FLEXIBLE AND COMPACT PICKING SYSTEM

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for picking goods. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In many sectors of industry and commerce, goods delivered in large, sorted containers must be picked and packed into smaller units to be made available at specific locations along with other goods. This can occur, for example, when supplying workstations with components for assembly during industrial product manufacturing, when supplying retail stores with goods from a central warehouse, or when shipping goods to end customers in online retail.

[0003] However, order picking tasks can vary considerably, for example, in terms of the total number of goods to be picked, the different types of goods, the overall frequency of picking, and the frequency of individual items. Accordingly, a wide variety of order picking methods and equipment are already known in the prior art. The challenge with these diverse order picking tasks lies in finding the most suitable picking method and the appropriate equipment to achieve high picking performance and efficient execution, depending on the specific requirements and conditions.However, since picking orders are not usually always the same, but can vary greatly depending on sales and the varying range of goods in retail stores, for example, there is a need to offer flexible and compact picking systems that can respond flexibly to different picking requirements and enable the efficient use of picking equipment as well as storage and conveyor systems in a picking system.

[0004] WO 2012 / 103566 A1 discloses a method and a system for picking articles with different turnover rates from storage containers into order containers, in which the storage containers are conveyed by a first conveying system from a container storage to picking workstations in different picking areas and at which an article is taken from at least one storage container by a picker for a picking order and placed in an order container provided by a second conveying system.A warehouse management system uses an order forecast to determine the order items for each item across a number of picking orders. During a replenishment check, the storage containers are assigned to a picking workstation integrated within the container storage area in the first picking area and / or to a picking workstation located separately from the container storage area in the second picking area. Accordingly, the storage containers are transported via different automated conveyor routes either to a picking workstation in the first picking area or to a picking workstation in the second picking area.

[0005] WO 2012 / 069327 A1 discloses a picking procedure and system. When picking products stored in a rack warehouse, the products are transported to manual goods-to-person picking stations by means of a conveyor system. Order transport units can be fed to the goods-to-person picking stations, into which products delivered to the goods-to-person picking stations are manually picked according to picking orders. All products from the rack warehouse that can be picked manually can be fed to all goods-to-person picking stations.If a picking order contains products to be picked manually, at least one order transport unit is assigned to these products. Each order transport unit is only delivered to one manual goods-to-person picking station, where all manually picked products assigned to that order transport unit are picked. The respective order transport unit is only transported to the manual goods-to-person picking station when that picking station is ready to be stocked with products according to a picking order.

[0006] WO 2016 / 113230 A1 discloses a sequencing system configured to sequence loads originating from at least one external unit via at least one incoming forward conveyor and to provide a sequence of loads to at least one preparation station via at least one outgoing forward conveyor. The system comprises a paternoster lift, at least one buffer station, and a control unit configured to process each load arriving at the paternoster lift's inlet in one of the following ways: after being introduced into the paternoster lift, (a) the load undergoes a shortcut transfer between two opposing carriers; (b) the load undergoes at least one buffer transfer to a specific buffer station; or (c) the load is transported therein without a shortcut transfer or buffer transfer and then fed to the at least one outgoing forward conveyor. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims specify embodiments thereof. TASK OF INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for picking goods, in which the system has a compact design to achieve efficient and cost-effective picking and enables efficient picking with flexible adaptation to different picking needs. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0009] To solve this problem, a system with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 10 are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] According to the invention, a method and a system are provided in which two different picking principles are combined to allow flexible switching between the different picking methods depending on the picking requirements. At the same time, the different picking methods are combined in a compact system that requires little space and has short transport routes for the goods, thus enabling efficient picking.

[0011] The basis of the technical solution is an automated small parts warehouse (AS / RS), in which the goods to be picked are stored in storage units, preferably special storage units designed for the AS / RS, and kept ready for picking. Accordingly, the small parts warehouse (AS / RS) can typically store storage units with single-type goods that are to be picked according to picking orders.

[0012] Storage units are understood to mean all forms of containers, such as cartons, boxes or the like, as well as trays, pallets or other devices suitable for holding goods.

[0013] Using automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS), goods stored in the KTL (Kaufmittel- und Lehranstalt – Kit for Transport and Delivery) can be automatically stored in and retrieved from the KTL to make them available for order picking. A control unit in the form of a data processing system is provided for storing goods in storage units within the KTL and for the order picking process as a whole. This system records and automatically processes picking orders. Accordingly, when processing a picking order, the control unit determines how the ordered goods to be picked must be assembled into a shipping unit for dispatch and which goods must be retrieved from the KTL for picking.Depending on the size of the picking order, a shipping unit may contain one or more output units with the picked goods, whereby output units are understood to be all forms of containers, such as cartons, boxes or the like, as well as trays, pallets or other devices suitable for holding goods.

