Load Carrier Recessed Brake Lever for Non-Protruding Caster Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carriers, particularly quarter pallets, face challenges in providing comfortable and accessible operation of steerable casters, often resulting in levers protruding outward and interfering with other objects, and require improvements for efficient integration into existing logistics systems.
Innovation Solution
The load carrier features a recess above the lever on the deck edge, allowing easy access and visibility, with the steerable roller positioned inwardly to avoid protrusion, and is designed to fit standard dimensions for seamless integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lever is made longer to improve accessibility, then the lever becomes easier to reach and operate, but it protrudes outward beyond the envelope contour and interferes with other objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by creating a recess in the deck that accommodates the lever. This recess allows the lever to be positioned in a different spatial plane, enabling it to extend further for better accessibility while remaining contained within the overall envelope contour of the load carrier, thus avoiding interference with other objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is nested within a recess structure in the deck. The recess acts as a housing that contains the lever, allowing the lever to extend outward for operation while being recessed into the deck body. This nesting arrangement enables the lever to be accessible without protruding beyond the load carrier's external contours.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the steerable roller is positioned in the corner region to optimize stability, then the load carrier achieves better stability, but the lever protrudes outward beyond the envelope contour and causes interference
Solution Approach 1:
The steerable roller with its lever is nested within a recess in the deck at the corner region. This nesting allows the roller to be positioned at the corner for stability while the lever, being recessed, does not protrude beyond the envelope contour and interfere with other objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The deck is given a different local quality at the corner region where a recess is created. This localized structural modification allows the lever to be accommodated in a specific area without affecting the overall stability provided by the corner positioning of the steerable roller.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lever is made shorter to avoid protrusion, then interference with other objects is reduced, but accessibility and visibility of the lever deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the lever length, the patent changes the spatial arrangement by creating a recess that allows the lever to be positioned in a different dimension. This enables the lever to maintain its optimal length for both accessibility and interference avoidance through proper spatial positioning rather than length adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to a load carrier (10) for transporting and/or storing goods, in particular in the form of a dolly, comprising a deck (11) made of plastic, on the upper surface (12) of which a support surface (13) for the goods or for a device for receiving the goods is provided, and on the underside (13) of which a plurality of rollers (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) are arranged, wherein at least one roller (16b) comprises a lever (18) which is designed in the manner of a brake or locking lever and can be operated by foot. A special feature is, among other things, that the deck (11) includes a recess (21) arranged above the lever (18) at its edge, which provides access to the lever (18).