A dynamic transfer method and system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse

Abstract

The present invention provides a dynamic transfer method and system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, which relates to the field of transfer location allocation, including: if there is a group of storage locations where both the inner and outer storage locations are empty, the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred will be used as the transfer location; if there is an empty outer storage location, the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred will be used as the transfer location; otherwise, the backup location will be used as the transfer location. In the process of goods needing to be transferred, the present invention uses the available storage location closest to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location in the order of querying the inner storage location first and then the outer storage location, thereby reducing the operating distance of the stacker and the elevator and improving the transfer operation speed of the goods; after determining that the storage location is transferred, it does not return to the original storage location, and updates the inventory information after the goods are transferred, thereby reducing the number of times the stacker and the elevator operate, and further saving transfer operation time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transfer warehouse location allocation, and in particular to a dynamic transfer method and system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse. Background Art

[0002] With the promotion and development of digitalization in traditional industries, more and more self-owned warehousing companies have begun to build automated high-bay warehouses. Automated high-bay warehouses can be divided into pallet warehouses and bin warehouses based on the equipment used to store goods. They can also be divided into single-deep warehouses and double-deep warehouses based on the number of storage spaces on both sides of the stacker crane.

[0003] For double-deep pallet stacker warehouses, if the outer storage location next to the inner storage location where inbound and outbound operations are required is occupied by goods, the goods in the outer storage location must be moved away first before normal operations can be performed on the storage location where inbound and outbound operations are required. The solution usually adopted in this situation is to define one or more fixed temporary storage locations, move the goods in the outer storage location to the temporary storage location before the operation, and then move the goods in the temporary storage location back to the original storage location after the inbound and outbound operations are completed. Because there is a process of moving goods to the temporary storage location and then moving the goods back from the temporary storage location, when there are many inbound and outbound operations within a period of time, the waiting time for some tasks will be longer. At the same time, when there are many cases where the storage location to be moved is far away from the temporary storage location, the total time taken for the stacker crane to operate and the elevator to lift will also be longer. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a dynamic transfer method and system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, which is used to solve the problem of long waiting time and low efficiency in moving goods in and out of the existing goods warehouse.

[0005] The present invention provides a dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, comprising the following steps:

[0006] S1: After the WMS receives the call information when the WCS executes the inbound and outbound instructions, the WMS determines whether a transfer operation is required when operating the operation location. If transfer is required, it proceeds to step S2; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4;

[0007] S2: Obtain the location of the goods to be transferred and search for available empty storage locations in the form of storage location groups. A storage location group includes: an inner storage location and an outer storage location. If there is a storage location group in which both the inner storage location and the outer storage location are empty, the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred is selected as the transfer storage location and the process proceeds to step S4. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0008] S3: If there is an empty outer storage location, the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred is used as the transfer location, and the process proceeds to step S4; otherwise, the backup storage location is used as the transfer location, and the process proceeds to step S4;

[0009] S4: The WMS returns the call information to the WCS. The WCS determines whether a transfer operation is required based on the returned call information. If transfer is required, the goods to be transferred are transported to the transfer location and the process proceeds to step S5. Otherwise, the process proceeds directly to step S6.

[0010] S5: Determine whether the goods to be transferred need to be returned to the original storage location. If so, move the goods to be transferred to the original storage location and proceed to step S6; otherwise, proceed directly to step S6;

[0011] S6: WCS calls back WMS. WMS determines whether there is a transit warehouse location that needs to be updated based on the WCS callback information. If so, it goes to step S7; otherwise, the process ends.

[0012] S7: WMS updates the inventory information of the transit location and ends the process.

[0013] Preferably, the WMS determines whether a transfer operation is required when operating the operation location as follows:

[0014] If the operation location is an outer location, no transfer operation is required;

[0015] If the operation location is an inner location and there is no goods in the outer location of the same location group, no transfer operation is required;

[0016] If the operation location is an inner location and there are goods in the outer location of the same location group, the goods in the outer location will be treated as goods to be transferred and transferred.

