A warehouse management system and method

Abstract

The application provides a warehouse management system and method, wherein the warehouse management system comprises: a control server, a carrying device, and a workstation, and the workstation is provided with a goods buffer area; the control server is configured to determine a goods inventory location of a first goods according to a quantity of the first goods hit by a set of to-be-processed orders, determine a first carrying device for carrying the first goods and a first workstation for picking the first goods, and send a first carrying instruction to the first carrying device and send a first to-be-processed order of the set of to-be-processed orders hitting the first goods to the first workstation; the first carrying device is configured to move to the goods inventory location in response to the first carrying instruction and carry the first goods to the first workstation; and the first workstation is configured to store the first goods on the first workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first to-be-processed order.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of warehousing technology, and in particular to a warehousing management system and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of e-commerce, it is playing an increasingly important role in consumers' lives. The number of user orders is growing exponentially every year. At the same time, as e-commerce becomes more mature, users are placing higher demands on the quality of e-commerce services, and the processing capacity of warehousing and scheduling is also undergoing severe tests.

[0003] In traditional automated picking systems, goods-to-person (GTP) is a common mode. This method relies on intelligent handling robots. The robot automatically travels to the target shelf based on order requirements and inventory information, lifts the shelf, and delivers it to the sorting station. The sorting station is equipped with displays, and sorting personnel place the goods into designated containers according to the on-screen instructions to complete the sorting. However, orders typically arrive continuously, often resulting in the same item being picked multiple times. This repeated transport of the item between the inventory area and the workstation significantly impacts picking efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a warehouse management system and method to address the technical deficiencies existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this application, a warehouse management system is provided, comprising a control server, handling equipment, and workstations, wherein the workstations are provided with a cargo buffer area, wherein:

[0006] The control server is configured to determine the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, determine the first handling equipment for handling the first goods and the first workstation for picking the first goods, and send a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order in the set of pending orders containing the first goods to the first workstation.

[0007] The first handling device is configured to move to the goods storage location in response to the first handling instruction and handle the first goods to the first workstation;

[0008] The first workstation is configured to place the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order.

[0009] Optionally, the control server is further configured to detect the number of orders of the first pending order in the first workstation, and if the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, determine the second workstation and the second handling equipment, and send the second pending order that matches the first goods in the pending order set to the second workstation, and send a second handling instruction to the second handling equipment, wherein the distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold;

[0010] The second handling device is configured to, in response to the second handling instruction, retrieve the quantity of first goods corresponding to the second pending order from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and place them in the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation.

[0011] The second workstation is configured to pick the first goods from the goods buffer of the second workstation according to the second pending order.

[0012] Optionally, the control server is further configured to determine a third workstation for picking the first goods and a fifth handling device for transporting the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, and to send a fifth handling instruction to the fifth handling device to send the fourth pending order in the set of pending orders that contains the first goods to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0013] The fifth handling device is configured to move to the goods storage location in response to the fifth handling instruction and handle the first goods to the third workstation;

[0014] The third workstation is configured to place the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the third workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the fourth pending order.

[0015] Optionally, the system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, wherein the inventory area includes multiple inventory vehicles, each inventory vehicle includes at least one storage location, each storage location can accommodate at least one container, the container being filled with goods;

[0016] The control server is further configured to obtain the quantity of the first goods in the set of orders to be processed, and if the quantity of goods is less than or equal to an inventory threshold, determine the inventory location of the goods as the inventory area; if the quantity of goods is greater than the inventory threshold, determine the inventory location of the goods as both the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determine the inventory location of the goods as the external inventory area.

[0017] Optionally, the control server is further configured to, when the quantity of goods exceeds an inventory threshold, determine a first handling sub-device for moving the first goods from the inventory area and a second handling sub-device for moving the first goods from the external inventory area.

[0018] Optionally, the first handling sub-equipment includes a container handling equipment or a carrier handling equipment, and the second handling sub-equipment includes any one of a forklift, a towing device, and a lifting device.

[0019] Optionally, the cargo buffer area is provided with multiple cache storage slots, each cache storage slot can accommodate at least one cache container, and the cache container contains cargo;

[0020] The control server is further configured to, when it detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, determine the goods inventory location of the second goods based on the quantity of the second goods in the pending order set, determine the third handling equipment for handling the second goods, send a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, and send the third pending order in the pending order set that contains the second goods to the first workstation.

[0021] The third handling device is configured to move to the cargo storage location of the second cargo in response to the third handling instruction, and to handle the second cargo to the first workstation;

[0022] The first workstation is also configured to place the second goods onto an idle buffer container in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and to pick the second goods according to the third pending order.

[0023] Optionally, the control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, determine the first goods to be replenished based on the quantity of the first goods in the newly added pending order set, determine the sixth handling device to handle the first goods to be replenished, and send a sixth handling instruction to the sixth handling device to send the fifth pending order in the newly added pending order set that matches the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation.

[0024] The sixth handling device is configured to move to the goods inventory location in response to the sixth handling instruction and handle the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation;

[0025] The first workstation is further configured to place the first goods to be replenished onto the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and to pick the first goods to be replenished from the goods buffer area according to the fifth pending order.

[0026] Optionally, the workstation is configured with an operation object and an order picking area. The order picking area is configured with multiple order storage slots, each of which can accommodate at least one order container.

[0027] The operation object is configured to retrieve a first item from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to a first pending order, and place the first item in the order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0028] Optionally, the workstation is also equipped with an operating console and container loading and unloading equipment;

[0029] The container loading and unloading equipment is located between the operating table and the order picking area, and is configured to take out the order container corresponding to the first order to be processed from the order picking area and place the order container on the operating table, or take out the order container from the operating table and place it in the order picking area;

[0030] The operation object is further configured to place the first goods in the order container of the operation table.

