Overhead Retail Inventory Racks With Autonomous Tote Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency of retail inventory storage systems that occupy valuable floor space in retail stores, leading to reduced space for customer navigation and product display.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a rack system positioned above the dropdown ceiling of a retail store, utilizing unmanned vehicles to transport reusable totes containing products through a rail system, and accessing products via access stations strategically placed throughout the store.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If inventory is stored in a back storage area, then storage capacity is provided, but valuable floor space is occupied reducing customer navigation and product display area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves inventory storage from the horizontal plane (floor space) to the vertical dimension by installing racks above the dropdown ceiling. This dimensional transition allows the store to maintain full floor space for customer activities while creating substantial storage capacity in the previously unused overhead space.
2Area of stationary object
If a rack system is positioned above the dropdown ceiling, then floor space is freed for customer use, but complexity of the storage and retrieval system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs autonomous unmanned vehicles that autonomously navigate the rail network, locate products via barcode scanning, and transport inventory to designated locations. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual retrieval operations, making the complex automated system operate with minimal human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical retrieval operations with an automated electromechanical system. Unmanned vehicles equipped with sensors, motors, and control systems substitute for human workers physically retrieving products, transforming a simple manual process into an automated intelligent system.
3Productivity
If unmanned vehicles are used to transport products, then retrieval efficiency is improved, but device complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unmanned vehicles are designed as multi-functional units that can perform various tasks including product retrieval, transportation, inventory tracking via barcode scanning, and autonomous navigation. This universality allows a single system design to handle diverse inventory management operations, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful in retail store inventory storage and retrieval. Some embodiments provide systems, comprising: a rack system positioned above a dropdown ceiling and extending over the sales floor, and comprising: a plurality of racks, a rail system and the plurality of access passages; a plurality of unmanned vehicles; a plurality of access stations, wherein the access stations physically cooperate with one of the access passages; each rack comprises storage cells to receive a reusable tote; and wherein the central control circuit is configured to receive a request for a first product, identify a first access station, access the inventory tracking system to identify a first storage cell in which the first product is stored, identify an available unmanned vehicle, and communicate to the unmanned vehicle directing the unmanned vehicle to retrieve the tote and transport the tote to the first access station.