Pallet displacement system for a pallet storage assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet storage assemblies require a small slope to operate effectively, making it difficult to easily displace pallets without them drifting or falling, and existing solutions are often motorized, requiring maintenance and not suitable for horizontal storage.
Innovation Solution
A non-motorized pallet displacement system using rail assemblies with rollers and springs that accumulate potential energy as pallets are loaded, converting it into kinetic energy to move pallets horizontally, allowing easy loading and unloading without inclination, and can be installed on standard assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small slope is used in conventional pallet storage assemblies, then pallets can be displaced using gravity, but pallets may drift or fall and cannot be maintained in a perfectly horizontal position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rollers as an intermediary mechanism between the pallet and the rail. These rollers enable pallet displacement without requiring a slope, while simultaneously maintaining the pallet in a perfectly horizontal position. The rollers convert the displacement function from gravity-based to roller-based, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the gravity-based displacement mechanism (slope) with a roller-based mechanical system. This substitution eliminates the need for inclination while providing controlled, stable pallet movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational ease and positional stability.
2Extent of automation
If motorized systems are used for pallet displacement, then automated control is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically accumulates potential energy when pallets are loaded and releases it to displace pallets when needed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources or control systems, achieving automated pallet displacement without increasing device complexity or maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic spring compression and expansion cycles to achieve pallet displacement. Each pallet loading compresses the spring, and each unloading triggers spring expansion that displaces the next pallet. This periodic mechanical action provides automated control without complex systems.
3Reliability
If springs are used to accumulate potential energy, then maintenance-free operation is achieved, but the system must withstand extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that springs and other components be made from materials suitable for extreme temperature conditions. This parameter change in material selection allows the maintenance-free spring mechanism to operate reliably across a wide temperature range from -30°C to 30°C, resolving the contradiction between reliability and temperature adaptability.
4Temperature
If rails are made robust to withstand extreme temperatures, then temperature resistance is improved, but weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies using composite or specialized materials for rails and rollers that provide both extreme temperature resistance and appropriate weight characteristics. This material selection resolves the contradiction by achieving temperature resistance without excessive weight gain, as the materials are engineered to balance thermal performance with mechanical properties including weight.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, maintenance-free displacement of pallets in a horizontal position, preventing drift or fall, with quick loading/unloading and adaptability to various pallet sizes, suitable for conventional pallet storage systems and extreme temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of springs operatively connecting the pallet engagement element to a front end of the rail on respective sides thereof; wherein sequentially positioning a plurality of pallets onto the rail assemblies results in a first pallet engaging the pallet engagement elements, extending the springs and therefore accumulate potential energy
Implementation Method 2
which potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy as one or more of the plurality of pallets is removed from the rail assemblies, pulling the pallet engagement elements toward the front of the rail assemblies, which in turn displaces remaining pallets toward the front
Implementation Method 3
a rail having plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon for supporting one or more pallet
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet displacement system for a pallet storage assembly, including a pair of spaced apart rail assemblies, each rail assembly including a rail having plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon for supporting one or more pallet, a pallet engagement element slidingly engaged to the rail and a pair of springs operatively connecting the pallet engagement element to a front end of the rail on respective sides thereof. In use, the sequential positioning of a plurality of pallets onto the rail assemblies results in a first pallet engaging the pallet engagement elements, extending the springs and therefore accumulate potential energy. When one or more of the plurality of pallets is removed from the rail assemblies, the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, pulling the pallet engagement elements toward the front of the rail assemblies, which in turn displaces remaining pallets toward the front.