Logistics object pickup system

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a logistics object pickup system. The logistics object pickup system comprises at least one shelf queue which is arranged along a first direction and stores a plurality of logistics objects, and a plurality of rows of fixed shelves included in each shelf queue of the at least one shelf queue extend in a second direction; the at least one distribution material rack is arranged on at least one side of the goods shelf queue along the first direction and is suitable for storing at least one target logistics object in a plurality of determined logistics objects based on the pickup task; and a plurality of trucks permitted to travel on at least one side of the at least one shelf queue in the first direction to perform a pick-up task at the at least one distribution rack. Therefore, the pickup efficiency of the logistics objects can be improved, meanwhile, the arrangement compactness of the goods shelves in the warehouse can be improved, and then the capacity of the warehouse is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of logistics warehousing, and in particular, to a logistics object picking system. BACKGROUND

[0002] A warehouse management system (WMS) is a management system that integrates functions such as inbound business, outbound business, warehouse allocation, inventory allocation, etc. It can issue tasks or instructions to people or devices in logistics warehousing to realize the operations of inbound, shelving, picking, and outbound of logistics objects. With the continuous development of the logistics industry, higher requirements are put forward for the flow efficiency of logistics objects. SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a logistics object picking system is provided. The logistics object picking system comprises: at least one rack queue arranged along a first direction and storing a plurality of logistics objects, each rack queue of the at least one rack queue comprising a plurality of rows of fixed racks extending in a second direction; at least one distribution rack arranged on at least one side of the rack queue along the first direction and adapted to store at least one target logistics object among the plurality of logistics objects determined based on a picking task; and a plurality of trolleys allowed to travel on at least one side of the at least one rack queue along the first direction to perform the picking task at the at least one distribution rack.

[0004] In some embodiments, adjacent rack queues among the plurality of rack queues are spaced apart from each other by a first predetermined interval or a second predetermined interval to form at least one main passage for vehicles to travel or at least one auxiliary passage for personnel to walk, and wherein the main passage has a width of the first predetermined interval; and the auxiliary passage has a width of the second predetermined interval.

[0005] In some embodiments, the logistics object picking system further comprises: a plurality of packing workstations; and a plurality of trolleys adapted to obtain the at least one target logistics object moved by the plurality of trolleys.

[0006] In some embodiments, the plurality of rows of fixed racks of the rack queue are spaced apart by a predetermined third predetermined interval in the second direction to form a picking passage for personnel to walk, wherein the personnel are allowed to perform picking and / or placing operations of logistics objects at the at least one auxiliary passage and the picking passage.

[0007] In some embodiments, the logistics object picking system further comprises: a mobile rack adapted to be coupled to the trolley and move with the trolley to store the at least one target logistics object obtained from the distribution rack.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second predetermined interval is smaller than a width of the mobile rack; and / or the third predetermined interval is smaller than the width of the mobile rack.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mobile rack comprises a plurality of collection single bins and a plurality of multi-order bins, the plurality of collection single bins and the plurality of multi-order bins are distributed in the mobile rack along a height direction, and the collection single bins are arranged below the multi-order bins along the height direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the logistics object picking system further comprises a temporary storage site arranged between the rack queue and the plurality of packing workstations and adapted to place empty mobile racks uncoupled from the tugs.

[0011] In some embodiments, the distribution rack comprises a plurality of multi-order compartments and a plurality of collection single compartments, the plurality of multi-order compartments and the plurality of collection single compartments are arranged along a height direction, and the plurality of multi-order compartments are arranged above the plurality of collection single compartments along the height direction.

[0012] In some embodiments, the distribution rack further comprises a plurality of indicator lights, the plurality of indicator lights are respectively arranged close to the corresponding plurality of multi-order compartments and / or the corresponding plurality of collection single compartments.

[0013] In some embodiments, the logistics object picking system further comprises a waiting area arranged between the rack queue and the plurality of packing workstations and adapted to place a second mobile rack, the second mobile rack is a mobile rack storing at least one target logistics object and uncoupled from the packing workstations.

[0014] In some embodiments, the logistics object picking system further comprises a storage workbench arranged on one side of the rack queue and adapted to store logistics objects on the rack queue.

[0015] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the main channel, the auxiliary channel and the picking channel are arranged between the plurality of fixed racks, so that during the execution of the picking task, the tugs travel in the main channel, the staff at the racks walk in the auxiliary channel and the picking channel between each row of racks, thereby achieving separation of people and vehicles. Thereby, the picking efficiency of logistics objects is improved, and the compactness of the rack arrangement in the warehouse is also improved, thereby improving the capacity of the warehouse.

