Racking in and out scheduling system and method thereof

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a kind of vertical warehouse exit and entry scheduling system and method thereof.It relates to warehouse management technical field.The vertical warehouse exit and entry scheduling system includes: conveying line, state detection unit, scheduling control unit and multiple exit and entry modules, wherein:exit and entry module is used to be connected with conveying line;Conveying line is used to connect exit and entry module and the internal storage system of vertical warehouse;State detection unit is arranged at the key node of vertical warehouse exit and entry scheduling system, for real-time acquisition of the operating state data of vertical warehouse exit and entry scheduling system;Scheduling control unit is connected with state detection unit and exit and entry module respectively, and scheduling control unit is used to schedule the function mode of each exit and entry module based on operating state data, to realize the exit and entry scheduling of exit and entry module between different function modes, and function mode includes warehouse-in mode, warehouse-out mode and bidirectional shared mode.The application is used to achieve the effect of flexible adaptation to task load fluctuation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of warehouse management technology, and in particular to an automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS) are a core component of warehousing and logistics, responsible for high-density storage, rapid access, and efficient sorting. An AS / RS comprises entrance / exit modules and an internal storage system. During operation, the entrance / exit modules serve as the hub connecting the external transportation system and the internal storage system; their efficiency directly determines the AS / RS's throughput capacity.

[0003] In related technologies, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS) are equipped with multiple inlet / outlet modules, each responsible for either fixed outbound or inbound functions. Each module includes an independent unidirectional three-dimensional storage line and a two-layer material sorting and unloading device. The lifting and horizontal movement of materials is achieved through the coordination between the unidirectional storage line and the two-layer device. However, this type of AS / RS suffers from insufficient flexibility in outbound and inbound scheduling, making it difficult to adapt to dynamic fluctuations in workload. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a warehouse entry / exit scheduling system and method to achieve flexible adaptation to task load fluctuations.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a warehouse access scheduling system, comprising: a conveyor line, a status detection unit, a scheduling control unit, and multiple entrance / exit modules, wherein:

[0006] Inlet / outlet modules are used to connect to the conveyor line;

[0007] Conveyor lines are used to connect the entrance / exit modules and the internal storage system of the automated warehouse.

[0008] The status detection unit is set at key nodes of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system to collect real-time operational status data of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system;

[0009] The scheduling and control unit is connected to the status detection unit and the entrance / exit module respectively. The scheduling and control unit is used to schedule the functional modes of each entrance / exit module based on the operating status data, so as to realize the entry and exit scheduling of the entrance / exit modules between different functional modes. The functional modes include the inbound mode, the outbound mode and the bidirectional shared mode.

[0010] In one possible implementation, multiple inlet and outlet modules are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the internal storage system.

[0011] In one possible implementation, each inlet / outlet module has the same structure, and each inlet / outlet module includes multiple outgoing inlets / outlets and multiple internal inlets / outlets. The outgoing inlets / outlets are used to connect the inlet / outlet module to the outside world to deliver materials to or receive materials delivered from the outside world. The internal inlets / outlets are used to connect the inlet / outlet module to the internal storage system to store materials in or deliver materials from the internal storage system to the inlet / outlet module.

[0012] The scheduling and control unit is specifically used to schedule the functional modes of external and internal entrances and exits in each entrance and exit module based on the operating status data.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the conveyor line is a bidirectional conveyor line, which is used to support bidirectional synchronous transmission in both the inbound and outbound directions.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the operational status data includes: the number of outbound tasks to be completed, the number of inbound tasks to be completed, the transport load, and congestion parameters;

[0015] The status detection unit includes a task counting unit, a load sensing unit, a congestion detection unit, and a fault alarm unit, wherein:

[0016] The task counting unit is used to collect the number of outbound tasks and inbound tasks that have been executed, and to determine the number of outbound tasks to be completed and the number of inbound tasks to be completed based on the total number of outbound tasks and the total number of inbound tasks in the task list.

[0017] The load sensing unit is used to determine the current transport load based on the total transport capacity of the internal storage system and the currently used transport capacity.

[0018] The congestion detection unit is used to determine the congestion parameters for each partition in the internal storage system based on the number of outbound and inbound tasks corresponding to each partition.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the scheduling control unit is further configured to:

[0020] Real-time acquisition of the line operation status of the transmission channel;

[0021] If a transmission channel failure is detected based on the line operation status and the estimated failure repair time exceeds a preset threshold, the redundancy takeover mechanism will be automatically triggered.

