Thermally Insulated Grid Storage for Fast Cold Bin Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooled storage systems for refrigerated and frozen food products lack efficient retrieval mechanisms, leading to prolonged storage and delivery times due to inadequate temperature control and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A cooled storage system featuring a grid structure with thermal insulation and remotely operated vehicles that can move between sections of varying temperatures, utilizing an evaporator cooling unit and bin lift devices to efficiently manage and deliver storage bins while maintaining optimal temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermal insulation is provided between the grid structure and remotely operated vehicle, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grid structure is divided into multiple temperature zones (first temperature zone and second temperature zone) with different thermal requirements. Thermal insulation is selectively applied only where needed - between the grid structure and remotely operated vehicle, and between sections of different temperatures - rather than throughout the entire system. This segmented approach improves temperature control in critical areas while avoiding unnecessary insulation elsewhere, thus managing device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If remotely operated vehicles move between sections of varying temperatures, then accessibility is improved, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal insulation acts as an intermediary barrier between the remotely operated vehicle and the grid structure sections with different temperatures. This insulation layer allows the vehicle to access and retrieve bins from temperature-sensitive storage sections while minimizing direct thermal transfer to the vehicle, thereby reducing energy loss and maintaining the vehicle's operational temperature efficiency.
3Productivity
If efficient retrieval mechanisms are implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service retrieval where the remotely operated vehicle autonomously navigates to storage cells, identifies target bins, and retrieves them without manual intervention. The thermal insulation and temperature zone management operate automatically, maintaining optimal temperatures without requiring complex active control systems. This self-service approach improves productivity while keeping device complexity manageable by relying on passive thermal management and automated vehicle operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures efficient storage and delivery of cooled products by maintaining precise temperature control and improving vehicle performance, reducing storage and delivery times through effective temperature management and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
there is provided thermal insulation between at least a section of the grid structure and the remotely operated vehicle
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an evaporator cooling unit and bin lift devices to efficiently manage and deliver storage bins while maintaining optimal temperature conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A cooled storage system comprises a grid structure of storage cells, where each cell is arranged to accommodate a vertical stack of storage bins and having a top level, at least one remotely operated vehicle arranged to move at the top level of the grid structure and receive a bin from a storage cell at the top level of the grid structure, where there is provided thermal insulation between at least a section of the grid structure and the remotely operated vehicle, and said section of the grid structure has a temperature that is lower than the temperature of the remotely operated vehicle.