A method and device for determining a warehouse cache location

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method and device for determining cache sites in a warehouse, and relates to the field of warehousing and logistics technology. The specific implementation of the method includes: obtaining the operation cycle of a workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of a transport vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation amount of the transport cycle; the transportation cycle fluctuation amount is obtained based on historical transportation data; according to the transportation cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation, determining the first number and the second number of cache sites required for the transport vehicle; using the first number as the first extreme value of the cache site, and using the second number as the second extreme value of the cache site, determining the target number of cache sites; wherein the cache site is used to park transport vehicles in a waiting state. This implementation can reduce the operating cost of the warehouse, improve the operating efficiency of the warehouse, and make the picking operation match the optimal production capacity of the warehouse.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of warehousing and logistics, and in particular to a method and device for determining a warehouse cache location. Background Art

[0002] In an automated warehouse, the picking process of the goods-to-person model usually includes: multiple transport vehicles pull the shelves from the warehouse area, transport the loaded shelves to the picking station, and after the staff at the picking station picks the items from the shelves, the transport vehicles transport the empty shelves to the warehouse area.

[0003] In existing picking sites, in order to avoid multiple transport vehicles blocking the picking site or the picking site being idle for a long time, cache locations are usually randomly configured in the picking site to deal with blocking or idle conditions and ensure continuous operation of the picking site.

[0004] In the existing configuration of cache locations at picking sites, the number of cache locations is configured extremely unreasonable because it does not take into account the time changes caused by the operating conditions of transport vehicles and the actual operating conditions such as the picking sites not being at full capacity all day. This can easily lead to waste of site resources, long picking waiting times, etc., which increases warehouse costs, reduces warehouse operating efficiency, and is inconsistent with warehouse production capacity. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method and device for determining warehouse cache locations, which can reduce the operating costs of the warehouse, improve the operating efficiency of the warehouse, and make the picking operations match the optimal production capacity of the warehouse, and be used to provide guidance for the planning and layout of the warehouse, optimize existing warehouse resources, etc.

[0006] To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining a warehouse cache location is provided, comprising:

[0007] Obtaining the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle; the transportation cycle fluctuation amount is obtained based on historical transportation data;

[0008] Determining a first number and a second number of cache sites required for the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation;

[0009] The first number is used as a first extreme value of the cache site, and the second number is used as a second extreme value of the cache site to determine a target number of the cache site; wherein the cache site is used to park the transport vehicle in a waiting state.

[0010] Optionally, determining the first number and the second number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation includes:

[0011] Determining a first number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transport cycle fluctuation amount;

[0012] According to the operation cycle and the transport cycle, a second number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle is determined.

[0013] Optionally, the operation cycle includes item operation duration and cache transportation duration from the cache site to the work site; the transportation cycle includes: a first transportation duration from the warehouse area to the cache site and a second transportation duration from the work site to the warehouse area; determining the second number of cache sites required for the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transportation cycle includes:

[0014] The second quantity is determined according to the sum of the first transport time and the second transport time, and the sum of the item operation time and the cache transport time.

[0015] Optionally, determining the first number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transport cycle fluctuation amount includes:

[0016] The first quantity is determined according to the sum of the item operation time and the cache transportation time, and the transportation cycle fluctuation amount.

[0017] Optionally, the operation cycle further includes: an allowed waiting time;

[0018] The first quantity is determined according to the sum of the allowed waiting time, the item operation time and the cache transportation time, and the transportation cycle fluctuation amount.

[0019] Optionally, it also includes:

[0020] Determine the total number of transport vehicles corresponding to the workstation according to the target number;

[0021] A first production capacity corresponding to the warehouse is determined according to the total quantity.

[0022] Optionally, it also includes:

[0023] Determining the maximum number of transport vehicles that can be operated at the work site within the set time period;

[0024] determining a second capacity of the warehouse according to the maximum quantity;

[0025] The smaller value between the first capacity and the second capacity is used as the predicted capacity of the warehouse.

[0026] Optionally, it also includes:

[0027] The target number of cache sites is updated according to the difference between the predicted capacity and the actual capacity.

[0028] Optionally, it also includes:

[0029] Transport vehicles within the warehouse are dispatched according to the target number of cache locations.

