Storage Logistics with Under-Access Transfer Vehicles for Faster Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage logistics systems face inefficiencies in ex-warehousing and warehousing processes, with shelf-to-person systems being time-consuming and laborious, while shuttle stereoscopic storage systems are costly and require high site heights, and low-cost alternatives are not mature enough to meet efficiency requirements.

Innovation Solution

A storage logistics system featuring a shelf with horizontal and vertical beams, a movable articles access mechanism, and a transfer vehicle, which includes a temporary storage mechanism and a fork mechanism that allows the transfer vehicle to pass under the access mechanism, ensuring unobstructed travel and efficient article handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a shelf-to-person system is used for ex-warehousing and warehousing, then articles can be stored and retrieved, but the process is time-consuming and laborious due to moving the whole shelf

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveex-warehousing and warehousing efficiencyVSAvoidtime for moving whole shelf
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the shelf structure into stationary support beams and movable storage units. The articles access mechanism can independently move to different storage positions without requiring the entire shelf to be moved, thus segmenting the movement function from the storage structure itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articles access mechanism is designed to be movable relative to the shelf, allowing dynamic access to different storage positions. This dynamic capability enables the system to retrieve articles from any location without moving the entire shelf structure, significantly reducing the time and labor required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a shuttle stereoscopic storage system is used, then articles can be ex-warehoused and warehoused, but the cost is high and the height reaches 15-20 meters requiring high site height

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle handling capabilityVSAvoidsystem height
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from vertical stacking (15-20 meters height) to horizontal arrangement with the articles access mechanism moving along the shelf. This dimensional change allows article handling capability to be achieved without requiring extreme vertical space, reducing the site height requirement while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If low-cost container ex-warehousing and warehousing systems are used, then entry is easier and cost is lower, but the systems are not mature and overall efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem cost and ease of entryVSAvoidoverall system efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The articles access mechanism is designed with movable components including a movable platform and adjustable forks that can dynamically position articles. This dynamic design, combined with the control system, achieves high efficiency while maintaining relative simplicity and cost-effectiveness compared to mature but complex automated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated control where the control device coordinates the articles access mechanism to automatically retrieve and store articles without manual intervention. This self-service capability improves efficiency while keeping the system structure relatively simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4578798A1Storage logistics system
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 BEIJING JINGDONG QIANSHITECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP4578798A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4578798A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4578798A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A storage logistics system, comprising: a shelf (100), comprising a horizontal beam and a vertical beam and provided with multiple rows of storage positions for placing articles; a articles access mechanism (200), movably arranged relative to the shelf (100) to take articles from a specified storage position and place the articles to a specified storage position; and a transfer vehicle (300), configured to transport articles on the site of the storage logistics system, and the operation efficiency of the whole storage logistics system is improved.