Lifting Assembly Tether Gearing for Grid Storage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting assemblies for load handling devices struggle to reliably lift and lower storage containers from and to specific locations within a grid storage structure, often resulting in uneven lifting and potential misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A container lifting assembly featuring a gripping device and a raising and lowering mechanism that includes a gearing mechanism with tethers, a motor to actuate the gearing mechanism, and slip clutches to ensure even lifting and leveling of the gripping device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lifting assembly uses a motor-driven gearing mechanism with tethers to raise and lower containers, then the lifting operation can be automated and controlled, but the system may experience uneven lifting and misalignment due to tether slack or differential winding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the tether from rigid to flexible, allowing it to dynamically adjust its length and tension. The tether can extend and retract to compensate for misalignment, enabling the gripping device to self-level during lifting operations. This parameter change (from fixed length to variable length) resolves the contradiction by maintaining both reliability and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting assembly transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic system where the tether continuously adjusts its configuration. The tether's ability to flex, extend, and retract in real-time allows the gripping device to adapt to position variations, ensuring precise alignment while maintaining reliable lifting operations throughout the motion cycle.
2Power
If the lifting assembly uses multiple tethers connected to spools for raising and lowering the gripping device, then the lifting capacity and control are improved, but the complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by having the motor-driven gearing mechanism perform multiple functions: winding multiple tethers, controlling gripping device elevation, and enabling self-leveling through differential tether extension. This universal approach consolidates what could be multiple separate mechanisms into a single integrated system, improving power and control while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple tethers, spools, and the motor-driven gearing mechanism into a unified lifting system. Instead of separate actuators for each tether, a single motor-driven gearing mechanism controls all tethers, combining multiple functions into one mechanism and thereby improving power efficiency while reducing overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the tether is made extendable to allow for misalignment compensation, then the alignment precision is improved, but the structural complexity of the tether increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is segmented into multiple sections or elements that can extend and retract independently. This segmentation allows each segment to contribute to the overall alignment compensation, distributing the complexity across multiple simple elements rather than requiring a single complex mechanism. The segmented structure maintains alignment precision while managing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible tether structure that uses thin, pliable material to achieve extension and retraction capabilities. This flexible construction provides the necessary alignment compensation through simple material deformation rather than complex mechanical structures, improving alignment precision while minimizing structural complexity.
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 lifting assembly effectively raises and lowers containers with precision, ensuring even leveling and reducing the risk of misalignment, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of load handling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a motor configured to actuate the gearing mechanism to wind and/or unwind the at least one tether
Implementation Method 2
a gearing mechanism configured to wind and/or unwind at least one tether
Data Source
AI summary
A container lifting assembly for raising and/or lowering containers stacked in stacks in a grid storage structure, includes a gripping device configured to releasably grip a container; a raising and lowering mechanism configured to raise and lower the gripping device; and a gearing mechanism configured to wind and/or unwind at least one tether. A motor is configured to actuate the gearing mechanism to wind and/or unwind the at least one tether. The at least one tether is connected to the gripping device such that winding and unwinding of the at least one tether is configured to raise and lower the gripping device.