[0022] The redundant takeover mechanism includes transferring unfinished tasks from the first transmission channel that has failed to the second transmission channel that has not failed.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the redundancy takeover mechanism further includes: switching the functional mode of the second transmission channel to a bidirectional shared mode.

[0024] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a warehouse access scheduling method, applied to a scheduling control unit in a warehouse access scheduling system as described in the first aspect and / or various possible embodiments of the first aspect, the warehouse access scheduling method comprising:

[0025] Obtain real-time operational status data collected by the status detection side unit in the warehouse entry and exit scheduling system;

[0026] Based on operational status data, the system dynamically schedules the functional modes of multiple entry and exit modules within the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system to achieve entry and exit scheduling between different functional modes. The functional modes include entry mode, exit mode, and bidirectional shared mode.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a scheduling control unit, including: a memory and a processor;

[0028] The memory stores the instructions that the computer executes;

[0029] The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in memory, causing the processor to perform the first aspect and / or various possible implementations of the first aspect as described above.

[0030] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the first aspect and / or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0031] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the first aspect and / or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0032] The automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS) access scheduling system and method provided in this application connects multiple access modules to the internal storage system of the AS / RS via conveyor lines. Status detection units are set up at key nodes to acquire real-time operational status data. The scheduling and control unit performs mode scheduling on each access module based on the collected operational status data, enabling dynamic scheduling between inbound, outbound, and bidirectional shared modes. This improves the flexibility of access configuration and resource coordination, balances equipment load, reduces congestion and stagnation risks, and enhances AS / RS throughput efficiency, space utilization, and continuous stable operation. This allows the AS / RS to better adapt to dynamic fluctuations in task load, improving its operational efficiency and flexibility. Attached Figure Description

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a scenario for a warehouse entry / exit scheduling system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0036] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0037] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the warehouse entry / exit scheduling method provided in this application embodiment;

[0038] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the warehouse entry and exit scheduling control unit provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0039] The accompanying drawings have illustrated specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0041] In related technologies, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS) are equipped with multiple inlet / outlet modules, each responsible for either fixed outbound or inbound functions. Each module includes an independent unidirectional three-dimensional storage line and a two-layer material sorting and unloading device. The lifting and horizontal movement of materials is achieved through the coordination between the unidirectional storage line and the two-layer device. However, this type of AS / RS suffers from insufficient flexibility in outbound and inbound scheduling, making it difficult to adapt to dynamic fluctuations in workload.

[0042] The automated warehouse access scheduling system provided in this application connects multiple access modules to the internal storage system via conveyor lines. Status detection units are set up at key nodes to acquire real-time operational status data. The scheduling control unit then performs mode scheduling on each access module based on the collected operational status data, enabling dynamic scheduling between inbound, outbound, and bidirectional shared modes. This improves the flexibility of access configuration and resource coordination, balances equipment load, reduces congestion and stagnation risks, and enhances the automated warehouse's throughput efficiency, space utilization, and continuous stable operation. This allows the automated warehouse to better adapt to dynamic fluctuations in task load, improving its operational efficiency and flexibility.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a scenario for a warehouse entry / exit scheduling system provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the specific application scenarios of this application embodiment include: inbound materials 11, outbound materials 12, and automated warehouse inbound / outbound scheduling system 13, wherein:

[0044] Inbound material 11 needs to be received from the outside and placed in the internal storage system of the automated warehouse inbound / outbound scheduling system 13. Outbound material 12 needs to be retrieved from the internal storage system of the automated warehouse inbound / outbound scheduling system 13. Through the scheduling of the automated warehouse inbound / outbound scheduling system 13, it is ensured that inbound material 11 can be stored and outbound material 12 can be released.

[0045] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 2 Flowchart of the automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling system provided in this application embodiment Figure 1 ,like Figure 2 As shown, the system includes a conveyor line 22, a status detection unit 22, a scheduling control unit 23, and multiple inlet / outlet modules 24. The inlet / outlet modules 24 are connected to the conveyor line 22; the conveyor line 22 connects the inlet / outlet modules 24 to the internal storage system of the automated warehouse; the status detection unit 22 is located at key nodes of the automated warehouse inlet / outlet scheduling system and is used to collect real-time operational status data of the system; the scheduling control unit 23 is connected to both the status detection unit 22 and the inlet / outlet modules 24. Based on the operational status data, the scheduling control unit 23 schedules the functional modes of each inlet / outlet module 24 to achieve inlet / outlet scheduling between different functional modes, including inlet mode, outlet mode, and bidirectional shared mode.

