Delivery Vehicle Tilting Platform for Ergonomic Bin Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated storage and retrieval systems, accessing items from storage containers at picking or stocking stations can be hindered by the lack of easy access, leading to congestion and operational delays, especially when items are not easily accessible.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tilting device with a tiltable platform connected to the delivery rail system, featuring guiding edges to secure the delivery vehicle and a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle to pivot towards an operator, enhancing access to items within the storage container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage containers are stacked high in storage columns to increase storage density, then storage capacity is improved, but access to items becomes more difficult and requires more operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery vehicle is made tiltable through a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle body to pivot between a horizontal transport position and a tilted access position. This dynamic adjustment enables operators to easily access items in stacked containers without requiring the entire storage system to be reconfigured, thus maintaining high storage density while improving accessibility.
2Productivity
If operators manually access items from stationary storage containers, then item retrieval is possible, but congestion and operational delays occur at access points
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism enables the delivery vehicle to dynamically adjust its orientation, bringing container contents closer to operators in an ergonomic position. This reduces the time required for item retrieval and minimizes congestion at access points, as operators can efficiently access items without manual handling delays.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the delivery vehicle remains horizontal during transport and access, then stable transport is maintained, but operator access to container items becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle tilts only when positioned at access points and remains horizontal during transport phases. The tilting mechanism is activated selectively to pivot the vehicle body toward operators for efficient item access, then returns to horizontal for stable transport. This dynamic positioning optimizes both transport stability and access efficiency at different operational stages.
4Ease of operation
If a tilting mechanism is added to the delivery vehicle to improve access, then item accessibility is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism integrates seamlessly with the existing delivery vehicle structure, adding minimal complexity while significantly improving accessibility. The mechanism includes a tilting actuator, support structures, and control systems that enable smooth pivoting motion, enhancing operator access without substantially complicating the overall vehicle design.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.