[0014] For order picking, at least two different types of order picking facilities are now provided at and / or in the small parts warehouse, at which the at least two different types of order picking of the goods, i.e. the transfer of a certain number and type of goods from the storage units to the output units, can be carried out.

[0015] Firstly, for a first type of order picking, at least one, preferably several, fixed picking stations are provided. Both the storage units containing the stored goods and the output units for receiving the picked goods are delivered to these stations, allowing a picker working at the fixed picking station to transfer the required number of goods from the delivered storage units to the output unit, as specified in the picking order. To transfer the various goods to the output unit, the required different storage units containing the various goods are delivered sequentially to the fixed picking station. For this purpose, a storage unit staging conveyor system can be provided, which can transport the storage units retrieved from the KTL (Kick-and-Digger) by the storage and retrieval machines to the fixed picking station.The control unit determines which storage units are delivered to the stationary picking station, when, and with which goods, so that a specific number of goods can be transferred to one of the delivered output units. Based on the picking order, the control unit manages the system to ensure that the required storage units with the desired goods are delivered precisely to the at least one stationary picking station, provided the output unit into which the goods are to be picked is also located at the corresponding stationary picking station. Such a picking procedure, in which the goods are delivered to the picker, will subsequently be referred to as the first part or subsystem (ESS).

[0016] In combination with the small parts warehouse, which can preferably be designed as a high-bay warehouse, the corresponding stationary picking stations for the ESS can be arranged at the ends of the racking aisles. Storage and retrieval machines or stacker cranes retrieve the necessary storage units containing the goods to be picked, optionally transfer them to a storage unit staging conveyor for transport to the stationary picking station, and, after picking is complete, return the storage units with the remaining goods to the KTL (small parts warehouse). This allows for short transport routes. Additionally, a sequence buffer can be provided between the KTL with its storage locations and storage and retrieval machines and the stationary picking stations of the ESS to ensure the prompt and accurate provision of the storage units at the stationary picking station.

[0017] The removal of the output units, into which picking has taken place, can be carried out from the stationary picking stations of the ESS via an output conveyor technology to a stacking and / or packing station for the dispatch of the output units or via an intermediate storage conveyor technology into the KTL for intermediate storage or buffering of the finished or partially picked output units in the KTL or via a conveyor belt that is already part of another type of picking in the system according to the invention.

[0018] The at least second picking method used in the present invention in conjunction with the same KTL as the ESS utilizes at least one picking area, preferably several picking areas, so-called pick stations. In this picking method, the output units to which goods are picked are provided in the picking areas, the so-called pick stations, where a picker can retrieve the desired goods from various storage units provided in staging areas and transfer them to the output unit. This picking method is therefore fundamentally based on the picker-to-goods system, since the picker must collect the goods from the staging areas of the storage units at the pick stations and pick them into the provided output units.This picking principle will also be referred to as the second part or subsystem (ZSS) in the following.

[0019] During order picking, the output unit can be moved along a conveyor belt past the staging areas of at least one picking area, or at least transported away from the picking area on the conveyor belt, either to another picking station or picking area where further goods are picked into the output unit, or to a picking station of the ESS where further goods can also be picked into the output unit according to the picking order, or for temporary storage in the KTL until further picking can take place or further output units of the shipping unit of the picking order have been picked.Alternatively, the output unit can be transported directly on the conveyor belt to an output conveyor system, which then transports it to a stacking and / or packing station. There, the output unit can potentially be stacked and / or packed with other output units to form a shipping unit. Naturally, the reverse process, from ESS picking to ZSS picking, is also possible.

[0020] In order picking areas, unlike with ESS (Extended Storage System), which fundamentally uses a goods-to-picker system, there is no fixed picking station. Instead, the picker must retrieve the goods from the various staging areas of the storage units, either carrying the output unit along the conveyor or following the output unit being automatically transported on the conveyor. However, the picking area, and thus the picker's movement range, can be kept very small through a suitable arrangement of the staging areas and a clever selection of the goods stored there. This makes picking into a stationary output unit conceivable even in short picking areas.

[0021] Furthermore, at the picking stations, the goods to be picked are automatically provided from the KTL system along with the storage units, but simultaneously in several staging areas. The provision of the storage units to the staging areas can be static or dynamic. With static provision, the goods are continuously provided in staging areas, and when a storage unit is emptied, a new storage unit with the same goods is provided in the same staging area. With dynamic provision, the goods are not permanently provided in the staging areas, but temporarily, depending on demand.

