Automated Heavy Material Storage System with Adjacent Classifier Shuttle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated systems for the storage and movement of heavy materials are expensive to install and commission, and they often require multiple handling devices to manage multiple rows of classifiers, leading to production stops when overhead equipment is engaged in other operations.
Innovation Solution
An automated system where multiple classifiers operate in conjunction to allow a single handling device to shift frames between them, enabling efficient storage and movement of heavy materials by using fixed and openable classifiers with shuttles that can move frames between adjacent classifiers, thereby increasing storage capacity without the need for multiple handling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple handling devices are installed to manage multiple rows of classifiers, then the material movement capacity is improved, but the installation cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single handling device is designed to perform multiple functions by serving several rows of classifiers sequentially. The device can move between different classifier rows and perform material handling operations on each, thereby replacing the need for multiple dedicated handling devices while maintaining comprehensive coverage of all classifier rows
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device incorporates movable components including a carriage that can travel along overhead tracks and a frame that can be positioned at different locations. This dynamic positioning capability allows one device to access and service multiple classifier rows, achieving the functionality of multiple static devices with a single mobile unit
2Quantity of substance
If overhead equipment is used to handle sheets, then the storage capacity is improved, but production stops occur when the overhead equipment is engaged in other operations
Solution Approach 1:
A shuttle mechanism acts as an intermediary between the overhead handling device and the classifiers. The shuttle can receive sheets from one classifier and deliver them to another, or to a temporary holding position, allowing the overhead device to continue its cycle without waiting for classifier operations to complete, thereby enabling continuous operation while maintaining high storage capacity
3Ease of manufacture
If a single handling device manages multiple rows of classifiers, then the installation cost is reduced, but the movement speed and efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is designed to operate continuously by minimizing idle travel time between classifier rows. The overhead carriage moves along tracks positioned to optimize the path between classifiers, and the frame positioning system is designed for rapid reconfiguration. This continuous operation mode maintains high material movement speed while using a single cost-effective device
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an automated system (1) for the storage and movement of heavy material (2) provided with a first (10) and a second classifier (20) side by side to each other wherein each classifier (10, 20) comprises a respective group of frames (4) arranged in as many seats (4a, 4b) for the support of the heavy material (2). The first classifier (10) comprises a selector carriage (50) sliding below its own group of frames (4) and engageable with a single frame (4) selected from the group of frames of the first classifier (10) in order to shift it along an orthogonal direction (Z-Z) and transfer it from the seat (4a) of the first classifier (10) to the seat (4b) of the second classifier (20).