Guided Shelf-Frame Lifting in Racking Bay Towers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in construction environments is safely lifting loads to heights in confined spaces, such as racking bay towers, where space constraints increase the risk of damage to adjacent structures and pose safety hazards, particularly when using cranes, which are inherently dangerous and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for constructing racking bay towers using preassembled shelf-frames that are lifted and positioned using a guided movement system with guide cables and lifting supports, maintaining a predetermined angular orientation to ensure controlled and predictable movement, reducing the need for manual handling and adjusting the lifting device, and allowing for efficient installation in high and confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a crane is used to lift loads to heights above 10 metres in confined environments, then the construction of high racking bay towers is enabled, but the risk of injury or death to persons and the risk of damage to adjacent structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The construction process is segmented into controlled phases: ground preparation with guide cables installed between upright members, followed by systematic lifting of shelf-frames using a crane with controlled swing parameters. This segmentation allows high tower construction while managing risks through structured procedural controls at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide cables serve as intermediary elements installed between upright members before lifting operations. These cables provide reference lines for controlling load swing and positioning, enabling safe operation in confined spaces by mediating between the crane operator and the load being lifted.
2Ease of operation
If manual handling and adjusting of lifting devices is used for installing shelf-frames, then flexibility in positioning is achieved, but construction time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Guide cables are installed between upright members before the lifting operation begins. This preliminary action establishes reference lines that enable controlled positioning during the actual lifting, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments after the load is in position.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide cables provide visual feedback references for the crane operator to control load swing and positioning. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning without requiring extensive manual handling or adjusting of the lifting device, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving accurate placement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a racking bay tower construction method, the racking bay including upright members with shelf-frames installed therebetween, the construction method including use of a method of moving an item, the item being a preassembled shelf-frame, between adjacent upright members of a racking bay tower, the shelf-frame moving method including: mounting a first preassembled shelf-frame onto a jig table such that the shelf-frame is in an angular orientation; and lifting the first shelf-frame from the jig table, the jig table being positioned between lower ends of adjacent upright members, to an installation position between upper ends of the adjacent upright members, while maintaining the angular position of the first shelf-frame, and then installing the first shelf-frame in a desired orientation in its installation position; and then mounting a second preassembled shelf-frame onto a jig table such that the second shelf-frame is in an angular orientation; and lifting the second shelf-frame from the jig table, the jig table being positioned between lower ends of adjacent upright members, to an installation position between upper ends of the adjacent upright members but below the installation position of the first shelf-frame, while maintaining the angular position of the first shelf-frame, and then installing the second shelf-frame in a desired orientation in its installation position; wherein the mounting, and the lifting and installing, of subsequent shelf-frames is repeated until the racking bay tower is constructed. The present invention also relates to a jig table when used in the racking bay tower construction method, the jig table including a frame configured to hold a pre-assembled shelf-frame in an angled position. The present invention further relates to a preassembled shelf-frame when used in the racking bay tower construction method, the shelf-frame including at least two longitudinal members and at least two cross members connected together to form an assembled unit. Further still, the present invention relates to racking bay tower constructed by the construction method, the tower including upright members connected by shelf-frames.