Storage and Retrieval Unit Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage and retrieval units for high-bay warehouses are unable to compensate for misalignments between fastening points resulting from rotation, leading to failed connections when tolerance limits are exceeded, particularly during interactions with external vehicles like trucks that may not be parallel or aligned correctly.
Innovation Solution
A storage and retrieval unit with a movable load accepting means guided by a frame, capable of vertical movement and pivoting in a horizontal plane, using adjustable connecting elements like cables, chains, or toothed belts, and hydraulic cylinders to compensate for misalignments, allowing for flexible and precise alignment with storage items like containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the storage and retrieval unit uses a fixed load accepting means with rigid fastening points, then the connection to storage items is simple and reliable under ideal alignment conditions, but the unit cannot compensate for misalignments when external vehicles are positioned at angles or not parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The load accepting means is transformed from a fixed, rigid structure to a dynamic, movable structure. The fastening points can now move vertically outside the guide and pivot about axes in the horizontal plane, allowing the system to adapt to misaligned vehicles while maintaining reliable connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the load accepting means by introducing vertical movement capability and pivoting capability. This allows the fastening points to adjust their position and orientation dynamically, enabling compensation for misalignments between the storage unit and external vehicles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the load accepting means is made movable to compensate for misalignments, then the adaptability to different vehicle positions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The movement capabilities are segmented into distinct degrees of freedom: vertical movement outside the guide and pivoting about horizontal axes. This segmentation allows each movement type to be controlled independently through simple connecting elements like cables, chains, or toothed belts, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Simple connecting elements such as cables, chains, or toothed belts serve as intermediaries between the drive mechanisms and the load accepting means. These intermediaries transmit motion and force while allowing for the complex movements needed to compensate for misalignments, simplifying the overall mechanism design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fastening points are constrained to move only within a fixed guide, then the structural stability is maintained, but the ability to compensate for rotations and misalignments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is enhanced to allow dynamic movement of fastening points. Instead of constraining fastening points to a fixed guide, the guide allows vertical movement outside it while maintaining structural support, and pivoting capability is added to enable rotation compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement of fastening points is extended from two-dimensional movement within the guide plane to three-dimensional movement by allowing vertical displacement outside the guide and pivoting about horizontal axes. This adds another dimension of freedom to compensate for misalignments while maintaining structural stability.
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
Enables successful connection and transfer of storage items despite significant misalignments, ensuring reliable operation even with standardized containers during onshore transportation, where misalignments are common, by providing the necessary flexibility and precision in aligning fastening points.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic cylinders to compensate for misalignments, allowing for flexible and precise alignment with storage items like containers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a storage and retrieval unit 1 for a high-bay warehouse 2. Due to the pivotability and vertical movability of the load accepting means 14 in relation to the frame 11 of the storage and retrieval unit 1 outside the guide 13 of the load accepting means 14, a misalignment of a storage item 3 during a transfer process can be compensated for.