Lifting-Frame Readers for Container Tracking in Automated Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in maintaining accurate tracking of storage containers due to manual movement, central control system blackouts, and vehicle position loss, leading to inefficiencies and potential collisions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a storage and retrieval system with a guiding assembly, a vehicle equipped with a reader to identify storage containers using labels, and a central control system for data processing, ensuring accurate tracking and position verification through RFID, NFC, or optical systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual movement of storage containers is allowed, then operational flexibility is improved, but tracking accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidtracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification and recording of storage container positions using readers and labels before any movement occurs. The central control system maintains an updated database of container locations, ensuring tracking accuracy is preserved even when manual movement is permitted for operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If central control system is used for tracking, then system coordination is improved, but system vulnerability to blackouts worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidsystem vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where readers automatically detect storage containers and their positions, then communicate this information back to the central control system. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures the control system maintains accurate tracking data and can coordinate system operations reliably, even recovering from blackouts using the last known good state from the database.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If vehicle position tracking is not verified, then system complexity is reduced, but collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the central control system continuously monitors vehicle positions and compares them against the database of storage container locations. This verification process provides real-time feedback to prevent vehicles from moving into positions that would cause collisions, maintaining safety without requiring overly complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If RFID, NFC, or optical readers are implemented, then identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual identification methods with automated readers that use RFID, NFC, or optical technologies. These readers automatically detect and read labels on storage containers without requiring manual intervention, significantly improving identification accuracy. The central control system then processes this data to maintain accurate tracking records.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Ensures precise identification and tracking of storage containers, recovering lost positional data, and verifying vehicle positions, enhancing system efficiency and preventing collisions.

Implementation Method 1

Implementing a storage and retrieval system with a guiding assembly, a vehicle equipped with a reader to identify storage containers using labels, and a central control system for data processing, ensuring accurate tracking and position verification through RFID, NFC, or optical systems.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Implementing a storage and retrieval system with a guiding assembly, a vehicle equipped with a reader to identify storage containers using labels, and a central control system for data processing, ensuring accurate tracking and position verification through RFID, NFC, or optical systems.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNFC: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Implementing a storage and retrieval system with a guiding assembly, a vehicle equipped with a reader to identify storage containers using labels, and a central control system for data processing, ensuring accurate tracking and position verification through RFID, NFC, or optical systems.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12358721B2Automated storage and retrieval system comprising container identification means and methods of identifying a container or a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 AUTOSTORE TECH AS

AI summary

A vehicle, which is for use in an automated storage and retrieval system, includes a transport mechanism and a lifting device. The transport mechanism is for transporting the vehicle along a first guiding system in a first direction and a second guiding system in a second direction. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The lifting device is for lifting storage containers from storage columns arranged below the vehicle. The lifting device includes a lifting frame connectable to a storage container. The vehicle further includes at least one reader for reading at least one label of a storage container such as to identify the storage container. The at least one reader is arranged on the lifting frame of the vehicle.