Picking station and warehousing system

Abstract

This specification provides one or more embodiments of a picking station and warehousing system. The picking station includes a base, a support assembly, and a power assembly. The support assembly includes a transmission component and a support member. The transmission component is movably mounted to the base. The support member is fixed to the transmission component. The power assembly drives the transmission component to move relative to the base, causing the support member to produce a displacement at least opposite to the direction of gravity. By configuring the power assembly to drive the transmission component, this specification enables the support member to produce a displacement opposite to the direction of gravity, thereby raising the toy box through the support member. This ergonomic design eliminates the need for picking personnel to bend over, thus improving the picking efficiency of the picking station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to one or more embodiments in the field of warehousing and logistics technology, and in particular to a picking workstation and warehousing system. Background Technology

[0002] With continuous technological advancements, the efficiency of warehousing systems has gradually improved. Currently, some warehousing systems adopt a "goods-to-person" picking model, where robots automatically deliver boxes containing goods to pickers, eliminating the need for personnel to move around the warehouse and improving picking efficiency. However, current robots are relatively low in height, often requiring pickers to bend over, which not only reduces picking efficiency but may also cause long-term physical harm to operators. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above, one or more embodiments of this specification provide the following technical solutions: According to a first aspect of one or more embodiments of this specification, a picking workstation is provided, comprising: Base; A support assembly includes a transmission component and a support component; the transmission component is movably mounted to the base; the support component is fixed to the transmission component; A power assembly for driving the transmission member to move relative to the base, such that the support member produces a displacement at least opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0004] Furthermore, the base is provided with an annular groove, with the axial direction of the annular groove as the first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the direction of gravity, and the transmission component is slidably installed in the annular groove; the number of the supporting components is multiple, and the multiple supporting components are arranged at intervals along the annular groove.

[0005] Furthermore, the distribution spacing of the plurality of supporting components is equal.

[0006] Furthermore, the annular groove is rectangular; the number of supporting components is four.

[0007] Furthermore, the base includes a rear substrate, and the annular groove includes a first annular groove disposed on the rear substrate; the transmission member includes a transmission body and a first shaft; the transmission body is used to fix the support member; the first shaft protrudes from the transmission body toward the first annular groove and is slidably mounted with the first annular groove.

[0008] Furthermore, the base also includes a front substrate, and the rear substrate is disposed opposite to the front substrate in the first direction; the annular groove also includes a second annular groove disposed on the front substrate; the transmission member also includes a second shaft, which protrudes from the transmission body toward the second annular groove and is slidably mounted to the second annular groove.

[0009] Furthermore, in the first direction, the projection of the first annular groove is at least partially offset from the projection of the second annular groove.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmission body is provided with guide rollers, the axis of which is perpendicular to the first direction and the direction of gravity; when the support member moves parallel to the direction of gravity, the guide rollers abut against the rear substrate and the front substrate on both sides of the first direction respectively.

[0011] Furthermore, the power assembly includes a chain and multiple sprockets, the shape of the chain being adapted to the shape of the annular groove; the inner side of the chain is connected to the sprockets for transmission; and the outer side of the chain is rotatably connected to the transmission body.

[0012] Furthermore, the transmission body includes a first part, a second part, and an intermediate part connecting the first part and the second part; in the direction of gravity, the size of the intermediate part is smaller than that of the first part and the second part, and a lug is provided on the outer side of the chain, the lug protruding between the first part and the second part and rotatably connected to the intermediate part.

[0013] Furthermore, in a first direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity, one side of the support assembly is slidably mounted to the base; the transmission component and the support component are mounted front and rear in the first direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the base is provided with a support frame on the side opposite to the supporting component, and the support frame is provided with a fixing hole, the axis of which is parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0015] As can be seen from the above embodiments, this specification sets up a power component to drive the transmission component, so that the support component can generate displacement opposite to the direction of gravity to raise the material box. This conforms to the ergonomic design and eliminates the need for picking personnel to bend over, thereby improving the picking efficiency of the picking station. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a picking workstation provided in an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a picking workstation provided in an exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A structural diagram of a picking station from a frontal view. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Diagram of the working status of the picking station in the middle; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A diagram of the picking station's working status from a frontal view. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Structural diagram of the transmission component; Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Structural diagram of the central transmission component from a frontal view; Figure 8 yes Figure 3 Sectional view at point AA; Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the chain.

