Threaded-Stud Pallet Assembly With Oriented Snap-Fastening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallet designs face challenges in easy assembly and disassembly, with current snap-fastening mechanisms being time-consuming and prone to damage, and plastic pallets lack robustness and load capacity.

Innovation Solution

A pallet design featuring removable studs fixed with snap-fastening members that allow easy assembly and disassembly by elastic deformation, using a combination of cylindrical heads and tapped holes for orientation, and a decoupling key for tool-free separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional nailing, screwing or stapling methods are used to fix pallet components, then the pallet structure is strong and stable, but the assembly and disassembly process is time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidfixing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is divided into separable components (floor, studs, sole) that can be independently replaced. The studs are segmented with threaded cylindrical heads that can be independently screwed into the floor, allowing selective replacement without disassembling the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical fastening methods (nails, screws, staples) are replaced with a threaded screwing mechanism combined with snap-fastening. The cylindrical heads with threads allow for tool-based assembly/disassembly, while the snap-fastening members provide automatic mechanical interlocking, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If snap-fastening mechanisms are used for quick assembly and disassembly, then the ease of operation improves, but the snap-fastening parts become prone to damage after repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and disassembly speedVSAvoidsnap-fastening durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The snap-fastening members are designed with elastic deformation capability, allowing them to dynamically adapt during assembly and disassembly. The first snap-fastening member on the stud can elastically deform to engage with the second snap-fastening member on the sole, and this elastic behavior allows for repeated engagement cycles without permanent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The snap-fastening mechanism utilizes changes in elastic parameters of the material. The snap-fastening members are made from materials that can elastically deform within safe stress limits, allowing repeated assembly and disassembly operations while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If force is applied to snap studs into place during assembly, then the connection is secure, but the snap-fastening parts can become damaged after repeated assembly and disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidsnap-fastening longevity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic deformation capability of the snap-fastening members acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs the impact forces during assembly and disassembly. This beforehand cushioning prevents excessive forces from damaging the snap-fastening parts, allowing for repeated operations while maintaining connection strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of operation

If precise orientation of the sole with respect to the floor is required during assembly, then the snap-fastening engages correctly, but the assembly process becomes more complex and requires more attention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidorientation requirement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded cylindrical heads and tapped holes are designed with asymmetric threading patterns that inherently guide the studs into the correct orientation as they are screwed into the floor. This asymmetric mechanical guidance eliminates the need for precise manual alignment, simplifying the assembly process while ensuring correct orientation for snap-fastening engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded connection is established first as a preliminary action that pre-positions and orients the studs correctly before the snap-fastening members are engaged. This preliminary orienting action through screwing eliminates the need for precise orientation during the subsequent snap-fastening step, reducing overall assembly complexity and attention requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

5Ease of manufacture

If plastic pallets are designed as one-piece structures, then manufacturing is simpler, but damaged pallets cannot be reconditioned and must be fully recycled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidreconditioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pallet is segmented into replaceable components: the floor, multiple studs arranged in rows, and the sole. This segmentation allows individual studs or sole sections to be replaced when damaged, enabling reconditioning without replacing the entire pallet. The threaded cylindrical heads on studs allow for easy removal and replacement of individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables selective discarding and recovering of only the damaged components (individual studs or sole sections) while retaining and reusing the undamaged portions of the pallet. This partial replacement approach maintains the pallet's service life and reduces waste, contrasting with one-piece designs where entire pallets must be discarded upon damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Facilitates quick and tool-free replacement of damaged components, enhances robustness, and reduces material usage while maintaining load capacity, with improved handling efficiency and reduced damage risk.

Implementation Method 1

the first snap-fastening member and the second snap-fastening member being configured to be disengaged from each other by elastic deformation of one of said first and second snap-fastening members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4617191A1Pallet composed of elements assembled and easily disassembled

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 HDF EMBALLAGES SAS

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Pallet (1) comprising a floor (2), rows (6) of studs (5) and a sole (7), the rows (6) of studs (5) being arranged between the floor (2) and the sole (7) to generate a spacing (48). Each stud (5) is removably fixed, on the one hand, with the floor (2) by means of first screw-type fixing means and, on the other hand, with the sole (7) by means of second fixing means. The second fixing means comprising a first snap-fastening member arranged on the stud (5) and a second snap-fastening member arranged on the sole (7) and complementary to the first snap-fastening member. The first snap-fastening member and the second snap-fastening member are configured to engage with each other with a defined orientation.