Order picking method

Abstract

The application provides an order sorting method, belonging to the field of logistics order sorting, and the specific method comprises the following steps: firstly, a plurality of orders are allocated to a pickup area as the same wave processing, and a physical position is allocated to each order, and an order data set containing order position, required SKU quantity and type is obtained; secondly, according to the required SKU type of the wave, the corresponding SKU is taken out from the storage area and transferred to the buffer area, and an SKU position data set is formed; finally, through the position prompt of the buffer area and the pickup area and the required SKU quantity prompt, each kind of SKU in the buffer area is sequentially allocated to the corresponding order in sufficient quantity until all the SKU allocation is completed. Through the systematic sorting process, the method reduces manual intervention, improves sorting accuracy and efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of logistics order sorting, in particular to an order sorting method. BACKGROUND

[0002] Order sorting refers to the process of quickly and accurately picking goods required by an order from inventory and distributing them to the corresponding order in logistics or warehousing operations.

[0003] An automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS), also known as an automated warehouse, is a highly automated warehousing system mainly used for storing and retrieving goods.

[0004] Chinese patent application CN118701547A discloses a warehousing system, which is a kind of automated warehouse. Through fixed rail transmission equipment and freight robots, the warehousing space utilization rate, goods in and out speed, and sorting efficiency of existing shelf warehousing systems are greatly improved.

[0005] Chinese patent application CN113830485A discloses a loading and unloading device fixed on a shelf, which provides a specific implementation of fixed rail transmission equipment and can automatically take goods out of the shelf or store goods in the shelf. Using an automated warehouse can reduce manual participation and greatly improve sorting efficiency. However, the main function of an automated warehouse is still warehousing and bulk goods in and out, making it difficult to achieve final fine sorting, which still requires manual participation. Manual sorting operations are prone to errors and low efficiency.

[0006] At the same time, most logistics suppliers still mainly use traditional manual sorting methods when shipping. Traditional manual sorting methods use sorting carts to correspond to multiple orders, and operators need to find SKU one by one on the shelf and scan the code to sort it into the corresponding order on the sorting cart until the order is completed. This method not only has low order sorting efficiency, but also is prone to errors due to lack of instructions, making it difficult to meet the growing demand for order processing.

[0007] To solve the above problems, comparative document 1 (CN112849875A) proposes an intelligent warehousing sorting system, which includes a warehouse area, a quick sorting area, a six-axis robot, and a backbench flow rack. The six-axis robot is equipped with negative pressure suction and mechanical clamping two kinds of grabbing methods, which can flexibly grab different goods boxes. The sorting method sends the goods boxes to the sorting area by four-way vehicles and elevators, and the final sorting is completed by manual operation. Although comparative document 1 can improve sorting efficiency, it still requires manual final sorting and does not provide a method to optimize manual sorting operations. SUMMARY

[0008] The purpose of the present application is to provide an order sorting method to reduce the sorting errors of operators and improve the efficiency of sorting orders.

[0009] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides an order sorting method, comprising:

[0010] a plurality of orders are allocated in a pickup area as a same wave for processing, each order of the wave is allocated a physical location in the pickup area, an order data set of the wave orders is obtained, the order data set at least includes the location information of each order of the wave orders in the pickup area, the quantity of each SKU required by each order, and the types of all SKUs required by the wave orders;

[0011] According to the types of all SKUs required by the wave orders, all required SKUs are picked from a SKU storage area and transferred to a buffer area, the quantity N of any type of SKU picked 11 ≥ the quantity N of the required SKU 10 , and at least the location data of each SKU in the buffer area is obtained to form a SKU location data set;

[0012] Each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the corresponding orders of the wave in sufficient quantity, specifically including: any type of SKU to be sorted in the buffer area is sequentially allocated to each order of the required SKU in sufficient quantity until the allocation of the required SKU for the wave orders is completed; then the next type of SKU is sequentially allocated to each order of the required next type of SKU in sufficient quantity until the allocation of the required next type of SKU for the wave orders is completed; and the process is repeated until each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the corresponding orders of the wave in sufficient quantity.