[0016] It should be understood that the content described in this part of the content is not intended to limit the key features or important features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail the following embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements, in which:

[0018] Figure 1Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an overall structure of a logistics object picking system for logistics storage according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an arrangement relationship between a fixed shelf and a split shelf according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile shelf and a trolley according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a fixed shelf and a split shelf according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a logistics object picking method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 6 Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an interaction process of a logistics object picking method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7 Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of a logistics object picking method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 8 Fig. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of an electronic device suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While certain embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it is understood that the present disclosure can be embodied in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather, these embodiments are provided so as to more completely and thoroughly understand the present disclosure. It is understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are for exemplary purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0027] It should be noted that the titles of any section / subsection provided herein are not limiting. Various embodiments are described throughout this document and any type of embodiment can be included under any section / subsection. Furthermore, embodiments described in any section / subsection can be combined with any other embodiment described in the same section / subsection and / or in a different section / subsection in any manner.

[0028] In the description of embodiments of the disclosure, the term "includes" and its synonyms shall be understood as open-ended including, i.e., "including but not limited to". The term "based on" shall be understood as "based at least in part on". The term "one embodiment" or "the embodiment" shall be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "some embodiments" shall be understood as "at least some embodiments". Other explicit and implicit definitions can also be included below. The terms "first", "second", etc. can refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions can also be included below.

[0029] As briefly mentioned above, in the conventional art, during the execution of a picking task (also referred to as a picking task) for a logistics object, the trolley generally carries the rack into the sorting channel between the racks, and the logistics object is picked by the worker at the rack picking position and put into the corresponding slot of the picking rack to complete the picking. However, the picking channel is narrow, and the trolley entering the channel will cause obstruction to the worker, and the congestion problem of the AMR also challenges the scheduling system. If the sorting channel between the racks is simply enlarged, the storage density and capacity of the entire warehouse will be affected.

[0030] According to the logistics object picking scheme provided by the present disclosure, the above-mentioned problems and other potential problems in the conventional scheme are solved or at least partially solved. According to the logistics object picking system of some embodiments of the present disclosure, a plurality of rack queues are arranged along a first direction, and adjacent rack queues are spaced apart by a first predetermined interval or a second predetermined interval. Thereby, a main channel for trolley travel and an auxiliary channel for worker walking can be formed between the plurality of rack queues. In addition, at least one distribution rack is arranged near the side of the main channel close to the rack.

[0031] Through the above arrangement, the worker can pick at least one target logistics object among the plurality of logistics objects on the rack queue to the distribution rack based on the picking task, and after the trolley carries the mobile rack to reach the parking position corresponding to the distribution rack, the at least one target logistics object on the distribution rack is transferred to the mobile rack coupled to the trolley.

[0032] The trolley stops at the at least one distribution rack according to the picking task, and after completing the import task of the at least one target logistics object, moves the mobile rack to the packing table for packing work. In this way, during the execution of the picking task, the trolley travels in the main channel, the worker at the rack walks in the auxiliary channel and the picking channel between each row of racks, thereby realizing the separation of people and vehicles. Thereby, the picking efficiency of the logistics object is improved, and the compactness of the rack arrangement in the warehouse is also improved, thereby improving the capacity of the warehouse.

[0033] Figure 1An overall structural schematic of a logistics object picking system for logistics warehousing according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the logistics object picking system comprises a plurality of rack queues 1, at least one dispatch rack 2, and a plurality of trolleys 3. The plurality of rack queues 1 are arranged in sequence along a first direction D1, and two adjacent rack queues 1 are spaced apart by a first predetermined interval or a second predetermined interval. In this way, a main passage having a first predetermined interval width and a secondary passage having a second predetermined interval width are formed between two adjacent rack queues 1.

[0034] In some embodiments, each rack queue 1 comprises a plurality of fixed racks 10 arranged along a second direction D2. Two adjacent fixed racks 10 arranged along the second direction D2 are spaced apart by a third predetermined interval, thereby forming a picking passage 13 having a third predetermined interval width. The first predetermined interval is greater than the second predetermined interval, and the first predetermined interval is greater than the third predetermined interval. In this way, the widest main passage can allow the trolleys 3 to pass side by side, while the relatively narrower secondary passage can allow the staff to pass by for sorting logistics objects at the rack queue 1. In this way, separation of the personnel flow and the trolley 3 flow within the warehouse is achieved.

