Transport Device Cross-Path Layout for Article Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In article transport facilities, the existing layout of travel paths and transport vehicle routes often results in increased transportation time and reduced efficiency due to long distances traveled by vehicles and frequent interruptions by other vehicles, leading to decreased overall processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a transport device with a connecting portion to the storage device and a subject path that allows for direct transportation between the storage device and processing device, limiting the transport route to the subject path, thereby reducing distance and minimizing interruptions from other vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transport vehicles travel along primary paths and secondary paths in conventional layouts, then articles can be transported between storage sections and article processors, but the transportation distance becomes excessively long and smooth traveling is interrupted by other vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third-dimensional spatial arrangement by positioning the transport device to extend across both sides of the first path. The transporting path crosses the first path in plan view, creating a立体 (three-dimensional) transport network that allows direct access from the storage device on the first side to processing devices on the second side, eliminating the need for vehicles to travel along the entire length of the first path and reducing transportation time.
2Productivity
If transport vehicles follow conventional routing through multiple paths, then articles can reach processing devices, but the number of vehicles whose traveling is interrupted increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the storage device and processing devices. By providing a dedicated transporting path that crosses the first path, it mediates the transfer of articles without requiring transport vehicles to navigate through multiple intermediate paths and merging points, thereby reducing the number of vehicles affected by travel interruptions while maintaining system connectivity.
3Ease of operation
If transport vehicles must travel through multiple paths in sequence, then articles can be transported between storage and processing, but the transportation distance and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is pre-configured with a transporting path that directly connects the storage device to processing devices on the opposite side of the first path. This preliminary arrangement of the transport infrastructure allows articles to be moved directly without requiring vehicles to perform multiple sequential path transitions, thereby simplifying the transport route and reducing the time required for article transportation.
Data Source
AI summary
An article transport facility includes a transport device which has a connecting portion connected to the storage device, and which is configured to transport an article. The connecting portion is located on the first side with respect to the first path whereas a subject path is located on the second side with respect to the first path. The transporting path of an article by the transport device is so located to cross the first path in plan view and to extend at least from the connecting portion and to the second side with respect to the first path. A first transfer portion to or from which an article is transferred by a transport vehicle traveling along the subject path is set in a portion of the transporting path that is located on the second side with respect to the first path.