Order-Preparation Trolley With Upright Deformation Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot-based order preparation systems for warehouses face mechanical failures that cause prolonged downtime due to deformation of uprights when climbing mechanisms break, leading to costly and time-consuming rack replacements.
Innovation Solution
A self-guided trolley with retractable toothed wheels and counter-wheels, equipped with strategically positioned pads that prevent deformation of uprights by blocking the carriage's descent upon mechanical failure, allowing continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robot-based climbing mechanisms are used to pick products from shelves, then automation and productivity are improved, but mechanical failure causes deformation of uprights and prolonged system downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by positioning pads on the mobile support that will contact the uprights to prevent deformation before a mechanical failure occurs. The pads are strategically placed at locations that will engage with the uprights if the toothed wheel drive means fails, cushioning the impact and preventing damage to the upright structure, thereby maintaining system reliability and continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If toothed wheels are used to climb uprights, then the trolley can access products at different heights, but mechanical failure causes the trolley to collapse and deform uprights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning pads on the mobile support that will counteract the harmful effect of upright deformation before it occurs. When the toothed wheel drive means fails, the pads engage with the uprights at strategic locations, creating an opposing force that prevents the trolley from collapsing and deforming the upright structure, thus protecting the system while maintaining vertical mobility capability.
3Strength
If heavy intervention on racks is required to replace deformed uprights, then structural integrity is restored, but the order preparation system must be stopped for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents the need for heavy intervention and prolonged system shutdown by cushioning against upright deformation before it occurs. The pads on the mobile support engage with the uprights in the event of mechanical failure, preventing deformation that would otherwise require time-consuming replacement operations, thus minimizing system downtime while maintaining structural integrity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If counter-wheels are used to guide the trolley and prevent falling, then safety is improved, but they exert twist on uprights when the trolley collapses, causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning pads on the mobile support that will counteract the harmful twist exerted by counter-wheels on the uprights when the trolley collapses. The pads engage with the uprights at strategic locations before the counter-wheels can exert damaging twist, preventing deformation while maintaining the stability and safety function of the counter-wheels during normal operation.
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
Enables reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation by preventing upright deformation and reducing downtime, optimizing route efficiency and increasing storage capacity.
Implementation Method 1
said climbing means comprising four toothed wheels each intended to cooperate with racks or chains secured to said uprights
Implementation Method 2
said carriage comprising means for driving said toothed wheels in rotation and said movable supports comprising means for securing with said uprights comprising a counter-wheel mounted on each of said supports, each of said counter-wheels being intended to roll on a face of one of said uprights
Implementation Method 3
said pad comes to bear on a portion of the face of said upright to which a rack (26) or a chain is secured so as to stop the downward progression of said mobile support
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an order preparation system comprising at least one automatically guided carriage which is intended to collect items of an order from shelves and is equipped with toothed wheels, which are mounted on retractable supports and are able to cooperate with racks or chains rigidly connected to the uprights of the shelves, so as to allow the carriage to ascend between two shelves, and with counter-wheels. According to the invention, a runner is fixed substantially at a distal end of each of said supports and is positioned, with respect to a counter-wheel mounted on the same support, in such a way that, when the carriage climbs, the counter-wheel is in contact with a face of an upright and said runner is spaced apart from the upright, and, in the event of said movable support weakening as a result of failure, said runner comes to bear on the upright, so as to block the downward advance of the movable support.