[0035] Figure 2 An arrangement relationship schematic of a fixed rack and a dispatch rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 2 shown, the at least one dispatch rack 2 is arranged at one side of the main passage close to the racks, and the at least one dispatch rack 2 is adapted to store at least one target logistics object related to a dispatch task. Each dispatch rack 2 corresponds to one or more fixed racks 10 of the rack queue 1. In one embodiment, the dispatch rack 2 and the fixed rack 10 can be one-to-one corresponding, and each dispatch rack 2 is arranged at one end of the corresponding fixed rack 10 along the first direction D1, so that at least one target logistics object related to a picking task in each fixed rack 10 can be stored in the corresponding dispatch rack 2. In some embodiments, one dispatch rack 2 can correspond to multiple dispatch racks 2. For example, one dispatch rack 2 can correspond to three adjacent fixed racks 10 in the rack queue 1. The dispatch rack 2 is arranged at one end of the three fixed racks 10 along the first direction D1 and at the middle of the three fixed racks 10 along the second direction D2. In this way, at least one target logistics object related to a picking task in the three fixed racks 10 can be stored in the dispatch rack 2.

[0036] In some embodiments, a plurality of stopping points are provided in the main aisle, and the trolley 3 can stop at a desired stopping point, whereby a staff at the fixed shelf 10 can transfer at least one target logistic object in the distribution rack 2 near the stopping point to the trolley 3. More specifically, the target logistic object can be transferred to the mobile shelf 5 coupled with the trolley 3, and the disclosure will be described in more detail below with respect to the mobile shelf 5. It should be understood that the stopping point of the trolley 3 is related to the position of the distribution rack 2, for example, the stopping point can be provided near the distribution rack 2.

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a mobile shelf and a trolley according to some embodiments of the disclosure is shown. As shown, in some embodiments, the logistic object picking system further comprises a plurality of mobile shelves 5, which are adapted to be coupled with the trolley 3 to move at least within the main aisle under the support of the trolley 3, thereby to receive the target logistic objects in the distribution rack 2 located at different positions. In some embodiments, the trolley 3 can be a handling device such as an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR), etc., which can be coupled with the mobile shelf 5 according to a picking task to drive the mobile shelf 5 to travel to a stopping point related to the picking task, so that the staff at the fixed shelf 10 moves the target logistic objects in the distribution rack 2 to the mobile shelf 5. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the mobile shelf 5 comprises at least two sides for storing logistic objects (for example, the mobile shelf 5 has a front side and a back side opposite to the front side), and the trolley 3 can be rotated to the mobile shelf 5 according to the correspondence between the target logistic object in the picking task and the mobile shelf 5, so that the designated side of the mobile shelf 5 faces the distribution rack 2.

[0038] In some embodiments, the mobile shelf 5 comprises a plurality of collection single boxes 51 and a plurality of multi-order boxes 52. The plurality of collection single boxes 51 and the plurality of multi-order boxes 52 are arranged along a height direction parallel to the direction of gravity, and the plurality of collection single boxes 51 are arranged below the plurality of multi-order boxes 52. Since the number of target logistic objects in the collection single box 51 is often greater than the number of target logistic objects in the multi-order box 52, by arranging the plurality of collection single boxes 51 below the plurality of multi-order boxes 52, the stability of the mobile shelf 5 during movement supported by the trolley 3 can be improved. In some embodiments, the capacity of each collection single box 51 is greater than the capacity of each multi-order box 52.

[0039]

[0040] ​In some embodiments, an order placed for a single demander (e.g., a customer) may contain multiple target logistics items (e.g., an order may contain a mobile phone, a tablet, and headphones). To facilitate centralized packaging, all target logistics items in the order will be placed in a multi-order container 52. That is, each multi-order container 52 is adapted to accommodate all target logistics items in an order containing multiple target logistics items.

[0041] In some other embodiments, a first order from a first demander among multiple demanders contains only one target logistics object (e.g., mobile phone A), and a second order from a second demander contains only one identical target logistics object (e.g., the same mobile phone A). These orders containing the same single target logistics object can then be consolidated into a bundled order, and the multiple identical target logistics objects corresponding to the bundled order can be placed together in the bundled order container 51. That is, each bundled order container 51 is suitable for accommodating multiple identical target logistics objects.

[0042] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a fixed shelf and a dispensing rack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 As shown, similar to the arrangement of the mobile shelving 5, the distribution rack 2 includes multiple multi-order slots 21 and multiple single-item collection slots 22. Each multi-order slot 21 is adapted to accommodate multiple target logistics objects from an order containing multiple target logistics objects. Each single-item collection slot 22 is adapted to accommodate multiple identical target logistics objects. In some embodiments, the multiple multi-order slots 21 and the multiple single-item collection slots 22 are arranged in a height direction parallel to the direction of gravity, and the multiple single-item collection slots 22 are arranged below the multiple multi-order slots 21. In this way, after the distribution rack 2 is loaded with multiple target logistics objects, the number of target logistics objects in the single-item collection slots 22 is often greater than the number of target logistics objects in the multi-order slots 21, thereby improving the stability of the distribution rack 2.

