Compactable warehouse
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Compactable warehouses face challenges such as slow module movement, high maintenance needs due to dirt accumulation on integrated rails, and high purchase and maintenance costs, making them unsuitable for high-traffic areas and requiring frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The design features modules with guides spaced from the ground, allowing smooth sliding and reducing dirt accumulation, along with adjustable carts and locking mechanisms for easy assembly and maintenance, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rails are integrated into the floor, then the structure is stable, but dirt accumulates on the rails hindering cart movement and requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rails from the floor integration and relocates them to be mounted on vertical supports or walls. This separation allows the rails to be easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining their function of guiding cart movement. The rails are no longer embedded in the floor where dirt accumulates, but positioned where they can be periodically cleaned without disrupting the floor surface.
2Ease of repair
If rails are placed on the ground, then maintenance is easier, but they constitute an obstacle to the passage of operators or vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the rail placement from a horizontal ground-level position to a vertical or elevated position on supports. By moving the rails into a different spatial dimension (vertical rather than horizontal), the system maintains rail accessibility for maintenance while eliminating the obstacle effect on floor passage. Operators and vehicles can move freely across the floor area without encountering rails in their path.
3Ease of manufacture
If modules are moved manually, then purchase cost is reduced, but moving time increases and effort is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electric motor system to replace manual mechanical pushing/pulling of modules. The motorized cart automatically transports modules along the rails, dramatically reducing movement time and physical effort. This mechanical-to-electrical substitution maintains relatively low purchase costs while significantly improving productivity and movement speed.
4Productivity
If modules are moved quickly, then productivity increases, but the complexity of the driving system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor driving system from each individual module and consolidates it into a centralized control system. The motorized carts operate independently with simple control mechanisms, while the overall system coordination is managed centrally. This extraction reduces the complexity within each module while maintaining high movement speeds and productivity.
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 solution enables faster and more efficient module movement, reduced maintenance needs, and lower operational costs, making the compactable warehouse suitable for high-traffic areas with improved stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The cart comprises at least one rolling element enabling the cart to slide with respect to the guide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
It is provided a compactable warehouse (1), comprising a module (3) movable with respect to a walkable plane (1a) and defining a storage surface (3a) for the goods; two guides (21, 22) defining a sliding axis (1b) of the module (3), each guide (21, 22) defines a supporting surface (21a, 22a) for the support of the module (3) and a sliding surface (21b, 22b) for sliding the module (3); and wherein the module (3) comprises two carts (33, 34) each of which is capable of coming into contact with the bearing surface (21a, 22a) and the sliding surface (21b, 22b).