Movable Shelf Storage Rack with Sensor-Adjusted Loading Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage racks with stationary shelves are inefficient in utilizing available space, as they cannot adapt to varying object sizes, leading to unused storage volume when smaller objects are stored, preventing the merging of unoccupied spaces into larger areas suitable for larger objects.
Innovation Solution
A storage rack system with multiple movable shelves that can be rearranged using sensors and actuator mechanisms to optimize space usage, allowing for the repositioning of empty shelves to fill gaps and maintain the same number of shelves, ensuring effective use of storage space by adjusting the loading positions of shelves to maintain a minimum distance from loaded objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If shelves are stationary mounted with predefined minimum distance, then structural stability is ensured, but storage space utilization deteriorates when objects of varying sizes are stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shelves movable rather than stationary. The shelves can be repositioned vertically along the support uprights to adapt to different object sizes. This allows the storage rack to dynamically adjust its configuration, maintaining structural stability while optimizing storage space utilization for varying object dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the position parameter of shelves to be variable. The shelves can be moved to different heights and positions within the storage rack, changing the spatial parameters of storage compartments. This enables adaptation to different object sizes while maintaining adequate minimum distances for structural stability.
2Ease of operation
If shelves are fixed at predefined positions, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different object sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shelves are designed to be movable along the support uprights, enabling dynamic repositioning to adapt to different object sizes. This maintains ease of operation through simple vertical movement while significantly improving adaptability to various storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage rack is segmented into multiple independently movable shelves that can be positioned separately. This segmentation allows each shelf to be adjusted individually according to the size of objects stored, enhancing adaptability while keeping the operation simple through modular design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If minimum distance between shelves is maintained for stability, then structural stability is ensured, but storage volume utilization deteriorates with small objects
Solution Approach 1:
The minimum distance between shelves is maintained dynamically by adjusting shelf positions rather than fixing them. Small objects are stored on shelves that are positioned closer together, while larger objects have shelves positioned farther apart. This dynamic adjustment ensures structural stability is maintained while optimizing storage volume utilization for objects of different sizes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a storage rack enabling (1) an effective and variable use of the available storage space to be loaded with objects with multiple movable shelves (2n, 2l, 2u) suitable to be loaded with objects (3) comprising a rack frame with multiple support uprights (4) to guide and support the movable shelves (2n, 2l, 2u) along the support uprights (4), wherein the support uprights (4) comprises a top section (41) to store the non-loaded shelves (2n) in a sequence, a storage area (42) below the top section (41) and first moving means (5) to move the movable shelves (2n, 2l) at least downwards (D) along the support uprights (4), where the first moving means (5) are adapted to move the non-loaded movable shelf (2n) being in the closest position to the storage area (42) downwards (D) long the support uprights (4) to a loading position (LP) within the storage area (42), in which the movable shelf (2n) is able to be loaded with objects (3), wherein the storage rack (1) comprises sensors (6) in order to adjust the loading position (LP) of the movable shelf (2n, 2l) at a certain minimum distance (MD) above the objects (3) loaded on top of the shelf (2l) being underneath the moved shelf (2n) and wherein unloaded shelves (2u) previously being loaded with objects (3) in the loading position (LP) are able to be removed (R) from the support uprights (4) within the storage area (42) in order to be placed into the top section (41) of the support uprights (4) again. The invention also relates to a storage system (9) comprising such storage racks (1) to improve the efficient use of available storage space and to methods to operate such storage racks (1) and storage systems (9).