System, method, device and storage medium for picking goods

Abstract

The present disclosure proposes a system, method, device and storage medium for picking goods, and relates to the field of intelligent warehousing. The present disclosure divides the picking operation area into multiple partitions, so that the handling equipment only needs to be responsible for the handling of shelves within the partition range, thereby shortening the handling distance and improving the picking efficiency. In addition, the cargo turnover boxes of the task orders that need to be merged will be released by each cache line at the same time and transmitted to the production area for packaging. The number of cache lines required for this task order merging method is determined according to the number of partitions in the picking operation area. Compared with determining the number of cache lines according to the number of orders, the number of cache lines can be reduced, saving costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of intelligent warehousing, and in particular to a system, method, device and storage medium for picking goods. Background Art

[0002] In the warehouse, goods are placed on shelves, and shelves are placed in shelf areas. Picking stations are set up at some designated points in the warehouse. According to the scheduling, the shelves can be transported to the designated picking stations by automated guided vehicles (AGVs), realizing the goods-to-person picking method. Summary of the invention

[0003] The inventors found that when the coverage area of ​​the picking operation area is relatively large, the transport distance of the shelf becomes longer, and the picking efficiency will be affected. Adding transport equipment can ensure the picking efficiency to a certain extent, but this will increase the cost and complexity of scheduling. Moreover, when the transport equipment is increased to a certain extent, due to the limitation of the operating area and the risk of traffic jams, the picking efficiency will be bottlenecked and will not be improved to the expected extent.

[0004] A technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present disclosure is to improve picking efficiency.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for picking goods is provided, comprising:

[0006] Multiple picking workstations located in different areas of the picking operation area.

[0007] Multiple cache lines located in the cache area,

[0008] Packaging equipment located in the production area,

[0009] A first transmission device is arranged between the picking operation area and the buffer area,

[0010] as well as

[0011] a second transmission device disposed between the buffer area and the production area;

[0012] Among them, the picking workstation is configured to pick the goods involved in several subtasks of the task order, each picking workstation is configured with at least one cache line, the cache line is configured to cache the turnover boxes loaded with goods from the corresponding picking workstation, and release the turnover boxes of the same task order to the second transmission device at the same time as other cache lines that cache the goods of the same task order, and the packaging equipment is configured to pack the goods in the turnover boxes of the same task order.

[0013] Optionally, the picking workstation is configured to pick goods according to the order in which the task orders are issued, and multiple subtasks of the same task order are distributed and issued to picking workstations in multiple partitions at the same time.

[0014] Optionally, the exception processing line located in the cache area is configured to cache turnover boxes with abnormal code scanning.

[0015] Optionally, the turnover box is provided with a label for scanning, wherein the label includes information of the partition from which the turnover box comes and information of the task order to which the turnover box belongs.

[0016] Optionally, a cache location is located in the production area, and the cache location is configured to cache the turnover boxes of the same task order that have been collected; wherein the packaging equipment is arranged behind the cache location along the transmission direction of the turnover boxes.

[0017] Optionally, the first transmission device is a transmission line or a handling equipment; the second transmission device is a transmission line or a handling equipment.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for picking goods is provided, comprising:

[0019] Multiple subtasks of the same task list are simultaneously sent to the picking workstations in each partition of the picking operation area, so that the picking workstations pick the goods in the order in which the task lists are sent;

[0020] The turnover boxes loaded with goods picked by the picking workstation of each partition are transferred to the cache line corresponding to the picking workstation of the partition in the cache area for caching;

[0021] Control each cache line to release each turnover box of the same task order at the same time, so that the goods in each turnover box of the same task order can be transferred to the production area for packaging.

[0022] Optionally, multiple subtasks of the same task order are distributed and distributed to picking workstations in multiple partitions.

[0023] Optionally, the method further includes: transmitting the turnover box with abnormal code scanning to the abnormality processing line of the buffer area.

[0024] Optionally, the method further includes: after the turnover boxes are transferred to the production area, the turnover boxes of the same task order are kicked out to the cache position of the production area, and then the goods in the turnover boxes of the same task order on the cache position are packed.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device for picking goods is provided, comprising:

[0026] Memory; and

[0027] A processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute any one of the aforementioned methods for picking goods based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, any of the aforementioned methods for picking goods is implemented.

[0029] The present disclosure divides the picking operation area into multiple partitions, so that the handling equipment only needs to be responsible for the handling of the shelves within the partition range, thereby shortening the handling distance and improving the picking efficiency. In addition, the cargo turnover boxes of the task orders that need to be merged will be released by each cache line at the same time and transmitted to the production area for packaging. The number of cache lines required for this task order merging method is determined according to the number of partitions in the picking operation area. Compared with determining the number of cache lines according to the number of orders, the number of cache lines can be reduced, saving costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or related technical descriptions. The present disclosure can be more clearly understood according to the following detailed description with reference to the drawings.

