Triangular Palletizing Column Reducing Material Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing palletizing devices require significant space and have limited flexibility in design due to their conventional cuboid shape, which affects their efficiency and material usage.

Innovation Solution

A palletizing device with a columnar lifting device featuring a triangular cross-section and three sides, each with a separate guide device, allowing for independent vertical movement of carriages and reducing material usage while maintaining stability and load-bearing strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a conventional cuboid lifting device is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space requirement is large and material usage is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidstructure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device changes from a conventional symmetric cuboid shape to an asymmetric triangular cross-section design. This asymmetric configuration reduces the overall material volume required while maintaining the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity needed for palletizing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar guide device arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration where guide devices are distributed across three sides of the triangular column. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization and reduced material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If a triangular cross-section lifting device is used, then space requirement is reduced and material is saved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide devices are strategically positioned at specific locations on the three sides of the triangular column, with each guide device tailored to its local structural requirements. This localized optimization reduces overall structural complexity while achieving the space reduction goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If three separate guide devices are arranged on three sides of the lifting device, then flexibility in layout design is increased, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in layout designVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The three separate guide devices serve multiple functions: they provide vertical guidance for carriages, support the triangular column structure, and enable flexible layout configurations. This multi-functionality increases design flexibility without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3841045B1Palletising system and method for operating a palletising system
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 KOERBER SUPPLY CHAIN AUTOMATION EISENBERG GMBH
  • EP3841045B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3841045B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3841045B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a palletising system (10) for depositing layers of items (15) on a transportation means (105), comprising a lifting system (20) which is in the form of a column and has at least three sides (21, 22, 23), and which has at least three separate guide arrangements (41, 42, 43), wherein one of the at least three guide arrangements (41, 42, 43) is located on each of at least three sides (21, 22, 23), and wherein at least one carriage (31, 32, 33) is mounted on each of at least three guide arrangements (41, 42, 43) for movement in a vertical direction (Z). The at least three sides (21, 22, 23) are parallel to the vertical direction (Z) and are inclined relative to each other, and at least two of the angles (A1, A2, A3) between pairs of the sides (21, 22, 23) are angles other than 90°. The invention also relates to a method for operating a palletising system (10) for depositing a layer of items (15) on a transportation means (105).