ORDER PREPARATION SYSTEM

Abstract

TITLE: ORDER PREPARATION SYSTEM The invention relates to an order preparation system comprising: a preparation station (10) in which objects (2) can be transferred from a storage container (4) to a container of an order, means (105) for bringing the storage container (4) towards the preparation station (10; 100), a support carrying the storage container (4) in the preparation station, lifting means (16; 106, 107) configured to vertically move said support (17; 108), between a level N1 for receiving the storage container (4) and a level N2 for taking articles by the preparer (3), the system (10) further comprising a computer control means configured to receive information relating to the size of the preparer (3) and to determine an optimal position of the level N2. The invention also relates to a method implementing the system. Figure for abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: ORDER PREPARATION SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of intralogistics and relates to an order preparation system and an automated article storage system comprising such an order preparation system. State of the art

[0002] An automated storage system typically includes a warehouse consisting of multi-level storage shelves and conveying means, such as conveyors for transporting items to and from the warehouse and shuttles for moving items within the warehouse. In more recent systems, conveyors and shuttles are replaced by autonomous mobile robots (usually referred to as AMRs).

[0003] The automatic storage systems further include order preparation areas in which products are transferred by preparers from storage containers to order containers.

[0004] The tasks carried out in these areas can be difficult if the height at which the storage containers arrive from the warehouse is fixed. Such a height may, for example, be suitable for a small person, but not for a tall person who must constantly bend down to pick up items to be transferred.

[0005] To compensate for the differences in height between operators, there are systems with a lifting platform under the operator which allows the position of the operator to be adjusted in relation to the height of the storage container.

[0006] Such a platform is for example shown schematically in [Fig.l], which shows an order preparation area 1 in which a container 4 carrying articles 2 is taken out of stock and moved to the order preparation area by a movement system 5. An order preparer 3 is responsible for moving articles 2 from the storage container to an order container not shown. The operator is shown in a tilted position which is not ergonomic and can cause back or other problems after a few hours of work. The lifting platform on which he is mounted can be moved to adjust his position.

[0007] Such a platform has disadvantages, including its high cost, which is why it is regularly offered as an option and therefore often abandoned by customers to reduce prices. The operator's ergonomics are therefore impacted. A Another disadvantage is that the platform level change is slow and cannot be corrected regularly. Another disadvantage is that the platform generates a step around the operator and therefore a risk of falling.

[0008] The objective of the invention is to propose a new solution by proposing an order preparation system enabling ergonomic work to be ensured for each order preparer. Summary of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to an order preparation system comprising: - a preparation station in which items can be transferred by a preparer from a storage container to a container of an order, - means of movement to bring the storage container from a storage area to the preparation station, - a support carrying the storage container in the preparation station, - lifting means configured to vertically move said support, between a level N1 for receiving the storage container and a level N2 for taking items by the preparer, - the system further comprising a computer control means configured to receive information relating to the size of the preparer and to determine an optimal position of the N2 level adapted to the size of the preparer.

[0010] According to the invention, the control system receives information concerning the size of the preparer and determines an optimal position for level N2 allowing the operator to work ergonomically.

[0011] The system thus makes it possible to adapt the height at which the storage container will be presented and thus allow the preparer to transfer items to an order container without having to bend down each time to pick up an item. In this way, the arduousness of the work for the preparer is reduced.

[0012] Advantageously, the support may constitute the movement means. The movement means comprise, for example, a conveyor or an autonomous mobile robot or an automatically guided vehicle.

[0013] According to other exemplary embodiments, the support may be a mobile platform arranged in the preparation area.

[0014] Advantageously, the elevation means may comprise tilting means configured to tilt the support or a portion of the support, the control means being further configured to determine an angle of tilt suitable for the size of the preparer.

[0015] This makes it possible to adapt the position of the storage container more for each operator and therefore further improve ergonomics.

[0016] Advantageously, the control means is configured to further receive information on the dimensions of the storage container and / or its filling rate and to use it for calculating the position N2 and / or the degree of inclination.

[0017] By taking into account the filling rate of a container and its depth, ergonomics are further increased by presenting the articles at the most suitable angle of inclination.

[0018] The information concerning the size of the preparer can for example be received from a preparer identification system.

[0019] According to other embodiments, the information concerning the size of the preparer can be transmitted by a detection means. A camera, for example.

[0020] Information concerning the dimensions, for example the depth, of the storage container and / or its filling rate can be transmitted by a second identification and / or detection system. This second system can be different from the first identification means.

[0021] The system may comprise a beam comprising a second support for carrying the order container to the preparation station, said second support being vertically movable; the control means is also configured to determine an optimal position of said second support adapted to the size of the preparer.

[0022] The invention also relates to an automated article storage system comprising an order preparation system according to one of the combinations of characteristics described above.