[0013] Preferably, the allocation of each SKU in the buffer area to the corresponding orders of the wave in sufficient quantity specifically includes,

[0014] Step 1), prompting the location information of any type of SKU to be sorted in the buffer area, prompting the location information of any order of the required SKU in the pickup area and the quantity of the required SKU for the order, and transferring the SKU from the location prompted in the buffer area to the location prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity according to the location information prompts of the buffer area and the pickup area;

[0015] Step 2), canceling the location information prompt of the order, prompting the location information of the next order of the required SKU in the pickup area and the quantity of the required SKU for the next order, and similarly, transferring the SKU from the location prompted in the buffer area to the location prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity according to the location information prompts of the buffer area and the pickup area;

[0016] Step 3), sequentially, until the last order of the SKU is allocated with enough quantity of the SKU through the position prompt of the buffer area, and the position information of the pickup area and the quantity prompt of the SKU required by the last order of the SKU;

[0017] Step 4), then the position information prompt of the SKU in the buffer area is cancelled, the position information prompt of the next SKU in the buffer area is started, and the position information of any order of the next SKU required by the pickup area and the quantity of the next SKU required by the order are prompted, and the next SKU is transferred from the position of the buffer area to the position of the pickup area according to the position information prompts of the buffer area and the pickup area;

[0018] Step 5), repeat steps 2) and 3), and allocate enough quantity of the next SKU to the last order of the next SKU required by the last order of the next SKU until the last SKU in the buffer area is sequentially allocated to the last order of the last SKU required by the last order of the last SKU.

[0019] Preferably, the buffer area is sequentially allocated with enough quantity of each SKU to the order corresponding to the wave, specifically comprising,

[0020] Step a), the sorting mobile device obtains the position data of any SKU from the SKU position data set, and obtains the position information of any order of the SKU required by the order data set, and the quantity of the SKU required by the order, and the sorting mobile device transfers the SKU from the position of the SKU in the buffer area to the position of the order in the pickup area;

[0021] Step b), the sorting mobile device obtains the position information of the next order of the SKU required by the next order of the SKU and the quantity corresponding to the SKU required by the next order of the SKU, and the sorting mobile device transfers the SKU from the position of the SKU in the buffer area to the position of the next order of the SKU in the pickup area;

[0022] Step c), sequentially, until the last order of the SKU is allocated with enough quantity of the SKU through the position prompt of the buffer area, and the position information of the pickup area and the quantity prompt of the SKU required by the last order of the SKU;

[0023] Step d), the sorting mobile device obtains the position data of the next SKU from the SKU position data set, and obtains the position information of any order of the next SKU required by the order data set, and the quantity of the next SKU required by the order, and the sorting mobile device transfers the next SKU from the position of the next SKU in the buffer area to the position of the order in the pickup area;

[0024] Step e), repeating steps b) and c), and the next SKU is sufficient to be allocated to the last order required for the next SKU in the buffer area until the last SKU in the buffer area is sequentially sufficient to be allocated to the last order required for the last SKU.

[0025] Preferably, the SKU is stored in the SKU storage area in the form of a bin, and the total required SKU is picked from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, specifically including,

[0026] The required SKU is picked from the SKU storage area in the form of a bin, and the bin storing the SKU is transferred to the buffer area as a whole;

[0027] After the buffer area is sufficient to be allocated to the order corresponding to the wave, if there is any remaining quantity of the SKU in the buffer, it is returned to the SKU storage area in the form of the original bin; if any SKU in the buffer is allocated and there is no remaining quantity, the empty bin corresponding to the SKU is taken out to avoid returning the empty bin to the SKU storage area.

