3D Warehouse Shuttle Vertical Transfer for Direct Storage Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional warehouse systems, such as those with stacker cranes, inefficiently use space due to the need for lanes for crane movement, and channel storage systems restrict access to storage spaces, allowing only first-in first-out or last-in first-out retrieval methods.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional warehouse system with lanes and rows, where cars are movable in the transverse direction and shuttles in the longitudinal direction, allowing direct access to any storage space through a control system that clears paths by repositioning cars, enabling flexible and efficient retrieval of goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stacker cranes are used to supply racks with goods, then goods can be moved between storage spaces, but space is lost for lanes required for crane movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional lane-based storage to three-dimensional storage by introducing vertical movement capability. Shuttles can move goods not only horizontally along lanes but also vertically between levels, eliminating the need for dedicated crane lanes and maximizing space utilization in all three dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the lane requirement from the system by implementing shuttles with vertical transfer capability. Instead of requiring continuous horizontal lanes for goods transfer, the lane function is partially replaced by vertical transfer stations where goods can be moved between levels, allowing lanes to be converted into additional storage spaces.
2Area of stationary object
If channel storage systems are used with shuttles, then space usage is improved, but access to storage spaces is restricted to FIFO or LIFO methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds vertical movement capability to shuttles, enabling them to move between different levels. This third dimension of movement allows direct access to any storage space regardless of its position in the lane, breaking the FIFO/LIFO constraint while maintaining high space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the shuttle system dynamic by enabling vertical transfer between levels. Instead of fixed linear movement, shuttles can dynamically choose horizontal or vertical movement paths, allowing flexible access to any storage space and adapting to different retrieval requirements.
3Ease of operation
If cars are arranged in rows with number less than lanes, then direct access to storage spaces is enabled, but path clearing operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical transfer stations as intermediary points between lanes. Instead of requiring direct horizontal path clearing, goods can be transferred vertically at these intermediary stations, simplifying the access mechanism and reducing the complexity of path management operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a shuttle (108) for retrieving goods in a warehouse system comprising a three-dimensional arrangement of storage spaces including a plurality of lanes, a plurality of rows, and one or more levels. The shuttle (108) is configured to be movable along at least one of the plurality of lanes at a top of the at least one lane, wherein goods in a storage space are disposed at the bottom of the storage space and the shuttle (108) is configured to pick up the goods by lifting the goods from the bottom of the storage space when the shuttle (108) is positioned above the goods.