[0047] An automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS) is an internal storage system for storing materials. Conveyor line 22 connects the AS / RS's entrance / exit module 24 to the internal storage system, establishing a material transfer route between the two. Specifically, conveyor line 22 connects to the internal storage system, providing a path for materials to enter or leave the system; conveyor line 22 also directly connects to the entrance / exit module 24, providing a path for materials to enter or leave the module, serving as a bridge for material exchange between the entrance / exit module 24 and the external environment, and between the entrance / exit module 24 and the internal storage system.

[0048] The inlet / outlet module 24 has multiple functional modes for receiving materials from the outside and / or sending materials to the outside. In the inbound mode, the inlet / outlet module 24 receives materials from the outside and sends them to the internal storage system via conveyor line 22 for storage. In the outbound mode, the inlet / outlet module 24 receives materials from the internal storage system via conveyor line 22 and sends them to the outside. The bidirectional shared mode allows the inlet / outlet module 24 to operate in both inbound and outbound modes simultaneously.

[0049] The status detection unit 22 is installed at a key node in the automated warehouse access control system and is a device or module capable of collecting real-time system operation status data. The operation status data reflects the operational status of each part within the automated warehouse. The scheduling control unit 23 is connected to both the status detection unit 22 and the access module 24, and is a unit that schedules the functional modes of the access module 24 based on the data collected by the status detection unit 22. Furthermore, the status detection unit 22 transmits the collected operation status data to the scheduling control unit 23, which then schedules the functional modes of the access module 24 based on the operation status data, enabling access scheduling between different functional modes. Through the scheduling control unit 23, the functional modes of the access module 24 can be flexibly scheduled, allowing the automated warehouse to better adapt to dynamic fluctuations in task load and improving its operational efficiency and flexibility.

[0050] Optionally, when there are many inbound tasks in the automated warehouse, the scheduling control unit 23 will schedule more inbound modules 24 to be in inbound mode; when there are many outbound tasks, the scheduling control unit 23 will schedule more inbound modules 24 to be in outbound mode; when the task load is relatively balanced, some inbound modules 24 can be scheduled to be in bidirectional shared mode, so as to realize flexible inbound and outbound scheduling of inbound modules 24 between different functional modes.

[0051] Because the entrance / exit module 24 has inbound, outbound, and bidirectional shared modes, it increases scheduling flexibility and enables the automated warehouse to better adapt to dynamic changes in task load. Specifically, the scheduling control unit 23 can flexibly schedule the functional modes of each entrance / exit module 24 based on the operating status data collected by the status detection unit 22, greatly improving the flexibility of outbound and inbound scheduling, enabling rapid response to changes in task load, better adapting to dynamic fluctuations in task load under different time periods and business scenarios, and improving the overall operating efficiency of the automated warehouse.

[0052] Optionally, multiple entrance / exit modules 24 can be structurally identical or equivalently configured, and can be symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the internal storage system to form a mirror-like operational relationship, facilitating unified scheduling of channel resources in situations of limited space or significant task fluctuations. Optionally, the entrance / exit modules 24 and the conveyor line 22 can adopt any of the following docking methods: rigid docking, flexible docking, plug-in docking, or sliding docking, to adapt to different installation precision and maintenance requirements. Necessary maintenance gaps can be reserved between different entrance / exit modules 24 to ensure the feasibility of inspection, replacement, and fault isolation.

[0053] Optionally, the inlet / outlet module 24 can be a box-type frame structure, a frame-type conveyor platform structure, or an integrated module structure. The external dimensions of the inlet / outlet module 24 can be designed according to the material pallet specifications, the height of the automated storage and retrieval system, and the spacing between adjacent equipment. It usually forms a transition relationship with the width of the conveyor line 22 that is close to or slightly larger than the width of the conveyor line 22 to ensure the stability of the material's posture and the smoothness of the interface during the material transfer process.

[0054] Optionally, the conveyor line 22 can adopt a roller type, belt type, chain plate type, or a combination of roller and guide rail structure. The width, effective conveying length, and turning radius of the conveyor line 22 can be matched according to the material size, minimum turning requirements, and site conditions to meet the needs of forward conveying, reverse conveying, and diversion operations. Furthermore, the conveyor line 22 can also be the trajectory formed by a transport robot when transporting materials.

