Foldable Pallet With Hinged Beams and Damping for Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting fragile items like glass panels or windows on multiple pallets into a confined space, such as a truck semitrailer, while ensuring safe storage and efficient use of space for empty pallets upon return.
Innovation Solution
A pallet design featuring a third beam extending towards the base in the unfolded configuration, safeguarding mechanisms between beams, locking mechanisms, and a gas-filled damping device, along with foldable and fixed feet for stability and stacking, enhances safety and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pallet is made foldable to reduce storage space, then the volume of empty pallets is reduced, but the structural stability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet employs dynamic elements including foldable side walls with hinge connections that allow the structure to change configuration between loaded and empty states. The side walls can be folded downward to reduce volume, and the hinge mechanisms enable controlled movement while maintaining structural integrity during each state
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet structure is divided into separable components including the base, side walls, and support elements that can independently fold or remain stationary. This segmentation allows different parts to perform different functions - the base remains stable while side walls fold, resolving the contradiction between overall volume reduction and local structural stability
2Ease of manufacture
If the pallet structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then the device complexity is reduced, but the strength and load-bearing capacity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is constructed from discrete standardized components such as individual slats, hinge assemblies, and connector elements that can be manufactured separately using simple processes and then assembled. This segmentation enables ease of manufacture while the cumulative effect of multiple components provides sufficient load-bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple structural functions are merged into single elements where possible - for example, hinge connections that simultaneously provide folding capability and structural support, or base slats that provide both platform surface and load distribution. This merging reduces the total number of parts needed while maintaining strength
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
Enables safe transportation and storage of goods, prevents uncontrolled folding, improves structural stability, and allows for efficient stacking and handling of empty pallets within a confined cargo space.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-filled damping device, which is designed to damp vibrations and shocks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Transportation pallet having a base (1) with a side beam (1a). First beams (3a) of a support (3) are attached to end parts of the side beam (1a) by means of first hinges and these first beams (3a) of the support (3) are foldable towards the base (1). End of each first beam (3a) of the support (3) is connected by means of a second hinge (4) with a second beam (3b) of the support (3) and these second beams (3b) are foldable outwards the base (1). In addition, a backing stand beam (6) is attached by means of a third hinge to the base (1) at end parts of the side beam (1a), and said backing stand beams (6) are foldable towards the middle of the side beam (1a).