Storage Systems with Virtual Aisles

在自动化和传统的人工仓库中，系统的存储密度（每平方英尺的物品）和系统的吞吐量（每单位时间检索的物品）之间存在经典的权衡。 存储密度越高，吞吐量越低。 本研究提出了一种新的存储系统设计，可以提供非常高的存储密度和非常高的吞吐量，使用一个概念称为“虚拟通道。“将为该系统开发一个概念模型，包括一个分散控制算法，用于管理多个项目的同时检索。 第二种算法将整合物品的补充，使系统能够在稳态下运行。 将探讨多个目标，包括控制系统以最大化吞吐量和控制它以最小化能耗。 研究的第二阶段探讨了存储系统中空闲或空闲空间的分配，以最大限度地减少检索项目的预期时间。 最后一个阶段将开发控制算法，允许从所有四个侧面插入和取出物品，在三维空间中形成一种“活立方体”，允许物品根据命令进出。如果提出的控制算法在吞吐量和存储密度方面提供了承诺的好处，使用它们的系统可以显著减少使用自动化材料处理技术的任何行业的工厂和仓库中的内部存储的占地面积。 这些算法将成为具有分散控制的存储系统的一部分，这可以在现代制造和分销中实现更灵活和更强大的材料处理。 在这项研究中采用的分析方法（元胞自动机的统计分析）也将导致开发新的工具，物料搬运系统的分析和设计。

In automated and traditional manual warehouses, there is a classic tradeoff between the storage density of the system (items per square or cubic foot) and the throughput of that system (items retrieved per unit time). The more dense the storage, the lower the throughput. This research proposes a new storage system design which could provide both very high storage density and very high throughput, using a concept called "virtual aisles." A conceptual model for this system will be developed, including a decentralized control algorithm that manages the simultaneous retrieval of multiple items. A second algorithm will integrate replenishment of items, allowing the system to operate in steady-state. Multiple objectives will be explored, including controlling the system to maximize throughput and controlling it to minimize energy consumed. The second phase of the research explores the allocation of free, or empty, space within the storage system, in a way that minimizes the expected time to retrieve an item. The final phase will develop control algorithms to permit insertion and extraction of items from all four sides, making, in three dimensions, a sort of "living cube," which allows items to pass in and out upon command.If the proposed control algorithms provide the promised benefits in terms of throughput and storage density, systems that use them could significantly reduce the footprint of internal storage in factories and warehouses of any industry using automated material handling technology. These algorithms would be part of storage systems with decentralized control, which could allow for more flexible and robust material handling in modern manufacturing and distribution. The analytical methods employed in this research (statistical analysis of cellular automata) will also lead to the development of new tools for material handling systems analysis and design.