Tilting Picking Station Layout for Compact Container Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access stations for automated storage and retrieval systems require a wide area for ergonomic picking, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when transitioning between manual and robotic picking operations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible access station with a tilting device that can adjust the angle of storage containers in the picking zone, allowing for ergonomic benefits with manual picking and efficient throughput with robotic picking, while also minimizing space requirements by using a U-shaped path and protective paneling to prevent injury and reduce confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wide area access station is used for ergonomic manual picking, then picking comfort is improved, but space usage increases and efficiency for robotic picking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access station incorporates a tilting device that can dynamically adjust the storage container angle between 0-45 degrees. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for manual picking ergonomics when needed while maintaining a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between picking comfort and space usage.
2Ease of operation
If a wide area access station is used for ergonomic manual picking, then picking comfort is improved, but operational efficiency for robotic picking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting device enables dynamic adaptation between manual and robotic picking modes. During robotic picking, the container remains horizontal (0 degrees) for efficient automated operation. During manual picking, it tilts to ergonomic angles, thus improving picking comfort without sacrificing robotic operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of container orientation angle dynamically. By adjusting this parameter based on the picking mode (manual vs. robotic), the system achieves both ergonomic benefits for manual picking and operational efficiency for robotic picking.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective paneling is added to prevent injury and reduce confusion, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access station is segmented into distinct functional zones using protective paneling. The picking zone is separated from the mechanical tilting device area, providing safety through spatial segmentation rather than complex interlocking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Protective paneling acts as an intermediary barrier between the operator and moving parts. This simple physical separator provides safety without requiring complex control systems or interlocks, thus improving safety while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an access station (3) for picking storage containers (106), comprising: •—a picking zone (4), •—at least one conveyor (8,9,21,22) arranged to transport storage containers (106) from an entry position (6) through said picking zone (4) and to an exit position (7), wherein the access station (3) comprises: •—at least one tilting device (13) arranged to tilt a storage container (106) at least in the picking zone (4). The invention further relates to a method for operating such an access station and an automated storage and retrieval system comprising such an access station.