[0030] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a device for determining a warehouse cache location is provided, comprising:

[0031] An acquisition module, for acquiring an operation cycle of a workstation in the warehouse, a transportation cycle of a transportation vehicle, and a transportation cycle fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle; the transportation cycle fluctuation amount is obtained based on historical transportation data;

[0032] A data processing module, used for determining a first number and a second number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the work station;

[0033] A determination module is used to determine the target number of the cache sites by taking the first number as the first extreme value of the cache sites and taking the second number as the second extreme value of the cache sites; wherein the cache sites are used to park the transport vehicles in a waiting state.

[0034] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device for determining a warehouse cache location, comprising:

[0035] one or more processors;

[0036] a storage device for storing one or more programs,

[0037] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method for determining the warehouse cache location provided by the present invention.

[0038] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a computer-readable medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, the method for determining a warehouse cache location provided by the present invention is implemented.

[0039] An embodiment of the above invention has the following advantages or beneficial effects: because the first extreme value of the cache site is determined according to the fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle, and the second extreme value of the cache site is determined according to the continuous operation in the ideal state, and then the target number of cache sites is determined, thereby determining the number of transport vehicles serving the work site; when the warehouse capacity is calculated based on the number of station entries that the transport vehicle can enter and the number of station entries that the work site can accept, it provides a reference for the warehouse planning stage, or provides optimization technical means for the actual operation of the warehouse, so it overcomes the unreasonable configuration of the existing cache sites, which easily causes waste of site resources, long picking waiting time, etc., increases warehouse costs, reduces warehouse operating efficiency, and technical problems that do not match warehouse capacity, thereby achieving the technical effect of reducing the warehouse's operating cost, improving the warehouse's operating efficiency, and matching the picking operation with the warehouse's optimal capacity, providing guidance for the planning and layout of the warehouse, and optimizing existing warehouse resources.

[0040] The further effects of the above-mentioned non-conventional optional manner will be described below in conjunction with the specific implementation manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings are used to better understand the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the main process of a method for determining a warehouse cache location according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a warehouse according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the main process of a method for determining workstation capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of main modules of a device for determining a warehouse cache location according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 5 An exemplary system architecture diagram of a method for determining a warehouse cache location or an apparatus for determining a warehouse cache location suitable for application in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0047] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer system of a terminal device or a server suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The following is a description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, including various details of the embodiments of the present invention to facilitate understanding, which should be considered as merely exemplary. Therefore, it should be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Similarly, for clarity and conciseness, the description of well-known functions and structures is omitted in the following description.

[0049] AGV: Automated Guided Vehicle, is a transport vehicle equipped with electromagnetic or optical automatic navigation devices, with functions such as safety protection, carrying and transferring, and traveling along a navigation path.

[0050] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the main process of the method for determining a warehouse cache location according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the method for determining the warehouse cache location of the present invention includes:

[0051] Step S101, obtaining the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle and the transportation cycle fluctuation; the transportation cycle fluctuation is obtained based on historical transportation data.

[0052] A warehouse usually includes multiple workstations, which are used to pick items from shelves carried by transport vehicles. During picking, the transport vehicle moves the shelves from the warehouse area and transports them to the workstation. After the staff responsible for picking at the workstation takes the items from the shelves, the transport vehicle transports the shelves back to the warehouse area; the transport vehicle can be AGV, etc.

[0053] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown, the transport vehicle transports the shelves from the warehouse area to the cache site, and then transports them from the cache site to the work station. After the staff operates, the transport vehicle transports the shelves from the work station back to the warehouse area; wherein the cache site is used to park the transport vehicles that are in a waiting state during the operation process at the work station.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation cycle includes the item operation time t p , cache transport time t m and the allowed waiting time t w Among them, the item operation time t p It refers to the time that the staff responsible for the operation at the work site operates the items on the transport vehicle; the cache transportation time t m It refers to the time it takes for the transport vehicle to travel from the cache site to the work site; the waiting time t is allowed w It refers to the time that the staff responsible for operations at the work site can wait for the transport vehicle.

