Double-Storey Shuttle for Glass Pane Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for storing and sorting plate-shaped elements, such as cut glass panels, face challenges in achieving high throughput with low space requirements and efficient sorting, often requiring numerous shuttle movements.
Innovation Solution
A double-storey shuttle system with vertically arranged compartments and transport rollers, allowing for the stacking and efficient movement of glass panels between storage and processing lines, along with a memory device design that optimizes storage and sorting by utilizing double-storey shuttles and storage devices to minimize shuttle movements and maximize storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional single-storey shuttles are used for storing and sorting glass panels, then the system structure is simple, but the throughput is low and space requirements are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-storey horizontal storage system to a double-storey vertical storage system. Glass panels are stored vertically in two levels within the same shuttle footprint, effectively utilizing the third dimension (height) to double the storage capacity without increasing the horizontal space occupied by the shuttle.
Solution Approach 2:
The double-storey shuttle design nests one level of glass panel storage within another level in the vertical direction. The upper storey is positioned above the lower storey, allowing both levels to occupy the same horizontal envelope while maximizing space utilization.
2Productivity
If more shuttles are used to increase throughput, then the productivity increases, but the space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing double-storey shuttles, the system doubles the storage capacity of each individual shuttle without requiring additional horizontal space. This vertical expansion allows the same floor area to accommodate equivalent throughput capacity with half the number of shuttles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two levels of glass panel storage into a single integrated shuttle unit. The double-storey design merges the functionality of what would traditionally require two separate shuttles into one unified structure, reducing the total number of shuttles needed in the system.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional storage devices are used, then the system is simple to operate, but the filling quantity is low and cycle times are long
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device incorporates double-storey storage with vertical compartments arranged in two levels. This vertical arrangement doubles the number of glass panels that can be stored and accessed simultaneously within the same horizontal footprint, increasing filling quantity while reducing the number of trips required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sorting and staging of glass panels in the double-storey memory device before final delivery. By pre-organizing panels in vertical compartments during idle periods, the system reduces waiting time and accelerates the overall cycle time when panels are needed for processing.
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 significantly increases throughput and filling efficiency while reducing space requirements and cycle times, enabling effective sorting and storage of both small and large glass panels by allowing for double-storey loading and unloading, thus optimizing the use of storage and processing resources.
Implementation Method 1
transport rollers (19a; b, 26a, 26c, 33a; b, 40)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a shuttle (6; 7), which has at least two decks, for moving panel-type elements, preferably glass panes (14), as well as to a storage device (1) for storing panel-type elements, preferably glass panes (14), comprising at least one shuttle (6; 7) of said type.