Storage System Lifting Device Decouples Vertical Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems face inefficiencies in vertical container transport due to slow lifts and resource blocking, hindering warehouse operations and requiring complex structural setups.
Innovation Solution
A storage container lifting device with a raising and lowering platform for vertical transport, decoupling from transport robots and enabling parallel work processes, with dual conveyor devices for efficient handling and reduced empty trips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If transport robots use lifts for vertical container transport, then containers can be moved between levels, but the transport process becomes time-consuming and blocks resource availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates horizontal transport (performed by transport robots on the grid structure) from vertical transport (performed by dedicated lifting devices at workstations). This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its optimal function, with lifting devices providing fast vertical movement while robots handle horizontal relocation without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Dedicated lifting devices act as intermediary components between the grid structure and workstations. These intermediaries handle the vertical transport task, freeing the transport robots from this function and allowing them to remain available for horizontal transport operations.
2Productivity
If dedicated storage container lifting devices are used, then vertical transport efficiency improves, but system structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting devices are integrated into the workstation structure, which serves multiple functions: order picking, container reception, and vertical transport coordination. This multi-functionality approach avoids adding separate dedicated lifting equipment while still achieving the productivity benefits of specialized vertical transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting functionality is merged with the existing workstation structure and transport robot system. Rather than adding independent lifting devices, the solution combines vertical transport capabilities into the workstation's existing framework, maintaining structural simplicity while improving productivity.
3Device complexity
If transport robots perform both horizontal and vertical transport, then system structure remains simple, but transport robot availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport robot's function is segmented to perform only horizontal transport on the grid structure, while vertical transport is assigned to lifting devices at workstations. This functional segmentation increases robot availability by eliminating idle time during vertical lifting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Lifting devices serve as intermediary components that handle vertical transport, allowing transport robots to focus exclusively on horizontal movement. This intermediary arrangement maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving robot utilization and availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage system for storing containers comprises a grid structure (5) with a plurality of grid cells, wherein each grid cell defines a storage column (4) of a container storage structure (3) arranged below the grid structure (5), wherein the storage columns (4) are configured to each accommodate a vertical stack of storage containers (2), and at least one transport robot (6) designed to move on the grid structure (5) for handling the storage containers (2), wherein the transport robot (6) comprises means for picking up, transporting and setting down storage containers (2) stored in the container storage structure (3).With regard to efficient handling of the storage containers, the storage system comprises at least one storage container lifting device (9) with a lifting and lowering lifting platform (10) for vertically conveying storage containers (2), wherein the lifting platform (10) is configured to, in a holding position, on the one hand to release conveyed storage containers (2) and on the other hand to receive storage containers (2) to be conveyed.