Overhead Traveling Vehicle Multi-Level Rack Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead traveling vehicle systems lack efficient utilization of overhead space for increased storage capacity and effective article transfer, especially when articles are stored with inclination or require simple control mechanisms for transfer to/from load ports.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a traveling rail with an article storage unit featuring multiple levels of racks, an overhead traveling vehicle equipped with a hoisting frame, elevation drive unit, and lateral movement means, allowing for efficient transfer and storage by elevating and lowering mechanisms, including elevation guides, guided bodies, and drive means, which enable horizontal rotation and simplified control for article orientation and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single-level rack is used for article storage, then the structure is simple, but the storage capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-level rack to a multi-level rack structure, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase storage capacity. By arranging racks at different heights (first rack at lower height, second rack at higher height), the system stores more articles without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and structural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the lateral movement means is fixed at a single height, then the control is simple, but the article transfer to inclined racks is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elevating and lowering means to make the lateral movement means dynamically adjustable in height. This allows the lateral movement means to be positioned at different heights to match the rack levels, enabling article transfer between the overhead traveling vehicle and inclined racks. The dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by providing operational flexibility while maintaining relatively simple control through vertical positioning.
3Device complexity
If the hoisting frame is used for all article transfers, then the control is unified, but the transfer to lower racks requires additional elevation movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the article transfer operation into two distinct paths: (1) For upper racks, the overhead traveling vehicle uses its hoisting frame to transfer articles directly. (2) For lower racks, the system uses the elevating and lowering means to position the lateral movement means at the appropriate height, then transfers articles. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function, reducing unnecessary elevation movements and overall transfer time while maintaining unified control through the elevation drive unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A side buffer 40 is provided on a side of a traveling rail 6 of an overhead traveling vehicle 8. Multiple levels of racks 41, 42 are provided. The overhead traveling means 8 has elevating and lowering means including components such as a linear guide 32 and a ball screw 26 for elevating and lowering a lateral movement unit 16.