Stacker Crane Fore-and-Aft Length Reduction via Lateral Drive Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacker cranes have a difficulty in shortening their fore-and-aft length due to the projection of support frames and drive means, which increases the overall length and makes it challenging to narrow the gap between support posts.
Innovation Solution
A stacker crane design featuring a vehicle frame supported by first and second wheels, with vertically extending support posts connected to the support frames, allowing for a configuration that shortens the fore-and-aft length by positioning the support frames and drive means in a way that minimizes projection and optimizes spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the support frames and drive means are positioned in front of or behind the support posts, then the stacker crane can be configured with conventional structure, but the fore-and-aft length of the travel vehicle increases due to significant projection of end portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the drive means from the front/rear exterior positions to the lateral dimension, placing them on the lateral faces of the support posts. This dimensional shift allows the drive wheels to be positioned between the support posts in the fore-and-aft direction, significantly reducing the travel vehicle's length while maintaining all necessary functional components.
2Length of moving object
If the gap between support posts is narrowed to shorten the travel vehicle length, then the fore-and-aft length decreases, but the support frames and drive means cannot be properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the drive means to the lateral dimension (sides of support posts) rather than the fore-and-aft dimension, the patent enables narrow spacing between support posts while accommodating all drive components within the lateral width, effectively resolving the positioning conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive means are nested within the spatial envelope defined by the support posts, with drive wheels positioned between the posts and drive mechanisms mounted on the lateral faces. This nesting arrangement allows compact integration without increasing the fore-and-aft length.
3Length of moving object
If the lower ends of support posts are connected to the forward or rear end portion of the travel vehicle to shorten length, then the fore-and-aft length decreases, but the support frames must still accommodate drive means positioned in front of or behind support posts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects support frames to the lateral faces of support posts rather than requiring front/rear connections, enabling the support posts to extend vertically from the connection frame without requiring additional fore-and-aft length for drive means accommodation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a stacker crane, configured to move on a single rail provided along one or more racks, includes: a first wheel that moves on the rail; a second wheel that moves on the rail, and that is disposed spaced apart from the first wheel in a fore-and-aft direction; a vehicle frame supported by the first wheel and the second wheel; first drive supported by the vehicle frame for driving the first wheel. The vehicle frame includes: a first support frame for supporting the first wheel and the first drive means; a second support frame for supporting the second wheel; and a connection frame that connects the first support frame and the second support frame. The stacker crane also includes a first support post that extends vertically and whose lower end portion is connected to the first support frame; a second support post that extends vertically and whose lower end portion is connected to the second support frame; and a vertically movable platform that is guided by the first support post and the second support post, and that can move vertically with respect to the vehicle frame.