Board Stack Storage with Independent Satellite Wagon Power Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems for large stacks of boards in factories are limited by the need for the main wagon to remain stationary during the work phase of satellite wagons, reducing overall efficiency and requiring time-consuming installation and connection procedures for satellite wagon replacement or servicing.

Innovation Solution

The storage system features separate energy supply systems for the main wagon and satellite wagon pairs, allowing independent operation and simultaneous tasks, with energy transfer via cable reels or busbars, enabling the main wagon to perform other tasks while satellite wagons operate independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the main wagon remains stationary during the work phase of satellite wagons to enable cable connection, then the satellite wagons can perform their lifting and transporting tasks, but the main wagon cannot perform other work phases and overall system productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The energy supply system is segmented into separate independent systems for the main wagon and satellite wagons. The main wagon has its own cable reel for energy supply, while satellite wagons can draw energy from either the main wagon when connected or from cable reels positioned at storage rows when operating independently. This segmentation allows the main wagon to move freely without being constrained by satellite wagon operations, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If satellite wagons are connected to the main wagon via cable for energy supply, then energy can be transferred, but replacement and servicing of satellite wagons require time-consuming installation and connection procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy transferVSAvoidsatellite wagon replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Satellite wagons are equipped with their own cable reels and energy supply systems, enabling them to operate independently at storage rows without requiring connection to the main wagon. When a satellite wagon needs replacement or servicing, it can simply detach and be replaced by another satellite wagon without affecting the main wagon's operation or requiring complex reconnection procedures. The energy supply automatically switches between the main wagon and storage row cable reels based on the satellite wagon's position and operational state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the main wagon transports satellite wagon pairs to different longitudinal rows, then satellite wagons can access different storage areas, but the main wagon must wait for satellite wagon return and cannot perform other tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage area accessibilityVSAvoidmain wagon waiting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Cable reels are pre-installed at storage rows alongside the busbar energy supply infrastructure before satellite wagons arrive. When a satellite wagon completes its task at a storage row, it can immediately detach and return to the main wagon without requiring the main wagon to wait or reposition. The main wagon can simultaneously transport other satellite wagons to different longitudinal rows, as the energy supply infrastructure is already in place at all storage rows, enabling parallel operations and eliminating waiting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4157753B1A storage system for use in factories fabricating boards, especially OSB, MDF or particle boards
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 DIEFFENBACHER PANELBOARD OY
  • EP4157753B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4157753B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4157753B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A storage system for storing board stacks (1, for use in factories fabricating boards, especially OSB, MDF or particle boards, the storage system comprising at least one main wagon (2) moving in a crosswise direction and at least one pair of satellite wagons travelling in a longitudinal direction, the satellite wagons (10) of which satellite wagon pair are arranged to move side by side and to carry the board stacks from below, and of storage rows (8) that comprise three longitudinal supports, from which storage rows or onto which storage rows the board stacks (1) are transferred. The invention is implemented in such a way that the main wagon (2) and satellite wagon pair (10) have energy supply systems separated from each other for moving the aforementioned main wagon (2) and aforementioned satellite wagon pair (10) and for performing a lifting movement of the satellite wagon pair (10).