Buffer Area Storage Rack Transport Device Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage racks face inefficiencies in handling storage products due to the need for excessive space and structural complexity for turning transport devices within the transport shaft, and collisions can occur when withdrawing high storage products, limiting ergonomic access and increasing handling time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a buffer area in a storage rack system where storage products are temporarily stored before being moved to their final location, allowing for reduced transport device traversals and ergonomic handling, with a height measuring device ensuring safe and efficient storage and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the transport device is turned within the transport shaft, then the storage product can be transported to the desired location, but the transport shaft needs a larger width and requires more structural effort
Solution Approach 1:
The turning operation is extracted from the transport shaft and relocated to the service opening area. The transport device is turned horizontally in the service opening before being inserted into the transport shaft, eliminating the need for vertical turning space within the shaft and reducing its structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turning motion is performed in a different spatial dimension (horizontal rotation in service opening) rather than within the vertical transport shaft. This dimensional shift allows the transport device to be oriented correctly without requiring additional width within the shaft itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the service opening is occupied by a high storage product carrier, then storage products of great height can be stored, but collisions occur with subsequent storage product carriers and ergonomic access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines in advance whether a storage product carrier occupies the service opening based on the height of the storage product. If the carrier is occupied, the system preliminarily determines an alternative storage location, preventing collision before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about the state of the service opening and the height of storage product carriers. Based on this feedback, the control unit determines appropriate storage locations and prevents collisions by avoiding insertion of new carriers when the opening is occupied.
3Productivity
If multiple storage product carriers are supplied to the service opening, then storage productivity increases, but collisions occur and handling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance whether the service opening is occupied before inserting a new storage product carrier. This preliminary check prevents collisions and unnecessary waiting time, allowing continuous efficient operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation by preventing collisions that would cause interruptions. The control unit ensures that storage product carriers are inserted only when the service opening is available, maintaining smooth continuous flow without stops for collision resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of storing storage products in a storage rack, the storage rack comprising several rack units providing a plurality of storage spaces for the storage products. The storage rack comprises a transport shaft, a transport device being traversable on the transport shaft to transport the storage products between a service opening and a storage space. A first rack unit has the service opening and a second rack unit is spaced from the first rack unit by the transport shaft. In the method, a first storage product is transported into a buffer area spaced from the service opening of the first rack unit by the transport device for intermediate storage. A second storage product is supplied to the transport device via the service opening. The second storage product to be stored is transported into the buffer area using the transport device. Furthermore, the first storage product is to be retrieved from the buffer area and is supplied to the service opening using the transport device, and the second storage product to be stored from the buffer area is supplied to a predetermined storage space using the transport device. The invention also relates to a storage rack of this type.