[0022] In the system according to the invention, the so-called pick stations of the ZSS can be arranged along one or more racking rows of the KTL, with the staging areas for the storage units being located in the lower section of a rack. A storage vehicle can be positioned on the side of a corresponding rack opposite the pick station or the staging areas of the storage units. This vehicle can retrieve the storage units from the storage locations of the KTL and place them in the staging areas of the pick station. The delivery of the output units to the pick stations can be carried out via the conveyor system, which transports the output units along or within one or more racks and connects several pick stations to each other and to the picking stations of the ESS.

[0023] The conveyor system can have several, especially two, parallel transport lanes, particularly in the picking areas, so that output units can be transported past the picking area on one transport lane, while the output units currently being picked in the picking area are moved on the parallel transport lane.

[0024] In the context of this description of the present invention, a transport track is understood to mean any device that can serve to convey or transport output units, such as conveyor belts, roller conveyors or other horizontal conveying devices, but also devices that can enable a vertical transport movement of the output units.

[0025] Furthermore, the conveyor system for transporting output units is not only designed to deliver output units to the picking stations, where various picking stations can be connected via the conveyor system. Rather, as mentioned above, the conveyor system is also designed to connect picking stations and order picking stations, thus enabling an output unit to be picked not only at different picking stations but also at order picking stations.Furthermore, the conveyor system for output units can be designed to interact with an intermediate storage conveyor system, enabling output units to be transported to input and / or output points for the e-coating system. At these points, the output units can be transferred to storage and / or retrieval machines for the input and / or retrieval of completed or partially picked output units. This allows output units to be stored in the e-coating system, enabling the parallel picking of multiple output units for an order to temporarily store or buffer the corresponding output units in the small parts warehouse. Only after the order has been fully completed can all output units be retrieved from the e-coating system along with the picked goods and assembled into a shipping unit.This process, also known as order consolidation, can therefore be integrated into the same KTL system used for ESS and ZSS. This results in further system compaction.

[0026] Furthermore, a conveyor system for the output units, which connects different handling points for output units in the plant, in particular different conveyor lines along different racks of the KTL and thus different pick stations in different rack aisles, enables an output unit to be easily provided at different picking workstations, namely different picking areas and / or different picking stations.

[0027] A further advantage of a suitable conveyor system for output units is that the two different picking systems, namely ZSS and ESS, can be combined. This allows output units to be initially provided at a fixed picking station in the ESS, and then subsequently made available in picking stations for picking in the ZSS, and vice versa. Since the entire system is controlled by an automated control system with a data processing unit, the different picking methods can be flexibly combined and made available in the different picking systems depending on the picking effort or picking requirements of the different goods, with all goods being provided from a single KTL (Kaufmittelträger - order processing center).In particular, goods with different picking frequencies, so-called fast-moving items that are picked often and slow-moving items that are picked less frequently, can be picked in the appropriate way to enable efficient picking with high picking performance.

[0028] Accordingly, depending on the picking load, picking tasks can be distributed between the picking areas and picking stations and / or between several picking areas or picking stations.The distribution of picking tasks between the picking areas of the ZSS subsystem and the picking stations of the ESS subsystem, as well as within the picking areas of the ZSS subsystem or between the picking stations of the ZSS subsystem, can be automated, in particular by the control unit of the system, preferably using parameters from the group which includes an actual and / or expected average picking speed per order, the frequency of required movements of storage units and / or output units, the picking frequency of a specific item, the determined picking performance of pickers and the number of pickers required.This allows for a simulation of future order picking based on previously achieved picking performance for different distributions of picking tasks between the ESS and ZSS subsystems and / or for different picking areas or picking stations and the pickers employed there, and optimization by comparing the different expected picking performances or the expected picking effort with regard to, for example, the required movements of storage units and output units.

[0029] Furthermore, using the KTL for the intermediate storage of partially or fully picked output units enables simple order consolidation and optimal utilization of the overall system in a very compact design. During order consolidation, where the KTL is partially used as so-called Order Consolidation Butter (OCB), several output units belonging to one order can be temporarily stored or buffered until the entire order or all output units of the order are ready for delivery.

[0030] Furthermore, the presented system can also be used to perform a reverse process, reintegrating returned goods, such as those returned by customers, into the inventory. For such a returns process, storage units can be fed to one or more staging areas and / or one or more picking stations in such a way that returned goods can be transferred back into the storage units.

