Board Stack Storage with Battery-Powered Satellite Wagons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems for large stacks of boards in factories require the main wagon to be stationary during the operation of satellite wagons, limiting its ability to perform other tasks and necessitating time-consuming installation and connection procedures for satellite wagon replacement or servicing.

Innovation Solution

The storage system employs battery-powered satellite wagons with independent energy supply, utilizing battery packs on the satellite wagons and a charging station on the main wagon, along with replacement stations for quick battery swaps, allowing satellite wagons to operate independently of the main wagon and enabling simultaneous tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cable reel arrangement is used to supply satellite wagons, then satellite wagons can be powered and moved, but the main wagon must remain stationary during satellite wagon operation, limiting productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidmain wagon productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into modular battery packs that can be independently replaced on the main wagon, allowing the main wagon to remain mobile while satellite wagons are serviced without stopping the entire system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery packs are designed to be dynamically replaceable during operation, enabling quick swapping of power sources without requiring the main wagon to stop or return to a fixed charging location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If cable reel arrangement is used, then satellite wagons can operate, but time-consuming installation and connection procedures are required for satellite wagon replacement or servicing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesatellite wagon operationVSAvoidservice time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Battery packs are pre-charged and prepared in advance on the main wagon, so when a satellite wagon needs servicing, a ready-to-use battery pack is already available for immediate replacement without installation delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The battery packs are designed as replaceable units that can be quickly swapped out and replaced, similar to disposable components, eliminating the need for complex reconnection procedures during maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables simultaneous performance of multiple storage tasks and allows quick satellite wagon replacement or servicing without downtime, enhancing system capacity and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The longitudinal movement and also lifting movement of a satellite wagon pair being achieved by means of the energy stored in said battery packs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

A charging station for the battery packs is arranged on the main wagon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCharging (electrical energy storage): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP4157670B1A storage system for storing stacks of boards, for use in factories fabricating boards
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 DIEFFENBACHER PANELBOARD OY
  • EP4157670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4157670B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4157670B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A storage system for storing board stacks (1) for use in factories fabricating boards, the storage system comprising at least one main wagon (2) moving in a crosswise direction and at least one pair of satellite wagons (10) travelling in a longitudinal direction, the satellite wagons of which satellite wagon pair are arranged to move side by side and to carry the board stacks (1) from below, and of storage rows that comprise three longitudinal supports, from which or onto which storage rows the board stacks (1) are transferred. The invention is implemented in such a way that the storage system is provided with battery packs (12), by means of the energy stored in which battery packs the longitudinal movement and also lifting movement of a satellite wagon pair (10) is achieved.