Hybrid Storage Facility With Dynamic And Static Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inventory management systems in storage facilities face inefficiencies due to the large horizontal footprint and increased time and resources required for retrieving mixed items from different storage sections, as mobile storage systems and static racks are not optimized for mixed item retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid storage system comprising static and dynamic storage systems, along with robotic apparatuses and a control server that maps inventory items based on attributes and transportation times to optimize storage and retrieval, allowing for efficient consolidation and fulfillment of orders by dynamically adjusting storage locations based on consumption rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If mobile storage systems and static racks are placed in different sections of storage areas, then storage capacity is increased, but the horizontal footprint of the storage facility increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement of storage systems to vertical stacking configuration. Mobile storage systems are positioned on elevated bases that allow robotic apparatus to access them from below, while static racks are arranged in vertically stacked sections. This vertical dimensionality change enables both mobile and static storage systems to coexist in the same horizontal footprint area, thereby increasing storage capacity without expanding the facility's horizontal area.
2Extent of automation
If mobile storage systems are placed at ground level with elevated bases for robotic access, then automated retrieval is enabled, but the horizontal footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions mobile storage systems on elevated bases rather than at ground level, enabling robotic apparatus to access them from the horizontal plane below. This vertical elevation allows automated retrieval operations without requiring additional horizontal space for robot movement and manipulation, thus maintaining compact facility footprint while achieving full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevated base structure serves as an intermediary between the mobile storage system and the robotic apparatus. This intermediate platform allows the robot to access and manipulate the mobile storage system from below, enabling automated retrieval without direct ground-level contact and minimizing the horizontal space required for operational clearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mixed range of items are stored in various sections with multiple mobile storage systems and totes, then storage versatility is improved, but retrieval time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified hybrid storage system where mobile storage systems and static racks with totes operate as an integrated network under centralized control. The control server manages inventory across all storage locations and coordinates robotic apparatus to retrieve items from any section. This universal system allows versatile storage of mixed item ranges while optimizing retrieval paths and consolidating orders efficiently, thereby reducing retrieval time despite the diversity of storage locations.
4Reliability
If consolidation of orders requires accessing a large number of mobile storage systems and totes, then order fulfillment completeness is improved, but resource consumption and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control server implements feedback mechanisms that track the location, status, and contents of all mobile storage systems and totes in real-time. When consolidating orders, the system receives feedback about item availability and dynamically optimizes retrieval sequences. This feedback-driven coordination enables complete order fulfillment by accessing only the necessary storage locations in optimal sequences, thereby maintaining fulfillment completeness while significantly reducing the time and resources required compared to uncoordinated access.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing inventory items within a storage facility includes a control server communicably coupled to a first robotic apparatus and a second robotic apparatus. The storage facility includes a dynamic storage space in which a dynamic storage system is placed beneath the static storage system. The control server maps inventory items to one of the dynamic storage system and the static storage system based on a set of attributes. The control server receives request for fulfillment of an order. Based on the received request, the first robotic apparatus retrieves inventory items stored in the dynamic storage system, and the second robotic apparatus retrieves inventory items stored in the static storage system. The inventory items collected from the dynamic storage system and the static storage system are transported to an order fulfillment and replenishment location to consolidate the retrieved items and fulfill the order.