Adjustable Sidewall Pallet Through-Opening for Universal Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet handling systems require significant design and configuration changes for different pallet sizes, leading to increased work and inefficiency, as they need to accommodate various pallet formats and provide support for packages during transport.
Innovation Solution
A device with a vertically movable pallet through-opening of at least 1200 mm x 1200 mm, detachable sidewalls, a closure device, and a dual lifting mechanism that can adjust to different pallet sizes, including roller cages, to ensure universal compatibility and efficient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the opening of the lift wrapper station is enlarged to accommodate all common pallet formats, then the universality is improved, but the sidewalls can no longer provide adequate support for packages
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewalls are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned dynamically based on the pallet size being handled. This enables the system to maintain package support capability while accommodating different pallet formats, resolving the contradiction between universality and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall support structure is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the support system to adapt to different pallet widths while maintaining adequate package support, enabling both universality and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a completely new design is made for each palletizing station depending on pallet sizes, then the adaptability to specific pallet formats is improved, but the device complexity and configuration work increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lift wrapper station is designed with universal components that can handle multiple pallet formats through adjustment mechanisms rather than requiring completely different designs. The movable sidewalls and adjustable pallet carrying means enable a single station to serve multiple functions across different pallet sizes, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable components instead of fixed specialized designs. This allows the same hardware configuration to adapt to different pallet formats through movement and repositioning, eliminating the need for complete redesigns and reducing configuration work significantly.
3Reliability
If fixed sidewalls are used to support packages, then the package support is reliable, but the system cannot accommodate different pallet sizes efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The sidewalls are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be repositioned according to the specific pallet size being handled. This dynamic capability maintains reliable package support while enabling efficient accommodation of different pallet sizes, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for handling a pallet includes a pallet through-opening, through which a pallet can be vertically moved while oriented horizontally. The pallet through-opening has in particular at least one extension, which is more than 1200 mm wide and 1200 mm deep, and at least one sidewall, which are each arranged along an associated side of the pallet through-opening. At least one of the sidewalls is detachable or movable.