An order-to-person picking system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an order-to-person picking system, comprising a warehouse management system (WMS), a warehouse executive logistics system (WES), a warehouse control system (WCS), a rack-based storage system (RCS), a personal data acquisition (PDA), a shelf-based caching device, and an automated mechanical robot (AMR). The WMS is used to push orders to the WES. The WES is used to push order wave combinations to the WCS, RCS, and PDA after completing them. The WCS controls the status display of shelf-based caching devices where picking tasks are required, and receives feedback after the picker completes the picking task in that area and places the goods on the conveyor line of the corresponding shelf-based caching device according to the PDA prompt. The system then sends tasks to the RCS and the conveyor line control system, and when the AMR robot reaches the docking position, controls the conveyor line to deliver the goods to the AMR robot's basket. The RCS determines whether the wave task is completed and performs robot scheduling. By providing a shelf-based caching device and coordinating it with the upper-level business system, the present invention eliminates the need for AMR robots to wait when completing task handovers, thereby reducing waiting time, improving the utilization rate of AMR robots, and reducing the number of AMR robots invested and project investment costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of warehousing and logistics, and in particular to an order-to-person picking system. Background Art

[0002] In warehousing and logistics picking operations, currently there are two main automated systems: goods-to-person picking systems and order-to-person picking systems. In a goods-to-person picking system, an automated logistics system transports goods to a fixed location for picking, meaning the goods move, but the people don't. In contrast to the traditional method where people bring order information or picking containers to a fixed storage area, order-to-person picking systems utilize automated conveying or handling equipment to automatically move or transport containers carrying order information to the desired storage location. This means the goods don't move, but the orders do.

[0003] The order-to-person picking system is suitable for scenarios with large storage areas, low order aggregation, and a wide variety of goods, such as clothing and books.

[0004] In the order-to-person picking system, the warehouse execution system (WES) is used to assemble batches of orders, create waves, and then assign tasks to AMRs in each wave. While the AMRs confirm orders and pick and transfer goods within their work areas, they wait at their workstations, completing tasks at each location before moving on to the next. Completing a wave of picking requires consolidating goods at multiple workstations, and each location requires waiting. The AMR's total waiting time accounts for a significant portion of the entire task, reaching up to 70% of the total duration. This results in a high investment in AMR equipment, excessive total project investment, and a low return on investment.

[0005] As can be seen from this, the existing order-to-person picking system still has inconveniences and flaws, and is in urgent need of further improvement. Creating a new order-to-person picking system that can reduce AMR robot waiting time, increase AMR robot utilization, and reduce the number and investment costs of AMR robots has become a pressing goal in the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an order-to-person picking system that can reduce the waiting time of AMR robots, improve the utilization rate of AMR robots, reduce the number of AMR robots invested and the investment cost, thereby overcoming the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing order-to-person picking system.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] An order-to-person picking system includes a warehouse management system (WMS), a warehouse execution system (WES), a warehouse control system (WCS), an AMR robot dispatching system (RCS), a handheld device (PDA), a shelf caching device with a conveyor line, and an AMR robot with a material basket.

[0009] The warehouse management system WMS is used to push orders to the warehouse execution system WES;

[0010] The warehouse execution system (WES) is used to create order waves and, after completing the order wave combination, push the order wave combination to the warehouse control system (WCS), the AMR robot scheduling system (RCS), and the handheld device (PDA);

[0011] The warehouse control system WCS is used to control the status display of shelf buffer devices with picking tasks in the storage area, and after the picker completes the picking task in the area and places the goods on the conveyor line of the corresponding shelf buffer device according to the prompt of the handheld device PDA, it receives feedback, and then sends tasks to the AMR robot scheduling system RCS and the control system PLC of the conveyor line of the shelf buffer device based on the feedback; and when the AMR robot receives the task of the AMR robot scheduling system RCS and arrives at the docking position of the shelf buffer device, it controls the conveyor line to transport the goods to the material basket carried by the AMR robot;

