Tilted Container Access Station With Compact Picking Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems have complex access stations with large footprints and numerous moving components, making it difficult to arrange adjacent picking zones closely and requiring frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An access station with a ramp and guiding frame, featuring an inner carriage with a pivotable storage container support that tilts relative to a horizontal plane, allowing for a compact design with reduced moving parts and enabling closer placement of adjacent picking zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional access stations with multiple moving components are used, then storage containers can be transported and presented to pickers, but the device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of container transport and presentation while removing unnecessary moving components. The support structure is made substantially fixed, eliminating complex mechanisms while maintaining the ability to receive containers from the automated system and present them to pickers at the access station.
Solution Approach 2:
The access station is segmented into distinct functional zones: a receiving position for automated system integration, a transfer zone for container movement, and a picking position for picker access. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently with minimal moving parts.
2Ease of operation
If traditional access stations with large footprints are used, then picking zones can be arranged, but the area occupied increases and adjacent picking zones cannot be placed closely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the vertical arrangement of the access station, with the support structure extending vertically to provide container support while minimizing horizontal footprint. This allows adjacent picking zones to be placed closer together in the horizontal plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving position, transfer zone, and picking position are merged into a compact integrated structure that performs multiple functions within a minimized footprint, enabling closer arrangement of adjacent picking zones.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access stations with numerous moving components are used, then container handling can be achieved, but maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substantially fixed support structure eliminates the need for complex maintenance of moving components. The system relies on the stability and durability of fixed structures, reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining full container handling capability through the integrated receiving, transfer, and picking zones.
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 solution provides a simplified access system with fewer moving parts, enabling adjacent picking zones to be placed closer together and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a follower connected to and extending from the first storage container support for interaction with the ramp; wherein the follower and the ramp are configured to interact to move the inner carriage into the picking state
Data Source
AI summary
An access station, which is for presentation of a storage container from automated storage and retrieval system to a picker, has a receiving position for receiving a storage container, forward of the receiving position a picking position for picking products from the storage container, and a transfer zone connecting the receiving position and the picking position. The access station includes a ramp at least partly arranged below the transfer zone; a guiding frame arranged in a horizontal plane and extending between the picking position, the transfer zone and the receiving position; and an inner carriage for transporting a storage container. The inner carriage includes an inner carriage base movable along the guiding frame; a first storage container support pivotably connected to the inner carriage base; and a follower connected to and extending from the first storage container support for interaction with the ramp. The inner carriage has a receiving state in which the first storage container support is arranged substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, and a picking state in which the first storage container support is tilted relative to the horizontal plane with a predetermined tilting angle. A displacement device is configured to move the inner carriage between the receiving position and the picking position. The follower and the ramp are configured to interact to move the inner carriage into the picking state in response to a movement of the inner carriage from the receiving position to the picking position.