[0017] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 10. Base; 100. Annular groove; 101. First annular groove; 102. Second annular groove; 11. Rear base plate; 111. Rear annular protrusion; 112. Rear fixing slot; 12. Front base plate; 121. Outer side plate; 122. Inner side plate; 123. Outer annular protrusion; 124. Inner annular protrusion; 13. Support frame; 130. Fixing hole; 131. Base plate; 132. Support rod; 14. Connecting column; 20. Support assembly; 21. Transmission component; 211. Transmission body; 2111. First part; 2112. Second part; 2113. Middle part; 2 12. First shaft; 2121. Cylindrical part; 2122. Semicircular part; 2123. Wear-resistant part; 213. Second shaft; 214. Guide roller; 215. Mounting block; 22. Supporting part; 220. Loading / unloading opening; 221. Supporting base plate; 222. Limiting side plate; 223. Guide plate; 224. Weight reduction hole; 30. Power assembly; 31. Chain; 311. Lug; 32. Sprocket; 40. Material box; 41. First material box; 42. Second material box; 43. Third material box; 401. Loading station; 402. Picking station; 403. Retrieving station; 404. Idle station. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In current warehousing systems, some robots transport cartons to pickers, eliminating the need for personnel to move around the warehouse and improving picking efficiency. However, current robots are relatively low, often requiring pickers to bend over, which not only reduces picking efficiency but may also cause injury to operators over time. This specification provides a picking workstation and warehousing system to solve these technical problems.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, this application provides a picking workstation, including a base 10, a support assembly 20, and a power assembly 30. The base 10 can be connected to the ground to fix the picking workstation as a whole. The support assembly 20 includes a transmission member 21 and a support member 22. The transmission member 21 is movably mounted to the base 10. The support member 22 is fixed to the transmission member 21. The support member 22 is used to support the toy box.

[0020] The power unit 30 drives the transmission component 21 to move relative to the base 10. Since the support component 22 is fixed to the transmission component 21, it moves with the transmission component 21 to transport cartons containing goods to the pickers for picking, or to remove cartons after picking from the pickers. Driven by the transmission component 21, the support component 22 can generate a displacement at least opposite to the direction of gravity G.

[0021] This manual describes how the power assembly 30 drives the transmission component 21, enabling the support component 22 to generate a displacement opposite to the direction of gravity G, thereby raising the material box. This ergonomic design eliminates the need for pickers to bend over, thus improving the picking efficiency of the picking station.

[0022] In one embodiment, the base 10 is provided with an annular groove 100. The axial direction of the annular groove 100 is taken as a first direction X, which is perpendicular to the gravity direction G. Multiple support components 20 are provided, spaced apart along the annular groove 100.

[0023] By setting the annular groove 100, multiple support members 22 can move along the shape of the annular groove 100 on the base 10. During the movement, different support members 22 can perform different functions, such as placing, picking, or retrieving goods. This eliminates the need for multiple workstations, achieving functional integration, improving the integration level of the picking workstation, and reducing its footprint. Based on this, the flexibility of the picking workstation is also improved. On the one hand, the picking workstation in this specification is lightweight, facilitating transport between different work scenarios. On the other hand, the picking workstation in this specification can also meet the corresponding operational requirements for changes in work scenarios with different volumes.

[0024] In other embodiments, the way the transmission component 21 and the base 10 are movably mounted is not limited, as long as they can generate relative movement. For example, a lead screw mechanism, gear mechanism, or linkage mechanism can be formed between the transmission component 21 and the power component 30, so that the transmission component 21 drives the support component 22 to produce a displacement opposite to the direction of gravity G.

[0025] In embodiments where the base 10 is provided with an annular groove 100, the distribution spacing of the multiple support components 20 can be equal. By equidistantly arranging the support components 20, the spacing between workstations performing different operations is equal, and multiple steps in placing, picking, or retrieving goods can be performed simultaneously, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the picking workstation.

[0026] For example: In one embodiment, please refer to [the document / reference]. Figure 3 As shown, the annular groove 100 is rectangular. There are four supporting components 20. The base 10 is equipped with a loading station 401, a picking station 402, a retrieval station 403, and an idle station 404. Loading, picking, and retrieval can be performed simultaneously, significantly improving the picking efficiency of the picking station. Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, during the picking process, three bins 40 are typically placed on the picking station, and the direction of movement of the bins is visible. Figure 5 As indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0027] The three bins 40 include a first bin 41, a second bin 42, and a third bin 43. The goods in the first bin 41 are unpicked. The goods in the second bin 42 are being picked. The goods in the third bin 43 have been picked. After one round of picking, multiple support assemblies 20 move along... Figure 5 Rotate clockwise in the indicated direction to switch the working positions of the first material box 41, the second material box 42 and the third material box 43.