[0031] The system and method of the invention thus offer, in particular, the following advantages: Integration of two picking principles, ZSS and ESS, along with order consolidation buffers, into one system. ZSS is particularly suitable for picking goods with a small number of different types, preferably those with a high picking frequency, also known as fast-moving goods. ESS enables the efficient picking of goods with a large number of different types, particularly those with a low picking frequency, so-called slow-moving goods. Flexible picking of goods in both subsystems: The goods to be picked can be flexibly made available for picking in either the ZSS or ESS subsystem, especially depending on the variable picking frequency of the respective goods themselves or in relation to the other goods made available for picking.This allows the overall system's performance to be optimized at any time, for example, in response to seasonal fluctuations or variations in demand for specific goods over the course of a week or day. Compact inventory management in a single container storage system (KTL): The goods are accessible for both picking principles, i.e., at different picking workstations. ESS (Single-Side Picking) utilizes a stationary picking workstation with sequenced feeding of individual storage units, while ZSS (Single-Side Picking) uses individual picking stations with static and dynamic provision of storage units in the staging areas. By providing items according to ABC structure (picking frequency) and enabling simultaneous multiple access to the same types of goods, the picking area, and thus the picking path for a picker, is significantly reduced.This allows for a comparable picking performance to the Goods-to-Person System (ESS). System redundancy is achieved because there are no separate systems. The KTL stacker cranes can be flexibly used for the respective tasks. Additional redundancy can be achieved with two or more stacker cranes per aisle, so that even if one stacker crane fails, the corresponding aisle with the adjacent racks and storage locations can still be used. Since the storage units are always available, waiting times for the pickers can be avoided. No consolidation of different subsystems is necessary, as there is a direct connection from the ESS picking station to the ZSS picking stations or order consolidation buffers.When processing a picking order, there are no multiple residual containers from individual subsystems, but only one residual container per order from the integrated system, thus reducing transport costs for the completed order. Integrated order consolidation buffer: Handling completed outbound units is possible without transfers via the conveyor network. The storage and retrieval machines can be used flexibly for replenishment of goods to be picked and for order consolidation. Picking paths for order pickers are shortened because slow-moving items are dynamically provided. Space savings for the entire system are achieved because higher system density is possible through an integrated system. Savings in operating / system support are realized because only a single integrated system is required. Significant reduction in connecting conveyor technology.

[0032] In the present invention, the term "conveyor technology" encompasses all devices that can be used to move storage units and / or output units within the system. Examples include belt conveyors, roller conveyors, transfer cars, particularly transverse transfer cars, vertical conveyors, carousel lifts, and the like, as well as robots or other vehicles. Accordingly, the term "conveyor technology" is to be interpreted broadly within the meaning of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The attached drawings show in Figure 1 shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a system; Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail view of part of the Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the operating procedure for operating the plant. Figure 1Figure 4 shows a side view detail of a part of another embodiment of a system, Figure 5 shows a detailed sectional view of a part of another embodiment of a system, Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a part of the system made of Figure 1 Figure 7 shows a side view detail of part of a picking area of ​​a system, and Figure 8 shows a top view of the system in parts a) to c). Figure 1 with the presentation of different types of use of the picking areas. EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0034] Further advantages, characteristics, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. However, the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0035] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a system 1 with a small parts warehouse 4 comprising a multitude of racks 2 in which storage units and output units can be stored, and storage and retrieval machines 3 arranged in aisles 11 between the racks 2 to store and / or retrieve storage units and / or output units into the storage compartments of the small parts warehouse 4. Each rack 2 has at least two storage locations one behind the other in the direction of the depth of the rack 2 and thus perpendicular to the aisle 11, with a multitude of storage locations arranged above and next to each other in each rack 2 along the aisles 11.The storage and retrieval machines 3 are designed to not only serve the two storage locations of a rack 2 arranged one behind the other in the direction of depth, but also, at least partially, to serve the storage locations of an adjacent rack. This allows storage units to be transported from one rack aisle 11 to an adjacent rack aisle 11 through the storage compartments of the adjacent racks 2, which act as a transfer channel. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide racks with only one storage location in the direction of depth, or simply a rack between two rack aisles with a corresponding number of storage locations in the direction of depth, so that the general function of allowing storage locations of two adjacent rack aisles to be served by one storage and retrieval machine is fulfilled.

[0036] In the aisles 11, a distinction can be made between aisles 11 in which storage and retrieval machines 3 travel between the shelves 2 to

[0037] Storage units and / or output units into the storage compartments of the adjacent shelves 2 and / or out, and such shelf aisles 11 in which no storage and retrieval machines 3 travel along, but picking areas 6 are provided for ZSS picking.

[0038] The system 1 further includes several stationary picking stations 5 for ESS picking, in which storage units are retrieved from the small parts warehouse 4 via storage and retrieval machines 3 and provided at the picking stations 5 via a suitable storage unit provisioning conveyor system 9, in order to transfer goods from the storage units into an output unit, which is delivered via a conveyor 8 for output units.

