Mobile Storage Rack System for Warehouse Self-Storage and Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated transportation systems in warehouses are limited in their ability to move cargo beyond the vicinity of storage racks, requiring additional equipment like automated guided vehicles for inter-rack transfers, and lack the capability for self-storage and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An automated transporting, storage, and retrieval system comprising a control center, an automated guided mobile unit, and storage and retrieval shelves, where the mobile unit is wirelessly connected to the control center and equipped with a processing unit and memory to manage coordinates, weight measurement, and priority parameters, allowing it to dock, retrieve, and deliver inventory items within a geographic area without fixed storage racks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional automated storage and retrieval systems are used, then cargos can be moved horizontally and vertically along storage racks, but cargos are restricted to moving only around the vicinity of the storage rack and require additional automated guided vehicles for transport away from the rack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage rack structure with automated guided vehicle functionality into an integrated unit. The storage rack becomes mobile and can autonomously navigate to different locations, eliminating the need for separate fixed storage racks and AGVs. This merging resolves the contradiction by expanding cargo movement capability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage rack transitions from a static structure to a dynamic, mobile platform equipped with propulsion and navigation systems. This enables the rack to actively transport cargos to any location within the warehouse rather than requiring cargos to be被动ly transferred to separate vehicles, thereby improving versatility without adding complexity.
2Ease of operation
If automated guided vehicles are used to transport cargos between inventory shelves, then items can be moved from one shelf to another, but the vehicles cannot store cargos by themselves and still require interoperated with fixed storage racks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage function with the transport function by making the storage rack itself mobile. The rack can autonomously navigate to pickup locations, retrieve cargos, and deliver them to destination points, combining what were previously separate functions (fixed storage + mobile transport) into a single integrated system that operates independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile storage rack is equipped with autonomous navigation and cargo handling capabilities, enabling it to perform storage and retrieval operations independently without requiring external control or interaction with fixed infrastructure. The rack serves itself by autonomously navigating, docking, and transferring cargos, eliminating the need for separate AGVs and fixed rack systems.
3Quantity of substance
If extensive fixed storage racks are installed throughout the warehouse, then cargos can be stored at multiple locations, but the system reduces flexibility and increases space consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static storage racks with mobile storage units that can move throughout the warehouse. Instead of dedicating fixed space to storage at multiple locations, a smaller number of mobile racks can traverse the entire area, providing storage capacity throughout the warehouse while minimizing the actual footprint occupied by storage infrastructure at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile storage rack serves multiple functions: it provides storage capacity, acts as its own transport vehicle, and can autonomously navigate to any location in the warehouse. This multi-functionality replaces what would otherwise require separate fixed storage structures and transport systems, thereby maintaining storage capacity while reducing overall space consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated transporting, storage and retrieval system is provided and includes a control center, and an automated guided mobile unit, a picking spot and a delivery spot in an area; the automated guided mobile unit is connected to the control center; plural storage and retrieval shelves deployed within the area with one of them located on the picking spot containing an inventory item; the control center is configured to: transmit a task command including the inventory item and the delivery spot to the automated guided mobile unit; the automated guided mobile unit is configured to: determine whether it is engaged with the shelf; if yes, the automated guided mobile unit receives the task command and approaches the shelf located on the picking spot to retrieve the inventory item to deliver it to the delivery spot; if no, the automated guided mobile unit approaches one of the shelves and engages therewith.