[0031] Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 Schematic diagrams of some embodiments of the system for picking goods disclosed herein.

[0033] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of mixed transportation of multiple turnover boxes from various partitions on the first conveying device 14 of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 3 and Figure 4 They are respectively a schematic diagram of the turnover boxes partitioned out of the present invention and a schematic diagram of the turnover boxes cached by the cache line.

[0035] Figure 5 The present invention is a flowchart of some embodiments of the method for picking goods disclosed herein.

[0036] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the device for picking goods disclosed in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] The task list disclosed in the present invention includes user orders and collection lists. The collection list is a picking task list that puts a number of orders together as a whole, with the purpose of picking the overlapping goods in multiple orders together to reduce the number of shelf handling times.

[0039] Figure 1 Schematic diagrams of some embodiments of the system for picking goods disclosed herein.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the picking area includes a picking operation area 11, a buffer area 12, and a production area 13. The system for picking goods in this embodiment includes: a plurality of picking workstations 112 respectively located in different partitions 111 of the picking operation area 11, a plurality of buffer lines 122 located in the buffer area 12, a packaging device 133 located in the production area 13, a first transmission device 14 arranged between the picking operation area 11 and the buffer area 12, and a second transmission device 15 arranged between the buffer area 12 and the production area 13. The first transmission device 14 and the second transmission device 15 are equipment with cargo handling or transmission capabilities such as transmission lines or handling equipment.

[0041] The picking operation area 11 is divided into a plurality of partitions 111, and each partition 111 is equipped with a picking workstation 112 of the partition. The handling equipment is only responsible for the handling of the shelves within the partition, that is, the handling equipment transports the shelves with picking tasks in the partition to the picking workstation of the partition, and does not need to work in the entire picking operation area, thereby shortening the handling distance and improving the picking efficiency.

[0042] The order in which the picking station 112 picks the goods is the order in which the task order is issued. The multiple subtasks of a task order are simultaneously issued to the picking stations 112 of the corresponding partitions 111. The location of the goods can be dispersed as much as possible, that is, the multiple subtasks of a task order are dispersed as much as possible and issued to the picking stations 112 of multiple partitions, so that these subtasks are distributed as evenly as possible in each partition, so that the shipping speed of each partition is relatively close, so that the goods of a task order can be collected faster. For example, subtasks A, B, and C of a task order are respectively issued to the picking station located in partition 1, the picking station located in partition 2, and the picking station in partition 3, or subtasks A and B are issued to the picking station located in partition 1, and subtask C is issued to the picking station located in partition 3. The degree of dispersion of the subtasks in the former example is greater than that of the subtasks in the latter example, which is conducive to the faster picking and collection of the goods of the task order.

[0043] After the shelf is transported to the picking workstation, the staff will take the goods from the shelf at the picking workstation and put them into the turnover box of this task order. When the subtask of the task order of this partition is completed, the turnover box is transmitted to the buffer area through the first transmission device 14. The turnover box is provided with a label for scanning, and the label includes information about the partition from which the turnover box comes and information about the task order to which the turnover box belongs. The label format is set to AB, for example, where A represents the information of the partition from which the turnover box comes, and B represents the information of the task order to which the turnover box belongs. For example, a turnover box with a label of 1-2 indicates that the turnover box is from partition 1 and is loaded with goods of order 2.

[0044] A scanning station 121 is provided at the entrance of the buffer area 12. When a turnover box passes through the scanning station 121, the scanning station 121 completes the collection of the label information of the turnover box by scanning, thereby identifying the information of the partition from which the turnover box comes and the information of the task order to which the turnover box belongs. Based on the information of the partition from which the turnover box comes and the cache lines configured in each partition, the cache line to which the turnover box is to be transferred can be determined.

[0045] Each picking workstation 112 is configured with at least one cache line 122, and the cache line 122 can cache the turnover boxes loaded with goods from the corresponding picking workstation 112. Different picking workstations 112 are configured with different cache lines 122. Figure 1 , it is shown that each partition 111 is configured with a cache line 122. Assuming that partition 1 corresponds to cache line 1, partition 2 corresponds to cache line 2, and partition n corresponds to cache line n, then the turnover box from partition 1 enters cache line 1, the turnover box from partition 2 enters cache line 2, and the turnover box from partition n enters cache line n. It should be noted that the correspondence between the picking workstation and the cache line is not limited to the one-to-one correspondence example. A picking workstation can also be configured with multiple cache lines. For example, the picking workstation of partition 1 corresponds to cache lines 1 and 2, and the picking workstation of partition 2 corresponds to cache line 3.

