Grid Rail Temporary Storage System for Rapid Article Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional temporary storage systems face challenges in efficiently storing multiple articles near loading ports due to the need for extended rail lengths, which increases the distance between buffers and loading ports, making it difficult to quickly convey articles to transfer ports.
Innovation Solution
A temporary storage system featuring a grid-patterned travel rail with multiple first and second rails, allowing vehicles to access stop positions above transfer ports and storage locations, enabling efficient transfer and storage of articles without obstructing vehicle travel, and incorporating a transfer part with an elevator for vertical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of buffers is increased, then the storage capacity is improved, but the distance of buffers from the loading port increases, making article conveyance slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear rail arrangement to a two-dimensional grid pattern with multiple rails extending in orthogonal directions. This dimensional change allows buffers to be positioned at multiple locations around the loading port, maintaining short distances while increasing storage capacity. The grid structure enables articles to be stored in buffers adjacent to the loading port without requiring long linear extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle is designed with multi-functional capabilities to operate across the entire grid rail system, accessing both loading ports and buffers from a single transportation network. This universal design allows the same vehicle structure to serve multiple functions: transporting articles between loading ports and buffers, moving articles between different buffers, and adapting to various buffer positions around the loading port without requiring specialized vehicles for different locations.
2Quantity of substance
If the second rail is extended to increase buffer capacity, then the number of buffers is improved, but the complexity of the rail system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system is segmented into multiple independent rails extending in orthogonal directions rather than requiring a single long extended rail. Each rail segment can be independently configured and positioned, allowing buffers to be distributed across the grid structure. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single rail while achieving the same buffer capacity through multiple shorter rails arranged in a two-dimensional pattern.
3Speed
If buffers are positioned closer to the loading port for faster conveyance, then the article conveyance speed is improved, but the storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to a two-dimensional grid arrangement with rails extending in multiple directions, the system can position multiple buffers in close proximity to the loading port without requiring them to be arranged linearly. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain short conveyance distances while accommodating a larger number of buffers, thereby preserving both fast access and high storage capacity simultaneously.
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 configuration allows for the rapid and efficient temporary storage and conveyance of many articles to transfer ports, improving the speed and flexibility of article transfer while maintaining unobstructed vehicle travel.
Implementation Method 1
an elevator configured to elevate and lower the holder
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A temporary storage system 100 includes: a travel rail 4 having first rails 9 and second rails 11, the first rails 9 and the second rails 11 being disposed in a grid pattern on a same plane and disposed so as to surround a transfer port for receiving an article 50 in a two-dimensional view; a vehicle 8 having a travel part 24 and a transfer part 26 including an elevator 45; and storages 22 each configured to store the article 50, in which the travel rail 4 is disposed such that the vehicle 8 is accessible to a stop position where the transfer part 26 is disposed immediately above the transfer port from a side with the storage 22 for the transfer port and that the vehicle 8 is accessible to another stop position where the transfer part 26 is disposed immediately above the storage 22.