[0055] Optionally, key nodes include the junction of the entrance / exit module 24 and the conveyor line 22, the branch nodes of the conveyor line 22, the connection nodes of the internal storage system, and the fault-prone nodes within the automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling system.

[0056] Optionally, the status detection unit 22 may consist of a sensor assembly, a controller interface board, a communication module, and a mounting bracket. The sensor assembly may be one or more of the following: a photoelectric sensor, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, an encoder, a vision recognition unit, and a multi-sensor fusion unit.

[0057] The automated warehouse access scheduling system provided in this application connects multiple access modules to the internal storage system of the automated warehouse via conveyor lines. Status detection units are set up at key nodes to acquire real-time operational status data. The scheduling control unit then performs mode scheduling on each access module based on the collected operational status data, enabling dynamic scheduling between inbound, outbound, and bidirectional shared modes. This improves the flexibility of access configuration and resource coordination, balances equipment load, reduces congestion and stagnation risks, and enhances the automated warehouse's throughput efficiency, space utilization, and continuous stable operation. This allows the automated warehouse to better adapt to dynamic fluctuations in task load, improving its operational efficiency and flexibility.

[0058] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ,like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment... Figure 2 Based on the embodiments, the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system is described in detail. The method includes:

[0059] In one possible implementation, multiple inlet / outlet modules 24 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the internal storage system.

[0060] If we consider the internal storage system as a symmetrical object, the central axis is a virtual line that runs through the center of the internal storage system and roughly divides the object into two symmetrical parts, left and right or front and back.

[0061] Multiple entrance / exit modules 24 are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the internal storage system. This means that at least two entrance / exit modules 24 are arranged on either side of the central axis with reference to the geometric center line, structural center line, or operational baseline of the internal storage system, forming a mirror-image correspondence in spatial position. This arrangement allows for the interchangeability and balance of the functional positions of each entrance / exit module 24 within the system. It facilitates the scheduling and control unit 23 to flexibly allocate entrance / exit modules 24 on different sides according to task changes in inbound, outbound, and bidirectional shared modes. This reduces local congestion and equipment wear caused by long-term high-load operation on one side, minimizes local congestion or idleness caused by uneven distribution of entrances / exits, and improves the overall efficiency and smoothness of material entry and exit in the automated storage and retrieval system.

[0062] Those skilled in the art should understand that the central axis can be not only a strictly geometric center line, but also, in the process of setting up multiple entrance and exit modules 24, an equivalent working baseline or passage center line can be used to achieve functional symmetrical arrangement based on information such as warehouse installation conditions, passage layout, and equipment foundation structure. Furthermore, symmetry can also be expressed as complete geometric symmetry or maintaining functional symmetry in external dimensions, mounting base, interface height, and connection direction. The specific form can be adjusted according to site conditions, and the above examples are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the technical solution of this application.

[0063] For example, when materials need to be received, according to the planned storage location, the materials are transported to the corresponding inlet / outlet module 24 on one side. Through the transport line between this inlet / outlet module 24 and the internal storage system, the materials are delivered to the corresponding location within the internal storage system. For example, when materials need to be removed, they are retrieved from the internal storage system and transported out of the automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS) through the corresponding inlet / outlet module 24 on one side. Because the inlet / outlet modules 24 are symmetrically arranged, the inlet / outlet modules 24 on both sides can simultaneously execute either the receiving or receiving mode, or they can be flexibly scheduled according to the actual task situation. The symmetrical inlet / outlet modules 24 on both sides can handle both receiving and receiving tasks simultaneously, making the flow of materials on both sides of the AS / RS more balanced, reducing local congestion, improving the efficiency of material handling, and enhancing the AS / RS's ability to adapt to dynamic fluctuations in task load.

[0064] In one possible implementation, each entrance / exit module 24 has the same structure, and each entrance / exit module 24 includes multiple external entrances / exits 241 and multiple internal entrances / exits 242. The external entrances / exits 241 are used to connect the entrance / exit module 24 to the outside world to deliver materials to or receive materials delivered from the outside world. The internal entrances / exits 242 are used to connect the entrance / exit module 24 to the internal storage system to store materials in or deliver materials from the internal storage system to the entrance / exit module 24. The scheduling control unit 23 is specifically used to schedule the functional modes of the external entrances / exits 241 and internal entrances / exits 242 in each entrance / exit module 24 based on the operating status data.

