Textured Cargo Pallet for Inclined Conveyor Belt Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
In airports where forklifts are not allowed near aircraft, conventional cargo transport methods using belt loaders result in cargo or pallets sliding on inclined conveyor belts due to insufficient friction, posing a risk of falling.
Innovation Solution
A pallet design featuring a surface texture with recesses and protrusions arranged in specific patterns to enhance friction, ensuring the pallet remains stable on inclined conveyor belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional smooth pallet is used on an inclined conveyor belt, then the pallet can be easily manufactured and handled, but the friction between the pallet and conveyor belt is insufficient causing the pallet to slide down
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet surface is designed with localized protrusions at specific contact points rather than a uniformly complex structure. The bottom surface features an array of protrusions arranged in a grid pattern that engage with recesses on the conveyor belt, providing enhanced friction only where needed for stability while keeping the rest of the pallet structure simple and manufacturable.
2Reliability
If the pallet surface is made more complex to increase friction, then the pallet stability on inclined conveyor belt improves, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet bottom surface is segmented into multiple discrete protrusions rather than a continuous complex texture. Each protrusion is a simple geometric element that can be easily molded or machined, and the segmented arrangement provides reliable engagement with the conveyor belt recesses while maintaining ease of manufacturing through standardized, repeatable features.
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 pallet design effectively prevents sliding on inclined conveyor belts, maintaining stability and secure transport of cargo, even in environments where forklifts are restricted.
Implementation Method 1
If the friction between the conveyor belt and the cargo is too low, the cargo will fall down. Similarly, if the cargo is supported on a pallet, the pallet will fall down if the friction between the conveyor belt and the pallet is too low.
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet for transporting cargo on an inclined conveyer belt with a surface texture including a plurality of recesses. The pallet comprises an upper surface for supporting the cargo and a bottom side supported by the included conveyer belt. The bottom side has a plurality of protrusions distributed across the area of the bottom side for engaging the plurality of recesses and arresting the pallet when the pallet is transported on the inclined conveyer belt.