Tilting Access Station Layout for Space-Efficient Container Picking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access stations for automated storage and retrieval systems require significant space and are cumbersome to install, as they need a wide area for a long straight conveyor line to facilitate ergonomic picking, which is inefficient and limits storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A flexible access station with a tilting device that can adjust the angle of storage containers in the picking zone, allowing for both human and robotic picking, and featuring a U-shaped path with conveyors that tilt only when necessary, reducing space requirements and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long straight conveyor line is used to facilitate ergonomic picking, then picking comfort is improved, but space requirements increase and installation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor line is designed with a U-shaped curved path instead of a straight line, allowing the conveyor to fold back on itself. This curvature enables the conveyor to fit into a compact footprint while maintaining sufficient length for ergonomic picking operations, directly resolving the contradiction between picking comfort and space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system utilizes vertical layering and three-dimensional space utilization by folding the conveyor path in multiple directions. The U-shaped configuration allows the conveyor to occupy different spatial planes, effectively converting a one-dimensional straight line problem into a multi-dimensional space-efficient solution
2Productivity
If conveyors are permanently tilted for ergonomic picking, then picking efficiency is improved, but space requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is designed with dynamic tilting capability, allowing it to change its inclination angle from horizontal to tilted position as needed. This dynamic adjustment enables the conveyor to provide ergonomic tilted picking only when necessary, while maintaining a compact horizontal configuration during transport phases, thus improving picking efficiency without permanently increasing space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor's tilt angle is changed from 0 degrees (horizontal) to a specific angled position only during picking operations. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for ergonomic picking temporarily while maintaining space efficiency during non-picking phases, resolving the contradiction between productivity and space requirements
3Ease of operation
If access stations are designed for human picking with ergonomic considerations, then ease of operation is improved, but compatibility with automated robotic picking is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The access station and conveyor system are designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in different modes: tilted configuration for human ergonomic picking and horizontal configuration for automated robotic picking. This universal design allows the same system to serve both human operators and robotic systems effectively, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation for humans and adaptability to automation
Data Source
AI summary
An access station for picking storage containers includes a picking zone, at least one conveyor arranged to transport one or more storage containers from an entry position through said picking zone and to an exit position, at least one tilting device arranged to tilt a storage container at least in the picking zone, and paneling comprising an aperture with a sliding door in the picking zone.