Spring-Biased Brake Mechanism for Pallet Storage Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gravity-based First-In-First-Out (FIFO) storage systems for pallets often result in pallets reaching high speeds as they travel along inclined conveyors, leading to potential damage and safety hazards due to the lack of speed regulation.
Innovation Solution
A spring-biased brake mechanism that is selectively adjustable to reduce pallet speed, featuring a leg with a stop surface that can pivot between a stop position and a go position, utilizing a biasing mechanism with an adjustable spring force to control the speed reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gravity-based FIFO storage systems are used to facilitate loading and unloading of pallets, then loading and unloading efficiency is improved, but pallets reach high speeds and cause damage or safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A brake mechanism is introduced as an intermediary device between the gravity-driven pallet flow and the stop point. The brake mechanism includes a brake shoe that contacts the pallet to provide friction-based deceleration, acting as a mediator that reduces pallet speed before impact without interfering with the overall gravity-based FIFO operation
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism applies preliminary opposing force to the pallet's motion before the pallet reaches the stop point. By engaging the brake shoe to create friction against the moving pallet, the system applies anti-action in advance to reduce speed, preventing the harmful effect of high-speed collision before it occurs
2Reliability
If a brake mechanism is added to reduce pallet speed, then safety and damage prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brake mechanism employs dynamic components including a movable brake shoe that can engage and disengage from the pallet path, and a spring-loaded actuator that provides automatic reset functionality. The leg portion pivots between positions to control brake shoe engagement, creating a dynamic system that adapts to pallet passage while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The brake mechanism is designed with self-actuating features where the pallet's own motion triggers the brake engagement. As the pallet moves along the conveyor, it automatically activates the brake mechanism through its interaction with the stop surface, and the spring-loaded system automatically resets after each braking event without requiring external control
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
The brake mechanism effectively reduces pallet speed to prevent dangerous collisions, allowing for customizable adjustment based on conveyor incline, pallet weight, and other factors, ensuring safe operation and reducing the risk of damage or injury.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism having a spring force. The biasing mechanism is coupled to the leg and configured to bias the leg towards the stop position such that the spring force is required to be overcome to permit the leg to move from the stop position to the go position
Implementation Method 2
a pallet loaded onto the conveyor at the upper loading end travels along the conveyor under the force of gravity from the upper loading end towards the lower unloading end
Data Source
AI summary
A brake mechanism for a pallet storage system includes a leg defining a stop surface and movable between a stop position, wherein the stop surface is disposed within a travel path of a pallet traveling along a pallet storage system, and a go position, wherein the stop surface is displaced from the travel path. A biasing mechanism having a spring force is coupled to the leg and configured to bias the leg towards the stop position such that the spring force is required to be overcome to permit the leg to move from the stop position to the go position. Pallet storage systems including at least one of such brake mechanisms are also provided.