Device for advancing goods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Devices for advancing goods, such as those used in compartments accessible only from above like drawers or counters, face challenges in organizing and identifying different types of products linearly, leading to poor orientation during filling or removal.

Innovation Solution

A device with multiple goods pushers biased via springs along a guide, where additional pushers are arranged between the stop and the first pusher, allowing flexible arrangement and identification of different goods types, with inclined surfaces and pivoting attachments for easier handling and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If different product types are arranged one behind the other along a single guide, then storage capacity is increased, but orientation for filling or removing goods deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidorientation for filling or removing goods
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single guide is segmented into multiple parallel guides (first guide, second guide, third guide) arranged side by side. Each guide can independently hold different product types, allowing visual differentiation and easy identification of product locations while maintaining high storage capacity through parallel arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If multiple product pushers are added to separate different goods types, then product identification improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct identificationVSAvoidnumber of pushers and guides
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple guides are merged into a single integrated base structure, and multiple pushers are combined with shared spring mechanisms. The guides are arranged parallel to each other on the same base, and adjacent pushers can share common springs, reducing the overall number of independent components while maintaining the ability to separate different product types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If product pushers are made thicker to improve structural stability, then reliability improves, but storage volume loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The product pushers feature a non-uniform cross-section with different thicknesses at different locations. The upper portion has greater thickness for structural stability and pushing force, while the lower portion near the base has reduced thickness to minimize storage volume occupation. This local differentiation optimizes both reliability and storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides clear orientation and easy handling of different goods types by allowing flexible arrangement and improved access for filling and removal, minimizing storage space and ensuring linear guidance.

Implementation Method 1

a first product pusher (2), which is biased by a spring (12) in a feeding direction towards a stop (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4321057A1Device for advancing goods
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 POS TUNING GMBH
  • EP4321057A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4321057A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4321057A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Device (1) for feeding goods (8, 9, 10) with a first goods pusher (2, 2') which is biased by a spring (12) in a feeding direction towards a stop (3) and is movable along a guide (5), wherein a second goods pusher (4, 4') is movable along the guide (5) and is arranged between the stop (3) and the first goods pusher (2, 2').