Telescopic Pallet Frame with Modular Superstructure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallets are limited in their ability to securely transport and store diverse goods, often requiring multiple specialized pallets and resulting in inefficient storage and transportation due to their fixed dimensions and adaptability to specific objects.

Innovation Solution

A modular pallet system with a telescopic frame and adjustable components, including V-shaped shelves and interchangeable corner columns, allows for adaptation to various sizes, shapes, and weights, enabling secure fastening of different goods and space-efficient storage and transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pallet is designed with fixed dimensions and specialized features for specific objects, then the security and stability of transporting that specific object is improved, but the adaptability to transport different types of goods deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of transportVSAvoidadaptability to different goods
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is divided into modular components: a base frame and interchangeable superstructures (side walls, floors, roofs) that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows the same base to support various specialized structures tailored to different cargo types, resolving the contradiction between specialized security and general adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pallet design incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components rather than fixed structures. The superstructures can be dynamically reconfigured or replaced based on cargo requirements, enabling the pallet to adapt its security features to different goods while maintaining a consistent base platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple specialized pallets are used to securely transport different objects, then the reliability of transport for each specific object is improved, but the device complexity and storage requirements deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of transportVSAvoidnumber of pallet types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal base pallet design supports multiple specialized superstructures that can be interchanged based on cargo needs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple dedicated pallet types while maintaining specialized security features for different goods, directly reducing device complexity and storage requirements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transporting entire specialized pallets when switching cargo types, the design allows discarding the specialized superstructure and recovering the universal base for reuse. This reduces the number of pallets that need to be stored and transported, addressing the device complexity issue while maintaining transport reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If specialized pallets are transported as empties to different destinations, then the adaptability to future cargo is maintained, but the loss of energy and inefficient use of resources deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to future cargoVSAvoidenergy for transporting empty pallets
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the universal base from the specialized superstructure, only the necessary superstructure needs to be transported with the cargo, while the base remains stationary or is reused. This reduces the weight and volume of empty pallets that need to be transported, minimizing energy loss while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The specialized superstructure is discarded at the destination and the universal base is recovered for reuse with a different superstructure. This eliminates the need to transport entire specialized pallets empty, reducing energy consumption while preserving the ability to adapt to future cargo requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pallet body is made from telescopic frame parts, then the adaptability to different transport system dimensions is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to transport dimensionsVSAvoidmanufacturing of telescopic frame
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into telescopic sections that can be adjusted to different lengths. This segmentation allows the frame to adapt to various transport system dimensions while using standardized modular components, balancing manufacturing complexity with dimensional adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic frame allows continuous adjustment of dimensional parameters (length, width) to match different transport requirements. This parameter flexibility is achieved through standardized telescopic mechanisms that, while slightly more complex to manufacture, provide significant adaptability benefits across multiple applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2888174B1Pallet with fixing means
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 LICHT RALPH DIETER
  • EP2888174B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2888174B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2888174B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pallet for goods to be transported (15) comprises a pallet body (2), on which at least one object can be fixed by a fastening means. At least one corner post (3) and/or plate (7) and/or side wall and/or a floor (9) can be arranged on the pallet body (2), or the pallet body (2) is formed at least on the foot side from a circumferential tubular frame (16), the longitudinal and/or frontal frame parts (17) of which are telescopic.