[0031] Optionally, the control server is further configured to identify a fourth handling device and send a fourth handling instruction to the fourth handling device;

[0032] The fourth handling device is configured to, in response to the fourth handling instruction, move the order container that has completed the order picking task to a designated location.

[0033] Optionally, the objects of operation may include workers, robotic arms, or automated equipment for picking goods.

[0034] Optionally, the control server is further configured to determine the location information of the first goods in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to preset conditions;

[0035] The first workstation is further configured to place the first goods onto the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the location information.

[0036] Optionally, the preset conditions include at least one of the following: the popularity of the first goods, the correlation between the first goods and other goods in the goods buffer area, and the order of pending orders at the first workstation.

[0037] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this application, a warehouse management method is provided, the method being applied to a warehouse management system, the system including a control server, handling equipment, and workstations, the workstations being provided with a cargo buffer area, the method comprising:

[0038] The control server determines the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, determines the first handling equipment for handling the first goods and the first workstation for picking the first goods, and sends a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order containing the first goods in the set of pending orders to the first workstation.

[0039] The first handling device moves to the cargo storage location in response to the first handling command and handles the first cargo to the first workstation;

[0040] The first workstation places the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picks the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order.

[0041] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0042] The control server detects the number of orders in the first pending order in the first workstation. If the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, it determines the second workstation and the second handling equipment, sends the second pending order that matches the first goods in the pending order set to the second workstation, and sends a second handling instruction to the second handling equipment. The distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0043] In response to the second handling instruction, the second handling device retrieves the quantity of first goods corresponding to the second pending order from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and places them in the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation.

[0044] The second workstation picks the first goods from the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation according to the second pending order.

[0045] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0046] The control server determines the third workstation for picking the first goods and the fifth handling equipment for transporting the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, and sends a fifth handling instruction to the fifth handling equipment to send the fourth pending order in the set of pending orders that contains the first goods to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0047] The fifth handling device responds to the fifth handling instruction and moves to the cargo storage location to handle the first cargo to the third workstation;

[0048] The third workstation places the first goods on its goods buffer area and picks the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the fourth pending order.

[0049] Optionally, the system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, wherein the inventory area includes multiple inventory vehicles, each inventory vehicle includes at least one storage location, each storage location can accommodate at least one container, the container being filled with goods;

[0050] The method further includes:

[0051] The control server obtains the quantity of the first item in the set of orders to be processed. If the quantity of the item is less than or equal to the inventory threshold, the server determines the inventory location of the item as the inventory area. If the quantity of the item is greater than the inventory threshold, the server determines the inventory location of the item as both the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determines the inventory location of the item as the external inventory area.

[0052] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0053] When the quantity of goods exceeds the inventory threshold, the control server determines a first handling sub-equipment to move the first goods from the inventory area and a second handling sub-equipment to move the first goods from the external inventory area.

[0054] Optionally, the cargo buffer area is provided with multiple cache storage slots, each cache storage slot can accommodate at least one cache container, and the cache container contains cargo;

[0055] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0056] When the control server detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines the inventory location of the second goods based on the quantity of the second goods in the pending order set, determines the third handling equipment for handling the second goods, sends a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, and sends the third pending order in the pending order set that contains the second goods to the first workstation.

[0057] The third handling device responds to the third handling command by moving to the cargo storage location of the second cargo and handling the second cargo to the first workstation;

[0058] The first workstation places the second goods into an empty buffer container in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and picks the second goods according to the third pending order.

[0059] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0060] When the control server detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines the first goods to be replenished based on the quantity of the first goods in the newly added pending order set, determines the sixth handling device to handle the first goods to be replenished, and sends a sixth handling instruction to the sixth handling device to send the fifth pending order in the newly added pending order set that matches the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation.

[0061] The sixth handling device responds to the sixth handling command and moves to the cargo inventory location to handle the first cargo to be replenished to the first workstation;

[0062] The first workstation places the first item to be replenished on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and picks the first item to be replenished from the goods buffer area according to the fifth pending order.

[0063] Optionally, the workstation is configured with an operation object and an order picking area. The order picking area is configured with multiple order storage slots, each of which can accommodate at least one order container.

[0064] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0065] The operation object retrieves the first goods from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the first pending order, and places the first goods in the order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0066] Optionally, the workstation is also equipped with an operating table and container loading and unloading equipment, wherein the container loading and unloading equipment is located between the operating table and the order picking area;

[0067] The container loading and unloading equipment takes the order container corresponding to the first order to be processed from the order picking area and places the order container on the operating table, or takes the order container from the operating table and places it in the order picking area;

[0068] The object being operated places the first goods into the order container on the operating table.

[0069] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0070] The control server identifies the fourth handling device and sends a fourth handling instruction to the fourth handling device;

[0071] The fourth handling device responds to the fourth handling instruction by moving the order container that has completed the order picking task to the designated location.

[0072] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0073] The control service determines the location information of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to preset conditions;

[0074] The first workstation places the first goods into the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the location information.

[0075] The warehouse scheduling system provided in this embodiment includes a control server, handling equipment, and workstations. Each workstation has a goods buffer area. The control server is configured to determine the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the pending order set, determine a first handling equipment for handling the first goods and a first workstation for picking the first goods, and send a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order containing the first goods from the pending order set to the first workstation. The first handling equipment is configured to move to the inventory location in response to the first handling instruction and handle the first goods to the first workstation. The first workstation is configured to place the first goods on its goods buffer area and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order. This system centrally transports goods from orders to workstations and stores them in the workstation's goods buffer area, saving on the number of times the containers storing the goods are handled and improving the picking efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0076] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system structure of the warehouse management system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the container loading and unloading equipment provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the warehouse management method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0079] Figure Labels

[0080] 110-Control Server, 111-Processor, 112-Memory, 113-Order Pool, 114-Operating Table, 120-Handling Equipment, 130-Workstation, 1301-Goods Buffer Area, 1302-Operated Object, 1303-Order Picking Area, 140-Container Loading and Unloading Equipment, 7-Frame, 71-X-Axis Rail, 72-Y-Axis Rail, 2-Container Picking and Delivery Components. Detailed Implementation

[0081] Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of this application; therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0082] The terminology used in one or more embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of one or more embodiments of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in one or more embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” used in one or more embodiments of this application refers to any or all possible combinations including one or more of the associated listed items.

