Keg Pallet Double-Wall Reinforcement and Recess Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pallets lack sufficient reinforcement around side openings to withstand impacts from forklift tines, and they do not provide stable recesses for beer kegs, leading to potential damage during transportation and stacking.
Innovation Solution
A pallet design featuring a lower structure with a stringer and corner column portion, and an upper structure with a sleeve portion forming a double-wall structure around side openings, along with recesses on the upper deck for kegs, providing reinforcement and stable keg support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional pallet design is used, then structure is simple, but it lacks sufficient reinforcement around side openings to withstand forklift impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet structure is divided into multiple functional components: a lower structure with stringers and corner column portions, and an upper structure with sleeve portions. These segmented parts work together to create reinforced openings that can withstand forklift impacts while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve portion extends downward from the upper deck to form a double-wall structure that nests around the corner column portion and bridge portion. This nested configuration creates reinforced openings without significantly increasing the overall pallet dimensions, providing impact resistance while controlling structural complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional pallet design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it does not provide stable recesses for beer kegs
Solution Approach 1:
The upper deck incorporates specifically designed recesses with inner and outer raised portions that provide localized support for beer kegs. The inner raised portion contacts the inner surface of the keg while the outer raised portion provides additional support, creating stable keg positioning without requiring complete redesign of the entire pallet structure.
3Strength
If reinforced double-wall structure is added around side openings, then impact resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve portion serves multiple functions simultaneously: it forms the double-wall structure for impact resistance, provides reinforcement around the side openings, and maintains the structural integrity of the pallet. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional separate reinforcement components, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet includes a lower structure and an upper structure. The lower structure includes a stringer extending across the lower structure. The stringer includes a corner column portion spaced away from central column portion to define a side opening below a bridge portion.