Grid Rail Storage System With Continuous Service Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems lack the ability to provide active services such as power, data, and monitoring to individual containers within stacks, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, especially when containers need to be removed or relocated, as they rely on complex hoisting mechanisms and do not maintain service connections during handling.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a grid pattern of rails supporting robotic load handling devices that can lift and move containers while maintaining power and data connections, using releasable connectors to ensure continuous service provision, allowing for peer-to-peer communication and control of container conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If containers are stacked in high-density configurations to maximize storage space, then storage capacity is improved, but access to individual containers becomes more difficult and requires complex hoisting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical hoisting mechanisms with a robotic system that uses electrical connections and automated control. The robotic device travels along rails at the top of stacks, uses grippers to hold containers, and maintains electrical connections through sliding contacts or collectors, eliminating the need for complex hoisting infrastructure while enabling high-density storage access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the access dimension by moving the retrieval mechanism to the top of stacks rather than accessing from the side. The robotic device travels horizontally along rails positioned above the stacks, allowing it to reach any container in any stack without requiring side-access corridors or complex vertical hoisting mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If containers are equipped with active services such as power and data connections, then functionality and monitoring capability are improved, but maintaining these connections during container movement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary electrical connection system that bridges the stationary power supply and the moving container. Sliding contacts or collectors on the robotic device maintain continuous electrical connection with the container during movement, acting as a mediator that transfers power and data without requiring fixed wiring to each container position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static electrical connections to dynamic connections that move with the container. The robotic device maintains electrical contact through moving components such as sliding contacts along rails or retractable collectors, allowing power and data connections to be maintained during container retrieval and relocation operations.
3Ease of operation
If traditional hoisting mechanisms are used to remove containers from stacks, then container retrieval is possible, but service connections are interrupted and additional complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous electrical connection during the entire container retrieval process. The robotic device establishes electrical contact before lifting the container, maintains the connection during movement, and only disconnects after the container is fully removed and placed in its destination, ensuring uninterrupted power and data supply throughout the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical hoisting that interrupts connections with an automated robotic system that maintains electrical connections throughout the retrieval process. The robotic device uses controlled mechanical movement combined with continuous electrical contact to achieve both ease of operation and connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system Includes a first set of parallel rails or tracks and a second set of parallel rails or tracks extending transverse to the first set in a substantially horizontal plane to form a grid pattern having a plurality of grid spaces. A plurality of stackable storage containers are arranged in stacks, the stacks of storage containers being located beneath the rails or tracks. Each stack is located within the footprint of a grid space. A load handling device is arranged to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks of storage containers. The load handling device includes a lifting device arranged to lift storage containers from a top of a stack. The lifting device includes a cable to provide a service from a service source in the load handling device to the one or more storage containers.