Restacking Device Transport Carriage Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing restacking devices lack flexibility and efficiency in transferring goods carriers, leading to process interruptions and increased distances during loading and unloading, which hampers reliable and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A restacking device with a transport system featuring independently movable transport carriages that can overlap and transfer goods carriers between stacking devices and process devices, allowing continuous operation and flexible movement for efficient loading and unloading, enabling the implementation of a first-in, first-out principle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single rail-mounted transport carriage is used to connect stacking devices and loading device, then device complexity is reduced, but process interruptions and increased distances occur during loading and unloading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport device structureVSAvoidloading process reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device is segmented into multiple independent transport carriages (first transport carriage and second transport carriage) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows one carriage to service the loading device while another services the stacking device simultaneously, eliminating process interruptions and maintaining reliable continuous operation without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If transport means are arranged to move continuously or in cycles, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to independent movement control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and unloading efficiencyVSAvoidtransport means control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport means are designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing them to move continuously or in cycles independently of each other. The first transport carriage can move continuously to provide goods carriers to the loading device, while the second transport carriage moves in cycles to transfer carriers between stacking devices. This dynamic arrangement maximizes productivity while the independent control of each carriage prevents excessive complexity in the overall control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If goods carriers are transferred manually or with simple mechanisms, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of time occurs during carrier separation and provision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods carrier transfer operationVSAvoidcarrier separation and provision time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The second transport carriage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the stacking devices. It automatically separates goods carriers from the stacks and transfers them to the first transport carriage or directly to the loading device. This intermediary mechanism maintains ease of operation through automated transfer while significantly reducing the time required for carrier separation and provision compared to manual methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If a compact restacking device design is implemented, then space requirements are reduced, but adaptability for different loading distances is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestacking device footprintVSAvoidloading distance adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transport carriages are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities that allow them to adjust their positions independently. The first transport carriage can adjust its position to optimize the distance to the loading device, while the second transport carriage adjusts its position relative to the stacking devices. This dynamic adaptability enables a compact overall design while maintaining versatility for different loading distances and configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2917139B1Installation and method for transferring article carriers in storage racks
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 SEMOCONSULT
  • EP2917139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2917139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2917139B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a re-stacking device (1) and a re-stacking method for goods carriers (6). The re-stacking device (1) has a plurality of stacking devices (4, 5) arranged side-by-side at a distance from one another, each having at least one goods carrier stack and a process zone (12) arranged therebetween. The stacking devices (4, 5) and the process zone (12) are connected by a transport device (6) to a plurality of transport means (7, 8) for goods carriers (2). The transport means (7, 8) are movable relative to one another with overlapping motion paths and have carrying means (29, 30) which are designed for transporting and mutually transferring a goods carrier (2) between the transport means (7, 8). Loading and unloading of the goods carriers (2) or another process involving the goods (3) can take place in the process zone (12).