Flexible Mobile Storage Wall for Faster Fulfilment Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fulfilment systems face inefficiencies when storage walls become too large, making them difficult for operators to access efficiently due to extended lengths or heights.
Innovation Solution
A flexible wall system comprising modular storage units connected by mechanisms like hinges, magnets, or latches, manipulated by autonomous mobile robots, allowing reconfiguration into various orientations and positions to optimize access by human or machine operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the storage wall is made longer or taller to increase distribution efficiency, then more totes can be stored, but the wall becomes difficult for operators to access efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The storage wall is transformed from a fixed structure to a mobile one by equipping each storage unit with a wheeled base. This allows the entire wall to be moved to optimal positions near operators or picking devices, maintaining accessibility even as the wall grows in size to store more totes.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage wall is divided into multiple independent storage units that can be connected via connection mechanisms. Each unit can be independently positioned or reconfigured, allowing operators to access specific sections without traversing the entire wall length.
2Productivity
If the storage wall length increases to aggregate more orders, then distribution efficiency improves, but the time required for operators to traverse the wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile storage wall can be repositioned to concentrate multiple storage units within the operational reach of a single operator or picking device. This eliminates the need for operators to traverse long distances while still allowing aggregation of many orders across multiple storage units.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding only in the horizontal dimension (increasing wall length), the system uses vertical stacking of storage units and multi-level configurations to increase storage capacity. This allows more orders to be aggregated without increasing the horizontal traversal distance for operators.
3Quantity of substance
If the storage wall is made taller to increase storage capacity, then more totes can be stored, but the wall becomes harder to access for human or machine operators
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile storage units can be easily repositioned vertically or horizontally to bring totes within reach of operators or automated picking devices. This maintains accessibility even as storage capacity increases through additional vertical or horizontal units.
Solution Approach 2:
Automated picking devices or conveyors act as intermediaries between operators and high-positioned totes. These devices can access totes at various heights on the storage wall without requiring operators to physically reach or climb, thereby maintaining ease of operation while allowing increased wall height for greater storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, systems, computing devices, and/or the like are provided for an example fulfilment system. An example fulfilment system may include a flexible wall including a plurality of storage units; one or more connection mechanisms configured to operably connect the plurality of storage units such that each storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to be positioned relative to at least one other storage unit of the plurality of storage units; and a positioning device operably connected to the flexible wall, wherein the positioning device is configured to manipulate the flexible wall into one or more rows. In some embodiments, the flexible wall may be arranged such that the one or more rows have a variety of orientations, including a straight angled line, a right angled line, an acute angled line, an obtuse angled line, and a simple curved line. The storage units may have wheeled bases.