Picking Vehicle Magazine Carousel for High-Throughput ASRS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face inefficiencies in throughput and congestion, particularly in large storage systems, due to the time-consuming process of transporting storage containers one-by-one and the potential for traffic congestion among container handling vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated picking vehicle with a storage container magazine capable of supporting multiple containers, allowing simultaneous loading and offloading, and featuring a rotational carousel device for efficient movement between loading/offloading and accessing positions, reduces travel distance for container handling vehicles and enhances picking efficiency by maintaining continuous access to storage containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If container handling vehicles transport storage containers one-by-one, then the system structure remains simple, but the throughput rate decreases and congestion occurs in large storage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The picking vehicle is divided into multiple independent picking stations, each capable of handling storage containers separately. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple containers simultaneously, increasing throughput without requiring a complete redesign of the entire system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Storage containers are nested within the magazine structure of the picking vehicle, with multiple containers arranged in a compact configuration. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and allows the vehicle to carry multiple containers without proportionally increasing its external dimensions.
2Productivity
If multiple container handling vehicles operate simultaneously, then the picking efficiency improves, but traffic congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple picking stations are merged into a single integrated picking vehicle platform. This consolidation allows multiple picking operations to occur simultaneously on one vehicle, improving efficiency without increasing the number of vehicles circulating in the system and causing congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine structure continuously supplies storage containers to different picking stations as they complete their tasks. This continuous replenishment ensures that picking operations can proceed without interruption or waiting time, maintaining high efficiency while reducing the need for multiple vehicles.
3Productivity
If the vehicle carries multiple storage containers, then the throughput rate increases, but the vehicle size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple storage containers are nested within the magazine structure, arranged in a space-efficient configuration that maximizes the number of containers carried without proportionally increasing the vehicle's external volume. The nested arrangement allows containers to be stacked or positioned in overlapping spatial configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine structure utilizes three-dimensional space arrangement to hold multiple storage containers. By organizing containers in vertical and horizontal dimensions rather than simple linear arrangement, the vehicle can carry more containers without a linear increase in overall volume.
Data Source
AI summary
A remotely operated picking vehicle, which is for an automated storage and retrieval system for retrieving and storing products within storage containers, includes a vehicle body, a picker support, and a storage container. The vehicle body includes a base with displacement means for transportation on a rail system. The picker support, which is for a robotic picking device or a human picker, is arranged on the vehicle body. The storage container magazine, which is for supporting three or more storage containers simultaneously, is arranged on the vehicle body. The storage container includes a storage container loading/offloading position and a storage container accessing position. The storage container loading/offloading position is for loading and offloading of storage containers by means of a container handling vehicle. The storage container accessing position is for presenting storage containers to a picker positioned on the picker support.