Multi-level Article Storage Rack with Vertical Transfer Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional article storage facilities face inefficiencies in transporting multiple articles to and from different storage units due to limitations in the simultaneous operation of moving members and transfer means, leading to suboptimal transport ability.
Innovation Solution
An article storage facility with a plurality of moving members that can operate simultaneously on a single path, controlled by a system that coordinates their horizontal and vertical movements to enable efficient transfer of articles between storage units and supports, allowing for multiple articles to be stored or retrieved simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two article transfer means are aligned in the horizontal direction on the vertically movable unit, then two articles can be transferred simultaneously at different storage portions, but the transport ability cannot be effectively improved because only one piece of transfer means can operate at a time due to sequential positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The article storage rack is divided into multiple storage portions with dedicated article transfer positions, allowing different transfer means to operate independently at different segments simultaneously. The rack structure is segmented to accommodate multiple transfer operations in parallel without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal alignment of transfer means to vertical stacking in the height direction. Multiple article transfer means are arranged at different heights, enabling simultaneous operations at different vertical levels while sharing the same horizontal track, thus resolving the sequential operation limitation.
2Productivity
If two article-transporting moving members are provided on the same track, then articles can be transported to individual areas simultaneously, but the transport ability cannot be effectively improved because both members cannot enter the common area at the same time due to collision restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple article transfer means are positioned at different vertical heights rather than being constrained to a single horizontal level. This vertical dimensionality allows simultaneous entry into the common area without collision, as each transfer means operates at its own height level while sharing the horizontal track.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple copies of the article transfer means, each capable of independent operation. By providing redundant transfer mechanisms at different heights, the system enables parallel operations in the common area without requiring complex coordination or collision avoidance protocols.
3Productivity
If multiple moving members operate on a single path, then multiple articles can be processed simultaneously, but the coordination of their movements requires complex control to prevent collisions and ensure efficient operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system manages multiple moving members by utilizing the vertical dimension for differentiation. Each transfer means is assigned a specific height level, simplifying collision avoidance logic to primarily horizontal path management while vertical positioning provides inherent separation. This reduces control complexity compared to managing multiple members at the same level.
Data Source
AI summary
In response to a storing command to store a plurality of articles to different storage units of the rack, the control device of article storage facility performs a multiple storing operation wherein the control device controls horizontal movements of the plurality of moving members, vertical movements of the plurality of transfer device provided to each of the plurality of moving members, and transfer operations of the plurality of transfer device in order to cause the plurality of the transfer device: to be at respective storage/retrieval positions; to receive articles from respective article supports; and to move to rack side article transfer positions corresponding to the storage units in which the articles are to be stored and d) to transfer the received articles to the storage units.