Transfer Equipment With Camera-Support Guards for Space-Saving Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transfer systems in distribution warehouses require guards to ensure safety, which leads to increased space requirements, limiting the number of systems that can be installed in a given area.

Innovation Solution

A transfer system design featuring a transporting part, transferring part, camera part, and support parts that separate the transferring part from the outside area, allowing for efficient space utilization while enhancing safety through integrated guards and parallel arrangement of systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a guard is provided around the picking device to prevent contact, then safety is improved, but the area necessary for the transfer system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidarea necessary for transfer system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guard structure is merged with the support parts of the camera device. The support parts are positioned to separate the transferring part from the outside area in the second direction, while simultaneously supporting the camera part. This integration eliminates the need for separate guard structures, reducing the total area occupied by the transfer system while maintaining safety functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support parts serve multiple functions: they support the camera part, act as guards separating the transferring part from the outside area, and contribute to the overall structural framework. This multi-functionality allows the same components to provide both operational support and safety protection, thereby reducing the space required for dedicated safety structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If the number of transfer systems is increased in a given area, then productivity is improved, but the space requirement per system decreases leading to safety concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of transfer systemsVSAvoidspace per system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the guard function into the camera support structure, the patent reduces the footprint of each transfer system. This space optimization enables increased installation density of multiple transfer systems within a given area, thereby improving overall productivity without compromising safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4599996A1Transfer system and transfer equipment
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 DAIFUKU CO LTD
  • EP4599996A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4599996A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4599996A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention saves a space for a transfer system, while enhancing safety of the transfer system. The transfer system (1) includes: a transporting part (11) which transports an article (2) in an X direction; a transferring part (12) which is provided on a front end side of the transporting part (11) and which holds and transfers the article (2); a camera part (13) which is disposed above the transferring part (12) and which captures an image of the article (2); and two support parts (14) and (14) which support the camera part (13), which are provided in a Y direction, and which separate the transferring part (12) and an outside area in the Y direction from each other.