A smart warehousing and sorting station and its warehousing and sorting method

Abstract

This invention discloses an intelligent warehousing and sorting station and its warehousing and sorting method, belonging to the field of logistics warehousing and sorting technology. The sorting station utilizes shelves for goods storage, with each shelf divided into multiple storage spaces. Each storage space has roller conveyors at its bottom, which move goods from left to right when activated. Each storage area has a nameplate at its front, and the shelf has connecting slots. The nameplate is fixed to the bottom of the connecting slot via elastic elements. A push-button switch is located on the front wall of the connecting slot, and each push-button switch is electrically connected to the control system. Indicator lights are located on the corresponding shelf edge in front of each storage area, and these lights can display different colors under the control of the control system. In this invention, the arrival time is used as an important warehousing and sorting criterion; the time the goods have been in transit can be clearly observed based on the indicator light color of the corresponding storage area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of logistics warehousing and sorting technology, and in particular to an intelligent warehousing and sorting station and its warehousing and sorting method. Background Technology

[0002] As enterprises' production methods move towards intelligentization, warehousing and sorting are also becoming more intelligent and efficient. Sorting is a common and necessary step in logistics, often serving as an intermediate link in transportation. Warehousing and sorting typically occur in logistics warehousing and sorting stations, acting as temporary distribution points for goods. Goods are usually retrieved from these stations by logistics delivery points or personnel and then delivered to the corresponding logistics stations or recipient addresses.

[0003] According to the statistical report on temporary storage and outbound time of goods, as temporary storage and sorting stations for fast logistics, the pickup time of delivery points and delivery personnel varies. The storage time of goods at the warehousing and sorting stations is mostly distributed between 1 and 7 days. The storage time of less than 1 day (24 hours) accounts for 17%; 1-3 days accounts for 54%; 3-7 days accounts for 28%; and more than 7 days accounts for less than 1%.

[0004] The classification of goods at cargo warehousing and sorting stations is mostly based on delivery areas and types of goods. This can easily lead to a mix of long-term stagnant goods and newly arrived goods, which not only occupies a lot of storage space but also causes problems for the delivery of goods at the sorting station. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an intelligent warehousing and sorting station and its warehousing and sorting method, so as to solve the technical problem that existing warehousing and sorting stations do not use the arrival time of goods as the classification basis, which easily leads to the mixing of new and old goods and wastes storage space.

[0006] This invention provides an intelligent warehousing and sorting station. The station utilizes shelves for goods storage, which are divided into multiple layers of storage space arranged from top to bottom. Each layer is further divided into multiple storage areas arranged from left to right. Roller conveyors are installed at the bottom of each layer, and these conveyors move goods from left to right when activated. Each roller conveyor corresponding to a storage area is controlled by an individual motor, and each motor is driven and controlled by a control system. A nameplate connected to the shelf is located at the front of each storage area. The shelf has a connecting groove, and the nameplate is fixed to the bottom of the connecting groove via an elastic element. A push-button switch is located on the front wall of the connecting groove. All the push-button switches are electrically connected to the control system. When the nameplate moves forward, it can drive the elastic element to move forward and press the push-button switch. The control system will drive the roller conveyor on the left side of the storage space corresponding to the nameplate to start until the goods on the left side of the storage space corresponding to the nameplate move to the right by the distance of one storage area. Each storage area has an indicator light on the edge of the corresponding shelf. Each indicator light is electrically connected to the control system. The indicator light can display different colors under the control of the control system. The color displayed by the indicator light corresponds to the time that the goods in the corresponding storage space stay on the shelf.

[0007] Optionally, the elastic element includes a connecting portion and a bending portion that are connected to each other. The connecting portion is connected to the bottom of the connecting groove and extends upward. The bending portion is connected to the upper end of the connecting portion, extends upward, and bends backward. The upper end of the bending portion protrudes from the connecting groove and is connected to the nameplate. The connection between the bending portion and the connecting portion corresponds to the push switch.

[0008] Optionally, the corner of the shelf is provided with a rotating support rod, which is rotatably connected between the ceiling and the floor of the warehouse sorting station. The bottom of the other corner of the shelf is provided with a support leg, and the floor is provided with an arc-shaped slide rail. The support leg rotates around the rotating support rod along the slide rail.

