Foldable Frame Pallet Component Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallet component structures face challenges in efficiently stacking and transporting due to protruding frame structures, which lead to dead spaces and increased transportation costs, as well as potential damage from contact with other cargo.

Innovation Solution

A pallet component structure body that includes a pallet component and a foldable frame structure forming component, where the frame structure can be folded inward during distribution, eliminating dead spaces and preventing damage from contact with other cargo.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a frame structure is attached to the pallet component to improve strength and stability, then the pallet component can better support packaged objects, but the frame structure protrudes outward causing dead spaces and increasing transportation costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength and stabilityVSAvoidtransportation space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is designed to be foldable, allowing it to change between an extended configuration during loading/unloading operations and a folded configuration during transportation. This dynamic transformation enables the frame to provide structural support when needed while minimizing protrusion and dead spaces during transport, directly resolving the contradiction between strength requirements and space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a frame structure is attached to the pallet component to prevent displacement during loading/unloading, then the packaged object remains stable, but the frame structure may contact other cargo causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during loading/unloadingVSAvoidcontact damage to other cargo

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure transitions between extended and folded states based on operational requirements. During loading/unloading, the extended frame provides stability and prevents displacement. During transportation, the folded frame minimizes protrusion and eliminates contact with other cargo, preventing potential damage while maintaining reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If a rigid frame structure is used to improve pallet component strength, then the pallet can support heavier loads, but the pallet component cannot be efficiently stacked and transported due to protruding frames

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidstacking and transportation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure's ability to dynamically change configuration allows the pallet to maintain high load-bearing capacity when the frame is extended, while enabling efficient stacking and transportation when the frame is folded. This resolves the contradiction between strength and productivity by allowing the same structure to optimize for different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12275555B2Pallet component structure and packaging system

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A pallet component structure body is for loading a packaged object. The pallet component structure body includes a pallet component and a frame structure forming component. The frame structure forming component is secured on the pallet component. The frame structure forming component is foldable flat in a state where adjacent ones of frame structure parts of the frame structure forming component are joined in advance.