[0039] In the presentation of the Figure 1Four picking stations 5 are arranged at the ends of the racks 2 of the KTL 4. Of course, other embodiments may have more or fewer picking stations 5. Furthermore, the picking stations 5 may be arranged on different levels of the system, as is the case, for example, in the embodiment of Figure 4 as can be seen. Furthermore, it is also possible that the picking stations 5 are arranged in other areas in and around the KTL 4, although the arrangement at the ends of the racks 2 is preferred, as this allows the storage unit provisioning conveyor technology 9 to be designed very compactly and simplifies the arrangement of the picking areas 6 for the ZSS picking.

[0040] The conveyor 8 for the delivery of output units into which picking is to take place has two parallel transport lanes 13, 14 along the ends of the racks 2 of the KTL 4, so that output units can be exchanged directly between the adjacent picking stations 5 at one end of the KTL 4 via the transport lanes 13, 14. Figure 1 The parallel transport tracks 13 and 14 are shown side by side, but the parallel transport tracks 13 and 14 can also be arranged one above the other and connected to each other via vertical conveyors.

[0041] In addition, an input and / or output storage point 7 for output units is provided on the transport track 13 of the conveyor track 8, where output units can be stored in the KTL 4 for intermediate storage or buffering.

[0042] Accordingly, the input and / or output point 7 has transfer stations for the output units to the storage and retrieval machines 3 in the associated aisles 11. The transfer stations for the storage and retrieval machines 3 can be located at the input and / or output point 7 on the same level as the transport track 13 of the conveyor 8, or on one or more levels above or below it. For transporting the output units from the transport track 13 to the transfer stations of the input and / or output point 7, this point has a corresponding intermediate storage conveyor system 12.

[0043] The conveyor 8 also has several rack lanes 10 that extend along specific rack aisles 11 in the lower area of ​​the racks 2 arranged there, from one end face to the other of the racks 2 or the KTL 4. Each pair of adjacent rack lanes 10 has opposite conveying directions and, together with the respective transport lanes 13 along the ends of the racks 2, forms a transport circle 15, wherein in the Figure 1 In the illustration shown in Annex 1, only one transport circuit 15 is visible. Of course, it is also possible that more transport circuits 15 are formed, and the transport circuits 15 can also be arranged one above the other in different levels.

[0044] Along the racking aisles 10, the system 1 has so-called pick stations 6 or picking areas in the corresponding racking aisles 11, which comprise a large number of staging places 17 for storage units (see Fig. 5), from which the order pickers 18 can remove the goods to be picked and sort them into output units, which are delivered to the pick stations 6, according to the ZSS order picking procedure. As described below with reference to Figure 5As will be described in more detail later, the pick stations 6 are equipped with dynamic and static staging areas 17 for storage units. This means that frequently required goods are permanently (statically) stored at static staging areas 17, while only goods required on demand are stored at dynamic staging areas 17. Therefore, the storage units in the staging areas are frequently (dynamically) changed by the storage and retrieval machines 3, and different goods can be provided as needed. The dynamic and static staging areas 17 can be provided at a single picking area or at each pick station 6. However, it is also possible to provide pick stations 6 with only dynamic staging areas 17 or only static staging areas 17.

[0045] As can be seen from the Figure 1The various pick stations 6 along a shelf 2 in a shelf aisle are connected to each other via a shelf track 10, so that an output unit can be transported from one pick station 6 to another. At the ends of the shelves, the corresponding shelf tracks 10 for the output units along the shelves are connected to each other via the transport tracks 13 and 14 within a transport circle 15 or between several transport circles 15, so that an output unit can be transported to each pick station 6.At the same time, the conveyor 8 with its various conveyor technology components enables the picking stations 5 to be integrated for ESS picking, so that an output unit can be picked in both the picking areas 6 and the picking stations 5 and / or can be put into and / or out of the KTL 4 via the intermediate storage technology 12 and the input and / or output points 7, so that, for example, partially or completely picked output units can be temporarily stored in order to carry out order consolidation within the KTL 4.

[0046] The Figure 2 shows part of Annex 1 Figure 1In greater detail, it can be seen that the rack aisles 10 are each composed of two parallel sub-rails 19 and 20, which run parallel to each other in the lower section of a rack 2. Sub-rail 19 is used to move the output unit to be picked in the respective picking area 6, while sub-rail 20 is used to transport the output units from one picking area 6 to another or to remove the output units along the conveyor 8. The conveyor 8, together with sub-rails 19 and 20, thus forms a circular track, connecting the various areas of the system via this circular track.