[0012] The AMR robot scheduling system RCS is used to determine whether the wave task is completed based on the task point given by the warehouse execution system WES; if the wave task is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to the distribution operation area with a material basket; if only a certain sorting area is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to the next area to complete the task handover. When the picking tasks in all areas are completed and the goods are transferred, the AMR robot is dispatched to the distribution operation area with a material basket to complete the goods handover; after the handover is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to start the next task.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the shelf cache device includes a shelf, the conveyor line is installed on the shelf, and an electronic tag is installed at the shelf corresponding to the conveyor line; the electronic tag is used to light up and display the task number after receiving the control signal of the warehouse control system WCS, so that the picking personnel bring the goods to the shelf cache device and place the goods on the corresponding conveyor line by comparing the task number of the handheld device PDA and the task number displayed on the electronic tag.

[0014] Furthermore, a three-color status indicator light is installed on the top of the shelf. The three-color status indicator light is used to light up and display the status after receiving the control signal of the warehouse control system WCS to remind the picking personnel of the task area.

[0015] Furthermore, a button is correspondingly provided on the electronic tag, and when the picker activates the button after placing the goods, the controller of the electronic tag can feed back a signal to the warehouse control system WCS.

[0016] Furthermore, a scanning sensor is installed at the bottom of the shelf near the side of the AMR robot's driving lane. The scanning sensor is used to automatically scan the QR code on the AMR robot when the AMR robot reaches the docking position of the shelf cache device to determine whether the AMR robot is in place.

[0017] Furthermore, the shelf is a partition shelf. On a certain layer of the shelf, the partition is removed and multiple conveyor lines are installed. The inlet and outlet ends of the multiple conveyor lines are connected end to end, and the running direction is toward the AMR robot driving lane on one side of the shelf; each section of the conveyor line corresponds to an electronic tag, and the electronic tag is installed on the shelf on the other side of the AMR robot driving lane perpendicular to the AMR robot driving lane; the electronic tag is controlled to light up through the warehouse control system WCS, and the transfer of the task queue is completed, and the task number displayed on the electronic tag is passed forward according to the operation of the conveyor line.

[0018] Furthermore, the multi-section conveyor line is a three-section conveyor line, corresponding to three electronic tags, each electronic tag is used to display the task number of a wave task, and can support three wave tasks to be carried out simultaneously.

[0019] Furthermore, a photoelectric switch is provided at the entry and exit ends of each section of the conveyor line, and the photoelectric switch is used to complete the cargo transfer confirmation.

[0020] Furthermore, the conveyor line is an electric drum belt line, and the photoelectric switch is a diffuse reflection photoelectric switch.

[0021] Furthermore, the AMR robot consists of a robot with a rotating and lifting function and a material basket, and can automatically pick up and place the material basket.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has at least the following advantages:

[0023] 1. The present invention sets up shelf caching equipment with conveyor lines and cooperates with the upper-level business system, so that the AMR robot does not need to wait when completing the task handover, which reduces the waiting time of the AMR robot, improves the utilization rate of the AMR robot, and further reduces the number of AMR robots invested and the project investment cost, making it suitable for large-scale promotion.

[0024] 2. The present invention defines hardware through software, determines whether the picking task is completed through the upper-level business system, and reminds the operator of the task area through the status light, thereby reducing the operator's ineffective walking time.

[0025] 3. The present invention uses a barcode scanning sensor at the bottom of the shelf to determine whether the AMR robot is in place, and a photoelectric switch completes the cargo transfer confirmation. The entire process is unmanned and can automatically hand over tasks from personnel to AMR robots, further shortening the waiting time at the AMR robot station.

[0026] 4. Each shelf cache device of the present invention is provided with multiple conveyor lines and multiple electronic tags corresponding to the conveyor lines. The task number is displayed by lighting up the electronic tags, and the personnel release the goods accordingly. The task queue is completed through the control of the warehouse control system WCS. The task number is passed forward according to the operation of the conveyor line, and multiple waves of task operations can be completed simultaneously.

