Storage System with Movable Container Rack for Efficient Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automated storage and retrieval systems face inefficiencies in retrieving high-demand storage containers, particularly when they are located deep within stacks, leading to suboptimal time efficiency and utility of container handling vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a storage system with a container rack column that features a movable container rack with cantilevered sections and a lifting frame, allowing for vertical movement between multiple access positions, enabling efficient retrieval and storage of containers at various levels within the rack column, thereby optimizing access to high-demand storage containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage containers are stacked deeply in columns to increase storage density, then storage capacity is improved, but retrieval time increases due to extensive digging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple rack columns, each independently accessible. This segmentation allows parallel retrieval operations across different columns, reducing overall retrieval time while maintaining high storage density through vertical stacking within each segmented column.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal retrieval to vertical retrieval by implementing rack columns with multiple access positions at different heights. The container handling vehicle can access containers at various vertical levels simultaneously, eliminating the need to retrieve containers from the bottom up and significantly reducing digging operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If container handling vehicles traverse the entire rail grid to access containers, then system versatility is improved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rail grid is segmented into multiple rack column access points, allowing the container handling vehicle to service multiple columns without traversing the entire grid. This reduces travel distance and time while maintaining the ability to access any container in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions frequently accessed containers in rack columns that are easily accessible from common vehicle positions. This preliminary arrangement of high-demand containers reduces the need for long traversals and improves operational efficiency for routine operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a storage system (1) comprising a framework structure (100) and at least one container handling vehicle (301), the framework structure comprises vertical column profiles (102) defining multiple storage columns (105) in which storage containers (106) are stored one on top of another in vertical stacks, the column profiles are interconnected at their upper ends by rails (110,111) forming a horizontal rail grid (108) upon which the container handling vehicle (301) may move in two perpendicular directions, the container handling vehicle arranged to retrieve storage containers (106) from the storage columns (105), store storage containers in the storage columns (105), and transport the storage containers on the framework structure, the container handling vehicle comprises a cantilevered section from which a lifting frame (2) is suspended, the lifting frame being configured to releasably attach to an upper section of a storage container (106) and arranged to be raised or lowered in order to raise or lower an attached storage container (106), wherein the storage system comprises at least one container rack column (6) comprising a container rack (7), the container rack comprises container supports (8) by which a plurality of storage containers (106a- 106l) can be supported one above another at vertically spaced storage levels, the container rack (7) is moveable relative to the container rack column (6) in a vertical direction between a lowest position and a plurality of container access positions, where at each of the container access positions a storage container supported at a corresponding storage level may be retrieved by the container handling vehicle.