[0047] The output units can be moved automatically on sub-track 20 as well as on sub-track 19, for example by a driven roller conveyor, or the output units can be moved manually on sub-track 19 by a picker 18 along the staging places 17.

[0048] Furthermore, the Figure 2 the same components as the Figure 1 , so that a further explanation of the relevant components is unnecessary.

[0049] The Figure 3 shows in a flowchart the various steps in the picking of goods according to the operational process of Annex 1 of the Figures 1 and 2 .

[0050] First, in step 21, goods are delivered. In step 22, these goods are automatically or manually repacked into appropriate storage units at repacking stations (not shown in detail), provided the containers in which the goods are delivered cannot be used directly as storage units. Instead of directly repacking the delivered goods into storage units, the delivered stacks of goods can also be temporarily stored in a pallet warehouse. After repacking in step 22, in step 24, the goods now in the storage units are stored in the automated small parts warehouse 4 (KTL) or in the racks 2 thereof. This is done using appropriate storage and retrieval machines 3 and a storage conveyor system, which can be implemented, for example, at least partially by the conveyor 8 and / or by a separate conveyor system not explicitly shown in the figures.

[0051] For order picking, in step 25, the storage units containing the goods they hold are retrieved from the KTL 4 and transported via the storage and retrieval machines 3 either to the staging areas 17 of the picking areas 6 or via the storage unit staging conveyor system 9 to the picking stations 5. As will be shown later, the storage unit staging conveyor system 9 can be equipped with a sequence buffer 29, which ensures that the required storage units with the corresponding goods can be provided at the picking stations 5 in a timely manner.

[0052] In step 25, order picking takes place in the corresponding output units, either in picking areas 6 and / or picking stations 5. So-called slow-moving items, i.e., goods that do not need to be picked frequently, can be picked using the ESS system, while so-called fast-moving items, which are picked frequently, can be picked using the ZSS system. However, as mentioned above, flexible use of the picking systems is possible.

[0053] Partially picked or fully picked outbound units can be stored in the KTL 4 for temporary storage or order consolidation until further picking is possible in the corresponding picking areas 6 and / or picking stations 5, or until the other outbound units of a shipping unit have been fully picked, so that all outbound units of a shipping unit can be transferred to a stacking and / or packing station, where they can be stacked 26 and / or packed 27. The actual goods issue process takes place in step 28. Figures 4 to 9 show details of system 1 and further examples of various components of the combined picking systems ESS and ZSS.

[0054] In the Figure 4For example, it is shown how the interaction between an ESS picking station 5 and the automated small parts warehouse 4 can be designed via storage unit provision conveyor technology 9 and a buffer device 29 (sequence buffer).

[0055] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a lateral sectional view of part of an embodiment of a system 1' with a KTL 4 and two picking stations 5 for ESS picking on two different levels of the system 1'. The picking stations 5 are connected to the KTL 4 via the storage unit supply conveyor system 9, so that storage units can be transported from the KTL 4 to the picking stations 5.

[0056] The storage unit provisioning conveyor system 9 comprises a sequence buffer 29 in the form of a vertical carousel in which the storage units can be held, ensuring timely delivery according to the specified sequence for order picking at the picking stations 5. Due to its design as a vertical carousel, the sequence buffer 29 can simultaneously serve as a sequence buffer for the two picking stations 5 on the different levels.

[0057] Furthermore, the storage unit handling system 9 includes a storage and retrieval machine 30 to transport storage units vertically from different levels of the KTL 4 towards the ESS picking stations 5. In addition, the storage unit handling system 9 includes transverse conveyors 31 that enable the transport of storage units between the individual rack aisles perpendicular to the plane of the image. This makes it possible to transport any storage unit from any storage location or rack compartment of the KTL 4 to any picking station 5 or picking area 6.

[0058] The Figure 5Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a picking area 6 or picking station with the provision of storage units 32 in staging locations 17 in the lower section of two racks 2 enclosing a shelf aisle 11. The provision of the storage units 32 with the goods to be picked in the staging locations 17 for ZSS picking can take place in both static and dynamic staging locations 17. In static staging locations 17, the same goods are always kept in the corresponding staging locations 17 throughout the entire picking process, so that the respective storage and retrieval machine 3 always pushes the storage units with the same goods from the rear of the corresponding rack 2, which is opposite the picking side, into the staging location 17.In dynamic staging locations 17, the type of goods held in the storage units in the corresponding staging location changes, so that the storage and retrieval machine 3 delivers the correspondingly different types of goods to the same staging location 17 as required and, when the storage unit with the goods remaining in it is no longer needed, returns it to a shelf compartment 34 of the KTL 4.

