Container Handling Vehicle With Column-Centring Lift Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
The top level of automated storage and retrieval systems becomes congested with container-handling vehicles, impeding operation due to suboptimal travel paths, and existing solutions with lifting devices above the grid level risk deviations or inclinations that increase errors in retrieving or introducing containers.
Innovation Solution
A container handling vehicle with a lifting device featuring a container centring device that interacts with the peripheral parts of storage columns to ensure accurate alignment and entry, reducing the risk of deviation and enhancing the precision of container handling operations, and an overhead vehicle arrangement to alleviate congestion by allowing direct passage above top-level vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If container-handling vehicles operate on the top level of the grid, then container retrieval and storage operations can be performed, but congestion occurs impeding vehicle movement and operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by positioning the lifting device above the top level of the grid, allowing vehicles to operate on multiple levels simultaneously. This dimensional expansion eliminates congestion on the top level by distributing vehicle operations across different vertical zones, while maintaining efficient container retrieval and storage through the overhead lifting mechanism
2Measurement precision
If lifting devices are positioned above the grid level, then container handling precision can be improved, but deviations or inclinations may occur increasing error risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces centring elements as intermediary components that mediate between the lifting device and the container. These centring elements actively correct deviations and inclinations by guiding the container into proper alignment during the lifting operation, thereby maintaining both high precision and reliability in container handling
Solution Approach 2:
The centring elements provide continuous feedback on container position and alignment during the lifting process. By detecting deviations and automatically adjusting container positioning through the centring mechanism, the system maintains accurate alignment precision while compensating for potential errors, thus ensuring reliable container retrieval and introduction
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A container handling vehicle (32) for an automated storage and retrieval system arrangeable above a top level of a grid for retrieving a container (6) from, and storing a container (6) in storage columns, has a lifting device comprising a lifting frame (17) for releasable connection to a container (6), and lifting bands (16) arranged to lower and raise the lifting frame relative to the storage columns, wherein the lifting device comprises a container centring device (18, 21) arranged to extend around portions of the lifting frame (17), the container centring device (18, 21) having a lower open end comprising at least one edge element (23) for interaction with a peripheral part of the upper end of a storage column, the edge element (23) being arranged such that a container (6) connected to the lifting frame (17) is centred relative said upper end when the edge element (23) interacts with the peripheral part.