Multilevel Rotating Storage Equipment for Efficient Product Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage equipment lacks optimization in terms of space utilization and efficiency in storage and retrieval operations across various industries, particularly for bulky and heavy goods, and does not allow for simultaneous processing of products during storage.

Innovation Solution

A multilevel rotating storage equipment with a circular ring enclosure, adjustable radial beams, and support racks that can rotate to loading and unloading stations, enabling efficient storage and processing of products through a constant pitch indexing system and hydraulic drive, allowing for flexible accommodation and treatment of products during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional storage equipment with fixed shelves and cartesian coordinate systems is used, then heavy and bulky goods can be stored, but the space utilization is poor and retrieval operations are time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage and retrieval operation efficiencyVSAvoidretrieval time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system employs a rotating circular enclosure that dynamically repositions storage racks to bring required products to fixed loading/unloading stations, replacing static cartesian coordinate movement with dynamic rotational positioning. This reduces retrieval time by eliminating the need to move entire storage structures along x, y, z axes and allows multiple racks to be served sequentially from fixed stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The circular enclosure is divided into multiple independent racks with multiple levels each, allowing selective rotation to position only the required rack at the loading/unloading station. This segmentation enables parallel operations where one rack is being served while another is being loaded, improving overall productivity and reducing retrieval time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If conventional storage equipment is used, then products can be stored, but space utilization is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization efficiencyVSAvoidstorage space occupancy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from two-dimensional floor-space-based storage (cartesian grids) to three-dimensional vertical storage with multiple levels on rotating racks. By utilizing vertical space more intensively and allowing overlapping horizontal projections of multiple racks, the system achieves higher storage density within the same footprint area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple racks are arranged concentrically within the circular enclosure, with each rack containing multiple levels of storage. This nested configuration allows maximum utilization of the circular space volume, with inner racks accessible when outer racks are rotated away, and vice versa, optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional storage equipment is used, then products can be stored, but technological treatments cannot be applied during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capability during storageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circular enclosure serves multiple functions: it acts as both a storage structure and a processing chamber. While products remain stored on the rotating racks, the enclosed space can apply technological treatments such as heat treatment, drying, or seasoning without requiring product removal, thereby increasing system versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2006225B1Multilevel rotating storage equipment
Publication Date: 2012.12.19 VH
  • EP2006225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2006225B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Rotating storage equipment (10) comprising a circular ring enclosure (20) provided with a plurality of levels each comprising support means (21) for elements or products (12) to be stored, a loading station (30) and an unloading station (31) of the abovementioned elements (12) at fixed and predetermined stations, and movement means (40) which rotate the enclosure (20) to position it in proximity to the abovementioned stations (30, 31).