Gripper Assembly Detector for Overfilled Storage Bins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In automated storage and retrieval systems, the lifting frame part often encounters issues when attempting to connect with storage bins that are overfilled or have blocked bin recesses, leading to potential damage and increased troubleshooting complexity due to undetected disturbances such as flaps or increased size of vacuum-packaged goods.
Innovation Solution
A vertically displaceable gripper assembly with a detector is suspended from a remotely operated vehicle, capable of determining whether goods project out of the goods holder's open side, allowing for timely interruption of engagement and avoiding damage, thereby simplifying the system and reducing the need for error codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lifting frame part attempts to connect with storage bins that are overfilled or have blocked bin recesses, then the connection may fail or cause damage, but the system lacks the ability to detect these conditions beforehand
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is positioned to scan the storage bin before the lifting frame part attempts connection. This preliminary detection identifies overfilled bins or blocked recesses ahead of time, allowing the system to avoid problematic connections and prevent damage without requiring complex post-failure diagnostics
Solution Approach 2:
The detector acts as an intermediary between the lifting frame part and the storage bin. It provides advance information about the bin's state, enabling the control system to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with the connection, thus improving reliability without directly modifying the connection mechanism
2Loss of information
If the system uses error codes to indicate disturbances, then troubleshooting information is provided, but the system complexity and troubleshooting time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detector performs preliminary scanning to identify disturbances such as overfilled bins or blocked recesses before they cause connection failures. By detecting these conditions in advance, the system prevents errors rather than merely coding them, eliminating the need for complex error code generation and interpretation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The detector converts potential harmful situations (overfilled bins, blocked recesses) into beneficial early warnings. By transforming hidden problems into detectable signals before they cause damage, the system replaces complex error code troubleshooting with simple preventive detection
3Productivity
If the gripper assembly engages with goods holders without prior detection, then the operation is simple and fast, but potential damage from overfilled goods holders cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The detector scans the goods holder contents before the gripper assembly engages. This preliminary check identifies overfilled holders that could cause damage, allowing the system to skip problematic items and maintain high productivity while preventing damage through advance detection
Data Source
AI summary
A vertically displaceable gripper assembly is suspended from a remotely operated vehicle operating on top of upright members of an automated storage and retrieval system. The gripper assembly engages with a goods holder positioned in a storage column defined by a set of upright members. The goods holder has an open side. The gripper assembly includes a detector for determining whether goods placed in the goods holder project out of the open side of the goods holder.