A stacking equipment and warehousing method

Abstract

This invention provides a stacking equipment and warehousing method, comprising: a dual-station stacker crane, the dual-station stacker crane including a first transport section and a second transport section; both the first transport section and the second transport section are used for transporting materials; a storage warehouse, the storage warehouse including multiple storage layers arranged sequentially from bottom to top; each storage layer is provided with multiple storage locations for storing materials; the multiple storage locations in each storage layer are distributed along a first preset direction to form storage rows; a control module, the control module is used to store the position information of each storage location; the control module is used to control the independent movement of the first transport section and the second transport section; the control module matches a corresponding storage location to the first transport section and the second transport section according to the position information of the storage location, and controls the first transport section and / or the second transport section to move to the corresponding storage location. The stacking equipment and warehousing method of this invention solves the technical problem of low working efficiency of dual-station stacker cranes in related technologies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of logistics technology, specifically to a stacking equipment and a warehousing method. Background Technology

[0002] Stacker crane efficiency has always been a key concern in the logistics industry, as automated warehouses are a core unit in the production process and directly affect the customer's production cycle. Dual-station stacker cranes, by adding a forklift station, directly increase the production efficiency of the stacker crane by 200%, making it an effective efficiency improvement solution.

[0003] However, the addition of forks to the dual-station stacker crane in terms of hardware means that the original scheduling strategy cannot fully leverage the advantages of the dual-station stacker crane, resulting in lower working efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies need further development. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and provide a stacking equipment and warehousing method to solve the technical problem of low working efficiency of dual-station stacker machines in related technologies.

[0006] To achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A stacking equipment is provided, comprising: a dual-station stacker crane, the dual-station stacker crane including a first transport section and a second transport section; both the first transport section and the second transport section are used for transporting materials; a storage warehouse, the storage warehouse including multiple storage layers arranged sequentially from bottom to top; each storage layer is provided with multiple storage locations for storing materials; the multiple storage locations of each storage layer are distributed along a first preset direction to form storage rows, there are multiple storage rows, and the multiple storage rows are distributed along a second preset direction to form storage columns; a control module, the control module is used to store the position information of each storage location; the control module is used to control the independent movement of the first transport section and the second transport section; the control module matches a corresponding storage location to the first transport section and the second transport section according to the storage location information, and controls the first transport section and / or the second transport section to move to the corresponding storage location; wherein, the storage location information includes the layer number, the row number, and the column number of the storage location.

[0007] Furthermore, the stacking equipment includes: a first detection mechanism for detecting whether material is placed on the first transport section; the first detection mechanism is signal-connected to the control module; a second detection mechanism for detecting whether material is placed on the second transport section; the second detection mechanism is signal-connected to the control module.

[0008] Furthermore, the storage area includes a first storage area and a second storage area, which are located on opposite sides of the dual-station stacker crane.

[0009] A warehousing method applicable to the aforementioned stacking equipment includes: determining whether a first transport unit meets transport requirements; if not, waiting until the first transport unit meets transport requirements; if yes, selecting a first storage location; controlling the first transport unit to transport materials to the first storage location; determining whether a second transport unit meets transport requirements; if yes, controlling the second transport unit to transport materials to a second storage location closer to the first storage location; if not, the second transport unit does not operate.

[0010] Furthermore, the conditions under which the first transport section meets the transport requirements include: the second transport section is equipped with materials; or, it is determined that the second transport section does not need to be equipped with materials.

[0011] Furthermore, the method for determining that no material needs to be set on the second transport section includes: when there is material on the first transport section and no material on the second transport section, start timing; after timing S, if there is still no material on the second transport section, then it is determined that no material needs to be set on the second transport section.

[0012] Furthermore, the method for selecting the first storage location includes: searching for available storage locations on each storage layer; and selecting the storage location closest to the first transportation department as the first storage location.

[0013] Furthermore, the method for selecting the second storage location includes: marking the storage columns sequentially from 1 to N along the direction away from the second transport section; recording the number S of the storage column where the first storage location is located; searching for an empty storage location that is located on the same storage layer and in the same storage row as the first storage location; recording the number L of the storage column of the searched storage location; if the difference between S and L is equal to 1, then the searched storage location is determined to be the second storage location.

[0014] Furthermore, if the difference between S and L is not equal to 1, the original first storage location is discarded, another storage location is selected as the first storage location, and the second storage location is selected based on the newly selected first storage location.

[0015] Furthermore, the storage method includes: if a second storage location cannot be selected in the same storage layer, then a second storage location is selected in the storage layer adjacent to the storage layer where the first storage location is located.

