Trolley storage system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trolley storage systems are inefficient, leading to customer confusion, increased time spent in stores, item damage, and unsellable goods due to manual handling and disorganization.
Innovation Solution
A trolley storage system comprising racking modules, transfer aisles, and automated transfer carts with a handout sluice for secure and efficient trolley management, allowing pre-loaded trolleys to be stored and retrieved without manual intervention, using a CPU and input devices for tracking and customer access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated transfer carts are used to store and retrieve trolleys, then productivity and organization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple independent racking modules, each with its own transfer cart operating on a dedicated transfer aisle. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple trolleys simultaneously through parallel operations, improving productivity while keeping each module's complexity manageable and standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
Transfer carts serve as intermediary devices between the input path, racking modules, and output path. These automated carts automatically transport trolleys between storage locations and customer access points, eliminating manual handling and significantly improving productivity without requiring complex direct mechanical connections between all system components.
2Loss of time
If manual handling of trolleys is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Trolleys are pre-loaded with goods and automatically transported to designated storage locations within racking modules before customers need them. This preliminary action allows customers to collect their trolleys immediately upon arrival at the storage system, eliminating the time-consuming manual search and transport processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables customers to independently locate and collect their pre-stored trolleys from the output path without requiring store staff assistance. This self-service capability significantly reduces customer time in the store while the automated transfer carts handle the complex logistics in the background.
3Ease of operation
If customers can directly access storage areas, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and security worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The handout sluice acts as an intermediary mechanism between the secure racking area and the customer pickup zone. It allows customers to retrieve their trolleys through a controlled opening without direct access to the storage area, maintaining security while enabling convenient operation. The transfer cart delivers trolleys to the sluice, which then presents them to customers in a safe manner.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
A trolley storage system is provided, comprising at least one racking module (2) comprising at least one storage level (10), each storage level (10) comprising a plurality of storage locations. A transfer aisle (3) is provided adjacent the at least one racking module (2) and a transfer cart (4) is operable along the transfer aisle (3). An input path and an output path are in connection with the transfer aisle (3) for transferring trolleys (7) into and out of the trolley storage system (1). The transfer cart (4) is configured to collect a trolley (7) at the input path (8) and to deliver the collected trolley (7) to a free storage location within the racking (2). The transfer cart (4) is further configured to collect a stored trolley (7) from its storage location in the racking (2) and to deliver the collected trolley (7) to the output path (9).