Automated Warehouse Slide-Out Modules for Upper-Section Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated warehouses face challenges in efficiently storing articles due to the difficulty in accessing upper placement sections, especially when power failures occur, leading to reduced efficiency and increased distance between shelves.
Innovation Solution
The automated warehouse incorporates a storage rack with slide mechanisms that allow placement sections to be slid to a protruding position, enabling easy access from the upper side and maintaining compact shelf spacing, while a cover covers the back face when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the distance between placement sections in the up-down direction is increased to make it easy for workers to take out articles, then ease of operation is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The placement section module is designed to be movable between a retracted position (where it does not protrude from the storage rack) and a protruding position (where it extends outward). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between two states: during normal operation, modules are retracted to maximize storage density; during article retrieval, modules are extended to provide easy access for workers, thus resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing vertical spacing between placement sections (one-dimensional solution), the invention extends placement sections horizontally outward from the storage rack in the depth direction. This dimensional shift allows workers to access articles from the front without requiring additional vertical space, thereby maintaining storage efficiency while improving ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If placement sections are arranged with large vertical spacing to facilitate manual retrieval, then ease of operation is improved, but the efficiency of storing articles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable placement section module enables the system to dynamically adjust its configuration based on operational needs. When storage efficiency is prioritized, modules are retracted; when ease of retrieval is needed, modules are extended. This eliminates the need for permanent large vertical spacing, thus preventing time loss in storage operations while maintaining ease of manual retrieval when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage rack is divided into multiple independent placement section modules that can be individually extended or retracted. This segmentation allows selective access to specific modules without affecting the entire rack structure, enabling efficient storage in non-accessed areas while providing easy access to accessed areas, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the storage rack is designed for compact shelf spacing to maximize storage capacity, then storage efficiency is improved, but ease of manual access to upper sections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The placement section module transitions from a static compact configuration to a dynamic extended configuration. During storage operations, modules are retracted to achieve compact spacing and maximize storage capacity. During manual retrieval operations, modules are extended outward to provide ergonomic access for workers, thus resolving the contradiction between compact spacing for storage efficiency and extended access for ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the spatial conflict by extending placement sections in the horizontal depth direction rather than increasing vertical spacing. This allows compact vertical stacking for maximum storage capacity while providing horizontal extension for easy front access, effectively separating the storage function (vertical compactness) from the access function (horizontal extension).
Data Source
AI summary
An automated warehouse includes a placement section module that is slidably supported by a frame member via a slide mechanism. The slide mechanism supports the placement section module in such a manner that the placement section module is slidable relative to the frame member between a reference position and a protruding position. A cover member covers a face of the placement section module on a back face side in a depth direction. When the placement section module is at the protruding position, an upper side of storage regions is exposed.