[0027] 5. The present invention, through a simple transformation of conventional partition-type storage shelves, does not occupy the main operation channel, supports the commissioning of large-scale AMRs, and has minimal changes to the existing warehouse layout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1 This is the overall framework diagram of the order-to-person picking system of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the layout of the warehouse AMR robot operation scene;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the AMR robot;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the AMR robot;

[0033] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the shelf cache device;

[0034] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 BB cross-sectional view in;

[0035] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A local enlarged schematic diagram of point A in the figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an order-to-person picking system, including a warehouse management system WMS, a warehouse execution system WES, a warehouse control system WCS, an AMR robot scheduling system RCS, a handheld device PDA, a shelf caching device with a conveyor line, and an AMR robot with a material basket.

[0038] Among them, WMS is the abbreviation of Warehouse Management System. The warehouse management system is a management system that comprehensively uses functions such as warehousing business, outbound business, warehouse allocation, inventory allocation and virtual warehouse management to manage batch management, material (goods) correspondence, inventory counting, quality inspection management, virtual warehouse management and real-time inventory management. It effectively controls and tracks the entire process of logistics and cost management of warehouse business, and realizes or improves the company's warehousing information management.

[0039] WES is the abbreviation of Warehouse Executing System. WES is a software system that expands more control, collaboration and lightweight management functions based on WCS.

[0040] WCS is the abbreviation of Warehouse Control System.

[0041] RCS is the abbreviation of AMR robot scheduling system (Robots Control System).

[0042] PDA is the abbreviation of Personal Digital Assistant (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0043] AMR is the abbreviation of Autonomous Mobile Robot, which means an autonomous mobile robot. In a broad sense, it refers to a mobile robot with strong autonomy.

[0044] Figure 2 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the warehouse AMR robot operation scenario, illustrating the AMR robot operation layout using the aforementioned order-to-person picking system. It includes an AMR robot 1, shelf buffers 2, and a distribution area 3. The horizontal space between the shelf buffers 2 serves as a lane for pickers, while the vertical space between the shelf buffers 2 serves as a lane for AMR robots to travel. After completing a wave of order picking tasks, AMR robot 1 arrives at distribution area 3 to complete the goods handover, where the goods are then packaged and processed.

[0045] like Figure 3 、 4As shown, the AMR robot 1 is an AMR robot with a material basket, which consists of a robot 11 with a rotating and lifting function and a material basket 12.

[0046] like Figure 5 、 6 As shown, the shelf cache device 2 includes a shelf 21, a conveyor line 22 is installed on the shelf 21, and an electronic tag 23 is installed at the shelf 21 corresponding to the conveyor line 22, and the electronic tag is a 5-digit electronic tag.

[0047] When working, cooperate Figure 1 As shown, the warehouse management system (WMS) pushes orders to the warehouse execution system (WES). The WES then assembles the order waves and, after completing the order wave assembly, pushes the order wave assembly to the warehouse control system (WCS), the automated mechanical robot (AMR) scheduling system (RCS), and the handheld device (PDA). The WCS first controls the status of the shelf buffer devices in the storage area that have picking tasks, including lighting up the electronic tags and displaying the task number for the wave. Pickers use the PDA to request a picking task for that shelf buffer device in the system. The PDA interface prompts the picker to complete the picking task for that area. The picker then takes the goods to the shelf buffer device and places them on the corresponding conveyor line, comparing the task number on the PDA with the task number displayed on the electronic tag. Once the goods are placed on the corresponding conveyor line, feedback is sent to the warehouse control system (WCS) to inform them that the goods have arrived. When the warehouse control system WCS receives a notification that the goods have arrived, it will send a task to the AMR robot scheduling system RCS and the control system of the conveyor line of the shelf buffer device based on the feedback results; after receiving the task, the AMR robot scheduling system RCS will select the appropriate AMR robot to perform the wave task according to the situation, and when the AMR robot receives the task from the AMR robot scheduling system RCS and arrives at the docking position of the shelf buffer device, it controls the conveyor line to transport the goods to the AMR robot's basket, completing the goods picking at that work point. The AMR robot scheduling system RCS can determine whether the wave task is completed based on the task point given by the warehouse execution system WES; if the wave task is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to the distribution operation area with the basket; if only a certain sorting area has completed the picking, the AMR robot is dispatched to the next area to complete the task handover. When the picking tasks in all areas are completed and the goods are transferred, the AMR robot is dispatched to the distribution operation area with the basket to complete the goods handover; and the AMR robot is dispatched to start the next task.

