Hollow Box Pallet Side Wall with Internal Ribs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional box pallet side walls have a complex outer surface due to reinforcing ribs, making them difficult to clean and aesthetically unappealing, while also being either heavy or lacking in strength.

Innovation Solution

A box pallet side wall with a hollow structure formed by opposing outer and inner main plates, reinforced by cell configuration ribs that demarcate the space into cells, and a fixed resin layer to enhance strength and weight reduction, along with a lower surface groove to house excess resin and prevent stress concentration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If reinforcing ribs are provided on the entire outer surface of the main plate portion, then the strength is improved, but the outer surface shape becomes complicated and cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing ribs are segmented into two groups: first reinforcing ribs on the outer surface and second reinforcing ribs on the inner surface. This segmentation allows the outer surface to maintain a simpler shape for easier cleaning while the inner surface provides the necessary reinforcement structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement function is extracted from the outer surface and relocated to the inner surface. The second reinforcing ribs on the inner surface provide the strength enhancement without complicating the outer surface geometry, thereby resolving the conflict between strength and cleaning ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If reinforcing ribs are provided on the entire outer surface of the main plate portion, then the strength is improved, but the appearance is spoiled

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement structure is segmented between outer and inner surfaces. The first reinforcing ribs on the outer surface can be designed with simpler geometry for better appearance, while the second reinforcing ribs on the inner surface provide the necessary structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The primary reinforcement function is extracted and placed on the inner surface where it does not affect the external appearance. The second reinforcing ribs on the inner surface deliver the strength enhancement without compromising the aesthetic quality of the outer surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If a hollow structure with outer and inner main plates is used, then weight is reduced and strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer main plate with first reinforcing ribs and the inner main plate with second reinforcing ribs are merged into a single integrated side wall structure. This integration maintains the weight and strength benefits of the hollow structure while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the hollow configuration provides weight reduction and strength enhancement, while the integrated design with reinforcing ribs on both surfaces ensures structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby lowering manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2684809B1Box pallet side wall
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 SANKO CO LTD
  • EP2684809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2684809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2684809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a box pallet side wall that is excellent in beauty and is easily cleaned as well compared to a conventional box pallet side wall, and in which weight saving and high strengthening is possible compared to the conventional one. [Solution] This box pallet side wall of a box pallet forms a hollow structure having an enclosed space therein. Thus, compared to a conventional box pallet side wall having a solid structure, when the box pallet side wall and the conventional one have the same weight, the geometrical moment of inertia of the box pallet side wall is increased and the strength thereof is higher than that of the conventional one, and when the box pallet side wall and the conventional one have the same strength, the box pallet side wall is lighter in weight than the conventional one. Additionally, since cell configuration ribs for reinforcing an outer main plate and an inner main plate are housed in the box pallet side wall, and are not exposed on the outside, irregularity on an outer surface of the box pallet side wall can be decreased compared to the conventional one, cleaning is easily performed, and beauty is improved.