Storage Module Guidetrack Speed Control for Carrier Collision Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving units in inventory storage facilities have low storage density, leading to inefficient use of space and reduced capacity, as items are not packed closely enough to maximize vertical and horizontal space.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an inventory storage module with guiderails and inventory carriers that form loops, allowing for dense packing of carriers and containers along upper and lower tracks, with motor-driven systems to manage the movement and positioning of carriers for efficient access and retrieval of items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional shelving units are used to store inventory items, then items can be accessed and retrieved, but storage density is low and space is not efficiently utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing motorized carriers that can move automatically along the guiderails between upper and lower tracks. This transforms the static shelving system into a dynamic one where carriers can be positioned and retrieved automatically, significantly increasing storage density by utilizing vertical space while maintaining accessibility through motorized movement rather than manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes another dimension by introducing vertical movement between upper and lower tracks through guiderails. Inventory carriers can transition between elevated positions and ground level, effectively using the vertical dimension to increase storage capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint of the storage facility
2Quantity of substance
If inventory carriers are densely packed along upper and lower tracks, then storage density increases, but collisions may occur during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through controllers that monitor and coordinate the movement of motorized carriers along the tracks. The controllers receive information about carrier positions and adjust acceleration and deceleration accordingly, providing real-time feedback control that prevents collisions while maintaining dense packing of carriers on both upper and lower tracks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the acceleration and deceleration parameters of the motorized carriers during movement. By modifying these motion parameters based on carrier density and position, the system achieves dense packing while preventing collisions through controlled speed variations during transitions between upper and lower tracks
3Productivity
If motor-driven systems are used to move inventory carriers, then access and retrieval efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using motorized carriers that move only when inventory needs to be accessed or stored. The carriers remain stationary during idle periods and are activated periodically when retrieval or storage operations are required. This intermittent operation maintains high productivity during active periods while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous movement systems
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an storage module has first and second guide rails that are spaced from one another along a lateral direction. Each guiderail has an upper track and a lower track spaced from one another along a vertical direction, and first and second connecting tracks that connect the upper track to the lower track at first and second ends, respectively. A plurality of inventory carriers that are supported between the guiderails and are arranged end-to-end along the upper and lower tracks. A drivetrain drives the carriers to translate along the upper and lower tracks at a first speed, and drives the carriers to translate along the connecting tracks at a second speed, faster than the first speed. Increasing the speed of the carriers at the connecting tracks can prevent the carriers from colliding with one another when transitioning between the upper track and the lower track.