Cargo Space Pallet Guide with Run-on Surface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cargo spaces, particularly in curtainsiders, often cause pallets to get caught behind posts during loading and unloading, leading to damage and inefficiency, as goods can topple over due to collisions with the inner flange of the posts.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a guide with a run-on surface in the cargo space to guide pallets away from the boundary plate's guiding surface, preventing them from getting caught behind posts and ensuring they move towards the cargo space's median plane, which can be integrated into the boundary plate, posts, or floor, with a convex surface design for ease of mounting and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a boundary plate with guiding surface is provided to guide pallets, then pallets can be guided along the cargo space, but pallets may get caught behind posts and sustain damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepallet guidingVSAvoidpallet damage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the boundary plate and the post. This guide has a run-on surface that mediates the interaction between the pallet and the post, allowing the pallet to pass by without getting caught on the inner flange of the post, thus preventing damage while maintaining guidance functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide is designed with a curved or rounded run-on surface instead of a sharp edge. This curvature allows the pallet to smoothly transition past the post without abrupt contact, eliminating the catching effect that causes damage while maintaining the guiding function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If posts are provided for fastening and confining cargo, then cargo can be secured, but pallets collide with inner flange of posts during loading and unloading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo confinementVSAvoidpallet collision damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide serves as an intermediary element between the post and the pallet. It allows the post to maintain its cargo-confining function while the guide's run-on surface prevents direct contact between the pallet and the post's inner flange, eliminating collision damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If goods are placed on pallets for transport, then cargo can be moved efficiently, but goods may topple over when pallets collide with posts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo transport efficiencyVSAvoidgoods stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide acts as a mediator that prevents pallet collisions with posts, thereby preventing the toppling of goods. This maintains the efficiency of cargo transport while ensuring goods stability by eliminating the collision mechanism that causes toppling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a guide with run-on surface is added to prevent pallet damage, then pallets move smoothly past posts, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepallet damage preventionVSAvoidcargo space structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo space structure is segmented by adding a separate guide component to the boundary plate. This segmentation allows the guide to be independently designed and optimized for preventing pallet damage, while the boundary plate maintains its original guidance and containment functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide is added only at specific locations where pallets are most likely to contact posts during loading and unloading. This local addition provides damage prevention exactly where needed without unnecessarily complicating the entire cargo space structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3098113B1Cargo space with pallet guide
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 MG DIENSTVERLENING & TRANSPORT
  • EP3098113B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098113B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Cargo space for accommodating pallets. The cargo space comprises a floor while on either side of the floor posts (4) are provided which extend upwards. The posts are provided with a receiving provision for receiving an end of an elongate boundary plate. The cargo space is further provided with at least one elongate boundary plate (7) which extends in a length direction of the cargo space between two posts and which has a guiding surface facing towards the longitudinal, vertical median plane of the cargo space. The boundary plate is suitable for guiding pallets therealong substantially in the length direction of the cargo space. The cargo space further comprises at least one guide (11) which is provided with a run-on surface for during use guiding a pallet at least partly away from the guiding surface of the boundary plate.