Dual Frame Tile Loading System Eliminates Transfer Dead Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing tile loading/unloading system in the building sector is limited by low productivity, with only about 2.5-3 cycles per minute, due to waiting times during the transfer of tiles from the transfer unit to the storage shelves, which negatively impacts the overall efficiency of filling or emptying storage shelves.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a second movable frame and transfer unit that operates independently of the first, allowing simultaneous positioning at the infeed station and storage shelves, reducing waiting times and enabling continuous operation without dead cycles, thus increasing the number of tile transfer operations per minute.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single movable frame and transfer unit are used to load/unload tiles from storage shelves, then the system structure is simple, but the productivity is limited to about 2.5-3 cycles per minute due to waiting times during transfer operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent movable frames (first movable frame 11 and second movable frame 21), each with its own transfer unit (first transfer unit 12 and second transfer unit 22). This segmentation allows both frames to operate simultaneously and independently, eliminating the sequential waiting times present in single-frame systems. The first movable frame can be positioned at storage shelves while the second movable frame is at the infeed station, enabling continuous tile transfer operations and increasing productivity to over 3 cycles per minute.
2Ease of operation
If the movable frame is repositioned between infeed station and storage shelves for each transfer operation, then the system can handle different positions, but waiting times occur during repositioning and transfer operations
Solution Approach 1:
The dual movable frame system enables continuous useful action by allowing one frame to be positioned at storage shelves while the other is at the infeed station. The first movable frame 11 can transfer tiles to the first storage shelf while the second movable frame 21 simultaneously receives tiles at the infeed station. This parallel operation eliminates dead cycles and waiting times, maintaining continuous productive activity throughout the tile transfer process.
3Duration of action of moving object
If only one transfer unit is used to move tiles from infeed station to storage shelves, then the device complexity is low, but the overall time to complete loading/unloading cycles is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two movable frames (first movable frame 11 and second movable frame 21) with their respective transfer units into a coordinated dual-system. The first movable frame 11 with first transfer unit 12 handles transfers to first storage shelves, while the second movable frame 21 with second transfer unit 22 handles transfers to second storage shelves. This merging of two independent transfer systems allows simultaneous operations, reducing the overall cycle time from the sequential processing of a single transfer unit to parallel processing of multiple units.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The loading/unloading system (100) of tiles comprises: a first bearing frame (10), arranged facing a storehouse (M); a first movable frame (11), mounted on the first bearing frame (10) so as to be translatable vertically with respect to the first bearing frame (10) and comprising a first transfer unit (12) for receiving tiles and activatable to transfer and move the tiles. The first movable frame (11) is translatable vertically so as to position the first transfer unit (12) in a series of raised positions at the various storage shelves (P) of the storehouse (M). The system (100) further comprises a second bearing frame (20), arranged between the first bearing frame (10) and a tile infeed station (A); a second movable frame (21), mounted on the second bearing frame (20) so as to be translatable vertically with respect to the second bearing frame (20) and comprising a second transfer unit (22) for receiving tiles and is activatable to transfer and move the tiles. The second movable frame (21) is translatable vertically with respect to the second bearing frame (20) so as to position the second transfer unit (22) in a lowered base position, at the infeed station (A), as well as in a series of raised positions at the raised positions in which the first transfer unit (12) of the first movable frame (11) is positioned.