[0009] Optionally, a sliding member is provided at the connection between the support leg and the shelf. The bottom of the sliding member has a groove. The support leg slides freely in the groove along its length. A spring is embedded in the groove, and the support leg is elastically connected to the groove through the spring. A fixing groove is provided at the end of the slide. When the support leg slides to the end of the slide, the support leg moves into the fixing groove under the elastic restoring force of the spring.

[0010] Optionally, the back of the shelf is provided with a sliding back panel.

[0011] Optionally, a buffer is provided at the bottom end of the rotating support rod.

[0012] Optionally, the indicator light can display one of red, yellow, or green. Each indicator light displays red, yellow, or green depending on whether the goods in the corresponding storage area have been stored for more than 7 days, 3-7 days, or less than 3 days.

[0013] Optionally, the control system includes an MCU module, a clock module, a memory module, and a logic operation module. The MCU module controls the operation of the motors in each storage area. The clock module records the dwell time of goods in each storage area and stores the time information and corresponding storage area information in the memory module. The logic operation module calculates the total dwell time of goods in each storage area when goods are taken out.

[0014] The present invention also provides a warehouse sorting method based on the aforementioned intelligent warehouse sorting, comprising the following steps:

[0015] Sp1: Goods are sorted by their arrival time and stored in various storage areas of the shelf from right to left. The leftmost storage area corresponds to the most recently arrived goods. The control system numbers the nameplates of the sections triggered by the roller conveyor push switches, from left to right as M1, M2...Mn. The control system records the dwell time T12,...,T1p,...,T1n for goods in M2,...,Mn. Each indicator light has a corresponding color based on the dwell time of the goods in the corresponding storage space on the shelf.

[0016] Sp2: Goods are retrieved from the storage area corresponding to the nameplate number Mp. The goods move forward and back to the nameplate Mp, driving the nameplate Mp to move forward. The nameplate Mp drives the elastic element to move forward and press the push switch. At this time, the control system will drive the roller conveyor corresponding to the nameplate Mp and all the nameplates to its left to start, so that the goods move to the right by the distance of one storage area. The control system re-records the dwell time T12,...,T1p,...,T1n of goods M2,...,Mn. Each indicator light has a corresponding color according to the dwell time of the goods in the corresponding storage space on the shelf.

[0017] Sp3: Repeat Sp2.

[0018] Based on this invention, warehouse managers only need to place the newest goods on the far left of shelf 1 each time. Goods further to the right will stay for longer, and the dwell time of goods can be determined by observing the color sequence of the indicator lights.

[0019] In existing technologies, the classification of goods in warehousing and sorting stations is mostly based on delivery areas and goods types. This can easily lead to a mix of long-term stagnant goods and newly arrived goods, which not only occupies a lot of storage space but also causes problems for goods delivery at the sorting station. Therefore, in this invention, the arrival time is used as an important criterion for sorting and warehousing. On the same shelf, goods that arrive earlier are located on the right side of the shelf. Warehouse managers and stockers only need to put the goods in from the left side of the shelf, and the goods will be automatically arranged on the shelf according to the order of entry. The time of goods stagnation can be clearly observed by the color of the indicator lights in the corresponding storage areas. Depending on the length of the stagnation time, the goods can be urged to be received or rejected. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the shelf installation method in this invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the shelf in this invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the shelf in this invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the outrigger installation method on the ground in this invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the support leg in this invention;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation method of the nameplate in this invention.

[0027] Figure label:

[0028] 1. Shelf; 2. Rotating support rod; 201. Buffer component; 3. Roller conveyor; 4. Nameplate; 5. Slide rail; 6. Fixing groove; 7. Push-pull back panel; 8. Sliding component; 9. Groove; 10. Support leg; 11. Spring; 12. Push switch; 13. Elastic component; 131. Connecting part; 132. Bending part. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0030] The components of the embodiments of the invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can typically be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention.

[0031] Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] The following is combined Figures 1 to 6 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an intelligent warehousing and sorting station, which uses shelves 1 to store goods.

