Bin Storage Robot Layout for Stable High-Speed Bin Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remotely operated vehicles for storage systems face issues with access to all storage columns, stability during lifting and transportation, limited maximum handling weight, and speed reduction due to design constraints, which restrict their operational efficiency and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle with a centrally arranged cavity and symmetrically positioned rolling means, allowing movement in two directions and enabling higher stability, increased handling capacity, and efficient space utilization, along with a bin lift device that maintains lifting speed and symmetry, facilitating the use of varying bin heights and improving torque management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the robot uses a yoke/overhang design in the upper part of the section receiving the storage bin, then the robot can be constructed with a specific structural form, but it necessitates an undesired speed reduction at the final stage of the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the yoke/overhang element from the robot structure. By extracting this problematic component, the robot can maintain full lifting speed throughout the entire lifting process without requiring speed reduction at the final stage, thus resolving the contradiction between structural form and lifting speed
2Stability of the object's composition
If the robot design accepts only one particular bin and one particular bin height, then adequate stability can be ensured, but the robot's versatility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic lifting device that can adapt its configuration to different bin heights. The lifting device includes adjustable components that can be repositioned to match various bin dimensions, allowing the robot to maintain stability while handling bins of different sizes and heights, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability
3Force
If the robot design causes high torque during lifting and transportation of storage bins, then the lifting force can be sufficient, but it creates potential instability problems and limits the robot's maximum handling weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric distribution of rolling means with different orientations (first set along first direction, second set along second perpendicular direction). This asymmetric configuration optimizes the torque distribution during lifting and transportation, providing sufficient lifting force while maintaining stability and increasing the maximum handling weight capacity
4Device complexity
If the robot design prevents access to all storage columns, then the robot structure can be simplified, but the operational efficiency and space utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal robot structure with cavity-containing sections that can access and handle storage bins from all storage columns in the system. The robot's design accommodates varying bin heights and positions, enabling it to perform the same lifting and transportation function across the entire storage system, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a bin storage system includes a plurality of storage columns for storage of a plurality of vertically-stacked storage bins and a plurality of robot vehicles for transporting storage bins. A plurality of supporting rails are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix at the top of the columns. The supporting rails are arranged in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The method includes positioning a cavity displaying a downwardly facing opening for the storage bin of one of the plurality of robot vehicles such that the cavity is aligned with one of the storage columns to permit the cavity to receive a storage bin from the storage columns, receiving a storage bin from the storage column into the cavity, and moving the robot vehicle along the bin storage system, using a plurality of wheels attached to the robot vehicle. A first set of wheels is arranged to allow the robot vehicle to travel in the first direction along the supporting rails. A second set of wheels is arranged to allow the robot vehicle to travel in the second direction along the supporting rails. At least one of the first set of wheels and the second set of wheels are configured to be displaceable from the supporting rails, such that the first set of wheels are in contact with the supporting rails when the robot vehicle travels in the first direction and the second set of wheels are in contact with the supporting rails when the robot vehicle travels in the second direction.