Robotic Storage Vehicle Turret Arm for Multi-Side Bin Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic storage/retrieval systems face challenges in efficiently loading and unloading storage units from multiple sides without reorienting them, and ensuring proper alignment and engagement with the loading mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a robotic storage/retrieval vehicle with a rotatable turret and extendable arm featuring a movable shuttle, which can engage storage units from any side, utilizing a primary circular catch channel and secondary catch recesses to ensure proper loading and unloading, and includes load status sensors for alignment confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the loading/unloading mechanism is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the storage unit cannot be unloaded from any side without reorientation
Solution Approach 1:
The loading/unloading mechanism is made movable and rotatable rather than fixed. The mechanism can rotate to face different sides of the storage unit and move along the platform, enabling it to service all four sides without requiring the storage unit to be reoriented or requiring multiple fixed mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A single loading/unloading mechanism performs multiple functions by serving all four sides of the storage unit. Through rotation and movement, one mechanism replaces what would traditionally require four separate fixed mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality and reducing overall system complexity.
2Loss of time
If the storage unit is reoriented for unloading, then the loading mechanism remains simple and fixed, but the loading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the loading mechanism dynamic rather than requiring the storage unit to be reoriented. The mechanism rotates and moves to adapt to the storage unit's fixed orientation, eliminating time-consuming reorientation operations while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extendable arm reaches far beyond the platform perimeter, then the loading coverage is improved, but the structural stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is designed as an extendable, movable component rather than a permanently extended structure. It can reach beyond the platform perimeter when needed for loading coverage, then retract to maintain structural stability during transport and when extended coverage is not required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage/retrieval vehicle for use in a three-dimensional storage system delimiting storage locations at which respective storage units are selectively storable and retrievable, wherein said storage/retrieval vehicle comprises a frame conveyable through said three-dimensional storage system, a platform atop said frame for receipt of said storage unit on said platform, and a loading/unloading mechanism operable to load and unload said storage unit to and from said platform; wherein the loading/unloading mechanism comprises an extendable arm that is selectively extendable into a deployed position reaching outwardly beyond a perimeter of the platform, and that comprises a movable shuttle that is engageable with the storage unit and displaceable back and forth along said extendable arm.