Firefighting Service Vehicle for ASRS Grid Access Without Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in efficiently and effectively extinguishing fires within or above the storage grid without disrupting container handling vehicle operations, leading to potential damage and productivity losses due to the need for human intervention and the inefficiencies of current firefighting vehicles that follow the grid's zigzag pattern.
Innovation Solution
A service vehicle equipped with caterpillar tracks or cylindrical rollers for propulsion, allowing it to move freely across the rail system, combined with a fire extinguisher compartment and inspection units, enables rapid and efficient fire extinguishment without requiring all container handling vehicles to stop, and can handle fires of varying sizes and locations, even in weakened grid conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human firefighters are deployed to extinguish fires within the storage grid, then fire extinguishment can be achieved, but all container handling vehicles must stop operations causing productivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an autonomous service vehicle equipped with fire extinguishing equipment that can independently detect, navigate to, and extinguish fires within the storage grid without requiring human intervention or disruption of container handling operations. The vehicle autonomously navigates the rail system, positioning itself at fire locations to deliver extinguishing agents while container handling vehicles continue their operations uninterrupted.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional firefighting vehicles follow the grid pattern to reach fire locations, then they can access any position, but they experience increased response time due to zigzag movement
Solution Approach 1:
The service vehicle employs dynamic navigation capabilities that allow it to move flexibly along the rail system in direct paths toward fire locations rather than being constrained to follow the fixed grid pattern. The vehicle can dynamically adjust its route and positioning to minimize travel distance and response time while maintaining the ability to access any position within the storage grid through optimized path selection.
3Strength
If the grid structure is weakened by heat from fire, then structural integrity is compromised, but conventional firefighting methods cannot operate effectively in such conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The service vehicle is designed with autonomous operation capabilities that enable it to detect thermal conditions, navigate to fire locations, and deliver extinguishing agents without human intervention even when the grid structure is heat-weakened. The vehicle independently assesses environmental conditions and adjusts its operations accordingly, maintaining firefighting effectiveness in challenging thermal environments where human operators would face safety risks.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a service vehicle (2) for extinguishing fire on and within an automated storage and retrieval system (1) and a method for operating such a service vehicle (2). The service vehicle comprises caterpillar tracks (6, 7) allowing movement of the service vehicle across a rail system (108) and a fire extinguisher compartment (8) for containing firefighting equipment (3a).