[0048] This invention utilizes a shelf-caching device with a conveyor line and coordinates scheduling with a higher-level business system. AMR robots can select a work location for task handover based on the placement of goods on the shelf-caching device, eliminating the need for waiting for the handover and the next work location. This reduces AMR robot waiting time, improves AMR robot utilization, and further reduces the number of AMR robots deployed.

[0049] As a preferred embodiment, Figure 5 、 6 As shown, a three-color status indicator 24 is installed on the top of shelf 21 and is bolted to the top of shelf 21. The three-color status indicator 24 is located on the top of the shelf near the aisle where the AMR robot travels. In addition to controlling the lighting of the electronic tags 23 on the shelf buffer devices 2 in the storage area where there are picking tasks, the warehouse control system (WCS) also controls the lighting of the three-color status indicator 24, using different colors to indicate whether a shelf has a task. This status indicator light reminds operators of their task areas, reducing wasted travel time and further improving the efficiency of the order-to-person picking system.

[0050] As a preferred embodiment, after goods are placed on the corresponding conveyor line, feedback information is sent to the warehouse control system (WCS) to notify them of their arrival. This can be achieved by providing a corresponding button on the electronic tag. After the picker places the goods, they tap the start button, causing the electronic tag's controller to send a feedback signal to the warehouse control system (WCS), providing convenient and timely operation. Of course, it is understood that other forms of arrival feedback may also be used, and this does not constitute a limitation of the present invention.

[0051] As a preferred embodiment, in order to make the AMR robot more accurate in its position, Figure 5 、 6 As shown, a code scanning sensor 25 can be installed at the bottom of the shelf 21 near the side of the AMR robot's driving lane. When the AMR robot 1 reaches the docking position of the shelf cache device 2, the code scanning sensor 25 automatically scans the QR code on the AMR robot 1 to determine that the AMR robot 1 is accurately in place.

[0052] As a preferred embodiment, a multi-section conveyor line can be used to match Figure 5As shown, the shelf 21 is designed based on the partition shelf commonly used in warehouses. There are multiple layers of partitions 26 on the shelf 21. On a certain layer of the shelf 21, the partition is removed and a multi-section conveyor line 22 is installed. The inlet and outlet ends of the multi-section conveyor line 22 are connected end to end, and the running direction is toward the AMR robot driving lane on one side of the shelf (on the right side in the figure); if the present embodiment adopts a 3-section form, each section of the conveyor line 22 corresponds to an electronic tag 23, and each electronic tag 23 is used to display the task number of a wave task. The electronic tag 23 is installed on the shelf on the other side perpendicular to the AMR robot driving lane; the electronic tag is controlled by the warehouse control system WCS to light up and complete the transmission of the task queue, and the task number displayed on the electronic tag is transmitted forward according to the operation of the conveyor line. Specifically, the picked goods are manually placed on the conveyor line indicated by the corresponding electronic tag, and the electronic tag button is pressed to complete the task binding. If there is no task binding, the prompt number in the system queue is "0". If the current task queue is "321", when the previous conveyor line (bound task number is 3) completes operation and goods are placed, the task queue becomes "021", and the WCS automatically controls the start-up of the conveyor line and the subsequent conveyor line. The material transfer is completed through photoelectric judgment, and the electronic tag control system queue becomes "210".

[0053] As a preferred embodiment, each section of the conveyor line 22 adopts an electric drum belt line, Figure 7 As shown, the electric drum belt line is fixed to one side of the sheet metal connecting plate 28 by bolts, and the other side of the sheet metal connecting plate 28 is fixed to the crossbeam of the shelf 21 by bolts. A diffuse reflection photoelectric switch 27 ( Figure 5 As shown), cargo transfer confirmation can be completed through photoelectric switches.