[0043] For example, when the control device of the logistics object picking system receives a picking task for a multi-order (i.e., an order containing multiple target logistics objects), the control device can send a distribution task to the first-person terminal of the staff on the shelf. According to the distribution task, the staff transfers the target logistics objects involved in the multi-order to a multi-order slot 21 of the corresponding distribution rack 2. The transport vehicle 3 sequentially lifts the mobile shelf 5 and moves it to multiple distribution racks 2 to move the target logistics objects in the multi-order slots 21 of multiple distribution racks 2 into the same multi-order container 52 of the mobile shelf 5.

[0044] When the control equipment of the logistics object picking system receives a picking task for a collection order (i.e., multiple orders with the same single target logistics object), the control equipment can send a distribution task to the first human terminal of the staff on the shelf. The staff will transfer multiple identical target logistics objects to the collection order slot 22 of the distribution shelf according to the distribution task. After the transport vehicle 3 carries the mobile shelf 5 to the docking point corresponding to the distribution shelf, the multiple identical target logistics objects will be moved into the collection order box 51 of the mobile shelf 5.

[0045] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the distribution rack also includes multiple indicator lights 23, which correspond to multiple multi-order slots 21 and multiple single-item slots 22 of the distribution rack. When a worker at the rack transfers a target logistics object to the mobile rack 5, the corresponding indicator light 23 is activated (lit up). Simultaneously, the worker's first-person terminal displays transfer information, indicating that the target logistics object in the illuminated slot needs to be transferred to a specific container on the mobile rack 5. After completing the transfer of the target logistics object in that slot, the worker sends an import completion message to the control device via their first-person terminal. Upon receiving the import completion message, the control device activates the indicator light 23 of the next slot in the distribution rack 2 to indicate the location where the target logistics object needs to be transferred. This method improves the accuracy of transferring the target logistics object to the mobile rack 5.

[0046] Return to reference Figure 1 ,like Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the logistics object picking system further includes multiple packing workstations 4, arranged on one side of the shelf queue 1 and adapted to perform inspection, packing, and other operations on target logistics objects within the mobile shelves 5 moved by the transport vehicle 3. In some embodiments, the logistics object picking system also includes a temporary storage area suitable for storing and controlling the mobile shelves 5. After receiving a picking task, the transport vehicle 3 can proceed to the temporary storage area to couple with the mobile shelves 5. In some embodiments, the multiple mobile shelves 5 stored in the temporary storage area can be of various specifications, and the transport vehicle 3 can obtain the shelf number of the mobile shelf 5 to determine whether the current mobile shelf 5 meets the requirements of the picking task. For example, the transport vehicle 3 can determine the shelf number of the mobile shelf 5 by scanning the QR code on the mobile shelf 5, and then determine whether the number of boxes on the mobile shelf 5 meets the requirements of the picking task.

[0047] In one embodiment, the shelf queue 1 and the plurality of packing workstations 4 are further provided with a waiting area 7. If the plurality of packing workstations 4 are all occupied, the trolley 3 can carry the mobile shelf 5 (also referred to as a second mobile shelf) loaded with at least one target logistic object to the temporary storage area to wait for the packing workstation 4 to be idle and then carry the mobile shelf 5 to the corresponding packing workstation 4. In some embodiments, in order to fully improve the use efficiency of the trolley 3, when the trolley 3 moves the second mobile shelf to the waiting area 7, the trolley 3 can be decoupled from the second mobile shelf so that the trolley 3 continues to perform the next picking task. In some embodiments, the waiting area can be specially equipped with a transfer trolley, and if there is an idle packing workstation 4 in the plurality of packing workstations 4, the transfer trolley can be coupled with the second mobile shelf and transfer the second mobile shelf to the idle packing workstation 4.

[0048] In some embodiments, the packing workstations 4 can be classified according to the specifications (e.g., volume, weight, etc.) of the packed logistic objects, the time limit requirements of the logistic objects, the destination information of the logistic objects, etc. The trolley 3 can move to the matching packing workstation according to the relevant information in the picking task and be packed by the staff at the packing workstation.