[0055] In the embodiment of the present invention, the transportation cycle includes: the first transportation time t g and the second transport time t r First transport time t g It refers to the time from when the transport vehicle receives the transport instruction until the transport vehicle transports the shelf from the warehouse area to the cache location; the second transport time t r It refers to the time from the completion of the workstation operation to the time when the transport vehicle transports the shelf from the workstation to the warehouse area; among which, the first transport time t g and the second transport time t r is a fixed value, and accordingly, the motion period is usually a standard value / fixed value.

[0056] Furthermore, the first transport time t g The process includes: after the transport vehicle receives the transport instruction, it drives to the designated location in the warehouse area, lifts the shelf, places it on the transport vehicle, and transports the shelf to the cache location at the work site.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present invention, in the actual operation process, the transportation cycle of each transportation vehicle cannot be a unified standard value / fixed value. Therefore, there is a deviation between the actual transportation cycle of each transportation vehicle and the movement cycle of the standard value / fixed value, and the deviation is the transportation cycle fluctuation. The transportation cycle fluctuation ts refers to the average deviation between the actual transportation cycle and the transportation cycle of the standard value / fixed value determined by analyzing the historical transportation data according to the analysis results of the historical transportation data. The transportation cycle fluctuation ts is a fixed value; wherein, the transportation cycle fluctuation ts includes the first transportation duration t g The fluctuation of the first transport cycle ts g and the second transport time t r The fluctuation amount of the second transport cycle ts r .

[0058] In an embodiment of the present invention, parameters such as the transportation cycle and the fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle can be determined based on historical transportation data. When determining parameters such as the transportation cycle and the fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle based on historical transportation data, reference points can be selected based on basic map information such as shelf locations, work sites, and hardware parameters of transportation vehicles in historically planned warehouse areas to obtain average transportation distances, transportation vehicle acceleration time, empty-load movement time, loaded movement time, turning time, and lifting time (the time it takes to lift the shelf and place it on the transport vehicle; or the time it takes to take the shelf off the transport vehicle and put it into the warehouse area) to determine the transportation cycle and the fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle; and the operation time of items can be determined based on the operation action decomposition of historical work sites.

[0059] Step S102, determining a first quantity and a second quantity of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation.

[0060] Step S1021, determining a first number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transport cycle fluctuation amount.

[0061] In the embodiments of the present invention, since the transportation cycle of the transport vehicle is unstable and there is a transportation cycle fluctuation in the transportation cycle during the actual operation, the work station may have a situation where the transport vehicle arrives at the work station ahead of schedule and cannot enter the cache site, or the previous transport vehicle has completed the operation but the next transport vehicle has not arrived yet, and there are insufficient spare transport vehicles. Therefore, it is necessary to configure a cache site for the work station to buffer the fluctuations in the transportation cycle.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first number of cache locations is determined based on the angle of the transport vehicle and according to the fluctuation amount of the transport cycle of the transport vehicle.

[0063] In the embodiment of the present invention, according to the operation time t of the item p and cache transport time t m The sum of the first transport cycle fluctuation ts g and the second transport cycle fluctuation ts r The sum of the first number n1 of cache locations required by the transport vehicle is determined. The first number n1 of cache locations required by the transport vehicle is:

[0064]

[0065] Or, according to the item operation time t p , cache transport time t m and the allowed waiting time t w The sum of the first transport cycle fluctuation ts g and the second transport cycle fluctuation ts r The sum of the first number n1 of cache locations required by the transport vehicle is determined. The first number n1 of cache locations required by the transport vehicle is:

[0066]

[0067] Step S1021, determining a second number of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transport cycle.

[0068] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the perspective of the work site and according to the operation cycle of the work site, an upper limit of the number of transport vehicles that the work site can accept for continuous operation is determined. This upper limit represents the total number of transport vehicles serving the work site, and the number of cache sites is determined based on this upper limit.

[0069] Furthermore, when the workstation is operating continuously, the transport vehicles serving the workstation include transport vehicles that leave the workstation and return to the storage area, transport vehicles that travel from the cache site to the workstation for operation, and transport vehicles that receive transport instructions and transport to the cache site.

