Modular Pallet Truck Assembly for Efficient Transport and Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallet trucks are not environmentally friendly and lack efficient disassembly and assembly capabilities, leading to inefficient transportation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A pallet truck design featuring a lift assembly with a hydraulic cylinder, a tiller handle, and a floor engaging assembly that allows for easy disassembly and assembly, enabling efficient transportation and repair, with a framework construction for reduced weight and improved sound properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the pallet truck is designed as a complete assembled unit, then structural integrity is maintained, but transportation efficiency and storage space utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidassembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet truck is divided into separate modular components including the handle assembly, lift mechanism, wheel assembly, and frame sections. These segmented parts can be independently transported and stored, then easily assembled at the destination using simple connection mechanisms, thereby improving transportation efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the pallet truck uses traditional heavy-duty construction, then strength and durability are improved, but weight and transportation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtruck weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet truck incorporates composite material construction combining high-strength steel components for critical load-bearing areas with lighter gauge metals or engineered materials for non-critical structural elements. This composite approach maintains necessary structural strength while reducing overall weight, enabling more efficient transportation and handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of repair

If the pallet truck is designed as a monolithic structure, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmodular design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet truck is designed with clearly defined modular segments including the handle assembly, hydraulic lift mechanism, wheel assembly, and frame sections that can be independently accessed, removed, and replaced. Each module is designed with standardized connection points allowing quick detachment and attachment, enabling easy repair and maintenance of specific components without affecting the entire structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the load carrier is made as a closed structure, then structural rigidity is improved, but sound properties and resonance control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound resonanceVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The load carrier features a hybrid structural design where closed rigid sections provide overall structural support and stability, while incorporating open or perforated sections at strategic locations to disrupt resonance patterns and improve acoustic properties. This local variation in structural quality allows simultaneous achievement of rigidity and sound control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 environmentally friendly transportation and easy assembly/disassembly, reducing weight and improving sound properties while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

an hydraulic cylinder (21) comprising an hydraulic piston (21a). The hydraulic piston is arranged to engage the hydraulic piston engaging section (12) of the lift assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4631826A1Pallet truck
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING MFG SWEDEN
  • EP4631826A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4631826A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4631826A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Pallet truck (1) comprising a lift assembly (10) and a floor engaging assembly (20), wherein the lift assembly (10) comprises at least two elements (13, 14) that are releasable attached to each other. There is further disclosed a tiller handle (22) that comprises a lever assembly (23) that comprises two releasable attached elements. There is further disclosed a package container (50) that comprises the said pallet truck (1).