[0028] Preferably, the order picking method further comprises,

[0029] The SKU storage area stores the SKU in the form of an automated storage and retrieval system;

[0030] The automated storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of shelves, and the automated storage and retrieval system is realized by a robot bin handling system;

[0031] The buffer area includes at least a flow rack, and the flow rack is located in the delivery area of the automated storage and retrieval system,

[0032] The total required SKU is picked from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, specifically including,

[0033] The required SKU is continuously picked from the automated storage and retrieval system in the form of a bin by the robot bin handling system and directly transferred to the flow rack for whole-bin caching.

[0034] Preferably, the robot bin handling system specifically includes,

[0035] The loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf moves at least in the height direction, and can deliver the bin storing the SKU to the automated storage and retrieval system and take the bin from the automated storage and retrieval system to the flow rack;

[0036] The ground cargo robot moves on the ground and is connected with the loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf to realize the movement of the bin in X, Y and Z dimensions.

[0037] Preferably, the fluent rack comprises a plurality of storage locations, each of which is capable of storing at least one bin, each bin containing only one SKU, and the bins are automatically transported from high to low on the fluent rack by gravity.

[0038] Preferably, when the number C of the total picked SKU types 21 ≥ the number L of the storage locations of the fluent rack 20 , and each storage location of the fluent rack has a bin, the subsequent picked SKU bins are queued and stored in the storage locations.

[0039] Preferably, the distribution of a plurality of orders in the pickup area as the same wave processing specifically includes,

[0040] At least any two orders that require at least one same SKU are processed as the same wave; further preferably, at least two orders that require at least two same SKUs are processed as the same wave.

[0041] Preferably, the position information prompt of the storage area and the pickup area can be prompted by at least one of the ways of lighting, voice or display screen.

[0042] One or more technical solutions provided in the present application have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0043] 1. Through the position prompt of the storage area and the pickup area and the required SKU quantity prompt, the sufficient SKU is transferred from the corresponding storage area to the pickup area, saving the time of finding the SKU position and the order position (the target position of SKU sorting), which can assist the operator in sorting when the operator is sorting, on the one hand, improving the sorting speed of the operator, and on the other hand, reducing the probability of operator error;

[0044] 2. The combination of the automatic storage and retrieval system and the fluent rack makes the total picking and sorting able to be operated separately in time sequence. The robotic bin handling system can realize the automatic total picking of the bins from the automatic storage and retrieval system and place the total picked bins in the fluent rack for storage, so that the total picking and sorting are operated separately in time sequence, for example, the total picking can be performed at night, and the operator only needs to perform the sorting operation during the day, increasing the work flexibility and improving the work efficiency;

[0045] 3. In the prior art, when the SKU in the sorting area is not processed, the next SKU to be sorted is not allowed to reach the sorting area, which belongs to a mode of one SKU corresponding to one order or one SKU corresponding to multiple orders; while in the present application, the fluent rack can store a plurality of total picked bins, which belongs to a processing mode of multiple SKUs corresponding to multiple orders, and can improve the sorting efficiency;

[0046] 4. The use of sorting mobile equipment to replace operators for sorting can improve the degree of automation, and the sorting mobile equipment works strictly according to the program, with high accuracy, while avoiding the errors caused by manual operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the automatic vertical warehouse, fluent rack and sorting vehicle provided by the first embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of sorting by using sorting lights in the first embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the fluent rack in the first embodiment of the present application.

[0051] In the figure: 1, fluent rack, 11, warehouse location, 12, fluent strip, 2, automatic vertical warehouse, 3, sorting vehicle, 4, loading and unloading equipment fixed on the rack, 5, ground freight robot, 6, material box, 7a, sorting light in the buffer area (colored to indicate light), 7b, sorting light in the pick-up area (colored to indicate light). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely in combination with the drawings of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described in the present application are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0053] Embodiment one

[0054] The order sorting method comprises:

