Mobile Rack Dispensing Station for Ergonomic Order Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing stations are cumbersome, require the use of loading aids, are difficult to clean, have limited scalability and flexibility, and result in long waiting times due to single storage and retrieval machines, making them ergonomically challenging and inefficient for handling orders.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing station with a mobile rack system, including a mobile shelving unit and a loading robot, which allows direct placement of goods into shelf compartments, enabling simultaneous handling of multiple orders and reducing the need for lifting heavy loads, with adaptable shapes and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dispensing stations use fixed shelving and storage and retrieval machines, then goods can be stored and dispensed, but the system becomes difficult to clean and maintain hygiene standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed shelving with mobile racks that can be moved along rails. This allows the shelving system to be dynamically repositioned, enabling complete access to all surfaces for cleaning purposes while maintaining storage functionality. The mobile racks can be shifted to expose previously hidden areas, solving the hygiene problem without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
2Productivity
If conventional dispensing stations use a single storage and retrieval machine, then the system structure is simple, but throughput is limited and waiting times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple storage racks and retrieval functions into a coordinated system where multiple mobile racks serve a single dispensing point. This allows parallel operation of multiple racks, increasing throughput while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent storage and retrieval machines. The racks work in coordination, with one being serviced while another is dispensing, effectively multiplying productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dispensing stations use fixed rectangular layouts with rails, then storage and retrieval can be automated, but the shape cannot be adapted to local conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adaptability through mobile racks that can be dynamically repositioned along curved or straight paths. Unlike fixed rectangular layouts, the mobile racks can follow customized trajectories that adapt to local spatial conditions and architectural constraints. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to be integrated into various building layouts without requiring rigid rectangular footprints, while maintaining automated operation capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If entire orders are handled as complete units, then loading and unloading is simplified, but ergonomic conditions deteriorate due to heavy lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the order handling process into separate stages: individual goods are picked and placed into containers at the storage location, then the container is moved as a complete unit to the dispensing point. This segmentation allows workers to handle only the weight of individual items during picking, rather than lifting complete orders, significantly improving ergonomics while maintaining efficient bulk handling at the dispensing stage.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing station for distributing goods, comprising a storage area (A, A1, A2), a customer access area (B, B1, B2), a partition (3, 3a, 3b) arranged between the storage area and the customer access area and having at least one closable opening (4, 4a, 4b), a mobile shelving unit (7, 7a-7m), and a goods dispensing system (5). When the mobile shelving unit is in a transfer position adjacent to the partition, a shelf compartment of the mobile shelving unit is accessible through the closable opening. The goods dispensing system is configured to receive a request for the goods to be accepted by a person or a machine (38, 44) assigned to that person and to instruct a loading robot (42) to remove the goods to be delivered from a shelf compartment and load them into the machine if said person or machine is authorized to accept the goods.The machine is designed as an autonomous, mobile vehicle (38) or flying drone (44). The loading robot can load the autonomous, mobile vehicle or the flying drone with goods.