[0070] In the embodiment of the present invention, according to the operation time t of the item p and cache transport time t m The sum of the first transport time t g and the second transport time t r The second number n2 of cache locations required by the transport vehicle is determined by the sum of

[0071]

[0072] Step S103, taking the first number as the first extreme value of the cache site and taking the second number as the second extreme value of the cache site, to determine the target number of the cache site; wherein the cache site is used to park the transport vehicle in a waiting state.

[0073] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first number n1 is used as the first extreme value of the cache site, and the second number n2 is used as the second extreme value of the cache site. The target number n of the cache site can be any value between the first extreme value and the second extreme value of the cache site, and can be reasonably configured as needed. Among them, the first extreme value can be less than the second extreme value; or the first extreme value can be greater than the second extreme value; or the first extreme value can be equal to the second extreme value.

[0074] Further, the target number n of cache sites may be selected to be set to a larger value between the first extreme value and the second extreme value.

[0075] However, in actual operation, the workstation is limited in area and can accommodate a limited number of cache locations. The maximum number of cache locations that can be accommodated can be determined based on the workstation area. max , the maximum number of cache locations n max Compare with the first number n1 and the second number n2 to determine the first extreme value, the second extreme value and the maximum number n max Assuming that the first extreme value is smaller than the second extreme value, in n maxWhen n<n1, the target number of cache locations is n=n max ; When n1<n max When n<n2, the target number n of cache locations can be set to the first extreme value and the maximum number n max Any value between n max >n2, the target number n of cache sites can be set to any value between the first extreme value and the second extreme value.

[0076] In the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 As shown, the method for determining the workstation capacity of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0077] Step S301, determining the total number of transport vehicles corresponding to the workstation according to the target number n.

[0078] In the embodiment of the present invention, the total number n of transport vehicles serving the workstation is determined according to the target number n of cache locations. s .

[0079] Assuming that at the initial moment, all n cache locations are used, the control center will not dispatch new transport vehicles to the station;

[0080] After an operation cycle, the transport vehicle that has completed the operation at the workstation leaves the station, and the first transport vehicle at the cache location arrives at the workstation from the cache location for operation, leaving a cache location empty. The control center dispatches a transport vehicle to the warehouse area to pick up the shelf and transport it to the cache location. The time taken is the first transport time t g ; Dispatch transport vehicles for the first transport time t g During the transportation period, the number of transport vehicles that can be operated at the work site is When the transport vehicle is dispatched to arrive at the cache site, if the nth transport vehicle at the cache site just leaves the cache site, the cache site can ensure continuous operation.

[0081] While the control center dispatches the transport vehicles, the transport vehicles that have completed the operation return to the warehouse area from the work site, and the time taken is the second transport time t r ; The transport vehicle that has completed the operation has a second transport time t r During the transportation period, the number of transport vehicles that can be operated at the work site is When the dispatched transport vehicle arrives at the storage area and just receives the transport instruction, the cache location can ensure continuous operation.

[0082] Therefore, when the workstation is in continuous operation, the transport vehicles circulate and transport according to the route of cache site -> workstation -> storage area -> cache site. Therefore, the transport vehicles serving the workstation include the transport vehicles at the cache site, the transport vehicles used for operation at the workstation, the transport vehicles leaving the workstation and returning to the storage area, and the transport vehicles that receive transport instructions and transport to the cache site. According to the target number of cache sites n, the total number of transport vehicles serving the workstation is determined.

[0083] Alternatively, in actual operation, the responsible personnel of the work station allow a short waiting time for the transport vehicle to adapt to the actual production scheduling, meet the actual capacity demand, and reduce the demand for transport vehicles and capacity waste. Considering the allowable waiting time t of the work station w , according to the target number of cache sites n, determine the total number of transport vehicles serving the workstation

[0084] Step S302: determining a first limit number of entry times that a transport vehicle can enter the workstation within a unit time according to the total number.

[0085] In the embodiment of the present invention, according to the total number n of transport vehicles s , the transport cycle of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the work station, determine the first limit number of entry times n that the transport vehicle can enter the work station per unit time limit1 For example, the unit time can be 1 hour, that is, 3600 seconds, then the first limit number of pit stops is

[0086] Step S303: determining a first production capacity corresponding to the warehouse according to the first limit number of station entry times.

[0087] In the embodiment of the present invention, production capacity is an important operational indicator in warehousing production, and the operating effect after the warehouse is set up with cache locations can be intuitively observed.