[0046] The buffer area 12 also includes an exception processing line 123, which is configured to cache the turnover boxes with abnormal code scanning. For example, when the turnover box fails to read the label information or the label information is lost, in order not to interfere with the operation of other buffer lines, the turnover box enters the exception processing line 123 and waits for manual timely processing.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, multiple turnover boxes from various partitions are mixed and transported on the first transmission device 14. Since the picking workstations in each partition pick the goods according to the order in which the task orders are issued, the turnover boxes from each partition are arranged according to the order in which the task orders are issued, so that after the turnover boxes enter the cache line, the turnover boxes on each cache line are queued and waited for collection according to the order in which the task orders are issued.

[0048] For example:

[0049] Assume that the picking operation area is divided into 5 partitions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The picking workstation in each partition is configured with a cache line. The picking workstations in partitions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 correspond to cache lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. The 4 task orders are each split into 5 subtasks. The order in which the task orders are issued is task order 1, 2, 3, and 4. The subtasks of each task order are issued to the picking workstations in partitions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 at the same time.

[0050] Then, the turnover boxes from partition 1 enter cache line 1 according to the order of task orders, the turnover boxes from partition 2 enter cache line 2 according to the order of task orders, the turnover boxes from partition 3 enter cache line 3 according to the order of task orders, the turnover boxes from partition 4 enter cache line 4 according to the order of task orders, and the turnover boxes from partition 5 enter cache line 5 according to the order of task orders. The situations of the turnover boxes from each partition and the turnover boxes cached in the cache line are as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown.

[0051] That is, the label of the first turnover box coming out of partition 1 is 1-1, the label of the second turnover box is 1-2, the label of the third turnover box is 1-3, and the label of the fourth turnover box is 1-4. According to the order in which the turnover boxes arrive, the turnover boxes on cache line 1 are 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and 1-4. The label of the first turnover box coming out of partition 2 is 2-1, the label of the second turnover box is 2-2, the label of the third turnover box is 2-3, and the label of the fourth turnover box is 2-4. The turnover boxes on cache line 2 are 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4. The label of the first turnover box coming out of partition 3 is 3-1, the label of the second turnover box is 3-2, the label of the third turnover box is 3-3, and the label of the fourth turnover box is 3-4. The turnover boxes on cache line 3 are 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4. The first turnover box label from partition 4 is 4-1, the second turnover box label is 4-2, the third turnover box label is 4-3, and the fourth turnover box label is 4-4. The turnover boxes on cache line 4 are 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, and 4-4.

[0052] After all the turnover boxes of a task list are collected, each cache line 122 simultaneously releases all the turnover boxes of a task list to the second transmission device 15. Figure 4 As shown, after the five turnover boxes (1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1) of the task order 1 are gathered, they are simultaneously released to the second transmission device 15 so as to be transmitted to the next production link.

[0053] like Figure 1As shown, the turnover boxes of a collected task order are transmitted to the production area 13 and the packaging process is completed in the production area 13.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, the production area 13 is provided with a plurality of workstations 131, usually a large number of workstations 131. Each workstation 131 is provided with a cache position 132 and a packaging device 133. A packaging device 133 is provided behind the cache position 132 along the transmission direction of the turnover box. The cache position 132 can cache the turnover boxes of the same task order, for example, cache the turnover boxes of a collected task order. After the turnover boxes of a task order arrive at the workstation 131, they are automatically kicked out from the second transmission device 15 to the cache position 132 of the workstation 131 for caching, and then the packaging device 133 packs the goods in the turnover boxes of a task order on the cache position. The kicking operation can ensure the continuity of the operation between the two task orders.

[0055] Figure 5 The present invention is a flowchart of some embodiments of the method for picking goods disclosed herein.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the method of this embodiment includes: steps 510 to 530.

[0057] In step 510, multiple subtasks of the same task list are simultaneously issued to the picking workstations of each partition in the picking operation area, so that the picking workstations pick the goods according to the order in which the task lists are issued.

[0058] In some embodiments, multiple subtasks of a task order are distributed as dispersedly as possible to the picking workstations in multiple partitions, so that these subtasks are distributed as evenly as possible in each partition, so that the shipping speed of each partition is relatively close, so that the goods of a task order can be collected faster.

[0059] In step 520a, if the turnover box code is scanned normally, the turnover box loaded with goods picked by the picking workstation of each partition is transmitted to the cache line corresponding to the picking workstation of the partition in the cache area for caching according to the turnover box label information obtained by scanning the code. Then, step 530 is executed.