[0028] Specifically, the first material box 41 along Figure 5 The goods are moved clockwise from the indicated location to the picking station 402, transporting unpicked goods to the operator. The second bin 42 also moves clockwise along this path. Figure 5 The robot moves clockwise from picking station 402 to pickup station 403, transporting the picked bins 40 to the pickup robot. After the third bin 43 is taken by the robot, the support component 20 at pickup station 403 moves to idle station 404. The support component 20 at the previously idle station 404 moves to placement station 401 for the robot to place the goods to be picked.

[0029] During this process, after placing the goods to be picked at the delivery station 401, the robot can directly move towards... Figure 5 The robot moves to the right of the indicated position. During the robot's movement, the picking operation is performed simultaneously. After one round of picking is completed, the bin 40 at picking station 402 moves clockwise to pickup station 403. At this time, the robot can simultaneously move to pickup station 403 and directly retrieve the picked bin 40 from pickup station 403, further improving the picking efficiency of picking workstation 1.

[0030] In other embodiments, the number of support components 20 is not limited. For example, there may be two support components 20, each moving vertically. During operation, one support component 20 is positioned below to place unpicked goods onto the robot, while the other support component 20 is positioned above to allow the operator to pick the goods. After one round of picking is completed, the robot retrieves the goods from the picking station, with the upper support component 20 moving downwards and the lower support component 20 moving upwards. Alternatively, there may be three support components 20, which move along a circular or equilateral triangular trajectory.

[0031] In an embodiment where the annular groove 100 is rectangular and the number of supporting components 20 is four, the long side of the annular groove 100 can be perpendicular to the direction of gravity G. That is, when the picking station is fixed to the ground, the long side of the annular groove 100 is parallel to the ground. On the one hand, because the robot is relatively low, in this configuration, the heights of the placement station 401 and the picking station 403 can be adapted to the height of the robot, improving operational efficiency. On the other hand, the picking station occupies less space in the direction of gravity, further improving the integration and flexibility of the picking station.

[0032] In one embodiment, the base 10 may include a rear substrate 11. The annular groove 100 includes a first annular groove 101 disposed on the rear substrate 11. Please refer to [further details omitted]. Figure 6 As shown, the transmission component 21 includes a transmission body 211 and a first shaft 212. The transmission body 211 is used to fix the support component 22. The first shaft 212 protrudes from the transmission body 211 toward the first annular groove 101 and is slidably mounted with the first annular groove 101. The relative sliding between the transmission component 21 and the base 10 is achieved by using a hole-shaft fit. The first annular groove 101 can limit the first shaft 212 perpendicular to the sliding direction, thereby improving the operational stability of the transmission component 21.

[0033] In this embodiment, the base 10 may further include a front substrate 12, and a rear substrate 11 is disposed opposite to the front substrate 12 in the first direction X. The annular groove 100 also includes a second annular groove 102 disposed on the front substrate 12. The transmission member 21 also includes a second shaft 213, which protrudes from the transmission body 211 toward the second annular groove 102 and is slidably mounted to the second annular groove 102. The first shaft 212 and the second shaft 213 extend from the transmission body 211 toward both sides along the first direction X, respectively, and both sides of the transmission member 21 are supported, thereby further improving the operational stability.

[0034] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the rear substrate 11 is provided with a rear annular protrusion 111, and a first annular groove 101 is provided in the rear annular protrusion 111. The front substrate 12 includes an outer side plate 121 and an inner side plate 122. The outer side plate 121 is annular, and the inner side plate 122 is provided in the hollow portion of the outer side plate 121. The outer side plate 121 is provided with an outer annular protrusion 123. The inner side plate 122 is provided with an inner annular protrusion 124. A second annular groove 102 is formed between the outer annular protrusion 123 and the inner annular protrusion 124.

[0035] In one embodiment, one side of the support assembly 20 is slidably mounted to the base 10 in a first direction X perpendicular to the direction of gravity G. The transmission component 21 and the support component 22 are mounted front and rear in the first direction. Since only one side of the support assembly 20 is slidably mounted to the base 10, the other side of the support assembly 20 is suspended and does not require connection of additional components, further reducing the volume occupied by the picking workstation.