[0016] Beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The stacking equipment used in this embodiment of the invention can match a corresponding storage location for the first transportation section and the second transportation section according to the stored location information, so as to simultaneously allocate storage locations for two pallets of goods on the first and second transportation sections. After the stacking equipment picks up the goods, it can complete the simultaneous entry or exit of two pallets of goods in one trip, without having to place one pallet and then find another storage location to place the second pallet of goods. By entering the storage of double pallets of materials at the same time, the material can be quickly and efficiently stored, which improves the storage efficiency of the stacker crane by 200% and solves the technical problem of low working efficiency of dual-station stacker cranes in related technologies.

[0018] 2. Applying the warehousing method in this embodiment to a dual-station stacking equipment reduces unnecessary movement of the stacking equipment, improves the service life of the equipment, and reduces the overall energy consumption of the equipment. This warehousing method is compatible with single-pallet warehousing, which makes full use of available spaces and makes the use of scattered storage locations more compact. At the same time, single-pallet warehousing generally selects the nearest storage location, which further improves warehousing efficiency to a certain extent. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking equipment used in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a top view of the storage library used in this embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the storage library structure used in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the data entry method used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0024] 1. Dual-station stacker crane; 11. First transport section; 12. Second transport section; 200. Storage warehouse; 201. First storage warehouse; 202. Second storage warehouse; 21. Storage layer; 22. Storage location; 23. Storage row; 24. Storage column. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a stacking device is provided; please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 4 The system includes: a dual-station stacker crane 1, which includes a first transport section 11 and a second transport section 12; both the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12 are used for transporting materials; and a storage warehouse 200, which includes multiple storage layers 21 arranged sequentially from bottom to top; each storage layer 21 is provided with multiple storage locations 22 for storing materials; the multiple storage locations of each storage layer 21 are distributed along a first preset direction to form storage rows 23, and there are multiple storage rows 23, which are distributed along a second preset direction to form storage rows 23. Column 24; control module, the control module is used to store the position information of each storage location 22; the control module is used to control the independent movement of the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12; the control module matches a corresponding storage location 22 to the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12 according to the position information of the storage location 22, and controls the first transport unit 11 and / or the second transport unit 12 to move to the corresponding storage location 22; wherein, the position information of the storage location 22 includes the layer number of the storage location, the row number of the storage location 22, and the column number of the storage location 22.

[0027] With the above settings, the control module can match a corresponding storage location for the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12 according to the stored location information. This enables the simultaneous allocation of storage locations for two pallets of goods on the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12. After the stacking equipment picks up the goods, it can complete the simultaneous entry or exit of two pallets of goods in one trip. There is no need to place one pallet and then find another storage location to place the second pallet. By storing two pallets of materials at the same time, the stacking equipment can quickly and efficiently store materials, thereby increasing the storage efficiency of the stacking machine by 200% and solving the technical problem of low working efficiency of dual-station stacking machines in related technologies.

[0028] In the stacking equipment of this embodiment, see Figure 1 The stacking equipment includes: a first detection mechanism for detecting whether material is placed on the first transport section 11; the first detection mechanism is signal-connected to the control module; and a second detection mechanism for detecting whether material is placed on the second transport section 12; the second detection mechanism is also signal-connected to the control module. By setting the first and second detection mechanisms, the equipment detects whether material is placed on the transport sections, thereby determining whether the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12 meet the transport conditions or requirements, and adjusting the transport strategy accordingly.

[0029] In the stacking equipment of this embodiment, see Figure 2The storage warehouse 200 includes a first storage warehouse 201 and a second storage warehouse 202, which are located on opposite sides of the dual-station stacker crane 1. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12 can achieve bidirectional extension and bidirectional stacking, and either side of the storage warehouse can be selected to store materials, thereby improving the efficiency of material warehousing.

[0030] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The warehousing method applies to the aforementioned stacking equipment. The warehousing method includes: determining whether the first transport unit 11 meets the transport requirements; if not, waiting until the first transport unit 11 meets the transport requirements; if yes, selecting the first storage location; controlling the first transport unit 11 to transport the material to the first storage location; determining whether the second transport unit 12 meets the transport requirements; if yes, controlling the second transport unit 12 to transport the material to the second storage location which is closer to the first storage location; if not, the second transport unit 12 does not operate.

[0031] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The conditions under which the first transport section 11 meets the transport requirements include: the second transport section 12 is equipped with materials; or, it is determined that the second transport section 12 does not need to be equipped with materials.

