Storage Rack Motorized Conveyor Alignment for Short Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face challenges in efficiently managing and storing goods of varying dimensions, particularly in ensuring precise alignment and storage of items with short or small dimensions, and in optimizing storage space utilization to maximize throughput and reduce mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The storage system employs a motorized conveyor device with support means, including driven support rollers, and telescopic units, allowing for precise positioning and alignment of goods, and a control unit that assigns goods to specific width classes for efficient storage and retrieval, enabling the storage of goods with short or small dimensions and optimizing storage channel utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single piece of goods is stored in each storage channel in the second direction, then storage simplicity is maintained, but storage space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage channel is segmented into multiple storage locations along the second direction (depth direction), allowing multiple piece goods to be stored in series. Each storage location can independently hold one or more piece goods, transforming a single-deep storage channel into a multi-deep storage system while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-deep storage (one piece per channel) to multi-deep storage by utilizing the depth dimension (second direction) more effectively. Piece goods are arranged in series along the depth of the storage channel, converting a one-dimensional storage approach into a three-dimensional utilization strategy that maximizes space without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If goods of different dimensions are stored in the same storage channel, then storage flexibility is improved, but alignment precision and storage accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different storage locations within the same storage channel are assigned different width class specifications. Each storage location is optimized for specific width dimensions, allowing the system to accommodate diverse piece goods while maintaining precise alignment at each local position. The support means at each location are configured to match the intended storage class, ensuring alignment precision despite overall system versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The support means act as intermediaries between the transport device and the storage channel, providing localized alignment and support for piece goods of specific width classes. These support means ensure that even when diverse dimensions are stored throughout the channel, each piece good is properly aligned and positioned at its designated location, bridging the gap between flexibility and precision
3Length of stationary object
If the transport device extends deeply into the storage channel, then storage depth capacity is improved, but mechanical stress and system reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The storage channel depth is segmented into multiple discrete storage locations rather than requiring continuous deep extension. This allows the transport device to access and store piece goods at specific intervals along the depth, reducing the mechanical burden of extending far into the channel while still achieving deep storage capacity through cumulative positioning at multiple locations
Solution Approach 2:
Piece goods are pre-aligned and positioned on the transport device before being transferred to the storage channel. The support means are positioned in advance at the appropriate depth locations, allowing the transport device to deposit piece goods without requiring excessive extension. This preliminary preparation reduces the mechanical stress on the transport device during the storage operation
4Manufacturing precision
If piece goods receiving devices are positioned for each storage channel, then storage precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single piece goods receiving device is designed to serve multiple storage channels by moving along the first direction (lateral direction). This universal receiving device can position and deposit piece goods into any of the multiple storage channels, eliminating the need for dedicated receiving devices at each channel while maintaining storage precision through controlled positioning and the support means alignment system
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
This solution enhances storage performance by allowing for the efficient handling of goods with diverse dimensions, reduces mechanical stress, and increases system availability by optimizing storage space and minimizing incorrect storage, thereby achieving high storage throughput and precision in alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the support means are each formed by a motorized conveyor device, so that during the displacement movement of the piece goods between the piece goods receiving device and the storage channel, the piece goods can rest on the support means and be acted upon by a driving force
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a storage system comprising a storage rack (1) with a plurality of storage channels (4), a unit load handling device (2) movable along the storage channels in an x-direction, and a transport device (32) extendable into the storage channel in a z-direction. The unit load handling device comprises a motorized conveyor (33), the transport device (32), and support means (37), wherein the motorized conveyor (33), the transport device (32), and the support means (37) are mounted on a support frame (18). The support means are arranged in the opposite end regions of the motorized conveyor and are each formed by a motorized conveyor (38), so that during the displacement movement of the unit loads between the unit load handling device and the storage channel, the unit loads can rest on the support means and be acted upon by a drive force.