DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[001] This Application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202321013933 filed on 1st March 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The embodiments herein generally relate to automated storage and retrieval systems and more particularly to a stacker crane. Further, embodiments herein relate to a method of assembling the stacker crane. Furthermore, embodiments herein relate to a method of assembling a modular column frame assembly of the stacker crane.
BACKGROUND
[003] Generally, a stacker crane is one of the main elements of an automated storage and retrieval system. The stacker crane is used for storing and retrieving pallets which are stored in a multi-level high bay pallet racking system of a storage facility/ warehouse. Typically, the stacker crane mainly includes a column structure, a bottom carriage, a lifting carriage, a telescopic fork, a control panel, a hoist motor and a travel motor. The column structure is a hollow box section structure which includes an I-beam section on front side and steel plates on other three sides with intermittent stiffener plates. Manufacturing, handling and transportation of such longer column structure is difficult and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacture’s (OEM). Further, the longer column structures pose difficulty in shipping to foreign countries since such longer column structures occupy more container space thus requiring more number of specific long size (40 feet) containers. Furthermore, the column frame is not modular in design such that the height of the column frame cannot be varied thereby making it unusable in different warehouses requiring column frame of varied heights. The control panel is mounted on the column structure at an elevated level from the ground surface thereby requiring enclosure as well as ladders for safely accessing the control panel. This arrangement increases an overall length and width of the stacker crane since the control panel is bulky. Further, the increase in overall width of the stacker crane leads to consumption of more space in the multi-level high bay pallet racking system of the warehouse. Further, mounting the control panel on the column structure at the elevated level may pose difficulty in accessing the control panel. The hoist motor is located at an elevated level from the ground surface thereby requiring an elevated platform with ladder/rails for maintenance of the hoist motor. This may pose difficulty/not easy in accessing the hoist motor during maintenance/service. Further, the provision of elevated platform with ladder/ rails for accessing the hoist motor increases the manufacturing cost of the stacker crane as well as increases the overall width of the stacker crane thus consuming more space in the multi-level high bay pallet racking system of the warehouse. Further, the alignment, assembly and wiring of components of the stacker crane at the storage facility/ warehouse requires skilled technicians and involves many assembly steps which is tedious and a time-consuming process.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a stacker crane, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a stacker crane.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of assembling the stacker crane.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method of assembling a modular column frame assembly of the stacker crane.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with the modular column frame assembly that includes a plurality of column frame blocks which are easy in handling and transportation of such column frame blocks.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with a modular column frame assembly which enables easy machining of such individual column frame blocks on smaller machines.
[0010] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with a modular column frame assembly, which is easily portable as well as exporting the column frame blocks is easier by shipping via compact containers (20 feet container) due to better space utilization within such compact containers.
[0011] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with a light-weight modular column frame assembly that reduces wheel reactions, reduces power consumption of motor and reduces an overall weight of the stacker crane.
[0012] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with the modular column frame assembly having a plurality of column frame blocks in which a height of the column frame can be varied by adding or removing at least one column frame block with respect to the plurality of column frame blocks based on a column frame height configuration required by the stacker crane.
[0013] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with the control panel which is mounted on a bottom carriage in between and near a bottom end of column frame legs which partially covers the control panel thereby eliminating the need for extra cover panels for covering the control panel as well as reduces an overall length of a bottom carriage of the stacker crane.
[0014] Another object of embodiments herein is to optimize the size of the control panel of the stacker crane thereby reducing the overall weight and overall width of the stacker crane.
[0015] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane with a hoist motor located on a bottom carriage in vicinity of ground level thereby allowing easier accessing and maintenance/service of the hoist motor from ground level.
[0016] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a maintenance platform at a top end of the stacker crane that allows easier access to top mast pulleys of the stacker crane, without having to remove top guide rollers during servicing/ maintenance of the top mast pulleys.
[0017] Another object of embodiments herein to pre-assemble and dispatch a bottom carriage, a plurality of column frame legs, a lifting carriage, a control panel, a hoist motor and a travel motor as a single sub-assembly of the stacker crane with all the alignments and the wiring done in a production factory, thereby installation of stacker crane on site (warehouse) is quicker, and skilled technicians are not required on site for performing alignments/assembling of the stacker crane, and electrical wiring work on site is reduced, and exporting the stacker crane is easier by shipping the stacker crane via containers.
