Vibration Isolator for Stacked Storage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stacked storage containers and luggage are prone to collapse and displacement during earthquakes due to floor vibrations, leading to damage and inaccurate restacking by picking systems.
Innovation Solution
A vibration isolator comprising an upper and lower member with a moving mechanism and elastic member, allowing the upper member to move relative to the lower member horizontally and return to its original position via elastic force, preventing excessive movement and collapse of stacked containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage containers are stacked directly on the floor surface, then the structure is simple and stable, but the stacked containers collapse and displace during earthquakes due to floor vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration isolator is divided into separate functional components: upper member, lower member, moving mechanism, and elastic member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system stability during earthquakes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration isolator acts as an intermediary device between the floor surface and the stacked storage containers. It absorbs and isolates vibrations from the floor, preventing them from being transmitted to the containers while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the upper member is allowed to move relative to the lower member to absorb vibrations, then the isolator effectively prevents container collapse, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The moving mechanism enables the upper member to move dynamically relative to the lower member in response to vibrations. This dynamic capability allows the isolator to adapt to varying vibration conditions while maintaining a straightforward mechanical structure using guide members and slide members.
3Manufacturing precision
If the elastic member provides strong restoring force to return the upper member to origin position, then the container position stability is improved, but the force required increases the complexity of the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member's properties (such as spring constant and pre-compression) can be adjusted to provide the appropriate restoring force. This allows the system to achieve precise container positioning while keeping the elastic member configuration simple, requiring only basic elastic elements rather than complex mechanisms.
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
Significantly reduces or prevents the collapse and displacement of stacked storage containers, maintaining their original position and preventing damage during floor vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic member makes the upper member return to the position of origin by an elastic force responsive to a moving amount of the upper member from the position of origin in the movement of the upper member relative to the lower member.
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration isolator includes an upper member, a lower member, moving mechanisms, and an elastic member. The upper member has a first storage container placed thereon. The lower member is placed on a floor surface or on an upper side of a second storage container. The moving mechanisms make the upper member movable relative to the lower member from a position of origin in a horizontal direction. The elastic member makes the upper member return to the position of origin by an elastic force responsive to a moving amount of the upper member from the position of origin in the movement of the upper member relative to the lower member.