A modular intelligent shelf control method and system suitable for AGV

Abstract

The present invention discloses a modular intelligent shelf control method and system suitable for AGV. The intelligent shelf system includes an intelligent shelf, and the intelligent shelf includes several material storage locations. The control method includes: obtaining material information of the material storage location and material information of the workstation; establishing association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation based on the material information of the material storage location and the workstation; receiving task information; obtaining corresponding association information based on the task information; executing the task based on the association information, and generating a material indication signal through the association information. The present invention enables the staff to efficiently complete the loading and unloading work by establishing association information and outputting the material indication signal for identification by the staff, and optimizes multiple tasks to meet the working environment requirements of multiple materials and multiple workstations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of intelligent logistics technology, and in particular to a modular intelligent shelf control method and system suitable for AGV. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in smart logistics for the electronics precision manufacturing industry, materials are transported from the warehouse to each workstation by AGVs carrying material baskets. After being transported to designated workstations, manual labor is required to identify and sort materials within the baskets using process cards and material lists. This can be difficult, error-prone, and time-consuming when transporting large quantities of materials. Manual labor is required to verify the materials in the AGV's baskets before delivering them to the workstations. However, with a large variety of materials, different material lists can easily become misplaced during transport due to environmental factors such as bumps and wind. The large variety of materials also complicates manual identification, making it time-consuming and labor-intensive. To address this issue, a single AGV is typically used to deliver materials to one workstation at a time. This method can improve handling efficiency when handling large quantities of materials. However, in the electronics precision manufacturing industry, logistics is characterized by small batches and multiple workstations; using this method can actually reduce overall handling efficiency. Or when the number of workstations is small, the colors of material lists at different workstations can be different. This method can improve the handling efficiency to a certain extent when the number of workstations is small; but as the number of workstations increases, the number of material card colors increases, the difficulty of manual color identification also increases, and work efficiency decreases. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a modular intelligent shelf control method and system suitable for AGV to solve the problem of multi-station material transportation in the current electronic precision processing and manufacturing industry, which solves the problem of difficult identification of multiple materials at multiple stations and low transportation efficiency.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in the present invention is:

[0005] A modular intelligent shelf control method suitable for AGV is applied to an intelligent shelf system. The intelligent shelf system includes an intelligent shelf, and the intelligent shelf includes several material storage locations. The control method includes:

[0006] Obtain material storage location material information and workstation material information;

[0007] Establish the association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation based on the material storage location material information and the workstation material information;

[0008] Receive task information;

[0009] Obtain corresponding related information based on task information;

[0010] Execute tasks based on associated information and generate material indication signals based on associated information.

[0011] Furthermore, when the association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation cannot be established in this method, the corresponding material storage location is allocated according to the workstation material information and its storage location material information is established, and then the association information is generated.

[0012] Furthermore, in this method, the material indication signal is generated based on the associated information of the currently executed task; the material indication signal is generated when the smart shelf system arrives at the task station and is eliminated after the current task is completed.

[0013] Furthermore, in this method, a material protection signal is generated through the storage material information, and the material protection information is used to protect important materials through material protection equipment.

[0014] Furthermore, in this method, the storage location material information includes: storage location information; the work station material information includes: work station location information; the associated information includes: path information; the storage location material information, work station material information, and associated information all include: material type information and material priority information.

[0015] Furthermore, executing tasks in this method includes: dividing task types into loading tasks and unloading tasks, and selecting a task execution mode; the task mode includes a loading priority mode and a comprehensive mode.

[0016] Furthermore, the loading priority mode includes: when the system executes a task, the loading task is given the highest priority, and the loading tasks are prioritized according to the related information of all loading tasks. After all loading tasks are executed according to priority, the unloading tasks are prioritized according to the related information of all unloading tasks, and finally the unloading tasks are executed according to priority.

[0017] Furthermore, the comprehensive mode includes: uniformly sorting the priorities according to the associated information of the tasks, and then completing the tasks according to the priorities.

[0018] The present invention also provides a modular intelligent shelf system suitable for AGV, including: an intelligent shelf, an AGV chassis, and a control system. The intelligent shelf includes a number of material storage locations, which are used to store materials and establish associated information with the workstations; the AGV chassis is used to receive control system information and load the intelligent shelf to move and perform tasks, and the control system is used to establish associated information between the material storage locations and the workstations, receive task information, and output a control signal to the AGV chassis through the task information combined with the associated information; the intelligent shelf also includes a material indication device that receives a material indication signal, and each material indication device corresponds to a matching material storage location; the material indication signal is: when performing a task, the control system generates it based on the associated information of the current task.