[0018] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the stacker crane which is inexpensive.
[0019] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0021] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a stacker crane, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0022] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a column frame block of a modular column frame assembly of the stacker crane, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0023] Fig. 3 illustrates a control panel mounted on a bottom carriage in between and near to a bottom end of column frame legs of the stacker crane, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0024] Fig. 4 illustrates a hoist motor mounted on the bottom carriage and is near to the ground level, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0025] Fig. 5 illustrates a maintenance platform located at a top end of the stacker crane for accessing top mast pulleys without having to remove top guide rollers during servicing of the top mast pulleys, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0026] Fig. 6 illustrates the bottom carriage, a plurality of column frame legs, a lifting carriage, the control panel, the hoist motor and a travel of the stacker crane which are pre-assembled as a single sub-assembly with all the alignments and the wiring done in a production factory, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0027] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method of assembling the stacker crane, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0028] Fig. 8 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method of assembling the modular column frame assembly of the stacker crane, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0030] The embodiments herein achieve a stacker crane. Another embodiment herein achieves a method of assembling a modular column frame assembly of the stacker crane. Furthermore, embodiment herein achieves a method of assembling the stacker crane. Referring now to the drawings Figs 1 through 8, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0031] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a stacker crane (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The stacker crane (100) includes a pair of column frame legs (101), a modular column frame assembly (102), a plurality of first fasteners (103), a bottom carriage (104), a plurality of second fasteners (105) (as shown in fig. 5), a lifting carriage (106), a hoist motor (108), a travel motor (109), a control panel (110), a maintenance platform (112), a plurality of top mast pulleys (114), a plurality of top guide rollers (116), a pulley mounting structure (117) and a mounting bracket assembly (118A, 118B) (as shown in fig. 3). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the stacker crane (100) is explained herein with below reference to storing and retrieving pallets which are stored in a multi-level high bay pallet racking system of a warehouse/ storage facility.
[0032] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of a column frame block (102B) of the modular column frame assembly (102) of the stacker crane (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The pair of column frame legs (101) is adapted to mount the modular column frame assembly (102) thereon thereby mounting the modular column frame assembly (102) onto the bottom carriage (104). The pair of column frame legs (101) is fixedly or removably mounted onto the bottom carriage (104). The modular column frame assembly (102) includes a plurality of column frame blocks (102B) in which each of corresponding said column frame block (102B) is mounted above preceding said column frame block (102B) thereby facilitating formation of said modular column frame assembly (102). For example, each of corresponding column frame block (102B) is removably mounted above preceding column frame block (102B) by using the plurality of first fasteners (103) thereby facilitating formation of the modular column frame assembly (102). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each first fastener (103) is considered to be bolts and nuts. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use any other temporary joints or permanent joints such as welding, rivets, and the like for connecting each column frame block (102B) with other column frame block (102B). Each column frame block (102B) includes a first vertical frame (102VY), a second vertical frame (102VZ), a plurality of cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC), a plurality of reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB, 102RC, 102RD) and a plurality of mounting members (102M). In an embodiment, a height of the modular column frame assembly (102) can be changed/varied by adding or removing at least one column frame block (102B) with respect to the plurality of column frame block (102B) based on a column frame height configuration that is required by the stacker crane (100). The modular column frame assembly (100) enables easy machining of such individual column frame blocks (102B) on smaller machines. The modular column frame assembly (102) enables ease in handling and transportation of individual column frame blocks (102B). The modular column frame assembly (102) is light weight thereby reducing wheel reactions as well as reducing power consumption of motor and also reduces an overall weight of the stacker crane (100). The modular column frame assembly (102) is easily portable as well as exporting the column frame blocks (102B) is easier by shipping via compact containers (20 feet container) due to better space utilization within such compact containers.
