Vertical Die Storage Using Suspended Hooks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing die-handling systems risk damaging flat dies due to contact with shelf surfaces and irregular shapes, and the use of drawers can cause protruding elements to be bent or deformed during storage and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a support with sliding and fastening means to hold dies vertically, coupled to a handler with hooking and moving mechanisms, allowing for safe and efficient storage and handling of dies with rectangular or arched transverse cross-sections, using U-shaped profiles and rolling elements to facilitate movement and prevent contact with surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dies are stored on shelves with compartments at floor level, then handling and removal is facilitated, but the risk of damage to edges and deformation increases due to contact with shelf surfaces and lateral walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal storage (dies lying flat on shelf compartments) to vertical storage (dies suspended vertically from hooks). This dimensional change eliminates contact between die edges and shelf surfaces, preventing damage while maintaining ease of handling through the vertical suspension system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hooks as intermediary elements that suspend dies vertically. These hooks act as mediators between the storage system and the dies, holding them in a position that prevents direct contact with potentially damaging shelf surfaces while facilitating easy placement and removal
2Adaptability or versatility
If dies are stored in drawers, then storage organization is improved, but protruding elements such as blades may be damaged or bent during placement and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces horizontal drawer storage with vertical suspension storage. By changing the storage dimension from horizontal (drawers) to vertical (suspended hooks), protruding elements like blades remain exposed and accessible rather than being compressed or bent within drawer confines
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts dies from enclosed drawer compartments and suspends them openly on hooks. This extraction allows protruding elements to remain accessible and undamaged, eliminating the compression and bending risks associated with drawer storage while maintaining organized storage through designated hook positions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dies are stored vertically suspended, then damage risk from contact is reduced, but the complexity of the storage system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple hooks as intermediary elements to achieve vertical suspension. These hooks provide a straightforward mechanism for suspending dies vertically without requiring complex storage infrastructure, balancing damage prevention with system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting dies from below (traditional shelf storage), the system inverts the approach by suspending dies from above using hooks. This inversion simplifies the storage mechanism while effectively preventing contact damage, as the suspension point is远离 from the die edges that are most vulnerable to damage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces the risk of die damage by suspending dies vertically, enhancing storage ease and compatibility with different height levels, while maintaining die integrity and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
the support for placing the dies has rolling means that can slide over guiding profiles located on the fixed structure
Data Source
Figure 1~1b
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
System for handling dies with a rectangular and/or arched transverse cross-section that comprises a support for placing in a removable manner dies having a rectangular transverse cross-section, the support being designed to be coupled in a sliding manner to a fixed structure, in which at least said support has fastening means for holding at least one die with a rectangular transverse cross-section vertically in the air; and a handler provided with hooking means designed to be coupled to the support to place and/or remove the support with respect to the fixed structure, the handler having coupling means to be coupled to a transelevator or similar. This system is designed to facilitate the operations of placing and removing the dies during their storage.