Storage Grid Barrier Isolation for Safe ASRS Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in allowing personnel access for inspection or maintenance without requiring a complete shutdown, which is costly and risky, especially in large systems with many vehicles in operation.
Innovation Solution
An automated storage and retrieval system with a barrier that separates the storage grid into sections, allowing controlled movement of container handling vehicles and creating a safe zone for maintenance by preventing vehicles from moving into the fault area, using a central communication system to coordinate vehicle movements and deploy the barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage grid is kept open for continuous operation, then productivity is maintained, but personnel safety during maintenance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The storage grid is divided into multiple sections with movable barriers that can isolate specific areas. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to work safely in isolated sections while other sections continue to operate, thus maintaining overall system productivity while ensuring local safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Movable barriers serve as intermediary elements between operating vehicles and maintenance personnel. These barriers can be deployed to create physical separation when maintenance is needed, and retracted when full operation is required, thus mediating between safety requirements and productivity needs.
2Reliability
If the entire system is shut down for maintenance, then personnel safety is ensured, but downtime increases and productivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of shutting down the entire system, only the specific section requiring maintenance is isolated using movable barriers. This localized segmentation allows the rest of the system to continue operating, significantly reducing downtime while ensuring safety in the maintenance zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable barriers are pre-positioned and可以快速 deployed to isolate maintenance areas. This preliminary preparation of the barrier system enables rapid transition from full operation to isolated maintenance mode, minimizing the time the system is partially or fully stopped.
3Reliability
If barriers are deployed to isolate fault conditions, then maintenance safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is integrated with the central communication system and automatically responds to fault conditions. When a fault is detected, the system autonomously deploys barriers to isolate the affected area, reducing the need for complex manual control while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable barriers serve multiple functions: they act as physical safety barriers, section dividers, and communication interfaces with the central control system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automated storage and retrieval system, comprising a three-dimensional storage grid for storing storage containers, first and second container handling vehicles operating on the storage grid and a central communication system for controlling and communicating with the container handling vehicles for handling storage containers in the storage grid. The system also comprises a barrier separating the three dimensional storage grid into a first section and a second section, wherein the barrier has two states. A first state in which the container handling vehicles are allowed to move between the first section and the second section. A second state, in which the container handling vehicles are physically prevented from moving between the first section and the second section by means of the barrier.