Stacker Crane Mast Base Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacker cranes face challenges in achieving high performance while minimizing stress on the mast base, as increased reinforcing ribs constrain the attachment of lifting drive components and wheels.
Innovation Solution
A stacker crane design featuring a dual-mast structure with connecting plates that function as ribs, reducing stress on the mast base, and a tilted lifting drive motor and controller mounting to save space and ease maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcing ribs are increased in strength to reduce stress on the mast base, then the stress resistance is improved, but the attachment space for lifting drive components and wheels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mast base structure is segmented into multiple reinforcing ribs that are distributed around the mast. This segmentation allows the stress resistance to be enhanced through multiple distributed support points while maintaining adequate attachment space between the ribs for lifting drive components and wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing ribs are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the mast base, utilizing spatial distribution in multiple directions. This dimensional arrangement provides comprehensive stress resistance while preserving attachment surfaces on different faces of the mast base for various components.
2Productivity
If the stacker crane is designed for high speed and high acceleration performance, then the operational performance is improved, but the stress on the mast base portion is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The mast base portion is designed with a substantially cylindrical shape rather than a sharp-cornered structure. This curved geometry distributes dynamic stresses more evenly during high-speed operation and acceleration, reducing stress concentration at corners while maintaining the structural strength needed for high performance operation.
3Strength
If reinforcing ribs are enlarged to strengthen the mast base, then the stress resistance is improved, but the attachment of lifting drive portion and wheels is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing ribs are strategically positioned and sized to provide localized strength enhancement at the mast base, while the remaining surfaces maintain their original characteristics for component attachment. This localized reinforcement approach ensures structural integrity without compromising the ease of attaching lifting drive portions and wheels to available surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
First and second masts of a stacker crane are arrayed in an X direction and extend vertically. Connecting plates are mounted at lower portions and on both side surfaces, facing a Y direction, of the first and second masts, each including an upper portion fixed to the first or second masts, and a lower portion whose width in the X direction is greater than that of the upper portion. First and second lower hollow frames include a pair of hollow members disposed on both sides of the first and second masts in the Y direction and extending in the X direction and are fixed to the lower portions of the connecting plates. Travelling wheels are supported by the connecting plates and roll on a lower guide rail.