[0083] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., may be used to describe various information in one or more embodiments of this application, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first may also be referred to as second without departing from the scope of one or more embodiments of this application, and similarly, second may also be referred to as first. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0084] This application provides a warehouse management system and method, which will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0085] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the system structure of a warehouse management system provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. The system includes a control server 110, a handling equipment 120, and a workstation 130. Each workstation 130 is provided with a cargo buffer area 1301.

[0086] The control server 110 is wirelessly connected to the container handling device 120. The operator operates the control server 110 through the control console 114. The control server 110 is a software system running on a server with data storage and information processing capabilities. It can be wirelessly connected to the container handling device 120, etc. The control server 110 may include one or more servers, and can be a centralized control architecture or a distributed computing architecture. The control server 110 has a processor 111 and a memory 112. The memory 112 may contain an order pool 113, which stores order information.

[0087] The handling equipment 120 is used to move goods to the workstation. In practical applications, the handling equipment varies depending on the content being handled. If it is handling containers containing goods, the handling equipment 120 can be a container handling equipment (such as a container handling robot); if it is handling mobile shelves containing containers, the handling equipment 120 can be a shelf handling equipment (such as a shelf handling robot); if it is handling stacked goods, the handling equipment 120 can be a forklift, etc.; if it is handling cage carts containing goods, the handling equipment 120 can be a towing device or a lifting device, etc.

[0088] Workstation 130 is the area used to perform order picking tasks. Workstation 130 typically includes a goods buffer area 1301, an operation object 1302, and an order picking area 1303. The goods buffer area 1301 has multiple buffer storage slots, each capable of holding at least one buffer container, and each buffer container contains ordered goods. The order picking area 1303 has multiple order storage slots, each capable of holding at least one order container. The operation object 1302 is used to pick goods into the order containers. In practical applications, the goods buffer area 1301 can be a buffer shelf, the order picking area 1303 can be a picker wall, and the operation object 1302 can be a worker, a robotic arm, or other automated equipment for goods picking.

[0089] In one specific embodiment provided in this application, the control server is configured to determine the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, determine the first handling equipment for handling the first goods and the first workstation for picking the first goods, and send a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order in the set of pending orders containing the first goods to the first workstation.

[0090] The first handling device is configured to move to the goods storage location in response to the first handling instruction and handle the first goods to the first workstation;

[0091] The first workstation is configured to place the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order.

[0092] The set of orders to be processed can be all orders already received by the control server, or it can be a subset of orders selected from all orders according to preset processing rules. For example, orders can be sorted by their shipping dates, and orders within the next 12 hours from the current moment can be included in the set of orders to be processed. In this application, the specific number of orders in the set of orders to be processed is not limited.

[0093] The first item specifically refers to a particular item among multiple pending order sets in the pending order set. The inventory location of the first item is determined based on the quantity of the first item among the pending order sets.

[0094] Specifically, the warehouse management system also includes an inventory area and an external inventory area. The inventory area includes multiple inventory vehicles, each of which includes at least one storage location. Each storage location can hold at least one container, and each container contains goods. The external inventory area refers to the area located outside the current inventory area. For example, if the current inventory warehouse has limited capacity, but the quantity of goods in the pending orders is large and exceeds the storage capacity of the current inventory area, then goods need to be transferred from the external inventory area to complete the order picking.

[0095] Correspondingly, the control server 110 is configured to obtain the quantity of the first item in the set of orders to be processed. If the quantity is less than or equal to the inventory threshold, the inventory location can be determined as an inventory area; if the quantity is greater than the inventory threshold, the inventory location can be determined as either an inventory area or an external inventory area, or the inventory location can be directly determined as an external inventory area. The inventory threshold can specifically be the inventory quantity in the inventory area. It should be noted that when the inventory location is either an inventory area or an external inventory area, a portion of the inventory can be moved from the inventory area, and at least the remaining quantity can be moved from the external inventory area.

[0096] In one embodiment provided in this application, the control server determines that the quantity of the first goods is 100 pieces based on the set of orders to be processed, and the current inventory quantity in the inventory area is 200 pieces. Then the inventory threshold is 200 pieces. At this time, the quantity of the first goods in the inventory area can meet the quantity of the first goods in the set of orders to be processed, so the inventory location of the first goods can be determined as the inventory area.

[0097] In another specific embodiment provided in this application, the control server determines that the quantity of the first goods is 100 units based on the set of orders to be processed, and the current inventory quantity in the inventory area is 50 units. Then the inventory threshold is 50 units. At this time, the quantity of the first goods in the inventory area cannot meet the quantity of the first goods in the set of orders to be processed. Therefore, the inventory location of the first goods can be determined to be either the inventory area or the external inventory area. That is, 50 units can be taken out from the inventory area and then 50 units can be taken out from the external inventory area. Alternatively, the inventory location of the first goods can be determined to be the external inventory area, and 100 units can be transferred from the external inventory area.

[0098] After determining the inventory location of the first item, the control server determines the first handling equipment for moving the first item and the first workstation for picking the first item, sends the first handling instruction to the first handling equipment, and sends the first pending order from the pending order set to the first workstation. Specifically, the first pending order refers to the order in the pending order set that matches the first item.

