Pallet Recesses for Carrier Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport assemblies with carriers and pallets face issues where the carrier can accidentally roll off the pallet during lifting, posing hazardous situations.
Innovation Solution
The transport assembly design includes recesses in the pallet's lower deck for the carrier's wheels to extend into, allowing the carrier base to be clear of the support surface during driving onto the pallet, ensuring stability by supporting the carrier base with the carrier support rather than the wheels during lifting, and optionally using through-holes or blind recesses for added stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the carrier is driven onto the pallet with wheels supporting the carrier base, then the carrier can be easily driven onto the pallet, but the carrier may accidentally roll off during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between two support states: during driving, the wheels support the carrier base for ease of movement; during lifting, the carrier base rests on the carrier support for stability. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between operational ease and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses in the lower deck act as intermediaries that facilitate the transition from wheel support to carrier support. The wheels extend into the recesses during driving, then the carrier base is positioned onto the carrier support, with the recesses guiding this transition and ensuring proper positioning.
2Reliability
If the carrier base is continuously supported by the support surface during driving and lifting, then the carrier is stable during lifting, but the carrier cannot be easily driven onto the pallet
Solution Approach 1:
The support configuration dynamically changes based on operational phase: during driving, wheels support the carrier base; during lifting, the carrier base is supported by the carrier support. This dynamic adaptation allows both easy driving and stable lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented into two distinct mechanisms: wheel support for driving operations and carrier support for lifting operations. This segmentation allows each support mechanism to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
3Reliability
If mechanisms are added to move the support surface relative to the lower deck to ensure contact with carrier base, then the carrier is securely supported during lifting, but the pallet construction becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing structural elements (lower deck with recesses and carrier support) to automatically achieve the support function. When the carrier is driven onto the pallet and positioned, the carrier base naturally contacts the carrier support through the recesses, eliminating the need for additional mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential support function from complex mechanisms and implements it through simple structural features: recesses in the lower deck and a carrier support. This extraction simplifies the pallet construction while maintaining reliable support during lifting.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a transport assembly (1) comprising at least one carrier (3) and a pallet (5) therefor, the carrier comprising a carrier base (7) and a number of wheels (9) arranged thereon. The pallet comprises a lower deck (15) and at least one carrier support (17) protruding upward from the lower deck and defining a support surface (19) for supporting the carrier base of the carrier when the carrier is positioned in a carrying position relative to the carrier support. On either side of the carrier support the lower deck forms a drive-on path (21) for driving the carrier onto the lower deck and the lower deck is provided with at least one recess (23) in which a wheel of the carrier extends in the carrying position of the carrier.