Shelf Transport Vehicle Vertical Guide and Stop Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shelf storage systems face challenges in quickly moving transport vehicles between levels due to the elasticity of ropes used in elevator systems, which requires complex and time-consuming control algorithms to maintain a constant position, increasing the duration of entry and exit processes.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for conveying a shelf storage transport vehicle in a vertical direction using a traction elevator system with a guide device, stop elements, and a drive device, including a hoisting rope, where the hoisting rope is de-energized after reaching a crossing position to prevent movement, allowing the transport vehicle to enter or exit without complex control measures, and a tension detection mechanism to prevent upward movement due to load reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rope elevator system is used to transport the transport vehicle between levels, then the transport vehicle can be moved vertically, but the elasticity of the ropes causes the cabin to change position when the transport vehicle enters or exits, requiring complex and time-consuming control algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of transport vehicle entry and exitVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic elastic component (the hoisting rope) from the system during the critical entry/exit operation. By detaching the rope from the cabin before the transport vehicle enters or exits, the elastic effect is completely removed from the system during this phase, eliminating position changes and the need for complex control algorithms to compensate for rope elasticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs the rope detachment action before the transport vehicle enters or exits the cabin. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance by removing the elastic element that would otherwise cause position changes during the entry/exit process, allowing for simple and quick operations without requiring complex real-time control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If complex control algorithms are used to maintain constant cabin position during transport vehicle entry and exit, then position stability is improved, but the overall duration of entry and exit processes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabin position precisionVSAvoidentry and exit process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the hoisting rope from the system during entry/exit operations, eliminating the source of position instability. This extraction approach achieves perfect position stability (the cabin remains fixed) without requiring any control algorithms, thereby dramatically reducing the time needed for entry and exit processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By detaching the rope beforehand, the system prepares for a stable, time-efficient entry/exit operation. The preliminary detachment ensures the cabin position remains constant throughout the entire entry/exit process without requiring real-time control adjustments, optimizing both precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the hoisting rope remains tensioned during transport vehicle entry and exit, then the transport element can be quickly positioned, but the elasticity of the rope causes unwanted movement when load changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport element positioning speedVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent completely removes the hoisting rope from the connection between the drive device and the cabin during entry/exit operations. This extraction eliminates the elastic effect that causes unwanted movement when load changes occur, ensuring reliable and stable positioning without requiring the rope to remain tensioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rope is detached in advance before the transport vehicle enters or exits, preparing the system for stable operation. This preliminary action ensures that no elastic effects will interfere with position stability during the critical entry/exit phase, while allowing the transport element to be positioned quickly using alternative means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables faster and more reliable movement of the transport vehicle between levels, reducing the overall duration of entry and exit processes by avoiding computationally expensive control measures and addressing the issue of rope elasticity, thus enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Due to the elasticity of the ropes used, especially wire ropes, they can expand when the cabin is loaded or contract when the load is reduced.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The device comprises at least one guide device and the at least one transport element for the transport vehicle. The movement of the transport element in and counter to the vertical direction can be guided by means of the guide device.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Implementation Method 3

The stop element can be in a stop state or can be placed in this stop state (be displaceable) or be in a release state or be placed in this release state (be displaceable). The at least one stop element of the guide device is arranged in such a way that the stop elements block a movement of the transport element counter to the vertical direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical blocking:

Data Source

PatentEP3205607B1Method and device for supplying a shelf transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3205607B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3205607B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for conveying a rack storage transport vehicle (3) in and against a vertical direction (z), wherein the device (5) comprises at least one guide device (6) and at least one transport element (7) for the transport vehicle (3), wherein the guide device (6) enables movement of the transport element (7) in and against the vertical direction (z), wherein the device (5) comprises at least one drive device for driving the transport element (7), wherein the transport element (7) has at least one stop element (11) and the guide device (6) has at least one corresponding stop element (12), wherein the stop element (11) of the transport element (7) can be moved into a stop state and a release state, wherein the at least one stop element (12) of the guide device (6) is arranged such that the stop elements (11,12) a movement of the transport element (7) against the vertical direction (z) in a crossing position for the transport vehicle (3) is blocked.