Overhead Container Transport With Stack Lifting for Easy Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems require complex mechanisms to retrieve containers from stacks, often necessitating digging into the stack, which can be inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A storage system featuring a lifting member that displaces stacks vertically and an engaging member on a transport unit to retrieve containers without digging, using a flexible yet rigid push chain and a slider-crank linkage for efficient container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transport unit directly retrieves containers from stacks without vertical displacement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for digging mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the transport unit dig into stacks to retrieve containers, the invention inverts the approach by vertically displacing the entire stack upward so that containers become accessible from the top. This eliminates the need for complex digging mechanisms while simplifying the retrieval operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal/container-level access to vertical/stack-level access by introducing vertical displacement of entire stacks. This dimensional change allows containers to be accessed from the top rather than requiring lateral digging operations.
2Productivity
If containers are retrieved by digging into stacks, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to inefficient container access
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional retrieval approach by moving the stack upward rather than digging into it. This enables direct access to any container in the stack from the top, dramatically improving retrieval efficiency while the lifting mechanism proves to be simpler than digging systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transport unit is stationary above stacks, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates due to limited container access
Solution Approach 1:
The transport unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of both horizontal movement along rails and vertical movement via lifting members. This universal design allows the same transport unit to access containers from any position in the storage system, greatly enhancing adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system (1) comprises a plurality of vertical stacks (2) of storage containers (3), wherein the stacks (2) are arranged in a horizontal first direction (X) and a horizontal second direction (Y) which is perpendicular to the first direction (X), a transport unit (8) for transporting at least one container (3) to or from a selected stack (2) in the first and/or second direction (X, Y), and a container handling device (9, 10) for transferring at least an upper container (3) from a selected stack (2) to the transport unit (8) before the transport unit (8) including the container (3) is transported from the selected stack (2) and for transferring at least a container (3) from the transport unit (8) to the top of a selected stack (2) after the transport unit (8) including the container (3) is transported to the selected stack (2). The transport unit (8) is movable above the stacks (2). The container handling device comprises a lifting member (9) for displacing a selected stack (2) in vertical direction with respect to adjacent stacks (2), wherein the lifting member (9) is movable below the stacks (2) in a non-lifting condition thereof, and the container handling device comprises an engaging member (10) that is provided at the transport unit (8) and suitable for engaging at least an upper container (3) of a lifted stack so as to retrieve the container or for releasing an engaged container so as to place the container on top of a selected stack.