[0099] Since the storage location of the first item can be a storage area, an external storage area, or a combination of both, the corresponding first handling equipment is also related to the storage location. For example, when the storage location is a storage area, if the item is a storage container within the storage area, then the first handling equipment is a container handling equipment; if the item is a movable shelf within the storage area, then the first handling equipment is a shelf handling equipment; if the item is an external storage area, then the first handling equipment can be a forklift, towing equipment, lifting equipment, etc.

[0100] If the control server determines the inventory location of the goods as an inventory area and an external inventory area based on the quantity of the first goods, it will correspondingly determine a first handling sub-equipment and a second handling sub-equipment. The first handling sub-equipment is used to move the first goods from the inventory area, and the second handling sub-equipment is used to move the first goods from the external inventory area.

[0101] Correspondingly, the first transport instruction will also vary depending on the situation of the first transport device. If it is determined to be a first transport sub-device and a second transport sub-device, then the first transport instruction can also be a first transport sub-instruction and a second transport sub-instruction, wherein the first transport sub-instruction is sent to the first transport sub-device and the second transport sub-instruction is sent to the second transport sub-device.

[0102] When the first handling equipment receives the first handling instruction, it moves to the goods storage location in response to the first handling instruction, handles the first goods, and moves the first goods to the first workstation.

[0103] A goods buffer area is set up in the first workstation. The first goods are put on the goods buffer area. When the first pending order is sent to the first workstation, the first goods can be picked from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order.

[0104] Furthermore, the operation object in the first workstation retrieves the first goods from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the first pending order, and places the first goods in the order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0105] When the object of operation is a staff member, the first workstation can also be equipped with auxiliary display devices such as a display screen, tablet computer, and electronic tag to assist the staff member in completing the picking of goods.

[0106] In another specific embodiment provided in this application, an operating table and container loading and unloading equipment are also provided in the workstation. The container loading and unloading equipment is located between the operating table and the order picking area. It takes the order container corresponding to the first order to be processed from the order picking area and places the order container on the operating table, or takes the order container from the operating table and places it in the order picking area.

[0107] The operating platform is located between the container loading and unloading equipment and the cargo buffer area. After the container loading and unloading equipment selects an order container from the order picking area and places it on the operating platform, the operator takes the first item from the cargo buffer area and places it in the order container on the operating platform to complete the order picking.

[0108] When the first handling equipment moves the first item to the workstation, the first item can be placed in the goods buffer area manually or automatically. For example, a robotic arm can remove the first item from the first handling equipment and place it in a container in the goods buffer area, or the item on the first handling equipment can be poured into a container in the goods buffer area. Preferably, container loading and unloading equipment can also be set up next to the goods buffer area. When the first handling equipment moves inventory containers or inventory shelves to the workstation, the container loading and unloading equipment can remove the inventory containers from the first handling equipment and place them in the goods buffer area.

[0109] See Figure 2 , Figure 2A schematic diagram of a container loading and unloading device according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The container loading and unloading device 140 includes a frame 7 and a container loading and unloading assembly 2. The frame 7 includes a mutually perpendicular X-axis track 71 and a Y-axis track 72, which are arranged in a vertical plane. Specifically, the Y-axis track is configured to move along the X-axis track, and the container loading and unloading assembly 2 is configured to move along the Y-axis track. The container loading and unloading assembly 2 can also remove containers from a carrier along the Z-axis direction and load them onto the carrier assembly, or unload containers from the carrier assembly and place them on a movable carrier.

[0110] In one embodiment, the frame 7 includes a gantry assembly, and the X-axis track 71 includes a ground track structure and a top track structure disposed on the gantry assembly. The X-axis track 71 extends horizontally, and the Y-axis track 72 extends vertically. The Y-axis track 72 can be a column structure, and its two ends are respectively guided and engaged with the ground track structure and the top track structure, and the Y-axis track 72 moves horizontally along the ground track structure and the top track structure.

[0111] Specifically, each of the two X-axis tracks 71 is equipped with an X-axis movable plate, which can move horizontally along the X-axis track 71. The two ends of the Y-axis track 72 are fixedly connected to the two X-axis movable plates. The Y-axis track 72 is equipped with a Y-axis movable plate, which can move vertically along the Y-axis track 72. The container assembly is fixedly connected to the Y-axis movable plate. Guide components can be further installed on the X-axis and Y-axis movable plates, and slide along the corresponding X-axis track 71 and Y-axis track 72 via these guide components.

[0112] The frame 7 is also equipped with a drive system, which includes an X-axis drive unit and a Y-axis drive unit. The X-axis drive unit drives the Y-axis track 72 to move along the X-axis track 71, and the Y-axis drive unit drives the container pick-and-place assembly to move along the Y-axis track 72, thereby moving the container pick-and-place assembly to a corresponding position, such as corresponding to a target position on the shelf. The drive system may include a drive motor, transmission gears, transmission chains, lead screw assemblies, etc., and those skilled in the art can configure it based on existing technology to achieve the above-mentioned functions of the drive system.

[0113] In one embodiment of this disclosure, at least two Y-axis tracks 72 may be provided, and the at least two Y-axis tracks 72 can move relatively independently between the upper and lower X-axis tracks 71. At least one pick-and-place container assembly is provided on each Y-axis track, and each pick-and-place container assembly on the Y-axis track can move independently, thereby improving the working efficiency of the loading and unloading device.

[0114] In this embodiment, the loading and unloading device is used to transfer containers on the shelf. The container picking and delivering assembly can move along the X-axis track 71 and the Y-axis track 72 on the frame 7 to the target position on the shelf.