[0059] The Figure 5 The diagram also shows that the output units 33 are transported on sub-tracks 19 and 20 of the rack track 10 of the conveyor track 8 along the racks 2, with the order picker 18 transferring the corresponding goods from the storage units 32 provided in the staging areas 17 into the output unit transported on sub-track 19, while the output unit 33 transported on sub-track 20 is passed by the pick station 6 shown.

[0060] The Figure 6 shows a horizontal section and a top view of picking areas 6 of a system, one of which is shown in cross-section in Figure 5 is shown. As already described in the Figure 5 As can be seen, in a lower section of the racks 2 along the aisle 11, along which the sub-aisles 19 and 20 of the rack 10 run, staging areas 17 are provided. These are supplied with goods from the storage compartments 34 of the KTL 4 via the storage and retrieval machines 3, which are arranged to move in adjacent aisles 11. In the picking areas 6, pickers 18 ensure that the goods from the storage units 32 in the staging areas 17 are transferred to the output units 33.

[0061] For this purpose, several aids, such as a display 35 and / or the display 36 of a workstation, are arranged in the picking areas 6, which show the picker 18 how many goods he should transfer from which storage unit to which output unit (see Fig. 7In addition, corresponding colored light bars 37 can be arranged at the staging locations 17, which color-code the respective staging locations 17 from which the corresponding goods must be taken for the next output unit 33. For example, the quantity to be taken from storage unit 32a, whose staging location 17 is illuminated in green by the light bar indicator, can be displayed on the display 35 for the next output unit 33. The green color marking makes it easier for the order picker to find the relevant staging location 17 with the storage unit 32a held there, from which goods must be taken. Similarly, a different color can be chosen for a later output unit or the next item to be picked, e.g.The color red indicates that the goods for the next output unit or the next item to be picked must be taken from storage unit 32b in the corresponding staging area 17, which are marked in red by the light bar indicator. Alternatively, several staging areas 17 can be marked with the same color simultaneously to indicate to the picker that goods from these staging areas 17 must be transferred to output unit 33. Thus, the light bar indicator 37 can be used in different ways: either to specifically indicate one staging area 17 for a picking operation or to identify several staging areas 17 from which different goods must be taken for an output unit 33.

[0062] The Figure 8 This shows that the picking areas 6, or picking stations, can be used flexibly. This is illustrated in sub-images a), b), and c). Figure 8Are the picking areas 6 of Annex 1 from the Figure 1 and 2 The different use of the various picking areas 6 by a different number of pickers 18 is illustrated. In sub-diagram a), each picking area 6 is assigned one picker 18, while in sub-diagram b), one picker 18 is responsible for several picking areas 6, and in sub-diagram c), several pickers 18 are working in one picking area 6. This illustrates that the picking areas 6, or picking stations, can be used flexibly with a different number of pickers 18.

[0063] The inventive system and method for order picking, in which two different picking methods are implemented in a compact manner with an automated small parts warehouse, allows for flexible responses to different picking requirements. In particular, various frequently picked goods, so-called fast-moving items, can be picked using the so-called ZSS picking system, while a large number of less frequently picked goods can be picked using the so-called ESS system, with the individual goods being flexibly moved from one system to the other. Reference symbol list

[0064] 1 System 2 Shelf 3 Storage and retrieval machine 4 Small parts warehouse (KTL) 5 Picking station (ESS) 6 Picking area (Pick station) (ZSS) 7 Inbound / outbound point 8 Conveyor 9 Storage unit staging conveyor technology 10 Storage conveyor 11 Storage aisle 12 Intermediate storage conveyor technology 13 Transport conveyor 14 Transport conveyor 15 Transport loop 17 Staging station 18 Order picker 19 Partial conveyor 20 Partial conveyor 21 Goods receipt 22 Repacking 23 Intermediate storage in pallet warehouse 24 Storage in KTL 25 Order picking 26 Stacking 27 Packing of outbound units 28 Goods issue 29 Sequence buffer 30 Storage and retrieval machine 31 Cross conveyor 32 Storage unit 32a Storage unit 32b Storage unit 33 Outbound unit 34 Shelf compartment 35 Display 36 Indication 37 color light bars

