Self-Propelled Mobile Robot for Automated Warehouse Space Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated warehouses have a significant portion of their capacity occupied by conveyor devices or stacker cranes, leaving limited space for actual article storage, resulting in a small storage capacity within the building.
Innovation Solution
An article storage apparatus featuring a self-propelled article moving device with X-direction and Y-direction travel wheels, a travel wheel lifting and lowering unit, and an article lifting and lowering unit, which allows for efficient navigation and storage within a rack member divided into travel and storage areas, eliminating the need for conveyor devices and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conveyor devices or stacker cranes are used in automated warehouses, then article storage and retrieval can be automated, but the capacity occupied by these devices reduces the available storage space in the building
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the conveyor device from the system and replaces it with self-propelled mobile robots that navigate directly to storage locations. This removes the need for dedicated conveyor infrastructure, freeing up space previously occupied by conveyors while maintaining automated article handling capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robots are self-propelled and autonomously navigate to storage and retrieval locations without requiring external conveyor systems. Each robot independently performs transport tasks, eliminating the need for centralized conveyor infrastructure and maximizing usable storage space
2Area of stationary object
If self-propelled mobile robots are used instead of conveyor devices, then storage capacity is increased, but the device complexity increases due to multiple travel wheels and lifting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile robot is designed as a multi-functional platform that combines transportation (X and Y direction travel wheels), vertical positioning (travel wheel lifting mechanism), and article handling (article lifting mechanism). This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single device, managing complexity through integration rather than separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The robot employs nested lifting mechanisms where the article lifting mechanism operates within the framework of the travel wheel lifting mechanism. This hierarchical nesting allows compact integration of multiple functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile robot uses multiple travel wheels for bidirectional movement, then navigation flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robot employs dynamically configurable travel mechanisms where X and Y direction travel wheels can be independently activated or deactivated based on navigation requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows bidirectional movement and flexible routing without requiring permanently engaged complex mechanisms in all directions
Solution Approach 2:
The X and Y direction travel mechanisms are merged into a single integrated mobile platform that can selectively engage either direction as needed. This consolidation reduces the need for separate dedicated conveyor systems for each direction, simplifying the overall system while maintaining navigation flexibility
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
This solution enables a substantial increase in storage capacity by allowing the article moving device to travel efficiently in both directions and change direction seamlessly, effectively utilizing the building's space without the need for conveyor devices, thereby maximizing storage potential.
Implementation Method 1
a cam, the swinging member comprising: a cam abutment part; and a wheel attachment part to which the travel wheel is attached, wherein the cam is brought into contact with the cam abutment part to swing the swinging member for lifting or lowering the travel wheel attached to the wheel attachment part
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an article storage apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the capacity of a building. The article storage apparatus includes an article moving device (3). The article moving device (3) includes an X-direction travel wheel (38), a Y-direction travel wheel (48), a travel wheel lifting and lowering unit (40) that lifts and lowers the travel wheels, and an article lifting and lowering unit (27) that lifts and lowers an article. It is possible to lower the X-direction travel wheel (38) or the Y-direction travel wheel (48) so as to be set down on a travel passage by the travel wheel lifting and lowering unit (40) and rotate the set-down travel wheel to cause the article moving device (3) to travel in an X direction or a Y direction. It is possible to lift the article lifting and lowering unit (27) to pick up an article on an article supporting member or lower the article lifting and lowering unit (27) to transfer the article previously lifted by the article lifting and lowering unit (27) onto the article supporting member.