[0033] Specifically, the shelving 1 is divided into multiple layers of storage space arranged sequentially from top to bottom, and the number of storage spaces can be set according to needs. Each layer of storage space is divided into multiple storage areas arranged sequentially from left to right. Each layer of storage space has a roller conveyor 3 at its bottom. When activated, each roller conveyor 3 moves goods from left to right. Each roller conveyor 3 corresponding to a storage area is controlled by a separate motor, and each motor is driven and controlled by a control system. It should be noted that the roller conveyor 3 is formed by multiple columnar rollers arranged sequentially from left to right, with the roller axis pointing forward and backward. The spacing between adjacent rollers can be set according to actual needs. In addition to moving goods to adjust their position, the roller conveyor 3 also serves to support the goods.

[0034] Each storage area has a nameplate 4 connected to the shelf 1 at its front. The nameplate 4 and the shelf 1 are connected by a connecting groove, and the nameplate 4 is fixed to the bottom of the connecting groove by an elastic element 13. The connecting groove extends in the left and right direction. The front wall of the connecting groove is equipped with a push switch 12. Each push switch 12 is electrically connected to the control system. When the nameplate 4 moves forward, it can drive the elastic element 13 to move forward and press the push switch 12. The control system will drive the roller conveyor 3 on the left side of the storage space corresponding to the nameplate 4 to start until the goods on the left side of the storage space corresponding to the nameplate 4 move to the right by one storage area. It should be noted that the groove opening is either up and down or left and right. The elastic element 13 and the push switch 12 are spaced apart. Only when the nameplate 4 moves forward and drives the elastic element 13 to move forward will the push switch 12 be touched.

[0035] Each storage area is equipped with an indicator light on the edge of the corresponding shelf 1. Each indicator light is electrically connected to the control system and can display different colors under the control of the control system. In this embodiment, the indicator light can display one of red, yellow, or green. The indicator light displays red, yellow, or green respectively depending on whether the goods in the corresponding storage area have been stored for more than 7 days, 3-7 days, or less than 3 days.

[0036] Based on this intelligent warehouse sorting station, the following warehouse sorting method can be implemented, which includes the following steps:

[0037] Sp1: Goods are sorted by arrival time and stored from right to left in various storage areas of shelf 1. The leftmost storage area corresponds to the most recently arrived goods. The control system numbers the nameplates 4 of the sections triggered by the roller conveyor 3 push switch 12, from left to right as M1, M2...Mn. The control system records the dwell time T12,...,T1p,...,T1n for goods in M2,...,Mn. Each indicator light has a corresponding color based on the dwell time of the goods in the corresponding storage space on shelf 1.

[0038] It should be noted that in this state, if the leftmost storage area of ​​the storage space is empty, that is, no goods are placed there, the warehouse manager can place the newest goods on the leftmost side of shelf 11; the indicator light can display one of red, yellow, or green, and each indicator light displays red, yellow, or green according to the storage time of the goods in the corresponding storage area: more than 7 days, 3-7 days, and less than 3 days, respectively.

[0039] Sp2: Goods are retrieved from the storage area corresponding to nameplate 4 labeled Mp. The goods move forward and back to nameplate 4 labeled Mp, driving nameplate 4 to move forward. Nameplate 4 drives elastic element 13 to move forward and presses switch 12. At this time, the control system will drive nameplate 4 and all roller conveyors 3 corresponding to nameplate 4 on its left to start, causing the goods to move to the right by one storage area. The control system re-records the dwell time T12,...,T1p,...,T1n of goods M2,...,Mn. Each indicator light has a corresponding color based on the dwell time of the goods in the corresponding storage space on the shelf 1.

[0040] It should be noted that after the goods are removed, the elastic element 13 will return to its original state due to its own elastic recovery characteristics, thereby resetting the position of the Mp nameplate 4.

[0041] Sp3: Repeat Sp2.

[0042] As can be seen from the above, based on the present invention, warehouse managers only need to place the newest goods on the far left of shelf 11 each time. Goods on the far right stay for a longer time, and the time spent on goods can be determined by observing the color sequence of the indicator lights.

[0043] In existing technologies, the classification of goods in warehousing and sorting stations is mostly based on delivery areas and goods types. This can easily lead to a mix of long-term stagnant goods and newly arrived goods, which not only occupies a lot of storage space but also causes problems for goods delivery in the sorting station. Therefore, in this invention, the arrival time is used as an important criterion for sorting and warehousing. On the same shelf 1, the goods that arrive earlier are located on the right side of shelf 1. Warehouse managers and stockers only need to put the goods in from the left side of shelf 1, and the goods will be automatically arranged on shelf 1 according to the order of entry. The time of goods stagnation can be clearly observed by the color of the indicator lights in the corresponding storage areas. Depending on the length of the stagnation time, the goods can be urged to be received or rejected.