[0017] Preferred:

[0018] Find all available empty storage locations and consider an inner storage location and an outer storage location that are located at the same depth and side by side as a storage location group;

[0019] If both the inner and outer locations are empty, the size of the location group is 2;

[0020] If there is an empty location between the inner and outer locations, the size of the location group is 1;

[0021] If both the inner and outer locations are not empty, the size of the location group is 0.

[0022] Preferably, step S2 is specifically as follows:

[0023] S21: Filter out all the empty storage locations with a storage location group size of 2 as the first storage location group list;

[0024] S22: Determine whether the first storage location group list is empty. If so, proceed to step S3; otherwise, proceed to step S23.

[0025] S23: Traverse all the storage location groups in the first storage location group list, obtain the position of the inner storage location in each storage location group, and select the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred as a candidate inner storage location;

[0026] S24: Traverse all candidate inner storage locations, select the candidate inner storage location with the smallest vertical distance to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location, and proceed to step S4.

[0027] Preferably, step S3 is specifically as follows:

[0028] S31: Filter out all the empty storage locations, and select all the storage location groups whose storage location group size is 1 and whose empty storage locations are outer storage locations as the second storage location group list;

[0029] S32: Determine whether the second storage location group list is empty; if it is empty, use the backup storage location as the transit storage location and proceed to step S4; otherwise, proceed to step S33;

[0030] S33: Traverse all outer storage locations in the second storage location group list and select the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred as a candidate outer storage location;

[0031] S34: Traverse all candidate outer storage locations, select the candidate outer storage location with the smallest vertical distance to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location, and enter step S4.

[0032] A dynamic transfer system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, used to implement the dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, comprising:

[0033] Storage areas, multiple storage location groups, stacker cranes, tracks and material preparation areas;

[0034] The location group includes inner and outer locations side by side;

[0035] The material preparation area is set at the outer end of the storage area;

[0036] The stacker crane is movably arranged on a track, the track is arranged in the center of the storage area, and the storage location groups are stacked on both sides of the track.

[0037] Preferred:

[0038] The entrances of the inner storage location and the outer storage location are perpendicular to the track, and the outer storage location is arranged between the inner storage location and the track.

[0039] Preferred:

[0040] The material preparation area includes: conveyor belt, inbound docking port, outbound docking port and pallet lifting device;

[0041] The conveyor belt is perpendicular to the track, the inbound docking port and the pallet lifting device are arranged at one end of the conveyor belt, and the outbound docking port is arranged at the other end of the conveyor belt.

[0042] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0043] When goods need to be transferred, the order of querying the inner storage location first and then the outer storage location is used, and the available storage location closest to the goods to be transferred is used as the transfer location, reducing the operating distance of the stacker and elevator and improving the transfer operation speed of the goods; after determining the transfer location, the original storage location is not returned, and the inventory information is updated after the goods are transferred, thereby reducing the number of times the stacker and elevator operate, and thus saving transfer operation time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 2 A detailed logic diagram of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of pallet warehouse location occupancy;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a system structure diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0050] Reference Figure 1-2 The present invention provides a dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, comprising the steps of:

[0051] S1: After the WMS receives the call information when the WCS executes the inbound and outbound instructions, the WMS determines whether a transfer operation is required when operating the operation location. If transfer is required, it proceeds to step S2; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4;

[0052] As an example, a WMS is a warehouse management system, and a WCS is a warehouse control system. The WMS triggers inbound and outbound operations, sending inbound and outbound instructions to the WCS. These instructions contain the location information for the operation. The WCS executes the instructions sequentially according to the queue order, and before executing a particular instruction, it calls the WMS interface to determine whether the location for the current instruction operation requires location transfer processing. Upon receiving the WCS call information, the WMS determines the next step to be executed based on the location and inventory status of the operation location.

[0053] As an example, the WMS determines whether a transfer operation is required when operating an operation location as follows:

[0054] If the operation location is an outer location, no transfer operation is required;

[0055] If the operation location is an inner location and there is no goods in the outer location of the same location group, no transfer operation is required;

[0056] If the operation location is an inner location and there are goods in the outer location of the same location group, the goods in the outer location will be treated as goods to be transferred and transferred.

