Reversible Drive Order Picking Station
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing picking systems face inefficiencies and high energy consumption due to complex gear components and lack of decoupling in container movements, leading to increased manufacturing costs and noise, which affects ergonomic and economic operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact picking station design where the first and second receiving units are coupled to a common reversible positioning drive, allowing simultaneous and synchronized movement of both units along the transport path, decoupling their adjustment movements, and using a single reversible drive motor for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex gear components are used to decouple container movements, then movement decoupling is achieved, but manufacturing costs and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex gear components from the system and replaces them with a simpler common drive mechanism. The disturbing element (complex gears) is extracted and substituted with a cleaner design that achieves the same functional goal of decoupling container movements without the associated complexity, noise, and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical gear-based decoupling system with an alternative mechanical approach using a common drive with independent receiving units. This substitution eliminates the need for complex gear trains while maintaining the ability to independently control container movements, thereby reducing noise and manufacturing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If separate drives are provided for first and second receiving units, then independent control is achieved, but manufacturing costs and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive systems by providing a single common drive that powers both the first and second receiving units. This consolidation reduces the number of separate drives from two to one, thereby lowering manufacturing costs, reducing energy consumption, and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining independent control capability through the receiving units' individual positioning mechanisms.
3Productivity
If target container circulation conveyors are used, then continuous supply is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a circulation conveyor that operates in cycles rather than continuously. The target containers are supplied periodically to the picking station, and the conveyor returns to its starting position after delivering containers, creating a rhythmic operation pattern that reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining productive supply.
4Measurement precision
If multiple drive stations are used, then precise control is achieved, but control effort and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a common drive system that serves multiple functions - it drives both the first and second receiving units, and can control both incoming and outgoing container movements. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate drive stations needed while maintaining precise control capability through a unified control mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an order-picking station (48, 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 (48, 49) and loading aids (2) are conveyed away from the order-picking station (48,49) 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 coupled to a common, reversible positioning drive (65). The invention further relates to an order-picking system and to a storage system having such an order-picking station (48, 49).