[0044] In addition, in the existing technology, infrared detection technology is usually used to determine whether goods in a storage space have been picked up. However, infrared detection technology has some problems, such as the fact that the infrared sensor 12 consumes power during use and has high operating costs.

[0045] In this invention, the determination of whether goods in the storage space have been retrieved is achieved through the connection and cooperation between the nameplate 4, the elastic element 13, the connecting groove and the push switch 12. It utilizes the characteristic that goods need to move forward when they are retrieved, so that each time goods are retrieved, the push switch 12 can be pressed once by the elastic element 13, and the control system can know whether goods have been taken. Moreover, the push switch 12 does not consume electricity during use, resulting in low operating costs.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the invention, the elastic member 13 includes a connecting portion 131 and a bending portion 132 that are connected to each other. The connecting portion 131 is connected to the bottom of the connecting groove and extends upward. The bending portion 132 is connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 131 and extends upward and bends backward. The upper end of the bending portion 132 protrudes out of the connecting groove and is connected to the nameplate 4. The connection between the bending portion 132 and the connecting portion 131 is corresponding to the push switch 12.

[0047] Based on this structural design, since the curved portion 132 extends backward, the upper end of the curved portion 132 can move forward a greater distance during the forward movement of the nameplate 4. Similarly, the forward movement distance of the connection between the curved portion 132 and the connecting portion 131 can also be increased. This effectively prevents the problem of the button switch 12 not being pressed due to insufficient forward movement of the connection between the curved portion 132 and the connecting portion 131, thereby improving reliability.

[0048] In this embodiment of the invention, a rotating support rod 2 is provided at the corner of the shelf 1. The rotating support rod 2 is rotatably connected between the ceiling and the ground of the warehouse sorting station. A support leg 10 is provided at the bottom of the other corner of the shelf 1. The ground is provided with an arc-shaped slide rail 5. The support leg 10 rotates around the rotating support rod 2 along the slide rail 5. The shelf 1 can rotate around the rotating support rod 2.

[0049] Based on this, when the shelf is closed, delivery points and delivery personnel can take goods from the front of the shelf 1. When the shelf is open, the back of the shelf 1 is exposed, and warehouse managers or goods receiving personnel can place goods from the back of the shelf 1. In this way, the receiving and picking directions of the shelf 1 are different, which makes it easier to display the shipping label on the front.

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention, a sliding member 8 is provided at the connection between the support leg 10 and the shelf 1. A groove 9 is provided at the bottom of the sliding member 8. The support leg 10 slides freely in the groove 9 along the length direction. A spring 11 is embedded in the groove 9, and the support leg 10 is elastically connected to the groove 9 through the spring 11. A fixing groove 6 is provided at the end of the slide 5. When the support leg 10 slides to the end of the slide 5, the support leg 10 moves into the fixing groove 6 under the action of the elastic restoring force of the spring 11.

[0051] Based on this, after the shelf 1 is opened by rotating, the support leg 10 slides along the slide rail 5 to the end and is embedded in the fixing groove 6 at the end under the action of the spring 11, which facilitates the fixing of the shelf 1 after it is opened and prevents the shelf 1 from returning to its original position when goods are put in.

[0052] In this embodiment of the invention, a push-pull back panel 7 is slidably provided on the back of the shelf 1. In this way, after the shelf 1 is rotated and opened, the push-pull back panel 7 is opened, which on the one hand prevents the delivery points and delivery personnel from mistakenly taking goods from the back, and on the other hand prevents the goods from falling from the back.

[0053] In this embodiment of the invention, a buffer 201 is provided at the bottom of the rotating support rod 2. The buffer 201 provides cushioning when the shelf 1 rotates, which helps to prevent the shelf 1 from rotating too fast.

