Storage Bin Transport Robot With Central Cavity for Stable Fast Lifting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage system robots suffer from instability, limited maximum handling weight, inefficient use of space, and require speed reduction during lifting due to their design, which prevents access to all storage columns and imposes weight and height limitations.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle with a centrally arranged cavity and symmetrically positioned rolling means, allowing movement in two perpendicular directions, enhanced stability, and a lifting device that can handle bins of varying heights efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot uses an integrated yoke/overhang design in the upper section, then it can receive storage bins, but it necessitates an undesired speed reduction at the final stage of the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the yoke/overhang structure from the upper section and relocates it to the lower section of the robot. This allows the lifting device to operate at full speed throughout the lifting process without the speed reduction previously required when the yoke was positioned above the bin during the lifting operation.
2Ease of operation
If the robot has a particular design with specific rolling means positioning, then it can move on supporting rails, but it prevents access to all storage columns and causes high torque during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the rolling means relative to the robot body, with the first rolling means positioned at a first distance and the second rolling means positioned at a second distance from the lifting device. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes both stability and access capability to all storage columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-direction movement system to a two-directional movement system by adding a second set of rolling means that enables movement along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, allowing access to all storage columns in the three-dimensional storage system.
3Power
If the robot uses a particular design configuration, then it can lift storage bins, but it creates a clear limitation of the robot's maximum handling weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a lifting device that can be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal axis of the robot body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the lifting position. This dynamic capability enables the robot to handle bins of varying weights and dimensions, increasing the maximum handling weight capacity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the robot has a specific design for receiving bins, then it can ensure adequate stability, but only one particular bin and bin height may be accepted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the robot with a universal bin receiving capability through the cavity structure and adjustable lifting device positioning. The cavity is dimensioned to accommodate bins of various heights, and the lifting device can be positioned at different locations to securely handle different bin types while maintaining stability throughout the lifting and transportation process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a remotely operated vehicle 1 for picking up storage bins 2 from a storage system 3. The vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle body 4, which vehicle body 4 further comprises a first section 5, 5a, 5b for storing vehicle driving means 6 and a second section 7 for receiving any storage bin 2 stored in a storage column 8, 8a, 8b within the storage system 3, a vehicle lifting device 9 which is at least indirectly connected to the vehicle body 4 in order to lift the storage bin 2 into the second section 7, a first set of vehicle rolling means 10 connected to the vehicle body 5 in order to allow movement of the vehicle 1 along a first direction (X) within the storage system 3 during use and a second set of vehicle rolling means 11 connected to the vehicle body 4 in order to allow movement of the vehicle 1 along a second direction (Y) in the storage system 3 during use. The second direction (Y) is oriented perpendicular to the first direction (X). The second section 7 comprises a cavity 7 arranged within the vehicle body 4. This cavity 7 has at least one bin receiving opening 12 facing towards the underlying storage columns 8, 8a, 8b during use..