[0060] In step 520b, if an abnormality occurs in scanning the code of the turnover box, the turnover box with the abnormality in scanning the code will be transmitted to the abnormal processing line of the cache area, waiting for manual timely processing to avoid interfering with other cache line operations.

[0061] In step 530, each cache line is controlled to release each turnover box of the same task order at the same time, so that the goods in each turnover box of the same task order can be transferred to the production area for packaging.

[0062] In some embodiments, after the turnover boxes are transferred to the production area, the turnover boxes of the same task order are kicked out to the cache position of the production area, and then the goods in the turnover boxes of the same task order on the cache position are packaged. This kicking operation can ensure the continuity of the operation between the previous and next two orders.

[0063] The present disclosure divides the picking operation area into multiple partitions, so that the handling equipment only needs to be responsible for the handling of the shelves within the partition range, thereby shortening the handling distance and improving the picking efficiency. In addition, the cargo turnover boxes of the task orders that need to be merged will be released by each cache line at the same time and transmitted to the production area for packaging. The number of cache lines required for this task order merging method is determined according to the number of partitions in the picking operation area. Compared with determining the number of cache lines according to the number of orders, the number of cache lines can be reduced, saving costs.

[0064] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the device for picking goods disclosed in the present invention.

[0065] like Figure 6 As shown, the device 600 of this embodiment includes: a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610, and the processor 620 is configured to execute the method of picking goods in any of the aforementioned embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 610.

[0066] The memory 610 may include, for example, a system memory, a fixed non-volatile storage medium, etc. The system memory may store, for example, an operating system, an application program, a boot loader, and other programs.

[0067] The device 600 may also include an input / output interface 630, a network interface 640, a storage interface 650, etc. These interfaces 630, 640, 650, the memory 610, and the processor 620 may be connected, for example, via a bus 660. The input / output interface 630 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 640 provides a connection interface for various networked devices. The storage interface 650 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as an SD card and a USB flash drive.

[0068] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method for picking goods in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0069] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Moreover, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable non-transient storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0070] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0071] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0072] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0073] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for picking goods, comprising: Multiple picking workstations located in different areas of the picking operation area. Multiple cache lines located in the cache area, The buffering position and packaging equipment are located in the production area, and the packaging equipment is arranged behind the buffering position along the transmission direction of the turnover box. A first transmission device is arranged between the picking operation area and the buffer area, as well as a second transmission device disposed between the buffer area and the production area; Among them, the picking workstation is configured to pick the goods involved in several subtasks of the task order according to the order of issuing the task order. Multiple subtasks of the same task order are simultaneously and dispersedly issued to picking workstations in multiple partitions. Each picking workstation is configured with at least one cache line, and different picking workstations are configured with different cache lines. The cache line is configured to cache the turnover boxes loaded with goods from the corresponding picking workstation, and release the turnover boxes of the same task order to the second transmission device at the same time as other cache lines that cache the goods of the same task order. The cache position is configured to cache the turnover boxes of the same task order, and the packaging equipment is configured to pack the goods in the turnover boxes of the same task order.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: The exception processing line located in the buffer area is configured to cache turnover boxes with abnormal code scanning.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein: The turnover box is provided with a label for scanning, and the label includes information about the partition from which the turnover box comes and information about the task order to which the turnover box belongs.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein: The first transmission device is a transmission line or a handling device; The second transmission device is a transmission line or a handling device.

5. A method for picking goods based on the system for picking goods according to claim 1, comprising: Multiple subtasks of the same task list are simultaneously sent to the picking workstations in each partition of the picking operation area, so that the picking workstations pick the goods in the order in which the task lists are sent; The turnover boxes loaded with goods picked by the picking workstation of each partition are transferred to the cache line corresponding to the picking workstation of the partition in the cache area for caching; Control each cache line to release each turnover box of the same task order at the same time, so that the goods in each turnover box of the same task order can be transferred to the production area for packaging.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: Multiple subtasks of the same task order are distributed to picking workstations in multiple partitions.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising: The turnover boxes with abnormal scanning are transmitted to the abnormal processing line in the buffer area.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising: After the turnover boxes are transferred to the production area, the turnover boxes of the same task order are kicked out to the cache position of the production area, and then the goods in the turnover boxes of the same task order on the cache position are packed.

9. A device for picking goods, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the method for picking goods according to any one of claims 5 to 8 based on instructions stored in the memory.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the program is executed by a processor, the method for picking goods according to any one of claims 5 to 8 is implemented.

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