Goods Holder Locking Assembly for Automated Customer Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in efficiently delivering purchased products to customers, often requiring dedicated staging areas and leading to customer waiting times, especially during peak periods, and conventional parcel locker systems are labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A modular assembly comprising a goods holder and a storage cell with a locking mechanism, allowing customers to access and retrieve purchased products directly from a combined staging and pick-up area, facilitated by remotely operated vehicles and controlled by a human-machine interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If dedicated staging areas are used for product delivery, then product delivery can be automated, but customer waiting times increase and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the staging area and pick-up area into a single integrated space. Storage containers are positioned in storage columns that are directly accessible to customers through access openings in the rail system, eliminating the need for separate dedicated staging areas and reducing customer waiting time while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space by arranging storage containers in stacks within storage columns, allowing multiple containers to be stored in the vertical dimension. This enables continuous access to goods holders at different heights, reducing waiting time and eliminating the need for large horizontal dedicated staging areas.
2Extent of automation
If dedicated staging areas are used for product delivery, then product delivery can be automated, but the area occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the staging function with the storage and pick-up function in a single integrated area. The rail system with storage columns serves both as the automated delivery mechanism and as the accessible storage location for customers, eliminating the need for separate dedicated staging areas and reducing the overall area occupied.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage columns and rail system serve multiple functions: they act as the automated delivery infrastructure, the storage location for goods holders, and the accessible pick-up area for customers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated staging areas and reduces the total space required.
3Productivity
If conventional parcel locker systems are used, then product delivery is possible, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated container handling vehicles that autonomously transport storage containers to customers' designated locations. The lifting devices and gripping mechanisms automatically handle the storage containers without requiring manual intervention, reducing labor intensity while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with automated mechanical systems. Container handling vehicles with lifting devices and gripping mechanisms automatically perform the tasks of transporting, lifting, and positioning storage containers, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining efficient product delivery capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly (30) comprising a goods holder (106) comprising a front side (60), wherein at least a section (55) of the front side is movable so as to allow access into the interior of the goods holder (106), and a storage cell (101) for storing the goods holder (106). The storage cell (101) is provided with a locking mechanism (50) configured to engage with the movable section (55) of the front side (60) of the stored goods holder (106) so as to secure said movable section (55). The invention further relates to a storage and pick-up module (200) comprising a plurality of assemblies (30).