[0049] In some embodiments, the logistic object picking system further comprises a warehouse entry workstation 8 arranged at one side of the shelf queue 1 and adapted to replenish the logistic objects to the shelf queue 1. In some embodiments, the warehouse entry workstation 8 can send a replenishment request to the control device of the logistic object picking system, and the control device can determine whether to allocate the trolley 3 according to the situation of the replenished logistic objects. If the quantity information of the replenished logistic objects meets the requirements, the control device can allocate the trolley 3 to carry the mobile shelf 5 to the warehouse entry workstation 8 to transfer the logistic objects and move the logistic objects to the corresponding fixed shelves 10 respectively to replenish the fixed shelves 10. If the situation of the replenished logistic objects does not meet the requirements (e.g., the quantity of the replenished logistic objects is small), the control device can send a replenishment task to the second personal terminal of the staff at the warehouse entry workstation 8 to instruct the staff to manually replenish. The staff can walk around the auxiliary channel, the picking channel 13 and the periphery of the plurality of shelf queues 1 to replenish the logistic objects to the corresponding fixed shelves 10.

[0050] Figure 5 An application scenario 500 schematic diagram of a logistic object picking method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the logistic object picking system 100 is arranged in a warehouse 501. The warehouse 501 comprises a plurality of shelf queues 1, a plurality of packing workstations 4, a warehouse entry workstation 8, a warehouse exit workstation 9, a plurality of auxiliary channels 12, a plurality of picking channels 13, a plurality of trolleys 3, a plurality of mobile shelves 5, a plurality of fixed shelves 10, a plurality of second personal terminals 11, and a plurality of first personal terminals 14. Figure 5As shown, the application scenario 500 includes a control device 510, a plurality of trolleys 520, and a plurality of personal terminals 530 held by workers. The control device 510, the plurality of trolleys 520, and the plurality of personal terminals 530 are connected through a network 540. Thus, the control device 510 can issue tasks to the plurality of trolleys 520 and the plurality of personal terminals 530 through the network 540, and accept feedback from the plurality of trolleys 520 and the plurality of personal terminals 530. Thus, the picking of the logistics objects in the warehouse is regulated.

[0051] In some embodiments, the personal terminals 530 can be applied at different workstations and held by workers performing different types of work, respectively. For example, a first personal terminal held by a worker at a shelf queue, a second personal terminal held by a worker at a restocking workstation, and the like.

[0052] In some embodiments, the trolleys 520 include a processing module adapted to communicate with the control device, and the processing module can also control the trolleys 520 to perform walking, obstacle avoidance, and separation from the mobile shelf installation, determine the travel route and stopping point, and the like.

[0053] In some embodiments, the application scenario 500 further includes a light management device coupled to the indicator lights of the dispensing racks, and the light management device can be connected to the control device 510 through the network 540. Thus, the control device 510 can control the lighting or extinguishing of the specified indicator lights in the dispensing racks.

[0054] In some embodiments, the control device 510 can include any computing system with computing capability, such as various computing devices / systems, terminal devices, server devices, and the like. The terminal device can be any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a netbook computer, a tablet computer, a media computer, a multimedia tablet, a palmtop computer, a portable game terminal, a Personal Communication System (PCS) device, a personal navigation device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), an audio / video player, a digital camera / camcorder, a positioning device, a television receiver, a radio broadcast receiver, an electronic book device, a game device, or any combination of the foregoing, including accessories and peripherals of these devices or any combination thereof. Other examples of the server device can be a standalone physical server, or a server cluster or distributed system composed of multiple physical servers. The server device can include, for example, a mainframe, an edge computing node, a computing device in a cloud environment, and the like.

