Circular Product Reservoir Layout for Flexible Feed and Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product reservoirs in industrial processes have complex structures that require stringent FIFO or LIFO programs, leading to inefficiencies in accessibility and flexibility in product input and output procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic, mobile reservoir with movable support and transfer devices that cyclically move articles based on real-time capacity imbalances, using detecting means and a control unit to optimize article distribution and transfer operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tower solutions with multi-level storage are used, then product storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and transfer device requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into multiple independent receiving seats arranged in a circle, each capable of independently receiving and storing products. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high storage capacity while simplifying the transfer mechanism, as each seat can be accessed independently without requiring complex multi-level tower structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from vertical multi-level storage (tower solutions) to a horizontal circular arrangement of receiving seats. This dimensional change eliminates the need for vertical transfer devices while maintaining high storage capacity, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If moving belt reservoirs with helical paths are used, then product storage volume is improved, but device complexity and structure size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a continuous helical belt, the reservoir is segmented into discrete receiving seats arranged in a circle. This segmentation simplifies the structure while maintaining the ability to store large volumes of products, as each seat can be independently accessed and managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the three-dimensional helical path with a two-dimensional circular arrangement of receiving seats. This dimensional simplification reduces structural complexity while still providing sufficient storage volume through the circular configuration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If FIFO or LIFO programs are implemented, then product storage organization is improved, but accessibility and flexibility in input/output procedures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The circular arrangement of receiving seats allows any seat to be selected for input or output operations, independent of storage order. This segmentation enables flexible access to any product location, eliminating the rigidity of FIFO/LIFO programs while maintaining organized storage through the systematic circular arrangement.
4Ease of operation
If transfer devices constantly move in three dimensions are used, then product accessibility is improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from three-dimensional vertical movement to two-dimensional horizontal movement within a circular plane. This dimensional change reduces the energy required for transfer operations while maintaining high product accessibility, as all receiving seats are equidistant from the transfer device and can be accessed through rotational movement.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a reservoir including a feed station equipped with a feed transfer device and associated or associable with a respective feed line, a pickup station equipped with a pickup transfer device and associated or associable with at least one respective removal line, a movable support provided with receiving seats which move along a closed path passing through the feed station and the pickup station, detecting means for detecting a filled condition of at least some of the receiving seats, and a control unit configured to drive the transfer devices as a function of current capacity values of the feed line and of the removal line, wherein the control unit is connected to the detecting means and is configured to move the transfer devices as a function of the filled conditions received from the detecting means, so as to place the articles in receiving seats detected as being currently available and/or to pick up articles from receiving seats detected as currently containing an article.