Handling Apparatus for Rod-Shaped Storage Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of rod-shaped storage devices loaded with sausage-shaped products is inefficient, leading to physical strain and potential damage due to the need for manual rotation or tilting during storage, which can cause sausage-shaped products to slip and become misaligned.
Innovation Solution
A handling apparatus comprising a carrier device with receiving and preventing means that secure the suspension elements of sausage-shaped products, allowing for easy alignment and secure positioning on the storage device, reducing the need for manual re-alignment and preventing slipping during storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual rotation or tilting is used to insert rod-shaped storage devices into storage racks, then the storage devices can be positioned, but physical strain increases and sausage-shaped products may slip and become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The handling apparatus performs preliminary action by securing the sausage-shaped products to the rod-shaped storage device before insertion. The receiving means engage with the suspension elements of the sausage-shaped products, and the preventing means prevent them from slipping during the insertion process, eliminating the need for manual re-alignment and reducing physical strain on the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling apparatus acts as an intermediary between the operator and the rod-shaped storage devices. It provides a mechanical interface with receiving means that engage the suspension elements and preventing means that secure the products, allowing the operator to simply guide the apparatus without manually manipulating the products or rotating the storage devices.
2Productivity
If rod-shaped storage devices are inserted without securing mechanisms, then insertion is faster, but sausage-shaped products slip and become misaligned during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving means engage with the suspension elements of the sausage-shaped products before the insertion process begins, and the preventing means are positioned to prevent slipping during insertion. This preliminary securing action ensures that the products remain in their correct positions throughout the handling process, eliminating the need for post-insertion re-alignment and maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling apparatus provides continuous feedback through the receiving means that engage with the suspension elements and the preventing means that monitor and prevent slipping. This feedback mechanism ensures that the products remain securely positioned during insertion, maintaining positioning accuracy without slowing down the handling process.
3Ease of operation
If existing rod-shaped storage devices are shifted to make space for insertion, then new devices can be positioned, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving means are positioned to engage with the suspension elements of the sausage-shaped products before insertion, and the preventing means are configured to secure them during the process. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need to shift existing storage devices, as the apparatus can insert new devices directly into available spaces without requiring manual repositioning of already-stored items, thereby reducing handling complexity.
4Ease of operation
If robotic devices are used to transfer rod-shaped storage devices, then physical effort is reduced, but the devices still require rotation or tilting causing product damage
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device works in conjunction with the handling apparatus, which performs preliminary action by securing the sausage-shaped products to the rod-shaped storage devices before transfer. The receiving means engage with the suspension elements and the preventing means prevent slipping, so that when the robotic device transfers the stored devices to the storage rack, no rotation or tilting is required, thereby preventing product damage while maintaining reduced physical effort.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to handling an apparatus and a method for handling rod-shaped storage devices (R), like smoking rods, configured to be loaded with sausage-shaped products (S), like sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body (B) and a suspension element (L), like a suspension loop, wherein the sausage-shaped products (S) can be suspended on a rod-shaped storage device (R) by their suspension elements (L). The handling apparatus (1, 1001) comprises a carrier device (100, 1100) including supporting means (114, 1112) for supporting a rod-shaped storage device (R), and at least one receiving means (120, 1120) oriented in a receiving direction (E) and configured to receive a suspension element (L) of a sausage-shaped product (S) suspended on said rod-shaped storage device (R), a preventing device (200, 1200) being arranged in an at least approximately vertical direction below the carrier device (100, 1100) and including at least one preventing means (220, 1220) configured to cooperate with the receiving means (120, 1120) of the carrier device (100, 1100) for securing the suspension element (L) of the sausage-shaped product (S) being received in the at least one receiving means (120, 1120) of the carrier device (100, 1100), and drive means (M) for reversibly enabling a relative movement among the carrier device (100, 1100) and the preventing device (200, 1200) between a receiving position and a securing position.