Rotary Panel Storage Layout for Consistent Robotic Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage facilities for plate-shaped workpieces face inefficiencies in space utilization and retrieval, leading to high setup efforts, varying retrieval times, and increased production costs due to the need for multiple retrieval positions and long transport distances.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a rotatable storage area oriented such that workpieces are arranged radially or circumferentially around an axis, utilizing guide and stop elements to standardize removal processes and minimize damage, allowing for efficient space utilization and standardized retrieval times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If multiple storage positions are provided for automated retrieval, then retrieval capability is improved, but setup effort and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated retrievalVSAvoidnumber of retrieval positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system employs a rotatable storage area that dynamically repositions workpieces between storage and retrieval locations. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for multiple fixed retrieval positions, allowing a single robotic arm to access workpieces at any angular position through controlled rotation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining automation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic handling device is designed with universal capability to retrieve workpieces from any angular position around the rotation axis. By combining the rotatable storage area with a single multi-position capable robot, the system achieves multi-functionality where one robot performs the work of multiple specialized retrieval devices, reducing overall system complexity

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

2Productivity

If workpieces are stored in parallel with individual positions, then space utilization is improved, but retrieval time varies and increases production time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidretrieval time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable storage area enables dynamic repositioning of workpieces to optimize retrieval timing. The system can rotate the storage area to bring any workpiece to the optimal retrieval position, allowing the robotic arm to retrieve workpieces with minimal travel distance and consistent timing, thereby reducing variation in retrieval time while maintaining efficient space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary rotation of the storage area to position workpieces optimally before retrieval operations. By pre-positioning workpieces at the desired angular locations through controlled rotation, the system eliminates variable travel distances and ensures consistent, minimized retrieval times while preserving the efficient parallel storage arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If storage positions are arranged to maximize capacity, then space utilization is improved, but transport distances during retrieval increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidtransport distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable storage area dynamically adjusts the angular position of workpieces to minimize retrieval distance. By rotating the storage area to bring workpieces closer to the robotic arm's operating zone, the system reduces transport distances for retrieval operations while maintaining high storage capacity through efficient angular arrangement of multiple workpieces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4093688B1Storage device, storage system, and method for handling panel-shaped workpieces
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 HOMAG AUTOMATION
  • EP4093688B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4093688B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4093688B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a storage device (1) for storing workpieces (7,7a,7b,7c,7'a,7'b,7'c), in particular panel-shaped workpieces which preferably consist at least partly of wood, wood-containing material, composite material, plastic, aluminum, or the like and each of which has a length, a width, and a thickness. The storage device (1) has a storage region which is designed to be rotatable with respect to a rotational axis (5), and the storage region of the storage device (1) is designed to receive a plurality of workpieces (7,7a,7b,7c,7'a,7'b,7'c), in particular a plurality of panel-shaped workpieces, such that the width direction or the length direction of the panel-shaped workpieces (7,7a,7b,7c,7'a,7'b,7'c) is oriented substantially radially to the rotational axis (5), wherein the respective other width or length direction of the panel-shaped workpieces (7,7a,7b,7c,7'a,7'b,7'c) is oriented substantially parallel to the rotational axis (5).