Direct-Drive Lifting Axles for Stable Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in providing a stable lift for storage containers due to mechanical parts susceptible to wear and tear, leading to uneven lifting and potential horizontal movement during vertical operations.
Innovation Solution
A lifting system with a motor drive assembly featuring two lifting shafts of equal or near-equal diameter, connected via a force transferring assembly such as a timing belt or chain, ensuring synchronized rotation and minimizing horizontal movement during lifting, with a motor drive assembly that includes at least one brushless DC motor for efficient and accurate lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical lifting systems with gears and belts are used, then lifting function is achieved, but mechanical wear and tear causes uneven lifting and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lifting system (gears, belts, chains) with a direct-drive motor system where motors are mounted directly on the lifting shafts. This eliminates intermediate mechanical transmission components that are susceptible to wear and tear, thereby improving lifting stability and reliability while reducing mechanical complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If synchronized mechanical transmission is used to coordinate lifting shafts, then lifting coordination is achieved, but mechanical wear leads to horizontal movement during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical synchronization mechanisms (gears, belts, chains) between lifting shafts and instead uses independent direct-drive motors on each shaft, controlled electronically to rotate at synchronized speeds. This substitution of mechanical synchronization with electronic control eliminates wear-related synchronization errors that cause horizontal movement, thereby improving both lifting levelness and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors and control systems that monitor the rotation speed and position of each lifting shaft independently. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to adjust motor speeds in real-time to maintain synchronized operation, ensuring level lifting without relying on mechanical transmission components that are prone to wear.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional mechanical lifting systems are used, then lifting function is provided, but maintenance frequency increases due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical transmission systems (gears, belts, chains) with direct-drive motor systems mounted directly on lifting shafts. This eliminates the intermediate mechanical components that require regular maintenance due to wear and tear, thereby extending system lifespan and reducing maintenance frequency while improving reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable and level lift of storage containers, reducing mechanical dependency and wear, enhancing lifting efficiency, and allowing for more accurate and reliable storage operations with reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a motor drive assembly that includes at least one brushless DC motor
Data Source
AI summary
An automated storage and retrieval system comprises a rail system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, each comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; and a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system. Each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening. A container handling vehicle comprises a transport mechanism for transport of the vehicle on the rail system, a lifting assembly for picking up storage containers from the storage columns to a position above the lowest level of the transport mechanism. The lifting assembly comprises a lifting frame connectable to a storage container, a first lifting shaft and a second lifting shaft, the first and second lifting shafts being mainly parallel, and each of the first and second lifting shafts being supported in an upper portion of the vehicle, two lifting elements extending from each of the first and second lifting shafts to the lifting frame, a motor drive assembly comprising at least a first motor, wherein the at least first motor encircles one of the lifting shafts, and a force transferring assembly rotatably connecting the first and second lifting shafts via a force transferring element.