[0055] Assign several orders in the pickup area as the same wave processing, taking order one, order two and order three as an example, order one, order two and order three are assigned in the pickup area as the same wave processing, order one needs 5 SKU1, 3 SKU2 and 1 SKU4, order two needs 1 SKU1, 1 SKU2 and 1 SKU3, order three needs 2 SKU1, 1 SKU3 and 1 SKU4; assign a physical location for each order in the wave in the pickup area, the physical address of order one is A1, the physical address of order two is A2, and the physical address of order three is A3, obtain the order data set of the wave order, which includes the location information of order one, order two and order three in the pickup area, the number of each SKU required by each order, and the type of all SKUs required by the wave order;

[0056] Wherein, the order can be an external order or an internal pickup order, that is, the order sorting method can be used for the delivery management process of external transactions, and also can be used for the production management process of internal transactions; SKU is the abbreviation of "Stock Keeping Unit", which means "stock in and out measurement basic unit" in Chinese. In the logistics, warehousing and retail industry, SKU is widely used to refer to a specific commodity or product, which is a unit for identifying and managing inventory, usually used to record the detailed information of the product such as specifications, models, colors, sizes, etc. In the logistics scene: SKU is used to distinguish different goods for storage, retrieval and sorting in the warehouse. For example, a SKU represents a product of a certain color, size, model, such as black, 64GB iphone15 as SKU001; silver, 64GB iphone15 as SKU002. In this application, SKU refers to a specific commodity or goods unit in the storage and sorting process.

[0057] According to the type of all SKUs required by the wave order, that is, according to SKU1, SKU2, SKU3 and SKU4, SKU1, SKU2, SKU3 and SKU4 are totally picked out from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, and the number N of any kind of SKU totally picked out 11 ≥ the required number N of the SKU 10 For example: the required number of SKU1 is 8, then SKU1 needs to be totally picked out at least 8, if the number of SKU1 in one bin is greater than 8, then one bin can be totally picked out, if the number of SKU1 in one bin is less than 8, at least 2 bins need to be totally picked out to meet the number greater than or equal to 8; and obtain the location data of each SKU in the buffer area, the location data of SKU1 is B1, the location data of SKU2 is B2, the location data of SKU3 is B3, and the location data of SKU4 is B4, form a SKU location data set based on the location data of each SKU;

[0058] Wherein, all required SKUs are picked from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, and the total picking operation can be completed in the same wave or in multiple waves. The "wave" in the present application can be understood as a batch.

[0059] Each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the order corresponding to the wave in sufficient quantity, specifically including: SKU1 to be picked in the buffer area is sequentially allocated to order one, order two and order three in sufficient quantity; SKU2 to be picked is sequentially allocated to order one and order two in sufficient quantity; SKU3 to be picked is sequentially allocated to order two and order three in sufficient quantity; and SKU4 to be picked is sequentially allocated to order one and order three in sufficient quantity.

[0060] Wherein, sufficient quantity means that the number of the corresponding SKU allocated to the order is consistent with the number of the SKU required by the order, for example, SKU1 to be picked in the buffer area is allocated to order one in sufficient quantity, that is, five of SKU1 to be picked in the buffer area are allocated to order one.

[0061] Specifically, the allocation of each SKU in the buffer area to the order corresponding to the wave in sufficient quantity includes,

[0062] Step 1), as Figure 2 The position information of SKU1 in the buffer area is prompted, the position information of order one in the pickup area and the number of SKU1 required by order one are prompted, and the SKU1 is transferred from the position prompted in the buffer area to the position prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity according to the position information prompts of the buffer area and the pickup area;

[0063] Step 2), the position information of order one is cancelled, the position information of order two in the pickup area and the number of SKU1 required by order two are prompted, and the SKU1 is transferred from the position prompted in the buffer area to the position prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity according to the position information prompts of the buffer area and the pickup area;

[0064] Step 3), SKU1 is sequentially allocated to order one and order two in sufficient quantity until SKU1 is allocated to order three (the last order) required by SKU1 through the position prompt of the buffer area and the position information and the required SKU1 quantity prompt of the pickup area;