[0036] In one embodiment, a support frame 13 is provided on the side of the base 10 away from the support assembly 20. The support frame 13 has fixing holes 130, the axis of which is parallel to the direction of gravity G. Since the support assembly 20 is connected to the base 10 on only one side, the force exerted by the support assembly 20 on the base 10 is concentrated on one side. By providing a support frame 13 on the side of the base 10 away from the support assembly 20 and fixing the support frame 13 with fixing holes 130, the force exerted by the support assembly 20 on the base 10 can be balanced, improving the stability of the picking station. The support frame 13 may include a base plate 131 and a support rod 132. The fixing holes 130 are provided in the base plate 131. The support rod 132 connects the base plate 131 and the rear base plate 11 to form a triangular support.

[0037] In one embodiment, the rear substrate 11 and the front substrate 12 are connected by a connecting post 14. The rear substrate 11 may be provided with a rear fixing slot 112. The front substrate 12 may be provided with a front fixing slot (not shown). The two ends of the connecting post 14 are respectively inserted into the rear fixing slot 112 and the front fixing slot.

[0038] In one embodiment, in the first direction X, the projection of the first annular groove 101 and the projection of the second annular groove 102 are at least partially offset. Please refer to [further details omitted]. Figure 6 As shown, the first shaft 212 and the second shaft 213 are also offset in the first direction X. That is, when viewed from the first direction X, the projection of the first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 are not completely aligned.

[0039] If the first shaft 212 or the second shaft 213 needs to rotate, the first shaft 212 is limited by the first annular groove 101, and the second shaft 213 is limited by the second annular groove 102. Therefore, they can only rotate around their respective axes. Because the axes of the first shaft 212 and the second shaft 213 are misaligned, when one of them tends to rotate, the other will be limited by the groove structure. This ensures that the transmission component 21 as a whole remains horizontal, thereby ensuring that the support component 22 fixed to the transmission component 21 and the hopper placed on the support component 22 remain horizontal, improving the stability of the picking station.

[0040] Specifically, the projections of the first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 can be offset in the gravitational direction G. In the first direction X, the projections of the first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 have the same width, but the projection of the first annular groove 101 is lower than the projection of the second annular groove 102 in the gravitational direction G. The direction in which the projections of the first annular groove 101 and the second annular groove 102 are offset is not limited.

[0041] Please refer to the following: Figure 7 As shown, the transmission body 211 may include a first part 2111, a second part 2112, and an intermediate part 2113. The intermediate part 2113 connects the first part 2111 and the second part 2112. A first shaft 212 is disposed in the first part 2111. A second shaft 213 is disposed in the second part 2112. The first shaft 212 includes a cylindrical part 2121 and a semi-circular part 2122. The semi-circular part 2122 is used to connect to the support member 22, and the semi-circular hole-shaft fit is used to achieve limiting, so that the part placed on the support member 22 remains horizontal, further improving the stability of the picking station. The cylindrical part 2121 is fitted with a wear-resistant part 2123, which may be a rolling bearing, etc., and contacts the second annular groove 102.

[0042] In one embodiment, please refer to the following: Figure 8 As shown, the transmission body 211 is provided with guide rollers 214, the axis of which is perpendicular to the first direction X and the gravity direction G. When the support member 22 moves parallel to the gravity direction G, the guide rollers 214 abut against the rear substrate 11 and the front substrate 12 on both sides in the first direction X.

[0043] When the support member 22 moves perpendicular to the direction of gravity G, the annular groove 100 provides a supporting force to the transmission member 21 opposite to the direction of gravity G, thereby supporting the weight of the transmission member 21 and improving its operational stability. When the support member 22 moves parallel to the direction of gravity G, the annular groove 100 only provides a limit to the transmission member 21 in the direction perpendicular to gravity G. At this time, by providing guide rollers 214, the movement of the transmission member 21 parallel to the direction of gravity G can be guided to ensure the overall operational stability of the transmission member 21.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, the support member 22 can be integrally plate-shaped, including a support base plate 221, limiting side plates 222, and guide plates 223. The limiting side plates 222 protrude from the support base plate 221 in the opposite direction of gravity G. There are three limiting side plates 222 to form a three-sided enclosure and limitation for the material box. The limiting side plates 222 form a loading / unloading opening 220 on the side away from the base 10, where the guide plates 223 are inclined downwards to facilitate the robot placing the material box on the support base plate 221.

