Mobile Cabinet Motorization Kit With Obstacle Stop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems with mobile cabinets face challenges in manual displacement, especially for large cabinets, due to the need for manual rotation of handwheels and issues with rail inclination causing gravity displacement, which requires emptying and releveling, and prior motorization solutions are complicated by grounding and electrical connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A motorization kit for storage systems with mobile cabinets, featuring a box-like body housing an electric motor, driven pinion, mechanical drive means, electronic control, and safety sensors, allowing wireless communication and easy installation by replacing the manual drive mechanism with a motorized system that adjusts speed and stops upon obstacles, ensuring safe and efficient movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual drive mechanism with handwheel is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to difficulty in moving large cabinets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical handwheel drive system with an electric motor-driven pinion system. The motorized pinion engages with the rack on the floor-mounted rail to automatically move the mobile cabinet, eliminating the need for manual rotation of handwheels and significantly improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized drive system enables the mobile cabinet to move itself automatically without requiring manual effort. The electric motor activates the pinion to engage with the rack, allowing the cabinet to self-propel along the rail, thereby improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity through automated self-service movement.
2Reliability
If safety devices like brakes are added, then reliability improves by preventing gravity displacement, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical brake systems with the inherent mechanical locking action of the motor itself. When the electric motor is not powered, its internal mechanism automatically locks, preventing gravity-induced displacement of the cabinet. This eliminates the need for separate brake devices, maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity.
3Productivity
If prior motorization solutions are implemented, then productivity improves by automating cabinet movement, but device complexity worsens due to grounding and electrical connectivity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the motorization system into a self-contained motorized pinion unit that integrates the electric motor, pinion gear, and mounting structure as a single modular assembly. This modular design simplifies installation and electrical connectivity by providing predetermined connection points, reducing the complexity of grounding and wiring while maintaining automated productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simplified electrical connection system that acts as an intermediary between the motorized pinion and the power supply. The motorized unit includes integrated connection terminals and mounting features that facilitate straightforward electrical hookup without requiring complex grounding arrangements or extensive modifications to existing systems, thereby improving productivity while minimizing device complexity.
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 motorization kit simplifies the movement of mobile cabinets, reduces manual effort, addresses rail inclination issues by providing automatic stopping and leveling, and eliminates the need for complex wiring, enabling cost-effective and easy integration into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (9) integrally held and supported in said box-like body (7)
Implementation Method 2
a driven pinion (5) rotatably and integrally connected to said shank or rotating input shaft (4)
Implementation Method 3
mechanical drive means (10) supported in said box-like body (7) for kinematically rotatably connecting the shaft of the electric motor (9) to its respective driven pinion (5)
Data Source
AI summary
A motorization kit for a storage system with mobile cabinets comprises a box-like body for fixing the motorization kit to a mobile cabinet, which houses: an electric motor, a driven pinion designed to be keyed to the drive shank of the mobile cabinet, mechanical drive for kinematically rotatably connecting the shaft of the electric motor and the driven pinion, electronic adjustment and control for managing the operation of the motor, an actuation mechanism for providing an enable signal to the electronic adjustment and control, for rotary actuation of the motor and a safety mechanism for stopping the motor in response to a signal emitted as an obstacle is found along the path of the mobile cabinet.