[0033] The first vertical frame (102VY) is parallel and spaced away from the second vertical frame (102VZ). Each of the first and second vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ) of each column frame block (102B) is an elongated tube having a rectangular cross-section. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide the first and second vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ) in form of elongated tube having a square cross-section or a circular cross-section or a polygonal cross-section or any other cross-section, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the first and second vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. Each mounting member (102M) of each column frame block (102B) is connected to corresponding end of the vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ). The mounting members (102M) of each of corresponding column frame block (102B) is removably mounted onto corresponding mounting members (102M) of preceding column frame block (102B) by using the first fasteners (103) thereby facilitating formation of the modular column frame assembly (102). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to connect the mounting members (102M) of each of corresponding column frame block (102B) onto corresponding mounting members (102M) of preceding column frame block (102B) by using any other temporary joints or permanent joints such as welding, rivets and the like.
[0034] The plurality of cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) of each column frame block (102B) are adapted to connect the first vertical frame (102VY) to the second vertical frame (102VZ). Each cross frame (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) is parallel and spaced away from corresponding another cross frame (102CA, 102CB, 102CC). Each cross frame (102CA) is transverse to the vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ). One end of each cross frame (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) is connected to the first vertical frame (102VY) and another end of each cross frame (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) is connected to the second vertical frame (102VZ). The plurality of cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) includes a top cross frame (102CA), a center cross frame (102CB) and a bottom cross frame (102CC) (as shown in fig. 2). The top cross frame (102CA) is located near a top end of the vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ). The center cross frame (102CB) is located at or near a center of the vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ). It is also within the scope of the invention for the column frame block (102B) to have two cross frames instead of three cross frames if a shorter vertical frame is being used for construction of column frame blocks (102B). The bottom cross frame (102CC) is located near a bottom end of the vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ). Each of the top, center and bottom cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) includes a first horizontal member (102HA), a second horizontal member (102HB) and at least one cross member (102CM) (as shown in fig. 2). Both ends of the first and second horizontal members (102HA, 102HB) are connected to the vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ). One end of the cross member (102CM) is connected to the first horizontal member (102H) and another end of the cross member (102CM) is connected to the second horizontal member (102HB). Each of the top, center and bottom cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) substantially defines a H-shape.
[0035] The plurality of reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB, 102RC, 102RD) of each column frame block (102B) are adapted for reinforcing the column frame block (102B). The plurality of reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB, 102RC, 102RD) includes a first reinforcement member (102RA), a second reinforcement member (102RB), a third reinforcement member (102RC) and a fourth reinforcement member (102RD) (as shown in fig. 2). The first and second reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB) are diagonally positioned in between the top cross frame (102CA) and the center cross frame (102CB). The third and fourth reinforcement members (102RC, 102RD) are diagonally positioned in between the center cross frame (102CB) and the bottom cross frame (102CC). It is also within the scope of the invention for the column frame block (102B) to have two reinforcement members instead of four reinforcement members if a shorter vertical frame is being used for construction of column frame blocks (102B). One end of the first reinforcement member (102RA) is connected to the first vertical frame (102VY) and the first horizontal member (102HA) of the top cross frame (102CA), and another end of the first reinforcement member (102RA) is connected to the second vertical frame (102VZ) and the first horizontal member (102HA) of the center cross frame (102CB).
[0036] One end of the second reinforcement member (102RB) is connected to the second vertical frame (102VZ) and the second horizontal member (102HB) of the top cross frame (102CA), and another end of the second reinforcement member (102RB) is connected to the first vertical frame (102VY) and the second horizontal member (102HB) of the center cross frame (102CB).
[0037] One end of the third reinforcement member (102RC) is connected to the first vertical frame (102VY) and the first horizontal member (102HA) of the center cross frame (102CB), and another end of the third reinforcement member (102RC) is connected to the second vertical frame (102VZ) and the first horizontal member (102HA) of the bottom cross frame (102CC).
[0038] One end of the fourth reinforcement member (102RD) is connected to the second vertical frame (102VZ) and the second horizontal member (102HB) of the center cross frame (102CB), and another end of the fourth reinforcement member (102RD) is connected to the first vertical frame (102VY) and the second horizontal member (102HB) of the bottom cross frame (102CC).