[0065] Step 4), then the position information prompt of SKU1 in the buffer area is cancelled, the position information prompt of SKU2 in the buffer area is started, the position information of order one required by SKU2 in the pickup area and the number of SKU2 required by order one are prompted, and SKU2 is transferred from the position prompted in the buffer area to the position prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity according to the position information prompts of the buffer area and the pickup area;

[0066] Step 5), repeat step 2) and step 3), and the SKU2 is allocated to the last order of the required SKU2, here the last order is order two; refer to the foregoing steps, until the SKU3 and SKU4 are sequentially allocated to the corresponding order, that is, the SKU3 is sequentially allocated to order two and order three, and then the SKU4 is sequentially allocated to order one and order three.

[0067] Referring to Figure 2 , the location information prompt of the buffer area and the pickup area can be completed by a picking light, that is, each picking light corresponds to a location information, the picking light 7a of the buffer area is lighted to indicate taking goods from the corresponding location, and the picking light 7b of the pickup area is lighted to indicate putting goods to the corresponding location; the required quantity of the SKU can be displayed on the mobile terminal or also can be displayed on the display device of the buffer area; after each taking or putting is completed, the picking light is pressed, the picking light is turned off, when the picking light 7a of the buffer area and the picking light 7b of the corresponding pickup area in the same group are turned off, the picking light is updated, that is, the picking light of the next group of buffer areas and the picking light of the corresponding pickup area are lighted, and the required quantity of the SKU on the mobile terminal or the display device is updated; in addition, the above-mentioned allocation mode includes but is not limited to manual allocation.

[0068] Referring to Figure 2 , the pickup area can be a sorting trolley 3 or a seeding wall, each material frame corresponds to an order, and a plurality of material frames are stored on the sorting trolley or the seeding wall. In the pickup area, each order in the wave is allocated a physical location, which can be understood as: using the material frame allocated by the sorting trolley to each order in the wave.

[0069] Specifically, the SKU is stored in the SKU storage area in the form of a material box, and the required all SKUs are picked from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, specifically including,

[0070] The required SKUs are picked in batches from the SKU storage area in the form of a material box, and the material box storing the SKUs is transferred to the buffer area as a whole;

[0071] After each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the corresponding order in the wave, if there is a remaining quantity of any SKU in the buffer, the original material box is returned to the SKU storage area; if any SKU in the buffer is allocated, there is no remaining quantity, and the empty material box corresponding to the SKU is taken out to avoid returning the empty box to the SKU storage area.

[0072] Specifically, the order sorting method further includes,

[0073] The SKU storage area stores the SKU in the form of an automated storage and retrieval system;

[0074] The automated vertical warehouse comprises a plurality of shelves, and the automated storage of the automated vertical warehouse is realized by a robotic bin handling system;

[0075] The buffer area comprises at least fluent shelves; the fluent shelves are arranged in a delivery area of the automated vertical warehouse,

[0076] The required total SKUs are picked from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, and the total picking operation can be performed in batches, specifically comprising,

[0077] The required SKUs are continuously picked from the automated vertical warehouse by the robotic bin handling system in the form of bin storage, and directly transferred to the fluent shelf whole-box buffer.

[0078] Specifically, the robotic bin handling system specifically comprises,

[0079] The goods loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf moves in the height and horizontal directions, and can deliver the bin storing the SKUs to the automated vertical warehouse for storage, and can also take out the bin from the automated vertical warehouse and transfer it to the fluent shelf;

[0080] The ground cargo robot moves on the ground and is connected with the goods loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf, so as to realize the movement of the bin in X, Y and Z three dimensions.

[0081] The specific implementation mode of the goods loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf can refer to the goods loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf disclosed in the Chinese patent application publication (CN113830485A). The specific implementation mode of the goods loading and unloading device fixed on the shelf cooperating with the ground cargo robot to realize the movement of the bin in X, Y and Z three dimensions can refer to the cooperation mode of the fixed track transmission device and the ground cargo robot disclosed in the Chinese patent application publication (CN118701547A).

