Vehicle Tilting Platform for Easier Storage Container Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automated storage and retrieval systems, accessing items from storage containers at picking or stocking stations can be hindered by the lack of efficient mechanisms for tilting delivery vehicles, leading to congestion and delays, especially when items are not easily accessible.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tilting device with a tiltable platform and guiding features, connected to the delivery rail system, allows delivery vehicles to be tilted towards an operator, providing increased access to items within the storage containers by guiding the vehicle's wheels onto the platform and using a tilting actuator to pivot the platform, ensuring safe and easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If delivery vehicles are tilted to increase access to items in storage containers, then item accessibility is improved, but vehicle stability and safety may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to be tiltable relative to the base structure, allowing it to dynamically adjust between horizontal and tilted positions. This enables the system to optimize for item accessibility when tilted, while maintaining vehicle stability when horizontal, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting mechanism is implemented as a separate, isolated component between the base structure and the platform. This segmentation allows the platform to tilt independently without affecting the stability of the entire vehicle or base structure, enabling improved item accessibility while maintaining overall system stability.
2Ease of operation
If a tilting mechanism is added to the delivery vehicle, then item access is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism is implemented as a separate, isolated component between the base structure and the platform. This segmentation allows the platform to tilt independently without affecting the stability of the entire vehicle or base structure, enabling improved item accessibility while maintaining overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is designed to be tiltable relative to the base structure, allowing it to dynamically adjust between horizontal and tilted positions. This enables the system to optimize for item accessibility when tilted, while maintaining vehicle stability when horizontal, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and stability.
3Productivity
If the platform is tilted to improve item access, then operational efficiency is improved, but risk of vehicle tipping increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism is implemented as a separate, isolated component between the base structure and the platform. This segmentation allows the platform to tilt independently without affecting the stability of the entire vehicle or base structure, enabling improved item accessibility while maintaining overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure acts as an intermediary between the platform and the ground, providing a stable foundation that isolates the tilting platform from the vehicle's overall stability. This allows the platform to tilt for improved access while the base structure maintains the vehicle's stability and safety.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
A vehicle tilting device for tilting a delivery vehicle for increasing access to items from a storage container transported on the delivery vehicle. The vehicle tilting device comprises a base structure and a tiltable platform connected to the base structure, wherein the tiltable platform comprises guiding features adapted to guide the delivery vehicle onto the tiltable platform. The tiltable platform is arranged to be connected to a delivery grid cell of a delivery rail system such that that there is a path to and/or from the tiltable platform for the delivery vehicle via the delivery grid cell. The invention is also related to an access station, a delivery system and a method of accessing a storage container.