[0065] The identical structure of each entrance / exit module 24 means that different entrance / exit modules 24 maintain or are equivalent in their main frame, connection interface, conveying interface, control interface, and functional unit configuration. This enables any entrance / exit module 24 to perform the same or switchable operation functions under the same installation conditions, facilitating the unified scheduling of each entrance / exit module 24 by the scheduling control unit 23 in different task scenarios.

[0066] External entrance / exit 241 is an interface on entrance / exit module 24 used to connect entrance / exit module 24 to the outside world, through which materials are conveyed out or received from the outside. Internal entrance / exit 242 is an interface on entrance / exit module 24 used to connect entrance / exit module 24 to the internal storage system, for storing materials in the internal storage system or conveying materials from the internal storage system to entrance / exit module 24. Through external entrance / exit 241 and internal entrance / exit 242 in entrance / exit module 24, a channel for material entry and exit is formed.

[0067] The scheduling and control unit 23 is responsible for scheduling the functional modes of the external entrance 241 and internal entrance 242 in each entrance module 24 according to the operating status data of the automated warehouse, so as to realize the rational flow of materials between the entrance module 24 and the external and internal storage systems.

[0068] By flexibly scheduling the functional modes of each entrance / exit module 24 with identical structures and the scheduling control unit 23, the flexibility and efficiency of material entry and exit in the automated storage and retrieval system are improved. This allows the system to better adapt to dynamic changes in different task requirements and workloads, and optimizes the overall operation of the automated storage and retrieval system.

[0069] Based on the operating status data collected by the status detection unit 22, the scheduling control unit 23 switches or allocates the functional modes of the outbound entrances 241 and inbound entrances 242 in each entrance module 24, so that different outbound entrances 241 and different inbound entrances 242 in the same module undertake the inbound task and / or outbound task respectively during the same time period, so as to realize the functional mode scheduling of each entrance module 24.

[0070] Specifically, if all outgoing entrances 241 and internal entrances 242 in the same entrance / exit module 24 undertake inbound tasks, then the functional mode corresponding to that entrance / exit module 24 is inbound mode. If all outgoing entrances 241 and internal entrances 242 in the same entrance / exit module 24 undertake outbound tasks, then the functional mode corresponding to that entrance / exit module 24 is outbound mode. If the same entrance / exit module 24 has both outgoing and internal entrances 241 undertaking outbound tasks and inbound and internal entrances 241 undertaking inbound tasks, then the functional mode corresponding to that entrance / exit module 24 is bidirectional shared mode.

[0071] For example, when the scheduling control unit 23 performs a function mode switch, it can change the channel connection relationship between the outward entrance 241 and the inward entrance 242 by controlling the diversion baffle, the flipping mechanism, the lifting mechanism or the drive motor, so that a part of the outward entrance 241 and the inward entrance 242 undertake the inbound task state, and the other part of the outward entrance 241 and the inward entrance 242 undertake the outbound task.

[0072] Optionally, the external entrance / exit 241 can be configured as one or more of the following structures: open type, guide trough type, roller interface type, chain plate interface type, or pallet receiving type, to provide a docking surface for materials to connect with external conveying equipment and guide materials to maintain a predetermined trajectory during receiving and unloading. Optionally, the internal entrance / exit 242 can adopt an open type, guide trough type, roller interface type, chain plate interface type, or pallet receiving type structure that matches the internal storage system conveyor line 22, so as to facilitate the smooth transfer of materials between the module and the internal storage system.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the conveyor line 22 is a bidirectional conveyor line 221, which is used to support bidirectional synchronous transmission in the inbound and outbound directions.

[0074] The bidirectional conveyor line 221 has the ability to transport materials simultaneously in two opposite directions, that is, it can simultaneously carry out material transport operations of inbound (materials enter the internal storage area of ​​the vertical storage unit from the inlet / outlet module 24) and outbound (materials are transported out of the internal storage area of ​​the vertical storage unit to the inlet / outlet module 24).

