Storage Shuttles and Elevators for Continuous Carrier Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage and order collection apparatuses are inefficient in managing the movement and storage of carriers across multiple levels, leading to bottlenecks and delays in the storage and collection process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates first and second shuttles that move along the ends of storage sections, with input and output elevators and conveyors forming a closed loop system, allowing for simultaneous vertical transport and transfer of carriers, enabling continuous operation and reducing waiting times between shuttle and elevator movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carriers are moved sequentially between storage sections using platforms, then the storage and collection process can be completed, but the process experiences bottlenecks and delays due to sequential operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation by having multiple shuttles (first and second shuttles) that can simultaneously transport carriers between different storage sections. While one shuttle is moving carriers horizontally, another shuttle can be moving carriers vertically via elevators, ensuring that the system operates without idle time and maintains continuous productive action throughout the storage and collection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional horizontal carrier movement to three-dimensional movement by introducing vertical elevators that transport carriers between different storage levels. This adds a vertical dimension to the carrier transport system, allowing simultaneous horizontal shuttling and vertical elevating operations, thereby increasing system capacity and eliminating sequential bottlenecks.
2Ease of operation
If platforms move carriers between storage sections, then carrier transfer is achieved, but the platforms must return to initial positions creating idle time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple shuttles at different locations within the storage system in advance. These shuttles are pre-positioned to receive and transfer carriers directly between storage sections without requiring a return trip to an origin platform. The shuttles operate in a coordinated manner where carrier delivery and shuttle repositioning occur simultaneously through overlapping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate transfer points and buffer zones where carriers can be temporarily held during transfer operations. These intermediaries allow shuttles to deposit carriers at one location while simultaneously picking up carriers at another location, eliminating the need for shuttles to return empty to their starting positions and maintaining continuous operational flow.
3Device complexity
If a single elevator system is used for vertical transport, then structure is simplified, but carrier circulation between levels becomes a bottleneck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single elevator system into multiple independent elevator units distributed at different locations within the storage structure. Each elevator serves specific storage sections, allowing parallel vertical carrier transport operations. This segmentation increases the overall carrier circulation rate while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines horizontal shuttle operations with vertical elevator operations into an integrated three-dimensional carrier transport system. Multiple shuttles operating at different levels coordinate with multiple elevators to create a unified carrier circulation network that simultaneously handles both horizontal and vertical carrier movement, maximizing system productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage and order collection apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of storage levels, wherein each storage level is provided with a plurality of elongate storage sections (3) which extend parallel to each other. Each of the storage sections (3) has a first end (4) and an opposite second end (5) and comprises a support (2) on which a row of carriers (6) is supported adjacent to each other in longitudinal direction of the storage section (3). The row of carriers (6) is movable with respect to the support (2) in longitudinal direction of the storage section (3). The distance between the first and second ends (4, 5) substantially equals the sum of the lengths of a whole number of carriers (6) in longitudinal direction of the storage section (3). At each storage level a first shuttle (8) for supporting at least one carrier (6) and a second shuttle (9) for supporting at least one carrier (6) are moveable along a first shuttle path (A) extending along the first ends (4) of the storage sections (3) and a second shuttle path (B) extending along the second ends (5) of the storage sections (3), respectively. The apparatus (1) is provided with an input elevator (10, 11) for transporting carriers (6) from an elevator input in upward direction along the storage levels towards the first shuttles (8) at the respective storage levels, an output elevator (12, 13) for transporting carriers (6) in downward direction along the storage levels to an elevator output, and an input-output conveyor (16, 17) for transporting carriers (6) from the elevator output to the elevator input.