Palletizing Device Support Surface Accessibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallet lift and palletizing device assemblies have poor accessibility to the underside for maintenance, repair, and inserting sheets due to the limited reach of operators, which hinders efficient operation and safety.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second support surface positioned below the first support surface allows operators to comfortably access the underside of the palletizing device, with the first support surface near the upper side of the pallet lift, enabling better reach and accessibility for maintenance and repair operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If only one support surface is provided near the upper side of the pallet lift, then the palletizing device is accessible to the operator, but the underside of the palletizing device becomes poorly accessible for maintenance and repair operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to palletizing deviceVSAvoidaccessibility to underside of palletizing device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by providing two support surfaces at different heights (first support surface near the upper side of the pallet lift, second support surface below it). This dimensional change allows operators to access different areas of the palletizing device from different vertical levels, solving the accessibility contradiction for both operation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the first support surface is positioned close to the upper side of the pallet lift for easy access to the palletizing device, then operational efficiency is improved, but the operator cannot comfortably reach the underside of the palletizing device for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface is segmented into two distinct levels: the first support surface positioned for optimal operational access to the palletizing device, and the second support surface positioned lower for maintenance access. This segmentation allows different operational requirements to be met at different vertical levels without compromising either productivity or ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If a second support surface is added below the first support surface to improve accessibility to the underside, then maintenance operations become easier, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to underside of palletizing deviceVSAvoidnumber of support surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two support surfaces serve multiple functions: the first support surface enables operational access and monitoring, while the second support surface provides maintenance access. Both surfaces collectively support the palletizing device structure and facilitate different types of interactions (operation, maintenance, inspection) from optimally positioned levels, maximizing the utility of each added element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3166878B1Assembly comprising a pallet lift and a palletizing device
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 QIMAROX PATENTEN
  • EP3166878B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3166878B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3166878B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an assembly, comprising: - a pallet lift (2) with which a pallet is displaceable in height direction; - a palletizing device (14) which is arranged close to the upper side of the pallet lift (2) and with which objects are arrangeable on a pallet supported by the pallet lift (2); - a first support surface (30) arranged at a first distance under the palletizing device (14) such that at least a part of the upper side of the palletizing device (14) is accessible to an operator standing on the first support surface (30); and - a second support surface (40) arranged at a second distance under the first support surface (30) such that at least a part of the underside of the palletizing device (14) is accessible to an operator standing on the second support surface (40).