Storage Bin Robot Layout for Low-Torque Stable Bin Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remotely operated vehicles for storage systems face issues with access to all storage columns, stability during lifting and transportation, limited maximum handling weight, and speed reduction due to design constraints, which restrict their operational efficiency and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated vehicle with a centrally arranged cavity and symmetrical rolling means within the vehicle body, allowing movement in two directions and enabling higher stability, increased handling capacity, and efficient use of space, while maintaining lifting speed and stability by reducing torque and distributing weight symmetrically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the robot uses an integrated yoke/overhang design in the upper part, then it can receive storage bins, but it necessitates an undesired speed reduction at the final stage of the lifting process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the yoke/overhang component from the robot design, separating the bin receiving function from the lifting mechanism. This allows the robot to receive bins without the speed-reducing constraints of the integrated yoke design, as the bin is transferred to a separate lifting mechanism that can operate at optimal speeds throughout the lifting process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the robot design is optimized for specific bin types, then stability is improved, but it limits the robot to handling only one particular bin and bin height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal robot design that can handle various bin types and heights. The robot body and lifting mechanism are designed with adjustable parameters and configurations that allow stable operation across different bin specifications, eliminating the need for specialized designs for each bin type while maintaining stability through controlled lifting and positioning mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the robot lifting device is positioned away from the center, then it can access storage columns, but it causes an undesirable high torque during lifting and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the lifting device and robot body to create a balanced configuration where the center of gravity is optimized. By strategically positioning the lifting mechanism and distributing the robot's mass, the design counteracts the torque generated during lifting and transportation, reducing the overall force requirements while maintaining access to storage columns.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automated storage system, comprising a three-dimensional storage structure and plurality of remotely controlled robot vehicles. The three-dimensional storage structures comprises a plurality of pillars which are positioned with internal distances and in a rectangular arrangement, wherein the rectangular arrangement of the pillars define storage columns for the storage of a plurality of vertically-stacked storage bins, supporting rails arranged in a two-dimensional matrix on the pillars, said supporting rails arranged in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the supporting rails defining openings for the storage columns. The remotely controlled robot vehicles comprises a vehicle body, a cavity arranged to receive a storage bin from a storage column, and a plurality of wheels attached to the vehicle body, arranged for traveling along the storage structure in the first and second directions, whereby the robot vehicle can move along the storage structure to position the cavity within the cross-sectional area of the storage column to receive the storage bin into the cavity for further transport along the storage structure.