Displaceable Door Safety Mechanism for Automated Storage Aisles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated storage and retrieval systems pose a safety risk as operators can inadvertently access the area where delivery vehicles operate, leading to potential injury, and existing solutions may impact efficiency or are not comprehensive enough.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a safety mechanism involving a displaceable door at each storage location that can be opened only when a bin is present, preventing access to the aisle and ensuring safe operation without compromising efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a displaceable door is installed at each sort location to prevent operator access to the aisle, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door is nested within the sort location structure, integrating the safety mechanism into the existing framework rather than adding a separate external system. The door utilizes the spatial relationship between the sort location and aisle, fitting seamlessly into the available space without requiring additional structural support or complex mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is designed to be automatically displaced by the bin itself during the bin placement operation. When the bin is pushed into the sort location, it automatically pushes the door open, eliminating the need for separate actuators, motors, or control systems to operate the door. The bin's own motion serves to open the door.
2Reliability
If the door is kept closed to prevent access, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the bin placement action itself to automatically open the door, eliminating the need for operators to manually open the door or interact with separate door control mechanisms. The bin's insertion motion directly opens the door through mechanical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is positioned and configured in advance to be pushed open by the bin during its normal placement motion. The geometry and positioning of the door are prearranged so that when the bin is inserted, it naturally encounters and pushes the door open without requiring additional steps or actions from the operator.
3Ease of operation
If the door is opened for item transfer, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position only when necessary for bin placement. The door's state changes based on the presence and motion of the bin, creating a dynamic safety system that adapts to operational needs rather than remaining permanently open or closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is opened in advance of the actual item transfer by the bin placement action itself. The door opens as the bin is being inserted, ensuring the opening is already prepared before any manual handling occurs, and closes automatically after the bin is in place, eliminating the need for operators to manually open or hold the door open during transfer.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for delivering items to a plurality of storage locations is provided. The system includes a plurality of storage locations. The storage locations may be positioned to provide an aisle and a delivery mechanism may be operable within the aisle to deliver items to the storage locations. A displaceable safety mechanism may be provided to impede access to the aisle from the storage location.