Multi-Directional AGV Lifting Mechanism for ASRS Level Transfers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) using multi-directional autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) face challenges in efficiently moving carriers between levels and navigating complex storage grid layouts, particularly in accommodating non-rectangular footprints and environmental structures, which affects storage and retrieval efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a wheeled automated vehicle with a lifting surface and motorized vertical movement mechanism, combined with a rectangular grid of uprights and bridges, allowing for flexible movement between levels and across divides, and a control system for managing vehicle and elevator operations to optimize storage and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-directional autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) are used to move carriers between levels and navigate complex storage grid layouts, then storage and retrieval efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for coordinated vehicle and elevator operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system that acts as a mediator between the AGVs and elevators. This control system coordinates the operations of multiple vehicles and elevators, managing their movements and interactions to achieve efficient storage and retrieval while maintaining system order. The intermediary controller receives requests, plans operations, and dispatches vehicles and elevators accordingly, resolving the complexity of coordinating multiple autonomous agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic routing and scheduling capabilities where the control system continuously adapts vehicle paths and elevator assignments based on real-time conditions. The AGVs can dynamically change their routes and the elevators can dynamically adjust their scheduling to optimize throughput. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle varying workload conditions while maintaining efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rectangular grid of uprights with bridges is used to accommodate complex layouts and environmental structures, then adaptability to various storage configurations is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for bridges and multi-directional navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the AGVs with multi-directional capabilities and the rectangular grid structure with bridges to serve multiple functions. The same infrastructure (rectangular grid with bridges) supports both storage operations and vehicle navigation. The AGVs can travel horizontally along grid lines and vertically via elevators, using the same structural elements for different operational purposes, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is segmented into modular components: uprights forming a rectangular grid, bridges connecting different sections, and discrete carrier storage locations. This segmentation allows the system to be configured in various layouts by arranging and connecting modular units. The bridges act as separate connectable elements that can be added or removed to adapt the layout, providing flexibility without requiring complete structural redesign.
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
This solution enhances the efficiency of storage and retrieval operations by enabling seamless movement of carriers between levels and across complex layouts, improving throughput and adaptability to various storage configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis, at least one motor for driving the pair of wheels
Implementation Method 2
a lifting surface for supporting a supported one of the carriers and shiftable between a lowered condition and a raised condition
Implementation Method 3
a pair of vertically-extending toothed racks; and a motorized platform having a pair of pinions engaged to the toothed racks and driven by a motor for vertical movement between the flooring levels
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system (20; 300) for storing loads (32) has: a plurality of carriers (30; 330), for holding respective loads; a plurality of uprights (46; 346); a plurality of flooring levels, one above another, supported by the uprights; a plurality of carrier supports (66; 366); at least one wheeled automated vehicle (50; 350), for carrying said carriers along the flooring levels and including a lifting surface (200; 400) for supporting a supported one of the carriers and shiftable between a lowered condition and a raised condition; and means (52A, 52B) for moving the at least one wheeled automated vehicle between the flooring levels.