[0032] Specifically, upon receiving materials, the quantity of materials waiting to be received is first determined. If neither the first transport section 11 nor the second transport section 12 has any materials, neither meets the transport requirements, and both the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12 remain in a waiting state. If only the first transport section 11 carries materials within a preset time, then the first transport section 11 meets the transport requirements, and the stacking equipment activates a single-pallet receiving strategy, while the second transport section 12 remains empty. If both the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12 carry materials, the stacking equipment selects a double-pallet receiving strategy and searches for the second storage location closest to the first storage location to reduce the receiving path of the stacking equipment and improve the receiving efficiency of the stacking equipment.

[0033] It is understood that the warehousing method of this embodiment can realize flexible allocation and warehousing of materials. It can not only realize the simultaneous warehousing of two pallets of goods on the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12, but also be compatible with the warehousing strategy of single pallet goods, thus solving the problem of separate warehousing of single and double pallet goods.

[0034] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The method for determining that no material needs to be set on the second transport section 12 includes: when there is material on the first transport section 11 and no material on the second transport section 12, start timing; after timing S, if there is still no material on the second transport section 12, it is determined that no material needs to be set on the second transport section 12.

[0035] Specifically, based on the normal delivery rhythm of materials, the waiting time S is preferably 5 minutes.

[0036] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The method for selecting the first storage location includes: searching for available storage locations 22 on each storage layer 21; and selecting a storage location 22 closest to the first transport section 11 as the first storage location. In this way, the first storage location is preferentially selected from the available storage locations closest to the waiting positions of the materials, thereby improving the warehousing efficiency of the stacking equipment.

[0037] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The method for selecting the second storage location includes: marking the storage columns 24 sequentially from 1 to N along the direction away from the second transport section 12; recording the number S of the storage column 24 where the first storage location 22 is located; searching for an empty storage location 22 that is located in the same storage layer 21 and the same storage row 23 as the first storage location; recording the number L of the storage column 24 of the searched storage location 22; if the difference between S and L is equal to 1, then the searched storage location 22 is determined to be the second storage location.

[0038] Specifically, if the material from the second transport unit 12 arrives within the preset time, the stacking equipment activates the double-pallet warehousing strategy. First, it locates the first storage location, whose storage column number is S. Then, the control module automatically traverses the location information of each storage location 22 stored in the database, searching for the next available storage location 22 on the same layer and in the same row as the first storage location. The number after this available storage location is L. The storage column number L of the available storage location is subtracted from the storage column number S of the first storage location. If the difference is equal to 1, it indicates that the two available storage locations are adjacent. At this time, it can be determined that the found adjacent storage location is the second storage location, so the warehousing task can be started. The control module controls the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12 to move to the first and second storage locations and complete this warehousing.

[0039] If the difference between the storage column number L of the vacant storage location and the storage column number S of the first storage location is not equal to 1, it indicates that the two vacant storage locations are not adjacent, and it is necessary to find two adjacent vacant storage locations again.

[0040] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 If the difference between S and L is not equal to 1, then discard the original first storage location, select another storage location 22 as the first storage location, and select the second storage location based on the newly selected first storage location.

[0041] Preferably, if the search for two adjacent storage locations fails the first time, the second available storage location found in the first search can be used as the new first storage location.

[0042] Specifically, at this point, the control module automatically discards the first available storage location and retains the second available storage location, whose storage column number is S. Then, the control module automatically searches for the next available storage location in the same row and layer, which is the third available storage location, with a storage column number L. After finding it, L is subtracted from S. If the difference is 1, it is considered that two adjacent storage locations have been found, and these two available storage locations are designated as the first and second storage locations. If this fails again, the process continues until all available storage locations have been traversed.

[0043] In the data entry method of this embodiment, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4 The storage method includes: if a second storage location cannot be selected in the same storage layer 21, then a second storage location is selected in the storage layer 21 adjacent to the storage layer 21 where the first storage location is located.

[0044] Specifically, if no two adjacent empty storage locations are found after all empty storage locations have been traversed, it indicates that all adjacent empty storage locations in the stacking equipment have been used up. The inbound strategy at this time is as follows: the first transport unit 11 still selects the nearest storage location as the first storage location. For the selection of storage locations in the second transport unit 12, the control module automatically traverses the location information of each storage location 22 and selects the second storage location in the storage layer 21 adjacent to the location of the first storage location. At the same time, the difference between the selected storage location and the storage column where the first storage location is located is 1, that is, the second storage location is selected in the next column of the storage column where the first storage location is located (the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12 are set up side by side). At this time, the stacking equipment does not need to move again. After the materials carried by the first transport unit 11 are placed, the first transport unit 11 and the second transport unit 12 move up and down to complete the inbound of the materials on the second transport unit 12.

