Pivotable Arms for Low-Profile Loading Station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loading and unloading stations require excessive height due to vertically moving bars, leading to space inefficiencies and potential collisions with forklifts, and the elongated horizontal supporting beams cannot be fixed stationary due to interlaced bar configurations.

Innovation Solution

The use of pivotable supporting arms with a pivot axis transverse to the station's width direction, connected to parallel beams in a stationary manner, allows for a low-profile structure with mechanisms placed under the supporting beams to minimize height and prevent collisions with forklifts, enabling efficient use of space and improved cassette rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vertically moving bars are used to lift and lower sheets, then the sheets can be manipulated, but the station becomes unnecessarily high and requires excessive space in the height direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet manipulation capabilityVSAvoidstation height

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the bars vertically to lift sheets, the invention inverts the approach by using pivotable supporting arms that rotate horizontally. The sheets are lifted by lowering the cassette rather than raising the support structure, fundamentally reversing the motion direction and solving the height problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from vertical motion (height dimension) to horizontal rotation (width/depth dimensions). The supporting arms pivot around horizontal axes, moving in the horizontal plane rather than vertically, thereby eliminating the need for excessive station height while maintaining sheet manipulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the bars are made pivotable to reduce height, then the station height is reduced, but the elongated horizontal supporting beam cannot be fixed stationary due to interlaced bar configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestation heightVSAvoidsupporting beam fixation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of trying to fix the supporting beam to moving bars, the invention inverts the relationship by making the supporting arms pivotable and fixing them to a stationary horizontal beam. The motion is achieved through the pivotable arms rather than through beam movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is segmented into stationary horizontal beams and pivotable supporting arms. This segmentation allows the beam to remain fixed while the arms provide the necessary motion, simplifying the fixation problem by separating the stationary support function from the moving support function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If vertically moving bars are used, then sheets can be lifted, but the bars may collide with the forklift fork during lateral pivoting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet lifting capabilityVSAvoidcollision risk with forklift

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting arms pivot in the horizontal dimension rather than moving vertically, changing the dimension of operation. This horizontal pivoting motion eliminates the collision risk with the vertically positioned forklift fork while maintaining the ability to lift and position sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable supporting arms act as intermediaries between the stationary horizontal beam and the sheets. They provide a safe horizontal pivoting motion that avoids direct interaction with the forklift fork, eliminating the collision hazard while still enabling sheet manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9056730B2Loading and unloading station

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 FASTEMS

AI summary

A loading and unloading station, comprising: a frame, on top of which a cassette intended for the carrying and storage of loads can be placed; at least two supporting arms connected to the frame in a pivotable manner so that the supporting arms can pivot around substantially horizontal pivot axes to a substantially horizontal position, in which the supporting arms are placed under the cassette, and to a substantially vertical position, in which the supporting arms extend through the cassette; at least one supporting beam, on top of which the load can be placed and to which the at least two supporting arms are connected in a movable manner; and the supporting arms are fitted both to lift the supporting beam from below the cassette through the cassette above the cassette, and to lower the supporting beam back under the cassette; and the supporting arms are further fitted to keep the supporting beam substantially horizontal.