Temperature controlled storage system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing densely packed storage systems face challenges in accurately regulating and maintaining temperature, which affects the storage and retrieval of products in commercial and industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A grid-based storage system with perpendicular rails for robotic load handling devices, integrated with a temperature control system using heaters, chillers, and fans to circulate temperature-controlled gas around and through stacked containers, allowing precise temperature control between -30°C and +30°C with a ±2.5°C range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If densely packed storage stacks are used to increase storage capacity, then storage efficiency is improved, but temperature regulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple temperature zones with independent temperature control for each zone, allowing different parts of the densely packed storage to be regulated at different temperatures. Temperature control devices are distributed throughout the storage structure rather than concentrated in one location.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature control media (heating elements, cooling elements, and circulating fluid systems) are introduced as intermediaries between the external environment and the stored items. These intermediaries facilitate heat transfer throughout the densely packed storage stacks, enabling effective temperature regulation despite the high density of stored items.
2Quantity of substance
If storage bins are arranged in stacks without aisles to maximize space utilization, then storage density is improved, but access to specific containers becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical access methods are replaced with automated robotic systems. Robots equipped with specialized end effectors can navigate the stack structure and retrieve containers from any position without requiring physical aisles, maintaining high storage density while simplifying the access operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The access function is extracted from the static storage structure and embodied in mobile robotic units. These robots can be positioned at different locations and extract specific containers from any stack position, providing flexible access without compromising the dense stacked arrangement.
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
This solution enables accurate and efficient temperature regulation within the storage system, ensuring optimal conditions for product storage and retrieval while maintaining the structural integrity and accessibility of the storage containers.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heater and/or one or more chiller for generating temperature controlled gas
Implementation Method 2
one or more heater and/or one or more chiller for generating temperature controlled gas
Implementation Method 3
one or more fan for circulating the temperature controlled gas through the storage system
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to stacked, grid storage systems such as densely packed storage systems, and methods of adjusting, regulating, controlling and maintaining the temperature of storage systems.