Pallet Jack Rear Wheel Positioning for Rough Terrain Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet jacks are ineffective and unsafe for use on non-smooth exterior surfaces due to instability and the risk of scuffing interior floors, particularly when handling pallets with length-to-width ratios greater than 1:1.
Innovation Solution
A pallet jack design featuring rear wheels aligned with the centerlines of the tines, allowing independent vertical and horizontal rotation, and strategically positioned to enhance stability on rough terrain, combined with wider and taller wheels to navigate uneven surfaces without damaging polished floors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pallet jacks use small centrally located rear wheels designed for smooth interior floors, then they can operate effectively on pre-stressed concrete floors, but they become unstable and dangerous on rough exterior terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning rear wheels at outer locations rather than centrally, and by specifying larger wheel dimensions suitable for rough terrain. This localized structural modification at the wheel position enables the pallet jack to navigate exterior surfaces safely while maintaining operability on smooth floors.
2Ease of operation
If pallet jacks are designed with tines for stable lifting of pallets with length-to-width ratio of 1:1 or less, then they can handle typical interior pallets, but they become unsafe when handling pallets with longer length-to-width ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tine configuration adjustable or adaptable through the positioning system. The rear wheels at outer locations provide dynamic stability support that allows the pallet jack to safely handle various pallet length-to-width ratios, including extended-length pallets that would be unsafe with conventional centralized designs.
3Device complexity
If pallet jacks use conventional centralized wheel positioning, then they maintain simple structural design, but they scuff polished interior floors and cannot navigate rough exterior surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the wheel positioning function from the traditional centralized location. By placing rear wheels at outer locations, the design segments the load distribution and terrain interaction, allowing the pallet jack to navigate rough surfaces without scuffing polished floors while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If pallet jacks are designed to carry single pallets, then they maintain simple operational procedures, but they require multiple trips and reduce transportation productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple pallet-carrying capabilities into a single operational system. The outer-positioned rear wheels provide enhanced stability that enables the pallet jack to safely transport multiple pallets simultaneously or in sequence without requiring multiple separate trips, thereby increasing transportation productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet jack is disclosed that comprises a left tine and a right tine. The pallet jack includes a lifting mechanism that may include an electrically powered hydraulic pump to effectuate the lifting motion. The pallet jack may also include power-driven wheels that are connected by an axle, thereby facilitating translational motion of the pallet jack. The wheels may be maximally spaced by using a maximum-length axle that is slightly longer than the width of the pallet jack body, thereby optimizing load stability.