Under-Grid Robotic Picking for Dense Container Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for warehouses and fulfillment centers require large floor areas due to single-product stacks, especially for perishables and infrequently-ordered goods, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A robotic picking system that integrates a robotic picking arm on a rail beneath the grid level, allowing efficient picking without occupying grid space and enabling dense storage and retrieval operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If single-product stacks are used to store diverse product lines, then product storage capability is improved, but floor area requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal floor-based storage to vertical three-dimensional storage by implementing stacks of multi-product containers arranged vertically within a framework structure. This allows the system to utilize vertical space rather than horizontal floor area, enabling storage of tens or hundreds of thousands of different product lines in a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-product containers that can hold multiple different product lines simultaneously, replacing single-product stacks. These containers are designed to be versatile, accommodating various product types including perishables and infrequently-ordered goods, thereby improving storage capability while reducing the number of containers needed.
2Ease of operation
If picking stations are located on the grid surface, then picking accessibility is improved, but available grid space for storage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the robotic picking arm from the horizontal grid surface to a vertical position beneath the grid level, operating in the downward direction. This dimensional relocation allows the picking station to function without occupying valuable horizontal grid space, while still providing efficient access to containers through the grid apertures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rail system as an intermediary structure that supports the robotic picking arm beneath the grid. This rail provides a stable mounting platform and guidance mechanism, enabling the picking arm to operate efficiently from below the grid level without direct interference with the grid surface storage areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic picking system which does not require grid area to be reserved for picking stations and which enables efficient automated picking. There is provided a storage system including a first set of tracks extending in a first direction, a second set of tracks extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction, to form a grid comprising a plurality of grid cells, a framework structure on which the first set of tracks and the second set of tracks are received such that a stack of containers may be stored below the plurality of grid cells, a plurality of load-handling devices for lifting and moving containers stacked in stacks within the storage system, each of the load-handling devices being configured to move on the tracks above the stacks of containers at the top level of the grid.