Multi Charging Station for Storage System Battery Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face inefficiencies in battery replacement and charging processes, particularly when container handling vehicles have a footprint larger than a single grid cell, leading to space constraints and increased time for battery exchange and charging.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a charging station assembly featuring vertically displacing charging stations and a transportation device, allowing for efficient battery exchange and charging without collisions, using a base with rails and a vehicle that can move horizontally along the rails, with the charging stations positioned above or below the vehicle operating space to facilitate exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle footprint is enlarged to accommodate a protruding battery slot for battery replacement, then battery replacement is facilitated, but the vehicle cannot operate on neighbouring grid cells, limiting track system space
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station assembly utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning charging stations above and below the vehicle operating space. The transportation device moves charged batteries vertically from lower charging stations to upper charging stations, allowing battery replacement without horizontal protrusion. This resolves the contradiction by enabling battery replacement functionality while maintaining the vehicle's compact horizontal footprint for efficient track space utilization.
2Productivity
If multiple charging stations are positioned horizontally to charge multiple batteries, then charging capacity increases, but the area occupied by charging stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station assembly transitions from horizontal arrangement to vertical stacking of charging stations. Multiple charging stations are positioned above and below the vehicle operating space along the vertical axis. The transportation device moves batteries vertically between these stations, enabling multiple batteries to be charged simultaneously in a compact vertical footprint rather than requiring extensive horizontal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging station assembly nests multiple charging stations within a compact vertical structure. Lower charging stations are positioned beneath upper charging stations, creating a nested vertical arrangement. The transportation device acts as the connecting mechanism that moves batteries between these nested levels, maximizing charging capacity within minimal spatial envelope.
3Area of stationary object
If the vehicle operates with a single cell footprint for space efficiency, then track system space is optimized, but the battery slot cannot protrude beyond the footprint, complicating battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station assembly with vertically positioned charging stations and transportation device serves as an intermediary system that handles battery replacement externally. The vehicle maintains its compact single-cell footprint without protruding battery slots, while the charging station assembly provides the battery replacement functionality through vertical battery exchange between charged and uncharged battery positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system includes a bin storing grid for storing storage bins in columns of the grid, a base with rails provided on top of the grid, and a vehicle configured to move vertically along the rails in a vehicle operating space. The system includes a charging station assembly for charging the rechargeable power sources of the vehicle. The charging station assembly includes a plurality of charging stations located above each other. Each charging station includes a power source carrier for carrying one of the respective power sources. A charging station support is supporting the charging stations in relation to the base. A transportation device is connected to the base for vertical displacement of the charging stations in relation to the base. A holding device is configured to selectively hold one of the charging stations at an exchange location in which the power source carrier of the one charging station is a predetermined height above the base. The transportation device is configured to vertically displace other charging stations to an upper location above the vehicle operating space or to a lower location below the vehicle operating space.