ORDER PREPARATION SYSTEM

Abstract

TITLE: ORDER PREPARATION SYSTEM The invention relates to an order preparation system comprising a stock (3) of products and a plurality of adjacent and substantially parallel order preparation stations (2, 2A, 2B), each comprising an order preparation station (20) in which products (60) from the stock are transferred to an order container. The system further comprises a plurality of autonomous mobile robots (4) for moving products between the stock (3) and the order preparation stations (2, 2A, 2B), and a one-way robot movement circuit (5), comprising an arrival path (51, 52, 53) to each order preparation station (2, 2A, 2B) and a common return path (55) arranged to be used by the autonomous mobile robots (4) leaving said order preparation stations (2, 2A, 2B). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

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

[0001] The invention relates to the field of intralogistics and concerns a system and a method for order preparation and an automated storage installation for items comprising such an order preparation system. State of the art

[0002] An automated storage system typically consists of a set of storage shelves arranged on several levels and conveying means for transporting items to and from the storage areas. Traditional systems generally use conveyors and shuttles to move items within the warehouse. However, with recent technological advances, these elements are increasingly being replaced by autonomous mobile robots, commonly known as AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots). These robots allow for greater flexibility and more dynamic management of the flow of goods within the storage system.

[0003] In addition, automated storage systems generally include order picking stations, where products are transferred to order containers according to customer requirements.

[0004] In these automated storage systems, a major challenge lies in managing the movements of the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to maximize the overall productivity of the system. In particular, intersections in the conveyor circuit represent critical points where the risk of collision between AGVs is significant. To minimize this risk, priority rules are generally implemented, requiring AGVs to pause at intersections to allow priority robots to pass.

[0005] However, these waiting times induce slowdowns in the overall flow of items through the system, which reduces the order processing rate. This decrease in rate directly impacts the productivity and efficiency of the storage system, thus limiting its performance.

[0006] The objective of the invention is to provide a new solution to resolve the technical problems described above and to improve the speed of the order preparation system. Summary of the invention

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an order preparation system for an automated product storage installation, the system comprising a product stock and a plurality of adjacent and substantially parallel order preparation stations, each of the order preparation stations comprising: - an order preparation station in which products from the stock are transferred to an order container, and - an incoming conveyor arranged to bring products from the warehouse at an entrance of the station to the order preparation station,

[0008] the system further comprising a plurality of autonomous mobile robots each capable of moving products between the warehouse and the order preparation stations, and

[0009] a one-way autonomous mobile robot movement circuit, comprising a respective arrival path to each order preparation station entrance, and a first return path common to the preparation stations arranged to be used by the autonomous mobile robots leaving said order preparation stations.

[0010] The one-way movement path of the autonomous mobile robots avoids intersections between AMRs coming from the warehouse and those returning to the warehouse. This ensures smooth movement of the AMRs without risk of collisions and without waiting times at intersections, which are eliminated. This therefore increases the operational efficiency of the automated storage system.

[0011] The fact that the order preparation stations are adjacent and substantially parallel makes it possible to reduce the floor space occupied by the latter.

[0012] Advantageously, the return path passes at least under the arrival conveyor of an order preparation station. This simplifies the circuit and streamlines movement.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the arrival conveyor is arranged at a higher level and the entrance to the order preparation station includes a lift configured to receive a storage container transferred from an autonomous mobile robot at a lower level and move it to the upper level and then transfer it to the arrival conveyor.

[0014] Advantageously, with products from stock being moved into storage containers, an order preparation station further includes a return conveyor substantially parallel to the supply conveyor, arranged to return the storage containers from the order preparation station to an exit of the station.

[0015] In this way, an AMR depositing a storage container at the input of the input conveyor retrieves a container at the output of the output conveyor. The system's throughput is improved.

[0016] Advantageously, the system includes a second return path parallel to the first return path. This further facilitates the flow of AMRs.

[0017] Advantageously, the infeed conveyor and / or outfeed conveyor includes transfer means for transferring a storage container or product from or to an autonomous mobile robot.

[0018] Advantageously, the system further comprising an accumulation zone for storage containers leaving the order preparation stations, a common conveyor connects said accumulation zone to the exit conveyor of each order preparation station.

[0019] Advantageously, the system may further comprise the following features: - a return path passes through said storage container accumulation area, - Transfer means are arranged in said accumulation zone to transfer a storage container to an autonomous mobile robot, - at least one autonomous mobile robot is configured to stop in said accumulation area to receive a storage container to be returned to stock.