[0045] When one of the first transport section 11 and the second transport section 12 malfunctions and cannot work properly, the single-board warehousing strategy can be followed to find only the first storage location for warehousing. In the event of a single transport section failure, the other transport section can still continue to work, thus enhancing the reliability of the equipment.

[0046] Applying the warehousing method in this embodiment to a dual-station stacking equipment reduces unnecessary movement of the stacking equipment, improves its service life, and reduces its overall energy consumption. This warehousing method is compatible with single-pallet warehousing, which makes better use of available spaces and allows for more efficient use of scattered storage locations. In addition, single-pallet warehousing generally selects the nearest storage location, which further improves warehousing efficiency to a certain extent.

[0047] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. 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 comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0048] Optionally, specific examples in this embodiment can refer to the examples described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0049] The sequence numbers of the embodiments in this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0050] In the above embodiments of this application, 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.

[0051] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for data entry, characterized in that, The warehousing method is applicable to stacking equipment, which includes: A dual-station stacker crane (1) includes a first transport section (11) and a second transport section (12); both the first transport section (11) and the second transport section (12) are used for transporting materials. The storage warehouse (200) includes multiple storage layers (21) arranged sequentially from bottom to top; each storage layer (21) is provided with multiple storage locations (22) for storing materials; the multiple storage locations of each storage layer (21) are distributed along a first preset direction to form a storage row (23), and there are multiple storage rows (23), which are distributed along a second preset direction to form a storage column (24). The control module is used to store the location information of each storage location (22); the control module is used to control the independent movement of the first transport unit (11) and the second transport unit (12); the control module matches a corresponding storage location (22) to the first transport unit (11) and the second transport unit (12) respectively according to the location information of the storage location (22), and controls the first transport unit (11) and / or the second transport unit (12) to move to the corresponding storage location (22); wherein, the location information of the storage location (22) includes the layer number of the storage location, the row number of the storage location (22) and the column number of the storage location (22); The data entry method includes: Determine whether the first transportation unit (11) meets the transportation requirements; If not, wait until the first transportation department (11) meets the transportation requirements; If so, select the first storage location; Control the first transportation unit (11) to transport the materials to the first storage location; Determine whether the second transportation unit (12) meets the transportation requirements; if yes, control the second transportation unit (12) to transport the materials to the second storage location which is closer to the first storage location; if no, the second transportation unit (12) does not operate. The methods for selecting the second storage location include: The storage columns (24) are marked sequentially from 1 to N in the direction away from the second transport section (12); and the number S of the storage column (24) where the first storage location (22) is located is recorded; Search for an available storage location (22) that is located in the same storage layer (21) and in the same storage row (23) as the first storage location; record the number L of the storage column (24) of the searched storage location (22); If the difference between S and L is not equal to 1, then discard the original first storage location, select another storage location (22) as the first storage location, and select the second storage location based on the newly selected first storage location.

2. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stacking equipment includes: The first detection mechanism is used to detect whether the material is placed on the first transport section (11); the first detection mechanism is signal-connected to the control module; The second detection mechanism is used to detect whether the material is placed on the second transport section (12); the second detection mechanism is signal-connected to the control module.

3. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage warehouse (200) includes a first storage warehouse (201) and a second storage warehouse (202), which are located on opposite sides of the dual-station stacker crane (1).

4. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conditions under which the first transportation department (11) meets the transportation requirements include: Materials are provided on the second transport section (12); or, It is determined that no materials need to be set on the second transportation section (12).

5. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Methods for determining that no materials need to be installed on the second transport unit (12) include: When there is material on the first transport section (11) and no material on the second transport section (12), the timer starts. After the timer runs for S hours, if there is still no material on the second transport section (12), it is determined that no material needs to be placed on the second transport section (12).

6. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The methods for selecting the first storage location include: Search for the available storage locations (22) on each storage layer (21); Select the storage location (22) that is closest to the first transportation department (11) as the first storage location.

7. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The methods for selecting the second storage location include: If the difference between S and L is equal to 1, then the searched storage location (22) is determined to be the second storage location.

8. The warehousing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data entry method includes: If a second storage location cannot be selected in the same storage layer (21), then a second storage location is selected in the storage layer (21) adjacent to the storage layer (21) where the first storage location is located.

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