[0115] In practical applications, the container pick-and-place assembly picks and places containers by at least one of the following methods: sucking, pushing, clamping, grabbing, hooking, holding, and lifting.

[0116] In another specific embodiment provided in this application, the control server is further configured to determine a fourth handling device and send a fourth handling instruction to the fourth handling device;

[0117] The fourth handling device is configured to, in response to the fourth handling instruction, move the order container that has completed the order picking task to a designated location.

[0118] In this embodiment, the fourth handling device specifically refers to the handling device that needs to move the order container that has completed the order picking task from the first workstation. The control server determines the fourth handling device and sends a fourth handling instruction to the fourth handling device. According to the fourth handling instruction, the fourth handling device moves the order container that has completed the order picking task to the packaging platform, the order consolidation platform or other designated locations.

[0119] In practical applications, the cargo buffer area can be set up in container loading and unloading equipment or located at a workstation. The cargo buffer area at the workstation can be a buffer shelf. Correspondingly, the buffer shelf can have one or more buffer containers along its depth, and can also have multiple layers along its height, with buffer containers placed on each layer. Based on this, the control server is further configured to determine the location information of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to preset conditions.

[0120] The first workstation is further configured to place the first goods onto the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the location information.

[0121] That is, the control server determines the location information of the first goods after they are transported to the first workstation and should be placed in the goods buffer area according to the pre-set conditions. Then, the first goods are put on the shelves in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the location information. In practical applications, the pre-set conditions include at least one of the following: the popularity of the first goods, the correlation between the first goods and other goods in the goods buffer area, and the order of pending orders of the first workstation.

[0122] It is important to note that in this application, the "popularity" of the first item refers to its shipment volume or frequency. Higher popularity indicates a larger shipment volume or frequency. The correlation between items refers to the frequency with which items are selected together in an order task. For example, nail polish and nail polish remover often appear in the same order, indicating a high correlation. Placing these two highly correlated items in adjacent containers can effectively improve picking efficiency. The order of pending orders specifically refers to the order in which orders are sent to the first workstation. If the order that matches the first item is relatively early, the first item should be placed in a convenient picking position. If the order that matches the first item is relatively late, the first item can be placed at the edge of the item buffer area.

[0123] In another specific embodiment provided in this application, since the number of orders that each workstation can handle is limited, if all pending orders that hit the first goods are sent to the first workstation, the load processing capacity of the first workstation must also be considered.

[0124] Based on this, the control server is also configured to detect the number of orders of the first pending order in the first workstation, and if the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, determine the second workstation and the second handling equipment, and send the second pending order that matches the first goods in the pending order set to the second workstation, and send a second handling instruction to the second handling equipment, wherein the distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0125] The second handling device is configured to, in response to the second handling instruction, retrieve the quantity of first goods corresponding to the second pending order from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and place them in the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation.

[0126] The second workstation is configured to pick the first goods from the goods buffer of the second workstation according to the second pending order.

[0127] When allocating pending orders, the control server monitors the number of pending orders in the first workstation in real time. If the number of orders in the first workstation exceeds a preset threshold, it means that the pending orders in the first workstation are saturated. In this case, the control server also needs to determine the second workstation and the second handling equipment, and send the second pending order that matches the first goods in the pending order set to the second workstation. Specifically, the second pending order refers to the order that matches the first goods in the pending order set but cannot be sent to the first workstation.

[0128] The control server determines that the distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; for example, the second workstation is adjacent to the first workstation. This facilitates the second workstation retrieving the first goods already placed in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation. The second handling device, responding to a second handling command, moves to the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, retrieves the quantity of the first goods corresponding to the second pending order, moves to the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation, and places the first goods there, facilitating the second workstation's retrieval of the first goods from its goods buffer area according to the second pending order.

[0129] The above embodiments apply to scenarios where the first item has already been moved to the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation. In this scenario, the first workstation is unable to process more orders due to order overload, thus requiring the determination of a second workstation to assist in order picking. To further improve the picking efficiency, pending orders that match the first item can be split directly when allocating pending orders. For example, if the number of pending orders matching the first item is large, significantly exceeding the load of a single workstation, the control server can directly determine multiple workstations to perform goods picking based on the quantity of the first item.

[0130] Based on this, the control server is further configured to determine the third workstation for picking the first goods and the fifth handling equipment for transporting the first goods according to the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, and send a fifth handling instruction to the fifth handling equipment to send the fourth pending order in the set of pending orders that contains the first goods to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0131] The fifth handling device is configured to move to the goods storage location in response to the fifth handling instruction and handle the first goods to the third workstation;

[0132] The third workstation is configured to place the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the third workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the fourth pending order.

[0133] In this scenario, when allocating pending orders, the control server, based on the quantity of the first item, not only confirms the first workstation but also identifies a third workstation and a fifth handling device for transporting the first item. Simultaneously, it sends the fourth pending order that matches the first item to the third workstation. In other words, the control server determines the workstations for picking the first item as the first and third workstations based on the quantity of the first item. It also determines that the first handling device will move the first item to the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, the fifth handling device will move the first item to the goods buffer area of ​​the third workstation, and the first pending order matching the first item from the pending order set will be sent to the first workstation, while the fourth pending order matching the first item will be sent to the third workstation. This allows the first item to be picked simultaneously at both the first and third workstations. It should be noted that in practical applications, the number of third workstations can be determined based on the actual situation; for example, it can be determined that there are one or more third workstations.

[0134] The fifth handling device responds to the fifth handling command by moving the first goods from the goods storage location of the first goods to the third workstation and placing the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the third workstation. The goods storage location of the first goods is determined in the same way as in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0135] In the third workstation, the first item is retrieved from the goods buffer area of ​​the third workstation according to the fourth pending order and placed in the corresponding container, thus completing the picking of the first item.

