Container Carrier Collision Detection for Safer Grid Delivery Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems do not adequately address the safety concerns for human operators due to the potential for collisions with heavy and fast-moving delivery vehicles operating on the same level as human operators.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated delivery vehicle equipped with a safety device that detects collisions and transmits a signal to the control unit to perform actions such as shutting down, reversing, or reducing the speed of the vehicle to prevent injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If delivery vehicles operate at high speed and heavy weight for efficient container transport, then productivity is improved, but the harmful factor of collision risk to human operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device performs preliminary detection of collisions or near-collisions before the vehicle can cause harm to human operators. The collision detection mechanism continuously monitors the operating environment and triggers an emergency response in advance, preventing the harmful effect from materializing while maintaining high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device establishes a feedback loop where collision detection information is continuously fed back to the control system. When a collision risk is detected, the system automatically responds by shutting down the motor or reversing the vehicle, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that operates in real-time without compromising productivity
2Reliability
If safety devices are added to detect collisions and control vehicle shutdown, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device integrates multiple functions into a single system: collision detection, signal transmission to control unit, and coordination of emergency responses (shutdown or reverse). This multi-functional approach improves operational safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity by avoiding separate independent systems for each safety function
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely operated delivery vehicle for transport of a storage container between an automated storage and retrieval grid, which is configured to store a plurality of stacks of storage containers, and an access station for handling of the storage container by at least one of a robotic operator and human operator. The remotely operated delivery vehicle comprises a vehicle body comprising a motor for driving a plurality of rolling devices for moving the remotely operated delivery vehicle in a horizontal plane; a control unit for controlling the remotely operated delivery vehicle; and a container carrier provided above the motorized vehicle body for carrying a storage container. The remotely operated delivery vehicle comprises a safety device which transmits a signal to the control unit such that it performs an action of operating the remotely operated delivery vehicle, in the event that a collision is detected. The collision is caused by a force acting on the remotely operated delivery vehicle and is detected by a collision mechanism of the safety device and the collision mechanism is a container carrier displacement device arranged such that it trips the safety device upon displacement of the container carrier relative to the motorized vehicle body, which first position is the undisplaced position and the second position is the displaced position.