[0055] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating an interaction process 600 of a logistics object picking method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 6As shown, at block 611, the control device 510 determines the picking task. At block 612, the control device 510 issues a binning task to the trolley 520 based on the picking task. At block 631, the trolley 520 is dispatched and goes to the staging position based on the binning task. At block 632, the trolley 520 arrives at the staging position. At block 633, the shelf number of the mobile shelf is scanned, and the trolley 520 bins with the mobile shelf. At block 634, the trolley 520 reports the binning result to the control device 510. At block 613, the control device 510 receives the binning result. At block 614, the control device 510 issues a carrying task to the trolley 520 based on the binning result. At block 613, the trolley 520 goes to the stopping point. At block 636, after arriving at the stopping point, the trolley 520 confirms whether the face change operation is needed. At block 637, if the trolley 520 confirms that the face change operation is needed, the trolley 520 performs the face change operation and arrives at the stopping point after the face change as shown at block 638. If the trolley 520 confirms that the face change operation is not needed, the trolley 520 arrives at the stopping point as shown at block 638. At block 639, the trolley 520 reports to the control device 510 that the trolley 520 arrives at the stopping point. At block 615, after the control device 510 receives the information that the trolley 520 arrives, at block 616, the control device 510 controls the first person terminal 530 of the worker at the shelf to send an import task. At block 671, the worker operates the first person terminal 530 to take the import task, and at block 672, starts the import operation. After the first person terminal 530 starts to perform the import operation. At block 617, the control device 510 issues a light-on instruction to the light management device. After the light management device receives the light-on instruction, at block 651, the light management device determines whether there are other bins to be imported in addition to the current bin to be imported. If there are other bins to be imported, at block 653, the light management device turns off the other bin indicator lights. And at block 652, the current bin indicator light is turned on. If there are no other bins to be imported, at block 652, the light management device turns on the current bin indicator light. During this period, the worker imports the logistics object into the corresponding bin of the mobile shelf based on the first person terminal 530, and after completing the import of the logistics object into the mobile shelf, at block 673, the first person terminal 530 receives information from the worker indicating that the current import is completed. At block 674, the first person terminal 530 determines whether all target logistics objects in the distribution rack have been imported. If all target logistics objects in the distribution rack have been imported, at block 618, the first person terminal 530 returns the import completion information to the control device 510. If not all target logistics objects in the distribution rack have been imported, return to block 672 to continue performing the import task.In box 618, after receiving the instruction from the first human terminal 530 indicating that the import is complete, the control device 510 sends control information to the lighting management device. In box 654, the lighting management device turns off the indicator lights of all compartments in the material distribution rack. In box 619, the control device 510 can also determine whether the transport vehicle 520 has completed docking at all docking points. If the transport vehicle 520 has not completed docking at all docking points, in box 640, the control device 510 controls the transport vehicle 520 to move to the next docking point. If the transport vehicle 520 has completed docking at all docking points, in box 620, the control device 510 controls the transport vehicle 520 to move to the packaging workbench.

[0056] Figure 7 A block diagram of a logistics object picking method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 As shown, method 700 can be implemented based on the control device 510 provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. In block 710, in response to receiving at least one order, the control device 510 determines a picking task based on the at least one order. In some embodiments, to improve the efficiency of picking and packing, the control device 510 can generate picking tasks based on multiple orders. Multiple orders may include at least one of multiple orders with multiple logistics objects and a single order with a single logistics object. The control device 510 can also classify multiple orders according to factors such as the type and timeliness of the logistics objects contained in the orders. Orders with the same or similar factors are integrated and picking tasks are determined. That is, based on the picking task, multiple target logistics objects can be transferred from the shelf to the packing workbench simultaneously. This can improve the efficiency of logistics object transfer. In some other embodiments, the control device 510 may also generate picking tasks based on a single order.

[0057] In some embodiments, after the control device 510 determines a picking task, the control device 510 can send a distribution task to a first terminal device held by a worker at the shelf queue. After receiving the distribution task through the first terminal device, the worker can transfer the target logistics object related to the picking task from the fixed shelf to the predetermined slot of the distribution rack.

[0058] In block 720, control device 510 determines a first transport vehicle 520 from a plurality of transport vehicles 520 based on the picking task. In some embodiments, the plurality of transport vehicles 520 may have various characteristics. Control device 510 can select a suitable first transport vehicle to perform the picking task based on characteristics such as the weight, quantity, volume, and timeliness of the logistics objects in the picking task. For example, for picking orders with heavy logistics objects, control device 510 can select a transport vehicle 520 with a large load capacity.

[0059] In some embodiments, after determining the trolley 520, the control device 510 can control the trolley 520 to move to the staging area and couple with the mobile rack in the staging area. In some embodiments, the trolley 520 can also acquire the rack number of the mobile rack and determine the rack information pre-stored in the mobile rack according to the rack number. The rack information is suitable to indicate the specification of the mobile rack or the limit requirements of the target logistics object that can be stored in the mobile rack. The control device 510 can determine whether the current mobile rack can meet the requirements of the picking task according to the acquired rack number. If the current mobile rack meets the requirements of the picking task, the control device 510 can control the trolley 520 to couple with the mobile rack. If the current mobile rack does not meet the requirements of the picking task, the control device 510 can control the first trolley 520 to re-match the mobile rack.

[0060] At block 730, the control device 510 acquires a first stop point in the at least one stop point determined by the first trolley 520, and the first stop point corresponds to the at least one distribution rack.

[0061] In some embodiments, after the first trolley 520 determines the first stop point, the control device 510 can send a distribution task to the first terminal device at the first stop point, so as to improve the continuity of task allocation. The worker can distribute the target logistics object during the first trolley 520 travels to the first stop point, and can introduce the target logistics object to the first mobile rack coupled to the first trolley 520 after the first trolley 520 arrives at the first stop point.

