Compact Pallet Lifter With Adjustable Display Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet risers are bulky and require large lifters to load pallets, making them unsuitable for retail floors, and they cannot controllably lift or lower pallets to an adequate height for displaying bulk goods effectively, leading to issues with visibility and sales.
Innovation Solution
A compact pallet lifter with a manually or mechanically adjustable platform that can be raised and lowered to accommodate pallets, using a movement mechanism and optional height sensors to maintain the desired display height, allowing easy loading and unloading with hand-pulled movers and enhancing product visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If coiled spring pallet lifters are used to raise pallets to display height, then product visibility is improved, but the device becomes bulky and requires large lifters for loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a scissor mechanism that dynamically adjusts the platform height based on the load weight. As goods are removed from the pallet, the platform automatically rises to maintain the top goods at display height. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for bulky fixed-height structures while maintaining product visibility throughout the display period.
Solution Approach 2:
The scissor mechanism allows the platform to be nested within a compact frame structure when not in use. The lifting mechanism folds into a space-efficient configuration, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If coiled spring pallet lifters are used to automatically lift pallets, then ease of operation is improved, but large trucks or hydraulic lifters are required for loading
Solution Approach 1:
The scissor mechanism with automatic height adjustment creates a level loading surface that adapts to the pallet weight. This dynamic leveling capability allows standard hand-pulled pallet movers to load pallets easily without requiring complex hydraulic systems or large trucks, as the platform automatically compensates for weight changes during loading and display.
3Strength
If display frames are used to encircle pallets, then product protection is improved, but product visibility deteriorates when goods level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static display frames with a dynamic scissor mechanism that automatically adjusts platform height. As goods are removed and the pallet weight decreases, the mechanism raises the platform to maintain the top goods at the optimal display height, ensuring continuous visibility without requiring protective frames that would block the view.
4Manufacturing precision
If fixed height platforms are used for pallet display, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to varying load weights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scissor mechanism incorporates springs or dampers that provide dynamic height adjustment based on load weight. This allows the platform to maintain precise display height for different pallet weights without requiring multiple fixed-height structures, achieving both manufacturing precision and load adaptability through a single dynamic system.
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet lifter for raising and lowering a pallet. The pallet lifter includes a pallet platform and a movement mechanism that controllably causes the pallet platform to raise and lower. The pallet platform includes a top surface designed to support a pallet, two side walls, and a back wall. The movement mechanism includes a motor and a threaded rod. The electric motor is designed to cause the threaded rod to rotate in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction to cause said pallet platform to raise and lower.