[0136] The above embodiments describe different scenarios in the goods buffer area of ​​the workstation where the first goods are put on the shelf. During the picking process of the first goods, the control server will also monitor the inventory of goods in each workstation in real time and make corresponding adjustments based on the inventory.

[0137] Based on this, the control server is further configured to, when it detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, determine the goods inventory location of the second goods according to the quantity of the second goods in the pending order set, determine the third handling equipment for handling the second goods, send a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, and send the third pending order in the pending order set that hits the second goods to the first workstation.

[0138] The third handling device is configured to move to the cargo storage location of the second cargo in response to the third handling instruction, and to handle the second cargo to the first workstation;

[0139] The first workstation is also configured to place the second goods onto an idle buffer container in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and to pick the second goods according to the third pending order.

[0140] In this scenario, the first item is picked at the first workstation. As time progresses, when the control server detects that the quantity of the first item in the first workstation's buffer is less than the buffer threshold, and the number of orders matching the first item in the pending order set is also less than the threshold, the inventory location of the second item can be determined based on the quantity of the second item in the pending order set. That is, when the first item is almost completely picked, and there are no subsequent pending orders matching the first item, or the number of subsequent pending orders matching the first item is very small, the second item with a higher hit rate can be identified and placed at the first workstation for picking.

[0141] Therefore, after determining the inventory location of the second item, the control server also needs to determine the third handling equipment to move the second item and send a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, sending the third pending order matching the second item from the pending order set to the first workstation. It should be noted that the type of the third handling equipment is related to the inventory location of the second item and the carrier on which the item is loaded. For specific selection of the third handling equipment, please refer to the above description of the first handling equipment, which will not be repeated here.

[0142] The third handling equipment moves to the inventory location of the second goods according to the third handling instruction, and the second goods are transported to the first workstation. The second goods are then placed on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and the first workstation can pick the second goods according to the third pending order.

[0143] The above describes the situation where the quantity of the first item in the first workstation is less than the cache threshold, and the number of orders in the pending order set that match the first item is also less than the threshold. However, in actual applications, unprocessed orders are constantly increasing. That is, as time goes by, new pending order sets will be generated. The new pending order set refers to the pending orders that arrive after the pending order set. If the new pending order set also matches the first item, then a replenishment operation needs to be performed on the first item.

[0144] Based on this, the control server is further configured to, when it detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, determine the first goods to be replenished based on the quantity of the first goods in the newly added pending order set, determine the sixth handling device to handle the first goods to be replenished, and send a sixth handling instruction to the sixth handling device to send the fifth pending order in the newly added pending order set that matches the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation.

[0145] The sixth handling device is configured to move to the goods inventory location in response to the sixth handling instruction and handle the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation;

[0146] The first workstation is further configured to place the first goods to be replenished onto the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and to pick the first goods to be replenished from the goods buffer area according to the fifth pending order.

[0147] In this scenario, although the control server detects that the quantity of the first item in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines that a large number of orders will follow the first item based on the number of new pending orders that match it. Since the quantity of the first item in the goods buffer of the first workstation is already insufficient, it is determined that the first item needs to be replenished. This replenished first item needs to be moved from the goods inventory location to the first workstation. Therefore, a sixth handling device is selected to handle the replenished first item, and a sixth handling instruction is issued. Simultaneously, the fifth pending order from the new pending order set that matches the replenished first item also needs to be sent to the first workstation.

[0148] The sixth handling device, in response to the sixth handling instruction, moves the first item to be replenished from its inventory location to the first workstation and places it on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation. The inventory location of the first item is determined in the same way as in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here. Picking of the first item continues at the first workstation.

[0149] The warehouse management system provided in this application sets up a goods buffer area at the workstation to store the goods that have been matched with pending orders, avoiding frequent handling of goods between the goods storage location and the workstation, and improving picking efficiency.

[0150] Secondly, determining the inventory location of goods based on the quantity of goods in the pending order set facilitates moving as many goods as possible to the workstation, concentrating the goods in one workstation, and sending the orders for the goods to that workstation for centralized processing of pending orders for the goods, which also effectively improves order picking efficiency.

[0151] Here, if a workstation is overwhelmed with pending orders, other workstations can be found around the workstation to assist in picking the goods. The source of the goods can be either the goods buffer area of ​​the previous workstation or the goods inventory location. When the previous workstation cannot handle the orders, multiple workstations can be selected to work together in parallel, further improving the order picking efficiency.

[0152] Finally, it is possible to determine whether goods need to be replenished based on the newly added pending order set. If the goods are also included in the newly added pending order set, then a replenishment operation needs to be performed. If new goods are included in the newly added pending order set, then the new goods can be put on the workstation's goods buffer area to improve the picking efficiency of pending orders.

[0153] See Figure 3 , Figure 3 A flowchart of a warehouse management method according to an embodiment of this application is shown. The method is applied to the warehouse management system provided in the above embodiment. The system includes a control server, handling equipment, and workstations. The workstations are equipped with a goods buffer area. The method includes:

[0154] Step 302: The control server determines the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the pending order set, determines the first handling equipment for handling the first goods and the first workstation for picking the first goods, and sends a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order containing the first goods in the pending order set to the first workstation.

[0155] Step 304: The first handling equipment responds to the first handling instruction and moves to the goods storage location to handle the first goods to the first workstation.

[0156] Step 306: The first workstation puts the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picks the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order.

[0157] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0158] The control server detects the number of orders in the first pending order in the first workstation. If the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, it determines the second workstation and the second handling equipment, sends the second pending order that matches the first goods in the pending order set to the second workstation, and sends a second handling instruction to the second handling equipment. The distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0159] In response to the second handling instruction, the second handling device retrieves the quantity of first goods corresponding to the second pending order from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and places them in the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation.

