Transfer Device Holding Portion Orientation for Storage Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional article transport facilities face inefficiencies in storing articles in containers due to the need for orientation changes, which prolongs the storage time and increases operational steps, especially when articles need to be stored in different orientations to maximize space utilization.
Innovation Solution
An article transport facility with a transfer device equipped with first and second holding portions and a control device that allows selective attachment of these portions to an attachment portion, enabling articles to be stored in either a first or second orientation, with the second orientation having a smaller contact area, thereby stabilizing articles more effectively and reducing the need for frequent holding portion replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If articles are stored in different orientations to increase storage efficiency, then storage efficiency is improved, but the time required for transfer operation is elongated
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is segmented into multiple holding portions (first holding portion for first orientation, second holding portion for second orientation) that can be selectively attached to the attachment portion. This segmentation allows the system to handle different article orientations with specialized components, resolving the contradiction by enabling efficient storage in different orientations while maintaining transfer speed through dedicated holding mechanisms for each orientation type.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of operational steps of the transfer device is increased to change article orientation, then storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device employs a dynamic configuration where holding portions can be selectively attached and detached from the attachment portion based on the required article orientation. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between different holding portions (first for first orientation, second for second orientation) without requiring complex operational steps to change article orientation, thus improving storage efficiency while keeping device complexity manageable.
3Quantity of substance
If the transfer device is switched between different configurations depending on article orientation, then storage efficiency is improved, but the time required for transfer operation is elongated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple holding portions (first and second holding portions) are pre-configured for different article orientations and selectively attached to the attachment portion before transfer operations begin. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming switching during transfer operations, allowing the system to maintain efficient transfer speeds while achieving improved storage efficiency through appropriate orientation selection.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device and a control device for controlling the transfer device are provided. The control device is configured to execute setting control to set a storing position, in a container, of each of a plurality of articles to be stored in the container, storage control to control the transfer device so as to store each of the articles at the storing position, and replacement control to replace one of a first holding portion and a second holding portion attached to the attachment portion with the other one. The setting control is control to set the storing position in accordance with an order of transferring the plurality of articles so as to sequentially place the articles from a reference position that is set at a position adjacent to a side wall portion.