Modular Rack Beams with Integrated Buffer Conveyor Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelf storage systems require high investment costs and complex design efforts due to the need for additional mounting profiles and separate attachment of load manipulation devices, buffer conveyor devices, and conveyor vehicle lifting devices, leading to increased installation space and variability challenges.

Innovation Solution

A standardized shelf storage system with modular design, where buffer conveyor devices are integrated directly onto longitudinal beams with flexible mounting options and standardized conveyor technologies, allowing for customizable configurations without additional mounting profiles, reducing assembly complexity and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If load manipulation devices, buffer conveyor devices, and conveyor vehicle lifting devices are attached separately to shelf supports using additional mounting profiles, then the system can accommodate various functional modules, but the investment costs and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate functional modulesVSAvoidmounting profiles and attachment structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer conveyor device is merged with the longitudinal beam structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting profiles. The longitudinal beam serves dual purposes: supporting shelf levels and providing integrated mounting capability for buffer conveyor devices through assembly sections with mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal beam is designed as a multi-functional component that not only supports shelf levels but also provides assembly sections with mounting interfaces for buffer conveyor devices. This universal structure replaces multiple specialized components (mounting profiles, support structures) with a single integrated element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different configurations of storage racks are designed to suit customer requirements, then the system can be customized, but the dimensioning effort and design complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer-specific configurationsVSAvoiddesign and dimensioning effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rack storage system is segmented into modular components with standardized interfaces. The longitudinal beams are divided into assembly sections with predefined mounting interfaces at grid spacing, allowing modular configuration of buffer conveyor devices without custom design for each customer requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows parameter changes in configuration (number and position of buffer conveyor devices) while maintaining the same standardized longitudinal beam design. The assembly sections with mounting interfaces at regular grid spacing enable flexible positioning without requiring new designs for different configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If additional mounting profiles and separate attachment structures are used for functional modules, then the devices can be securely mounted, but the installation space and investment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mounting of devicesVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function is merged into the longitudinal beam structure itself through assembly sections with mounting interfaces. This eliminates the need for separate mounting profiles and reduces installation space while maintaining secure attachment capability for buffer conveyor devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If standardized longitudinal beams with assembly sections are used for buffer conveyor devices, then the manufacturing costs decrease and assembly is simplified, but the mounting position flexibility must be predetermined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing and assembly simplicityVSAvoidmounting position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal beam is segmented into assembly sections with mounting interfaces arranged at predetermined grid spacing. This segmentation provides multiple standardized mounting positions along the beam, balancing manufacturing simplicity with flexible positioning capability for buffer conveyor devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2729387B1Rack storage system
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 TGW MECHANICS GMBH
  • EP2729387B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2729387B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2729387B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a rack storage system (1) having a conveyor vehicle (3) for transporting goods (3) to be stored, parallel storage racks (6a, 6b) and a rack aisle (7) extending therebetween, which storage racks (6a, 6b) each comprise front track posts (12) adjacent to the rack aisle (7), rear rack posts (13) remote from the rack aisle (7) and front and rear horizontal beams (14, 15, 16, 17) extending in the direction of the rack aisle (7) in rack planes (10) that lie one above the other, wherein the autonomous conveyor vehicle (3) is drivable on the front horizontal beams (14, 15, 16, 17) opposite of one another. The front and/or rear horizontal beams (14, 15, 16, 17) in at least one of the rack planes (10) comprise, in the direction of the longitudinal extent thereof, at least one mounting section (66; 69; 76) in which mounting interfaces (67: 148) for fixing at least one function add-on module (27; 57; 73; 77) of the rack storage system (1) and optionally a mounting plane (68; 149) for the function add-on module (27; 57; 73; 77) are formed.