Tandem Multi-Tier Rack Storage with Shared Elevator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated storage/retrieval systems with multiple pairs of multi-tier racks require excessive space and facility costs, and increasing the number of tiers to enhance storage capacity leads to decreased throughput performance due to extended elevator movement.
Innovation Solution
The system arranges two pairs of multi-tier racks in a tandem structure, with one elevator between them, and includes waiting stations and conveyors to facilitate horizontal transfer of loads, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval operations with reduced vertical movement and equipment count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of pairs of multi-tier racks is increased to improve storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but facility cost and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional parallel arrangement of rack pairs to a series arrangement where racks are stacked vertically. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple rack pairs to share a single elevator infrastructure, thereby increasing storage capacity without proportionally increasing installation space or facility cost.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of tiers of multi-tier racks is increased to improve storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but the lifting stroke of the elevator is extended, decreasing throughput performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage system into multiple rack pairs arranged in series, each accessible by the same elevator. This segmentation allows the elevator to serve multiple rack levels without requiring excessive vertical travel distance, maintaining throughput performance while increasing overall storage capacity through horizontal expansion of rack pairs.
3Quantity of substance
If pairs of multi-tier racks are arranged in parallel to improve storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but the number of elevators, storage conveyors and retrieval conveyors must be increased, increasing facility cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal elevator system that serves multiple rack pairs in series, allowing a single elevator to perform storage and retrieval operations across all rack pairs. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated elevators and conveyors for each rack pair, thereby reducing equipment count and facility cost while maintaining enhanced storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated storage/retrieval system has two pairs of multi-tier racks that are arranged in series. An elevator is disposed between the two pairs of multi-tier racks. The elevator enables a load to be delivered to and received from the two pairs of multi-tier racks. The automated storage/retrieval system having such a tandem structure not only can provide the same storage capacity as that of a conventional configuration in which two pairs of multi-tier racks are arranged in parallel, but also can be applied to a building with a limited height since the system does not need to have an extended height. Since only one elevator is needed, the number of units is less than that of a conventional system, reducing manufacturing cost and an installation space for the system.