Container Transfer Carriage With Gate Control for Jam-Free Rack Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical aeroponic and hydroponic grow systems face challenges in securely positioning and transferring containers within rack and tower structures, leading to potential jamming and misalignment issues that disrupt system operation.
Innovation Solution
A container transfer system with a movable gate and manipulator arms, featuring a latch actuation mechanism to control container positioning, actuatable stops, and a pivot mechanism for precise alignment, enabling secure transfer of containers between carriages and racks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are translated within the rack, then container transfer and system operation are enabled, but containers may become jammed or misaligned causing system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment of containers using manipulator arms before transfer operations. The manipulator arms position containers with precise control, ensuring proper alignment with rack receptacles before loading/unloading begins, thereby preventing misalignment issues during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transfer carriage as an intermediary device between the container source and the rack. This carriage includes manipulator arms that act as mediators to carefully position and align containers during transfer, preventing direct contact that could cause jamming or misalignment
2Manufacturing precision
If gates are positioned on the rack to control container movement, then container position control is improved, but the loading and unloading process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch actuation mechanism is designed to be actuated by the manipulator arms themselves during the container transfer process. The same manipulator arms that position containers also open/close gates and engage/disengage latches, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator arms serve multiple functions: they position containers, open/close gates, and engage/disengage latches. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining precise container positioning control
3Measurement precision
If manipulator arms are used to transfer containers, then container positioning control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the manipulator arm system: container grasping, positioning, gate actuation, and latch engagement. By merging these functions into a single integrated mechanism, the system achieves precise container alignment control without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A container transfer system is provided that positions containers in a rack that can include one or more movable and separated gates. The gates can control the movement of the container into and away from the rack. The container transfer system can have a container transfer carriage with one or more manipulator arms and a latch actuation mechanism that extends or retracts the one or more gates positioned in the rack. The container transfer system provides control of the container position during the loading and unloading process from the rack. The container transfer system can accurately position containers within racking systems as well as aeroponic and/or hydroponic grow systems and towers.