Shuttle Warehouse Guide Rail Weld Stud Fixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shuttle warehouses experience noise and vibration issues due to the impact of distribution vehicle wheels on fastening points, which can damage sensitive goods and disrupt operations.

Innovation Solution

The use of welding studs to fix running rail segments to the frame, welded at the rear of the running surface, eliminates unevenness and reduces noise generation by ensuring a smooth running surface, and allows for easy segment replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fastening elements (e.g., press-in threaded bolts) are used to fix guide rail segments to the frame, then the segments can be securely attached, but the fastening elements create unevenness on the running surface that generates noise and vibration when wheels drive over them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful fastening elements are extracted from the running surface area. Instead of having fastening elements protrude into or on the running surface, the patent uses welding studs that are welded to the rear side of the guide rail segments, completely removing the source of noise and vibration from the wheel path while maintaining secure attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment method transitions from a two-dimensional surface mounting (fastening elements on or in the running surface) to a three-dimensional solution where welding studs are attached to the rear face of the segments, moving the attachment point to a different spatial dimension that does not interfere with wheel movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If mounting holes are created in guide rail segments to attach fastening elements, then segments can be fixed to the frame, but the mounting process becomes more complex and requires additional holes in the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegment attachmentVSAvoidmounting process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical fastening system requiring holes and fastening elements is replaced with a welding process. Welding studs are welded directly to the rear side of the guide rail segments, eliminating the need for mounting holes and simplifying the attachment process while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment method changes from mechanical (holes and fasteners) to thermal (welding). This parameter change in the joining process eliminates the need for holes through the segments and simplifies the overall mounting procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 minimizes noise and vibration, protecting sensitive goods and reducing operational disruptions, while also simplifying the mounting process and avoiding the need for mounting holes.

Implementation Method 1

the welding studs being welded to the side of the segments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3974349B1Shuttle warehouse
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 BITO LAGERTECHNIK BITTMANN GMBH
  • EP3974349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3974349B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3974349B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a shuttle bearing (100) for storing load carriers (104), wherein the shuttle bearing (100) comprises a frame (102) and a channel, the frame (102) comprising guide rails (112), the guide rails (112) being designed to guide a transport movement of a distribution vehicle (106) designed for spatially displacing the load carriers (104) in the channel on a running surface (500) of the guide rails (112), the guide rails (112) being each formed by segments (302) arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the guide rails (112), the segments (302) being fixed to the frame (102) by weld studs (210), the fixing resulting from the fact that the weld studs (210) are welded to the side of the segments facing away from the running surface (500) and the weld studs (210) each having a thread and the threads are screwed to the frame (102).