[0020] In this case, the AMRs only drop off the storage container at the order preparation station, then move to a container accumulation area to retrieve the returned storage containers without slowing down other AMRs that are dropping off containers. Therefore, the system's efficiency is increased.

[0021] Advantageously, the system includes a waiting area in which autonomous mobile robots wait before going to the accumulation area for storage containers to be returned to stock.

[0022] This allows AMRs to wait without hindering the flow of other AMRs which return directly to stock.

[0023] Advantageously, the movement path of the autonomous mobile robots can be located remotely from the order preparation stations. This prevents an operator from coming into direct contact with the AMR and therefore reduces the risk of a collision.

[0024] The invention also relates to an automated product storage installation comprising an order preparation system as described above.

[0025] The invention also relates to an automated storage method for items implementing the above-mentioned order preparation installation. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in relation to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents an order preparation system according to a first realization of the invention;

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an order preparation system according to a second example of the implementation of the invention;

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an order preparation system according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows an example of an order preparation station of the system of the [Fig.1].

[0031] In the rest of the description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references. Detailed description

[0032] Figure 1 partially represents a first example of an automated article storage installation 1. It comprises a stock 3 which may have product storage locations 30 on one or more floors.

[0033] Installation 1 also includes two or more order picking stations 2. The example shows three order picking stations 2, 2A, 2B, but the number may be different. It also includes autonomous mobile robots (AMR) 4 for moving objects 60 between the stock and the order picking stations.

[0034] An order picking station 2, 2A, 2B may include an order picking station 20 in which an operator 24 or a robot transfers products 60 constituting an order from one or more storage containers 6 to an order container (not shown). The station 2, 2A, 2B includes an incoming product conveyor 21 with an inlet 25 into which an AMR 4 can deposit a storage container 6 containing the products 60 from the warehouse so that it can be transported to the order picking station 20. It may optionally also include a return conveyor 22 with an outlet 26 from which an AMR 4 can retrieve the storage containers 6 to be returned to the warehouse 3. Transfer means may be provided at the inlet 25 and at the outlet 26 to allow the transfer of containers between the AMRs and the conveyors.

[0035] Order preparation stations 2, 2A and 2B can be parallel and can be substantially similar.

[0036] To facilitate the movement of the AMRs and avoid collisions, the installation includes a one-way AMR movement circuit 5 which includes an arrival path 51, 52, 53 respectively to each entrance 25 of order preparation station 2, 2A, 2B. The arrival paths 51, 52, 53 can be parallel to simplify the circuit and the movement.

[0037] Circuit 5 also includes a return path 55 common to all order picking stations. The return path 55 is arranged to be used by the AMRs 4 leaving order picking stations 2, 2A, 2B in the one-way direction of travel. The return circuit 55 may advantageously be substantially perpendicular to the arrival paths.

[0038] It may also be advantageous to have a second return path substantially parallel to the first return path 55, which will allow for a more fluid flow of traffic.

[0039] In addition, to further simplify the circuit and reduce the space required for the order preparation stations, the return path 55 can pass under one or more conveyors belonging to the order preparation stations 2, 2A, 2B.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a variant of the installation in Figure 1. In this example, in addition to the stock 3', the order picking system includes two stations 2', 2A' similar to the order picking stations in Figure 1. However, to further streamline the flow of the AMRs, they only deposit the storage container at the order picking station and then move to a container accumulation zone 6 (ZI) to be returned to stock. A third conveyor 7 connects the exits of the order picking stations 2', 2B' with the container accumulation zone (ZI).

[0041] The system may further include a second waiting area Z2 for AMRs leaving the order preparation stations before proceeding to the accumulation area Z1 for containers to be returned to stock. The return path is connected to the accumulation area to allow the transfer of storage containers to autonomous mobile robots for return to stock.

[0042] Figure 3 represents another embodiment in which the installation 100 comprises a stock 103, AMRs 104, and a plurality of order picking stations 102, 102A, 102B. As in Figure 1, the robots transport the products from the stock to the infeed conveyor 1021, each following its respective feed path 1051. In this case, the products do not necessarily arrive in storage containers; for example, each product can be transported separately by an AMR, advantageously each product can be placed on a platform to facilitate transport. In the example, the AMRs can deposit products 106 on both sides of the incoming conveyor 1021 and then return to the stock 103 via one of the two common return paths 1052 that pass under the conveyors of stations 102, 102A, 102B. Products arriving at the order preparation station are, for example, processed by a palletizing robot 1024 to create pallets 108 corresponding to customer orders.

