Versatile Shelving Array With Non-Uniform Spacing for Mixed Crate Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern logistic centers face inefficiencies in storage and retrieval due to uniform vertical spacing between shelving units, which restricts the handling of crates of varying sizes and limits the accessibility of lift robots, leading to suboptimal use of three-dimensional space and storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a shelving system with non-uniform vertical spacing between horizontal storage surfaces and a computerized control system that differentiates storage locations based on crate sizes, allowing lift robots to route and relocate crates efficiently across a network of intersecting vertical and horizontal tracks, enabling the storage of crates of different heights and widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform vertical spacing between shelving units is used, then structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but storage efficiency and adaptability to varying crate sizes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into multiple shelving blocks, each containing shelving units with different vertical spacing configurations. This segmentation allows the system to handle various crate sizes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each standardized block type.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the storage system have different vertical spacing characteristics. Specifically, at least two groups of storage locations in at least one shelving block differ in the size of the vertical spacing between horizontally oriented storage surfaces, allowing optimization for different crate height ranges in different locations.
2Productivity
If non-uniform vertical spacing between storage surfaces is implemented, then storage efficiency and crate size adaptability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computerized control system provides multi-functionality by automatically differentiating between storage locations based on crate sizes and routing robots accordingly. This universal control approach manages the complexity of non-uniform spacing while maximizing storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the vertical spacing parameter across different shelving units and storage locations. By varying this key geometric parameter, the system optimizes storage capacity for different crate height ranges while the control system adapts to these parameter changes.
3Productivity
If lift robots are used for automated crate handling, then labor efficiency and retrieval speed are improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computerized control system performs preliminary routing calculations and crate relocation planning before robot execution. This preliminary action optimizes robot paths and minimizes unnecessary movements, reducing energy consumption while maintaining high retrieval speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the computerized control system to monitor and adjust robot operations. By differentiating between storage locations and tracking crate positions, the system provides feedback that enables energy-efficient routing and reduces redundant robot movements.
4Quantity of substance
If crates of varying sizes are stored in the system, then storage capacity utilization is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computerized control system automatically differentiates between storage locations and manages crate placement without human intervention. This self-service capability handles the complexity of varying crate sizes while maximizing storage capacity utilization across different shelving units.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage setup and method for robotic delivery and retrieval of crates from shelving blocks are disclosed. At least one shelving block in the setup comprises non-uniformly spaced apart storage surfaces. The storage surfaces are accessible to lift-robots. A computerized control system is configured to differentiate between storage locations based on which crate sizes from at least two different ranges of crate sizes a storage location can store. The storage may be automatically optimized by routing robots to store crates in storage locations sized in correlation with the size of the crate to be stored.