Plastic Pallet Friction Elements for Crate Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallets with friction elements fail to securely stabilize bottle crates, especially when stacked or positioned on top of another pallet, and lack effective wear resistance on the bottom surface during transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
The pallet design incorporates friction elements with an upper and lower collar and a middle portion, integrated into the deck openings, which provide enhanced friction and stability by gripping the rim of bottle crates and featuring grooves for water drainage, along with additional friction provisions on the top and bottom decks to prevent sliding and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If friction elements are added to secure bottle crates, then stability and anti-slip performance are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are integrated into the pallet deck structure by inserting them into openings in the deck surface. The friction elements become part of the pallet structure, combining the pallet body with the friction-enhancing components into a unified system that secures bottle crates without requiring separate external devices
Solution Approach 2:
The deck is designed with openings that accommodate the friction elements. These openings create a porous-like structure in the deck surface, allowing the friction elements to protrude and provide grip while maintaining structural integrity of the pallet
2Reliability
If friction elements protrude above deck surface, then friction and grip are improved, but wear resistance and structural integrity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are positioned at specific locations on the pallet deck where grip is needed, rather than covering the entire surface. The elements have varying heights and are strategically placed to provide localised friction enhancement while preserving the overall structural integrity and wear resistance of the deck
Solution Approach 2:
The deck is segmented into multiple openings that accommodate individual friction elements. This segmentation allows the friction elements to be distributed across the pallet surface, providing grip where needed while maintaining the structural strength of the deck between the openings
3Stability of the object's composition
If friction elements are added to stabilize stacked pallets, then stack stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The friction elements are integrated into the pallet manufacturing process itself, with openings for the elements being formed as part of the deck structure. This merging of the friction element installation with the pallet manufacturing reduces overall complexity compared to adding separate stabilization components after pallet production
Solution Approach 2:
The friction elements on the bottom deck automatically engage with the rims of bottle crates on pallets below when stacked, providing self-stabilization of the pallet stack without requiring additional active components or complex assembly steps
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 effectively secures bottle crates on the pallet, even in shock or sloped positions, stabilizes multiple pallet stacks, and prevents wear on the bottom surface, ensuring secure transportation and storage while allowing for flexible stacking patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The friction elements and friction provisions provide friction between the pallet and articles stacked on the pallet
Implementation Method 2
A friction surface of the friction elements in the top deck or the bottom deck is provided with grooves for carrying away water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a pallet (1) formed of a plastics material, the pallet (1) comprising a substantially planar deck (2) for carrying articles and support elements (4) for supporting the deck, friction elements (20) being mounted in openings in the deck (2) for increasing the friction between the pallet (1) and any prongs of a fork lift, wherein the friction elements (20) extend above the planar deck (2) and below the deck (2).