Stacking Device Placement in Storage and Retrieval Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage and retrieval systems face challenges in achieving high storage density and efficiency due to the need for extensive conveyor systems and stacking stations, which lead to reduced loop capacity, increased wear on components, and potential congestion.
Innovation Solution
The strategic placement of stacking devices directly in front of storage racks allows for direct stacking and unstacking of goods, reducing the need for conveyor transport and enabling high-density storage, with options for separate or combined stacking/unstacking units and buffer areas to manage goods efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If stacking devices are placed at central positions on conveyor systems, then storage density is improved, but conveyor loop capacity is reduced and component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the stacking operation into two separate functions: a stacking device at the infeed lane that creates stacks for storage, and a destacking device at the outfeed lane that separates stacks for retrieval. This segmentation allows the conveyor loop to handle individual containers rather than heavy stacks, maintaining loop capacity while achieving high storage density in the rack system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stacking and destacking operations from the central conveyor loop and places them at the endpoints (infeed and outfeed lanes). This removes the burden of transporting stacked containers through the entire loop, allowing the conveyor system to operate with lighter loads and higher speed, thus maintaining productivity while improving storage density.
2Quantity of substance
If stacking devices are placed at central positions on conveyor systems, then storage density is improved, but component wear and congestion risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting stacking and destacking into separate devices at opposite ends of the system, the patent eliminates the need to repeatedly handle heavy stacks through the conveyor loop. This reduces mechanical stress on conveyor components and minimizes congestion points, improving system reliability while maintaining high storage density.
3Quantity of substance
If extensive conveyor systems are used to transport stacked goods, then storage capacity is improved, but system complexity and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts stacking and destacking operations from the conveyor loop, placing them at the endpoints. This simplifies the conveyor system by removing the need for complex mechanisms to handle and reposition stacks within the loop, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high storage capacity through efficient endpoint operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
With a view to achieving particularly high performance with high efficiency and simple design, a storage and retrieval system is described, comprising a rack storage system (1) with at least one storage rack (2), at least one conveyor system (3), wherein the at least one conveyor system (3) is designed to feed stored goods to an area located between the rack storage system (1) and the at least one conveyor system (3) in front of the at least one storage rack (2) and to transport stored goods from this area to a destination, and at least one stacking device (4) for stacking and unstacking stored goods, characterized in that the at least one stacking device (4) is arranged in the area in front of the at least one storage rack (2). Furthermore, a method for operating such a storage and retrieval system is described.