[0039] Fig. 4 illustrates a hoist motor (108) mounted on the bottom carriage (104) and is near to the ground level, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The hoist motor (108) is removably mounted onto the bottom carriage (104) through a mounting stool (119) (as shown in fig. 3) in vicinity of ground level thereby allowing easier accessing and maintenance/service of the hoist motor (108) from ground level. The hoist motor (108) is adjacent to the control panel (110). The mounting bracket assembly (118A, 118B) is adapted to mount the travel motor (109) onto the bottom carriage (104). In an embodiment, the mounting bracket assembly (118A, 118B) includes a first mounting bracket (118A) and a second mounting bracket (118B). The first mounting bracket (118A) is adapted to be fixedly or removably mounted onto the bottom carriage (104) through the mounting stool (119). The first mounting bracket (118A) is transverse to the second mounting bracket (118B). The second mounting bracket (118B) is adapted to be fixedly or removably connected to the first mounting bracket (118A). The second mounting bracket (118B) is adapted to removably mount the travel motor (109) thereon to facilitate mounting of the travel motor (109) onto the bottom carriage (104). The travel motor (109) is transverse to the hoist motor (108). The travel motor (109) is located below the hoist motor (108).
[0040] Fig. 3 illustrates a control panel (110) mounted on the bottom carriage (104) in between and near a bottom end of column frame legs (101) of the stacker crane (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The control panel (110) is removably mounted onto the bottom carriage (104) in between and near to a bottom end of the column frame legs (101) thereby reducing an overall length of the bottom carriage (104) of the stacker crane (100). The control panel (110) is partially covered by the column frame legs (101) thereby eliminating the need for extra cover panels for covering the control panel (110). The size of the control panel (110) is optimized thereby reducing an overall weight and an overall width of the stacker crane (100). In an embodiment, the stacker crane (100) includes a control panel platform (120) adapted to be mounted onto the bottom carriage (104). The control panel platform (120) is adapted to allow the user/ operator to access the control panel (110).
[0041] The maintenance platform (112) is provided at a top end of the stacker crane (100) thereby allowing easier access to top mast pulleys ((114), as shown in fig. 5)) of the stacker crane (100) without having to remove top guide rollers (116) during servicing/ maintenance of the top mast pulleys (114). The maintenance platform (112) is mounted onto the cross frame (102CA) of corresponding column frame block (102B) that is located at the top end of the modular column frame assembly (102).
[0042] The lifting carriage (106) is adapted to linearly move on a guide bar assembly (107) (as shown in fig. 5) which extends along a height wise direction of the modular column frame assembly (102). Further, the stacker crane (100) includes a plurality of locking pins (115) (only two of which are shown in fig. 1 and fig. 5), wherein each locking pin (115) is adapted to lock corresponding top mast pulley (114) onto the pulley mounting structure (117) which is located at the top end of the modular column frame assembly (102). Each locking pin (115) is configured to be removed to decouple corresponding top mast pulley (114) from the pulley mounting structure (117) without removing top guide rollers (116) during service or replacement of corresponding the top mast pulley (114).
[0043] The bottom carriage (104), the column frame legs (101), the lifting carriage (106), the control panel (110), the hoist motor (108) and the travel motor (109) of the stacker crane (100) are pre-assembled as a single sub-assembly (as shown in fig. 6) of the stacker crane (100) with all the alignments and the wiring done in a production factory. This enables quicker installation of stacker crane on site (warehouse) and skilled technicians are not required on site for performing alignments/assembling of the stacker crane (100). Furthermore, the pre-assembled sub-assembly of the stacker crane (100) reduces electrical wiring work on site and exporting the stacker crane (100) is easier by shipping the stacker crane via containers.
[0044] Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (300) for assembling the stacker crane (100), according to the embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (302), the method (300) includes pre-assembling a bottom carriage (104), a pair of column frame legs (101), a lifting carriage (106), a control panel (110), a hoist motor (108) and a travel motor (109) as a single sub-assembly of the stacker crane (100) with all alignments and wiring done in a production factory. At step (304), the method (300) includes dispatching the pre-assembled single sub-assembly of the stacker crane (100) to a storage facility or a warehouse. At step (306), the method (300) includes mounting a modular column frame assembly (102) onto the column frame legs (101) in the storage facility or the warehouse.
