Working station for static weighing, code scanning and appearance detection and three-dimensional warehousing system

Abstract

The utility model provides a work station for static weighing, code scanning and appearance detection and a three-dimensional warehousing system. The work station comprises a running track, a goods shelf, a weighing device fixedly arranged below the goods shelf, an appearance detection device arranged above the goods shelf and a code scanning device fixedly installed on the outer side of the goods shelf, wherein the running track and the goods shelf are arranged in the goods shelf. According to the invention, the driving track and the goods shelf are embedded in the goods shelf position, so that the goods can be directly identified through the code scanning device when entering the goods shelf, and the goods state is checked and recorded through the weighing device and the appearance detection device. According to the structure, the number of conveying lines needed by an existing warehousing detection system can be reduced, so that weighing, code scanning and detection of warehouse-in and warehouse-out goods are achieved on the premise of saving the conveying line installation space and expanding the conveying line installation space into an available warehousing space, and the storage space and waste of hardware investment are effectively reduced; and the revenue maximization of the whole warehousing system is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of warehousing equipment technology, and in particular to a workstation system for static weighing, barcode scanning and shape inspection. Background Technology

[0002] Existing warehousing systems typically rely on manual labor or AGV forklifts to transfer pallets of goods to the front-end conveyor lines. The conveyor lines then drive the incoming goods for weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection. This dynamic inspection method, performed on the conveyor lines as they move, requires at least two conveyor lines. This requirement significantly occupies warehouse space and wastes hardware investment.

[0003] In addition, existing inbound inspection methods often encounter blind spots, making it impossible to accurately identify the status of goods. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this application aims to provide a workstation system for static weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection. This workstation system eliminates the need for additional conveyor lines, enabling the weighing, barcode scanning, and inspection of goods entering and leaving the warehouse. This effectively reduces waste of storage space and hardware investment, maximizing the overall profitability of the warehousing system.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a static workstation for weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection, comprising: a travel track connected to a warehouse robot transport track within the shelf, for the warehouse robot to support goods during transport; a placement shelf positioned above the travel track, which removes support for goods when the warehouse robot reaches the placement shelf, with the bottom of the goods placed within the placement shelf; a weighing device fixedly positioned below the placement shelf; a shape inspection device including several sensors positioned above the placement shelf, each sensor's detection direction set towards the placement shelf; and a barcode scanning device fixedly installed on the outside of the placement shelf.

[0006] Optionally, in any of the above-described workstations, the shelf is supported by a support leg independent of the shelf, the bottom of the support leg is fixed to the ground, and the weighing device is embedded between the bottom of the support leg and the shelf.

[0007] Optionally, in any of the workstations described above, a rib is connected between the support legs below the shelf, spanning the inner side of the support legs, and the travel track is fixedly installed on the rib parallel to the shelf.

[0008] Optionally, in any of the workstations described above, the outer side of the shelf is further provided with left and right limiting brackets, the middle part of which is parallel to the shelf and the two ends of which curve outward; the front and rear ends of the shelf are respectively provided with front limiting brackets and rear limiting brackets, both of which protrude upward from the top surface of the shelf, and both of which have an inclined angle on their sides toward the center of the shelf; the dimensional distance between the left and right limiting brackets, the front limiting brackets and the rear limiting brackets is not less than the length and width of the bottom of the goods.

[0009] Optionally, in any of the workstations described above, the shape detection device is located on the outside of the support leg.

[0010] Optionally, in any of the workstations described above, the shape detection device includes: a front ultra-long laser scanning sensor, a rear ultra-long laser scanning sensor, a right ultra-wide laser scanning sensor, a left ultra-wide laser scanning sensor, and an ultra-high laser scanning sensor. Each sensor is independently mounted on a mounting rod external to the outside of the support leg, and the mounting rod is fixed to the inside of the support column in the shelf. This prevents detection deviations due to shelf deformation.

[0011] Optionally, in any of the above-described workstations, at least one of the mounting rods is disposed on the front side of the shelf, each sensor is respectively mounted on the top of the mounting rod, and the mounting rod located on the front side of the shelf is also equipped with an on / off photoelectric sensor at a height close to the shelf, the detection direction of the on / off photoelectric sensor being towards the center of the shelf.

