Circular Storage Conveyor Distributor for Compact Logistics Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distribution devices for overhead conveyors, such as storage gyroscopes and sorting islands, require extensive space, are inflexible, and inefficient in handling large volumes of goods due to the need for multiple sections and complex routing, limiting scalability and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A compact distribution device with a revolving design using straight lines, curves, and simple switches, allowing for efficient transfer between storage rotors without the need for ascending or descending sections, enabling flexible routing and high scalability by using a single revolving gyro with multiple storage gyros, and employing identification devices for efficient sorting and buffering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional storage gyroscope solutions are used with pre-storage and post-storage sections, then goods can be selectively accessed and discharged, but very wide buildings are required and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pre-storage section and post-storage section into a single shared post-storage section that serves multiple storage rotors. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate pre-storage and post-storage sections for each rotor, significantly reducing the overall space requirements while maintaining the functionality of selective goods access and discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The post-storage section is designed to serve multiple storage rotors simultaneously, making it a universal component that handles goods from different rotors. This multi-functional approach allows a single post-storage section to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate sections, thereby reducing building width and space requirements.
2Productivity
If storage rotors are made very large to accommodate sufficient conveyed goods, then the capacity to handle large picking orders is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the storage system into multiple smaller storage rotors that share a common post-storage section. Instead of requiring one or two very large storage rotors, the system uses several smaller rotors (e.g., three rotors with 10 positions each) that collectively provide the necessary capacity. This segmentation reduces the complexity and size of individual rotors while maintaining overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple storage rotors are combined to share a single post-storage section, allowing the system to handle large picking orders by aggregating capacity across multiple smaller rotors. This approach avoids the complexity of designing and operating one or two extremely large rotors while achieving the same or better productivity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate pre-storage and post-storage sections are provided for each storage rotor, then goods can be efficiently routed, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple separate pre-storage and post-storage sections into a single shared post-storage section that serves all storage rotors. This consolidation reduces the total number of components and sections in the system while maintaining efficient goods routing through the shared section, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared post-storage section is designed to universally handle goods from multiple storage rotors, performing the functions that would traditionally require separate dedicated sections for each rotor. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system architecture by reducing the number of components while preserving routing efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a distributor device (16) comprising a conveyor device which has only straight lines (30), curves and switching points (34) as conveyor elements, said distributor device (16) having: at least two circular storage conveyors (66) each having a delivery line (74) with an upstream end (78) and a downstream end (80), a return line (76) with an upstream end (78) and a downstream end (80), and two groups of switching points (82-1, 82-2), each points group (82) connecting one of the ends (78, 80) of the delivery line (74) to an adjacently arranged end (80, 78) of the return line (76) such that a conveyed article can be transported, in a circulating manner and a fixed direction, in the corresponding circular storage conveyor (66), and one of said two points groups (82-1) being located upstream in each case and the other points group (82-2) being located downstream, and said distributor device also having a supply line (62), a removal line (64), at least one pre-accumulation line (68) which couples the supply line (62) to the at least two circular storage conveyors (66) by means of the corresponding upstream points groups (82-1), and at least one post-accumulation line (70) which couples the removal line (64) to the at least two circular storage conveyors (66) by means of the corresponding downstream points groups (82-2).