High-Bay Warehouse Vehicle Routing for Flexible Goods Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems and goods transport vehicles are not optimized to configure working sequences at stations, such as picking of individual shipping packages, as efficiently as possible.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a movable goods transport vehicle that can move both horizontally and vertically within a high-bay warehouse, allowing flexible transport between stations and storage spaces, and includes features like autonomous operation, direction change areas, and a sequencing device to optimize the order of goods delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional storage systems use fixed transport vehicles and standardized transfer points, then system structure is simple, but goods transport flexibility and station working sequence efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle is designed with dynamic capabilities including variable speed control, adjustable acceleration/deceleration rates, and flexible routing options. The vehicle can dynamically adjust its motion parameters based on real-time system conditions, station requirements, and goods priority levels, enabling adaptive transport without requiring complex infrastructure changes
Solution Approach 2:
The high-bay warehouse structure is segmented into multiple levels with independent access points. Each level can be accessed by independent transport vehicles, allowing parallel operations and flexible goods distribution. This segmentation enables the system to handle multiple goods types and destinations simultaneously without creating a complex centralized transfer system
2Speed
If transport vehicles move at high speed only, then transport efficiency improves, but precision in goods delivery and synchronization with station working sequences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle implements variable speed control with adjustable motion parameters including maximum speed, acceleration rates, deceleration rates, and positioning precision. The control system can dynamically change these parameters based on the specific transport task, distance to destination, and required synchronization with station operations, enabling both high-speed transport and precise delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle control system performs preliminary calculations and preparations for upcoming maneuvers. It pre-plans acceleration and deceleration profiles based on the destination station's working sequence requirements, ensuring that goods arrive at the precise moment needed for station operations. This preliminary action enables synchronization without sacrificing overall transport speed
3Productivity
If multiple goods transport vehicles operate simultaneously in the high-bay warehouse, then goods transport capacity improves, but collision risk and coordination complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through sensors that monitor the position, speed, and status of all transport vehicles in real-time. This feedback enables the control system to detect potential collision risks and coordinate vehicle movements dynamically, allowing multiple vehicles to operate simultaneously in the same high-bay warehouse without collisions
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control system acts as an intermediary between multiple transport vehicles. This mediator coordinates vehicle routes, schedules arrivals at stations, and manages access to shared corridors and transfer points. The intermediary enables high transport capacity by optimizing the flow of multiple vehicles while maintaining collision-free operations through systematic coordination
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage system, which comprises at least one station (2), such as a station for receiving goods, for re-shelving goods, picking goods and/or supplying goods from the store, and a high-bay warehouse (3) having a plurality of storage places (31) arranged adjacent to and on top of each other for the storage of goods, wherein the storage system (1) comprises at least one displaceable goods transport vehicle (4) which is designed to transport at least one item from the station (2) to any storage place (31) or vice versa, without reloading the goods onto a different goods transport vehicle (4) or another means of transport. The invention is characterized in that the goods transport vehicle (4) is designed to move in the horizontally oriented area between the station (2) and the high-bay warehouse (3) for transporting the goods as well as horizontally and vertically in the high-bay warehouse (3).