Maintenance Vehicle Rack-Integrated Ascent System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance solutions for automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) are inflexible and cumbersome, requiring bulky stabilization and additional infrastructure, which hinders mobility and increases costs and safety risks for operators.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance vehicle with a chassis that can move on the floor, a platform for the operator, and an ascent and descent system using gear wheels that engage with storage rack uprights, allowing for vertical movement without the need for additional infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile aerial work platforms are used to reach great heights in compact storage and retrieval systems, then operators can perform maintenance work at height, but the platforms require bulky stabilization means that increase weight and footprint, reducing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stabilization function from the mobile aerial work platform and relocates it to the storage rack structure itself. The stabilization means are integrated into the rack uprights, allowing the platform to be stabilized without carrying its own bulky stabilization equipment, thus maintaining flexibility while ensuring operator safety at height
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary stabilization mechanism that connects the mobile aerial work platform to the storage rack uprights. This intermediary structure provides the necessary stabilization at height without requiring the platform itself to be bulky, enabling both operator safety and system flexibility
2Reliability
If elevators are installed in each circulation aisle to enable maintenance work at height, then operators can access high locations, but the solution requires floor and ceiling rails and anchoring infrastructure, making it cumbersome and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stabilization function from the elevator system and relocates it to the storage rack uprights. Instead of requiring floor and ceiling rails with anchoring infrastructure, the stabilization means are integrated into the existing rack structure, eliminating the need for additional complex infrastructure while maintaining stability for maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the storage rack uprights multi-functional by integrating stabilization means into them. The same uprights that support the storage racks also provide stabilization for maintenance platforms, eliminating the need for separate elevator infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity
3Reliability
If traditional mobile aerial work platforms are used, then operators can perform maintenance at height, but the platforms have large footprint and mass that impact flexibility and space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stabilization function from the mobile aerial work platform and relocates it to the storage rack uprights. This allows the platform to be much lighter and more compact since it doesn't need to carry its own bulky stabilization equipment, while still providing operator safety and stability through the rack-integrated stabilization means
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 maintenance vehicle provides a safe, flexible, and space-saving solution for performing maintenance operations at heights, enabling operators to access higher levels than previous solutions while minimizing the vehicle's footprint and mass, and eliminating the need for additional infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
an ascent and descent system comprising an engagement member configured to cooperate with the uprights so as to drive the ascent and descent of the maintenance vehicle in a vertical direction
Data Source
AI summary
A maintenance vehicle (10) for a storage and retrieval system including storage racks arranged so as to form at least one circulation aisle between two respective storage racks, the storage racks include vertical uprights. The maintenance vehicle (10) includes a chassis (11) able to move on a floor in the at least one circulation aisle, a platform (12) coupled to the chassis (11) and intended to receive an operator, a guardrail (13) mounted on the platform (12), and an ascent and descent system (14) with an engagement member configured to cooperate with the uprights facing the respective circulation aisle so as to drive the ascent and descent of the maintenance vehicle (10) in a vertical direction.