Plastic Pallet With Intersecting Reinforcement for Flammability Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic pallets struggle to meet stringent flammability regulations while maintaining structural integrity and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A plastic pallet design featuring bidirectional intersecting reinforcing elements, with hollow legs for nesting and a lightweight central deck, reduces flammable material by using a unitary plastic body with inter-engaged reinforcing elements, enhancing structural strength and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional plastic pallets are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but flammability regulations cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet combines plastic body material with flame-retardant reinforcing elements to create a composite structure that meets flammability regulations while maintaining the lightweight and durable characteristics of conventional plastic pallets
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet is divided into distinct components: a plastic body and separate reinforcing elements that can be manufactured independently and then assembled, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function while meeting regulatory requirements
2Strength
If more material is used to enhance structural strength, then load-bearing capacity improves, but weight and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing elements are strategically positioned at specific locations within the pallet structure where additional strength is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing material throughout, thereby optimizing strength-to-weight ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of plastic and reinforcing elements creates a composite structure that achieves high structural strength with minimal material usage, as the reinforcing elements provide mechanical strength while the plastic body provides structural form and functionality
3Strength
If traditional wooden pallets are used, then structural integrity is achieved, but hygiene and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet material composition is changed from natural wood to plastic with reinforcing elements, fundamentally altering the material properties to achieve superior hygiene performance and durability while maintaining structural integrity through the composite design
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet (100) having a unitary plastic body (102) with at least four legs (104a), and including two sets of channels (106, 108) extending parallel to its two dimensions D1 and D2. The pallet also includes a first set of elongated reinforcing elements (110) deployed within channels (106) and a second set of elongated reinforcing elements (112) deployed within channels (108). The first set of elongated reinforcing elements (110) have apertures (114) positioned so as to align with channels (108). Apertures (114) are sized and shaped to receive elongated reinforcing elements (112) passing through the apertures, resulting in an inter-engagement of elements (110) and (112) at multiple cross-over locations (116) as they extend through the pallet.