Claims

1. System for picking goods from storage units (32) into one or more output units (33) for assembling a shipping unit, wherein the system comprises a small parts warehouse (4) in which the storage units are stored, and at least a picking area (6) located within the small parts warehouse, in which storage units from the small parts warehouse are made available at several staging locations (17) for the removal of goods from the storage units, wherein a conveyor track (8) is assigned to the picking area, via which output units can be moved into and / or out of the picking area, so that goods can be picked at different locations within the picking area (6) from the storage units arranged in the staging locations into the output units , wherein the system further comprises at least one picking station (5) located outside the small parts warehouse, at which one or more receiving locations for output units and a conveyor system for storage units from the small parts warehouse (4) are arranged, so that goods can be picked from the storage units delivered on the conveyor system into the output units arranged at the receiving stations in a stationary manner, characterized in that the small parts warehouse (4) has a storage and / or retrieval point (7) with an intermediate storage conveyor system (12) for storing and / or retrieving partially or fully picked output units into the small parts warehouse, which is connected to the conveyor track (8) so that output units can be stored from the picking area and / or picking station into the small parts warehouse or retrieved from it, and the at least one picking station (5) is connected to the small parts warehouse via a storage unit supply conveyor system (9), wherein in particular a sequence buffer (29) is arranged between the small parts warehouse and the picking station for the sequenced supply of storage units, and wherein the sequence buffer (29) is designed as a vertical circulating elevator.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor track (8) connects the picking area (6) and the picking station (5) so that output units can be automatically transported from the at least one picking area to a picking station and / or vice versa.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system comprises vertical conveyor technology (30) for connecting components from the group comprising picking areas (6), picking stations (5), and intermediate storage conveyor technology (12) to each other at different levels.

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system has a storage conveyor system with which storage units can be stored in the small parts warehouse (4), wherein the storage conveyor system in particular has components in common with the intermediate storage conveyor system (12), and / or that the system has an output conveyor system with which output units can be transported to a stacking and / or packing station, wherein the output conveyor system is connected in particular to the conveyor track (8) and / or at least the storage and / or retrieval point (7) of the small parts warehouse.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the small parts warehouse (4) is a rack warehouse comprising several rows of racks with rack aisles (11) arranged along each row of racks, wherein at least one, preferably at least two, rack serving devices are arranged in each rack aisle for storing and / or retrieving storage units and output units.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the small parts warehouse (4) has transfer channels for transferring storage- and / or output units from one shelf aisle to another and / or comprises shelf servicing devices that can access the same storage locations from different shelf aisles.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the staging locations (17) of the picking area (6) are arranged in the small parts warehouse, in particular in a part of a rack of the small parts warehouse, and are loaded with storage units by one or more storage and retrieval machines of the small parts warehouse.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the staging areas (17) are stationary and the conveyor track (8) is designed so that it can move output units past the staging areas, wherein in particular several picking areas (6) are arranged along the conveyor track so that in particular each output unit can be conveyed via a network to each picking area.

9. System according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the picking station(s) (5) are arranged at the front ends of the shelves (2).

10. Method for picking goods, in particular using a system according to one of the preceding claims, in which goods are stored in a small parts warehouse (4) in storage units (32) and are transferred to one or more output units (33) of the shipping unit for the purpose of assembling a shipping unit, whereby the storage units are automatically transferred from the small parts warehouse to staging areas (17) of a picking area located within the small parts warehouse (6) within the small parts warehouse, and whereby the goods are transferred from the storage units provided in the staging areas to the output unit(s) arranged on a conveyor belt (8) at various locations within the picking area (6), whereby, on the other hand, further goods are transferred from storage units from the small parts warehouse to output units at at least one picking station (5) outside the small parts warehouse, whereby the storage units are automatically transported to the picking station on a conveyor system, so that goods from the various storage units transported to the picking station are transferred to an output unit provided at the picking station in a stationary manner, characterized in that one or more output units (33) are temporarily stored in the small parts warehouse (4) between individual picking steps and / or until the entire shipping unit is completed, and the goods are provided at the picking station (5) in different storage units in a predetermined sequence, in particular by means of a sequence buffer (29), wherein the sequence buffer is designed as a vertical circulating elevator.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the small parts warehouse (4) has a plurality of storage locations (34), wherein both storage units and output units are stored in the small parts warehouse and, in particular, a plurality of storage locations, preferably each storage location, can be used both for the storage of storage units and for the intermediate storage of output units.

12. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the output unit or units (33), in particular one and the same, can be picked both at the picking station (5) and in the picking area (6).

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that certain goods are always provided at a staging location (17), preferably always at the same staging location, and / or other goods are only provided when needed and preferably at any staging location (17).

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that a storage unit with certain goods can be provided at a staging area (17) and / or a picking area (5), so that it is possible to switch between the picking types for the specific goods.

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that depending on the picking load, picking tasks are distributed between the picking areas and picking stations and / or between several picking areas or picking stations, in particular are distributed automatically, whereby parameters from the group are preferably used, which comprise an actual and / or expected average picking speed per order, the frequency of required movements of storage units and / or output units, the picking frequency of a specific good, the determined picking performance of pickers, and the number of required pickers.