[0088] In the embodiment of the present invention, according to the first limit number of entry times n that a transport vehicle can enter a work station within a unit time, limit1 , the number of workstations in the warehouse Q, the working time of the workstation T, the average number of pieces operated on the shelves of the workstation p, determine the first capacity of the warehouse C1 = n limit1 *Q*T*p.

[0089] Step S304, determining the maximum number of transport vehicles that can be operated at the work site within the set time period.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present invention, the maximum number of transport vehicles that the workstation can accept per unit time is determined according to the operation cycle of the workstation, that is, the second limit number of entry times n that the workstation can accept per unit time. limit2 For example, the unit time can be 1 hour, that is, 3600 seconds, then the second limit number of pit stops is

[0091] Step S305: determining a second production capacity of the workstation according to the maximum quantity.

[0092] In the embodiment of the present invention, according to the second limit number of stops n that can be accepted per unit time at the work station, limit2 , the number of workstations in the warehouse Q, the working time of the workstation T, the average number of pieces operated on the shelves of the workstation p, determine the second capacity of the warehouse C2 = n limit2 *Q*T*p.

[0093] Step S306: taking the smaller value between the first capacity and the second capacity as the predicted capacity of the warehouse.

[0094] In the embodiment of the present invention, the predicted capacity of the warehouse is C=min(C1, C2).

[0095] In the embodiment of the present invention, the target number of cache sites may be updated according to the difference between the predicted capacity and the actual capacity.

[0096] In an embodiment of the present invention, through the method for determining the workstation capacity, the optimal capacity of the warehouse can be determined, and then the resources of the warehouse can be optimized, the operating cost of the warehouse can be reduced, and the operating efficiency of the warehouse can be improved to meet the actual warehouse operation needs.

[0097] In an embodiment of the present invention, transport vehicles in the warehouse are dispatched according to the target number of cache sites. This can be used to calculate the number of cache sites and transport vehicles at a workstation during the warehouse planning stage, or it can be used to verify whether the cache sites and transport vehicles at existing workstations are reasonable during the warehouse operation stage, and optimize based on the verification data.

[0098] In an embodiment of the present invention, the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle and the transportation cycle fluctuation are obtained; the transportation cycle fluctuation is obtained based on historical transportation data; according to the operation cycle and the transportation cycle fluctuation, a first number of cache sites required for the transportation vehicle is determined; according to the operation cycle and the transportation cycle, a second number of cache sites required for the transportation vehicle is determined; the first number is used as the lower limit of the cache sites, and the second number is used as the upper limit of the cache sites to determine the target number of cache sites; wherein the cache sites are used to park the transportation vehicles in a waiting state, etc., can reduce the operating cost of the warehouse, improve the operating efficiency of the warehouse, make the picking operation match the optimal production capacity of the warehouse, and provide guidance for the planning and layout of the warehouse, optimize the existing warehouse resources, etc.

[0099] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the main modules of the device for determining the warehouse cache location according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the device 400 for determining the warehouse cache location of the present invention includes:

[0100] The acquisition module 401 acquires the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation of the transportation cycle; the transportation cycle fluctuation is obtained based on historical transportation data.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present invention, the acquisition module 401 is used to acquire the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation amount of the transportation cycle.

[0102] In the embodiment of the present invention, the operation cycle includes the item operation time t p , cache transport time t m and the allowed waiting time t w The transportation cycle includes: the first transportation time t g and the second transport time t r The transport cycle fluctuation ts includes the first transport duration t g The fluctuation of the first transport cycle ts g and the second transport time t r The fluctuation amount of the second transport cycle ts r .

[0103] The data processing module 402 is used to determine the first quantity and the second quantity of cache locations required by the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the work site.

[0104] In the embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 402 determines the first number of cache locations required by the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transport cycle fluctuation amount.

[0105] In the embodiments of the present invention, since the transportation cycle of the transport vehicle is unstable and there is a transportation cycle fluctuation in the transportation cycle during the actual operation, the work station may have a situation where the transport vehicle arrives at the work station ahead of schedule and cannot enter the cache site, or the previous transport vehicle has completed the operation but the next transport vehicle has not arrived yet, and there are insufficient spare transport vehicles. Therefore, it is necessary to configure a cache site for the work station to buffer the fluctuations in the transportation cycle.

