Displaceable Cover Gap Bridging Storage Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for piece goods require different movement sequences for shelves with and without thermal insulation covers, leading to increased complexity, error-proneness, and time consumption during storage and retrieval processes.
Innovation Solution
A vertically displaceable cover with a sliding surface that can be aligned horizontally or adjusted in inclination, coupled to a drive mechanism, allowing it to bridge the gap between the storage surface and the operating device's support table, enabling seamless access and loading/unloading without additional horizontal movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a thick thermal insulation cover is used for storage areas, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but the gap between storage surfaces and operating device increases requiring additional horizontal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is made displaceable in the vertical dimension, allowing it to move between covering and non-covering positions. This vertical displacement enables the cover to clear the path between storage areas and operating device, eliminating the need for additional horizontal movement while maintaining thermal insulation when in the covering position
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static structure to a dynamic, displaceable component that can change its position vertically. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between insulation mode (cover in place) and access mode (cover displaced), resolving the contradiction between maintaining insulation and enabling operation
2Ease of operation
If the cover is made displaceable vertically, then access to storage areas is improved, but the cover may obstruct the path of goods during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is displaced vertically to a non-obstructing position before the goods transfer operation commences. This preliminary action ensures the transfer path is clear before items are moved between storage areas and the operating device, preventing obstruction while maintaining the benefit of vertical displacement for access
3Reliability
If different movement sequences are used for shelves with and without covers, then proper access control is achieved, but system complexity and error-proneness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertically displaceable cover mechanism provides a universal solution that works for all storage areas regardless of whether they require insulation. The cover can be displaced to enable access when needed, and return to covering position when not needed, allowing a single unified movement sequence to handle all cases rather than requiring different sequences for different shelf types
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The storage device (1) has multiple stacked shelves with horizontal storage areas. A control device is moved in vertical and horizontal directions at the front side of the shelf. A support table is provided for receiving a unit load. A vertically movable cover, or a segment (5a-5i) of the cover has an upper edge with a sliding surface. An independent claim is also included for a method for storage and retrieval of piece goods from a storage device.