[0075] Because the same conveyor channel has bidirectional transmission capability, there is no need to configure separate dedicated lines for inbound and outbound operations. Channel usage can be quickly switched or channel resources allocated in parallel during task fluctuations, thus reducing conveyor structure redundancy and minimizing equipment space requirements. Simultaneously, when congestion occurs in a section or the load increases in a certain direction, the scheduling control unit 23 can still adjust the segmented speed and direction allocation of the bidirectional conveyor line 221 based on status detection results, ensuring continuous flow of goods and avoiding queuing and task backlog caused by insufficient unidirectional dedicated lines. The bidirectional conveyor line 221 improves the utilization rate of the conveyor channel, enhances the flexibility of inbound and outbound scheduling, and maintains high operational continuity and system adaptability under conditions of concurrent tasks and varying cycle times.

[0076] Optionally, the bidirectional conveyor line 221 mainly consists of a conveyor track, a drive mechanism, and a control device. The conveyor track is the basic path for material transportation, providing a channel for material movement; the drive mechanism is the power source, using motors and other equipment to drive the transport vehicles (such as pallets, boxes, etc.) on the conveyor track to move, thus realizing the material transport; the control device is responsible for receiving and sending instructions, controlling the driving mechanism's running direction, speed, and other parameters, thereby achieving precise control of the bidirectional synchronous transmission of materials entering and leaving the warehouse. For example, the bidirectional conveyor line 221 can be composed of a main channel of the bidirectional conveyor line 221, or it can be composed of the main channel of the bidirectional conveyor line 221 combined with branch lines of the bidirectional conveyor line 221.

[0077] Optionally, the bidirectional conveyor line 221 can be a transport line composed of multiple transport robots.

[0078] Optionally, the status detection unit 22 is used to collect the load status of the bidirectional conveyor line 221 and the task queue information of the internal storage system, and the scheduling control unit 23 is used to coordinate the running direction, running speed and section occupancy of the bidirectional conveyor line 221 based on the load status of the bidirectional conveyor line 221 and the task queue information of the internal storage system.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the operational status data includes: the number of outbound tasks to be completed, the number of inbound tasks to be completed, the transport load, and congestion parameters; the status detection unit 22 includes a task counting unit 221, a load sensing unit 222, and a congestion detection unit 223, wherein: the task counting unit 221 is used to collect the number of executed outbound tasks and inbound tasks, and determine the number of outbound tasks to be completed and the number of inbound tasks to be completed based on the total number of outbound tasks and the total number of inbound tasks in the task list; the load sensing unit 222 is used to determine the current transport load based on the total transport capacity of the internal storage system and the currently used transport capacity; the congestion detection unit 223 is used to determine the congestion parameters corresponding to each partition in the internal storage system based on the number of outbound tasks and the number of inbound tasks corresponding to each partition in the internal storage system.

[0080] Operational status data is a set of control parameters used to characterize the current operating pressure, task backlog, and channel operation status of the automated warehouse inbound / outbound scheduling system. This data is collected in real-time by the status detection unit 22 and transmitted to the scheduling control unit 23, serving as the basis for switching the function modes of the inbound / outbound modules 24 and for task reallocation. Specifically, the number of pending outbound and inbound tasks reflects the scale of unexecuted outbound and inbound tasks in the current task list. The transport load reflects the occupancy level of the internal storage system's existing transport capacity. Congestion parameters reflect the flow congestion status of each partition or channel segment of the internal storage system under the influence of tasks in different directions.

[0081] The task counting unit 221 is a counting component used to count completed tasks and calculate the remaining task quantity in combination with the total number of tasks. The task counting unit 221 continuously obtains the number of outbound tasks and inbound tasks that have been executed, and calculates the number of outbound tasks to be completed and the number of inbound tasks to be completed respectively based on the total number of outbound tasks and the total number of inbound tasks in the task list, so that the scheduling control unit 23 can accurately grasp the current task backlog level.

[0082] Optionally, the task counting unit 221 collects data from the internal entry / exit 242 of each entry / exit module 24 to obtain the number of outbound tasks and inbound tasks that have been executed.

[0083] Optionally, the task counting unit 221 can communicate with at least one of the warehouse management system, order management system, or scheduling database to read the total number of outbound tasks and the total number of inbound tasks from the task list or execution log.

[0084] The load sensing unit 222 determines the current transport load based on the total transport capacity of the internal storage system and the currently used transport capacity, providing a basis for the system to decide whether to continue receiving new tasks or switch the entry / exit mode.

