Rotatable Shelf Gripper for Variable-Width Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf operators lack the capability to efficiently handle and transport warehouse goods of varying sizes and widths between shelves without requiring complex movements or excessive force, leading to inefficiencies in handling output and safety during high-speed processing.
Innovation Solution
A shelf operator with rotatable gripping arms that can extend and clamp warehouse goods, allowing for secure transport between shelves without rotary movement, and a conveyor belt transport device that synchronizes gripping arm movements to minimize friction and ensure safe handling at high speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parallel-guided gripping arms are used for transporting warehouse goods, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the handling output is limited and cannot efficiently handle goods of varying sizes and widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the guided tour rotatable around a vertical axis, transforming a static parallel-guided gripping mechanism into a dynamic one. This rotation capability allows the gripping arms to adapt to warehouse goods of varying sizes and widths, significantly improving handling output while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by enabling the guided tour to rotate, which changes the spatial orientation parameter of the gripping arms. This allows the system to adjust its configuration based on the dimensions of the warehouse goods being handled, thereby improving productivity without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guided tour is rotatable to handle goods of different widths, then adaptability improves, but the space required for rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the another dimension principle by enabling rotation around a vertical axis, which adds a rotational dimension to the gripping mechanism. This allows the system to achieve adaptability for handling goods of different widths without significantly increasing the horizontal space footprint, as the rotation occurs in the vertical-axis plane.
3Productivity
If high accelerations and speeds are used for quick gripping processes, then productivity increases, but safety and securing of warehouse goods during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by centering the warehouse goods on the guided tour before transport begins. This preliminary centering action ensures that goods are properly positioned and secured before high-speed movement, allowing the system to achieve both high productivity through fast gripping processes and high reliability through secure goods handling.
Data Source
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AI summary
The rack feeder (10) has a storage surface (28) for storage goods (A, B), and two guides (20a, 20b) for receiving gripping arms (22a, 22b). The arms extend from the guides and are slidable in a storage goods sliding direction (Y) transverse to a rack lane direction (X). The guides are rotatably formed in a vertical rack direction (Z), so that the storage goods are gripped using the arms by rotation of the guides. The storage surface entirely extends over entire width of a rack lane (12). An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a rack feeder.