Overhead Travelling Carriage Lateral Feeding Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing overhead travelling carriage systems require significant space above automatic warehouses for the running rail, making installation and maintenance difficult, and do not allow direct transfer of articles between the carriage and shelves without additional conveyor stations.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates lateral feeding means for the overhead travelling carriage to move a platform alongside the running rail, enabling direct transfer of articles between open-sided shelves and the carriage, eliminating the need for overhead space and conveyor stations, and allowing flexible prioritization of article conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the automatic warehouse is provided below the running rail, then the overhead travelling carriage can deliver articles directly to the shelf, but the upper end of the rack must be located below the ceiling by a distance equal to the running space, which is disadvantageous in terms of space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lateral movement capability to the platform, allowing it to move not only vertically (elevation/lowerment) but also horizontally (laterally) to reach shelves positioned at different locations. This dimensional addition enables direct transfer without requiring the rack to be positioned below the running rail, thus resolving the space utilization conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform acts as an intermediary carrier between the overhead travelling carriage and the shelves. By equipping the platform with both elevation/lowerment means and lateral feeding means, it can independently position itself to transfer articles to any accessible shelf, eliminating the need for the rack to be positioned in a specific location below the running rail.
2Ease of operation
If the overhead travelling carriage passes above the automatic warehouse, then direct transfer is enabled, but installation and maintenance of the automatic warehouse and overhead travelling carriage system becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer function is segmented into two independent parts: (1) the overhead travelling carriage handles horizontal transport along the running rail, and (2) the platform handles vertical (elevation/lowerment) and lateral positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be installed and maintained independently, with the platform's lateral feeding capability enabling flexible positioning without interfering with the carriage's operation above the warehouse.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through elevation/lowerment means and lateral feeding means, allowing it to adapt its position dynamically during transfer operations. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain efficient transfer operations while allowing installation and maintenance personnel access to components from below, improving ease of maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If a conveyor station is provided to deliver and receive articles, then transfer between carriage and shelf is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed as a multi-functional component that combines three functions: (1) serving as the load carrier, (2) providing vertical positioning through elevation/lowerment means, and (3) providing lateral positioning through lateral feeding means. This universal design eliminates the need for separate conveyor stations, reducing system complexity while maintaining transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the load carrier, vertical positioning mechanism, and lateral positioning mechanism into a single integrated platform system. By combining these functions that would traditionally require separate conveyor stations and positioning systems, the overall device complexity is reduced while enabling direct transfer between the overhead travelling carriage and shelves.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic warehouse 8 is provided parallel to a running rail 4 for an overhead travelling carriage 6. Open shelves 16 each of which is open on its side are provided in a rack 10. According to the present invention, articles can be transferred directly to and from a shelf in the automatic warehouse.