Autonomous Goods Transport Vehicle for Direct Rack Storage Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face inefficiencies and high complexity due to the need for multiple transport systems and complex coordination, leading to increased costs and reduced flexibility, especially during peak work periods and e-commerce demand surges.
Innovation Solution
A storage system utilizing a single type of goods transport vehicle equipped with a conveyor and energy drive, capable of moving horizontally, at an angle, or vertically, which eliminates the need for multiple transport systems and complex lifting technology, allowing for efficient and flexible operation by transporting goods directly between stations and storage locations without reloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple transport systems and complex conveyor chains are used to increase productivity, then the transport capacity and flexibility improve, but the device complexity and coordination requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate transport systems (conveyor belts, lifting devices, transfer stations) into a single integrated goods transport vehicle that performs all transport functions. The vehicle combines horizontal movement, vertical lifting, and goods transfer capabilities in one autonomous unit, eliminating the need for complex coordinated chains of separate systems while maintaining high transport capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The goods transport vehicle is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can perform horizontal transport, vertical lifting, angled transport, and goods transfer operations. This single vehicle type replaces multiple specialized transport devices, providing system flexibility and adaptability without increasing device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If complex lifting technology and storage and retrieval devices are installed to improve goods handling capability, then the automation level increases, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The goods transport vehicle is equipped with self-contained lifting technology and conveyor systems that enable it to perform goods handling operations autonomously without requiring external complex lifting devices or storage and retrieval systems. The vehicle serves itself by carrying its own necessary equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation levels.
3Productivity
If multiple different transport systems are coordinated to move goods efficiently, then the transport performance improves, but the coordination complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple transport functions into a single goods transport vehicle, the patent eliminates the need for complex coordination between separate systems. The vehicle moves goods directly from storage location to station in one continuous operation, removing transfer times and coordination delays associated with multiple separate transport devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If transfer points between different transport systems are installed to enable goods transfer, then the system flexibility improves, but the space requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the goods transfer function from separate transfer points and integrates it directly into the goods transport vehicle. The vehicle carries its own conveyor system that can load and unload goods at any location along its route, eliminating the need for dedicated transfer points and the space they occupy.
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
This solution enhances efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness by reducing the need for complex adjustments and maintenance, saving space and time, and enabling flexible expansion of the storage system to meet increasing demands without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor, such as a conveyor belt or roller conveyor, is provided at at least one storage location of the rack storage facility or a station and the goods transport vehicle is equipped with an energy output means or overdrive
Implementation Method 2
the goods transport vehicle is equipped with an energy output means or overdrive, for example a plug, an output shaft or an output wheel or output gear, which can be brought into operative connection with an energy connection point on the conveyor of the storage area or the station
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage system, which comprises at least one station, such as a goods input station, a goods relocation station, a goods picking station, or a goods removal station, and a rack store, which has a plurality of storage places for storing goods, which storage places are arranged adjacently to each other and/or one over the other. The storage system also comprises at least one goods transport vehicle, which transports at least one good from the station to the storage place or vice versa, and the transport occurs without the good being transferred onto another goods transport vehicle or another means of transport.