Polygonal Column ASRS Layout for Throughput and Modular Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic storage and retrieval systems are inefficient in terms of floor planning and throughput performance, inflexible, and have a fixed layout, making it cumbersome to expand or reduce storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modular automatic storage and retrieval system featuring a central polygonal column with multiple vertically extending storage locations, allowing for flexible expansion and efficient use of space, with load handling devices that can access storage locations directly or indirectly, optimizing storage density and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional storage systems with long rows or stacked crates are used, then the layout is simple and easy to implement, but the floor planning efficiency and throughput performance are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple modules, each comprising a central column with storage locations arranged in pairs on opposite sides. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each module while maintaining overall system efficiency, resolving the contradiction between throughput performance and layout complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional horizontal row-based storage to a vertical column-based structure with storage locations at multiple heights. This dimensional change optimizes floor space utilization and improves accessibility, thereby enhancing throughput performance without proportionally increasing layout complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed layout storage systems are used, then the initial design is straightforward, but expanding or reducing storage capacity is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is designed as a collection of identical modular units, each with a central column and paired storage locations. This segmentation enables straightforward expansion by simply adding more modules, and reduction by removing them, making storage capacity flexible without complicating the manufacturing or assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs movable storage locations that can be positioned at different heights along the central column. This dynamic configuration allows the storage capacity to be adjusted according to needs while maintaining a consistent modular structure, thereby improving adaptability without increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If more storage locations are added to increase storage density, then the space utilization improves, but the accessibility and retrieval efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Storage locations are organized in pairs on opposite sides of the central column, creating distinct access points. This segmentation ensures that adding more storage locations increases density while maintaining retrieval efficiency, as each pair can be accessed independently without interfering with other storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system arranges storage locations vertically at different heights along the central column rather than horizontally in dense rows. This vertical arrangement increases storage density within the same footprint while maintaining easy accessibility, as the load handling device can efficiently service multiple levels without horizontal obstruction.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a storage system, in particular an automatic (and modular) storage and retrieval system, comprising a central column, extending in a substantial vertical direction; a set of at least six storage locations, each of the storage locations extending from the column in a substantial horizontal direction at the same vertical level; wherein the at least six of the storage locations are pair-wise arranged on opposite sides of the column; and wherein the column is substantially polygonal, wherein at least one of the storage locations at a vertical level extend from one of the sides of the polygonal column.