[0085] The congestion detection unit 223 determines the congestion parameters for each partition based on the number of outbound and inbound tasks corresponding to each partition in the internal storage system. This allows the scheduling control unit 23 to implement flow control, traffic diversion, or functional mode adjustment for congested partitions. Optionally, partitions can be divided by lane, floor, column, or logical area. The congestion parameters can be calculated by comprehensively considering the task density of each partition, the length of the waiting queue, the degree of conflict in task directions, or the completion rate per unit time.

[0086] Optionally, the operating status data also includes: equipment status; the status detection unit 22 also includes a fault alarm unit. The fault alarm unit is used to acquire the equipment status in real time and determine whether there is a fault in the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system based on the equipment status. Subsequently, when a fault or abnormal situation is detected in the automated warehouse system, an alarm signal is issued.

[0087] In one possible implementation, the scheduling control unit 23 is further configured to: acquire the line operation status of the transmission channel in real time; if a fault is detected in the transmission channel based on the line operation status and the estimated fault repair time is greater than a preset threshold, automatically trigger a redundancy takeover mechanism; wherein, the redundancy takeover mechanism includes: transferring the unfinished work tasks of the faulty first transmission channel to the fault-free second transmission channel.

[0088] Redundancy takeover is a backup plan activated to ensure continuous system operation when the primary transmission channel (first transmission channel) fails and the estimated repair time is long. This mechanism transfers unfinished tasks from the failed channel to other normal channels (second transmission channels), and may adjust the functional modes of the second transmission channels to ensure smooth task transfer and stable system operation, avoiding backlogs of outbound and inbound tasks and transmission interruptions. The first transmission channel represents the transmission path that originally carried out material transport tasks but cannot operate normally due to a failure; it may be a channel composed of conveyor belts, tracks, and other equipment. The second transmission channel represents the transmission path that is not experiencing a failure and can take over the unfinished tasks from the first transmission channel. Under the redundancy takeover mechanism, the functional mode of the second transmission channel may be adjusted to better facilitate task transfer.

[0089] First, the dispatch control unit 23 acquires real-time information on the operational status of the first transmission channel. When a fault is detected in the first transmission channel, the dispatch control unit 23 estimates the fault repair time and compares it with a preset threshold. If the estimated repair time exceeds the preset threshold, the dispatch control unit 23 automatically triggers a redundancy takeover mechanism. Next, the dispatch control unit 23 identifies the second transmission channel that is not experiencing a fault and reviews and records any unfinished tasks on the first transmission channel. Then, the dispatch control unit 23 assigns the unfinished tasks from the first transmission channel to the second transmission channel, directing the second transmission channel to continue material transfer according to the new mode and task requirements. Optionally, the preset threshold can be any pre-set time value. For example, the preset threshold is 15 minutes.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the redundancy takeover mechanism further includes: switching the functional mode of the second transmission channel to a bidirectional shared mode.

[0091] After switching the function mode of the second transmission channel to the bidirectional shared mode, the second transmission channel is no longer limited to the transportation of materials in a single direction, a single task type, or a single inbound / outbound link. Instead, it can alternately or simultaneously carry out material flow tasks of inbound and outbound according to the operation instructions issued by the scheduling control unit 23, thereby forming a reusable common channel.

[0092] Optionally, the rated load in the second transmission channel can be reserved according to peak operation requirements, so that the second transmission channel can still maintain stable operation when simultaneously undertaking inbound and outbound tasks.

[0093] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the warehouse entry / exit scheduling method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, this automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling method is applied to the scheduling control unit in an automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling system as described in the above embodiments and / or various possible implementations of the above embodiments. The automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling method includes:

[0094] S401. Obtain real-time operating status data collected by the status detection side unit in the warehouse entry and exit scheduling system.

[0095] S402. Based on the operating status data, dynamically schedule the functional modes of multiple entrance and exit modules in the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system to realize the entry and exit scheduling of entrance and exit modules in different functional modes, including entry mode, exit mode and bidirectional sharing mode.

[0096] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the scheduling control unit provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5As shown, the electronic device 50 provided in this embodiment includes at least one processor 501 and a memory 502. Optionally, the device 50 further includes a communication component 503. The processor 501, memory 502, and communication component 503 are connected via a bus 504.

[0097] In a specific implementation, at least one processor 501 executes computer execution instructions stored in memory 502, causing at least one processor 501 to perform the above-described method.

[0098] The specific implementation process of processor 501 can be found in the above method embodiments, and its implementation principle and technical effect are similar. It will not be repeated here.

