Picking Vehicle Container Exchange for Low-Height ASRS Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in efficiently exchanging storage containers between container handling vehicles and remotely operated picking vehicles, limiting the utilization of available warehouse ceiling height and complicating the operation of container handling vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated picking vehicle with a storage container handling device that can lower storage containers into access openings, allowing for efficient exchange with container handling vehicles, and a robotic or human picker support for product retrieval, optimizing the use of available space and enabling seamless operation with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If container handling vehicles use traditional gripping devices that extend above the rail system, then they can effectively retrieve and transport storage containers, but the vehicle height increases reducing the utilization of warehouse ceiling height
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container handling device transfers containers vertically into a storage position above the rail system, then the picking vehicle travels horizontally along the rails. This dimensional transition allows the vehicle to operate with minimal height while maintaining full container access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping function is separated from the traveling function. The container handling device extracts containers from storage columns and places them above the rails, while the picking vehicle travels along the rails to access containers. This separation allows the vehicle to be compact in height.
2Productivity
If storage containers are exchanged between container handling vehicles and picking vehicles at elevated positions, then product retrieval is efficient, but the complexity of the exchange mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container handling device combines the lifting function and the transfer function into a single integrated mechanism. Containers are lifted and transferred to the picking vehicle in one continuous operation, reducing the need for separate complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage container handling device serves multiple functions: it acts as a lifting mechanism, a transfer station, and an interface between the rail system and storage columns. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
3Volume of moving object
If the picking vehicle operates with minimal height to maximize warehouse space utilization, then ceiling height is better utilized, but the vehicle cannot directly access storage containers in columns
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system acts as an intermediary between the compact picking vehicle and the storage columns. Containers are transferred to the rails by the handling device, and the vehicle travels along the rails to access containers at any location without requiring direct vertical access to columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from vertical container storage to horizontal container transport. Containers are stored vertically in columns but transferred to the horizontal rail system for distribution. This allows the picking vehicle to operate at minimal height while maintaining access to all storage locations through horizontal movement along the rails.
Data Source
AI summary
It is disclosed a remotely operated picking vehicle (600), an automated storage and retrieval system (1) comprising the remotely operated vehicle (600), and a method of using same. The automated storage and retrieval system (1) comprises: -a rail system (108) comprising a first set of parallel rails (110) arranged in a horizontal plane (PH) and extending in a first direction (X), and a second set of parallel rails (111) arranged in the horizontal plane (PH) and extending in a second direction (Y) which is orthogonal to the first direction (X), wherein the first and second sets of rails (110,111) form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane (PH) comprising a plurality of adjacent access openings (112) defined by a pair of neighbouring rails of the first set of rails (110) and a pair of neighbouring rails of the second set of rails (111), The remotely operated picking vehicle (600) comprises:-a vehicle body (601) comprising drive means for transportation on the rail system (108); -a picker support (610) for a robotic picking device (630) or a human picker, the picker support (610) being arranged on the vehicle body (601); - a storage container handling device (620), arranged on the vehicle body (601), wherein the storage container handling device (620) is configured to receive a storage container (106) from a container handling vehicle (301) operating on the rail system (108); wherein the storage container handling device (620) is configured to support the storage container (106) when the storage container (106) is positioned such that it is at least partly lowered into one of the access openings (112) in the rail system (108) to allow the storage container (106) to be exchanged between the container handling vehicle (301) and the storage container handling device (620).