Modular Purge Beam Storage Rack for Faster On-Site Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage racks with purging functions are difficult to assemble on-site due to the complexity and effort required for installing various devices such as purge assemblies, which include main-pipes, sub-pipes, valves, and nozzles.
Innovation Solution
The storage rack design integrates a beam member with a C-shaped or L-shaped cross section, pre-attached with a nozzle, pipe, and regulator, allowing for easy on-site construction by replacing existing beam members with pre-assembled purge units, eliminating the need for separate attachment of devices and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a purge assembly with main-pipe, sub-pipe, valves, and flow meters is attached to the rail or frame, then the storage rack has a purging function, but the assembly construction requires considerable effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The purge assembly is segmented into a modular unit that integrates the main-pipe, sub-pipe, nozzles, solenoid valves, and flow meters into a pre-assembled component mounted on the beam member. This segmentation allows the purging function to be added as a separate module rather than integrating all components individually into the existing rack structure, significantly reducing on-site assembly effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The purge assembly components are pre-assembled and pre-positioned on the beam member during manufacturing, rather than being installed individually on-site. The solenoid valves and flow meters are pre-connected to the piping system in a factory setting, allowing for quality control and simplifying field installation to merely mounting the complete unit.
2Reliability
If various purge assembly devices are attached to the rail or frame, then the storage rack can purge containers, but the on-site construction becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple purge assembly components (main-pipe, sub-pipe, nozzles, solenoid valves, flow meters) are merged into a single integrated unit mounted on the beam member. This consolidation reduces the number of separate installation steps required on-site and ensures all necessary components are properly positioned and connected for reliable purging operation.
Solution Approach 2:
All purge assembly components are pre-assembled and pre-tested in the factory before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary action ensures proper configuration and connection of all components, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly and reducing construction time while maintaining system reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle is attached to the beam member with predetermined positional relation to the positioning pin, then the placement accuracy is improved, but the beam member design becomes more specific
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is pre-positioned on the beam member during manufacturing with a predetermined positional relationship to the positioning pin. This preliminary positioning ensures accurate alignment when the beam member is installed in the rack, as the nozzle will automatically be in the correct position relative to the container opening without requiring additional adjustment on-site.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam member is designed with specific local features including a C-shaped or L-shaped cross-section with flat portions that provide mounting surfaces. These localized structural modifications enable precise nozzle positioning while maintaining the overall simplicity of the beam member design and allowing for standard manufacturing processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient and cost-effective on-site construction of storage racks with purging functions by unitizing the necessary devices within the beam members, enhancing accuracy and reducing assembly time and effort.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle configured to supply fluid into the container
Implementation Method 2
a pipe configured to send the fluid to the nozzle
Implementation Method 3
a regulator provided in the pipe and configured to regulate the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The storage rack includes two base frames suspended from the ceiling, and two beam members bridged over the base frames and included in a loading portion on which a container is placed. A kinematic pin configured to position the container, a nozzle configured to supply fluid into the container, a distribution pipe configured to send the fluid to the nozzle, and a regulator provided to the distribution pipe configured to adjust the fluid are attached to one of the beam members.