Flow-Through Storage With Inclined Roller Track
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In limited-spaced storage facilities with high inventory turnover, existing storage systems require physical handling and sorting to access older items, making inventory control time-consuming and inefficient, especially when replenishing stock.
Innovation Solution
A flow-through article storage device with an inclined support and rollers allows articles to move under gravity, using abutment elements and blocking elements to control the sequential movement of stacks, enabling older items to be accessed before new ones, reducing the need for physical handling and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If articles are stored in fixed bins requiring physical handling to access older items, then inventory accessibility is maintained, but time consumption and operational effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system enables self-service operation where articles automatically move to the accessible position through gravity flow. The inclined support surface causes articles to naturally roll forward as newer items are added, presenting older items for access without requiring manual intervention to retrieve them from the rear of storage bins.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed-bin storage to dynamic flow-through storage. Articles are not fixed in position but continuously move along the inclined support surface, allowing the storage system to adapt automatically as inventory is replenished and consumed, maintaining optimal accessibility without manual reorganization.
2Productivity
If physical handling and sorting is required to access older articles, then inventory control is possible, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the sorting and presentation function that previously required manual physical handling. By utilizing gravity flow through the inclined support, the system self-organizes articles in chronological order of storage, with older items naturally positioned for access at the front, eliminating the need for operators to manually sort through inventory.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system segments the inventory flow into discrete movable units that travel independently along the inclined support. This segmentation allows each article to move autonomously to its designated access position, enabling efficient inventory control without requiring operators to handle and reposition multiple items simultaneously.
3Productivity
If articles are replenished by removing and restoring them in bins, then inventory rotation is achieved, but time and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of articles during the replenishment process itself. As new articles are added to the inclined support, they automatically roll forward and position themselves in the correct sequence without requiring subsequent manual adjustment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming removal and restoration operations that were necessary in fixed-bin systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gravity flow system performs the inventory rotation function automatically. When articles are replenished, the inclined support causes them to naturally move forward and displace older articles into the access position, achieving inventory rotation without requiring operators to manually remove and restore items to achieve proper sequencing.
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
This solution streamlines inventory management by allowing articles to be presented for access and removal efficiently, reducing time and effort in replenishing stock, and maintaining accessibility and control without the need for frequent physical handling.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined article support which slopes downward from the rear of the device to the front of the device... Stacks of articles placed into the housing on the inclined article support will tend to move under the influence of gravity toward the front of the housing
Implementation Method 2
One or more tracks of rollers are provided on the inclined article support. Stacks of articles placed into the housing on the inclined article support will tend to move under the influence of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A flow through article storage device that includes a housing into which a plurality of stacks of articles can be positioned. The housing has a bottom and a front and rear end. A plurality of elongate abutment elements are coupled to the housing and configured for independent movement between a first position in which the elongate abutment elements extend at least partially into the interior of the housing and a second position in which the elongate abutment members do not extend into the interior of the housing. At least one track of rollers is provided on the bottom or an inclined support surface of the housing. Stacks of articles that are loaded into the rear end of the housing are subsequently removed from the front end. The elongate abutment elements can be selectively moved between the first and second positions to control movement of the stacks of articles along the inclined bottom.