A stacking device

Abstract

This application discloses a stacking device. The stacking device includes a picking platform for picking up target materials; an information acquisition component, disposed on the picking platform, for collecting actual material information of the target materials on the picking platform; and a sending module for sending the actual material information to a server, enabling the server to perform inventory checks based on the actual material information. When using this stacking device, after the picking platform picks up the target materials, the information acquisition component collects the actual material information of the target materials, and the sending module sends the collected actual material information to the server. The server then identifies the materials based on the actual material information, determines the type, quantity, and status of the target materials, compares it with the inventory data in the warehouse management system, and updates the inventory information of the material in the warehouse management system, completing the inventory check. This not only improves the accuracy of material inventory checks but also increases inventory efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of stacking device technology, and more particularly to a stacking device. Background Technology

[0002] In a warehouse-like environment with dense storage, the material warehouse needs to conduct a monthly inventory of the materials in the warehouse, verifying the system-registered quantities against the physical items to ensure the accuracy of the materials.

[0003] Currently, inventory checks are usually conducted manually after goods are picked up, and the results are compared with the inventory system. However, this method is highly subjective, and during business operations, materials are often misplaced due to improper operation by personnel. This leads to delays in material delivery, reduced production efficiency, and even production line stoppages. Furthermore, it is difficult to ensure high-frequency inventory checks.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the accuracy and efficiency of material inventory is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a stacking device to improve the accuracy and efficiency of material inventory counting.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A stacking device, comprising:

[0008] The pickup platform is used to retrieve the target materials;

[0009] An information collection component, installed on the picking platform, is used to collect the actual material information of the target material on the picking platform;

[0010] The sending module is used to send the actual material information to the server so that the server can perform an inventory check based on the actual material information.

[0011] Optionally, in the above-mentioned stacking device, the actual material information includes images, QR codes, or serial numbers.

[0012] Optionally, in the above-mentioned stacking device, the actual material information is an image, and the information acquisition component includes:

[0013] The first image acquisition element is disposed on the top of the picking platform and is used to acquire image data of the top plane of the target material;

[0014] The second image acquisition element is disposed on the first side of the picking platform and is used to acquire image data of the first side of the target material.

[0015] The third image acquisition element is disposed on the second side of the picking platform and is used to acquire image data of the second side of the target material;

[0016] The top plane, the first side, and the second side intersect each other perpendicularly.

[0017] Optionally, in the above-described stacking device, the information acquisition component further includes:

[0018] A fourth image acquisition element is disposed on the picking platform, and the image acquisition direction of the fourth image acquisition element is directed toward the stacked material. It is used to acquire the stacking information of the stacked material during the process of stacking the target material on the picking platform.

[0019] Optionally, in the above-described stacking device, the information acquisition component further includes:

[0020] A fifth image acquisition element is disposed at the top of the stacking device, and the image acquisition direction of the fifth image acquisition element is towards the picking platform.

[0021] Optionally, in the above-mentioned stacking device, the stacking device further includes a supplementary lighting element, which is disposed on the picking platform.

[0022] Optionally, in the above-described stacking device, the picking platform includes:

[0023] A picking mechanism for picking up the target material from a target shelf;

[0024] A moving mechanism, carrying the picking mechanism, is used to move the picking mechanism on the target layer to the storage location of the target material;

[0025] A lifting mechanism, which carries the moving mechanism, is used to raise and lower the moving mechanism to the target layer of the target shelf.

[0026] Optionally, in the above-described stacking device, the stacking device further includes:

[0027] A traveling mechanism is located at the bottom of the stacking device and is used to make the stacking device move along a preset trajectory.

[0028] Optionally, in the above-described stacking device, the picking platform further includes:

[0029] A base for placing the target material;

[0030] A rotating mechanism is used to cause the base to rotate during the information acquisition process of the information acquisition component.

[0031] Optionally, in the above-described stacking device, the information collection component collects information at least when the picking platform is in the first position and the second position;

[0032] Wherein, the first position is the position after the stacking device moves to the target area, and the second position is the position where the stacker crane raises the picking platform to the pre-stacking layer in the target area, and the first position is lower than the second position.

[0033] When using the stacking device provided in this application, the target material is retrieved through the picking platform. Since the picking platform is equipped with an information collection component, after the picking platform retrieves the target material, the information collection component will collect the actual material information of the target material and send the collected actual material information to the server through the sending module. This allows the server to identify the material based on the actual material information, determine the type, quantity, and status of the target material, compare it with the inventory data in the warehouse management system, update the inventory information of the material in the warehouse management system, and complete the inventory count.

