Stacker Crane Detachable Cover for Simplified Fire Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stacker cranes for secondary battery manufacturing have complex fire prevention mechanisms with numerous components, increasing space and cost, and are prone to malfunction or sensor damage due to fire within the shutter structure.

Innovation Solution

A stacker crane with a detachable cover made of flame retardant or non-inflammable material that covers the article after initial fire extinguishing, reducing the number of drive components and simplifying the fire prevention mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional shutter structure is used for fire prevention, then fire spread prevention is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire spread preventionVSAvoidshutter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential fire prevention function from the complex shutter structure by using a simple detachable cover that can be easily removed. The cover is supported by a support portion that allows it to be detached when needed, eliminating the need for complex shutter mechanisms while maintaining fire spread prevention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fire prevention system is segmented into a simple detachable cover and a support portion. The cover can be detached when fire is detected, and the support portion provides minimal structural support. This segmentation reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure compared to conventional shutter systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a complex shutter structure is used, then fire protection is achieved, but space and cost of the structure are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protectionVSAvoidstructure space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes unnecessary structural components from conventional shutter systems, retaining only the essential cover and support portion. This extraction of unnecessary elements reduces the space required for the fire protection structure while maintaining effective fire protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If sensors are placed inside the shutter structure, then fire detection is enabled, but sensors may be badly affected or malfunction occurs when fire grows inside the shutter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire detectionVSAvoidsensor operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts sensors from the interior of the shutter structure and places them outside, where they can detect fire conditions without being exposed to the harmful environment inside the shutter. This positioning allows sensors to monitor fire conditions reliably without suffering damage from heat or smoke.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable cover acts as an intermediary that can be removed when fire is detected. This allows the system to respond to fire conditions without exposing sensors to the harmful interior environment, maintaining sensor reliability while enabling fire detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the shutter cannot be opened, then fire protection is maintained, but the package cannot be put into the water submersion tank

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire protectionVSAvoidpackage conveyance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic detachable cover that can transition between a closed state (for fire protection) and an open state (for package conveyance). The cover can be detached when needed to allow the package to be moved to the water submersion tank, providing operational flexibility while maintaining fire protection when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fire protection system is segmented into a detachable cover and support portion, allowing the cover to be removed when fire protection is no longer needed and the package must be conveyed. This segmentation enables the system to switch between protection mode and conveyance mode smoothly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplified fire prevention mechanism enhances reliability by preventing fire spread and protecting sensors, while minimizing the need for complex operations during fire extinguishing and conveyance to a water submersion tank.

Implementation Method 1

The cover is made of a flame retardant or non-inflammable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlame retardancy:

Data Source

PatentEP4190718B1Stacker crane

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MURATA MASCH LTD

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

Provided is a stacker crane that simplifies a fire prevention mechanism and reduces the number of drive components so as to improve reliability. The stacker crane (3), which retrieves cases (7) from a plurality of shelves (6) and conveys the same, includes a traveling cart (12), a mast (13), a lift platform (14), a slide fork (15), and a cover (43). The cover (43) is made of a flame retardant or non-inflammable material, and is supported in a detachable manner so as to move toward the top surface of the slide fork (15).