Block Storage Sequencing With Stackable Packaging Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage arrangements in food retailing require additional buffer stations and increased installation space to sequence goods correctly in outbound delivery containers, leading to higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of stackable packaging units stored in block storage units with multiple stacking compartments, allowing flexible and efficient retrieval and sequencing of goods in a three-dimensional structure, eliminating the need for additional buffer storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If goods are transported directly from high-bay warehouse to outgoing goods area, then transport time is reduced, but goods cannot be arranged in predetermined sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging units are pre-filled with goods at the incoming goods area before being stored in the block storage unit. This preliminary action allows goods to be ready for direct transport to the outgoing goods area without requiring additional buffer storage or complex sequencing operations, thus reducing transport time while maintaining sequencing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The block storage unit acts as an intermediary structure that enables direct transport. By organizing goods into stackable packaging units that can be directly transferred from the block storage unit to the outgoing goods area, the system eliminates the need for traditional buffer stations while preserving sequencing functionality
2Ease of operation
If buffer station is arranged before outgoing goods area, then goods can be assembled in correct sequence, but installation space and storage components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sequencing function is extracted from the traditional buffer station and integrated into the block storage unit structure. Packaging units are pre-sequenced during filling at the incoming goods area, eliminating the need for separate buffer storage components and reducing installation space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The block storage unit serves multiple functions: it provides temporary storage, enables sequencing through its matrix arrangement of stacking compartments, and allows direct transfer to the outgoing goods area. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate buffer stations, reducing overall space requirements
3Quantity of substance
If traditional high-bay warehouse is used, then storage capacity is achieved, but positions cannot be approached at will due to stacker crane availability
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple independent stacking compartments arranged in a matrix. Each compartment can be accessed and filled independently, allowing flexible approach to any position without requiring a single centralized stacker crane, thus improving access flexibility while maintaining storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from the vertical access model of traditional high-bay warehouses to a two-dimensional matrix arrangement of stacking compartments. This dimensional change allows loading vehicles to approach compartments from multiple directions and access any position more flexibly, eliminating the single-point access constraint
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a storage arrangement, in goods are inserted into the storage arrangement in an inbound delivery container at an incoming goods area, are removed from the inbound delivery container, are temporarily stored and are removed from the storage arrangement in a predetermined sequence in an outbound delivery container at an outgoing goods area. The goods are transferred from the inbound delivery container into a stackable packaging unit and the packaging unit is temporarily stored in a block storage unit. The block storage unit has multiple stacking compartments and each stacking compartment is designed to receive a stack of packaging units. The goods are removed from the block storage unit in a sequence predetermined by the outgoing goods area.