[0012] Optionally, in any of the workstations described above, the scanning device includes a barcode reader disposed at the end of a rib below the shelf, the barcode reader extending upward from the end of the rib to a position close to the height of the shelf.

[0013] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, this application also provides a three-dimensional warehousing system, including: several layers of storage space with crisscrossing transport tracks, each transport track and each storage location in the storage space being supported and fixed by support columns; and the storage space is also equipped with workstations as described above.

[0014] Optionally, in any of the above-described automated storage and retrieval systems, the workstation is at least located at the bottom layer of the automated storage and retrieval system and is situated within the outermost storage space of the automated storage and retrieval system.

[0015] Compared with existing solutions, this application has the following technical advantages:

[0016] This application provides a static weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection workstation and automated storage and retrieval system, comprising: a travel track, a rack, and a weighing device fixedly installed below the rack, a shape inspection device installed above the rack, and a barcode scanning device fixedly installed outside the rack. This application embeds the travel track and rack within the rack compartments, enabling direct barcode scanning of goods upon entry, and checking and recording the condition of the goods using the weighing and shape inspection devices. The structure of this application eliminates the need for conveyor line installation space required by existing inbound inspection systems, thereby expanding usable storage space while achieving weighing, barcode scanning, and inspection of inbound and outbound goods. This effectively reduces waste of storage space and hardware investment, maximizing the overall profitability of the warehousing system.

[0017] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description and will be apparent in part from the description or may be learned by practicing the application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present application and form part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they serve to explain the present application but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a system for static weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection;

[0020] Figure 2 Layout diagram of a workstation system for static weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the workstation structure;

[0022] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the installation locations of the weighing device and the barcode scanning device;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the shape inspection device;

[0024] In the diagram: 1 represents a workstation; 11 represents a travel track; 12 represents a shelf; 13 represents a front limit bracket; 14 represents a rear limit bracket; 15 represents left and right limit brackets; 16 represents a photoelectric sensor indicating presence or absence of goods; 2 represents a weighing device; 21 represents a weighing sensor; 3 represents a shape detection device; 31 represents a front ultra-long laser scanning sensor; 32 represents a rear ultra-long laser scanning sensor; 33 represents a right ultra-wide laser scanning sensor; 34 represents a left ultra-wide laser scanning sensor; 35 represents an ultra-high laser scanning sensor; 4 represents a barcode scanner; 41 represents a barcode reader; 5 represents a warehouse robot; 6 represents a shelf; 7 represents goods. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The preferred embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this application.

[0026] The terms "inner" and "outer" as used in this application refer to directions pointing towards the inside of the track relative to the workstation itself, with the direction pointing outwards being "inner" and the direction pointing inwards being "outer," rather than being a specific limitation on the device mechanism of this application.

[0027] The terms "left" and "right" as used in this application refer to the user's left side as the left and the user's right side as the right when the user is facing the direction in which the goods enter the storage system, and do not constitute a specific limitation on the device mechanism of this application.

[0028] The term "connection" as used in this application can mean a direct connection between components or an indirect connection between components through other components.

[0029] The terms "up" and "down" as used in this application refer to the direction from the ground toward the installation position of the shape detection device when the user is facing the direction in which the goods enter the storage system; the opposite direction is "down." This does not mean a specific limitation on the device mechanism of this application.

[0030] The terms "front" and "rear" as used in this application refer to the direction in which the goods enter the storage system, where the end of the track that receives the goods first is the front, and vice versa, and are not specific limitations on the device mechanism of this application.

[0031] The workstation provided in this application for static weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, this includes items arranged on shelf 6:

[0032] The travel track 11 is connected to the transport track of the warehouse robot 5 in the shelf, so that the warehouse robot 5 can carry goods 7 and run.

[0033] A shelf 12 is provided above the travel track 11. When the warehouse robot 5 runs under the shelf 12, it removes its support for the goods 7, and the bottom of the goods 7 is placed in the shelf 12.

