Adjustable Span Tine Pallet Jack Side Wheel Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual pallet jacks with adjustable fork tines face issues of wear and damage to load wheels during lateral adjustment, as well as space constraints for making adjustments, leading to premature wheel failure and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of side wheels or slides with reduced friction materials under the tines allows for lateral motion without dragging the load wheels, enabling adjustable tine spacing without damaging the wheels or the floor, and facilitating adjustments in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of fork tines is performed by dragging load wheels sideways, then tine spacing can be adjusted, but wear and damage occurs to load wheels and floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces side wheels as intermediary elements that contact the floor during lateral adjustment, mediating between the tines and the floor to prevent direct dragging of load wheels. The side wheels are specifically designed to bear the lateral movement loads, protecting the load wheels from wear and damage while enabling tine spacing adjustment.
2Reliability
If equipment is moved forward or reverse during adjustment, then load wheels can roll without dragging, but space requirements increase and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wheel system into two distinct functions: load wheels for vertical support and lateral movement protection, and side wheels for lateral adjustment support. This segmentation allows the adjustment function to be isolated to specific components, enabling adjustment in confined spaces without requiring the entire equipment to be moved forward or reverse.
3Ease of operation
If side wheels are deployed under tines, then lateral motion friction is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the side wheel deployment mechanism with the existing load wheel deployment mechanism, allowing both wheel types to be controlled by the same actuation system. This integration reduces the overall complexity by reusing existing components and control systems rather than adding entirely separate deployment mechanisms.
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
This solution reduces friction and wear on load wheels during tine adjustments, prevents premature failure, and allows for seamless tine spacing changes without the need for extensive space, enhancing operational efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
side wheels or slides with reduced friction materials under the tines allows for lateral motion without dragging the load wheels
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet jack includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. The pair of tines including a first tine and a second tine. A load wheel supports an outer end of each of the pair of tines. Each load wheel is configured to move toward and away from the respective tine to raise the tine off a floor on which the load wheel is supported. The first tine including a support surface configured to selectively be a lowermost surface of the tine to facilitate lateral displacement of the first tine.