High-Bay Warehouse Transfer Layout for Flexible Aisle Reallocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-bay warehouses face challenges in efficiently adjusting the number of storage and retrieval machines per storage aisle, which is time-consuming and expensive, limiting flexibility and handling capacity.
Innovation Solution
A high-bay warehouse design with a device for transporting storage and retrieval machines perpendicularly to storage aisles, allowing flexible movement and exchange of machines between aisles, and a method to add or remove machines as needed, enabling full automation and efficient handling of both loaded and empty containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of storage and retrieval machines per storage aisle is fixed during design, then the high-bay warehouse can be built with a determined handling capacity, but converting the warehouse by reducing or increasing the number of machines later is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transport device that operates in a vertical dimension above the storage aisles, allowing storage and retrieval machines to be moved between aisles without interfering with horizontal container operations. This dimensional separation enables flexible reconfiguration while maintaining operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
A transport device acts as an intermediary system between storage aisles, facilitating the movement of storage and retrieval machines. This mediator enables machine exchange without direct intervention in the storage aisle operations, reducing disruption and complexity.
2Productivity
If more storage and retrieval machines are deployed per storage aisle, then the handling capacity increases, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static configuration where the number of machines per aisle is fixed to a dynamic configuration where machines can be moved between aisles based on demand. The transport device enables this dynamic reallocation, allowing the system to optimize handling capacity without permanently increasing the total number of machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device serves multiple functions: it transports storage and retrieval machines between aisles, enables flexible reconfiguration of handling capacity, and reduces downtime during machine maintenance or replacement. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve higher productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage and retrieval machines are moved between storage aisles, then flexibility and handling capacity are enhanced, but the transport time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is pre-positioned above the storage aisles and ready to transport machines as needed. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid machine exchange when required, minimizing downtime. The system can quickly respond to changing demands without extensive reconfiguration time.
Data Source
AI summary
A high-bay warehouse for storing and retrieving containers has a plurality of storage spaces, arranged horizontally adjacent to and vertically above one another and storage aisles arranged between groups of storage spaces and extending parallel to one another. In each storage aisle at least one storage and retrieval machine can be moved back and forth to move the containers vertically and horizontally and into and out of the storage spaces. A transport route for transport vehicle is allocated to the high-bay warehouse. The transport route is arranged below the travel plane of the storage and retrieval machines and at least one device is provided for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines, which device spans the transport route and is configured to receive at least one storage and retrieval machine and to move same between at least two storage aisles perpendicularly to the longitudinal orientation of the storage aisles.