Container Shelf Transport Vehicle for Stacked Multi-Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport facilities are inefficient in transporting multiple containers simultaneously due to the limitations of single-container handling by transfer robots, restricting the capacity to move containers both to and from container shelves.
Innovation Solution
A transport vehicle equipped with a support region and dual transfer apparatuses, allowing for the stacking and simultaneous movement of multiple containers, where the first transfer apparatus inserts/takes containers from the shelf and the second transfer apparatus loads/unloads them from the support region, enabling collective transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single transfer robot is used to handle containers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases because only one container can be transported at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer apparatus is segmented into a first transfer apparatus for removing containers from the container shelf and a second transfer apparatus for loading/unloading containers from the support region. This segmentation allows parallel operations where the first transfer apparatus can remove containers while the second transfer apparatus loads them onto the support region, enabling multiple containers to be transported simultaneously and resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support region is configured to support containers in a stacked state in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change from single-level to multi-level container support allows the transport vehicle to carry multiple containers vertically stacked, thereby increasing productivity without requiring a proportional increase in the number of transfer robots
2Productivity
If the transport vehicle travels while supporting a single container, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to inability to transport multiple containers simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer apparatus is divided into two independent transfer mechanisms that can operate simultaneously and independently. The first transfer apparatus handles container removal from the shelf while the second transfer apparatus handles container loading onto the support region, allowing parallel operations that increase transport capacity without complicating the overall vehicle operation
Solution Approach 2:
The dual transfer apparatus configuration enables continuous useful action by allowing the first transfer apparatus to continuously remove containers from the container shelf while the second transfer apparatus continuously loads them onto the support region. This continuous parallel operation eliminates idle time and maximizes productivity while maintaining straightforward vehicle operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a transport vehicle 2 that travels along a container shelf 1 provided with a plurality of levels of shelf portions 11 arranged in a vertical direction Z and configured to support containers W, thereby transporting the containers W. The transport vehicle 2 is provided with a support region where a container W is supported, a first transfer apparatus 23 that inserts/takes the container W into/ out of the container shelf 1, and a second transfer apparatus 24 that loads/ unloads the container W on/ from the support region. The second transfer apparatus 24 is configured such that a container W can be moved to the support region so as to allow a plurality of the containers W to be supported in a stacked state in the support region.