Foldable Side-Element Repository for Ceramic Data Carrier Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceramic data carriers are difficult to access within a stacked repository, making it challenging to retrieve information from specific carriers while maintaining efficient storage space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A repository with side-elements that have outwardly and inwardly oriented folds, allowing for compression and expansion, enabling easy access by transitioning between a compact storage state and an expanded working state, where data carriers are supported between opposing folds, facilitating manual or robotic retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If ceramic data carriers are simply stacked on top of each other, then storage space is minimized, but access to specific data carriers becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are designed as dynamic, foldable structures that can transition between a compressed state (for compact storage) and an expanded state (for easy access). This dynamic configuration allows the repository to adapt its internal volume and accessibility based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between compact storage and ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The repository is divided into modular components including a bottom element, top element, and multiple foldable side walls with inwardly and outwardly oriented folds. This segmentation allows independent movement of side walls to access specific data carriers while maintaining compact storage of others, enabling both space efficiency and operational ease.
2Ease of operation
If the repository is expanded to access data carriers, then accessibility improves, but storage space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable side walls enable the repository to dynamically adjust its height and internal volume. When access is needed, only the relevant side wall expands locally, maintaining compact dimensions for the rest of the structure. This localized dynamic expansion resolves the contradiction between accessibility and storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the repository into a rigid core (bottom and top elements) and flexible peripheral components (foldable side walls), the design allows selective expansion of only the necessary portions during access operations, preserving overall compactness while improving accessibility.
3Volume of moving object
If side-elements are made thinner to minimize repository height, then storage compactness improves, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls utilize thin, foldable structures with inwardly and outwardly oriented folds that provide structural strength through geometric configuration rather than material thickness. The fold pattern creates rigid sections that can support data carriers while maintaining thin overall profile, resolving the contradiction between compactness and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of thin side wall material with the foldable geometric structure creates a composite system where the structural integrity comes from the integrated design of material and form, allowing thin components to achieve the necessary strength for supporting ceramic data carriers.
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 repository allows for easy access to each ceramic data carrier while minimizing storage space, maintaining the compact height of the stack when not in use, and enabling repeated expansion and compression without deformation.
Implementation Method 1
each of the side-elements (5a, 5b, 5c) comprises outwardly oriented folds (6) and inwardly oriented folds (7) allowing for a compressed storage state and an expanded working state of the side-elements (5a, 5b, 5c)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a repository for ceramic data carriers.