Planar Article Reservoir Buffer for Input-Output Flow Imbalance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage solutions for articles require complex structures and fail to provide efficient accessibility due to stringent FIFO or LIFO requirements, leading to inefficiencies in handling imbalances between input and output flows.
Innovation Solution
A storage apparatus with a movable support and transfer devices that distribute articles evenly across a reservoir, using a control unit to manage imbalances by adjusting transfer frequencies and enabling independent operation of transfer devices based on line capacities and seat availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tower solutions with multi-level storage are used, then storage capacity is improved, but device complexity and accessibility worsen due to three-dimensional transfer device movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional tower storage to two-dimensional planar reservoir storage. The movable support with receiving seats is distributed along a closed path in a plane, eliminating the need for vertical movement of transfer devices while maintaining storage capacity through the distributed arrangement of multiple receiving seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage reservoir is segmented into multiple receiving seats distributed along the closed path. This segmentation allows articles to be stored at different positions along the path without requiring complex three-dimensional access, as transfer devices can access seats sequentially as the movable support circulates.
2Stability of the object's composition
If FIFO or LIFO programs are implemented in tower solutions, then storage organization is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to stringent transfer protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the circulation of the movable support and the operation of transfer devices based on real-time conditions. Articles can be transferred at any position along the closed path, and the system adapts to varying input and output rates, eliminating rigid FIFO or LIFO constraints while maintaining organized storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores articles, buffers imbalances between input and output lines, and provides flexible access points. The movable support with multiple receiving seats can interact with multiple transfer devices at different positions, enabling the system to handle various storage and retrieval patterns without being constrained to a single protocol.
3Adaptability or versatility
If moving belt reservoirs with helical paths are used, then storage versatility is improved, but device complexity and accessibility worsen due to large structure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the three-dimensional helical path with a two-dimensional closed path. The movable support travels along this simplified path, providing storage versatility through the distributed receiving seats while reducing structural complexity by eliminating the need for vertical and horizontal three-dimensional movement.
4Device complexity
If single-point transfer reservoirs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity worsens due to bottlenecks in handling capacity imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is segmented into multiple receiving seats distributed along the closed path, allowing multiple transfer operations to occur simultaneously at different positions. This eliminates the bottleneck of single-point transfer while keeping each individual transfer device simple, as the movable support naturally distributes articles across multiple seats during its circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support continuously circulates along the closed path, providing continuous access to articles for transfer devices. This continuous circulation enables multiple transfer operations to occur in parallel, improving productivity by eliminating idle time and bottlenecks associated with single-point transfer systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for storing articles includes: a feed line, two removal lines and a reservoir therebetween and including a feed station with a feed transfer device operable with a feed line, two pickup stations, each with a pickup transfer device and operable with a removal line, and a movable support with receiving seats movable along a closed path through the feed and pickup stations so the articles are transferred from the feed line to the movable support and the articles are transferred from the movable support to a removal line by a pickup transfer device. A control unit drives the transfer devices based on current capacity values of the feed line and the removal lines to vary the number of articles disposed on the movable support during an imbalance between the current capacity of the feed line and the current capacity of the removal lines.