Container Lifting Shaft Assembly for Compact Low-Noise Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container-handling vehicles in automated storage and retrieval systems require complex lifting devices with multiple secondary shafts and sheaves, which are service-intensive, noisy, and occupy significant space, necessitating frequent manual adjustments and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A container-handling vehicle with a simplified lifting device featuring a lifting shaft assembly and dual band reels, where lifting bands are electrically insulated and connected to a common shaft, allowing for compact design, reduced noise, and easy maintenance without internal access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If complex lifting devices with multiple secondary shafts and sheaves are used, then lifting functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex secondary shafts and sheaves from the lifting device, retaining only the essential lifting shaft. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces device complexity while improving maintainability, as the lifting mechanism now consists of simpler, more accessible parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting shaft is divided into multiple end sections with lifting bands connected at different positions. This segmentation allows for modular design where individual sections can be independently maintained or replaced, reducing overall maintenance difficulty while achieving the required lifting functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple secondary shafts and sheaves are included in the lifting device, then lifting capability is sufficient, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate shafts and sheaves into a single integrated lifting shaft structure. By combining these components, the overall volume and space occupation are reduced while the lifting capability is maintained through the strategic positioning of lifting bands at multiple end sections of the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting bands are arranged to connect at different end sections of the lifting shaft, utilizing the vertical dimension along the shaft length. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple lifting points to be achieved without requiring additional horizontal space for separate shafts and sheaves.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If complex lifting devices are used, then lifting function is achieved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the noise-generating secondary shafts and sheaves from the system, retaining only the essential lifting shaft. This extraction eliminates the mechanical interactions between multiple rotating components that generate noise, thereby reducing the overall noise level while maintaining lifting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple rotating shafts and sheaves that generate noise through mechanical interaction, the patent inverts the approach by using a single lifting shaft with lifting bands connected at multiple points. This inverted configuration reduces mechanical complexity and noise generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A container-handling vehicle includes a vehicle body and a lifting device for lifting a storage container from a grid. The lifting device includes a lifting band drive assembly connected to the vehicle body, a horizontal lifting frame for releasable connection to a storage container, and four lifting bands connecting the lifting band drive assembly to the lifting frame. The lifting band drive assembly includes a lifting shaft assembly having a lifting shaft and at least one motor for rotating the lifting shaft. The lifting shaft includes a first end section and a second end section. Two of the lifting bands are connected at each of the first and second end sections. The lifting shaft assembly includes at least one electrical insulating element arranged such that the lifting bands connected at the first end section is electrically insulated from the lifting bands connected at the second end section.