Transport Unit Gripper for Shelf Store Component Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warehouse systems in the manufacturing industry face challenges in minimizing the time required for storing and outsourcing components, particularly in efficiently accessing a variety of different components stored in a small space.
Innovation Solution
A transport unit for a shelf warehouse that includes a frame housing open on two sides, a storage area for temporary object storage, and a gripper with a means of interference and positioning tools, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of components by minimizing relative movement and optimizing storage density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If components are stored in a warehouse system with storage compartments, then components can be kept in stock for delivery to workstations, but the time required to deliver components from storage to goods issue point increases production inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The transport unit is pre-positioned at the goods issue point with its gripper ready to immediately retrieve components from storage compartments. The unit can quickly move between storage locations and the goods issue point, performing preliminary positioning actions that minimize delivery time without requiring complex real-time decision-making systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport unit acts as an intermediary device between the storage compartments and the goods issue point. It features a gripper mechanism that can securely hold components during transit and a positioning device that ensures precise placement at the goods issue point, thereby streamlining the transfer process and reducing delivery time.
2Quantity of substance
If a large number of different components are stored in a small space, then storage density increases, but access time to specific components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is segmented into multiple storage compartments arranged in a compact configuration. Each compartment can be independently accessed by the transport unit's gripper, allowing for efficient retrieval of specific components without requiring access to the entire storage structure. This segmentation enables high storage density while maintaining quick access to individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport unit employs a positioning device that operates in multiple dimensions to locate and retrieve components from densely packed storage compartments. By utilizing vertical and horizontal positioning capabilities, the system can access specific components in a compact three-dimensional storage arrangement, thereby maintaining both high storage capacity and rapid access times.
3Area of stationary object
If storage compartments are made compact to increase storage density, then space utilization improves, but the complexity of storing and retrieving diverse components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport unit is designed as a universal device that can handle various types of components through its adaptable gripper mechanism. The gripper can adjust its gripping force and configuration to accommodate different component sizes and shapes, while the positioning device provides standardized multi-axis movement. This universality allows the system to manage diverse components in compact storage compartments without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~4C
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport unit (1) for storing and retrieving objects (19) in a rack storage system (2) having several storage compartments (5) arranged one above the other, wherein the transport unit (1) comprises a frame housing (10) which is open on two opposite sides, in which a storage surface (13) for temporarily receiving an object (19) to be stored or retrieved is arranged, and a gripper (11) is slidably mounted along an axis extending through the two open sides, wherein the gripper (11) has at least one engagement means (12) which is configured to detachably fix a storage compartment (5) to the gripper (11), and in which at least one positioning means (16) movable relative to the storage surface (13) for positioning the object (19) on the storage surface (13) is arranged in the frame housing (10).