[0034] Weighing device 2 is fixedly installed below the shelf 12;

[0035] The shape detection device 3 includes a plurality of sensors disposed above the shelf 12, and the detection direction of each sensor is respectively set to face the shelf 12;

[0036] The barcode scanning device 4 is fixedly installed on the outside of the shelf 12.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 As shown, this workstation system is located within the outer shelving, eliminating the need to occupy valuable storage space within the shelving. It utilizes the storage space of the automated storage and retrieval system's own shelving as the inbound interface. Palletized goods are placed on the workstation's shelving manually or using AGV forklifts. The workstation's lower-level travel rails 11 move the warehousing robot 5, which operates within the automated shelving, to the area beneath the pallet. Within this space, the integrated weighing device 2, shape detection device 3, and barcode scanning device 4 perform static inspection of the goods, recording their real-time status into the system and establishing a correlation between the storage location and the goods' real-time status. This enables the recording and monitoring of goods information, resulting in high space utilization, high profitability, and high-precision goods management.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The workstation 1 of this application can be constructed using welded profiles, resulting in high overall strength and good load-bearing capacity. Specifically, the rack 12 can be supported by support legs independent of the rack itself. The bottom of the support legs is fixed to the ground, and the weighing device 2 is embedded between the bottom of the support legs and the rack 12. The weighing device 2, located below the workstation 1, performs static weighing when palletized goods are placed on the workstation rack by a worker or AGV forklift and reach a stable state. It then sends the weight signal to the control system. The weight signal includes a weight difference (deviation signal) and a weight sum (overweight signal).

[0039] Each support leg can also be connected to a rib that spans the inner side of the shelf 12 below it. The rib is perpendicular to the shelf 12. The travel track 11 is fixedly installed on the rib in a direction parallel to the shelf, so as to realize the positioning and support of goods and robots.

[0040] To enable cargo inspection, this application preferably places the shape detection device 3 on the outside of the supporting leg. It can generally be implemented using a front ultra-long laser scanning sensor 31, a rear ultra-long laser scanning sensor 32, a right ultra-wide laser scanning sensor 33, a left ultra-wide laser scanning sensor 34, and an ultra-high laser scanning sensor 34. In some implementations, the shape detection device 3 includes a front ultra-long laser scanning sensor 31 for detecting whether the front of the cargo exceeds the limit, a left ultra-wide laser scanning sensor 32 for detecting whether the left side of the cargo exceeds the limit, a right ultra-wide laser scanning sensor 33 for detecting whether the right side of the cargo exceeds the limit, a rear ultra-long laser scanning sensor 34 for detecting whether the rear side of the cargo exceeds the limit, and an ultra-high laser scanning sensor 35 for detecting whether the height of the cargo exceeds the limit. The aforementioned sensors can be installed on the support columns corresponding to the perimeter of the shelf 12, or they can be installed independently on mounting rods located outside the support legs. However, it is generally preferred that each sensor be installed independently on a mounting rod located outside the support legs and the mounting rod is fixed to the inside of the support column in the shelf. This will prevent detection deviations caused by shelf deformation.

[0041] The mounting rod is fixed inside the support column of the shelf and located outside the support leg of the shelf 12. Specifically, it can be mounted on an aluminum profile bracket, and the installation position of the laser scanning sensor can be flexibly adjusted according to the size of the palletized goods. The laser scanning sensor can also be flexibly set in terms of detection area and angle according to the size of the goods, greatly improving the system's flexibility and applicability. Because the detection area covers the entire surface, compared to traditional photoelectric and grating detection using one or more lines, there are no blind spots, and accuracy and work efficiency are also improved.

[0042] Based on the above structure, the shape detection device 3 of this application can be independently arranged on the ground, avoiding the influence of workstation deformation and ground subsidence on the shape detection results, and improving the accuracy and stability of the system.

[0043] To ensure that the sensor can accurately detect different goods entering the workstation each time, this application also preferably provides a further [feature / equipment] on the outside of the shelf 12. Figure 3 The diagram shows a front limiting bracket 13, a rear limiting bracket 14, and left and right limiting brackets 15. Among them:

[0044] The left and right limiting brackets 15 are parallel to the shelf 12 in the middle, and their two ends are raised outwards;

[0045] The front and rear ends of the shelf 12 are respectively provided with a front limiting bracket 13 and a rear limiting bracket 14. The front limiting bracket 13 and the rear limiting bracket 14 both protrude upward from the top surface of the shelf 12, and the front limiting bracket 13 and the rear limiting bracket 14 are respectively provided with an inclined angle towards the center of the shelf 12 on their sides.

