Buffer Wall Conveyor Shelves With Gantry-Powered Item Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material handling systems require significant space, cost, and time for receiving, sorting, and storing items, necessitating the need for automated systems that enhance efficiency and reduce these factors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of automated buffer wall systems with gantry and buffer conveyors, utilizing passive and active conveyor units, modular buffer conveyors, and power transmission mechanisms to facilitate efficient item transfer and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual receiving, sorting, and storing processes are used, then system complexity is low, but space requirements, cost, and time consumption are high
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer wall system is divided into multiple independent buffer conveyors that can be individually controlled and positioned. Each buffer conveyor operates as a separate module within the larger system, allowing for efficient item routing while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary buffer conveyors between the input and output conveyors to enable efficient item sorting and routing. These buffer conveyors act as mediators that temporarily hold items while the main conveyors continue operating, significantly improving throughput and reducing the time required for receiving, sorting, and storing operations.
2Productivity
If automated buffer wall systems with multiple conveyor shelves are implemented, then receiving, sorting, and storing efficiency is improved, but space requirements are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional conveyor arrangements to a three-dimensional buffer wall structure with multiple shelves and levels. By utilizing vertical space and creating stacked conveyor configurations, the system achieves high item throughput and efficient sorting while occupying less horizontal facility space compared to conventional linear conveyor systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If modular buffer conveyors are used, then ease of installation and maintenance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer conveyor system is segmented into standardized modular units that can be independently manufactured, installed, and maintained. Each module contains self-contained components including drive mechanisms, conveyor belts, and control elements, allowing for simplified installation procedures and easier maintenance while managing overall system complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular buffer conveyor units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized configurations that allow them to function in multiple positions and roles within the buffer wall system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized components and simplifies both installation and maintenance operations across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
Buffer wall systems and methods may comprise a plurality of shelves with associated buffer conveyors, and a gantry system with one or more powered conveyors. The gantry system may align the powered conveyors with individual buffer conveyors for item storage or retrieval. In addition, power transmission mechanisms of the powered conveyors may be actuated to engage and provide power to the buffer conveyors in order to cause transfer of items therebetween.