Synchronized Dual-Shutter Vehicle Gate for Safe Rail Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face safety issues due to the lack of controlled passage between areas, leading to potential unauthorized access by personnel or vehicles, and the risk of system shutdown if shutters are not closed within a specific time frame.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle gate arrangement with synchronized first and second shutters, where one shutter is always in an obstructing position, ensuring safe passage between areas by preventing simultaneous opening and minimizing the risk of accidents or system shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single shutter is used to separate areas, then the structure is simple, but safety is compromised because the shutter must be closed within a specific time frame or system shutdown occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gate arrangement is divided into two separate shutters (first shutter and second shutter) instead of using a single shutter. Each shutter independently controls access from its respective area, allowing the system to maintain operation even if one shutter cannot close in time, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If shutters are opened for vehicle passage, then vehicle access between areas is enabled, but unauthorized personnel access becomes a safety risk
Solution Approach 1:
Each shutter is positioned and controlled independently to provide localized access control. The first shutter controls access from the first area while the second shutter controls access from the second area, allowing vehicles to pass through when needed while maintaining safety by ensuring that if one shutter is open, the other remains closed to prevent unauthorized personnel access.
3Productivity
If both shutters are opened simultaneously for vehicle passage, then passage efficiency is improved, but safety is compromised due to potential accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the shutters based on operational needs and safety conditions. The control system ensures that shutters are opened and closed in a coordinated manner, allowing efficient vehicle passage when safe, while automatically preventing simultaneous opening that could create accident risks, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety.
4Reliability
If shutter closure time is extended to allow proper closing, then safety is improved, but system productivity decreases due to potential shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The control system proactively manages shutter operations by anticipating when shutters need to be opened for vehicle passage and coordinating their movement in advance. By planning shutter operations ahead of time and ensuring proper sequencing, the system can extend closure times when necessary for safety without causing unnecessary shutdowns, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes a first area, a second area, a vehicle, and a vehicle gate arrangement. The first area includes a framework structure including upright members and a two-dimensional first rail system arranged across a top of framework structure. The first rail system includes a first set of parallel rails arranged to guide movement of vehicles in a first direction across the top of the frame structure, and a second set of parallel rails arranged perpendicular to the first set of rails to guide movement of the vehicles in a second direction across the top of the framework structure that is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second sets of parallel rails divide the first rail system into a plurality of access openings in the first rail system for allowing lifting and lowering of a storage container between a position above the first rail system and a position below the first rail system. The vehicle operable on the first rail system. The vehicle includes a first set of wheels for driving in the first direction and a second set of wheels for driving in the second direction. The second area includes a second rail system. The vehicle gate arrangement controls passage of the vehicle between the first area and the second area via a connecting rail system. The vehicle gate arrangement includes a space for accommodating the vehicle; a first shutter for separating the space and the first area; and a second shutter for separating the space and the second area. Both the first shutter and the second shutter are each actuatable between: an open position which allows passage of the vehicle therethrough; and an obstructing position which restricts passage of the vehicle therethrough. The first shutter and the second shutter are coupled to each other for synchronous movement such that one shutter moves in one direction with respect to a first opening and the other shutter moves in an opposite direction with respect to a second opening, and wherein the first shutter and/or the second shutter is in the respective obstructing position at any time.