[0046] The dimensional distance between the left and right limiting brackets 15, the front limiting bracket 13 and the rear limiting bracket 14 is not less than the length and width of the bottom of the cargo 7.

[0047] The advantage of setting up each limit bracket in this way is that when manual or AGV forklifts place palletized goods on the workstation rack, the ramp guidance of the front limit bracket 13 and the restriction of the rear limit bracket 14 and the left and right limit brackets 15 can ensure that the pallet is placed as straight as possible, avoiding excessive tilting, which would affect subsequent weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection, and avoid affecting the subsequent handling by the warehouse robot.

[0048] Based on the aforementioned workstation design, this application also provides an automated storage and retrieval system, in which at least one of the workstations described above is provided in the bottom layer of the automated storage and retrieval system and in the outermost storage space of the automated storage and retrieval system, which has several layers of storage space with crisscrossing transport tracks.

[0049] In this automated storage and retrieval system, each layer of tracks and the storage space formed by the tracks are supported and fixed by support columns; aluminum profile brackets are installed in the storage units near the bottom edge of the storage unit as mounting rods to support and construct the aforementioned workstations.

[0050] In the workstation, at least one of the mounting rods is set on the front side of the shelf 12, and each sensor is installed on the top of the mounting rod. Furthermore, a presence / absence photoelectric sensor 16 is installed on the mounting rod located on the front side of the shelf 12 at a height close to the shelf 12. The detection direction of the presence / absence photoelectric sensor 16 is directed toward the center of the shelf 12 to detect whether goods have been received.

[0051] A barcode scanning device 4 can also be installed on the side of workstation 1. It can generally be set as a barcode reader 41, or it can be set as an RFID tag identification module or a QR code scanner as needed. The barcode reader 41 can generally be set at the end of the rib below the shelf 12, extending upward from the end of the rib to a position close to the height of the shelf 12.

[0052] After a pallet of goods is placed on the workstation rack by a manual operator or AGV forklift, the goods are automatically guided and limited by the aforementioned limiting structures in each direction of the rack, stabilizing the goods. At this time, a photoelectric trigger scanning device scans the barcode on the pallet. The scanning ends when a barcode is scanned, or if no barcode is scanned within the time limit, the scanned barcode information is stored in a data block. The barcode information includes goods information (weight, length, width, height, type, storage location, etc.).

[0053] Simultaneously, the shape detection devices 3 around workstation 1 also activate the weighing device once the palletized goods are placed on the workstation rack by a manual operator or AGV forklift and reach a stable state. The weighing device 2 includes weight sensors 21 arranged at the four corners of the workstation. When the palletized goods are placed on the workstation rack by a manual operator or AGV forklift and reach a stable state, the weight sensors weigh the palletized goods and determine whether there is uneven loading or overloading. The detection results are displayed on a display instrument connected to the weight sensors and sent to the control system.

[0054] In addition, the shape detection device also begins to detect the goods, obtain the length, width and height of the goods, and sends the detection results (whether the goods are present or not) and over-limit signals (over-length, over-width, over-height) of the shape detection device to the control system for comparison with the aforementioned barcode information.

[0055] Therefore, after receiving a deviation signal or an overweight signal from the weighing device or an over-limit signal from the shape detection device, the control system feeds the signal back to the upper-level scheduling system. The upper-level scheduling system records the relevant data and sends a task return instruction based on the data, and resends a new task or arranges the warehouse robot to continue the warehousing task for the goods.

[0056] In summary, compared with the prior art, this disclosure has the following advantages:

[0057] (1) The workstation is located inside the rack, eliminating the need for additional pallet conveyor lines for weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection, thus reducing the waste of storage space and hardware investment and maximizing profits. This application only requires one workstation + sensor bracket and sensor in the automated storage system, which is far less expensive than the equipment and installation costs of two conveyor lines + shape inspection frame + various sensor brackets and sensors used in the prior art. It can also greatly reduce the installation space of the sensing equipment and improve the space utilization efficiency of the storage system.

