Dispensing Flap Alignment for Automated Storage Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic warehouses face challenges in ensuring reliable dispensing of objects through a dispensing opening while maintaining operator safety, as high-speed manipulators require the opening to be closed to prevent injuries, and there is a risk of objects getting stuck.
Innovation Solution
A closure flap is aligned with the manipulator's end position to facilitate object transfer and ensure reliable dispensing, with a lockable design that prevents accidental opening and includes a spring-loaded hinge for automatic closure, allowing for safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the dispensing opening is closed to ensure operator safety during high-speed manipulator operation, then operator safety is improved, but reliable dispensing of objects may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closing flap is designed to be dynamically positioned based on manipulator location. When the manipulator approaches the dispensing opening, the flap automatically opens to allow object transfer. When the manipulator moves away, the flap automatically closes to ensure safety. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by having the system adapt its state based on real-time operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from manipulator position sensors to control the closing flap's state. The control unit receives signals from sensors that detect manipulator location and accordingly actuates the closing flap to the appropriate position. This feedback mechanism ensures that the flap is open only when needed for dispensing and closed when the manipulator is away, maintaining both safety and reliability.
2Reliability
If the closing flap is positioned to align with the manipulator's end position for smooth object transfer, then dispensing reliability is improved, but the complexity of the closure mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing flap serves multiple functions: it acts as a safety barrier when closed, serves as a guide surface for object transfer when open, and its positioning is controlled by the same mechanism that controls manipulator movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing flap is designed to automatically open and close based on manipulator position without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems. The spring-loaded mechanism and sensor-based automation allow the flap to self-regulate its position, reducing the complexity of external control mechanisms while ensuring reliable operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the closing flap is made lockable to prevent accidental opening, then operator safety is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance and cleaning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically opens the closing flap in advance when the manipulator approaches the dispensing opening, so that the flap is already in the open position before the manipulator arrives. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual operation during critical operations and allows maintenance personnel to easily access the area by simply actuating the unlock mechanism, as the flap is designed to open automatically during normal operation anyway.
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 ensures reliable dispensing of objects while maintaining a high level of operator safety by preventing unauthorized access and ensuring objects can be transferred and removed without getting stuck, enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of the automatic warehouse.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded hinge for automatic closure
Data Source
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AI summary
Automated storage system (1) for storing items, comprising a storage area with multiple storage locations for the items, wherein the storage locations can be operated by a manipulator (7) for storing and removing the items or for removing the items by a manipulator (7), wherein the storage area is at least partially enclosed by housing walls (3), wherein preferably an access door (5) is arranged in at least one of the housing walls (3), wherein a dispensing opening (13) is arranged in one of the housing walls (3) or in the access door (5), wherein the dispensing opening (13) has a closing flap (17) which closes the dispensing opening (13) in a closed position and is aligned with an upper edge (17b) to an end position of the manipulator (7) in an open position.