Automatic Transfer Device Standby Cleaning and Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery systems with automatic transfer devices lack efficient maintenance and operation strategies, as they do not effectively utilize standby time for maintenance tasks such as cleaning and inspection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a cleaning device and inspection section within the standby space of the delivery system, allowing the automatic transfer device to be cleaned and inspected while on standby, utilizing charging, inspection, and cleaning processes to maintain the device efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the automatic transfer device operates continuously for delivery work, then productivity is improved, but maintenance cannot be performed and the device may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery work efficiencyVSAvoiddevice operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs maintenance actions (cleaning, inspection) in advance during standby periods before the device is needed for delivery work. The control unit schedules and executes maintenance tasks proactively when the device is not in use, ensuring the device is maintained and ready for the next delivery task without interrupting productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If maintenance work is performed separately from standby time, then maintenance quality can be ensured, but standby time is wasted and overall efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance qualityVSAvoidstandby time utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges maintenance work with standby time by integrating cleaning and inspection functions into the periods when the automatic transfer device is not performing delivery tasks. The control unit coordinates the maintenance device to operate simultaneously during standby periods, combining two previously separate functions (standby and maintenance) into one efficient process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the automatic transfer device is cleaned during operation, then maintenance can be performed continuously, but the device structure becomes complex and operation is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous maintenance capabilityVSAvoidsystem structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance function is extracted as a separate, dedicated maintenance device rather than being integrated into the automatic transfer device itself. This allows maintenance to be performed independently during standby periods without complicating the structure of the main delivery device or interrupting its operation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4407398A1Delivery system, delivery method, and automatic transfer device

Publication Date: 2024.07.31 FUJI CORP

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AI summary

The delivery system of the present disclosure is a delivery system configured to deliver an article, the delivery system including an automatic transfer device including a detection section configured to detect surroundings, a drive section, and a control section configured to control the drive section, the automatic transfer device being configured to automatically move the article in a specific space, a standby space where the automatic transfer device is on standby is provided in the specific space, and the delivery system further includes a cleaning device disposed in the standby space, the cleaning device being configured to clean the automatic transfer device while the automatic transfer device is on standby.