[0034] Therefore, the stacking device provided in this application can realize intelligent inventory in dense storage scenarios. Compared with the existing manual inventory methods, it not only improves the accuracy of material inventory but also improves the inventory efficiency. Moreover, the inventory results can be archived and viewed, making it easy to trace the problems that exist in the inventory process. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of an information collection component on a pickup platform, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the acquisition area of ​​a second image acquisition element provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Among them, 100 is the picking platform, 200 is the information collection component, 201 is the first image acquisition element, 202 is the second image acquisition element, 203 is the third image acquisition element, and 300 is the target material. Detailed Implementation

[0039] In view of this, the core of this application is to provide a stacking device to improve the accuracy and efficiency of material inventory counting.

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown in the figure, this application discloses a stacking device, including a picking platform 100, an information collection component 200, and a sending module.

[0042] The picking platform 100 is used to pick up the target material 300; the information collection component 200 is set on the picking platform 100 and is used to collect the actual material information of the target material 300 on the picking platform 100; the sending module is used to send the actual material information to the server so that the server can perform inventory based on the actual material information.

[0043] When using the stacking device provided in this application, the target material 300 is retrieved through the picking platform 100. Since the picking platform 100 is equipped with an information collection component 200, after the picking platform 100 retrieves the target material 300, the information collection component 200 collects the actual material information of the target material 300 and sends the collected actual material information to the server through the sending module. This allows the server to identify the material based on the actual material information, determine the type, quantity, and status of the target material 300, compare it with the inventory data in the warehouse management system, update the inventory information of the material in the warehouse management system, and complete the inventory count.

[0044] Therefore, the stacking device provided in this application can realize intelligent inventory in dense storage scenarios. Compared with the existing manual inventory methods, it not only improves the accuracy of material inventory, but also improves inventory efficiency and accuracy. Moreover, the inventory results can be archived and viewed, making it easy to trace problems that exist in the inventory process.

[0045] It should be understood that the aforementioned actual material information can be material images, QR codes, or serial numbers, etc. Any type of information that enables the server to identify the material type, quantity, and status based on the actual material information falls within the scope of protection of this application. Optionally, in a specific embodiment of this application, the information acquisition component 200 includes multiple fisheye cameras. The fisheye cameras acquire image information of the target material 300, that is, the actual material information is an image. After the sending module sends the image of the target material 300 to the server, the server identifies the material based on the image of the target material 300, determines the type, quantity, and status of the target material 300, and compares it with the inventory data in the warehouse management system to update the inventory information of the material in the warehouse management system, thus completing the inventory count.

[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the information acquisition component 200 includes a first image acquisition element 201, a second image acquisition element 202, and a third image acquisition element 203. The first image acquisition element 201 is located on the top of the picking platform 100 and is used to acquire image data of the top plane of the target material 300. The second image acquisition element 202 is located on the first side of the picking platform 100 and is used to acquire image data of the first side of the target material 300. The third image acquisition element 203 is located on the second side of the picking platform 100 and is used to acquire image data of the second side of the target material 300. The top plane, the first side, and the second side intersect perpendicularly to each other, meaning that the first image acquisition element 201, the second image acquisition element 202, and the third image acquisition element 203 can acquire images of the material on three mutually perpendicular planes. The server identifies the actual material information of the target material based on the images on the three mutually perpendicular planes.

[0047] It should be understood that the aforementioned actual material information can be any combination of one or more features such as the outline, shape, or color of the target material. After receiving the actual material information, the server identifies the target material and can identify, but is not limited to, the basic information such as the type, name, and attributes of the target material. In this way, the basic information of the target object is compared with the inventory information of the target object to complete the inventory count.

[0048] In addition, the aforementioned sending module and the server can transmit data via cable, 5G signal, or WIFI signal, etc. Any signal transmission type that can send actual material information to the server is within the scope of protection of this application. Optionally, the sending module provided in this application uses 5G signal for transmission, that is, the sending module is a 5G module. The 5G module is integrated on the stacking device. After the first image acquisition element 201, the second image acquisition element 202, and the third image acquisition element 203 respectively acquire image data of the top, front, and left sides of the material, the image data is transmitted to the server through the 5G module. The server performs material quantity detection based on the three-sided image data and compares it with inventory data to improve inventory efficiency.

