Pallet and Bed Geometry for Self-Aligning Autonomous Loading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of robust solutions for autonomous loading and unloading of pallets at short distances, particularly in scenarios where the distance between the transport device and the pallet is short, requiring manual operation and insufficient space for proper orientation, which hampers reliable operation in urban environments with regulations limiting combustion engine vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A pallet design with a frame and a rod that extends between side parts, combined with a transport device featuring articulations and tapering side beams, allowing the pallet to automatically rotate and align during loading, and a system where the pallet's foot arrangements engage with the transport device's bed to ensure proper orientation and fixation, enabling autonomous operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual operation is used to fix the transport device to the pallet, then the system can be operated without autonomous loading mechanisms, but the operational efficiency and reliability are reduced due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous loadingVSAvoidloading mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is designed with foot arrangements that automatically engage with the side beams of the transport device during loading. The system performs self-alignment and self-fixation without requiring manual intervention or complex autonomous loading mechanisms, thereby improving automation extent while avoiding excessive device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The foot arrangements act as intermediary elements between the pallet and the transport device. These intermediaries facilitate automatic engagement and alignment, enabling autonomous loading operation while keeping the overall system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the transport device is positioned at a short distance from the pallet, then space utilization is improved, but the pallet cannot properly rotate and orient itself for loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading spaceVSAvoidpallet orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The side beams of the transport device are designed with a curved engagement surface that guides the foot arrangements of the pallet. This curvature enables the pallet to automatically rotate and align itself with the transport device during the loading process, even when positioned at a short distance, thereby maintaining ease of operation while optimizing space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The loading mechanism incorporates rotational movement in addition to linear translation. The pallet can rotate in the horizontal plane while being pushed onto the transport device, adding a rotational dimension to the loading process that enables proper orientation even in constrained spaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pallet is designed for manual handling, then it can be used in last-mile transport, but it cannot be reliably integrated into autonomous transport systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage flexibilityVSAvoidautonomous operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is designed with dual functionality: it can be manually handled for last-mile transport while also featuring foot arrangements that enable reliable integration with autonomous transport systems. The foot arrangements provide standardized engagement points that work both for manual positioning and for automated loading operations, thereby achieving versatility without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The foot arrangements are designed to be dynamically engaged during loading operations. They can be manually positioned and engaged, or they can be automatically engaged by the transport device's loading mechanism, allowing the pallet to adapt to different operational modes while maintaining reliability in both contexts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11981242B2Pallet, a transport device, and system for transporting goods

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 VERICREA

AI summary

A pallet and a transport device for the pallet. The pallet, includes a frame having side parts and a rod that extends between the side parts. A span of the rod is at least half of the length of the rod. The pallet includes foot arrangements having parts configured to guide the pallet onto a bed of the transport device. The transport device includes the bed, a chassis and articulations enabling rotation of the bed relative to the chassis. The bed includes side beams that are configured to engage with the parts of the foot arrangements thereby guiding the pallet onto the bed. A system includes the pallet and the transport device.