[0019] Furthermore, the smart shelf also includes a material protection device, which receives a material protection signal sent by the control system and protects the material storage location corresponding to the material protection device.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0021] 1. The present invention establishes a correspondence between the material storage location of the smart container and the work station, and outputs the material indication signal of the current task according to the current task. The material indication signal is displayed on the material indication device for the staff to identify, so that the staff can complete the loading and unloading work.

[0022] 2. The present invention optimizes multi-tasking based on the correlation information between material storage locations and workstations, so that the system meets the working environment requirements of multiple materials and multiple workstations.

[0023] 3. The present invention also provides safety protection for valuable materials through material protection equipment, ensuring the safety of materials during the process of taking, placing and transporting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the process of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the process of prioritizing the loading task in the execution of the method of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated mode flow in executing tasks in the method of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the system of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the intelligent shelf and AGV chassis of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is another structural diagram of the smart shelf and AGV chassis of the present invention;

[0030] Figure numerals: 1. Smart shelf; 101. Material storage location; 102. Material indication device; 103. Material protection device; 104. Interaction device; 2. AGV chassis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings herein can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0032] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention and the features therein may be combined with each other unless there is a conflict.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] The present invention provides a modular intelligent shelf control method suitable for AGV, please refer to Figure 1 ,include:

[0035] A modular intelligent shelf control method suitable for AGV is applied to an intelligent shelf system. The intelligent shelf system includes an intelligent shelf, and the intelligent shelf includes several material storage locations. The control method includes:

[0036] Obtain material storage location material information and workstation material information;

[0037] Establish the association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation based on the material storage location material information and the workstation material information;

[0038] Receive task information;

[0039] Obtain corresponding related information based on task information;

[0040] Execute tasks based on associated information and generate material indication signals based on associated information.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the modular smart shelf system is unable to establish association information between a smart shelf material storage location and a corresponding workstation, it allocates a corresponding material storage location based on the workstation material information, establishes its material information, and then regenerates the association information. This situation typically occurs during a loading task, where the smart shelf system is unable to detect the material information at the loading station itself and needs to allocate a new material storage location for loading. Furthermore, the smart shelf system also assesses the material information at the loading station. If it detects material requiring safety protection, it allocates a material storage location equipped with material protection equipment to the material and establishes association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the modular smart shelf system executes a task, it generates a corresponding material indication signal based on the associated information of the current task. The corresponding material indication signal disappears after the current task is completed. The material indication signal is generated by the control system when the smart container arrives at the task execution location. Monitoring whether the smart container has arrived at the task execution location generally includes using positioning technology or monitoring the path information in the task association information to ensure that the task has been completed.

[0043] In this embodiment, storage location material information includes: storage location location information; workstation material information includes: workstation location information; associated information includes: path information; storage location material information, workstation material information, and associated information all include: material type information and material priority information. Material type information is used to pair storage location material information with workstation material information. After pairing, the storage location location information and workstation location information are combined to generate path information. Material type information and path information are combined to generate associated information. Path information is used to participate in task priority determination and determine whether the smart container has arrived at the task location. Material priority information is generated based on the combination of material type information and material demand information in the actual task. Material priority information is used to generate material protection signals and participate in task priority calculations. Material protection signals are used to determine whether materials require safety protection.

[0044] In this embodiment, the modular intelligent shelf system generates a material protection signal based on the material priority information; wherein the material protection information is used to protect important materials through the material protection equipment.

[0045] In this embodiment, when executing a task, the method divides the task types into loading tasks and unloading tasks, and selects a task execution mode; the task modes include a loading priority mode and a comprehensive mode.

[0046] Specifically, the loading priority mode includes the following: when executing loading and unloading tasks, the system gives the loading task the highest priority, sorts the loading tasks according to the associated information of all loading tasks, and after executing all loading tasks according to priority, sorts the unloading tasks according to the associated information of all unloading tasks, and finally executes the unloading tasks according to priority. When loading stations are relatively concentrated, the system can use this method to execute tasks, so that loading tasks are executed in advance and the travel distance of workers is reduced. Priority is determined by combining the path information in the associated information and the material priority, which can give priority to the transportation of important materials, thereby maximizing work efficiency while reducing the number of workers.

[0047] Specifically, the integrated mode prioritizes loading and unloading tasks based on their correlation information, completing them accordingly. This mode is generally suitable for situations where there are numerous and dispersed loading stations or material transportation tasks are time-sensitive. This operating mode enables the modular intelligent shelving system to complete all tasks in the most efficient manner, improving material transportation efficiency.

