Storage Grid Service Vehicle With Over-Rail Roller Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in efficiently accessing the rail system for inspection and maintenance of container handling vehicles, as service vehicles are restricted to movement within the grid and occupy significant space and time, leading to reduced operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A service vehicle with a roller propulsion mechanism that allows movement over the top of the rail system, enabling directional freedom and stability, equipped with a transfer device for handling container handling vehicles and an operational part for controlling operations, including a registration unit for visual inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If service vehicles move within the grid on the rail system, then they can access container handling vehicles for maintenance, but they occupy significant space and time, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The service vehicle is equipped with a roller that enables it to move not only within the grid plane but also above the rail system. This vertical dimension allows the service vehicle to access container handling vehicles from above, reducing the time and space required for maintenance operations while not interfering with the horizontal movement of container handling vehicles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service vehicles are restricted to movement within the grid, then they can service container handling vehicles, but their movement is limited and occupies significant operational time
Solution Approach 1:
By adding vertical movement capability through the roller mechanism, the service vehicle can quickly reach container handling vehicles at different positions without being constrained to grid-aligned paths. This reduces the time required for service operations while maintaining full service capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The service vehicle incorporates a rotatable roller that can change direction dynamically, allowing the vehicle to adapt its movement path in real-time based on the position of container handling vehicles requiring service. This dynamic movement capability significantly reduces operational time compared to restricted grid movement.
3Ease of operation
If the service vehicle uses traditional wheel arrangements on rails, then it can follow the grid system, but it lacks directional freedom and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The roller extends vertically above the rail system, providing a stable base that spans multiple rails. This vertical extension gives the service vehicle directional freedom to move in any horizontal direction while maintaining stability through the distributed contact points on the rail system.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller is designed as a flexible, elongated structure that can conform to the rail configuration. This flexibility allows the service vehicle to navigate the grid system with directional freedom while the distributed contact along the roller's length provides enhanced stability during movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated storage and retrieval system includes: a storage grid having storage columns arranged in rows, in which storage containers are stacked one on top of another; a rail system having a first set of parallel rails arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and a second set of parallel rails arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, which first and second sets of rails form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane having a plurality of adjacent grid cells; at least one container handling vehicle configured to move on the rail system, including a wheel arrangement configured to guide the at least one storage container vehicle along the rail system in at least one of the first direction and the second direction; and a service vehicle for movement on the rail system.