[0058] (2) In the prior art, sensors and light curtains are used for shape detection. When palletized goods are within the set detection range, the corresponding output port of the sensor outputs a qualified signal. However, palletized goods outside the area may be in an over-limit state, i.e., there is a detection blind zone, which leads to certain usage risks. In contrast, the laser scanning sensor obtains the environmental contour graphic by scanning the surrounding two-dimensional area. The contour graphic is then compared with the protection range set by the laser scanning sensor to detect the entire outer surface of the palletized goods (length, width, and height). This allows the host computer to obtain signals for further judgment and processing (warehousing or return). This detection method can effectively overcome the detection blind zone caused by the prior art, thereby reducing system risks.

[0059] (3) By scanning the barcode of the pallet with a barcode scanning device, the information of the goods on the pallet can be scanned and recorded in the data block. The data can be read through the human-machine interface, which makes it easy to determine the storage location of the pallet and the goods on the pallet by the information of the goods, and thus enable the goods to be put into storage or retrieved quickly.

[0060] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A workstation for static weighing, barcode scanning, and shape inspection, characterized in that, Including those arranged on the shelves (6): The travel track (11) is connected to the transport track of the warehouse robot (5) in the shelf, so that the warehouse robot (5) can carry goods (7) and run. A shelf (12) is set above the travel track (11). When the warehouse robot (5) runs to the bottom of the shelf (12), it removes its support for the goods (7) and places the bottom of the goods (7) in the shelf (12). Weighing device (2) is fixedly installed below the shelf (12); The shape detection device (3) includes several sensors disposed above the shelf (12), and the detection direction of each sensor is respectively set to face the shelf (12). The barcode scanning device (4) is fixedly installed on the outside of the shelf (12).

2. The workstation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The shelf (12) is supported by a support leg independent of the shelf, the bottom of the support leg is fixed to the ground, and the weighing device (2) is embedded between the bottom of the support leg and the shelf (12).

3. The workstation as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Between the supporting legs, there is a rib that crosses the inner side of the shelf (12) below it, and the travel track (11) is fixedly installed on the rib parallel to the shelf.

4. The workstation as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The outer side of the shelf (12) is also provided with left and right limiting brackets (15), the middle part of which is parallel to the shelf (12) and the two ends of which are raised outward; The front and rear ends of the shelf (12) are respectively provided with a front limiting bracket (13) and a rear limiting bracket (14). The front limiting bracket (13) and the rear limiting bracket (14) both protrude from the top surface of the shelf (12), and the front limiting bracket (13) and the rear limiting bracket (14) both have an inclined angle towards the center of the shelf (12) on their sides. The dimensional distance between the left and right limiting brackets (15), the front limiting bracket (13) and the rear limiting bracket (14) is not less than the length and width of the bottom of the goods (7).

5. The workstation as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The shape detection device (3) is located on the outside of the support leg.

6. The workstation as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The shape detection device (3) includes: a front ultra-long laser scanning sensor (31), a rear ultra-long laser scanning sensor (32), a right ultra-wide laser scanning sensor (33), a left ultra-wide laser scanning sensor (34), and an ultra-high laser scanning sensor (35). Each sensor is independently installed on a mounting rod located on the outside of the support leg. The mounting rod is fixed to the inside of the support column in the shelf.

7. The workstation as described in claim 6, characterized in that, At least one of the mounting rods is set on the front side of the shelf (12), and each sensor is installed on the top of the mounting rod. In addition, the mounting rod located on the front side of the shelf (12) is also equipped with a presence / absence photoelectric sensor (16) at a height close to the shelf (12). The detection direction of the presence / absence photoelectric sensor (16) is towards the middle of the shelf (12).

8. The workstation as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The scanning device (4) includes a barcode reader (41) which is disposed at the end of the rib below the shelf (12) and extends upward from the end of the rib to a height close to the shelf (12).

9. An automated storage and retrieval system, comprising: The warehouse has several layers of intersecting transport tracks, and each transport track and each storage location within the warehouse is supported and fixed by support columns. The feature is that the storage space is further provided with a workstation as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The automated storage and retrieval system as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The workstation is located at least at the bottom layer of the automated storage system and within the outermost storage space of the automated storage system.

Images