Reversible Drive Motor for Order-Picking Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing picking stations face inefficiencies and high energy consumption due to complex drive systems and lack of decoupling in container movements, leading to increased manufacturing costs and noise pollution.
Innovation Solution
A compact picking station design with synchronously reversible receiving units and a single reversible drive motor, allowing unhindered conveying and ergonomic operation, coupled with a decoupling mechanism between conveyor systems to reduce changeover time and increase throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single reversible drive motor is used for both receiving units, then device complexity and energy consumption are reduced, but control precision and synchronization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate drive systems into a single reversible drive motor that controls both receiving units. This merging reduces device complexity, manufacturing costs, and energy consumption while maintaining synchronized operation through a common control unit that coordinates the drive motor's operation with both receiving units' movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the positions and movements of both receiving units and adjusts the drive motor's operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures synchronized operation and precise positioning control despite using a single drive motor, resolving the control precision challenge.
2Productivity
If receiving units are decoupled from conveyor movements, then operational flexibility and picking efficiency increase, but system complexity and control effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the receiving units from the conveyor systems, allowing independent control and movement of each receiving unit. This segmentation enables operational flexibility and picking efficiency while managing complexity through modular design and a control unit that coordinates the segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving units are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing them to move independently along the conveyor path. This dynamic flexibility enables the system to adapt to varying picking requirements while the control unit manages the coordination complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple independent drives are used for receiving units, then movement precision and control flexibility increase, but manufacturing costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent drives into a single reversible drive motor that powers both receiving units. This reduces energy consumption by eliminating redundant drive systems and lowers manufacturing costs, while the control unit maintains movement control flexibility through coordinated operation of the single drive motor.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an order-picking station (49), and to a method by which an order-picker can pick articles from loading aids (2), said station being joined to an automated conveyance system (20, 41) arranged on different levels. Loading aids (2) are conveyed on a first conveyance system (20) to the order-picking station (49) and, loading aids (2) are conveyed away from the order-picking station (49) on a second conveyance system (41). Said station also comprises a loading-aid-supply apparatus (61), an automated first loading-aid-transporting apparatus for transporting loading aids (2) up to the loading-aid-supply apparatus (61), and an automated second loading-aid-transporting apparatus, for transporting loading aids (2) away from the loading-aid-supply apparatus (61), wherein the first loading-aid-transporting apparatus has a first accommodating unit (62) for a loading aid (2) and the second loading-aid-transporting apparatus has a second accommodating unit (63) for a loading aid (2). The first accommodating unit (62) and second accommodating unit (63) are each connected to a reversible positioning drive (65, 66), wherein the positioning drives (65, 66) are coupled to a common drive station (67). The invention further relates to an order-picking system and to a storage system having such an order-picking station (49).