a structure (1) from impact. The protector is generally elongate and includes a mouth (16) that is able to open to accommodate the structure. The mouth is biased towards a closed position so that the mouth grips the structure to hold it in place. The mouth is provided by a pair of opposed jaws (12, 14) and an inner plate (18) provided to act as a stop for the mouth. A bumper (28) is provided that extends spaced from the inner plate. The protector further includes at least one angled linear web (30) that extends between the inner plate and bumper at a front of the protector. Advantageously, it has been found that as the bumper crushes, the angled linear web and the side connection of the bumper combine to cause the bumper to spread outwardly and around the structure thereby acting to deflect the force of the impact around the structure. Such deflection reduces the damage to the structure.