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, limiting the ease of pallet displacement and posing challenges in maintaining horizontal pallets without movement or drift.
Innovation Solution
A non-motorized pallet displacement system using a pair of rail assemblies with rollers and springs, where potential energy is accumulated as pallets are loaded and converted into kinetic energy to move pallets forward, ensuring horizontal alignment and easy loading/unloading without motors or maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small slope is used to enable pallet displacement, then pallets can move forward, but the pallets cannot remain perfectly horizontal and goods may drift or fall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the spring-loaded engagement element with rollers) between the pallet and the rail assembly. This mediator converts the loading force into controlled motion while maintaining pallet horizontality, resolving the contradiction between enabling displacement and maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using spring force and roller mechanics instead of gravitational slope. The engagement element's movement parameters are controlled by spring compression and roller rotation, allowing horizontal pallet movement without inclination while maintaining stability.
2Ease of operation
If motors are used to move pallets, then displacement can be controlled, but maintenance is required (grease, lubrication, rust prevention)
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service principles where the spring-loaded engagement elements automatically reset and return to their initial positions after displacing pallets. The rollers provide automatic low-friction movement without requiring external maintenance, lubrication, or power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces motorized mechanical systems with a passive spring-mechanical system. The spring provides the necessary force for engagement element movement, eliminating motors, electrical components, and associated maintenance requirements while maintaining controlled displacement.
3Quantity of substance
If pallets are placed deep in storage assembly, then storage capacity increases, but displacement becomes difficult without motors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-compressing the spring during the loading process. As each pallet is placed on the rail assembly, it compresses the spring, storing potential energy that is later converted to kinetic energy to automatically displace all pallets forward, enabling easy retrieval from deep storage positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action where the spring is repeatedly compressed during loading and then releases stored energy in periodic discharge cycles to move pallets. This periodic compression and release mechanism enables continuous operation for deep storage configurations without requiring motors.
4Reliability
If rails are made robust for low temperature resistance, then durability increases, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the rail assembly to use robust, low-temperature-resistant materials that maintain their mechanical properties in extreme cold. This material parameter change enables reliable operation down to -30°C without adding system complexity, as the material itself provides the necessary temperature resistance.
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 multiple pallets deep without inclination, ensuring horizontal stability and quick loading/unloading, suitable for conventional storage assemblies and extreme temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
extending the springs and therefore accumulating potential energy, which potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy
Implementation Method 2
a pair of springs operatively connecting the pallet engagement element to a front end of the rail
Implementation Method 3
a rail having plurality of rollers rotatably mounted thereon for supporting one or more pallet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
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.