Foldable Pallet Cover With Articulated Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet covers do not efficiently collapse to a small volume, lack stability, and hinder accessibility to stored goods, especially on construction sites where weather protection is needed.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible pallet cover with a U-shaped frame that allows side and rear walls to pivot, a hinged front wall, and a circumferential edge web for compact storage and easy assembly, enabling secure weather protection and easy access to goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pallet cover is made foldable with collapsible side walls, then the storage volume is reduced, but the stability of the cover is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple separable components (longitudinal frame part, frame side parts, front longitudinal frame part) that can be articulated relative to each other. This segmentation allows the cover to be folded into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural integrity when assembled, resolving the contradiction between reduced storage volume and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover employs articulated connections between wall parts and frame components, enabling dynamic transformation between the unfolded protective configuration and the folded compact configuration. This dynamic capability allows the cover to adapt its shape for both stability during use and compactness for storage, addressing both requirements simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If the walls are made rigid for stability, then the ease of folding is reduced, but if the walls are made flexible for easy folding, then the protective capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into multiple wall parts (front wall, rear wall, side walls) that can be independently articulated and folded. This segmentation enables easy folding operation while each individual wall part maintains sufficient rigidity to provide effective weather protection when in the protective position.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall parts are designed with articulated connections that enable dynamic folding motion while maintaining structural rigidity in the deployed position. This dynamic design allows the walls to be easily folded for storage yet remain stiff enough to protect against wind, rain, and sun when assembled.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is made completely enclosed for maximum protection, then the accessibility to goods is hindered, but if the cover is made open for easy access, then the protection capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover employs dynamically adjustable wall parts that can be articulated to different positions. The front wall can be folded back and the side walls can be pivoted to provide open access to goods while the rear wall and other portions remain in place to maintain weather protection. This dynamic configurability resolves the contradiction between accessibility and protection.
4Stability of the object's composition
If transverse braces are added to prevent folding, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding transverse braces, the frame is segmented into articulated components (longitudinal frame part, frame side parts) that inherently provide structural stability through their geometric arrangement and connection points. This segmentation approach achieves stability without requiring additional bracing elements, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The cover (1) has inwardly folding side walls (3) bounding at least partly opening longitudinal walls that form a cover above the palette (5), a front wall (4) and a rear wall. The cover is pivotably joined to a frame that consists at least of a long frame part to which the rear wall is joined so as to be inwardly foldable and further walls are joined to the cover or to the rear wall in a hinged manner.