[0082] Referring to Figure 3 The fluent shelf 1 is a short name of fluent shelf (or roller shelf), the fluent shelf 1 is provided with fluent strips 12 (composed of a plurality of rollers arranged side by side), and the fluent shelf presents a certain inclination slope, so that the goods slide to the delivery end by gravity.

[0083] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 3When the fixed goods loading and unloading device 4 on the shelf places the bin 6 on one end of the flow rack 1a, the bin 6 slides to the other end by gravity, waiting for sorting; when the sorting is completed, and there is SKU left in the bin, the SKU needs to be returned to the SKU storage area in the form of the original bin, it can be returned through the flow rack 1b in the opposite direction, and taken away by the fixed goods loading and unloading device 4 on the shelf, directly stored on the shelf of the automated vertical warehouse 2, or stored on the shelf of the automated vertical warehouse 2 through cooperation with the ground freight robot 5. Among them, the inclination directions of the flow rack 1a and the flow rack 1b are opposite.

[0084] Specifically, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the flow rack 1 includes a plurality of storage locations 11, Figure 1 4 storage locations 11 are shown in FIG. 4, each of the storage locations 11 can buffer at least one bin 6, the bin 6 only stores one kind of SKU, and the flow rack 1 can realize automatic transportation of the buffered bin 6, wherein the storage location 11 is the core component of the flow rack 1, and the storage location 11 is a specific location on the flow rack 1 for storing goods.

[0085] Specifically, when the number C 21 of the types of the total sorted SKU 20 is greater than the number L of the storage locations 11 of the flow rack 1 , and each storage location 11 of the flow rack 1 has a bin 6, the subsequent sorted SKU bin is queued and buffered on the storage location 11.

[0086] Specifically, the position information prompt of the buffer area and the pickup area can also be prompted by at least one of voice or display screen.

[0087] Embodiment two

[0088] The order sorting method comprises:

[0089] allocating a plurality of orders in the pickup area as the same wave for processing, allocating a physical location for each order of the wave in the pickup area, obtaining an order data set of the wave order, the order data set at least including the location information of each order in the pickup area, the number of each SKU required by each order, and the types of all SKUs required by the wave order;

[0090] According to the types of all SKUs required by the wave order, all required SKUs are sorted from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area, and the number N 11 of any sorted SKU is greater than the number N 10 of the required SKU; and at least the position data of each SKU in the buffer area is obtained to form a SKU position data set;

[0091] The sufficient amount of each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the orders corresponding to the wave, specifically including: the sufficient amount of any SKU in the buffer area to be sorted is sequentially allocated to each order requiring the SKU until the allocation of the SKU required by the orders of the wave is completed; then the next kind of SKU is sequentially allocated to each order requiring the next kind of SKU until the allocation of the next kind of SKU required by the orders of the wave is completed; and the process is sequentially performed until the sufficient amount of each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the orders corresponding to the wave.

[0092] Specifically, the sufficient amount of each SKU in the buffer area is allocated to the orders corresponding to the wave, specifically including,

[0093] Step a), the sorting mobile device obtains the position data of any SKU from the SKU position data set, and obtains the position information of any order requiring the SKU and the quantity of the SKU required by the order from the order data set, and the sufficient amount of the SKU at the SKU position in the buffer area is taken by the sorting mobile device and transferred to the order position in the pickup area;

[0094] Step b), the sorting mobile device obtains the position information of the next order requiring the SKU and the quantity of the SKU corresponding thereto, and the sufficient amount of the SKU at the SKU position in the buffer area is taken by the sorting mobile device and transferred to the next order position in the pickup area;

[0095] Step c), sequentially, until the position information of the last order requiring the SKU and the quantity of the SKU corresponding thereto are obtained by the sorting mobile device, and the sufficient amount of the SKU is transferred to the last order requiring the SKU;

