Nesting Pallet Truck and Sled for Tight Space Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Pallet trucks are not well-suited for use in stores due to their size and difficulty in maneuvering in tight spaces, leading to inefficient and manually intensive delivery processes.
Innovation Solution
A combination of a pallet truck and a sled, where the pallet truck is designed to nest with the sled, allowing for efficient lifting and maneuvering of palletized loads into a building, with the sled being easily unlockable and separable from the pallet truck for independent use in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a pallet truck is used to transport goods in a store, then the capacity for carrying pallets is improved, but the maneuverability in tight spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate vehicles: a pallet truck for high-capacity transport and a sled for maneuverability. The pallet truck has a body that can carry multiple pallets, while the sled is a smaller, more agile vehicle. This segmentation allows each vehicle to optimize for its specific function rather than trying to combine both capabilities in one vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled is designed to nest within the body of the pallet truck when not in use. The sled can be stored inside the pallet truck's cargo area, allowing both vehicles to share the same storage space. This nesting arrangement enables the system to maintain high pallet capacity while also providing access to a maneuverable sled for tight spaces.
2Ease of operation
If a hand truck or dolly is used for in-store delivery, then the maneuverability in tight spaces is improved, but the load capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is segmented into two specialized vehicles: a hand truck/dolly optimized for maneuverability and a pallet truck optimized for load capacity. The hand truck can navigate tight store aisles and doorways, while the pallet truck handles bulk transport. This segmentation eliminates the need to compromise between capacity and maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled acts as an intermediary vehicle between the pallet truck and the hand truck/dolly. It can be loaded from the pallet truck and then used to transport goods in tight spaces, effectively bridging the gap between high-capacity transport and maneuverable delivery without requiring the operator to manually transfer loads.
3Ease of operation
If multiple trips are made with a hand truck to deliver goods, then the maneuverability is maintained, but the delivery time and operator strain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by allowing the pallet truck to remain positioned while the sled is used for multiple delivery trips. The sled can be quickly loaded and unloaded without requiring the operator to make multiple trips back to the pallet truck, as the sled can be positioned close to delivery points and operates independently for each trip.
Solution Approach 2:
The sled is designed to be self-contained with its own lifting mechanism and storage capacity. It can independently load, transport, and unload goods without requiring the operator to manually handle heavy loads or make multiple trips to the main pallet truck. This self-service capability reduces operator strain and accelerates the delivery process.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a combination of a pallet truck and a sled for delivering goods from a truck into a building, a method for making an in-building delivery of palletized loads from a truck, and a dual-use, half-size pallet that can be carried by either the pallet truck or the sled. The pallet truck is shaped and sized to nest with the sled by comprising an alignment feature configured to mate the sled with the pallet truck. The pallet truck is shaped, sized, and constructed to lift the sled along with at least two palletized loads of goods. The pallet truck is also shaped and sized to fit within a bed of a truck. The sled comprises an alignment feature compatible with the alignment feature of the pallet truck, and a lifting mechanism shaped, sized, and constructed to lift at least one of the palletized loads of goods.