[0043] Figure 4 shows a view of an order picking station 2 of Figure 1. In this example, an autonomous mobile robot coming from the warehouse along the arrival path 51 transfers a storage container 6 to an infeed conveyor 250 located on a lower level, which in turn transfers it to an elevator 251 for transfer to the upper level where the arrival conveyor 21 is located. The storage container 6 passes through the order picking station 20 where an order picker picks one or more items and then returns to the return conveyor 22. Optionally, a second elevator 261 moves the container to the lower level where it transfers it to an outfeed conveyor 260 from which it can be transferred to the AMR.

[0044] Depending on the circumstances, the AMR can return towards the stock, loaded or unloaded with a storage container, continuing along path 51 to then join the common return path 55 which passes under the arrival conveyors 21 and return conveyors 22. As indicated by the arrows, AMRs coming from adjacent order preparation stations will also pass through the return path 55.

[0045] According to one variant, the inlet conveyors 25 and outlet conveyors 261 are not present, the transfer of storage containers takes place directly between the AMR and the elevator.

[0046] According to yet another embodiment, the entry elevators 251 and exit elevators 261 do not exist, the AMR has a variable height platform which can rise to the upper level at the entry and exit to deposit or retrieve a storage container.

Claims

Demands

1. Order picking system for an automated product storage facility (1; 1'; 100), the system comprising a product stock (3; 3'; 103) and a plurality of adjacent and substantially parallel order picking stations (2, 2A, 2B; 2', 2A'; 102, 102A, 102B), each of the order picking stations comprising: - an order picking station (20; 1020) into which products (60; 106) from the stock are transferred to an order container, and - an infeed conveyor (21; 1021) arranged to bring the products from the stock from an inlet (25) of the station (2, 2A, 2B; 2', 2A'; 102, 102A, 102B) to the station (20; 1020) order preparation, the system further comprising a plurality of autonomous mobile robots (4; 104) each capable of moving products between the stock (3; 3'; 103) and the stations (2, 2A, 2B; 2', 2A';102, 102A, 102B) order preparation stations, and a one-way circuit (5) for the movement of autonomous mobile robots (4; 104), comprising an arrival path (51, 52, 53; 1051) respectively to each entrance (25) of order preparation stations (2, 2A, 2B; 2', 2A'; 102, 102A, 102B), and a first return path (55; 1052) common to the preparation stations arranged to be used by the autonomous mobile robots (4; 104) leaving said order preparation stations (2, 2A, 2B; 2', 2A'; 102, 102A, 102B).

2. Order preparation system according to the preceding claim in which the return path passes at least under the arrival conveyor (21; 1021) of an order preparation station (2, 2A, 2B; 102).

3. A system according to the preceding claim, wherein the incoming conveyor (21; 1021) is arranged at a higher level, and the entrance (25) of the order preparation station (2, 2A, 2B; 102) comprises an elevator (251) configured to receive a storage container transferred from an autonomous mobile robot (4) at a higher level lower and move it to the upper level and then transfer it to the arrival conveyor (21).

4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the products (60) from the stock being moved into storage containers (6), an order picking station (2, 2A, 2B) further comprises a return conveyor (22) substantially parallel to the infeed conveyor (21), arranged to return the storage containers (6) from the order picking station (20) to an exit (26) of the station (2, 2A, 2B).

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the infeed conveyor (25) and / or the outfeed conveyor (26) comprises transfer means for transferring a storage container or product from or to an autonomous mobile robot (4, 104).

6. System according to any one of claims 4 to 5 further comprising an accumulation zone (Zl) for storage containers leaving the order preparation stations (20), a common conveyor connecting said accumulation zone to the exit conveyor (22) of each order preparation station (2', 2A').

7. System according to the preceding claim wherein: - a return path passes through said accumulation zone (Zl) of storage containers, - second transfer means are arranged in said accumulation zone to transfer a storage container to an autonomous mobile robot, - at least one autonomous mobile robot is configured to stop in said accumulation zone to receive a storage container to be returned to stock.

8. System according to the preceding claim comprising a waiting area (Z2) in which autonomous mobile robots wait before going to the accumulation area of ​​storage containers to be returned to stock.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circuit (5) for moving autonomous mobile robots (4; 104) is remote from the order preparation stations (20; 1020).

10. Automated product storage installation, comprising a system according to one of the preceding claims.

11. Automated product storage and order preparation method implementing an order preparation installation according to the preceding claim.