Lifting Device Bridging Aisles in High-Bay Warehouse

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-bay warehouses face challenges in optimizing storage and retrieval processes to minimize playtime while maximizing space utilization, particularly in horizontal conveyance of goods within and between storage systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes a combination of lifting devices and bridging mechanisms to create extended movement paths across aisles between rows of shelves, allowing for flexible and efficient horizontal conveyance of goods, reducing the need for additional conveyance infrastructure and optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional conveyor systems are used for horizontal conveyance in high-bay warehouses, then goods can be transported between storage locations, but additional conveyance infrastructure increases space requirements and device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorizontal conveyance capabilityVSAvoidconveyance infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device is designed to perform multiple functions: vertical lifting of goods, horizontal conveyance by bridging aisles, and positioning at different storage locations. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated horizontal conveyance infrastructure, reducing device complexity while maintaining operational capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting device can dynamically reposition itself by bridging different aisles between rows of shelves, allowing flexible horizontal conveyance. This dynamic adaptability replaces static conveyor infrastructure, optimizing space usage while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If more conveyance infrastructure is added to optimize storage and retrieval processes, then throughput can be improved, but space utilization is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device serves multiple purposes including vertical lifting, horizontal conveyance, and positioning, eliminating the need for separate conveyor systems that would consume additional warehouse space. This multi-functionality maintains high throughput while maximizing space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the vertical dimension and three-dimensional space by having the lifting device bridge aisles and operate between rows of shelves at different levels. This approach improves throughput without requiring additional horizontal floor space, thereby maintaining high space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of time

If playtime is reduced by optimizing storage and retrieval operations, then productivity improves, but the complexity of coordinating lifting and bridging operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveplaytimeVSAvoidcoordination system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device and bridging mechanism are combined into a single integrated system, allowing coordinated vertical and horizontal operations to be performed simultaneously by one device rather than requiring separate systems. This integration reduces playtime while managing complexity through unified control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3243769B1Method and storage device for storing piece goods with bridgeable shelf rows
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 FOLLER JORG
  • EP3243769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3243769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3243769B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for executing a work cycle in a high-bay warehouse. According to the invention, the work cycle can be optimized by: - ​​forming a picking path (18) between a storage location (19) of the high-bay warehouse and a lifting device (210) of the high-bay warehouse, - conveying a unit load (16) that can be stored in the high-bay warehouse along the picking path (18), - bridging at least one aisle (17) of the high-bay warehouse remaining between at least two rows of racks (12, 13, 14) of the high-bay warehouse by means of an additional handling bridge (304) to form a movement path (22), - conveying the unit load (16) along the movement path (22).