[0049] In addition, the aforementioned server integrates and interacts with the upstream WCS system (WCS is an abbreviation for Warehouse Control System). On the one hand, this enables the server to automatically obtain the storage location information of materials, further improving inventory efficiency. On the other hand, it enables the WCS system to automatically update the material information in the WCS system based on the inventory results from the server, improving the accuracy of the material information in the WCS system.

[0050] The stacking device provided in this application can be single-station, double-station, or multi-station, etc., and any number of stations that can meet the usage requirements falls within the scope of protection of this application; such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the stacking device provided in this application is a dual-station stacking device, which can simultaneously pick up and receive materials through two stations, or pick up materials from one station and output materials from the other station. This dual-station stacking device has bidirectional operation capability, which is beneficial to improving inventory efficiency.

[0051] Specifically, in the aforementioned dual-station stacking device, there are two second image acquisition elements 202, which are arranged opposite to each other so that their image acquisition directions are opposite. Figure 2 As shown, the image acquisition field of view of the second image acquisition element 202 on the left faces to the right and covers the left side of the material input at the right workstation, so as to acquire the image data of the left side of the material input at the right workstation. The image acquisition field of view of the second image acquisition element 202 on the right faces to the left and covers the right side of the material input at the left workstation, so as to acquire the image data of the right side of the material input at the left workstation. Combined with the first image acquisition element 201, the top image of the material input at both the left and right workstations can be acquired. The third image acquisition element 203 can acquire the front image of the material input at both the left and right workstations, so as to realize the acquisition of three-sided images of the material at both the left and right workstations in the dual-workstation stacking device.

[0052] Furthermore, the information acquisition component 200 also includes a fourth image acquisition element, which is set on the picking platform 100 and the image acquisition direction of the fourth image acquisition element is towards the stacked materials. It is used to collect the overall situation of the stacked materials in the warehouse from top to bottom during the process of stacking the target material 300 on the picking platform 100. Based on the acquisition of the stacking information of the stacked materials, the server can easily plan the stacking position of subsequent materials, improve stacking efficiency, and improve the stability of material stacking.

[0053] The information acquisition component 200 provided in this application also includes a fifth image acquisition element. The fifth image acquisition element is disposed at the top of the stacking device, and the image acquisition direction of the fifth image acquisition element is facing the picking platform 100, so as to cooperate with the image acquisition element on the picking platform 100 to comprehensively judge the actual material information of the materials on the picking platform 100, so that the server receives more actual material information, improves the server's recognition accuracy of the target material 300, and thus improves the accuracy of material inventory.

[0054] In addition, the stacking device provided in this application also includes a supplementary lighting element, which is set on the picking platform 100 to provide a light source for illuminating the target material 300, so that the information acquisition component 200 can collect details of the shadow area, preventing the server from being unable to accurately identify the target material 300 due to insufficient exposure of details in the shadow area, thereby reducing inventory efficiency and accuracy.

[0055] It should be understood that the aforementioned supplementary lighting can be of the type such as infrared supplementary lighting or white light supplementary lighting. In practical applications, the appropriate type can be selected based on the site environment and material conditions. Any type of supplementary lighting that meets the usage requirements falls within the scope of protection of this application.

[0056] The picking platform 100 provided in this application includes a picking mechanism, a moving mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The picking mechanism is used to pick up target material 300 from a target shelf. The moving mechanism carries the picking mechanism and is used to move the picking mechanism to the storage position of the target material 300 on the target shelf. The lifting mechanism carries the moving mechanism and is used to raise and lower the moving mechanism to the target shelf, so that the picking mechanism can be set on the moving mechanism. The whole assembly of the picking mechanism and the moving mechanism is set on the lifting mechanism. The moving mechanism and the picking mechanism are raised and lowered by the lifting mechanism. After the picking mechanism carried by the moving mechanism is raised and lowered to the target shelf, the picking mechanism is moved horizontally to the target position on the target shelf by the moving mechanism. Finally, the picking mechanism picks up the target material 300 at the target position, realizing the picking action of the target material 300.

[0057] It should be understood that the aforementioned picking mechanism can be a type of clamp or robotic arm. In practical applications, the type of picking mechanism can be adaptively adjusted according to the shape and size specifications of the target material 300. Any picking mechanism that can meet the usage requirements falls within the scope of protection of this application.

[0058] In addition, the above-mentioned lifting mechanism can achieve the lifting of the retrieval mechanism through gear and rack transmission, screw and nut transmission or chain transmission, etc. Any type of lifting mechanism that can meet the lifting requirements is within the scope of protection of this application; similarly, the moving mechanism can achieve the horizontal movement of the retrieval mechanism through belt transmission or chain transmission, etc. Any type of mechanism that can meet the moving transmission requirements is within the scope of protection of this application.

