Pallet Collar Wall Element With Hinged Cover Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet attachment frames lack mechanical stability and flexibility to accommodate various pallet sizes and types, making them inefficient for secure and adaptable use.
Innovation Solution
The design features an extruded hollow chamber profile with a closed outer and inner wall, incorporating a cover strip with insertion tabs and a fastening element for enhanced stability and ease of adaptation to different pallet sizes, along with a downwardly projecting retaining strip for secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If wall elements are designed as hollow chamber profiles with open ends, then manufacturing is simpler, but mechanical stability and hygiene are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover strip merges multiple functions: it closes the open end of the hollow chamber profile, provides an insertion tab for fastening, and integrates retaining lugs for pallet securing. This combination transforms the weak open-end structure into a stable closed system while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall element combines the hollow chamber profile (providing structural framework) with the cover strip (providing closure and fastening functions) to create a composite structure that achieves both mechanical stability and ease of manufacture. The different functional zones are integrated into a unified assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If wall elements are designed with fixed dimensions, then manufacturing is standardized, but adaptability to different pallet sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment frame transitions from a rigid fixed-structure to a dynamic articulated structure through hinges connecting adjacent wall elements. This allows the frame to adapt its configuration to different pallet dimensions while maintaining standardized manufacturing of individual wall element components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment frame is segmented into multiple standardized wall elements that can be articulated and reconfigured. Each wall element is manufactured to standard specifications, but their combined arrangement can be adapted to various pallet sizes through the hinge connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If wall elements are made without reinforcement, then manufacturing is simpler, but mechanical stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow chamber profile utilizes curved cross-sectional geometry to provide structural reinforcement without additional components. The curved walls naturally resist bending and buckling forces, achieving enhanced mechanical stability through shape alone while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow chamber profile acts as a thin-walled shell structure that provides high strength-to-weight ratio. The closed-section hollow profile inherently resists deformation and provides sufficient reinforcement for the application without requiring heavy reinforcement elements.
4Reliability
If attachment frames are designed for specific pallet types, then mounting is optimized, but versatility across different pallet types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining lugs on the cover strip are designed with sufficient length and positioning to engage with various pallet deck configurations. This universal design allows the same attachment frame to be securely mounted on different pallet types (euro pallets, US pallets, etc.) while maintaining reliable mounting through the form-fit connection of the retaining lugs to the pallet surface.
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
The solution provides a mechanically stable and hygienically advantageous pallet attachment frame that can be easily adapted to various pallet sizes and types, ensuring secure mounting and easy cleaning, while allowing for flexible production and efficient use.
Implementation Method 1
The wall elements (1) each have an extruded hollow chamber profile (2)
Implementation Method 2
at least one insertion tab (14) extends from a cover strip (12) into a cavity (7) of the cavity profile (2). A fastening element (15) extends through the hollow chamber profile (2) and into the insertion tab (14)
Implementation Method 3
a downwardly projecting retaining strip (10) adjoining the outer wall (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
In the case of a wall element (1) of a pallet collar, wherein the wall element (1) is made of plastic and has a hinge element at each of its two end faces for connection with an adjacent wall element (1) such that several wall elements (1) can be joined together to form a closed ring, the invention proposes: • that the wall element (1) has an extruded hollow chamber profile (2), • with a closed inner wall (4) directed into the interior of the ring and a closed outer wall (3) directed outwards, • and that the hollow chamber profile (2) is closed at each of its two end faces by a cover strip (12), • wherein at least one insertion tab (14) projects from the cover strip (12) into a cavity of the hollow chamber profile (2), • wherein a fastening element extends through the hollow chamber profile (2) and into the insertion tab (14), • and wherein a downwardly projecting retaining strip (10) adjoins the outer wall (3).