Pallet Device Chamber for Electronic Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallet designs lack the ability to effectively incorporate digital technologies, requiring modifications to integrate such technologies while overcoming disadvantages associated with current pallets.

Innovation Solution

A pallet component featuring a support portion and an attachment portion with internal chambers, including at least one device chamber configured to receive an electronic device, and cut-outs that define a fluid pathway between the device chamber and the atmosphere, allowing for environmental condition sampling while protecting the device from liquid ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electronic devices are integrated into pallets to enable digital technologies, then functionality and intelligence of the pallet is improved, but vulnerability to liquid damage and environmental hazards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidliquid damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is divided into separate functional zones: electronic devices are housed in protected chambers isolated from the main pallet body. This segmentation allows the electronic components to be shielded from liquid exposure while the rest of the pallet remains accessible for normal operations and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protective chambers act as intermediary structures between the electronic devices and the external environment. These chambers provide a buffer zone that allows environmental sensing while preventing direct contact with liquids and contaminants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If electronic devices are exposed to the environment to sample conditions, then environmental sensing capability is improved, but exposure to liquid ingress and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sensingVSAvoiddevice protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective chambers incorporate porous or permeable structures that allow air and environmental molecules to pass through while blocking liquid ingress. This enables the electronic devices to sample environmental conditions through diffusion and air flow without direct exposure to liquids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The chamber walls act as selective barriers that are permeable to gases and vapors but impermeable to liquids. This allows environmental sensing while maintaining device protection through the selective permeability of the chamber boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If pallet design is modified to include device chambers and cut-outs, then ability to incorporate digital technologies is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetechnology integrationVSAvoidpallet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device chambers are integrated into the existing pallet structure by merging them with the attachment portions. This combining approach allows the protective chambers to be formed as part of the pallet's structural components rather than as separate additions, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment portions of the pallet are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide structural connection between pallet components and simultaneously house the protective chambers for electronic devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables the integration of digital technologies into pallets by providing a protected environment for electronic devices to sample environmental conditions without risk of liquid damage during use or cleaning processes.

Implementation Method 1

one or more walls of the attachment portion comprises one or more cut-outs which define, at least in part, a fluid pathway between the at least one device chamber and atmosphere

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pathway through cut-outs:

Data Source

PatentUS12275556B2Pallet with at least one device chamber

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 CHEP UK LIMITED

AI summary

There is disclosed a pallet component comprising a support portion and an attachment portion. The attachment portion extends from the support portion and is defined, at least in part, by a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall surrounds one or more internal chambers. The attachment portion is configured to engage a corresponding attachment portion of another pallet component. The one or more internal chambers comprises at least one device chamber configured to at least partially receive an electronic device therein. One or more walls of the attachment portion comprises one or more cut-outs which define, at least in part, a fluid pathway between the at least one device chamber and atmosphere.