[0062] At block 740, the control device 510 sends an introduction task to the first person terminal 530 associated with the first stop point in response to the first trolley 520 carrying the first mobile rack in the plurality of mobile racks to the first stop point, and the introduction task indicates transferring at least one target logistics object from the at least one distribution rack to the first mobile rack.

[0063] In some embodiments, the at least one stop point is determined by the first trolley 520 based on the picking task, and the trolley 520 stops at the determined at least one stop point in turn to acquire the target logistics object in each distribution rack.

[0064] When the trolley 520 carrying the mobile rack travels to the first stop point, the control device 510 can send an introduction task to the first terminal, and the worker transfers at least one target logistics object in the distribution rack to the first mobile rack according to the introduction task.

[0065] In some embodiments, the control device 510 can present an import task to the worker through the first terminal to help the worker to correspond the target object with the bin that needs to be shelved to the first mobile rack. The import task can include the first bin information of the first bin where the first target object is located and the first bin information of the first bin where the first target object needs to be transferred to the first mobile rack.

[0066] In some embodiments, the control device 510 can also control the light management device to turn on or off the plurality of indicator lights on the binning rack so that the worker can determine the bin where the first target object is located. Specifically, during the import task indicating that the first target object needs to be transferred to the first bin of the first mobile rack, the light management device can control the indicator light at the first bin where the first target object is located to work (the indicator light is on). When the worker completes the import of the first target object, the worker sends the import completion information to the first terminal, and the control device 510 controls the light management device to turn off the indicator light. The above steps are repeated until all target objects in the binning rack are imported.

[0067] In some embodiments, the control device 510 controls the first trolley 520 to move to the packing workbench in response to the first trolley 520 completing shelving at all of the at least one stop point. The first trolley 520 carries the target objects to the packing workbench and is checked and packed by the worker at the packing workbench.

[0068] In some embodiments, the control device 510 determines a second trolley 520 from the plurality of trolleys 520 in response to obtaining a restocking request. The control device 510 controls the second trolley 520 to carry a third mobile rack from the plurality of mobile racks to move to the restocking station.

[0069] The worker at the restocking station can send a restocking request (i.e., a warehousing request) to the control device 510 through the second personal terminal 530 held by the worker. The control device 510 controls the second trolley 520 to carry the third mobile rack to move to the restocking station for restocking based on the restocking request.

[0070] The control device 510 controls the second trolley 520 to move to the stop point related to the restocking request in response to obtaining the restocking completion information sent by the second personal terminal 530 at the restocking station. The control device 510 sends a restocking task to the third personal terminal 530 at the stop point related to the restocking request in response to controlling the second trolley 520 to move to the stop point related to the restocking request.

[0071] After the replenishment is completed, the worker sends replenishment completion information to the control device 510 through the second personal terminal 530. The control device 510 controls the second trolley 520 to move to the corresponding stopping point. At the same time, the replenishment task is sent to the third personal terminal 530 at the relevant stopping point. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the third personal terminal and the first personal terminal can be the same, that is, the worker can perform the operation of broadcasting, importing according to the picking task, or performing the replenishment operation according to the replenishment task.

[0072] Figure 8 A schematic block diagram of an electronic device suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As shown, according to an electronic device provided by the present disclosure, the electronic device 800 can be the control device 510 mentioned above or other appropriate device. The electronic device 800 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 801, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to computer program instructions stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 802 or loaded from a storage unit into a random access memory (RAM) 803. In the RAM 803, various programs and data required for device operation can also be stored. The CPU 801, the ROM 802, and the RAM 803 are connected to each other through a bus 804. An input / output (I / O) interface 805 is also connected to the bus 804. Figure 8

[0073] Various components in the device are connected to the I / O interface 805, including an input unit 806, such as a touch screen, a button, etc.; an output unit 807, such as various types of displays, a speaker, etc.; a storage unit 808, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.; and a communication unit 809, such as a network card, a modem, a wireless communication transceiver, etc. The communication unit 809 allows the device to exchange information / data with other devices through a computer network, such as the Internet, and / or various telecommunications networks.

[0074] The various processes and processes described above, such as the method 700 mentioned above, can be performed by the processing unit 801. For example, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned method or process can be implemented as a computer software program, which is tangibly contained in a machine-readable medium, such as a storage unit. In some embodiments, part or all of the computer program can be loaded and / or installed on the device via the ROM 802 and / or the communication unit 809. When the computer program is loaded into the RAM 803 and executed by the CPU 801, one or more actions of the above-mentioned method or process can be performed.

