Automated warehouse and method for controlling automated warehouse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated warehouses face a reduction in operating rate when one carrier is isolated for maintenance, as the remaining carrier cannot access or transfer articles held by or stored in the isolated carrier's housing shelf, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a controller system that redirects articles held by an isolated carrier to a shelf accessible by the remaining carrier, allowing uninterrupted operation while maintaining safety by using stoppers and cages to regulate entry into isolation regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If one carrier is isolated for maintenance, then safety is improved, but the operating rate decreases because the remaining carrier cannot access articles held by or stored in the isolated carrier's housing shelf
Solution Approach 1:
The housing shelf is divided into multiple sections, with each section accessible to specific carriers. When one carrier is isolated for maintenance, the controller redirects articles to alternative housing shelf sections that remain accessible to other carriers, thereby maintaining system productivity while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages article redistribution when a carrier is isolated. It identifies alternative housing shelves accessible to remaining carriers and coordinates the transfer of articles, enabling continuous operation without compromising safety protocols.
2Productivity
If the remaining carrier operates in the isolation region, then productivity is improved, but safety is compromised due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the housing shelf are assigned different access permissions. The isolation region maintains restricted access characteristics while other regions remain accessible. This local differentiation allows the remaining carrier to operate in permitted areas without compromising the safety restrictions of the isolation region.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors carrier positions and door states through detectors. When a door corresponding to the isolation region opens, the controller receives feedback and adjusts carrier operations accordingly, allowing the remaining carrier to operate safely within defined boundaries while preventing unauthorized access to the isolation region.
Data Source
AI summary
In an automated warehouse, if a controller receives an instruction to retreat a first carrier and if the first carrier is holding an article or if an article is housed in a housing shelf corresponding to an isolation region that is a retreat destination, the controller causes the first carrier to carry the article to a housing shelf to and from which a second carrier is able to transfer an article, then causes the first carrier to retreat, and then drives the second carrier within a range of a track except for the isolation region. When it is detected that one of first doors corresponding to the isolation region has been opened, the controller continues driving the second carrier.