Storage Grid Locking Station for Securing Delivery Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated storage and retrieval systems lack effective measures to prevent accidental displacement of remotely operated vehicles during interaction with human or robotic operators, potentially leading to injuries or damage.
Innovation Solution
A locking device is integrated into the grid-based rail structure to lock remotely operated vehicles in place before interaction with human or robotic operators and unlock them when interaction is no longer required, using a locking element such as a magnet, spring-loaded device, or barrier to prevent movement in the X- or Y-direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is integrated into the grid-based rail structure to lock remotely operated vehicles, then safety for human and robotic operators is enhanced by preventing accidental displacement, but device complexity increases due to the additional locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to automatically lock the remotely operated vehicle when it arrives at the interaction zone and automatically unlock it when the interaction is complete. The system uses sensors to detect the vehicle's presence and the completion of interaction, triggering the locking and unlocking sequences without manual intervention. This self-service approach enhances safety while minimizing the need for complex manual control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect the vehicle's position, the state of the interaction zone, and the completion of operations. This feedback information is used to control the locking and unlocking actions, ensuring that the vehicle is locked only when necessary and unlocked when the interaction is complete. The feedback system enables automatic control while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If a locking device is integrated into the grid-based rail structure, then accidental displacement of remotely operated vehicles is prevented during interaction, but the system requires additional components increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is segmented into distinct functional components: a locking mechanism that physically restrains the vehicle, sensor systems that detect vehicle presence and interaction state, and control logic that coordinates the locking and unlocking sequences. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by distributing functions across separate modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is integrated with the existing grid-based rail structure by combining the locking mechanism with the rail infrastructure. The locking elements are mounted on or near the rails, and the vehicle's guide wheels interact with both the rails and the locking elements. This merging approach utilizes the existing structural framework, reducing the need for entirely separate locking infrastructure.
3Productivity
If the locking device automatically locks and unlocks the vehicle, then operational efficiency is improved by reducing manual intervention, but control precision must be enhanced to ensure safe timing
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device performs preliminary actions by locking the vehicle in advance of any potential accidental displacement risk. The system locks the vehicle as soon as it enters the interaction zone, before any human or robotic operator begins work. This preliminary locking ensures that even if unexpected movements occur, the vehicle is already secured. The unlocking action is also timed preliminarily, occurring as soon as the interaction is complete, to minimize the vehicle's stationary time.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic locking and unlocking system replaces manual mechanical operations with automated sensor-based control. Optical or proximity sensors detect the vehicle's presence and the completion of interactions, triggering electronic control systems that actuate the locking mechanism. This substitution of manual mechanical control with automated sensing and actuation systems improves both operational efficiency and control precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The locking device effectively prevents accidental displacement of remotely operated vehicles during interaction, enhancing safety for human and robotic operators by ensuring secure positioning and reducing the risk of injury or damage.
Implementation Method 1
using a locking element such as a magnet, spring-loaded device, or barrier to prevent movement
Data Source
AI summary
An automated storage and retrieval system includes a grid-based rail structure and a plurality of remotely operated delivery vehicles arranged to operate on the grid-based rail structure. The automated storage and retrieval system includes a locking device arranged in a zone of the grid-based rail structure where a human and/or a robotic operator is permitted to interact with the remotely operated vehicle or contents of a storage container that the remotely operated vehicle is carrying. The locking device is arranged to latch to a motorized vehicle body of the remotely operated delivery vehicle, and to lock the remotely operated delivery vehicle against accidental displacement prior to interaction with the human and/or robotic operator. The locking device is arranged to unlock the remotely operated delivery vehicle once interaction with the human and/or robotic operator is no longer required.