[0045] like Figure 2 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the power assembly 30 may include a chain 31 and multiple sprockets 32. The shape of the chain 31 is adapted to the shape of the annular groove 100. The inner side of the chain 31 is drivenly connected to the sprockets 32. The outer side of the chain 31 is rotatably connected to the transmission body 211. The sprocket and chain mechanism has high transmission stability, thereby improving the overall operational stability of the picking station. In an embodiment where the annular groove 100 is rectangular, the chain 31 may be rectangular, and the number of sprockets 32 may be four. The four sprockets 32 are distributed at the four corners of the inner side of the rectangular chain 31, one of which is the driving sprocket and the other three are driven sprockets.

[0046] In one embodiment, the size of the middle portion 2113 is smaller than that of the first portion 2111 and the second portion 2112 in the direction of gravity G. A lug 311 is provided on the outer side of the chain 31, extending between the first portion 2111 and the second portion 2112 and rotatably connected to the middle portion 2113. By setting the size of the middle portion 2113 to be smaller than that of the first portion 2111 and the second portion 2112, a certain clearance space is provided between the first portion 2111 and the second portion 2112. Placing the lug 311 within this clearance space improves structural compactness and further reduces the space occupied by the picking station.

[0047] This specification also provides a warehousing system, including the aforementioned picking station. Because the picking station in this specification has high picking efficiency, the warehousing system described herein has high operational efficiency.

Claims

1. A picking workstation, comprising: Base; Support components, including transmission components and support components; The transmission component is movably mounted to the base; The support component is fixed to the transmission component; A power assembly for driving the transmission member to move relative to the base, such that the support member produces a displacement at least opposite to the direction of gravity.

2. The picking station according to claim 1, wherein the base is provided with an annular groove, the axis of the annular groove is taken as the first direction, the first direction is perpendicular to the gravity direction, and the transmission component is slidably installed in the annular groove; the number of the supporting components is multiple, and the multiple supporting components are arranged at intervals along the annular groove.

3. In the picking station according to claim 2, the distribution spacing of the plurality of supporting components is equal.

4. The picking station according to claim 3, wherein the annular groove is rectangular; and the number of supporting components is four.

5. The picking station according to claim 2, wherein the base includes a rear base plate, the annular groove includes a first annular groove disposed on the rear base plate; the transmission member includes a transmission body and a first shaft; the transmission body is used to fix the support member; the first shaft protrudes from the transmission body toward the first annular groove and is slidably mounted with the first annular groove.

6. The picking station according to claim 5, wherein the base further includes a front substrate, and the rear substrate is disposed opposite to the front substrate in the first direction; the annular groove further includes a second annular groove disposed on the front substrate; the transmission member further includes a second shaft, the second shaft protruding from the transmission body toward the second annular groove and slidably mounted to the second annular groove.

7. The picking station according to claim 6, wherein in the first direction, the projection of the first annular groove and the projection of the second annular groove are at least partially offset.

8. The picking station according to claim 6, wherein the transmission body is provided with guide rollers, the axial direction of the guide rollers being perpendicular to the first direction and the gravity direction; when the support member makes a displacement parallel to the gravity direction, the guide rollers abut against the rear substrate and the front substrate on both sides in the first direction respectively.

9. The picking station according to claim 5, wherein the power assembly includes a chain and a plurality of sprockets, the shape of the chain being adapted to the shape of the annular groove; the inner side of the chain is connected to the sprockets for transmission; and the outer side of the chain is rotatably connected to the transmission body.

10. The picking station according to claim 9, wherein the transmission body comprises a first part, a second part, and an intermediate part connecting the first part and the second part; in the direction of gravity, the size of the intermediate part is smaller than that of the first part and the second part, and a lug is provided on the outer side of the chain, the lug extending between the first part and the second part and rotatably connected to the intermediate part.

11. The picking station according to claim 1, wherein one side of the supporting component is slidably mounted to the base in a first direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity; the transmission component and the supporting component are mounted front and rear in the first direction.

12. The picking station according to claim 11, wherein the base is provided with a support frame on the side opposite to the supporting component, the support frame is provided with a fixing hole, and the axis of the fixing hole is parallel to the direction of gravity.

13. A warehousing system, comprising: The picking station as described in any one of claims 1-12.

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