Modular Automated Storage Tower for Longitudinal Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage towers for longitudinal products are cumbersome during transportation and inflexible in terms of storage capacity, leading to high costs and limited versatility.
Innovation Solution
A modular automated storage tower with a support structure composed of removable metal sections and containers, allowing for adjustable dimensions and capacity by using interchangeable crosspieces and structural sections, which minimizes transportation size and costs while enabling flexible capacity variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the storage tower uses a fixed welded metal structure, then structural integrity is ensured, but transportation dimensions become excessive and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tower is divided into modular sections that can be disconnected during transportation and reassembled at the destination. The support structure consists of separate vertical columns and horizontal crosspieces that can be detached, allowing the tower to be transported in compact segments rather than as a single large structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure transitions from a static welded configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. Connection elements allow the tower to change its state between assembled (for storage operation) and disassembled (for transportation), enabling adaptation to different spatial requirements without compromising structural integrity when assembled.
2Ease of manufacture
If the storage tower has fixed dimensions, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different storage capacity needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is constructed from standardized modular units that can be manufactured independently and then assembled in different quantities and configurations. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing of individual modules while enabling flexible assembly to meet various storage capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal connection interfaces that allow the same basic units to serve multiple functions and be configured in different arrangements. The standardized crosspieces and connection elements can accommodate various tower heights and storage capacities without requiring custom-manufactured parts.
3Productivity
If the storage tower is designed for high storage capacity, then functionality is improved, but transportation costs and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
High storage capacity is achieved through vertical stacking of modular sections rather than expanding the horizontal footprint. The tower can be assembled to great heights using repeated modular units, providing large storage capacity while maintaining a compact base dimension suitable for transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from horizontal expansion to vertical development to achieve high storage capacity. By stacking modular sections vertically, the tower maximizes storage volume without proportionally increasing transportation dimensions, as the vertical dimension can be assembled at the destination rather than transported.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the storage tower uses permanent welded connections, then structural stability is maintained, but versatility and reconfigurability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from permanent welded joints to dynamic, reversible mechanical connections. The structure can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly while maintaining stability when configured, allowing it to adapt between stable operation and reconfigurable transportation states.
Solution Approach 2:
The tower is divided into separable modules connected by detachable elements rather than permanent welds. This segmentation allows the structure to be reconfigured by adding or removing modules while maintaining structural stability during operation, and enables easy disassembly for transportation or relocation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Automated storage tower for storing products, in particular longitudinal products, comprising: a plurality of containers or support planes (4) for the products to be stored; a support structure (10) comprising at least one first plurality of superimposed first storage seats (22) for the containers or support planes (4); displacement means (SV, 232, AE) susceptible to displace each container or support plane (4) between an inoperative position that it takes when it is in the respective first storage seat (22) and a working position of the products spaced from the latter. The support structure (20) comprises at least one pair of uprights (2) defining respective first planes (π1, π1') facing each other, substantially parallel and mutually connected. Each upright element (2) comprises at least one first plurality of superimposed first support crosspieces (20, 20') suitable to support a respective container or support plane (4) at the respective opposite ends (40, 40'). Said displacement means (SV, 232, AE) include at least one pair of first displacement units (255, 2551) and control means (AE) acting thereon to control the mutual cooperation thereof during the displacement of the container or support plane (4) between the inoperative and operative positions.