[0096] Step d), the sorting mobile device obtains the position data of the next kind of SKU from the SKU position data set, and obtains the position information of any order requiring the next kind of SKU and the quantity of the next kind of SKU required by the order from the order data set, and the sufficient amount of the next kind of SKU at the next kind of SKU position in the buffer area is taken by the sorting mobile device and transferred to the order position in the pickup area;

[0097] Step e), steps b) and c) are repeated, and the sufficient amount of the next kind of SKU is allocated to the last order requiring the next kind of SKU until the last kind of SKU to be sorted in the buffer area is sequentially allocated to the last order requiring the last kind of SKU.

[0098] The sorting mobile device automatically obtains the specified SKU from the buffer area and allocates it to the corresponding order location in sufficient quantity by reading the SKU location data and order data. The sorting mobile device can continuously process multiple SKUs and orders, and complete the sorting tasks in sequence according to the planned path and order of the system. Automation reduces manual intervention and operational errors, improves sorting efficiency and accuracy, optimizes warehouse space utilization, reduces labor intensity, enhances data management capabilities, and significantly improves the overall performance and management level of the logistics system.

[0099] It should also be noted that in the present specification, the terms "comprising", "including", or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that processes, methods, articles or devices including a series of elements not only include those elements, but also include other elements not explicitly listed, or inherent to such processes, methods, articles or devices. Without more limitations, the element defined by the statement "comprising a" does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element.

Claims

1. An order sorting method, characterized in that, include: Several orders are assigned to the pickup area as a single batch for processing. A physical location is assigned to each order in the pickup area. The order dataset for that batch of orders is obtained. The order dataset includes at least the location information of each order in the pickup area, the quantity of each SKU required for each order, and the total number of SKUs required for that batch of orders. Based on the total number of SKUs required for this order batch, all required SKUs are picked from the SKU storage area and transferred to the buffer area. The total number N of any type of SKU picked is... 11 ≥ The required quantity of this SKU N 10 And at least obtain the location data of each SKU in the cache to form an SKU location dataset; The process of allocating each SKU in the buffer area to the corresponding orders for that wave involves: sequentially and fully allocating any SKU to be sorted in the buffer area to each order that requires that SKU, until the allocation of that SKU for the current wave of orders is complete; then sequentially and fully allocating the next SKU to each order that requires that next SKU, until the allocation of that next SKU for the current wave of orders is complete; and so on, until each SKU in the buffer area is fully allocated to the corresponding orders for that wave. The SKU storage area stores SKUs in an automated automated warehouse manner; The automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS) includes several racks, and automated storage is achieved through a robotic bin handling system. The buffer area includes at least a flow rack; the flow rack is located in the outbound area of ​​the automated warehouse. The process of retrieving all required SKUs from the SKU storage area and transferring them to the cache area specifically includes: The required SKUs are picked out from the automated warehouse by the robotic bin handling system and directly transferred to the flow rack full case cache. The robotic bin handling system specifically includes, Loading and unloading equipment fixed on the shelf, which can move at least in the vertical direction, can deliver the bins storing SKUs to the automated storage and retrieval system, and can also remove the bins from the automated storage and retrieval system and transfer them to the flow rack; A ground cargo robot moves on the ground and connects with loading and unloading equipment fixed on a shelf, enabling the material box to move in the X, Y, and Z dimensions. When the loading and unloading equipment fixed on the shelf places the bins at one end of the flow rack, the bins slide down to the other end by their own weight, waiting to be sorted.

