Keg Shelving Assembly with Braking Platform
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The distribution of kegs is inefficient and hazardous due to their weight, size, and irregular shape, leading to strain injuries and time wastage in loading, storing, and unloading, especially with the increasing variety of keg sizes and types in the beer distribution industry.
Innovation Solution
A keg shelving assembly with vertically stacked shelves, a fixed frame vertical guidance assembly, a vertically sliding frame, and a platform with a brake assembly that allows for safe and controlled loading and unloading of kegs, enabling efficient storage, transportation, and distribution by accommodating varying keg sizes and weights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If kegs are manually lifted and carried during distribution, then delivery personnel can transport kegs to various locations, but this causes strain on the neck, back and shoulders resulting in injury and increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated keg handling system with robotic arms and conveyors as an intermediary between the kegs and delivery personnel. The robotic system performs lifting, carrying, and positioning of kegs, eliminating direct manual handling and thus preventing strain injuries while reducing time consumption through automated operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple kegs of varying sizes are stored in a delivery truck, then various delivery destinations can be served, but deliverymen must shuffle around many kegs to select the correct ones, wasting time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic keg storage and retrieval system where kegs are positioned on adjustable shelves or racks that can be automatically reconfigured. The system uses sensors and control algorithms to identify and retrieve specific kegs based on delivery requirements, eliminating the need for manual shuffling and significantly reducing retrieval time while maintaining versatility for various keg sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of shuffling kegs with an automated robotic retrieval system. Robotic arms with grippers or clamps automatically grasp and extract specific kegs from storage positions, substituting human physical effort with automated mechanical systems that operate faster and more efficiently.
3Volume of stationary object
If kegs are stacked vertically for space-efficient storage, then more kegs can be stored in limited space, but the irregular shape and weight of kegs make loading and unloading difficult and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the loading and unloading process into segmented automated operations: (1) robotic arms grasp individual kegs from vertical stacks, (2) conveyors transport kegs to/from storage positions, and (3) positioning systems place kegs in optimal configurations. This segmentation allows vertical stacking for space efficiency while eliminating manual handling difficulties through automated manipulation at each stage.
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 solution allows for safe and efficient loading and unloading of kegs, reducing the risk of injury and time wastage, while adapting to different keg sizes and facilitating organized storage and transportation, making it suitable for the beer distribution industry.
Implementation Method 1
the brake pad is continuously adjacent to the vertically extending braking surface... The braking force created by the braking assembly is substantially equivalent of the load that is applied to the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for storing, transporting and distributing kegs. The apparatus comprising a keg shelving assembly with two or more stacked shelves. The shelves containing individual keg slots formed by two or more horizontally disposed rails. Stored kegs within the keg slots are accessed by a vertical sliding frame within a fixed frame vertical guidance assembly. A hinged platform is fixed to the vertical sliding frame having an open, horizontal position and a close vertical position relative to the vertical sliding frame. The apparatus further comprises a braking assembly that utilizes the downward force created by a load on the platform, to create a braking action opposing the downward force. This action allows a user to easily and efficiently lower a keg from one of the stacked shelves.