[0057] Specifically, the row number, column number, and layer number of the storage location are respectively matched to the three coordinate information x, y, and z of the storage location in three-dimensional space to obtain the coordinate information of the outer storage location to be transferred. The coordinate values ​​of the inner and outer storage locations at the same side depth are consistent, and they are distinguished according to the different inner and outer marks of the fourth dimension.

[0058] S2: Obtain the location of the goods to be transferred and search for available empty storage locations in the form of storage location groups. A storage location group includes: an inner storage location and an outer storage location. If there is a storage location group in which both the inner storage location and the outer storage location are empty, the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred is selected as the transfer storage location and the process proceeds to step S4. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0059] As an example, all available empty storage locations are searched, and an inner storage location and an outer storage location that are located at the same depth and side by side are considered as a storage location group;

[0060] If both the inner and outer locations are empty, the size of the location group is 2;

[0061] If there is an empty location between the inner and outer locations, the size of the location group is 1;

[0062] If both the inner and outer locations are not empty, the size of the location group is 0.

[0063] Specifically, the pallet warehouse location occupancy diagram is as follows Figure 3As shown, empty location 1 and empty location 2 belong to a location group A. Location group A has two empty locations. After empty location screening, the location group size is 2. Empty location 3 and occupied location 1 belong to another location group B. Location group B has only one empty location. After empty location screening, the location group size is 1.

[0064] As an embodiment, step S2 is specifically as follows:

[0065] S21: Filter out all the empty storage locations with a storage location group size of 2 as the first storage location group list;

[0066] S22: Determine whether the first storage location group list is empty. If so, proceed to step S3; otherwise, proceed to step S23.

[0067] Specifically, the location groups are filtered according to the condition that the location group size is 2, and the filtered location group list is defined as doubleLocationGroupList. If doubleLocationGroupList is not empty, the transit location is searched in the list;

[0068] S23: Traverse all the storage location groups in the first storage location group list, obtain the position of the inner storage location in each storage location group, and select the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred as a candidate inner storage location;

[0069] Specifically, get the column coordinate values ​​y1, y2, ...y of each location group in the location group list doubleLocationGroupList n , calculate the horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred yd1 = |y1-y|, yd2 = |y2-y|, ...yd n =|y n -y|, sort the location group list from small to large according to the horizontal distance yd;

[0070] Traverse the location group list doubleLocationGroupList. When traversing the first location group, obtain the yd value corresponding to the location group and add the inner locations in the location group to the candidate inner location list according to the inner and outer location marks. During subsequent traversals, if there is a location group with the same yd value, add the corresponding inner location to the candidate inner location list. Otherwise, terminate the traversal directly.

[0071] After traversing all storage location groups, a candidate inner storage location list candidateLocationList with the minimum horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred can be obtained;

[0072] S24: Traverse all candidate inner storage locations, select the candidate inner storage location with the smallest vertical distance to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location, and proceed to step S4.

[0073] Specifically, obtain the layer coordinate values ​​z1, z2, ...z of each location in the candidate inner location list candidateLocationList n , calculate the vertical distance to the goods to be transferred zd1 = |z1-z|, zd2 = |z2-z|, ...zd n =|z n -z|, sort the storage location list in ascending order of vertical distance zd;

[0074] Get the first location in candidateLocationList. The obtained location is the transit location.

[0075] S3: If there is an empty outer storage location, the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred is used as the transfer location, and the process proceeds to step S4; otherwise, the backup storage location is used as the transfer location, and the process proceeds to step S4;

[0076] As an embodiment, step S3 is specifically as follows:

[0077] S31: Filter out all the empty storage locations, and select all the storage location groups whose storage location group size is 1 and whose empty storage locations are outer storage locations as the second storage location group list;

[0078] S32: Determine whether the second storage location group list is empty; if it is empty, use the backup storage location as the transit storage location and proceed to step S4; otherwise, proceed to step S33;

[0079] S33: Traverse all outer storage locations in the second storage location group list and select the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred as a candidate outer storage location;

[0080] S34: Traverse all candidate outer storage locations, select the candidate outer storage location with the smallest vertical distance to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location, and enter step S4.

