Pallet station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storage racks with multiple levels face challenges in safely supporting goods without damaging them, as traditional support rails can protrude and cause issues, and existing solutions do not provide a quick and easy method for adapting the support system based on the type and weight of goods.

Innovation Solution

The pallet station features releasable support rails that can be easily mounted and dismounted, using beam hooks and net hooks to secure them to shelves made of nets or other materials, allowing for adjustable support based on the type and weight of goods, with safety features to ensure the system can withstand forces and prevent accidents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If support rails are permanently fixed to shelves, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different goods types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different goods

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support rail system transitions from a static permanently fixed state to a dynamic releasable state. The support rails are designed with attachment mechanisms that allow them to be easily mounted and dismounted from the shelves, enabling the system to adapt between fixed and removable configurations based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If support rails are permanently installed, then structural strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of mounting and dismounting

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support rail system is segmented into separate components: the support rails themselves and the attachment mechanisms (hooks or clips) that connect them to the shelves. This segmentation allows the rails to be easily attached and detached while maintaining structural strength when installed, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Force

If support rails protrude above the shelf, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoiddamage to goods

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support rails are designed with differentiated local qualities: they protrude above the shelf surface to provide adequate load-bearing capacity and clearance for goods, while the attachment mechanisms are positioned to secure the rails without creating harmful protrusions that could damage goods during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3107840B1Pallet station

Publication Date: 2019.11.20 INTER IKEA SYST

Figure 1~4
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Figure 10~13

AI summary

The present invention concerns a pallet station (1). The pallet station (1) comprises a storage surface in the form of a shelf (5). The shelf (5) is received on support beams (4) arranged between transversal beams (3). Support rails (6) are attached to the shelf (5) by means of hook elements (14, 16). The hook elements (14, 16) used for attaching the support rails (6) are beam hooks (14) and/or net hooks (16).