Interlocking Floor Panels for Walkable Storage Over Euro Crates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to optimize the use of loading spaces with standardized small load carriers, such as Euro crates, to allow for efficient stacking and accessibility without impairing the ability to walk on the loaded space.
Innovation Solution
A floor system comprising rectangular floor panels with connecting recesses and projections that interlock in a form-fitting manner, enabling the creation of a stable and walkable intermediate floor on top of the load carriers, allowing for efficient use of space and easy assembly without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standardized small load carriers are placed on the cargo space floor, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility to the cargo space is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension by placing base plates on top of the small load carriers to form an intermediate floor. This elevates the storage platform to a higher level, allowing workers to access items on the floor level while small load carriers remain on the cargo space floor for storage purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo space is segmented into multiple functional zones: the bottom level for small load carriers, the intermediate floor level for walkable access and additional storage, and the top level for final cargo placement. This segmentation allows simultaneous storage and accessibility functions.
2Strength
If base plates are connected with multiple connecting geometries, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connecting geometries are merged into a single continuous circumferential pattern around the base plate edge. This integration allows the base plate to connect with multiple adjacent base plates simultaneously using a standardized repeating pattern, strengthening the overall floor structure while maintaining simple individual component manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
All connecting geometries around the circumference are designed to be identical and directly adjoining, creating a homogeneous connection pattern. This uniformity simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized production of base plates that can be assembled in various configurations without requiring different connection designs.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a base system (28, 29) for laying on at least two standardized small load carriers (27), in particular Euro containers, arranged on a flat underlying surface. The base system (28, 29) has at least two base panels (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25) with a substantially rectangular design, and each base panel (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25) is provided around the edges with connecting recesses (2) and connecting protrusions (3) which alternate at least indirectly and via which the base panels (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25) can be connected together in a formfitting manner along the edges. Mutually facing sides (4, 5, 6, 7) of respective base panels (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25) are designed to complement each other, wherein each base panel (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25) is provided around the edges with connection geometries (8) which are identically designed and which directly adjoin each other around the edges. In order to improve the occupancy of a loading area with standardized small load carriers (27), a connection geometry (8) is formed by a first edge section (9) of the base panel (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25), a connection recess (2), a connection protrusion (3), and a second edge section (10) of the base panel (1, 15, 18, 20, 24, 25) in said order, the connection recess (2) of each connection geometry (8) directly adjoining the connection protrusion (3) of said connection geometry (8).