[0023] The invention further relates to an order preparation method implementing the order preparation system according to one of the combinations of characteristics described above, in which: - a storage container is moved from a storage area by conveyor means and brought to a circulation level NI of a preparation station, - the storage container is then moved vertically by an elevating means to a level N2 for taking items in which the preparer transfers items from said storage container (2) to an order container, - in which the method comprises a step of receiving by a control means information concerning the size of the preparer and a calculation step to determine an optimal height for the N2 level adapted to the size of the preparer. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below in relation to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] partially represents an order preparation station of a type known from the state of the art;

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic view of a first example of a system according to the invention;

[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic view of a second example of a system according to the invention.

[0028] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references. Detailed description

[0029] [Fig. 2] partially represents an example of an order preparation system 10 according to the invention. In this system, which may be part of an automated storage system, a storage container 4 carrying articles 2 is taken out of stock and moved by a movement system to the order preparation area in which there is a preparer 3 whose function is to prepare one or more customer orders from one or more storage containers 4.

[0030] When the storage container 4 arrives at the order preparation station, it is transferred to a platform 11 in a horizontal or slightly inclined position. However, this position at the reception level NI is not systematically adapted to the size of the preparer 3. To remedy the situation, the computer control system receives information concerning the size of the preparer 3 and determines a suitable position of the level N2 at which the container must be placed to allow the operator 3 to take items 2 to be placed in an order container in an ergonomic manner and thus reduce the difficulty of the task.

[0031] The system then controls the lifting means 12 to vertically move said support 11 from the level N1 for receiving the storage container 4 to the level N2 for taking articles by the preparer 3. The lifting means 12 is carried by a base 13.

[0032] The information concerning the size of the preparer 3 can be transmitted by a badging system (not shown) following identification of the preparer 3. In this case, the information concerning the preparer, in particular his size, is already pre-recorded in the system; when the preparer passes his badge, the system recognizes him and transmits the information concerning his size to the control system.

[0033] Alternatively, the size information may be transmitted by a detection means, such as a camera. In this case, recognition of the preparer 3 is not necessary.

[0034] Advantageously, the elevation means 13 may comprise tilting means 14 for tilting the support 11. The control means may in this case be configured to determine an angle of inclination adapted to the size of the preparer. To determine the angle of inclination, in addition to the size of the operator, the control means may also use information on the height (or depth) of the container, or information on the filling rate of the container 3. Said information provided for example by a detector may also be used in the calculation of the position N2.

[0035] [Fig. 3] illustrates a second exemplary embodiment in which the order preparation system 100 comprises conveyors 104, 105 which transport containers 4 to the order preparation station where the preparer 3 can take articles to be transferred to an order container (not shown). The conveyors 104, 105 are carried by two columns 106, 107. The column 106 is fixed and comprises a pivot axis 108 at its top. The column 107 is telescopic, allowing the height of the work station (here the conveyor 104) to be adjusted by pivoting around the axis 108. The height adjustment between the positions N1' and N2' can be, for example, with an amplitude of 250 mm.

[0036] In this example also, in addition to the means for adjusting the height, the system can comprise tilting means for presenting the container 4 in an ergonomic position.

[0037] The computer control means as well as the means for transmitting information on the size of the preparer or on the depth and / or filling rate of the storage container 4, remain similar to the embodiment of [Fig.2],

Claims

Claims

1. Order preparation system comprising: • a preparation station (10; 100) in which articles (2) can be transferred by a preparer (3) from a storage container (4) to a container of an order, • moving means (104, 105) for bringing the storage container (4) from a storage area to the preparation station (10; 100), • a support (11; 104) carrying the storage container (4) to the preparation station, • lifting means (12; 107) configured to vertically move said support (11; 104), between a level NI for receiving the storage container (4) and a level N2 for taking articles by the preparer (3), the system (10;100) further comprising a computer control means configured to receive information relating to the size of the preparer (3) and to determine an optimal position of the level N2 adapted to the size of the preparer (3), the elevation means (12) comprise tilting means (14) configured to tilt the support or a portion of the support, the control means being further configured to determine an angle of inclination adapted to the size of the preparer (3).;

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said support (104) constitutes the displacement means (104, 105).

3. System according to claim 1, wherein said support (11) is a mobile platform arranged in the preparation area (10).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control means is configured to further receive information on the dimensions of the storage container (4) and / or its filling rate and to use it for calculating the position N2 and / or the degree of inclination.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims in which the information concerning the size of the preparer (3) is received from a preparer identification system (4) or from a detection means.

6. System according to one of the preceding claims in which the information concerning the dimensions of the storage container and / or its filling rate is transmitted by a second identification and / or detection system.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims further comprising a second support for carrying the order container to the preparation station, said second support being vertically movable, the control means is also configured to determine an optimal position of said second support adapted to the size of the preparer (3).

8. Automated item storage system comprising an order preparation system (10; 100) according to one of the preceding claims.

9. Method for preparing orders implementing the system according to one of the preceding claims, in which: • a storage container (4) is moved from a storage area by conveyor means and brought to a level NI of a preparation station, • the storage container (4) is then moved vertically by an elevating means (12) to a level N2 for taking articles in which the preparer (3) transfers the articles (2) from said storage container (2) to an order container, • in which the method comprises a step of receiving information concerning the size of the preparer (3) and a calculation step to determine an optimal height for the level N2 adapted to the size of the preparer.

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