An air flow control device, an automated storage and retrieval system comprising such a device and a method for thermally managing air in an automated, grid-based storage and retrieval system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in maintaining a multitemperature environment, where cold storage volumes require temperatures below 0°C for frozen goods, while the rail system and vehicles need to be kept at higher temperatures to prevent ice build-up and wheel slippage, leading to inefficient energy use and potential exposure of vehicles to prohibitively low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

An air flow control device with perforations is positioned at the orifice of a transversally directing air duct to create a thermally stratified air curtain, separating cold air from warmer air, preventing cold air from mixing with warmer air and reducing the need for excessive cold air introduction, while also allowing for easy detection and removal of ice build-up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cold air is introduced into the storage volume to maintain frozen goods temperature, then the storage volume temperature is maintained below 0°C, but the rail system and vehicles are exposed to prohibitively low temperatures causing ice build-up and wheel slippage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volume temperatureVSAvoidvehicle operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the temperature control into separate zones: the storage volume below the rails is maintained at sub-zero temperatures for frozen goods, while the region above the rails where vehicles operate is kept at higher temperatures. This spatial segmentation allows each zone to have its own temperature requirements met independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A thermally stratified air curtain is introduced as an intermediary between the cold storage volume and the warmer vehicle operation zone. This air curtain acts as a thermal barrier that prevents cold air from rising to the vehicle level while allowing the vehicle region to maintain higher temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the storage volume and vehicle region are physically separated, then temperature control is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air curtain functions as a flexible, invisible thermal barrier that separates the cold and warm zones without requiring rigid physical partitions. This thin film of stratified air provides effective thermal isolation while maintaining structural simplicity and allowing vehicle free movement above the rails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If excessive cold air is introduced to ensure storage volume cooling, then storage temperature is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to cold air mixing with warmer air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage temperature maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potentially harmful mixing of cold and warm air into a beneficial thermal stratification. The air curtain utilizes the natural tendency of cold air to sink and warm air to rise, creating a stable stratified structure that prevents mixing and reduces energy waste while maintaining effective cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The air curtain effectively separates temperature zones, protecting vehicles from low temperatures without increasing structural complexity and achieving significant energy savings by minimizing cold air mixing, thus optimizing temperature management within the system.

Implementation Method 1

temperature of the air of the first transversal air curtain is stratified

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal stratification: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the air duct can produce a first transversal air curtain downstream of the air flow control device in the first air release volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir curtain effect: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS20250012504A1An air flow control device, an automated storage and retrieval system comprising such a device and a method for thermally managing air in an automated, grid-based storage and retrieval system

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 AUTOSTORE TECH AS

AI summary

An air flow control device controls air flow in an automated, grid-based storage and retrieval system for storing goods holders. The air flow control device includes a body provided with a plurality of perforations through which air can be directed. The air flow control device is configured to be arranged at an orifice of a transversally directing air duct positioned to distribute the air transversally into a first air release volume such that with the air flow control device in position the air duct can produce a first transversal air curtain downstream of the air flow control device in the first air release volume. Temperature of the air of the first transversal air curtain is stratified.