Adaptor Pallet Detent and Locking Interface for Load Carrier Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptor pallets either lack the usability, lightness, and simplicity of one type or the securing properties of another, failing to provide a user-friendly, light, and sturdy solution for transporting multiple wheeled load carriers simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A logistics system featuring an adaptor pallet with a detent that toggles between deployed and released configurations to prevent or allow lateral movement, combined with a locking interface using inter-engaging counterparts to secure load carriers, ensuring stability and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking tabs are used to secure load carriers in multiple dimensions, then securing properties are improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is divided into two independent parts: a detent mechanism on the adaptor pallet for preventing lateral movement, and a locking interface with counterparts on both the pallet and load carrier for preventing rotation. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be simpler while collectively providing comprehensive securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manipulation mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple manual operation. The detent is toggled by hand between engaged and disengaged states, eliminating the need for complex mechanical manipulation systems while maintaining effective load carrier securing.
2Reliability
If a complex manipulation mechanism is used for locking tabs, then securing properties are improved, but weight and susceptibility to mechanical failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex manipulation mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple manual operation. The detent is toggled by hand between engaged and disengaged states, eliminating the need for complex mechanical manipulation systems while maintaining effective load carrier securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking interface automatically engages when the load carrier is pushed against the stopper at the closed end of the adaptor pallet. The counterpart elements automatically inter-engage without requiring additional manipulation mechanisms, reducing weight and mechanical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If load carriers are transported individually, then handling flexibility is maintained, but productivity decreases due to lengthy trussing operations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple load carriers are merged into a single transport unit by placing them on the adaptor pallet simultaneously. The detent mechanism secures all load carriers at once, eliminating the need for individual trussing operations and significantly improving loading productivity while maintaining handling flexibility through the wheeled design.
4Productivity
If multiple load carriers are transported at once, then productivity is improved, but securing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing function is segmented into two simple mechanisms: a detent for lateral movement prevention and a locking interface for rotation prevention. This segmentation allows multiple load carriers to be secured simultaneously without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent mechanism serves as a universal securing element that can secure multiple load carriers simultaneously on the adaptor pallet. The locking interface with counterparts provides multi-functional securing by preventing both lateral and rotational movement across all loaded carriers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A logistics system, adaptor pallet and load carrier are proposed for transporting many load carriers at once. The novel logistics system (100) includes at least one load carrier (20) and an adaptor pallet (10) for receiving a plurality of such load carriers (20). The adaptor pallet (10) includes a detent (13), which has a deployed configuration, in which the detent (13) is configured to prevent lateral movement of the at least one load carrier (20), and a released configuration, in which the detent (13) is configured to allow lateral movement of the at least one load carrier (20). The logistics system (100) also includes a locking interface having a first counterpart (15) fixed to the adaptor pallet (10) and a second counterpart (23) provided to the at least one load carrier (20). The first and second counterpart (15, 23) have been configured to engage each other, when the at least one load carrier (20) is in the transporting position on the adaptor pallet (10) so as to prevent rotation movement of the at least one load carrier (20) in respect to the adaptor pallet (10).