Stocker Guide Oblique Upward Guidance Prevents Pinching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article placement apparatuses risk damaging storage containers when a transfer device stops shifted in the width direction, causing the container to be pinched between the transfer device and an erecting part, due to the lack of effective guidance during transfer.
Innovation Solution
An article placement apparatus with a guide that obliquely guides the article upward from the front side toward the rear side, combined with an overhang portion to restrict vertical movement, and a detector system to control the transfer device, preventing pinching and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an erector is provided to restrict article movement in the width direction, then article placement stability is improved, but the risk of article damage increases when transfer device positioning is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
A guide structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the transfer device and the erector. The guide has a front surface that contacts the article and guides it obliquely upward, preventing direct contact between the article and the erector when positioning errors occur. This intermediary structure allows the erector to maintain its stabilizing function while eliminating the harmful pinching effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure transforms the interaction from a horizontal constraint (erector restricting width movement) to an oblique upward guidance. By changing the dimension of the guiding action from purely horizontal to oblique upward, the system allows articles to be guided into position without risking pinching against the vertically erected structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If the erector extends vertically from the support, then article positioning precision is improved, but the complexity of the placement apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is integrated with the erector by providing the guide on the erector itself. The guide forms part of the erector assembly, combining the guidance function and the erecting/restriction function into a single unified structure. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the guide surfaces are made smooth to prevent article damage, then article safety is improved, but the guide effectiveness in preventing pinching may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the guide structure have different surface characteristics. The front surface that contacts the article has a smooth finish to prevent damage, while the rear surface may have different properties. This local differentiation allows the guide to simultaneously provide safe contact and effective pinching prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
An article placement apparatus, a stocker provided including the article placement apparatus, and a transport vehicle system, prevent an article from being damaged at time of placement of the article, even when an erector vertically erecting from the support is provided. The article placement apparatus includes a support on which the storage container is placed, and a side erector that vertically erects from the support and extends in a transfer direction of the storage container, the side erector restricting the storage container placed on the support from moving in a width direction that is horizontally orthogonal to the transfer direction. The side erector is provided with a guide that guides the storage container obliquely upward from the front side toward the rear side when the storage container transferred by the stacker crane comes into contact.