Autonomous Access and Transport Vehicles for Flexible Warehouse Logistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current article transportation systems in logistics face inefficiencies due to long operation times, congestion, and high costs, particularly when handling frequent inbound and outbound warehouse operations, often requiring auxiliary devices like hoisters and conveyor lines, which limit flexibility and increase human resource requirements.

Innovation Solution

An article transportation system comprising at least one access vehicle and one transport vehicle, each equipped with drive assemblies for vertical and horizontal movement, and a transfer assembly for flexible article transfer between vehicles at any position, reducing the need for auxiliary devices and enhancing operational efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If auxiliary devices such as hoisters and conveyor lines are used, then article transportation can be achieved, but the cost of expenditure and maintenance is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle transportation capabilityVSAvoidcost of expenditure and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access vehicle is equipped with its own drive assembly and transfer assembly, enabling it to autonomously navigate to storage locations, transfer articles, and return without requiring external hoisters or conveyor lines. This self-service capability eliminates the need for expensive auxiliary equipment while maintaining transportation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The access vehicle integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it serves as both the transportation carrier and the article handling device through its built-in transfer assembly. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate hoisters and conveyor lines, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional article transportation systems are used, then articles can be transported, but it takes long time and has poor flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle transportationVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access vehicle can dynamically adjust its speed and navigation path based on real-time conditions. The drive assembly enables flexible movement patterns, allowing the vehicle to optimize its route and speed for each specific task, reducing overall operation time compared to fixed conveyor systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The access vehicle can navigate to the required storage location and position itself for article transfer before the actual pickup or deposit operation is needed. This preliminary positioning minimizes waiting time and ensures immediate article handling when required, improving overall system responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If traditional article transportation systems are used, then articles can be transported, but when inbound and outbound warehouse are frequent, it is easy to cause congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle transportationVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple independent access vehicles that can operate simultaneously and independently. Each vehicle manages its own navigation and article handling, dividing the transportation workload into separate segments rather than using a single congested conveyor line, thereby improving system flexibility and reducing bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of time

If the waiting time of the service device is reduced, then operation time decreases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaiting timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access vehicle autonomously navigates to storage locations and positions itself for article transfer without requiring coordination with external service devices. This self-service capability eliminates waiting time for service device availability while avoiding the complexity of centralized control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12139338B2Article transportation system

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHITECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

An article transportation system, including at least one access vehicle (1) and at least one transport vehicle (2), each access vehicle (1) is provided with a first drive assembly, and each transport vehicle (2) is provided with a second drive assembly; the first drive assembly is configured to drive the access vehicle (1) to travel on a preset plane and in a vertical direction, and the second drive assembly is configured to drive the transport vehicle (2) to travel on the preset plane; the access vehicle (1) or the transport vehicle (2) is provided with a transfer assembly (3); where the transfer assembly (3) is configured to transfer an article from one of the access vehicle (1) and the transport vehicle (2) to the other one when the access vehicle (1) and the transport vehicle (2) travel to a same position.