Stacker Crane Cable Guide for High-Temperature Automated Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated storage systems fail to operate reliably in high-temperature environments due to the degradation of wireless signal processors and fire extinguishing systems, leading to ineffective control signal transmission and potential failure in extinguishing fires.
Innovation Solution
The automated storage system incorporates a wired control line between the ground controller and the stacker crane, with both the control line and fire fighting hose contained in a common travelling cable guide, allowing for reliable control signal transmission and fire extinguishing even in high-temperature environments, while keeping the fire extinguishant supply source in a normal temperature environment to prevent deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless communication is used for control signal transmission between the ground controller and stacker crane, then the system structure is simplified, but the reliability of control signal transmission deteriorates in high-temperature environments due to degradation of wireless signal processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless electromagnetic communication with wired mechanical connection (cable guide system). The control signals are transmitted through physical cables routed via the cable guide that moves with the stacker crane, eliminating the need for wireless signal processors and ensuring reliable transmission in high-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide acts as an intermediary mechanism that physically routes control cables between the ground controller and moving stacker crane. This intermediary structure allows reliable wired communication while accommodating the motion of the stacker crane through its travelling and lifting paths.
2Device complexity
If fire extinguishant supply source is placed in high-temperature environmental space, then the system structure is simplified, but the fire extinguishing effectiveness deteriorates due to deterioration of extinguishant and potential explosion of carbon dioxide cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two temperature zones: the fire extinguishant supply source (carbon dioxide cylinder) is separated and placed in a normal temperature environment, while the fire fighting nozzle remains in the high-temperature storage space. This segmentation protects the extinguishant from heat degradation while maintaining fire suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire fighting hose acts as an intermediary conduit that connects the fire extinguishant supply source in the normal temperature environment to the fire fighting nozzle in the high-temperature storage space. This allows the extinguishant to be delivered to the fire zone without exposing the supply source to harmful temperatures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both control line and fire fighting hose are connected between ground side and stacker crane separately, then the control and fire fighting functions are independent, but the system structure becomes complex and the travelling operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The control line and fire fighting hose are merged into a single integrated cable guide structure. Both lines are routed together through the same travelling and lifting cable guides, reducing structural complexity while maintaining functional independence of control and fire fighting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide system serves multiple functions: it guides both the control line and fire fighting hose simultaneously, and it accommodates both the travelling motion of the stacker crane and the lifting motion of the platform. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall structure while maintaining all required functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Au automated storage system is presented, in which a stacker crane can properly operate even in a high temperature environment, while simplifying the construction of the system facility. The automated storage system includes articles storage racks having a plurality of storage spaces for storing articles; a stacker crane 3 which freely travels along the travelling path, and a ground controller H which is on the ground side to control the operation of the stacker crane, and a fire fighting nozzles 26 on the platform 20. The article storage racks and the stacker crane are located in a high temperature environmental space Z2, while the extinguishant supply source 27 and the ground side controller are in a normal temperature environmental space Z1. A control line 31 is established from the ground side controller and the stacker crane, and a fire fighting hose 30 is from the extinguishant supply source to the fire fighting nozzle. The control line and the fire fighting hose are contained in a common travelling cable guide 32 and have travelling portions to be guided 30a and 31a, whose paths are deformable in accordance with the course of the travelling carriage 18.