Access Station Drawer Interlock for Falling-Object Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems lack safety mechanisms to prevent users, especially untrained individuals, from being injured by falling storage containers or gripping devices at access stations, particularly in public-facing curbside pickup points.
Innovation Solution
An access station with a movable drawer and a blocker mechanism that prevents the drawer from moving into a safety zone when an object is present, ensuring the gripping device is outside the zone during user access, thereby preventing accidental injuries and theft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drawer is made movable to allow user access to goods, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is worsened due to risk of injury from falling objects or gripping devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary safety verification by checking whether the drawer is in the open position before allowing the gripping device to move into the safety zone. This preliminary action prevents harmful events by ensuring the path is clear before permitting movement that could cause injury.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the drawer position and the gripping device movement. The control system monitors drawer position and mediates the gripping device's ability to enter the safety zone, preventing direct uncontrolled interaction that could cause harm.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access stations are made publicly accessible for curbside pickup, then adaptability is improved, but safety is worsened due to untrained users
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service safety protection by automatically monitoring drawer position and controlling gripping device movement without requiring user training. The safety mechanisms operate autonomously to protect untrained public users who interact with the access station.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of safe conditions before allowing any operations that could affect public safety. The control system checks drawer position and other safety parameters before permitting gripping device movement, ensuring protection even for untrained users.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drawer is retracted into the frame structure to prevent access, then safety is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer transitions from a static retracted position to a dynamic movable position. When moved to the open position, the drawer presents the compartment to users while the control system dynamically adjusts gripping device permissions, maintaining safety during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system receives feedback about drawer position and uses this information to adjust gripping device control accordingly. This feedback loop ensures safety is maintained while allowing user access when the drawer is in the appropriate position.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is disclosed an access station, an automated storage and retrieval system and a method of using same. The access station (500) comprises a frame structure (520), a drawer (510) arranged in the frame structure (520) and comprising a compartment (511) for accommodating a goods holder (106), wherein the drawer (510) is movable between a receiving position for receiving the goods holder (106) from above where the drawer (510) is retracted into the frame structure (520) for preventing a user from accessing the compartment (511), and a picking position for presenting the goods holder (106) to a user, and a blocker (530) operational with the drawer (510) for providing a safety zone (Zs) above the receiving position, wherein the blocker (530) is configured to block movement of the drawer (510) located in the receiving position when an object (304) is located in the safety zone (Zs), and wherein the blocker (530) is configured to block movement of the object (304) into the safety zone (Zs) when the drawer (510) is at least partly located outside the receiving position.