Telescopic Load Handling Device Support Arm Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-bay warehouses, load handling devices for stacker cranes face challenges with double-deep storage, where the rear loading aids must be elevated due to long telescopic lengths and heavy loads, leading to significant deflection and wasted storage space.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a support device with an extendable support arm that allows at least one telescopic element to rest on it in the extended state, reducing the unsupported length and deflection of the load handling device, and enabling the storage of rear loading aids at a lower height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the telescopic length is increased to reach rear storage locations in double-deep storage, then the reach distance is improved, but the deflection of the load handling device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetelescopic lengthVSAvoiddeflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A support arm is introduced as an intermediary element between the base element and the telescopic elements. The support arm provides intermediate support points that reduce the unsupported length of the telescopic elements, thereby reducing deflection while maintaining the ability to reach rear storage locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The load handling device is segmented into multiple support zones along the telescopic elements. The support arm divides the long telescopic span into shorter segments by providing intermediate support, reducing overall deflection while maintaining reach capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the telescopic length is increased to access rear storage locations, then the reach distance is improved, but the height offset increases requiring elevated storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetelescopic lengthVSAvoidheight offset
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm acts as a mediator that provides structural support along the telescopic path, enabling the load handling device to maintain stability over long distances without requiring elevation of the rear storage location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Length of moving object

If the telescopic elements are extended to reach rear storage locations, then the reach distance is improved, but the load on the telescopic elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetelescopic lengthVSAvoidload
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm serves as a force-distributing intermediary that provides intermediate support points. This reduces the bending moments and shear forces in the telescopic elements by breaking up the continuous span into shorter segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic structure is segmented by the support arm into multiple shorter spans, reducing the cumulative load and stress on any single telescopic element while maintaining overall reach capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If rear loading aids are elevated to enable double-deep storage, then the storage accessibility is improved, but the storage space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage accessibilityVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arm enables stable operation over long telescopic distances without elevation, allowing rear storage locations to be accessed at the same height as front locations, maximizing storage space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2829502B1Load bearing device for a rack retrieval system
Publication Date: 2015.07.01 MLOG LOGISTICS
  • EP2829502B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2829502B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2829502B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a load-handling device (10) for a storage and retrieval machine, comprising at least one telescopically designed load-handling element (20) which has at least two telescopic elements (22, 24, 26). The uppermost telescopic element (26) is provided with at least one receiving fork. The lowermost telescopic element (22) is slidably mounted on a base element (12), the base element (12) being attachable to the storage and retrieval machine. According to the invention, a support device (30) is provided on the load-handling device (10) by means of which at least one of the telescopic elements (22) can be supported in its extended state.