Height-Adjustable Modular Pallet for Transport Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard pallets are inefficient for transport due to their high volume and weight, requiring additional handling and leading to material waste, while existing lightweight alternatives lack stability and are costly, necessitating costly reloading and disposal issues.
Innovation Solution
A modular reusable pallet with a self-supporting platform and height-adjustable beams or feet, utilizing hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical systems to ensure all supporting elements maintain the same height, allowing for adjustable height during transport and secure handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard pallets are used with fixed height for stable handling and storage, then handling safety is improved, but transport volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet employs height-adjustable beams that can be dynamically changed between a first height for stable storage/handling and a second reduced height for efficient transport. This dynamic adjustment allows the pallet to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between handling safety and transport efficiency.
2Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials are used to reduce transport weight, then transport efficiency is improved, but stability and durability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is constructed from fiber-reinforced plastics, combining lightweight composite materials with reinforcement fibers. This creates a structure that is both lightweight for efficient transport and sufficiently strong and stable for repeated use in rough handling conditions.
3Loss of substance
If expensive reusable materials are used to eliminate waste, then environmental sustainability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is designed for repeated use and can be recovered and reused multiple times. The modular construction with replaceable beams and platform allows individual components to be recovered and replaced without discarding the entire pallet, reducing material waste while controlling costs through selective component replacement.
4Device complexity
If fixed height beams are used for structural simplicity, then manufacturing ease is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is divided into modular components including a platform and multiple interchangeable beams. This segmentation allows individual beams to be adjusted or replaced to change the pallet's height characteristics, providing adaptability while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design.
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 modular design minimizes transport volume and weight, ensuring stability and safety while maintaining compatibility with existing equipment, reducing reloading costs and promoting material reuse.
Implementation Method 1
The three beams are hydraulically or pneumatically connected to piston/cylinder systems which ensure that all three beams are adjusted in height parallel and in step
Implementation Method 2
The three beams are hydraulically or pneumatically connected to piston/cylinder systems which ensure that all three beams are adjusted in height parallel and in step
Implementation Method 3
Instead of piston/cylinder systems, it is also possible to use mechanically connected spindle systems with a common drive for all nine feet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular reusable pallet that has a small height (h) for transport and a large height (H) for storage. The modular reusable pallet can be operated both manually and by means of devices on a forklift or other transferring apparatuses. In the end positions, the set height (h, H) is secured using a positive interlocking so that an adjustment is not possible without active use of corresponding devices.