[0081] Specifically, if the list of the aforementioned storage location group 2 is empty, it means that there is no storage location with empty inner and outer sides among the currently available storage locations. Then, for the original storage location group list, filter out all lists with empty outer sides according to the inner and outer storage location marks, and find a suitable storage location as the transit storage location in the storage location group list with empty outer sides according to the aforementioned search logic; if both of the aforementioned filtered lists are empty, it means that the currently available storage locations are all inner storage locations, and the backup storage location needs to be used as the transit storage location.

[0082] S4: The WMS returns the call information to the WCS. The WCS determines whether a transfer operation is required based on the returned call information. If transfer is required, the goods to be transferred are transported to the transfer location and the process proceeds to step S5. Otherwise, the process proceeds directly to step S6.

[0083] S5: Determine whether the goods to be transferred need to be returned to the original storage location. If so, move the goods to be transferred to the original storage location and proceed to step S6; otherwise, proceed directly to step S6;

[0084] As an example, if the transit warehouse location for transfer is a backup warehouse location, or the inventory of goods to be transferred is occupied by other businesses, the goods need to be transported back to the original warehouse location after the transfer operation is completed.

[0085] S6: WCS calls back WMS. WMS determines whether there is a transit warehouse location that needs to be updated based on the WCS callback information; if so, it proceeds to step S7; otherwise, the process ends.

[0086] As an example, after the WCS successfully completes the equipment transfer operation, it notifies the WMS of the completion of the operation. The WMS then determines whether to transfer the inventory based on whether the goods have returned to their original storage location, thus forming a closed loop. If the transfer location is not a backup location and the inventory of the goods to be transferred is not occupied by other businesses, the transferred goods will be directly transferred after the transfer operation is completed, without returning to the original storage location.

[0087] S7: WMS updates the inventory information of the transit location and ends the process.

[0088] refer to Figure 4 The present invention provides a dynamic transfer system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, which is used to implement the dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, including:

[0089] Storage areas, multiple storage location groups, stacker cranes, tracks and material preparation areas;

[0090] The location group includes inner and outer locations side by side;

[0091] The material preparation area is set at the outer end of the storage area;

[0092] The stacker crane is movably arranged on a track, the track is arranged in the center of the storage area, and the storage location groups are stacked on both sides of the track.

[0093] As an example:

[0094] There is a hoist on the stacker; the pallet is placed on the platform of the stacker, the stacker moves horizontally, and the hoist pulls the platform for vertical movement.

[0095] As an example:

[0096] The entrances of the inner storage location and the outer storage location are perpendicular to the track, and the outer storage location is arranged between the inner storage location and the track.

[0097] Specifically, among two storage locations at the same depth, the storage location closer to the stacker is the outer storage location, and the deeper storage location is the inner storage location.

[0098] As an example:

[0099] The material preparation area includes: conveyor belt, inbound docking port, outbound docking port and pallet lifting device;

[0100] The conveyor belt is perpendicular to the track, the inbound docking port and the pallet lifting device are arranged at one end of the conveyor belt, and the outbound docking port is arranged at the other end of the conveyor belt.

[0101] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or system comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or system. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or system comprising the element.

[0102] The serial numbers of the embodiments of the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent superiority or inferiority of the embodiments. In a unit claim that lists several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the terms first, second, and third, etc., does not denote any order and should be construed as identifiers.

