Warehouse Shuttle Access via Lateral Car Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional warehouse systems are inefficient in space utilization due to the need for large lanes for stacker cranes, limiting the compact storage and accessibility of goods, especially in channel storage systems where goods can only be accessed in a first-in first-out or last-in first-out manner.
Innovation Solution
A warehouse system with a two-dimensional arrangement of storage spaces, where each intersection forms a storage space, utilizing cars movable along rows and shuttles along lanes, allowing for compact storage by adjusting the width of storage spaces to be less than the shuttle's width, enabling direct access to any storage space by shifting cars to create a path for the shuttle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If storage space width is reduced to increase storage density, then storage capacity increases, but shuttle accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage space width is made dynamic through the shifting mechanism. Cars can be moved laterally to dynamically adjust the effective width of storage spaces, allowing the system to switch between compact storage mode (narrower spaces) and access mode (wider spaces created by shifting cars away). This resolves the contradiction by making the space configuration adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of storage space width is changed on demand. By shifting cars laterally, the system changes the width parameter of storage spaces from a fixed small value (for high density) to a larger value (for shuttle access). This parameter change allows the system to optimize for either storage capacity or accessibility depending on operational requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If lane width is reduced for compact storage, then space utilization improves, but shuttle movement capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lane configuration is made dynamic through lateral shifting of cars. During storage operations, cars are positioned to maximize storage density. During retrieval operations, cars are shifted laterally to dynamically create sufficient lane width for shuttle movement. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction between compact storage and shuttle mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
Before a shuttle needs to access a storage space, the system performs preliminary lateral shifting of cars to clear the path and create adequate lane width. This preliminary action ensures that when the shuttle needs to move, the lane is already prepared with sufficient space, eliminating the trade-off between compact storage and movement capability.
3Quantity of substance
If cars are arranged densely to maximize storage, then storage density increases, but path clearing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The car arrangement transitions from a static dense configuration to a dynamic configuration where cars can be laterally shifted. When path clearing is needed, cars are dynamically repositioned laterally to create access paths. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain high storage density while adapting to create clear paths when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral shifting mechanism segments the warehouse space into storage zones and access zones independently. Cars can be shifted to separate the storage function (maintaining density) from the access function (creating clear paths). This segmentation allows both high storage density and effective path clearing capability to coexist.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for retrieving goods (106) in a warehouse system (100) comprising an at least two-dimensional arrangement of storage spaces. One or more cars (104) for carrying goods (106) are arranged in at least one of a plurality of rows, wherein the one or more cars (104) in a respective row are moveable along the respective row in the transverse direction (Z). A width (111) of each storage space (110) in the transverse direction (Z) is less than a width (201) of a shuttle (200) in the transverse direction (Z) for retrieving goods from a particular storage space (110). A first set of cars (141) is shifted in a first direction by a first distance (151) along the row, and, if necessary, a second set of cars (142) is shifted in a second direction by a second distance (152), the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The sum of the first and second distances and a width (111) of the particular storage space (110) in the transverse direction (Z) is at least the width (201) of the shuttle (200) in the transverse direction (Z).