[0106] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first number of cache locations is determined based on the angle of the transport vehicle and according to the fluctuation amount of the transport cycle of the transport vehicle.

[0107] In the embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 402 processes the object according to the operation time t p and cache transport time t m The sum of the first transport cycle fluctuation ts g and the second transport cycle fluctuation ts r The sum of the two determines the first number n1 of cache locations required for the transport vehicle.

[0108] In the embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 402 determines the second number of cache locations required by the transport vehicle according to the operation cycle and the transport cycle.

[0109] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the perspective of the work site and according to the operation cycle of the work site, an upper limit of the number of transport vehicles that the work site can accept for continuous operation is determined. This upper limit represents the total number of transport vehicles serving the work site, and the number of cache sites is determined based on this upper limit.

[0110] In the embodiment of the present invention, the data processing module 402 processes the object according to the operation time t p and cache transport time t m The sum of the first transport time t g and the second transport time t r The sum of the two determines the second number n2 of cache locations required for the transport vehicle.

[0111] The determination module 403 is used to determine the target number of the cache sites by taking the first number as the first extreme value of the cache sites and taking the second number as the second extreme value of the cache sites; wherein the cache sites are used to park the transport vehicles in a waiting state.

[0112] In the embodiment of the present invention, the determination module 403 uses the first number n1 as the first extreme value of the cache site, and uses the second number n2 as the second extreme value of the cache site. The target number n of the cache sites determined by the determination module 403 can be any value between the first extreme value and the second extreme value of the cache site, and can be reasonably configured as needed. Among them, the first extreme value can be less than the second extreme value; or the first extreme value can be greater than the second extreme value; or the first extreme value can be equal to the second extreme value.

[0113] Furthermore, the target number n of cache locations determined by the determination module 403 may be set to a larger value between the first extreme value and the second extreme value.

[0114] In an embodiment of the present invention, through modules such as an acquisition module, a data processing module and a determination module, the operating cost of the warehouse can be reduced, the operating efficiency of the warehouse can be improved, and the picking operation can match the optimal production capacity of the warehouse, which can be used to provide guidance for the planning and layout of the warehouse, optimize existing warehouse resources, etc.

[0115] Figure 5 An exemplary system architecture diagram of a method for determining a warehouse cache location or an apparatus for determining a warehouse cache location suitable for application in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 5 As shown, an exemplary system architecture of a method for determining a warehouse cache location or an apparatus for determining a warehouse cache location according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0116] like Figure 5 As shown, the system architecture 500 may include terminal devices 501, 502, 503, a network 504 and a server 505. The network 504 is used to provide a medium for communication links between the terminal devices 501, 502, 503 and the server 105. The network 504 may include various connection types, such as wired, wireless communication links or optical fiber cables, etc.

[0117] Users can use terminal devices 501, 502, 503 to interact with server 505 through network 504 to receive or send messages, etc. Various communication client applications can be installed on terminal devices 501, 502, 503, such as warehousing applications, shopping applications, web browser applications, search applications, instant messaging tools, email clients, social platform software, etc.

[0118] The terminal devices 501 , 502 , and 503 may be various electronic devices having a display screen and supporting web browsing, including but not limited to smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, and the like.

[0119] The server 505 may be a server that provides various services, such as a background management server that provides support for warehouse websites browsed by users using the terminal devices 501, 502, and 503. The background management server may analyze and process the received data such as the operation cycle query request of the work site, and feed back the processing result (such as the operation cycle of the work site) to the terminal devices 501, 502, and 503.

[0120] It should be noted that the method for determining the warehouse cache location provided in the embodiment of the present invention is generally executed by the server 505 , and accordingly, the device for determining the warehouse cache location is generally set in the server 505 .

[0121] It should be understood that Figure 5 The number of terminal devices, networks and servers in the embodiment is only for illustration. Any number of terminal devices, networks and servers may be provided according to implementation requirements.

