Movable Partition Wall for Single-Robot Storage Temperature Zoning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing partition wall systems in storage spaces require separate gantry robots on each side, leading to inefficient use of storage space and increased energy consumption when storing products with different temperature requirements, as the entire storage area is often cooled to accommodate the highest temperature needs.

Innovation Solution

A partition wall arrangement with a liftable and movable wall element, supported by horizontal beams and equipped with a turnable mechanism, allowing a single gantry robot to move freely on both sides and enabling flexible compartment division based on changing product quantities and temperature needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a partition wall is built to divide storage space for products with different temperature requirements, then energy consumption is reduced by cooling only necessary areas, but the storage space utilization becomes inefficient and requires separate gantry robots on each side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling energy consumptionVSAvoidstorage space utilization flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall is designed to be movable rather than fixed. The wall element can be positioned at different locations along the beams and removed entirely when needed, allowing the storage space configuration to dynamically adapt to changing product storage requirements and maximize space utilization flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single gantry robot is designed to serve both sides of the partition wall. The robot can access products on either side by moving the wall element, making one robot universally capable of handling all product retrieval and storage operations, eliminating the need for separate robots on each side.

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

2Loss of energy

If a fixed partition wall is used to separate cold and ambient storage areas, then temperature control efficiency improves, but the gantry robot cannot move freely across the entire storage space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control efficiencyVSAvoidgantry robot movement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The partition wall element is made movable along the beams rather than being fixed. This allows the wall to be positioned only when temperature separation is needed, and removed or repositioned when gantry robot access across the entire storage space is required, combining energy efficiency with operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If separate gantry robots are provided on each side of the partition wall, then product access efficiency improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct access efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of gantry robots
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

One gantry robot is designed to perform the function of what would traditionally require two separate robots. The robot can access both sides of the partition wall by moving the wall element, making it a universal machine that handles all product access operations, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining productivity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4092364A1Partition wall of a storage
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 CIMCORP OY
  • EP4092364A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4092364A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4092364A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A partition wall arrangement of a storage according to the invention comprises a wall element (2) with a framework (3, 4) and a liftable wall element (5). The framework comprises a horizontal upper element (3) and side elements (4). The liftable wall element is arranged between the side elements and fastened to the upper element. The partition wall arrangement further comprises a horizontal beam (6) in connection with both side elements. The beams are parallel to each other and transverse to the wall element (2).