Rack Store System with Circulating Conveyor and Transfer Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shelf storage systems face inefficiencies in storage and retrieval processes due to the need for compact design and high throughput, with existing solutions not adequately optimizing the movement of loads between conveyor vehicles and transfer devices.
Innovation Solution
The system decouples the movement of conveyor vehicles and load transfer devices, allowing loads to be transferred between them independently, with compactly designed transfer devices that can function as both manipulation and buffering units, and includes a circulating conveyor system that operates continuously for optimized throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conveyor vehicles transport loads directly between storage racks and transfer areas, then storage and retrieval operations can be performed, but cycle times are extended and throughput is reduced due to the need for synchronized movement of vehicles and transfer devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the conveyor vehicle movement from the load transfer operation by introducing independent transfer devices that can move loads between buffer positions and transfer positions without requiring the conveyor vehicle to be present, thereby enabling parallel operations and reducing cycle times
Solution Approach 2:
Loads are pre-positioned in buffer areas adjacent to the circulating conveyor device before the actual storage or retrieval operation begins. This preliminary positioning allows transfer devices to prepare loads for transfer independently, reducing waiting time and enabling smoother workflow
2Ease of operation
If transfer devices are designed to handle load transfer operations, then storage and retrieval functions are enabled, but device complexity increases and compact design becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer devices are designed to perform multiple functions: they can transfer loads from buffer positions to transfer positions, hand over loads to circulating conveyor support frames, and enable both storage and retrieval operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining full operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer devices are integrated within the compact structure of the rack storage system, with buffer areas positioned adjacent to the circulating conveyor device. The transfer devices operate within the spatial envelope of the rack structure, nesting multiple functions into a compact configuration that avoids excessive device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a rack storage system (1), comprising a rack store (2) having storage racks (9a, 9b) arranged adjacent to one another, between which a rack aisle (10) extends and which have spaces (12) for goods (3) at rack levels (11) lying one above the other, guide tracks (14a, 14b) extending along the rack aisle (10) at the rack levels (11), an autonomous conveying vehicle (4) for transporting the goods (3), and a first goods manipulating device (5; 6). The goods manipulating device (5; 6) comprises a circulating conveying device (25) having carrying frames (29) for goods (3) that can be moved along a closed conveying circulation track (28) and first transferring devices (26, 27; 62, 63) for goods (3) that can be moved at the respective rack plane (11) between a starting position out of the conveying circulation track (28) and a transfer position into the conveying circulation track (28), wherein the transferring devices (26, 27; 62, 63) are arranged laterally next to the rack aisle (10) along the guide tracks (14a, 14b) for the conveying vehicle (4). The carrying frames (29) and the transferring devices (26, 27) each have a fork-like design.