Pallet Dryer With U-Shaped Reinforcement for Uniform Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drying devices for clay or concrete objects, such as bricks and paving stones, suffer from uneven drying due to reinforcement profiles with hat-shaped cross-sections that either cover or lack perforations, leading to drying stresses and cracks.

Innovation Solution

A U-shaped reinforcement profile is welded to the underside of the storage surface, ensuring a continuous hole pattern and minimal coverage of perforations, allowing even drying and reducing stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a hat-shaped reinforcement profile is used, then the structural strength and resistance to deflection are improved, but the drying uniformity deteriorates due to coverage of perforations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddrying uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional hat-shaped cross-section to a U-shaped cross-section. This inversion removes the flanges that cause coverage of perforations, allowing drying air to pass through uniformly while the U-shape maintains structural strength through its geometry and welded connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The U-shaped reinforcement profile is designed to be perforated with holes that allow drying air to pass through. This ensures that the reinforcement profile does not block the airflow needed for uniform drying, while still providing the necessary structural support to the pallet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If a hat-shaped reinforcement profile is used, then the resistance to bending is improved, but drying stresses and cracks increase due to uneven drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to bendingVSAvoiddrying stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the cross-section from hat-shaped to U-shaped, the profile maintains bending resistance through its geometric configuration and welded attachments while eliminating the flange structure that causes uneven drying and subsequent cracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The U-shaped profile with perforations provides localized airflow channels that ensure even drying across different areas of the pallet, preventing the formation of drying stresses and cracks while maintaining overall structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the reinforcement profile covers perforations, then the welded connection security is improved, but the ventilation and drying efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewelded connection securityVSAvoiddrying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The U-shaped reinforcement profile incorporates perforations that maintain airflow pathways. The welded connections are made through or around these perforations, ensuring structural security while preserving ventilation and drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Ease of manufacture

If no reinforcement is provided in the transverse direction, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the deflection under load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddeflection resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing full reinforcement across the entire transverse direction, the U-shaped profiles are strategically positioned and welded at key points to provide sufficient deflection resistance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Ensures uniform drying of objects by maintaining ventilation and reducing drying stresses and cracks, achieved through the use of a U-shaped reinforcement profile with resistance welding.

Implementation Method 1

welded to the underside of the storage surface by resistance welding, in particular resistance web welding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResistance welding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

The metal pallets are predominantly made of hot-dip galvanized sheet metal. The pallet support surfaces are perforated to allow moisture from the bricks to evaporate from the underside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4631689A1Pallet dryer apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 ROBERT THOMAS METALL UND ELEKTROWERKE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device for drying or curing objects made of clay or concrete. The device comprises a pallet (1) with a support surface (3) having upper longitudinal edges (4), from which side walls (5) project downwards, which in turn have lower longitudinal edges (6). A reinforcing profile (16) is welded to the underside of the support surface (3), preferably in the longitudinal direction of the pallet (1). In order to ensure uniform drying of the objects to be dried despite the presence of the reinforcing profile, the invention provides that the reinforcing profile (16) is U-shaped and is welded by the free ends of its side walls (17) in at least one joining region (18) to the underside of the support surface (3) by resistance welding, in particular resistance web welding.