[0099] In the above embodiments, it should be understood that the processor can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in this invention can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0100] The memory may include random access memory (RAM) and may also include non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage device.

[0101] The bus can be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, the buses shown in the accompanying drawings are not limited to a single bus or a single type of bus.

[0102] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method.

[0103] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the above-described method.

[0104] The aforementioned readable storage medium can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk. The readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0105] An exemplary readable storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the readable storage medium. Of course, the readable storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the readable storage medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, the processor and the readable storage medium can exist as discrete components in the device.

[0106] The division of units is merely a logical functional division; in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices, or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0107] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0108] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0109] If a function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0110] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the program performs the steps of the above-described method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0111] Finally, it should be noted that other embodiments of this application will readily conceive of by those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein, and is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A warehouse entry / exit scheduling system, characterized in that, It includes a conveyor line, a status detection unit, a scheduling and control unit, and multiple inlet / outlet modules, among which: The inlet / outlet module is used to connect to the conveyor line; The conveyor line is used to connect the inlet / outlet module and the internal storage system of the automated warehouse; The status detection unit is set at a key node of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system and is used to collect the operational status data of the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system in real time. The scheduling control unit is connected to the status detection unit and the entry / exit module respectively. The scheduling control unit is used to schedule the functional modes of each entry / exit module based on the operating status data, so as to realize the entry / exit scheduling of the entry / exit module between different functional modes. The functional modes include entry mode, exit mode and bidirectional sharing mode.

2. The automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple entrance and exit modules are symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the internal storage system.

3. The automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned entrance / exit modules has the same structure, and each entrance / exit module includes multiple outward entrances and multiple inward entrances / exits. The outward entrances / exits are used to connect the entrance / exit module to the outside world to deliver materials to or receive materials delivered from the outside world. The inward entrances / exits are used to connect the entrance / exit module to the internal storage system to store materials in or deliver materials from the internal storage system to the entrance / exit module. The scheduling and control unit is specifically used to schedule the functional modes of external and internal entrances and exits in each of the entrance and exit modules based on the operating status data.

4. The automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The conveyor line is a bidirectional conveyor line, which is used to support bidirectional synchronous transmission in both the inbound and outbound directions.

5. The automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The operational status data includes: the number of outbound tasks to be completed, the number of inbound tasks to be completed, the transport load, and congestion parameters; The status detection unit includes a task counting unit, a load sensing unit, a congestion detection unit, and a fault alarm unit, wherein: The task counting unit is used to collect the number of executed outbound tasks and inbound tasks, and determine the number of outbound tasks to be completed and the number of inbound tasks to be completed based on the total number of outbound tasks and the total number of inbound tasks in the task list. The load sensing unit is used to determine the current transmission load based on the total transmission capacity of the internal storage system and the currently used transmission capacity; The congestion detection unit is used to determine the congestion parameters corresponding to each partition in the internal storage system based on the number of outbound tasks and the number of inbound tasks corresponding to each partition in the internal storage system.

6. The automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The scheduling and control unit is also used for: Real-time acquisition of the line operation status of the transmission channel; If a fault is detected in the transmission channel based on the line's operating status, and the estimated fault repair time exceeds a preset threshold, the redundancy takeover mechanism will be automatically triggered. The redundant takeover mechanism includes: transferring unfinished tasks from the first transmission channel that has failed to the second transmission channel that has not failed to the second transmission channel.

7. The automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The redundant takeover mechanism also includes: switching the functional mode of the second transmission channel to a bidirectional shared mode.

8. A method for scheduling the entry and exit of a vertical warehouse, characterized in that, The scheduling control unit applied in the automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling system as described in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the automated warehouse entry / exit scheduling method comprises: Obtain the real-time operating status data collected by the status detection side unit in the warehouse entry and exit scheduling system; Based on the operational status data, the functional modes of multiple entrance and exit modules within the automated warehouse entry and exit scheduling system are dynamically scheduled to realize the entry and exit scheduling of the entrance and exit modules between different functional modes. The functional modes include entry mode, exit mode, and bidirectional shared mode.

9. A scheduling control unit, characterized in that, include: Memory, processor; The memory stores computer-executed instructions; The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory, causing the processor to perform the method as described in claim 8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium / computer program product, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed, are used to implement the method as described in claim 8; And / or, the computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed, implements the method of claim 8.

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