Sector-Based Reservoir Buffering for Balanced Article Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product reservoirs face inefficiencies due to variations between input and output flows, leading to uneven product distribution and reduced storage efficiency, particularly in complex structures requiring FIFO or LIFO operations.
Innovation Solution
A mobile reservoir with independent sectors and transfer devices that manage article movement between feed and pickup stations, ensuring balanced filling and emptying by controlling the movement of sectors and transfer devices based on flow conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If complex structures with multi-level storage and transfer devices are used, then storage capacity is improved, but device complexity increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into multiple independent sectors (first sector, second sector, third sector, fourth sector) that can operate autonomously. Each sector has its own receiving seats and can be filled or emptied independently, allowing parallel operations that simplify the overall transfer device requirements while maintaining large storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir employs dynamic control where sectors are selectively activated based on operational needs. The mobile support can move sectors independently, and transfer devices operate only when specific sectors are in position, transforming a static complex structure into a dynamically adaptive system that reduces unnecessary mechanical movements.
2Reliability
If FIFO or LIFO programs are implemented in tower solutions, then product flow control is improved, but transfer device complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reservoir into multiple independent sectors, the system can implement FIFO or LIFO logic at the sector level rather than requiring complex multi-dimensional transfer. Each sector operates as an independent storage unit, simplifying the transfer device requirements while maintaining reliable product flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile support acts as an intermediary that positions sectors near the discharge outlet when needed. This allows products to be removed from specific sectors without requiring complex multi-axis transfer mechanisms, reducing operational time while maintaining flow control reliability.
3Ease of operation
If three-dimensional transfer devices are used in tower solutions, then storage accessibility is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning where sectors are moved close to the discharge outlet only when products need to be removed. This reduces the average transfer distance compared to continuous three-dimensional movement in tower solutions, lowering energy consumption while maintaining product accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of product accessibility from complex three-dimensional transfer mechanisms. By using mobile support to position sectors near the outlet and simple transfer devices to move products, the system achieves accessibility without the energy-intensive continuous multi-axis movement required by tower solutions.
4Volume of moving object
If large complex structures are used for moving belt reservoirs, then storage volume is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal linear storage (moving belt) to vertical three-dimensional sector-based storage. Multiple sectors stacked vertically on a mobile support provide large storage volume within a compact footprint, reducing the horizontal space requirements while maintaining substantial storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sectors are arranged concentrically or vertically nested on the mobile support structure. This nesting arrangement maximizes storage volume within a compact spatial envelope, providing efficient use of space compared to extended horizontal moving belt configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir comprises: at least one feed station equipped with a feed transfer device and associated or associable with at least one respective feed line for feeding articles; at least one pickup station equipped with a pickup transfer device and associated or associable with at least one respective removal line for removing articles; a movable support provided with a plurality of receiving seats for receiving articles and configured to move the receiving seats along a closed path passing through the feed station and the pickup station so that the articles are fed to the movable support by the feed transfer device and the articles are removed from the movable support by the pickup transfer device. The movable support comprises a plurality of sectors, each defining a plurality of receiving seats and movable independently of each other along the closed path.