[0059] Furthermore, the stacking device also includes a traveling mechanism located at the bottom of the stacking device, which is used to make the stacking device travel along a preset trajectory so as to make the stacking device travel to the position of the target shelf.

[0060] In practical applications, the server can calculate the optimal path for the stacking device based on task requirements and the current warehouse status. After receiving the optimal path, the stacking device will navigate autonomously using the built-in sensors and navigation system to reach the target shelf.

[0061] It should be noted that the aforementioned traveling mechanism can travel on laid tracks or without tracks, moving directly on the warehouse floor, as long as it can travel along a preset path.

[0062] Furthermore, the aforementioned pickup platform 100 also includes a base and a rotating mechanism. The base is used to place the target material 300, and the rotating mechanism is used to make the base rotate during the information collection process of the information collection component 200, so that the information collection component 200 can collect more comprehensive information on the target material 300, improve the speed and accuracy of the server's identification of the target material 300, and improve inventory efficiency and accuracy.

[0063] It should be understood that the aforementioned rotating mechanism can drive the base to rotate via gear transmission, belt transmission, or directly via a rotating shaft. Any mechanism type that enables the base to rotate falls within the scope of protection of this application.

[0064] In addition, the aforementioned information collection component 200 collects information at least when the picking platform 100 is in the first position and the second position. The first position is the position after the stacking device moves to the target area, and the second position is the position where the stacker crane raises the picking platform 100 to the pre-stacking layer in the target area. The first position is lower than the second position so that information is collected on the target material 300 when it is transported to the target area. Information is collected again after the stacking device raises the target material 300 to the target layer to ensure that the material does not fall during the raising process and to reduce material loss during inventory.

[0065] In addition, the stacking device provided in this application can also input an inventory time interval with a period of day, week or month on the server side, so that the stacking device can perform intelligent inventory according to the predetermined inventory frequency, thereby improving inventory efficiency.

[0066] The terms "first" and "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units may include steps or units not listed, but rather not listed.

[0067] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A stacking device, comprising: A picking platform is used to pick up target materials and can stack the target materials. An information collection component is installed on the picking platform to collect the actual material information of the target material on the picking platform, and to collect the stacking information of the stacked material during the process of stacking the target material on the picking platform. The sending module is used to send the actual material information to the server so that the server can perform an inventory based on the actual material information and, based on the stacking information of the stacked materials, plan the stacking position of subsequent materials.

2. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the actual material information includes an image, a QR code, or a serial number.

3. The stacking device according to claim 2, wherein the actual material information is an image, and the information acquisition component includes: The first image acquisition element is disposed on the top of the picking platform and is used to acquire image data of the top plane of the target material; The second image acquisition element is disposed on the first side of the picking platform and is used to acquire image data of the first side of the target material. The third image acquisition element is disposed on the second side of the picking platform and is used to acquire image data of the second side of the target material; The top plane, the first side, and the second side intersect each other perpendicularly.

4. The stacking device according to claim 3, wherein the information acquisition component further comprises: A fourth image acquisition element is disposed on the picking platform, and the image acquisition direction of the fourth image acquisition element is directed toward the stacked material. It is used to acquire the stacking information of the stacked material during the process of stacking the target material on the picking platform.

5. The stacking device according to claim 3, wherein the information acquisition component further comprises: A fifth image acquisition element is disposed at the top of the stacking device, and the image acquisition direction of the fifth image acquisition element is towards the picking platform.

6. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the stacking device further comprises a supplementary lighting element disposed on the picking platform.

7. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the picking platform comprises: A picking mechanism for picking up the target material from a target shelf; A moving mechanism, carrying the picking mechanism, is used to move the picking mechanism on the target layer to the storage location of the target material; A lifting mechanism, which carries the moving mechanism, is used to raise and lower the moving mechanism to the target layer of the target shelf.

8. The stacking device according to claim 1, further comprising: A traveling mechanism is located at the bottom of the stacking device and is used to make the stacking device move along a preset trajectory.

9. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the picking platform further comprises: A base for placing the target material; A rotating mechanism is used to cause the base to rotate during the information acquisition process of the information acquisition component.

10. The stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the information collection assembly collects information at least when the goods retrieval platform is in a first position and a second position; the first position is a position after the stacking device moves to a target area, and the second position is a position where the stacking device raises the goods retrieval platform to a pre-stacking layer in the target area; and the first position is lower than the second position. wherein, ​

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