[0048] See also Figure 4-Figure 6The present invention also provides a modular intelligent shelf system suitable for AGV, including: an intelligent shelf 1, an AGV chassis 2, and a control system. The intelligent shelf 1 includes a plurality of material storage locations 101, which are used to store materials and establish association information with workstations; the AGV chassis 2 is used to receive control information and load the intelligent shelf 1 to move and perform tasks. The control system is used to establish association information between the material storage locations 101 and the workstations, receive task information, and output a control signal to the AGV chassis 2 through the task information combined with the association information; the intelligent shelf 1 also includes a material indication device 102 that receives a material indication signal, and each material indication device 102 corresponds to a matching material storage location; the material indication information is: when executing a task, the control system generates it based on the association information of the current task. The intelligent shelf 1 also includes a material protection device 103, which receives a material protection signal sent by the control system and protects the material storage location 101 corresponding to the material protection device 103.

[0049] In this embodiment, the smart shelf 1 has ten material storage locations 101, each equipped with a material indicator device 102. The top two material storage locations 101 are equipped with material protection devices 103. Generally, each material storage location 101 has a different workstation associated with it. However, depending on the specific situation, for example, if a workstation requires a large amount of material, multiple material storage locations 101 can be assigned to establish associations with that workstation. When establishing associations, the material type or priority information in the material information determines whether each material requires special safety protection. If so, a material storage location 101 equipped with material protection devices 103 is assigned to that material, and associations are then established between that material storage location 101 and the workstation. When executing a task, the task information retrieves the material information for the current task, and the AGV chassis 2 is then controlled to proceed to the task execution location. Upon arrival at the task execution location, the control system sends a material indicator signal to activate the material indicator device 102, prompting the operator to load or unload materials. In the present invention, the control system acquires storage location and workstation material information, establishes associations between material storage locations 101 and corresponding workstations, receives task information, and transmits various control signals. The control system utilizes the Modbus communication protocol, which is compatible with most control components and PLCs in the industry, improving the overall scalability of the system. The control system also features an emergency stop button connected to the AGV chassis 2. This normally closed contact is used to transmit an emergency stop signal to the AGV chassis 2.

[0050] Material indicator 102 typically uses an LED indicator light, while material protection device 103 typically uses an electromagnetic lock. Threaded holes are provided underneath smart shelf 1 to allow docking with different brands of AGV chassis 2 using different tooling. The control system controls the LED indicator light and electromagnetic lock via an optocoupler relay.

[0051] The modular intelligent shelf system further includes an interactive device 104 , which includes a touch screen for checking the system status, debugging the control system, and inputting a password to access the material protection device 103 to protect important materials.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned optional implementation modes. Anyone can derive other forms of products under the inspiration of the present invention. However, no matter what changes are made in the shape or structure, any technical solution that falls within the scope defined by the claims of the present invention falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular intelligent shelf control method suitable for AGV, characterized by: Applied to a smart shelf system, the smart shelf system includes a smart shelf, and the smart shelf includes a plurality of material storage locations. The control method includes: Obtain material storage location material information and workstation material information; Establish the association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation based on the material storage location material information and the workstation material information; Receive task information; Obtain corresponding related information based on task information; Execute tasks based on associated information and generate material indication signals based on associated information; The task execution includes: dividing the task types into loading tasks and unloading tasks, and selecting the task execution mode; the task mode includes a loading priority mode and a comprehensive mode; when the association information between the material storage location and the corresponding workstation cannot be established, the corresponding material storage location is allocated according to the workstation material information and its storage location material information is established, and then the association information is generated; the material indication signal is generated according to the association information of the current execution task; the material indication signal is generated when the intelligent shelf system arrives at the task workstation and is eliminated after the current task is completed; the control method also generates a material protection signal through the storage location material information; the storage location material information includes: storage location location information; the workstation material information includes: workstation location information; the association information includes: path information; the storage location material information, workstation material information, and association information all include: material type information and material priority information.

2. A modular intelligent shelf control method suitable for AGV according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading priority mode includes: when the system executes a task, the loading task is given the highest priority, and the loading tasks are prioritized according to the related information of all loading tasks. After all loading tasks are executed according to the priority, the unloading tasks are prioritized according to the related information of all unloading tasks, and finally the unloading tasks are executed according to the priority.

3. The modular intelligent shelf control method applicable to AGV according to claim 1, characterized in that: The comprehensive mode includes: uniformly sorting the priorities of tasks according to their associated information, and then completing the tasks according to the priorities.

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