Adjustable Dolly-Pallet Displacement Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combination dolly-pallets lack flexibility in size adjustment and efficient ground engagement mechanisms, limiting their versatility and manufacturing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A displacement arrangement with a movable impelling member and pivotally connected linkage allows for adjustable distance between ground engaging members, enabling the creation of dolly-pallets of different sizes using identical components, and a support assembly that moves ground engaging arrangements between retracted and ground engaging positions using a lever and cam mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If combination dolly-pallets use fixed-size ground engaging members, then manufacturing is simpler, but versatility across different sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddisplacement arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ground engaging members are divided into multiple segments connected by linkages, allowing each segment to be independently positioned. This segmentation enables the overall length to be adjusted by changing the configuration of individual segments while keeping each segment's manufacturing simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement arrangement uses movable linkages and pivots that allow the ground engaging members to dynamically change their configuration between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic capability provides size adjustability without requiring complex fixed structures for each possible size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If combination dolly-pallets use adjustable ground engaging members, then versatility is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize adjustment capabilityVSAvoidground engagement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple ground engaging members are merged into a single coordinated system through the displacement arrangement. Instead of independently controlling each member, they are combined into one mechanism that moves them simultaneously, simplifying operation while maintaining size adjustability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement arrangement serves multiple functions: it extends the ground engaging members for size adjustment, provides the mechanism for ground engagement, and enables conversion between pallet and dolly modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different sizes of dolly-pallets are manufactured, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize varietyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The same displacement arrangement components are used universally across different sized dolly-pallets. The modular design allows identical linkages, pivots, and ground engaging members to be configured for various sizes, eliminating the need for custom-manufactured parts for each size variant and reducing manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of changing the physical dimensions of components for different sizes, the invention changes the operational parameters - specifically the extension length of the ground engaging members achieved through linkage configuration. This allows size variation without requiring different sized components, maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the production of dolly-pallets of varying sizes with improved ground engagement capabilities, enhancing versatility and reducing manufacturing costs by allowing identical displacement arrangements to be used across different sizes, and facilitating efficient conversion between pallet and dolly modes.

Implementation Method 1

a linkage pivotally connected to the impelling member; whereby, when the impelling member moves between the first and second positions, the linkage moves pivotally relative to the impelling member to an extended position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivotal movement: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

a support assembly that moves ground engaging arrangements between retracted and ground engaging positions using a lever and cam mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS9950726B2Combination dolly-pallets

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 LOADHOG LTD

AI summary

A displacement arrangement for use in a combination dolly-pallet includes an impelling member movable between first and second positions. A linkage is pivotally connected to the impelling member. When the impelling member moves between the first and second positions, the linkage moves pivotally relative to the impelling member to an extended position.