Grid Shuttle Layout for Battery Access Without Cell Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated storage and retrieval systems, container handling vehicles with a footprint equal to a single grid cell face limitations when needing to access battery replacement stations, as their protruding battery compartments can obstruct neighboring grid cells, reducing available space for other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a protruding section that extends beyond the vehicle's footprint into a neighboring grid cell and a recessed section on adjacent vehicles to accommodate this protrusion, allowing vehicles to pass each other without contact, thereby increasing operational space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the container handling vehicle has a protruding battery compartment to facilitate battery replacement, then battery replacement operation is enabled, but the vehicle obstructs neighboring grid cells and reduces available space for other vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding battery compartment of one vehicle is nested within the recessed section of an adjacent vehicle when they pass each other on neighboring grid cells. This allows the protruding section to occupy space that would otherwise be blocked, enabling both vehicles to operate simultaneously without interference while maintaining access to battery replacement stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the conflict resolution from the horizontal plane to the temporal dimension by coordinating vehicle movements. Vehicles are scheduled to pass each other in a coordinated manner, with one vehicle's protruding battery compartment fitting into the recessed section of another vehicle during specific time windows, effectively utilizing the time dimension to resolve spatial constraints.
2Area of stationary object
If the vehicle footprint is limited to a single grid cell, then space for multiple vehicles is maximized, but the battery compartment cannot protrude for replacement operations
Solution Approach 1:
The battery compartment protrudes beyond the vehicle's footprint into a neighboring grid cell, but this protrusion is accommodated by the recessed section of another vehicle when they pass each other. This nesting arrangement allows the battery compartment to be accessible for replacement operations while the vehicle's main body remains within its designated grid cell footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle design incorporates both a protruding battery compartment and a recessed section that can dynamically accommodate another vehicle's protrusion. This dynamic configuration allows the vehicle to maintain its functional footprint for battery replacement while adapting to the presence of adjacent vehicles through coordinated movement and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a track system including 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 orthogonal to the first direction, forming a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells. Each grid cell includes a grid opening. A plurality of stacks of storage containers are arranged in storage columns located beneath the track system. Each storage column is located vertically below the grid opening. A plurality of container handling vehicles for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in the stacks are configured to move laterally on the track system above the storage columns to access the storage containers via the grid openings. Each container handling vehicle includes a protruding section which extends horizontally beyond a footprint of the container handling vehicle and, when the container handling vehicle is positioned at a grid cell, into a neighbouring grid cell, and a recessed section arranged to accommodate the protruding sections of another container handling vehicle when operating over a neighbouring grid cell.