Glass Slab Storage System with Rotating Shuttle and Anti-Friction Brushes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass slab storage systems require significant space due to the need for precise spacing and arrangement of slabs of different sizes for quality processes like tempering, making it difficult to efficiently store and manage a variety of glass slabs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a warehouse with vertically superimposed support frames and a shuttle for transferring glass slabs, featuring rotatable and motorized components to align and handle slabs of varying sizes, including anti-friction brushes and conveyor belts for safe movement, and an electronic management unit for coordinated control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass slabs are stored with precise spacing and arrangement for quality processes like tempering, then the quality of the process is improved, but the space required for storage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a three-dimensional storage system with multiple levels (first and second support frames at different heights) to store glass slabs. By utilizing vertical space instead of only horizontal arrangement, the system accommodates multiple slabs in a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between maintaining quality spacing and reducing storage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nested storage configurations where slabs are arranged in overlapping or stacked positions within the same horizontal footprint. The first and second support frames create nested layers that allow multiple slabs to occupy the same ground area while maintaining appropriate spacing for quality processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of glass slabs with diverse sizes are stored, then the versatility of the storage system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into modular components including first and second support frames, each with independent slab handling units. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate various slab sizes by activating only the necessary segments, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frames and slab handling units are designed with universal functionality to handle glass slabs of different sizes and orientations. The same structural components can store slabs in vertical, inclined, or horizontal positions, eliminating the need for specialized equipment for each slab type and reducing system complexity.
3Productivity
If glass slabs are moved through passage areas between processes, then the productivity of the production line is improved, but the space required for passage areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates vertical passage routes between the first and second support frames, allowing slabs to be transferred between levels without requiring large horizontal passage areas. This vertical movement capability maintains production flow efficiency while minimizing the footprint of passage spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate transfer mechanisms including shuttles and conveying devices that act as mediators between storage positions and process stations. These intermediaries enable efficient slab movement through compact vertical pathways, improving productivity without expanding horizontal passage areas.
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
Enables efficient storage and selection of a large number of glass slabs with diverse sizes, optimizing space usage and ensuring safe handling to prevent damage during processing.
Implementation Method 1
The conveyor belts are configured to receive a glass slab from a first position corresponding to a first support frame and move the glass slab to a second position corresponding to a second support frame
Implementation Method 2
The frames comprise vertical/inclined and horizontal profiles connected together to form a rigid structure, so as to be able to receive and support at least one glass slab; the first frames 120 further comprise anti-friction brushes 160 fixed on the profiles and configured to support and guide the glass slabs during the translation
Implementation Method 3
The lifting device comprises a first arm 315 rotatably connected to the support structure 250, for arranging the second frame 310 from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, and a second arm 316 rotatably connected to the first arm to lift the second frame 310
Implementation Method 4
a second frame 310 connected in a rotatable way to the support structure 250 to position itself between a substantially horizontal and a substantially vertical/inclined position so as to align the second frame 310 with any of the first frames 120
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (1) for storing and handling glass slabs is described, comprising a warehouse (100) for the storage of glass slabs and a shuttle (300) for receiving and transferring the glass slabs from and to towards said warehouse (100), in which the frames (120, 310) of the warehouse (100) comprise vertical and horizontal profiles connected together to form a rigid structure, so as to be able to receive and support at least one glass slab, said first frames (120) further comprising anti-friction brushes (160) fixed on the profiles and configured to support and guide the glass slabs during their translation inside said support frame (110, 111).