[0054] To sum up, the order-to-person picking system of the present invention adopts shelf caching equipment in conjunction with the upper-level business system to reduce the waiting time for interaction between personnel and AMR robots and reduce the number of AMR project investments. For example, before the improvement, more than 10 AMR robots were required, but after adopting the improved order-to-person picking system, only 4 AMR robots are needed, which greatly reduces the project investment cost and is suitable for large-scale promotion.

[0055] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Those skilled in the art can make some simple modifications, equivalent changes or modifications based on the technical content disclosed above, which all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An order-to-person picking system, characterized in that: Including warehouse management system WMS, warehouse execution system WES, warehouse control system WCS, AMR robot scheduling system RCS, handheld device PDA, shelf caching equipment with conveyor lines, and AMR robots with material baskets; The warehouse management system WMS is used to push orders to the warehouse execution system WES; The warehouse execution system (WES) is used to create order waves and, after completing the order wave combination, push the order wave combination to the warehouse control system (WCS), the AMR robot scheduling system (RCS), and the handheld device (PDA); The warehouse control system WCS is used to control the status display of shelf buffer devices with picking tasks in the storage area, and after the picker completes the picking task in the area and places the goods on the conveyor line of the corresponding shelf buffer device according to the prompt of the handheld device PDA, it receives feedback, and then sends tasks to the AMR robot scheduling system RCS and the control system PLC of the conveyor line of the shelf buffer device based on the feedback; and when the AMR robot receives the task of the AMR robot scheduling system RCS and arrives at the docking position of the shelf buffer device, it controls the conveyor line to transport the goods to the material basket carried by the AMR robot; The AMR robot scheduling system RCS is used to determine whether the wave task is completed based on the task point given by the warehouse execution system WES; if the wave task is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to the distribution operation area with a material basket; if only a certain sorting area is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to the next area to complete the task handover. When the picking tasks in all areas are completed and the goods are transferred, the AMR robot is dispatched to the distribution operation area with a material basket to complete the goods handover; after the handover is completed, the AMR robot is dispatched to start the next task.

2. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shelf cache device includes a shelf, the conveyor line is installed on the shelf, and an electronic tag is installed at the shelf corresponding to the conveyor line; the electronic tag is used to light up and display the task number after receiving the control signal of the warehouse control system WCS, so that the picking personnel bring the goods to the shelf cache device and place the goods on the corresponding conveyor line by comparing the task number of the handheld device PDA with the task number displayed on the electronic tag.

3. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A three-color status indicator light is installed on the top of the shelf. The three-color status indicator light is used to light up and display the status after receiving the control signal of the warehouse control system WCS to remind the picking personnel of the task area.

4. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A button is correspondingly provided on the electronic tag. After the picker places the goods, the button is activated to enable the controller of the electronic tag to feed back a signal to the warehouse control system WCS.

5. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 2, characterized in that: A code scanning sensor is installed at the bottom of the shelf near the side of the AMR robot's driving lane. The code scanning sensor is used to automatically scan the QR code on the AMR robot when the AMR robot reaches the docking position of the shelf cache device to determine whether the AMR robot is in place.

6. The order-to-person picking system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The shelf is a partition shelf. On a certain layer of the shelf, the partition is removed and a multi-section conveyor line is installed. The inlet and outlet ends of the multi-section conveyor line are connected end to end, and the running direction is toward the AMR robot driving lane on the side of the shelf. Each section of the conveyor line corresponds to an electronic tag, which is installed on the shelf on the other side of the aisle perpendicular to the AMR robot's driving lane; the electronic tag is controlled by the warehouse control system WCS to light up and complete the transfer of the task queue, and the task number displayed on the electronic tag is passed forward according to the operation of the conveyor line.

7. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The multi-section conveyor line is a three-section conveyor line, corresponding to three electronic tags, and each electronic tag is used to display the task number of a wave task.

8. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 6, characterized in that: A photoelectric switch is provided at the entry and exit ends of each section of the conveyor line, and the photoelectric switch is used to complete the cargo transfer confirmation.

9. The order-to-person picking system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The conveying line is an electric roller belt line, and the photoelectric switch is a diffuse reflection photoelectric switch.

10. The order-to-person picking system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The AMR robot consists of a robot with a rotating and lifting function and a material basket, and can automatically pick up and place the material basket.

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