Vertically Mobile Drive Units for Multi-Level Inventory Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern inventory systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization, leading to lower throughput, long response times, and increased backlogs due to the challenges of managing and moving inventory items across densely packed storage areas with limited infrastructure, particularly in multi-level facilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of vertically mobile drive units equipped with vertical element grasping mechanisms that can autonomously or semi-autonomously move resources between different levels within an inventory management facility, avoiding conventional vertical movers and optimizing the use of space by transiting along vertical elements such as columns or beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ground-based units or conventional vertical displacement mechanisms are used to move inventory items in densely packed storage areas, then inventory items can be moved between levels, but the efficiency of moving items is reduced and system throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit transitions from conventional horizontal ground-based movement to vertical movement by climbing along vertical elements (columns or beams) of the building structure. This dimensional change allows the system to utilize the building's structural framework for transportation, bypassing congested horizontal pathways and conventional elevators, thereby improving throughput and reducing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The building's structural elements (columns or beams) serve dual purposes: providing structural support and functioning as vertical pathways for the drive unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated vertical transportation infrastructure, optimizing space utilization and improving system efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If the density of packing in horizontal and vertical directions is increased to utilize bounded space, then space utilization improves, but moving inventory items becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit moves vertically by climbing along structural elements, creating a new transportation dimension that is independent of horizontal storage density. This allows high-density packing in horizontal directions without compromising the efficiency of moving items between levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical elements (columns or beams) serve as intermediaries between different storage levels. The drive unit uses these structural elements as pathways to access inventory items across levels, enabling efficient item movement regardless of horizontal packing density.
3Productivity
If conventional vertical movers are used for multi-level inventory access, then items can be transported between levels, but traffic on these movers increases and overall system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit creates an alternative vertical transportation pathway by climbing along structural elements, bypassing conventional elevators and vertical movers. This reduces traffic volume on existing vertical transportation infrastructure and improves overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical transportation function is segmented from the horizontal transportation system. Instead of using a centralized vertical mover for all inter-level transfers, each drive unit independently climbs vertical elements, distributing the transportation load and reducing congestion on any single pathway.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed inventory systems, methods, and devices can be used to retrieve and transport resources from one location to another. Specifically, a vertically mobile drive unit including a vertical element retention mechanism can be controlled by a management component to retrieve a resource, transport the resource from one floor to a different floor in an inventory system, and deposit the resource at a destination. The vertically mobile drive unit can transit vertically along a vertically disposed element in an inventory system, such as a structural pole or column; and can rotate around the structural pole or column in order to set down on an upper level after ascending, or to clear the upper level prior to descending.