Stacker Crane Layout for Automated Warehouse Dead Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated warehouses face challenges in minimizing dead space, which is the area that stacker cranes cannot access, leading to inefficiencies in storage and operation.
Innovation Solution
The configuration of the automated warehouse includes a stacker crane with a moving mechanism, travelling driver, transfer mechanism, and lifting driver positioned off the main mast axis, with power supply and controller located outside the crane's travel route, allowing for reduced device protrusion and utilization of space below shelves, enabling efficient transfer and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power supply and controller are arranged inside the stacker crane, then the stacker crane can operate autonomously, but the device complexity and dead space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply and controller are extracted from the stacker crane and relocated to positions outside the traveling route. This separation reduces the device complexity and dead space of the stacker crane while maintaining autonomous operation capabilities through external support systems.
2Device complexity
If devices are arranged on the mast, then the stacker crane structure is simplified, but the dead space increases due to device protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
Devices are arranged in the extending direction of the traveling route rather than protruding from the mast in perpendicular directions. This dimensional reorganization allows the stacker crane to maintain structural simplicity while reducing dead space by utilizing the longitudinal space along the traveling route.
3Area of stationary object
If the stacker crane structure is compact, then the dead space is reduced, but the space for arranging devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The stacker crane integrates multiple functions including moving mechanism, transfer mechanism, and lifting mechanism into a compact structure. External power supply and control systems are combined with the compact crane, allowing reduced dead space while maintaining adequate device arrangement capacity through spatial distribution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If more devices are mounted in the stacker crane, then the operational functionality is enhanced, but the dead space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stacker crane system is segmented into core functional components mounted on the crane (moving mechanism, transfer mechanism, lifting mechanism) and support components located externally (power supply, controller). This segmentation enhances operational functionality through specialized components while minimizing dead space by placing bulky support systems outside the traveling route.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply and a controller are arranged at positions different from a stacker crane and deviated from an extended line of a travelling route, and are connected to the stacker crane via a cable. The moving mechanism, the travelling motor, the transfer mechanism and the lifting motor are each arranged at the same position as an one-side end portion of the mast or arranged on the other side from the end portion in the extending direction of the travelling route.