Bar-Shaped Lighting Device for Automated Storage Rack Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indicating devices for automated storage racks are limited in their ability to accurately mark stored goods, especially on wide carriers, as they often require complex movements and are not efficient in highlighting smaller items amidst larger ones.
Innovation Solution
A bar-shaped lighting device with offset lighting elements that can be moved horizontally, allowing for precise indication of stored goods across the entire carrier, while requiring minimal construction space and being cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a centrally fixed indicating device is used, then the structure is simple, but smaller stored goods are concealed by larger stored goods deposited in front
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating device is divided into multiple independently controllable lighting elements arranged in a row along the bar-shaped device. Each lighting element can be individually activated to indicate specific storage locations, allowing precise marking of small goods even when larger goods are present in front.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are oriented substantially vertically downwards, projecting light in the vertical dimension rather than horizontally. This vertical illumination approach allows the light to reach stored goods from above, preventing concealment by goods in front and enabling accurate indication of small items on wide carriers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an indicating device is moved in both horizontal directions, then the indication coverage is complete, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bar-shaped lighting device is made movable in the second horizontal direction along the width of the service opening, allowing dynamic adjustment of the indication position. Combined with individually controllable lighting elements, this provides flexible and complete indication coverage without requiring movement in both horizontal directions.
3Volume of moving object
If upright light strips are mounted on the side wall, then the construction space is minimal, but only the depth position can be indicated
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements are oriented substantially vertically downwards, projecting light from above rather than from the side. This vertical illumination direction enables indication of both the depth position (along the first horizontal direction) and the lateral position (along the second horizontal direction through movement), providing precise two-dimensional position indication while maintaining minimal construction space.
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 solution enables efficient and accurate indication of stored goods on wide carriers, preventing smaller items from being concealed by larger ones, and allows for easy retrofitting and versatile operation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of lighting elements (14), which are orientated substantially vertically downwards
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for indicating stored goods (102), particularly for an automated storage rack (100), which comprises at least one lighting device (12) with a plurality of separately controllable lighting elements (14). The lighting device (12) is configured in a bar-shaped manner, has a plurality of lighting elements (14) which are arranged with an offset from one another in a row (16) along the bar-shaped lighting device (12) and are orientated substantially vertically downwards. The lighting device (12) extends in a first horizontal direction (y) and can be moved in a second horizontal direction (x).