[0054] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent warehousing and sorting station, wherein the sorting station realizes the storage of goods through shelves (1), the shelves (1) are divided into multiple storage spaces arranged sequentially from top to bottom, each storage space being divided into multiple storage areas arranged sequentially from left to right, characterized in that: Each storage space has a roller conveyor (3) at its bottom. When each roller conveyor (3) is activated, it can move goods from left to right. Each roller conveyor (3) corresponding to each storage area is controlled by a separate motor, and each motor is driven and controlled by a control system. Each storage area has a nameplate (4) connected to the shelf (1) at its front. The shelf (1) has a connecting groove. The nameplate (4) is fixed to the bottom of the connecting groove by an elastic element (13). The front wall of the connecting groove is equipped with a push switch. Each push switch is electrically connected to the control system. When the nameplate (4) moves forward, it can drive the elastic element (13) to move the goods from left to right. When the component (13) moves forward and presses the push switch (12), the control system will drive the roller conveyor (3) on the left side of the storage space corresponding to the nameplate (4) to start until the goods on the left side of the storage space corresponding to the nameplate (4) move to the right by the distance of one storage area; each storage area has an indicator light on the edge of the corresponding shelf (1) in front of it, and each indicator light is electrically connected to the control system. The indicator light can display different colors under the control of the control system, and the color displayed by the indicator light corresponds to the time the goods in the corresponding storage space stay on the shelf (1).

2. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element (13) includes a connecting part (131) and a bending part (132) that are connected to each other. The connecting part (131) is connected to the bottom of the connecting groove and extends upward. The bending part (132) is connected to the upper end of the connecting part (131) and extends upward and bends backward. The upper end of the bending part (132) protrudes out of the connecting groove and is connected to the nameplate (4). The connection between the bending part (132) and the connecting part (131) corresponds to the push switch (12).

3. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The corner of the shelf (1) is provided with a rotating support rod (2), which is rotatably connected between the ceiling and the ground of the warehouse sorting station. The bottom of the other corner of the shelf (1) is provided with a support leg (10), and the ground is provided with an arc-shaped slide (5). The support leg (10) rotates around the rotating support rod (2) along the slide (5).

4. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 3, characterized in that: A sliding member (8) is provided at the connection between the support leg (10) and the shelf (1). The bottom of the sliding member (8) is provided with a groove (9). The support leg (10) slides freely in the groove (9) along the length direction. A spring (11) is embedded in the groove (9), and the support leg (10) is elastically connected to the groove (9) through the spring (11). A fixing groove (6) is provided inward at the tail end of the slide rail (5). When the support leg (10) slides to the tail end of the slide rail (5), the support leg (10) moves into the fixing groove (6) under the action of the elastic restoring force of the spring (11).

5. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 3, characterized in that: The back of the shelf (1) is provided with a sliding back panel (7).

6. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bottom end of the rotating support rod (2) is provided with a buffer (201).

7. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system includes an MCU module, a clock module, a memory module, and a logic operation module. The MCU module controls the operation of the motors in each storage area. The clock module records the dwell time of goods in each storage area and stores the time information and corresponding storage area information in the memory module. The logic operation module calculates the total dwell time of goods in each storage area when goods are taken out.

8. The intelligent warehousing and sorting station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indicator lights can display one of red, yellow, or green. Each indicator light displays red, yellow, or green depending on whether the goods in the corresponding storage area have been stored for more than 7 days, 3-7 days, or less than 3 days.

9. A warehousing and sorting method based on the intelligent warehousing and sorting described in claim 1, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Sp1: The goods are sorted according to their entry time and stored in the various storage areas of the shelf (1) from right to left. The leftmost storage area corresponds to the latest goods. The control system numbers the nameplates (4) of the intervals triggered by the roller conveyor (3) pressing the switch (12) in the order of M1, M2...Mn from left to right. The control system records the dwell time of goods M2,...,Mn, T12,...,T1p,...,T1n. Each indicator light has a corresponding color according to the dwell time of the goods in the corresponding storage space on the shelf (1). Sp2: Take out the goods from the storage area corresponding to the nameplate (4) labeled Mp. The goods move forward and back to the nameplate (4) Mp, and drive the nameplate (4) Mp to move forward. The nameplate Mp drives the elastic element to move forward and press the push switch. At this time, the control system will drive the roller conveyor (3) corresponding to the nameplate (4) Mp and all the nameplates (4) to its left to start, so that the goods move to the right by the distance of one storage area. The control system re-records the dwell time T12,...,T1p,...,T1n of the goods M2,...,Mn. Each indicator light has a corresponding color according to the dwell time of the goods in the corresponding storage space on the shelf (1). Sp3: Repeat Sp2.

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