Handling assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handling arrangements for panel-shaped wood or wood substitute products often lead to suboptimal utilization of mobile storage elements, resulting in inefficient use of capacity and the need to distribute related parts across multiple elements.

Innovation Solution

A handling device with manipulable mobile storage elements, controlled by a machine controller, that adjusts shelves and subdivisions according to a specified parts plan, allowing for individual optimization of storage space and minimizing the distribution of related parts across multiple elements, using removable, relocatable, and pivotable storage and dividing devices, along with detection and identification systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standardized mobile storage elements are used to accommodate various workpieces, then the storage elements can be universally applicable to different products, but the storage capacity utilization becomes inefficient and empty spaces are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal applicability of storage elementsVSAvoidstorage capacity utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage element incorporates movable partitions and adjustable shelves that can be dynamically reconfigured by a handling device according to the specific dimensions and quantities of workpieces to be stored, transforming a static standardized structure into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes space utilization for each storage task

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage element is divided into multiple adjustable compartments through movable partitions, allowing the internal space to be segmented according to the specific requirements of different workpiece combinations, thereby eliminating empty spaces while maintaining universal applicability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If mobile storage elements are fitted according to a predetermined parts plan to avoid empties, then storage space is optimized, but parts belonging to the same commission are distributed across multiple storage elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space optimizationVSAvoidtime to locate and assemble parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of the storage element by automatically adjusting partitions and shelves according to the complete parts plan for a commission before the workpieces are loaded, ensuring that all parts for a commission can be accommodated together in a single optimized layout, thereby preventing distribution across multiple elements and reducing assembly time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed shelves and subdivisions are used in mobile storage elements, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the storage elements cannot be adapted to different parts plans

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different parts plans
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage element incorporates movable partitions and adjustable shelves that can be dynamically reconfigured by a handling device according to the specific dimensions and quantities of workpieces to be stored, transforming a static standardized structure into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes space utilization for each storage task

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The storage element is designed with standardized interfaces and a modular structure that allows the same basic unit to serve multiple functions by reconfiguring its internal partitions and shelves, enabling a single universal storage element design to adapt to various parts plans without requiring custom-built structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3520655B1Handling assembly
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 IMA SCHELLING DEUT GMBH
  • EP3520655B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3520655B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3520655B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The handling arrangement for panel-shaped products (2) made of wood or wood substitutes has a handling device with a plurality of mobile storage elements (1) designed to hold panel-shaped products (2). In addition, the handling arrangement has a plurality of panel-shaped products (2) made of wood or wood substitutes and a machine controller. Each mobile storage element (1) comprises at least one shelf (18, 19) for receiving and/or storing plate-shaped products. At least one shelf (18, 19) and/or at least one dividing device (16, 17) of at least one mobile storage element (1) are designed so that they can be manipulated by the handling device. The handling device is designed to manipulate the at least one tray (18, 19) and/or dividing device (16, 17) in such a way that plate-shaped products (2) can be accommodated in the relevant storage element (1) according to a parts plan specified by the machine control .