Container Handling Vehicle Battery Access via Protruding Upper Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
The single cell design of container handling vehicles in automated storage and retrieval systems makes it difficult for external equipment to access the on-board battery for charging or replacement, limiting the interaction with external equipment and reducing system capacity.
Innovation Solution
The container handling vehicle is designed with a protruding section that extends horizontally beyond its footprint, allowing the battery to be positioned within this section. This configuration enables easy access for charging or battery replacement and allows larger batteries to be used, increasing operational time between recharges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the container handling vehicle uses a single cell design with footprint equal to grid cell horizontal extension, then the space required for vehicles to travel on the track system is reduced, but it becomes difficult for external equipment to access the battery for charging or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is positioned in a protruding section that extends vertically beyond the horizontal footprint of the vehicle. This vertical dimensionality allows external charging or replacement equipment to access the battery from below, resolving the access difficulty while maintaining the compact horizontal footprint for efficient track travel
2Productivity
If the container handling vehicle uses a single cell design with footprint equal to grid cell horizontal extension, then more vehicles can operate on the track system without interfering with each other, but the vehicle cannot accommodate larger batteries for extended operation
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the battery housing vertically in a protruding section beyond the vehicle's horizontal footprint, the design accommodates larger battery capacity without increasing the horizontal space requirement. This enables extended operational time while maintaining high vehicle density on the track system
3Shape
If the battery is positioned within the main body of the vehicle, then the vehicle structure is compact, but external equipment cannot easily interact with the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is extracted from the main vehicle body and positioned in a separate protruding section that extends vertically. This separation allows external equipment to easily access and interact with the battery for charging or replacement, while the main vehicle body remains compact for efficient track operation
Data Source
AI summary
A container handling vehicle includes a lower part and an upper part. The lower part includes a width and a length that form a vehicle footprint of the container handling vehicle; and a storage space configured to accommodate a storage container. The lower part includes a first set of wheels oriented in a first vertical plane and a second set of wheels oriented in a second vertical plane orthogonal to the first vertical plane. The lower part includes a first set of vertical side walls that are co-planar to the first vertical plane, and a second set of vertical side walls that are co-planar to the second vertical plane. The first set of wheels, the second set of wheels, the first set of vertical side walls, and the second set of vertical side walls are arranged such that the lower part of the container handling vehicle has a cuboid shape. The upper part is disposed vertically above the lower part, and includes a protruding section and a recessed section. The protruding section is configured to extend beyond the lower part. The recessed section has a shape complimentary to the protruding section such that the recessed section is configured to receive other protruding sections of other container handling vehicles.