Stackable Pallet with Nested Support Structures for Vehicle Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current deployable pallets for transporting motor vehicles are not adaptable for both standard land/sea containers and airplane pallets, limiting their flexibility and efficiency in different transportation modes and vehicle sizes.
Innovation Solution
A deployable, stackable pallet with a double-deck loading arrangement featuring adjustable top and bottom support structures, allowing for configuration changes to fit various vehicle sizes and transportation constraints, including the ability to nest the top support structure within the bottom for compact storage and easy loading/unloading without the need for ramps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pallet is designed with fixed double-deck structure, then it can transport four vehicles simultaneously, but it cannot adapt to different transportation modes (land/sea vs air) and vehicle sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet employs dynamic, adjustable support structures that can change configuration between single-deck and double-deck modes. The top support structure can be raised or lowered relative to the bottom support structure, allowing the pallet to adapt its height and capacity based on transportation mode and vehicle size requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple transportation modes (land, sea, and air) and accommodate different vehicle sizes. By incorporating adjustable support structures and variable deck configurations, a single pallet design replaces the need for mode-specific pallets.
2Productivity
If the top support structure is permanently raised, then two vehicles can be transported simultaneously, but storage space is wasted and loading becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The top support structure is designed to nest within or alongside the bottom support structure when not in use. This nesting capability allows the pallet to minimize its vertical profile during storage, effectively reducing the volume occupied by the movable component when full transport capacity is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structures transition between raised and lowered positions dynamically based on operational requirements. When transporting two vehicles, the top structure is raised; when storing or transporting single vehicles, it is lowered to minimize space occupation.
3Ease of operation
If the pallet uses fixed height configuration, then loading is simplified, but space optimization in containers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet height is dynamically adjustable through the movable top support structure. This allows optimization of container space utilization by raising or lowering the deck height to match specific container dimensions and vehicle requirements, while maintaining ease of loading through the ramp mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of pallet height is changed by adjusting the position of the top support structure. This parameter modification enables optimal space utilization in different container types while preserving the fundamental loading mechanism.
4Ease of manufacture
If non-motorized pallet is used, then manufacturing and maintenance costs are reduced, but manual adjustment requires more effort
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is divided into modular segments (bottom support structure, top support structure, connecting elements) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies production while allowing mechanical adjustment mechanisms to be integrated into specific modules rather than requiring complex motorized systems throughout.
Data Source
AI summary
The two stackable loading level pallet makes it possible to transport one or two stacked cars in a container or airplane pallet. Said pallet is non-motorized, capable of being folded flat, stackable, and capable of being opened out by a forklift truck. In a lower position, the top support structure of said pallet, which is framed and has a completely free central space, fits into the bottom support structure of said pallet, and the top and rear front wheel support devices of the top support structure are inserted onto or in alignment with the bottom wheel support assembly of the bottom support structure and thus form all or part of a lower rolling path that makes it possible to load a motor vehicle onto the top support structure of said pallet via the own movement thereof and without an access ramp.