[0103] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made using the contents of the present invention description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, characterized in that: Including steps: S1: After the WMS receives the call information when the WCS executes the inbound and outbound instructions, the WMS determines whether a transfer operation is required when operating the operation location. If transfer is required, it proceeds to step S2; otherwise, it proceeds to step S4; S2: Obtain the location of the goods to be transferred and search for available empty storage locations in the form of storage location groups. A storage location group includes: an inner storage location and an outer storage location. If there is a storage location group in which both the inner storage location and the outer storage location are empty, the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred is selected as the transfer storage location and the process proceeds to step S4. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S3. S3: If there is an empty outer storage location, the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal and vertical distances to the goods to be transferred is used as the transfer location, and the process proceeds to step S4; otherwise, the backup storage location is used as the transfer location, and the process proceeds to step S4; S4: The WMS returns the call information to the WCS. The WCS determines whether a transfer operation is required based on the returned call information. If transfer is required, the goods to be transferred are transported to the transfer location and the process proceeds to step S5. Otherwise, the process proceeds directly to step S6. S5: Determine whether the goods to be transferred need to be returned to the original storage location. If so, move the goods to be transferred to the original storage location and proceed to step S6; otherwise, proceed directly to step S6; S6: WCS calls back WMS. WMS determines whether there is a transit warehouse location that needs to be updated based on the WCS callback information. If so, it proceeds to step S7; otherwise, the process ends. S7: WMS updates the inventory information of the transit location and ends the process.

2. The dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to claim 1 is characterized in that: WMS determines whether a transfer operation is required when operating the operation location: If the operation location is an outer location, no transfer operation is required; If the operation location is an inner location and there is no goods in the outer location of the same location group, no transfer operation is required; If the operation location is an inner location and there are goods in the outer location of the same location group, the goods in the outer location will be treated as goods to be transferred and transferred.

3. The dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to claim 1 is characterized in that: Find all available empty storage locations and consider an inner storage location and an outer storage location that are located at the same depth and side by side as a storage location group; If both the inner and outer locations are empty, the size of the location group is 2; If there is an empty location between the inner and outer locations, the size of the location group is 1; If both the inner and outer locations are not empty, the size of the location group is 0.

4. The dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to claim 3 is characterized in that: Step S2 is specifically as follows: S21: Filter out all the empty storage locations with a storage location group size of 2 as the first storage location group list; S22: Determine whether the first storage location group list is empty. If so, proceed to step S3; otherwise, proceed to step S23. S23: Traverse all the storage location groups in the first storage location group list, obtain the position of the inner storage location in each storage location group, and select the inner storage location with the smallest horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred as a candidate inner storage location; S24: Traverse all candidate inner storage locations, select the candidate inner storage location with the smallest vertical distance to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location, and proceed to step S4.

5. The dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to claim 3 is characterized in that: Step S3 is specifically as follows: S31: Filter out all the empty storage locations, and select all the storage location groups whose storage location group size is 1 and whose empty storage locations are outer storage locations as the second storage location group list; S32: Determine whether the second storage location group list is empty; if it is empty, use the backup storage location as the transit storage location and proceed to step S4; otherwise, proceed to step S33; S33: Traverse all outer storage locations in the second storage location group list and select the outer storage location with the smallest horizontal distance to the goods to be transferred as a candidate outer storage location; S34: Traverse all candidate outer storage locations, select the candidate outer storage location with the smallest vertical distance to the goods to be transferred as the transfer location, and enter step S4.

6. A dynamic transfer system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse, used to implement the dynamic transfer method for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: include: Storage areas, multiple storage location groups, stacker cranes, tracks and material preparation areas; The location group includes inner and outer locations side by side; The material preparation area is set at the outer end of the storage area; The stacker crane is movably arranged on a track, the track is arranged in the center of the storage area, and the storage location groups are stacked on both sides of the track.

7. The dynamic transfer system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to claim 6 is characterized by: The entrances of the inner storage location and the outer storage location are perpendicular to the track, and the outer storage location is arranged between the inner storage location and the track.

8. The dynamic transfer system for a double-deep pallet stacker warehouse according to claim 6 is characterized by: The material preparation area includes: conveyor belt, inbound docking port, outbound docking port and pallet lifting device; The conveyor belt is perpendicular to the track, the inbound docking port and the pallet lifting device are arranged at one end of the conveyor belt, and the outbound docking port is arranged at the other end of the conveyor belt.

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