Flow Rack Separating Device Trigger Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In flow racks operated by gravity, high dynamic pressure prevents the front load carrier from being removed without causing damage to load carriers and stored goods, as existing separating devices often result in improper operation and force transmission issues.
Innovation Solution
A separating device with a control flag and a stop element, mechanically coupled via a trigger and bolt, allowing for a locked and released state without direct force transmission, minimizing damage risk and facilitating easy switching between states with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct mechanical coupling (actuating rod) is used between the control flag and separating stop device, then the stop device can be reliably actuated, but force transmission paths are created that can cause damage to the separating device during improper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trigger as an intermediary element between the control flag and the separating stop device. The trigger is loosely mechanically coupled to the control flag, allowing it to be actuated by the control flag's movement, but the trigger itself mediates the force transmission to the stop element, preventing direct force paths that could cause damage during improper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating stop device is segmented into distinct functional components: the control flag, the trigger, and the stop element. This segmentation allows the control flag to actuate the trigger independently, while the trigger separately controls the stop element, breaking the direct force transmission path and isolating the control mechanism from the stopping action.
2Ease of operation
If the stop element is directly coupled to the control flag, then the separating device can be actuated with minimal effort, but a force path is formed that transmits high forces from load carriers to the control flag during improper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger serves as a mediator that receives minimal actuating force from the control flag while separately controlling the stop element. This allows the control flag to be easily moved without directly transmitting high forces to the stop mechanism, as the trigger amplifies and redirects the force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger is designed to be dynamically responsive to the control flag's position, changing its mechanical configuration based on whether the control flag is in the first or second position. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between different force transmission states, minimizing effort during normal operation while protecting against force overload.
3Reliability
If the control flag is held in the second position by a load carrier, then the stop element remains in the locked stop state, but the load carrier must maintain continuous force to prevent release
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger is designed with a latching mechanism that, once actuated by the control flag's movement to the second position, automatically maintains the stop element in the locked position. This preliminary action of moving the control flag creates a self-sustaining locked state that does not require continuous force application by the load carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating stop device becomes self-sustaining in the locked state through the trigger mechanism. Once the control flag actuates the trigger to engage the stop element, the system maintains itself in this state without requiring continuous external force, and automatically releases when the control flag returns to the first position.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a separating device for a flow rack for separating load carriers (34, 60) conveyed from a feed side (16) to a discharge side (18) with a control flag (22) which can be pivoted from a first position to a second position by a load carrier moving in the conveying direction (19), and with a singulation stop device (36) arranged upstream in the conveying direction in front of the control flag with a stop element (26).