[0122] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a computer system of a terminal device or server suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 6 As shown, the computer system 600 of the terminal device or server of the embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0123] A central processing unit (CPU) 601 can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 602 or a program loaded from a storage section 608 into a random access memory (RAM) 603. Various programs and data required for the operation of the system 600 are also stored in the RAM 603. The CPU 601, the ROM 602, and the RAM 603 are connected to each other via a bus 604. An input / output (I / O) interface 605 is also connected to the bus 604.

[0124] The following components are connected to the I / O interface 605: an input section 606 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc.; an output section 607 including a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc., and a speaker, etc.; a storage section 608 including a hard disk, etc.; and a communication section 609 including a network interface card such as a LAN card, a modem, etc. The communication section 609 performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. A drive 610 is also connected to the I / O interface 605 as needed. A removable medium 611, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc., is installed on the drive 610 as needed, so that a computer program read therefrom is installed into the storage section 608 as needed.

[0125] In particular, according to the embodiments disclosed in the present invention, the process described above with reference to the flowchart can be implemented as a computer software program. For example, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention include a computer program product, which includes a computer program carried on a computer-readable medium, and the computer program includes a program code for executing the method shown in the flowchart. In such an embodiment, the computer program can be downloaded and installed from the network through the communication part 609, and / or installed from the removable medium 611. When the computer program is executed by the central processing unit (CPU) 601, the above-mentioned functions defined in the system of the present invention are executed.

[0126] It should be noted that the computer-readable medium shown in the present invention may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium or any combination of the above two. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or device, or any combination of the above. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. In the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in combination with an instruction execution system, device or device. In the present invention, a computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in a baseband or as part of a carrier wave, which carries a computer-readable program code. This propagated data signal may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the above. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, which may send, propagate or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device. The program code contained on the computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wire, optical cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the above.

[0127] The flow chart and block diagram in the accompanying drawings illustrate the possible architecture, function and operation of the system, method and computer program product according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each box in the flow chart or block diagram can represent a module, a program segment, or a part of a code, and the above-mentioned module, program segment, or a part of a code contains one or more executable instructions for realizing the specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the box can also occur in a different order from the order marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two boxes represented in succession can actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they can sometimes be executed in the opposite order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each box in the block diagram or flow chart, and the combination of the boxes in the block diagram or flow chart can be implemented with a dedicated hardware-based system that performs a specified function or operation, or can be implemented with a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0128] The modules involved in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software or hardware. The modules described may also be set in a processor, for example, they may be described as: a processor including an acquisition module, a data processing module and a determination module. The names of these modules do not constitute limitations on the modules themselves in certain cases, for example, the data processing module may also be described as "a module for determining the first number and the second number of cache sites required for the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation".

[0129] As another aspect, the present invention also provides a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device described in the above embodiment; or it may exist independently without being assembled into the device. The above computer-readable medium carries one or more programs, and when the above one or more programs are executed by a device, the device includes: obtaining the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation; the transportation cycle fluctuation is obtained based on historical transportation data; determining the first number of cache sites required for the transportation vehicle based on the operation cycle and the transportation cycle fluctuation; determining the second number of cache sites required for the transportation vehicle based on the operation cycle and the transportation cycle; using the first number as the lower limit of the cache site and the second number as the upper limit of the cache site to determine the target number of cache sites; wherein the cache site is used to park the transportation vehicle in a waiting state.

[0130] In the picking operation of the existing warehouse workstations, the determination of the number of cache sites and transport vehicles is an important factor affecting the warehouse operation efficiency and capacity. Too much configuration will cause idle resources and increase fixed costs; too little configuration will cause people to wait and insufficient capacity. However, in actual production scenarios, due to the fluctuations in the transportation cycle of transport vehicles and the operation cycle of workstations, the existing cache site configuration calculation deviation is large. Moreover, when calculating the warehouse capacity, due to the deviation of the cache site configuration, when determining the number of transport vehicles and then determining the warehouse capacity, the goal is often to operate the warehouse at full capacity, resulting in a great waste of warehouse resources and reducing warehouse operation efficiency. In actual production, it is often not operated at full capacity 24 hours a day, and backlogs or people waiting for vehicles are allowed. The existing cache site configuration cannot balance the actual warehouse capacity.