[0160] The second workstation picks the first goods from the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation according to the second pending order.

[0161] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0162] The control server determines the third workstation for picking the first goods and the fifth handling equipment for transporting the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, and sends a fifth handling instruction to the fifth handling equipment to send the fourth pending order in the set of pending orders that contains the first goods to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold.

[0163] The fifth handling device responds to the fifth handling instruction and moves to the cargo storage location to handle the first cargo to the third workstation;

[0164] The third workstation places the first goods on its goods buffer area and picks the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the fourth pending order.

[0165] Optionally, the system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, wherein the inventory area includes multiple inventory vehicles, each inventory vehicle includes at least one storage location, each storage location can accommodate at least one container, the container being filled with goods;

[0166] The method further includes:

[0167] The control server obtains the quantity of the first item in the set of orders to be processed. If the quantity of the item is less than or equal to the inventory threshold, the server determines the inventory location of the item as the inventory area. If the quantity of the item is greater than the inventory threshold, the server determines the inventory location of the item as both the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determines the inventory location of the item as the external inventory area.

[0168] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0169] When the quantity of goods exceeds the inventory threshold, the control server determines a first handling sub-equipment to move the first goods from the inventory area and a second handling sub-equipment to move the first goods from the external inventory area.

[0170] Optionally, the cargo buffer area is provided with multiple cache storage slots, each cache storage slot can accommodate at least one cache container, and the cache container contains cargo;

[0171] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0172] When the control server detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines the inventory location of the second goods based on the quantity of the second goods in the pending order set, determines the third handling equipment for handling the second goods, sends a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, and sends the third pending order in the pending order set that contains the second goods to the first workstation.

[0173] The third handling device responds to the third handling command by moving to the cargo storage location of the second cargo and handling the second cargo to the first workstation;

[0174] The first workstation places the second goods into an empty buffer container in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and picks the second goods according to the third pending order.

[0175] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0176] When the control server detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines the first goods to be replenished based on the quantity of the first goods in the newly added pending order set, determines the sixth handling device to handle the first goods to be replenished, and sends a sixth handling instruction to the sixth handling device to send the fifth pending order in the newly added pending order set that matches the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation.

[0177] The sixth handling device responds to the sixth handling command and moves to the cargo inventory location to handle the first cargo to be replenished to the first workstation;

[0178] The first workstation places the first item to be replenished on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and picks the first item to be replenished from the goods buffer area according to the fifth pending order.

[0179] Optionally, the workstation is configured with an operation object and an order picking area. The order picking area is configured with multiple order storage slots, each of which can accommodate at least one order container.

[0180] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0181] The operation object retrieves the first goods from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the first pending order, and places the first goods in the order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0182] Optionally, the workstation is also equipped with an operating table and a container loading and unloading device 140, which is located between the operating table and the order picking area;

[0183] The container loading and unloading equipment takes the order container corresponding to the first order to be processed from the order picking area and places the order container on the operating table, or takes the order container from the operating table and places it in the order picking area;

[0184] The object being operated places the first goods into the order container on the operating table.

[0185] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0186] The control server identifies the fourth handling device and sends a fourth handling instruction to the fourth handling device;

[0187] The fourth handling device responds to the fourth handling instruction by moving the order container that has completed the order picking task to the designated location.

[0188] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0189] The control service determines the location information of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to preset conditions;

[0190] The first workstation places the first goods into the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the location information.

[0191] The warehousing management method provided in this application sets up a goods buffer area at the workstation to store the goods that have been matched with pending orders, thereby avoiding frequent handling of goods between the goods storage location and the workstation and improving picking efficiency.

[0192] Secondly, determining the inventory location of goods based on the quantity of goods in the pending order set facilitates moving as many goods as possible to the workstation, concentrating the goods in one workstation, and sending the orders for the goods to that workstation for centralized processing of pending orders for the goods, which also effectively improves order picking efficiency.

[0193] Here, if a workstation is overwhelmed with pending orders, other workstations can be found around the workstation to assist in picking the goods. The source of the goods can be either the goods buffer area of ​​the previous workstation or the goods inventory location. When the previous workstation cannot handle the orders, multiple workstations can be selected to work together in parallel, further improving the order picking efficiency.

[0194] Finally, it is possible to determine whether goods need to be replenished based on the newly added pending order set. If the goods are also included in the newly added pending order set, then a replenishment operation needs to be performed. If new goods are included in the newly added pending order set, then the new goods can be put on the workstation's goods buffer area to improve the picking efficiency of pending orders.

[0195] The foregoing has described specific embodiments of this application. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recited in the claims may be performed in a different order than that shown in the embodiments and may still achieve the desired results. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous.

[0196] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the foregoing method embodiments are all described as a series of actions. However, those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the described order of actions, as some steps may be performed in other orders or simultaneously according to this application. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily essential to this application.

[0197] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0198] The preferred embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative of this application. The optional embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this application. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this application to better explain the principles and practical applications of this application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize this application. This application is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A warehouse management system, characterized in that, The system includes a control server, handling equipment, and workstations. Each workstation is equipped with a cargo buffer area, which has multiple cache storage slots. Each cache storage slot can hold at least one cache container, and the cache container contains cargo. The control server is configured to determine the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, determine the first handling equipment for handling the first goods and the first workstation for picking the first goods, and send a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order in the set of pending orders containing the first goods to the first workstation. The first handling device is configured to move to the goods storage location in response to the first handling instruction and handle the first goods to the first workstation; The first workstation is configured to put the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order; The control server is further configured to, when it detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, determine the goods inventory location of the second goods based on the quantity of the second goods in the pending order set, determine the third handling equipment for handling the second goods, send a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, and send the third pending order in the pending order set that contains the second goods to the first workstation. The third handling device is configured to move to the cargo storage location of the second cargo in response to the third handling instruction, and to handle the second cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation is also configured to place the second goods onto an empty buffer container in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and to pick the second goods according to the third pending order; or, The control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, determine the first goods to be replenished based on the quantity of the first goods in the newly added pending order set, determine the sixth handling device to handle the first goods to be replenished, and send a sixth handling instruction to the sixth handling device to send the fifth pending order in the newly added pending order set that matches the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation. The sixth handling device is configured to move to the goods inventory location in response to the sixth handling instruction and handle the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation; The first workstation is further configured to place the first goods to be replenished onto the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and to pick the first goods to be replenished from the goods buffer area according to the fifth pending order.