2. The order sorting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of allocating sufficient quantities of each SKU in the cache to the orders corresponding to that wave specifically includes, Step 1) In the buffer area, display the location information of any SKU to be sorted; in the pickup area, display the location information of any order that requires that SKU and the quantity of that SKU required by that order; based on the location information displayed in the buffer area and the pickup area, transfer the SKU in sufficient quantity from the location displayed in the buffer area to the location displayed in the pickup area. Step 2) Cancel the location information prompt for the order, and prompt the pickup area with the location information of the next order that requires the SKU and the quantity of the SKU required for the next order. Similarly, according to the location information prompts in the cache area and the pickup area, transfer the SKU from the location prompted in the cache area to the location prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity. Step 3) Proceed sequentially until the location of the buffer area, the location information of the pickup area, and the required SKU quantity prompt are obtained, and the SKU is fully allocated to the last order that requires that SKU. Step 4) Then cancel the location information prompt for the SKU in the cache area, start the location information prompt for the next SKU in the cache area, and prompt the location information of any order that requires the next SKU and the quantity of the next SKU required in the order in the pickup area. According to the location information prompts in the cache area and the pickup area, transfer the next SKU from the location prompted in the cache area to the location prompted in the pickup area in sufficient quantity. Step 5) Repeat steps 2) and 3) to allocate the next SKU in sufficient quantities to the last order that requires the next SKU, until the last SKU to be sorted in the buffer area is allocated in sufficient quantities to the last order that requires the last SKU.

3. The order sorting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of allocating sufficient quantities of each SKU in the cache to the orders corresponding to that wave specifically includes, Step a) The sorting mobile device obtains the location data of any SKU from the SKU location dataset, and obtains the location information of any order requiring the SKU and the quantity of the SKU required by the order from the order dataset. The sorting mobile device then takes the SKU in sufficient quantity from the SKU location in the buffer area and transfers it to the order location in the pickup area. Step b) The sorting mobile device obtains the location information of the next order that requires the SKU and the corresponding quantity of the SKU required, and the sorting mobile device takes the SKU in sufficient quantity from the location of the SKU in the buffer area and transfers it to the location of the next order in the picking area; Step c) is performed sequentially until the location information of the last order requiring the SKU and the corresponding quantity of the SKU are obtained through the sorting mobile device, and the SKU is transferred in sufficient quantity to the last order requiring the SKU. Step d) The sorting mobile device obtains the location data of the next SKU from the SKU location dataset, and obtains the location information of any order that requires the next SKU from the order dataset, as well as the quantity of the next SKU required by the order. The sorting mobile device then takes the next SKU in sufficient quantity from the next SKU location in the buffer area and transfers it to the order location in the pickup area. Step e) Repeat steps b) and c) to allocate the next SKU in sufficient quantities to the last order that requires the next SKU, until the last SKU to be sorted in the buffer area is allocated in sufficient quantities to the last order that requires the last SKU.

4. The order sorting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The SKUs are stored in the SKU storage area in bins. The process of retrieving all required SKUs from the SKU storage area and transferring them to the buffer area specifically includes... The required SKUs are picked out as a whole from the SKU storage area using bin storage, and the bin containing the SKUs is transferred to the buffer area. After allocating each SKU in the buffer area to the corresponding order for that wave, if there is a surplus of any SKU in the buffer, it is returned to the SKU storage area in the form of a raw material box; if any SKU in the buffer is allocated and there is no surplus, the empty material box corresponding to that SKU is taken out to avoid empty boxes being returned to the SKU storage area.

5. The order sorting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow rack includes several storage locations, each of which can buffer at least one material bin. Each material bin contains only one SKU, and the material bins are automatically transported from high to low on the flow rack by their own weight.

6. The order sorting method according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the total number of SKU types picked out C 21 ≥ Number of fluidized bed storage locations L 20 When each storage location of the flow rack has a material box, the material boxes of SKUs picked out later are queued and cached at the storage location.

7. The order sorting method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process of allocating several orders to the pickup area for processing in the same wave specifically includes, Orders with at least two identical SKUs will be treated as the same batch.

8. The order sorting method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The location information of the buffer area and the pickup area can be indicated by at least one of the following methods: lighting, voice prompts, or display screens.

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