[0045] Fig. 8 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (200) of assembling a modular column frame assembly (102) of the stacker crane (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (202), the method (200) includes aligning, by a plurality of mounting members (102M) of each column frame block (102B) onto corresponding mounting members (102M) of a preceding column frame block (102B) of the modular column frame assembly (102. At step (204), removably connecting, by a plurality of first fasteners (103), the plurality of mounting members (102M) of each column frame block (102B) onto corresponding mounting members (102M) of preceding column frame block (102B) thereby facilitating formation of the modular column frame assembly (102).
[0046] The technical advantages of the stacker crane (100) are as follows. The stacker crane (100) is inexpensive. The stacker crane (100) is easy to manufacture, handle and transport. Installation of stacker crane (100) on site is quicker, and skilled technicians are not required on site for performing alignments/assembling of the stacker crane, and electrical wiring work on site is reduced, and exporting the stacker crane is easier by shipping the stacker crane via compact containers. The stacker crane allows easier access to top mast pulleys without having to remove top guide rollers during servicing/ maintenance of the top mast pulleys. The stacker crane is provided with the modular column frame assembly that enables easy machining of such individual column frame blocks on smaller machines. The stacker crane is provided with a light-weight modular column frame assembly that reduces wheel reactions, reduces power consumption of motor and reduces an overall weight of the stacker crane. The stacker crane is provided with a height adjustable modular column frame assembly. The stacker crane allows easier accessing and maintenance/service of the hoist motor from ground level.
[0047] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A stacker crane (100) comprising:
a bottom carriage (104);
a pair of column frame legs (101) mounted onto said bottom carriage (104);
a modular column frame assembly (102) mounted onto said column frame legs (101);
a control panel (110) mounted onto said bottom carriage and is positioned in between and near to a bottom end of said column frame legs (101); and
a hoist motor (108) mounted onto said bottom carriage (104).
2. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said modular column frame assembly (102) includes a plurality of column frame blocks (102B) in which each of corresponding said column frame block (102B) is mounted above preceding said column frame block (102B) thereby facilitating formation of said modular column frame assembly (102).
3. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of corresponding said column frame block (102B) is removably mounted above preceding said column frame block (102B) by using a plurality of first fasteners (103) thereby facilitating formation of said modular column frame assembly (102); and
corresponding said column frame block (102B) which is located at a bottom end of said modular column frame assembly (102) is removably mounted onto said column frame legs (101) by using a plurality of second fasteners (105) thereby facilitating mounting of said modular column frame assembly (102) onto said column frame legs (101).
4. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a height of said modular column frame assembly (102) is configured to be changed by adding or removing at least one said column frame block (102B) with respect to the plurality of said column frame block (102B) based on a column frame height configuration that is required by said stacker crane (100).
5. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stacker crane (100) includes,
a mounting stool (119) adapted to mount said hoist motor (108) thereon to facilitate mounting of said hoist motor (108) onto said bottom carriage (104); and
a mounting bracket assembly (118A, 118B) adapted to mount a travel motor (109) onto said bottom carriage (104) through said mounting stool (119),
wherein
said mounting bracket assembly (118A, 118B) includes,
a first mounting bracket (118A) adapted to be mounted onto said bottom carriage (104) through said mounting stool (119); and
a second mounting bracket (118B) adapted to be connected to said first mounting bracket (118A), wherein said second mounting bracket (118B) is adapted to mount said travel motor (109) thereon to facilitate mounting of said travel motor (109) onto said bottom carriage (104),
wherein
said first mounting bracket (118A) is transverse to said second mounting bracket (118B);
said travel motor (109) is transverse to said hoist motor (108); and
said travel motor (109) is located below said hoist motor (108).
6. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said column frame block (102B) includes,
a first vertical frame (102VY);
a second vertical frame (102VZ) positioned parallel and spaced away from said first vertical frame (102VY);
a plurality of cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) adapted to connect said first vertical frame (102VY) with said second vertical frame (102VZ); and
a plurality of reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB, 102RC, 102RD) adapted for reinforcing said column frame block (102B).
7. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of said column frame block (102B) includes a plurality of mounting members (102M), wherein each of said mounting member (102M) is connected to corresponding end of said vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ),
wherein
said mounting members (102M) of each of corresponding said column frame block (102B) is removably mounted onto corresponding mounting members (102M) of preceding said column frame block (102B) by using said first fasteners (103) thereby facilitating formation of said modular column frame assembly (102); and
said mounting members (102M) of corresponding said column frame block (102B) that is located at the bottom end of said modular column frame assembly (102) are adapted to be mounted onto said column frame legs (101) by using said second fasteners (105) thereby facilitating mounting of said modular column frame assembly (102) onto said column frame legs (101).
8. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said stacker crane (100) includes,
a maintenance platform (112) provided near a top end of said modular column frame assembly (102) thereby allowing access to a plurality of top mast pulleys (114) of said stacker crane (100) without having to remove top guide rollers (116); and
a control panel platform (120) adapted to be mounted onto said bottom carriage (104), wherein said control panel platform (120) is adapted to allow access said control panel (110),
wherein
said maintenance platform (112) is mounted onto said cross frame (102CA) of corresponding said column frame block (102B) that is located at the top end of said modular column frame assembly (102).
9. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) of each of said column frame block (102B) includes,
a top cross frame (102CA) located near a top end of said vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ);
a center cross frame (102CB) located at or near a center of said vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ); and
a bottom cross frame (102CC) located near a bottom end of said vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ),
wherein
each of said top, center and bottom cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) includes,
a first horizontal member (102HA);
a second horizontal member (102HB), wherein both ends of said first and second horizontal members (102HA, 102HB) are connected to said vertical frames (102VY, 102VZ); and
at least one cross member (102CM), wherein one end of said cross member (102CM) is connected to said first horizontal member (102H) and another end of said cross member (102CM) is connected to said second horizontal member (102HB),
wherein
each of said top, center and bottom cross frames (102CA, 102CB, 102CC) substantially defines a H-shape configuration.
10. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of said reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB, 102RC, 102RD) includes,
a first reinforcement member (102RA);
a second reinforcement member (102RB), wherein said first and second reinforcement members (102RA, 102RB) are diagonally positioned in between said top cross frame (102CA) and said center cross frame (102CB);
a third reinforcement member (102RC); and
a fourth reinforcement member (102RD), wherein said third and fourth reinforcement members (102RC, 102RD) are diagonally positioned in between said center cross frame (102CB) and said bottom cross frame (102CC).
11. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stacker crane (100) includes a lifting carriage (106) adapted to be linearly movable on a guide bar assembly (107) which extends along a height wise direction of said modular column frame assembly |(102),
wherein
said bottom carriage (104), said column frame legs (101), said lifting carriage (106), said control panel (110) said hoist motor (108) and a travel motor (109) of said stacker crane (100) are configured to be pre-assembled as a single unit with all the alignments and the wiring done in a production factory.
12. The stacker crane (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said stacker crane (100) includes a plurality of locking pins (115), wherein each of said locking pin (115) is adapted to lock corresponding top mast pulley (114) onto a pulley mounting structure (117) which is located at the top end of said modular column frame assembly (102),
wherein
each of said locking pin (115) is configured to removed to decouple corresponding said top mast pulley (114) from said pulley mounting structure (117) without removing top guide rollers (116) during service or replacement of corresponding said top mast pulley (114).
13. A method (300) for assembling a stacker crane (100), wherein said method (300) comprising:
pre-assembling a bottom carriage (104), a pair of column frame legs (101), a lifting carriage (106), a control panel (110), a hoist motor (108) and a travel motor (109) as a single sub-assembly of said stacker crane (100) with all alignments and wiring done in a production factory;
dispatching the pre-assembled said single sub-assembly of said stacker crane to a storage facility or a warehouse; and
mounting a modular column frame assembly (102) onto said column frame legs (101) in said storage facility or said warehouse.
14. A method (200) of assembling a modular column frame assembly (102) of a stacker crane (100), wherein said method (200) comprising:
aligning, by a plurality of mounting members (102M) of each column frame block (102B) onto corresponding mounting members (102M) of a preceding column frame block (102B) of said modular column frame assembly (102); and
removably connecting, by a plurality of first fasteners (103), said plurality of mounting members (102M) of each column frame block (102B) onto corresponding said mounting members (102M) of said preceding column frame block (102B) thereby facilitating formation of said modular column frame assembly (102).