2. The warehouse management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control server is further configured to detect the number of orders of the first pending order in the first workstation, and if the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, determine the second workstation and the second handling equipment, and send the second pending order that matches the first goods in the pending order set to the second workstation, and send a second handling instruction to the second handling equipment, wherein the distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold. The second handling device is configured to, in response to the second handling instruction, retrieve the quantity of first goods corresponding to the second pending order from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and place them in the goods buffer area of ​​the second workstation. The second workstation is configured to pick the first goods from the goods buffer of the second workstation according to the second pending order.

3. The warehouse management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control server is further configured to determine a third workstation for picking the first goods and a fifth handling device for transporting the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, and to send a fifth handling instruction to the fifth handling device to send the fourth pending order in the set of pending orders that contains the first goods to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold. The fifth handling device is configured to move to the goods storage location in response to the fifth handling instruction and handle the first goods to the third workstation; The third workstation is configured to place the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the third workstation and pick the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the fourth pending order.

4. The warehouse management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes an inventory area and an external inventory area. The inventory area includes multiple inventory vehicles, each of which includes at least one storage location. Each storage location can accommodate at least one container, which contains goods. The control server is further configured to obtain the quantity of the first item in the set of orders to be processed, and determine the inventory location of the item as the inventory area if the quantity of the item is less than or equal to the inventory threshold. If the quantity of goods exceeds the inventory threshold, the inventory location of the goods is determined to be either the inventory area or the external inventory area, or the inventory location of the goods is determined to be the external inventory area.

5. The warehouse management system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The control server is further configured to, when the quantity of goods exceeds an inventory threshold, determine a first handling sub-device for moving the first goods from the inventory area and a second handling sub-device for moving the first goods from the external inventory area.

6. The warehouse management system as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first handling sub-equipment includes container handling equipment or vehicle handling equipment, and the second handling sub-equipment includes any one of forklift, traction equipment, and lifting equipment.

7. The warehouse management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The workstation is equipped with an operation object and an order picking area. The order picking area is equipped with multiple order storage slots, and each order storage slot can accommodate at least one order container. The operation object is configured to retrieve a first item from the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to a first pending order, and place the first item in the order container corresponding to the first pending order.

8. The warehouse management system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The workstation is also equipped with an operating table and container loading and unloading equipment; The container loading and unloading equipment is located between the operating table and the order picking area, and is configured to take out the order container corresponding to the first order to be processed from the order picking area and place the order container on the operating table, or take out the order container from the operating table and place it in the order picking area; The operation object is further configured to place the first goods in the order container of the operation table.

9. The warehouse management system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The control server is also configured to identify a fourth handling device and send a fourth handling instruction to the fourth handling device; The fourth handling device is configured to, in response to the fourth handling instruction, move the order container that has completed the order picking task to a designated location.

10. The warehouse management system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The objects of operation include workers, robotic arms, or automated equipment used for picking goods.

11. The warehouse management system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control server is also configured to determine the location information of the first goods in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to preset conditions; The first workstation is further configured to place the first goods onto the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to the location information.

12. The warehouse management system as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The preset conditions include at least one of the following: the popularity of the first goods, the correlation between the first goods and other goods in the goods buffer area, and the order of pending orders at the first workstation.

13. A warehouse management method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a warehouse management system, which includes a control server, handling equipment, and workstations. Each workstation is equipped with a goods buffer area, which has multiple buffer storage slots. Each buffer storage slot can accommodate at least one buffer container, and the buffer container contains goods. The method includes: The control server determines the inventory location of the first goods based on the quantity of the first goods in the set of pending orders, determines the first handling equipment for handling the first goods and the first workstation for picking the first goods, and sends a first handling instruction to the first handling equipment to send the first pending order containing the first goods in the set of pending orders to the first workstation. The first handling device moves to the cargo storage location in response to the first handling command and handles the first cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation places the first goods on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picks the first goods from the goods buffer area according to the first pending order; If the control server detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines the inventory location of the second goods based on the quantity of the second goods in the pending order set, determines the third handling equipment for handling the second goods, sends a third handling instruction to the third handling equipment, and sends the third pending order in the pending order set that contains the second goods to the first workstation. The third handling device responds to the third handling command by moving to the cargo storage location of the second cargo and handling the second cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation places the second goods into an empty buffer container in the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and picks the second goods according to the third pending order; or, If the control server detects that the quantity of the first goods in the goods buffer of the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, it determines the first goods to be replenished based on the quantity of the first goods in the newly added pending order set, determines the sixth handling equipment to handle the first goods to be replenished, and sends a sixth handling instruction to the sixth handling equipment to send the fifth pending order in the newly added pending order set that matches the first goods to be replenished to the first workstation. The sixth handling device responds to the sixth handling command and moves to the cargo inventory location to handle the first cargo to be replenished to the first workstation; The first workstation places the first item to be replenished on the goods buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and picks the first item to be replenished from the goods buffer area according to the fifth pending order.

Images