Wing Pallet Self-Centering Concave Top Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pallets with flat upper support surfaces tend to deflect under heavy loads, leading to instability and the formation of gaps between stacked containers, which can result in tipping and falling during transport.
Innovation Solution
A pallet with a concave top surface where the middle portion is lower than the outer portions, causing stacked containers to lean towards the center and prevent gap formation, featuring a rectangular top support surface with legs and runners designed to accommodate the height difference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a flat upper support surface is used, then the pallet structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stacked containers tend to form gaps and become unstable during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet surface is designed with different local properties: the central region has a lower height than the peripheral regions, creating a concave profile. This local height variation causes containers to naturally lean toward the center and interlock, improving stability without requiring complex overall structural changes to the pallet
2Force
If the upper portion is larger than the lower portion with overhanging edges, then the pallet can accommodate larger loads, but the overhanging portions deflect downward under heavy loads causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The concave surface design creates a local depression in the center of the upper support surface. This local geometric modification changes how load is distributed and how containers interact with the surface, causing them to lean inward and stabilize against each other rather than outward where deflection would occur
3Stability of the object's composition
If a concave top surface with lower middle portion is used, then container stacks self-center and remain stable, but the pallet requires more complex manufacturing to achieve the height variation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the height parameter of the pallet surface at different locations. By making the central portion lower than the peripheral portions, the design changes the geometric parameters of the support surface to achieve self-centering of containers. This parameter change can be implemented through various manufacturing methods including molding variations or selective leg height adjustments
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
The concave top surface design ensures stable stacking by preventing gaps between containers, enhancing the stability and safety of transported goods by maintaining contact between stacked trays.
Implementation Method 1
a center or middle portion of an upper or top surface of the pallet is lower than the outer portions of the upper surface. This will cause a stack of trays to lean to the middle of the pallet and rest up to or against another stack.
Data Source
AI summary
A wing pallet with product self-centering feature having a top surface with a lower middle portion is provided. The pallet includes an upper portion having an upper surface that is slightly bowed downwardly in the middle portion and a lower portion that supports the upper portion. The upper surface can be slightly concave or have planar portions that are inclined downward from the outer sides or edges. The contour of the upper surface cause the trays stacked on the upper surface to lean toward the middle of the pallet. Two sets of stacked trays will lean toward each and have no gap formed at the top of the stacks.