[0131] The method for determining cache sites and the method for determining production capacity of the present invention analyze the entire process of transport vehicles, and by adding considerations such as cache sites and waiting time, a reasonable ratio of workstations, cache sites, and the number of transport vehicles is determined, which can guide warehouse planning and actual operations. By reasonably configuring cache sites, changes in the fluctuation amount of the transport cycle can be coped with. When a transport vehicle enters the station ahead of time, it can enter the cache site to wait, or when a transport vehicle enters the station late, there can be a transport vehicle on the cache site for the workstation to operate; and, considering the upper limit of the cache site, the needs of parking and continuous operation of transport vehicles are met. By considering the waiting time allowed for the workstation, warehouse resources and warehouse costs can be reduced. For scenarios with low production capacity requirements, the number of workstations, cache sites, and transport vehicles can be adjusted in real time to match production capacity requirements.

[0132] According to the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the operating cost of the warehouse, improve the operating efficiency of the warehouse, make the picking operation match the optimal production capacity of the warehouse, and provide guidance for the planning and layout of the warehouse, optimize the existing warehouse resources, etc.

[0133] The above specific implementations do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and substitutions may occur depending on design requirements and other factors. Any modification, equivalent substitution and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining a warehouse cache location, characterized in that: include: Obtaining the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation of the transportation cycle; the transportation cycle fluctuation is obtained based on historical transportation data, and the transportation cycle fluctuation refers to the average deviation between the actual transportation cycle and the standard value / fixed value transportation cycle; the operation cycle includes the item operation time and the cache transportation time from the cache site to the workstation; The transportation cycle includes: a first transportation time from the storage area of ​​the warehouse to the cache site, and a second transportation time from the work site to the storage area; Determine a first quantity and a second quantity of cache locations required for the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation; the first quantity is determined according to the sum of the item operation time and the cache transport time, and the transport cycle fluctuation, and the second quantity is determined according to the sum of the first transport time and the second transport time, and the sum of the item operation time and the cache transport time; The first number is used as a first extreme value of the cache site, and the second number is used as a second extreme value of the cache site to determine a target number of the cache site; wherein the cache site is used to park the transport vehicle in a waiting state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operation cycle also includes: an allowed waiting time; The first quantity is determined according to the sum of the allowed waiting time, the item operation time and the cache transportation time, and the transportation cycle fluctuation amount.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: Determine the total number of transport vehicles corresponding to the workstation according to the target number; A first production capacity corresponding to the warehouse is determined according to the total quantity.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that Also includes: Determine the maximum number of transport vehicles that can be operated at the work site within a set period of time; determining a second capacity of the warehouse according to the maximum quantity; The smaller value between the first capacity and the second capacity is used as the predicted capacity of the warehouse.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that Also includes: The target number of cache sites is updated according to the difference between the predicted capacity and the actual capacity.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Also includes: Transport vehicles within the warehouse are dispatched according to the target number of cache locations.

7. A device for determining a warehouse cache location, characterized in that: include: An acquisition module is used to acquire the operation cycle of the workstation in the warehouse, the transportation cycle of the transportation vehicle, and the transportation cycle fluctuation of the transportation cycle; the transportation cycle fluctuation is obtained based on historical transportation data, and the transportation cycle fluctuation refers to the average deviation between the actual transportation cycle and the standard value / fixed value transportation cycle; the operation cycle includes the item operation time and the cache transportation time from the cache site to the workstation; The transportation cycle includes: a first transportation time from the storage area of ​​the warehouse to the cache site, and a second transportation time from the work site to the storage area; A data processing module, configured to determine a first quantity and a second quantity of cache locations required by the transport vehicle according to the transport cycle fluctuation amount of the transport vehicle and the operation cycle of the workstation; the first quantity is determined according to the sum of the item operation time and the cache transport time, and the transport cycle fluctuation amount, and the second quantity is determined according to the sum of the first transport time and the second transport time, and the sum of the item operation time and the cache transport time; A determination module is used to determine the target number of the cache sites by taking the first number as the first extreme value of the cache sites and taking the second number as the second extreme value of the cache sites; wherein the cache sites are used to park the transport vehicles in a waiting state.

8. An electronic device for determining a warehouse cache location, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; a storage device for storing one or more programs, When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is implemented.

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