Supporting structure for a sliding rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compact palletisation facilities face challenges in adapting to 'flow-rail' sliding rails due to the need for side access aisles, leading to inefficient space utilization and high economic costs associated with custom-built facilities.
Innovation Solution
A supporting structure for sliding rails using modular, quadrangular mesh units with adjustable telescopic ribs that can be mounted on existing compact 'drive-in' palletisation facilities, allowing for the integration of 'flow-rail' systems without requiring dismantling of existing structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional compact palletisation facilities are used, then space utilization is improved, but adaptation to flow-rail sliding rails requires dismantling existing structures incurring high economic costs
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into modular mesh units with quadrangular formats, each comprising rods arranged perpendicularly and welded together. These modular units can be independently installed on existing facility beams without requiring complete dismantling of the conventional structure, thereby reducing adaptation costs while achieving flow-rail compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate supporting structure consisting of mesh units with supporting rods that act as a mediator between the conventional facility beams and the flow-rail sliding rails. This intermediate structure enables compatibility with existing facilities while providing the necessary support for sliding rail operations
2Ease of operation
If conventional facilities with side access aisles are used, then machinery access is enabled, but storage space utilization deteriorates due to wasted space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing side access aisles for machinery, the invention inverts the approach by implementing sliding rails that move pallets automatically along the storage structure. This eliminates the need for side access spaces while maintaining machinery access through the front, thereby maximizing storage space utilization
3Ease of operation
If flat-type sliding chains are used, then movement smoothness and sequential depth storage are improved, but compatibility with conventional facilities deteriorates requiring custom-built structures
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting mesh structure with quadrangular units and perpendicular rods serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for sliding rails, enables flow-rail operation on conventional facilities, and maintains compatibility with existing beam systems. This universal design allows the same structure to achieve movement smoothness while being adaptable to conventional facilities
Data Source
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AI summary
Supporting structure for sliding rail that uses one or more identical modules, stacked longitudinally and supported on the beams of the conventional compact palletisation facility, on which the tracks for the chains of the sliding rail are subsequently mounted, each of these modules comprising, in turn, a quadrangular mesh supported on several ribs that may be fixed or telescopic, and which has, on its upper part, supporting rods for the rails for the chain. The supporting structure for sliding rail that is presented affords the main advantage of enabling any existing compact "drive-in" palletisation structure to be used and adapted to operate with "flow-rail" sliding rails or similar, dispensing with the need for custom adaptations, as well as achieving greater rigidity, better inner fitting, greater resistance to deformation and smoother operation of the sliding rail.