Adjustable Support Structure for Rack Storage System Building Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rack storage systems in 'silo design' face challenges such as high manufacturing effort, heavy dead weight, and structural deviations during installation, which require additional adaptation work and increase costs, especially due to the need for precise alignment and reinforcement.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of adjustable spacers and fixing means allows for continuous adjustment and fixation of the horizontal and vertical distances between profiled support elements and storage racks, enabling compensation for structural deviations without additional adaptation work, and allowing for simpler and faster mounting with standardized components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a welded construction is used for the support structure, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the manufacturing effort and dead weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing effort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into separate modular components (profiled support elements, spacers, mounting plates) that can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site, eliminating the need for complex welded construction while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standardized, prefabricated metal components with standardized connections (screws, bolts) instead of permanent welded joints, allowing for easier manufacturing, assembly, and potential replacement without specialized welding equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a welded construction is used for the support structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the dead weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddead weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The structure uses separate modular components connected by mechanical fasteners rather than continuous welded joints, reducing material usage and overall weight while maintaining stability through distributed connection points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure combines different metal components (profiled elements, spacers, mounting plates) with standardized connections, creating a composite assembly that achieves structural stability with reduced weight compared to solid welded construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the storage racks are installed with fixed dimensions, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to structural deviations at the building site decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional precisionVSAvoidadaptability to site conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure incorporates adjustable elements (spacers with variable positioning, movable mounting plates) that allow the horizontal distance between profiled support elements and storage racks to be modified on-site, enabling adaptation to actual building conditions while maintaining standardized manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables change of geometric parameters (horizontal distances, positions) of the support structure components during assembly through adjustable spacers and mounting mechanisms, allowing adaptation to site-specific deviations without remanufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If additional construction measures are taken to compensate for structural deviations, then the compliance with standards is improved, but the mounting time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with standardsVSAvoidmounting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure components are designed with built-in adjustment capabilities (pre-fabricated spacers, adjustable mounting plates) that allow compensation for deviations during normal assembly procedures, eliminating the need for time-consuming additional construction measures while ensuring compliance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11629007B2Rack storage system and rack frame part for a rack storage system

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 TGW LOGISTICS GMBH

AI summary

A rack storage system includes storage racks forming unit load storage locations arranged next to one another on storage planes on top of one another. The racks include either exclusively outer storage racks or outer and inner storage racks and are installed stationarily on a bottom plate. One or multiple rack aisles are between the racks in an x-direction. Automated storage and retrieval units transport unit loads and building walls are mounted on the outer racks via a support structure and form wall elements. The support structure includes profiled support elements affixed, by spacers, to the outer rack. The wall elements are mounted on the support elements, each being affixed, by respectively one spacer, to the outer rack in separate mounting regions (37) provided separate from one another. An adjuster per spacer adjusts a horizontal distance between a profiled support element and the outer rack. One fixer per spacer fixes the adjusted distance.