Telescopic Holder for Side-Access Storage Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated storage and retrieval systems face inefficiencies in handling and managing delivery containers, particularly in loading and unloading processes, due to limitations in existing container handling vehicles and storage structures.
Innovation Solution
A storage container assembly with a telescopically extendable holder within the storage container, allowing for side-access loading and unloading of delivery containers, which can be guided in and out of the holder for efficient storage and retrieval, and integrated with the automated storage and retrieval system's framework structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If delivery containers are stored directly in storage containers using existing handling methods, then the storage system can maintain simple structure, but loading and unloading operations become inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is telescopically retained within the storage container, with the delivery container nested within the holder. This nested configuration allows the delivery container to be stored compactly within the storage container while enabling efficient side-access loading and unloading when the holder is extended, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary mechanism between the storage container and the delivery container. It provides a telescopic extension capability that enables side-access loading and unloading operations, bridging the gap between the fixed storage container structure and the need for efficient container handling, thereby improving loading/unloading efficiency without requiring complete system redesign
2Ease of operation
If traditional top-access storage containers are used, then the storage structure remains simple, but access to delivery containers requires moving other containers above, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The holder provides side-access capability by extending horizontally from the storage container, creating a new access dimension. This allows delivery containers to be accessed from the side rather than requiring vertical access from the top, eliminating the need to move containers above and significantly improving ease of operation while reducing access time
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size storage containers are used, then manufacturing and stacking are simplified, but space utilization decreases when storing containers of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with telescopic capability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its length to match the size of different delivery containers. This dynamic adjustment enables optimal space utilization within the fixed storage container volume while accommodating varying container sizes, thus improving adaptability without sacrificing volume efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A storage container assembly includes a storage container, a delivery container, and a holder. The storage container includes a base and four walls extending up from edges of the base, thereby defining a top opening of the storage container. The delivery container includes a base and four walls extending up from edges of the base. The holder for the delivery container is telescopically retained within the storage container and extendable from the opening of the storage container. The holder has a side-access opening, which is revealed on extension of the holder from the storage container. The delivery container can be guided into and out from the side-access opening of the holder and the delivery container can be slidably retained within the holder for storage within the storage container.