Automated Matrix-Picking Storage System With Multi-Tier Rail Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage systems for materials are inefficient due to limited capture capabilities, high manual labor requirements, and complexity of robotic devices, leading to decreased storage density and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tiered automated storage system with crosswise connected rail tracks and mobile transporting devices that can move boxes between tiers, combined with executive mobile devices equipped with grippers to handle box contents, allowing for fully automated and efficient storage and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual labor is used for storing and retrieving boxes, then operational flexibility is maintained, but storage density decreases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automated transporting devices that autonomously move boxes between storage places and assembly areas without human intervention. The devices self-navigate along rail tracks, automatically pick up and deliver boxes, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining high storage density
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated mechanical transporting devices equipped with sensors and control systems. These devices use automated mechanisms for box handling, transport, and delivery, substituting human-operated mechanical systems with autonomous ones that achieve both high density and operational flexibility
2Quantity of substance
If the storage system size is increased to accommodate more boxes, then storage capacity increases, but space utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal expansion to vertical utilization by implementing multiple tiers stacked vertically. Boxes are stored on different levels (first tier, second tier, etc.), allowing the system to increase storage capacity by exploiting the vertical dimension rather than occupying more horizontal floor space, thereby maintaining high space utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system is divided into multiple independent tiers, each with its own storage places and accessing points. This segmentation allows simultaneous access to boxes on different levels through separate transport paths, increasing overall capacity without requiring proportional increases in the footprint area
3Device complexity
If only one capture point is provided in the storage system, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent tiers, each with its own capturing and transporting devices. This segmentation creates multiple parallel processing paths where boxes can be simultaneously accessed, transported, and delivered from different tiers, significantly increasing overall productivity without requiring each individual capture point to be overly complex
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting devices are designed with universal functionality to operate across multiple tiers. The same type of transporting device can serve different storage levels, performing identical functions (picking, transporting, delivering) on each tier, which maintains device simplicity while enabling multi-point capture and high throughput through parallel operations
4Adaptability or versatility
If robotic devices are made more complex to handle various box configurations, then adaptability increases, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transporting devices are designed as universal units capable of handling different box types and configurations through standardized interfaces. Each device can adapt to various box sizes and weights within defined parameters, providing versatility without requiring complex specialized mechanisms for each box type, thereby maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability by adjusting operational parameters (such as transport speed, gripping force, and positioning accuracy) rather than changing physical device structures. The transporting devices can modify their operational characteristics to accommodate different box configurations, providing versatility while keeping the hardware design simple and cost-effective
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for storing and organizing materials comprising: at least a first tier (100), which comprises a plurality of storage places arranged in rows in two horizontal directions, perpendicular to each other, and serving to accommodate boxes; a plurality of boxes accommodated individually in these storage places, above the first tier at least partially an assembly area is provided; the assembly area comprises a first transport network (140), with a plurality of first rail tracks (141) oriented horizontally along the first direction, adapted to accommodate mobile actuating devices (170) along them for their transportation, a plurality of second rail tracks (121) oriented horizontally along the second direction, the second rail tracks are arranged at least within or below the first tier and are adapted to accommodate mobile transporting devices (160) within or below the first tier along the second rail tracks for their transportation.