Warehouse Bin Layout to Cut Robot Reach and Raise Storage Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bin-to-person schemes in warehouse storage systems have low storage density and inefficiencies in order fulfillment, particularly in terms of energy consumption and component wear due to excessive telescopic component extension during container retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A container storage system with inventory frames having multiple levels and storage containers arranged along the depth direction of the boards, where the width direction of the containers matches the depth direction, allowing for reduced telescopic component extension and improved stability, enabling higher storage density and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage containers are arranged in the conventional direction (length direction of board), then the robot can easily access containers, but the storage density is low and telescopic components must extend excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rotates the storage container 90 degrees so that containers are arranged along the depth direction of the board instead of the length direction. This dimensional change allows the robot to access containers with minimal telescopic extension, reducing the extension length from what would be required in the conventional arrangement to just the width of the container plus small clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric arrangement where the container width direction aligns with the board depth direction, rather than the symmetric conventional arrangement where container length aligns with board length. This asymmetric orientation optimizes both storage density and robot access efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If telescopic components extend longer to reach containers, then containers can be accessed from any position, but energy consumption increases and component wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting containers along the board depth direction, the patent enables the robot to access all containers with minimal telescopic extension regardless of position, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining full accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of container orientation from conventional (length parallel to board length) to optimized (width parallel to board depth), which reduces the telescopic extension distance and thereby reduces energy consumption and component wear.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telescopic components extend longer to reach containers, then all containers are accessible, but component wear increases and service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients container placement along the board depth direction, allowing the robot to retrieve any container with minimal telescopic extension, thereby maintaining full adaptability while significantly reducing mechanical wear and extending service life.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional container arrangement is used, then the system is simple to implement, but storage density is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a simple 90-degree rotation of container orientation relative to the board, changing the arrangement from length-direction to depth-direction alignment. This straightforward dimensional change significantly increases storage density without complicating the system.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a container storage system, a warehousing system, a robot control method, and a robot; the container storage system comprises an inventory area, a control server, a robot, and a plurality of workstations; the control server communicates with the robot wirelessly; an inventory rack is placed in the inventory area; the inventory rack comprises at least one layer of layered panels; the at least one layer of layered panels divides the inventory rack into at least two layers; at least two storage containers are placed on the inventory rack in the direction of the depth of the layered panels, and the direction of width of the storage container on the inventory rack is consistent with the direction of the depth of the layered panels. The system increases the storage density of storage containers in the inventory area, and reduces the energy consumption of the robot picking the storage containers.