Pallet Storage Device with Rotating Axial Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet management machines are limited by their ability to handle only one pallet at a time, operate only in a vertical position, and fail to retain pallets during inclination or rotation, leading to reduced functionality and increased operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A device and machine design that allows for the simultaneous storage and release of multiple pallets, capable of tilting or overturning by 180° without losing contained pallets, featuring a frame with rotatable axial elements and actuators to securely hold and release pallets, and a mechanism for replacing pallets with loads, enabling efficient pallet accumulation and transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a device stores multiple pallets in a stack, then the quantity of pallets handled simultaneously increases, but the device becomes unable to operate in tilted or overturned positions
Solution Approach 1:
The holding arms are designed to pivot dynamically between open and locked positions, allowing the device to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. This dynamic mechanism enables the device to securely hold pallets in vertical position while allowing controlled tilting and overturning operations without losing pallet retention capability
Solution Approach 2:
The storage device is divided into multiple independent holding arms that can operate autonomously. Each arm can independently pivot to lock or release individual pallets, allowing the device to maintain stability for stacked pallets while enabling selective access and controlled tilting operations
2Reliability
If holding arms are designed to lock pallets securely, then pallet retention during tilting improves, but the upper portion of the store becomes occluded by frame parts and actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanisms are extracted and positioned outside the main storage volume, with actuators mounted on the frame periphery rather than inside the store. This allows the holding arms to be actuated without occluding the upper portion of the store, maintaining both pallet retention capability and clear access to all pallets in the stack
Solution Approach 2:
Linkage mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the actuators and holding arms, transmitting the actuation force through external linkages rather than requiring internal mounting. This intermediary system allows secure locking action while keeping the frame structure and actuation components outside the storage space
3Stability of the object's composition
If the device operates only in vertical position, then pallet stability is maintained, but the functionality of associated machines is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static vertical-only configuration to a dynamic system that can controlled tilt and overturn while maintaining pallet stability through the pivoting holding arms. The mechanism adapts its configuration during tilting operations, locking arms in position to maintain stability even when the overall device orientation changes
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions: stable vertical storage, controlled tilting, and overturned positioning. The holding arms and actuation system provide universal capability to secure pallets in various orientations, enabling integration with machines that require pallet manipulation in different positions
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for storing or releasing pallets (P, S) includes: - a body (51) provided with at least two mutually facing and parallel side walls (53), each having first (55) and second (57) transverse edges, and provided with at least one end wall (59) perpendicular to the side walls (53) and having first (61) and second (63) side edges; each first transverse edge (55) is fixed to a respective side edge of the end wall (59); these walls enclose a volume of shape and size such as to house a stack of pallets (P, S) arranged perpendicularly to the side (53) and end (59) walls; - at least one axial element (65) for each side wall (53); each axial element (65) is connected to the respective side wall (53) parallel to said transversal (55, 57) and side (61, 63) edges and rotatably around its own geometric axis; - a plurality of insert elements (67) for each axial element (65) protruding radially from the respective axial element (65); the insert elements (67) of each axial element (65) are mutually parallel, spaced and positioned to correspond to recesses of the pallets (P, S) of the stack; - at least one actuator element (69) connected to the at least one axial element (65) of the respective sidewall (53) or of both sidewalls (53) for axially rotating the at least one axial element (65) by one or of both side walls (53) between a hold condition (F) in which the insert elements (67) engage cavities of the pallets (P, S) of the stack, blocking them, and a release condition (R) in which the insert elements (67) do not interfere with the pallets (P, S) of the stack, freeing them.