Storage system and storage container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated storage and retrieval systems face challenges in maintaining a comfortable working environment for personnel and preventing condensation risks when transitioning robotic load handling devices between different temperature zones, particularly from cold environments to warmer ones, which can affect the reliability of electrical components and pose health and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A multi-temperature storage system with an intermediate environmental controlled enclosure that regulates air temperature and humidity to prevent condensation, allowing robotic load handling devices to transition safely between temperature zones, featuring a controlled enclosure with heating and dehumidification systems to adjust environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robotic load handling devices transition directly from cold storage zones to warmer environments, then operational efficiency is improved, but condensation forms on electrical components causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate environmental controlled enclosure is introduced between the cold storage zone and the warmer external environment. This intermediary space allows robotic load handling devices to transition gradually through controlled temperature and humidity conditions, preventing direct exposure to temperature differential that causes condensation on electrical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary environmental conditioning by controlling temperature and humidity in the intermediate enclosure before the robotic device fully transitions to the warmer environment. This preliminary action of adjusting environmental parameters prevents condensation formation on electrical components before they are exposed to the warmer external conditions.
2Extent of automation
If personnel work directly in cold storage zones, then system automation is reduced, but health and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The environmental controlled enclosure serves as an intermediary space that allows personnel to access and service robotic load handling devices without being fully exposed to the harsh cold storage environment. This intermediary zone maintains warmer, safer conditions while still enabling necessary operational interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a localized comfortable working environment within the broader cold storage facility. By providing a specifically controlled thermal zone for personnel activities, the system maintains high automation in the main storage area while creating safe zones where human intervention is necessary.
3Reliability
If thermal insulation is added to protect electrical components, then condensation prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the robotic devices themselves with thermal insulation, the system introduces an intermediary environmental controlled enclosure that provides thermal protection. This approach prevents condensation on electrical components through environmental control rather than through complex modifications to the robotic devices' thermal properties.
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
The system provides a comfortable working environment for personnel and ensures the reliability of robotic load handling devices by mitigating condensation risks and maintaining component integrity during temperature transitions, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an environmental control unit configured to heat and/or dehumidify the air in the environmental controlled enclosure
Implementation Method 2
an environmental control unit configured to heat and/or dehumidify the air in the environmental controlled enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-temperature storage system comprising a first enclosure comprising a grid framework structure comprising storage columns for storing stacks of containers, a track system for guiding a load handling device on the grid framework structure, a second enclosure configured to accommodate a load handling device; a cooling system configured to maintain a first temperature in a first temperature zone in the first enclosure lower than a second temperature in a second temperature zone in the second enclosure; an environmental controlled enclosure (ECE) comprising a first opening and a second opening for linking the first and second enclosures, an environmental control unit configured to heat or dehumidify air in the ECE; an environmental control system configured to control the environmental control unit to provide an environmental condition in the ECE in anticipation of opening the first door or the second door.