Elastic Control Flag for Gravity Flow Rack Collision Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gravity-operated flow racks, the high dynamic pressure on the first load carrier at the removal side often leads to damage or obstruction issues, making it difficult to remove the front load carrier without causing damage to it or the stored goods.
Innovation Solution
A separating device with a pivotable control flag that extends perpendicularly to the conveying plane, allowing it to pivot away from the load carrier, combined with a snap-lock closure and loose mechanical coupling, ensures the control flag remains in a locked position even after the load carrier has passed, preventing subsequent load carriers from colliding and allowing for safe removal and mixed operation with different load carrier lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional control vane is used that is pressed down by passing load carriers, then the separating stop device can be actuated, but the control vane cannot remain in the actuated position after the load carrier has passed, causing subsequent load carriers to collide
Solution Approach 1:
The control vane is changed from a vertical orientation (pressed down by load carriers) to a horizontal orientation (pivoted aside by load carriers). This dimensional change allows the control vane to remain in the actuated position after the load carrier has passed, maintaining the separated state and preventing collision damage to subsequent load carriers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the control flag is positioned to hold subsequent load carriers, then collision is prevented, but the control flag may interfere with load carrier removal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control vane is designed to be dynamically positioned - held in the actuated position during normal operation to prevent collision, but easily movable to a retracted position when removal operations are needed. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt between prevention mode and operation mode, ensuring both collision prevention and ease of removal.
3Reliability
If a rigid mechanical coupling is used between control vane and stop device, then reliable actuation is achieved, but damage occurs when load carriers are improperly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical coupling is changed from rigid to elastic, allowing it to deform under excessive force. This parameter change in stiffness enables the coupling to absorb shock and prevent damage when load carriers are improperly positioned, while still maintaining reliable actuation under normal operating conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the flow rack operates with mixed length load carriers, then versatility is improved, but the separating device must accommodate varying positions of load carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal control vane design creates a universal separating mechanism that works effectively with load carriers of varying lengths. By positioning the control vane horizontally and extending it appropriately, the system achieves multi-functionality, accommodating different load carrier types without requiring complex adjustments or additional components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The shelf has a separating device for separating loading equipments, and a control lug (22) made of elastic deformable plastic and pivotable from a position to another position. A separation stopper device is arranged in front of the lug, and has a stopper element (26). The stopper device is mechanically coupled with the lug so that the element is arranged in a locked stop condition when the lug is arranged in the latter position and arranged in a releasing condition when the lug is arranged in the former position, where a pivoting axis (24) of the lug runs perpendicular to a conveying plane.