Automated Warehouse Manipulator Robots Vertical Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated warehouses are inefficient due to slow manipulator robots that can only move within specific corridors, limiting their ability to supply multiple workstations and requiring complex priority systems, which slows down production.
Innovation Solution
The design includes superposed storage areas with mobile manipulator robots that can move between upper and lower storage areas and workstations, allowing for efficient item transfer and optimized use of space, along with a processing and management unit to coordinate production and storage operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manipulator robots are confined to move only within specific circulation corridors, then the warehouse structure is simplified, but the robots cannot supply multiple workstations efficiently and production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional corridor-based robot movement system to a three-dimensional system where robots can move vertically between floors and horizontally across multiple workstations. The manipulator robots are positioned on upper floors and can serve multiple workstations on lower floors, eliminating the need for complex conveyor systems and priority management while increasing production efficiency
2Device complexity
If multiple workstations share a common conveyor system, then the system structure is simplified, but priority management becomes complex and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the conveyor system entirely from the workstation supply mechanism. Instead of using a shared conveyor that requires priority management, each manipulator robot independently picks up items from storage locations and delivers them directly to its designated workstation, eliminating the need for complex priority scheduling while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator robots serve as intermediaries between storage locations and workstations, replacing the conveyor system's mediating function. Each robot independently manages its own item transport, eliminating the need for a centralized conveyor system and its associated priority management complexity
3Ease of operation
If storage areas are arranged in parallel rows with circulation corridors, then robot movement is simplified, but the surface area occupied increases and storage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space by arranging storage areas on upper floors and workstations on lower floors. This three-dimensional arrangement allows manipulator robots to operate in the vertical dimension, reducing the horizontal surface area required while maintaining ease of robot movement through the upper-level storage areas
Data Source
AI summary
A warehouse for items in the form of raw materials or basic components. The warehouse includes a plurality of item storage areas, at least one upper storage area and at least one lower storage area and at least one carrier able to move items from the upper storage area to the lower storage area. The warehouse further includes at least one manipulator robot able to transfer an item between the storage areas the carrier and a workstation. Each manipulator robot is able to move over a storage area during the transporting of an item.