Modular Article Transfer Mechanism for Dense Shelf Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article storage and retrieval mechanisms in automatic warehouses face challenges with complex structures and numerous parts, making them difficult to control and assemble, especially when articles are densely arranged on shelves, which complicates retrieval and storage operations.
Innovation Solution
An article storage and retrieval mechanism with a modular design featuring a base, mounting assemblies with risers, first and second driving components, and an article transfer mechanism, utilizing belt-driven systems for efficient movement and integration, allowing for compact and lightweight construction with easy modular replacement of parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If articles are densely arranged on shelves to improve storage density and reduce aisle width, then storage efficiency is improved, but retrieval and storage difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
An article transfer mechanism serves as an intermediary device between the conveyor belt and the shelving system. This transfer mechanism includes a transfer belt that receives articles from the conveyor belt and transports them to the shelving position, or receives articles from the shelving position and transfers them back to the conveyor belt. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient retrieval and storage operations even with densely arranged articles on shelves.
2Ease of operation
If a hook cooperating with conveyor belt structure is used to satisfy retrieval and storage requirements, then retrieval and storage function is achieved, but structure complexity and part quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex hook mechanism from the system and replaces it with a simpler article transfer mechanism that works in conjunction with the conveyor belt. The transfer mechanism comprises a transfer belt, drive components, and support structures that are fewer and simpler than the traditional hook system, while still achieving the required retrieval and storage functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical hook system is replaced with a belt-driven transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism uses a flexible transfer belt that moves articles horizontally between the conveyor belt and shelving position, eliminating the need for complex hook assemblies and their associated mechanical linkages.
3Ease of operation
If a hook cooperating with conveyor belt structure is used to achieve retrieval and storage, then retrieval and storage function is achieved, but manufacturing and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The article storage and retrieval system is divided into distinct modular segments: the conveyor belt system, the article transfer mechanism, and the shelving system. Each segment can be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled together. The transfer mechanism itself is segmented into the transfer belt, drive components mounted on support structures, and connection interfaces, facilitating easier manufacturing and installation compared to the integrated hook-conveyor system.
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 simplifies manufacturing and installation, reduces energy consumption, and enhances the retrieval and storage efficiency of articles in densely packed shelves by providing a compact, durable, and easily maintainable mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a first belt meshed with that first driving wheel and wrapped around the outside the first drive wheel, the first belt pulley, the second belt pulley and the first tension pulley
Implementation Method 2
an article transfer mechanism mounted on the second driving component to move linearly under the drive of the second driving component
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an article storage and retrieval mechanism, an article storage and retrieval device and a warehousing logistics system, and relates to the field of logistics for improving the modular degree of the article storage and retrieval mechanism. The article storage and retrieval mechanism include a base, two or more mounting assembles and an article transfer mechanism. Each mounting component includes a riser, a first driving component and a second driving component; the riser is mounted on the base; the first driving component is mounted on one side of the riser, and the second driving component is mounted on the other side of the riser; the first bearing surface of the first driving component and the second bearing surface of the second driving component are at different heights and in parallel. The above-described technical solution has a high degree of integration.