Side-Opening Container Unloading for ASRS Congestion Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated storage and retrieval systems face congestion and inefficiency around pick-up and drop-off ports due to the need for container handling vehicles to move without payload, leading to increased space usage and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

An unloading arrangement with a delivery vehicle and unloading station that allows items to be automatically moved through side openings of storage containers onto a destination conveyor, reducing transportation distance and manual operations, and optimizing vehicle usage within the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If container handling vehicles transport containers to distant pick-up and drop-off ports, then containers can be accessed, but vehicle congestion increases and system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoidvehicle congestion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the container handling function by introducing specialized vehicles (pickup vehicles and drop-off vehicles) that perform only unloading or loading operations, rather than requiring full container transport. This allows containers to be accessed at intermediate locations without moving them to distant ports, reducing vehicle congestion and improving system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If containers are moved to dedicated pick-up and drop-off ports, then container access is enabled, but the space required for vehicle operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer accessVSAvoidspace for vehicle operations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Storage containers are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as storage units and as temporary access points for pickup and drop-off operations. The containers can be accessed directly at their storage locations without requiring dedicated external ports, thereby reducing the space needed for vehicle operations while maintaining ease of container access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If containers are frequently accessed at storage locations, then vehicle movement is reduced, but container stability during access operations may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle utilizationVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A support structure acts as an intermediary between the container and the access operation. The support structure provides stable positioning and support during pickup and drop-off operations, enabling frequent access at storage locations without compromising container stability. This allows vehicles to remain utilized for other tasks while containers are accessed in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4524070A1Unloading arrangement and unloading station, as well as method of unloading an item from a storage container

Publication Date: 2025.03.19 AUTOSTORE TECH AS

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C

AI summary

An unloading arrangement, an unloading station, and a method of unloading an item (5; 5a) from a storage container (6), comprising: a delivery vehicle; a storage container (6) carried by the delivery vehicle (30); and an unloading station (10) for unloading an item (5; 5a) from the storage container (6) while it is being carried by the delivery vehicle (30) in an automatic storage and retrieval system (1), the unloading station comprising: an unloading device (40); and a destination conveyor (60) configured to convey the item to a target destination (TD), wherein the unloading device is configured to move the item through a side opening (6SO) of the storage container to the destination conveyor.