Storage Grid Access Point Layout for Multi-Path Container Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face congestion issues around delivery columns, leading to inefficiencies and reduced availability of delivery columns for container handling vehicles, and require costly infrastructure expansions.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system with a remotely operated delivery vehicle and a delivery rail system that allows multiple paths to and from an access point, integrated within the storage grid to minimize space usage and enable efficient container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single delivery column is used in prior art systems, then the system structure is simple, but congestion occurs around the delivery column reducing availability
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery column functionality is segmented into multiple independent delivery columns distributed across the storage grid. Each delivery column operates independently with its own vehicle queue, eliminating congestion at a single location and improving overall system availability and reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple delivery columns are added to reduce congestion, then delivery column availability improves, but infrastructure cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Storage containers serve multiple functions: they store products and simultaneously act as temporary vehicles for transporting items between storage locations and access points. This eliminates the need for separate delivery vehicles and infrastructure, reducing manufacturing costs while enabling multiple delivery columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage containers are self-sufficient units that can be moved and positioned independently to serve multiple delivery columns. Each container can access multiple delivery columns throughout its operational lifecycle, eliminating the need for dedicated infrastructure at each delivery location and reducing overall system cost.
3Productivity
If delivery vehicles queue at a single access point, then vehicle coordination is simple, but productivity decreases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a single-point access model to a distributed multi-point access model across the storage grid. Delivery vehicles can access multiple delivery columns at different locations simultaneously, adding spatial dimensionality to the delivery operation and eliminating queueing wait times while maintaining simple vehicle coordination protocols.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
An automated storage and retrieval system comprising a storage grid for storage of storage containers and a delivery system for transport of said storage containers between a delivery port of the storage grid and an access point of the delivery system, the access point being adapted for handling of items held in the storage containers by a robotic operator or human operator. The delivery system comprises: a delivery rail system, a remotely operated delivery vehicle, and an access point, wherein the delivery grid provides one or more delivery grid cells for the remotely operated delivery vehicle at the access point as well as a plurality of delivery grid cells adjacent the one or more delivery grid cells of the access point, such that there is more than one path to and/or from the access point or the remotely operated delivery vehicle via the plurality of delivery grid cells.