[0075] ​Embodiments of the disclosure relate to methods, electronic devices, and / or computer program products. A computer program product can include a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program instructions embodied therewith to carry out various aspects of the disclosure.

[0076] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.

[0077] Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing / processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and / or a wireless network. The network can comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and / or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing / processing device.

[0078] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure can be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions can execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or programmable logic array (PLA) can execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

[0079] The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0080] The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0081] The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device implement the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0082] The computer readable program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device implement the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0083] The implementations of the disclosure have been described above with the intent to be illustrative rather than limiting. Although being shown and described in terms of certain implementations and overall functions, the implementations are not intended to exclude other implementations or technologies. Modifications and changes can be made in arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus described. Many modifications and variations of the described implementations are possible and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described implementations. It is therefore intended that the description be considered in all respects as illustrative, rather than limiting, of the disclosed implementations. Changes are made to the descriptions that are intended to be protective of the applications claimed. It is therefore intended that the description be considered in all respects as illustrative, rather than limiting, of the disclosed implementations. Changes are made to the descriptions that are intended to be protective of the applications claimed.

Claims

1. A logistics object picking system, characterized by, Comprising: at least one rack line (1) arranged along a first direction (D1) and storing a plurality of logistic objects, each rack line (1) of the at least one rack line (1) comprising a plurality of fixed racks (10) extending in a second direction (D2); at least one distribution rack (2) arranged at least one side of the rack line (1) along the first direction (D1) and adapted to store at least one target logistic object of the plurality of logistic objects determined based on a picking task; and a plurality of trolleys (3) allowed to travel at least one side of the at least one rack line (1) along the first direction (D1) to perform the picking task at the at least one distribution rack (2).

2. The logistics object picking system of claim 1, wherein, Adjacent rack lines (1) of the plurality of rack lines (1) are spaced apart from each other by a first predetermined interval or a second predetermined interval to form at least one main aisle (11) for vehicles to travel or at least one secondary aisle (12) for people to walk, and wherein the main aisle (11) has a width of the first predetermined interval; and the secondary aisle (12) has a width of the second predetermined interval.

3. The logistics object picking system of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a plurality of packing workstations (4) adapted to obtain the at least one target logistic object moved by the plurality of trolleys (3).

4. The logistics object picking system of claim 2, wherein, The plurality of fixed racks (10) of the rack line (1) are spaced apart by a third predetermined interval in the second direction (D2) to form a picking aisle (13) for people to walk, wherein people are allowed to perform picking and / or placing operations of logistic objects at the at least one secondary aisle (12) and the picking aisle (13).

5. The logistics object picking system of claim 4, wherein, Further comprising: a mobile rack (5) adapted to be coupled to and moved with the trolley (3) to store the at least one target logistic object obtained from the distribution rack (2).

6. The logistics object picking system of claim 5, wherein, The second predetermined interval is smaller than a width of the mobile rack (5); and / or The third predetermined interval is smaller than the width of the mobile rack (5).

7. The logistics object picking system of claim 5, wherein, The mobile rack (5) comprises a plurality of collection single bins (51) and a plurality of multi-order bins (52), the plurality of collection single bins (51) and the plurality of multi-order bins (52) are distributed in the mobile rack (5) in a height direction, and the collection single bins (51) are arranged below the multi-order bins (52) in the height direction.

8. The logistics object picking system according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that, Further comprising a temporary storage site (6) arranged between the rack line (1) and the plurality of packing workstations (4) and adapted to place empty mobile racks (5) not coupled to the trolley (3).

9. The logistics object picking system according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The distribution rack (2) comprises a plurality of multi-order pockets (21) and a plurality of collection single pockets (22), the plurality of multi-order pockets (21) and the plurality of collection single pockets (22) are arranged in a height direction, and the plurality of multi-order pockets (21) are arranged above the plurality of collection single pockets (22) in the height direction.

10. The logistics object picking system of claim 9, wherein, The dispatch rack (2) further comprises a plurality of indicator lights (23) arranged respectively close to the corresponding plurality of multi-order compartments (21) and / or the corresponding plurality of set single compartments (22).

11. The logistics object picking system according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that, Further comprising a waiting area (7) arranged between the rack queue (1) and a plurality of packing workstations (4), and adapted to place a second mobile rack, which is a mobile rack (5) storing the at least one target logistics object and not acquired by the packing workstations (4).

12. The logistics object picking system according to any one of claims 1-7 and 10, characterized by, Further comprising a warehousing workstation (8) arranged on one side of the rack queue (1) and adapted to place logistics objects on the rack queue (1).

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