Warehouse management system and method

Abstract

A warehouse management system and method, wherein the warehouse management system includes a control server (110), a transport facility (120), and a workstation (130) having a cargo buffer area (1301), wherein the control server (110) is configured to determine a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on a quantity of a first cargo hit by a pending order set, determine a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, send a first transport command to the first transport facility, and send a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation, the first transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transport the first cargo to the first workstation, and the first workstation is configured to load the first cargo into the cargo buffer area (1301) of the first workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area (1301) based on the first pending order.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application bearing application number 202210124952.9, entitled "Warehouse management system and method", filed on February 10, 2022 with the China Patent Office, and application number 202220275180.4, entitled "Warehouse management system", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of warehouse technology, and more particularly to a warehouse management system and method. [Background technology]

[0003] With the rapid development of e-commerce, e-commerce plays an increasingly important role in consumers' lives, and the number of orders from users increases exponentially every year. At the same time, e-commerce becomes more and more mature, and users have higher requirements for the service quality of e-commerce, and the processing capacity of warehouse scheduling is also being put to severe tests.

[0004] In the conventional automatic picking system, the cargo-to-person transfer is a relatively common mode, and the cargo-to-person transfer mode is based on an intelligent transfer robot, and the robot automatically runs to the bottom of the target rack according to the order requirements and inventory information, lifts up the target rack and sends it to the sorting station, where a display and other devices are equipped, and the sorter puts the cargo into the designated container according to the instructions on the display to complete the sorting. However, orders usually arrive continuously, and the same cargo is hit multiple times, and the cargo is often transported back and forth between the inventory area and the workstation multiple times, which greatly affects the efficiency of picking. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a warehouse management system and method to solve the technical deficiencies existing in the prior art.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present embodiment, a control server, a transport facility, and a workstation having a cargo buffer area are provided, The control server is configured to determine a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, determine a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, send a first transport command to the first transport facility, and send a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the first transport equipment is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transport the first cargo to the first workstation; A warehouse management system is provided, wherein the first workstation is configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order.

[0007] Optionally, the control server is further configured to detect an order number of the first pending orders at the first workstation, and when the order number is greater than a preset threshold, determine a second workstation and a second transport facility, send a second pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the second workstation, and send a second transport command to the second transport facility, when a distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the second transport facility is configured to, in response to the second transport command, remove a quantity of a first cargo corresponding to a second pending order from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and place the quantity of a first cargo corresponding to a second pending order in a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation; The second workstation is configured to pick the first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation based on the second pending order.

[0008] Optionally, the control server is further configured to determine a third workstation for picking the first cargo and a fifth transport facility for transporting the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, send a fifth transport command to the fifth transport facility, and send a fourth pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the third workstation, when a distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the fifth transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the fifth transport command and transport the first cargo to the third workstation; The third workstation is configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the fourth pending order.

[0009] Optionally, the system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, the inventory area including a plurality of inventory loads, each inventory load including at least one storage space, each storage space capable of receiving at least one container in which cargo is stored; The control server is further configured to obtain a cargo quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, and if the cargo quantity is less than or equal to an inventory threshold, determine a cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area, and if the cargo quantity is greater than the inventory threshold, determine a cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determine a cargo inventory location to be in the external inventory area.

[0010] Optionally, the control server is further configured to determine a first transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the inventory area and a second transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the external inventory area when the cargo quantity is greater than an inventory threshold.

[0011] Optionally, the first transport subsystem includes container transport equipment or load transport equipment, and the second transport subsystem includes one of a forklift, a towing equipment, or a lift equipment.

[0012] Optionally, the cargo buffer area is provided with a plurality of buffer storage spaces, each buffer storage space being capable of receiving at least one buffer container, the buffer container containing cargo; The control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determine a cargo inventory location of the second cargo based on the quantity of the second cargo hit by the pending order set, determine a third transport facility for transporting the second cargo, send a third transport command to the third transport facility, and send a third pending order hit by the second cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the third transport equipment is configured to move to a cargo inventory location of the second cargo in response to the third transport command and transport the second cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation is further configured to load the second cargo into an available buffer container in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the second cargo based on the third pending order.

[0013] Optionally, the control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determine a first cargo to be replenished based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the new pending order set, determine a sixth transport facility to transport the first cargo to be replenished, send a sixth transport command to the sixth transport facility, and send a fifth pending order hit by the first cargo to be replenished in the new pending order set to the first workstation; the sixth transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the sixth transport command and transport the first cargo awaiting replenishment to the first workstation; The first workstation is further configured to load the first cargo awaiting replenishment into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first cargo awaiting replenishment from the cargo buffer area based on the fifth order awaiting processing.

[0014] Optionally, the workstation is provided with an operation object and an order picking area, the order picking area is provided with a plurality of order storage spaces, each order storage space can accommodate at least one order container; The operational object is configured to remove a first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a first pending order and place the first cargo in an order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0015] Optionally, the workstation is further provided with a work platform and container loading / unloading equipment; the container loading / unloading equipment is provided between the work bench and the order picking area, and is configured to take an order container corresponding to the first pending order from the order picking area and place the order container on the work bench, or take an order container from the work bench and place it in the order picking area; The operation object is further configured to place the first cargo in an order container on the work platform.

[0016] Optionally, the control server is further configured to determine a fourth transport facility and send a fourth transport command to the fourth transport facility; The fourth transport facility is configured to transport the order container for which the order picking task has been completed to a designated position in response to the fourth transport command.

[0017] Optionally, the manipulation object includes a robotic arm or automated equipment for cargo picking.

[0018] Optionally, the control server is further configured to determine position information of the first cargo in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a preset condition; The first workstation is further configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the location information.

[0019] Optionally, the pre-defined conditions include at least one of the following: popularity of the first cargo, the relevance of the first cargo to other cargoes in the cargo buffer area, and the order of orders waiting to be processed at the first workstation.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warehouse management method applied to a warehouse management system including a control server, a conveying facility, and a workstation having a cargo buffer area, the method comprising: a control server determines a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, determines a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, transmits a first transport command to the first transport facility, and transmits a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the first transport equipment moves to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transports the first cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation loads the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picks the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order.

[0021] Optionally, the method further comprises: the control server detects the number of first pending orders at the first workstation, and when the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, determines a second workstation and a second transport facility, transmits a second pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the second workstation, and transmits a second transport command to the second transport facility, in which a distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the second transport facility, in response to the second transport command, removing a quantity of a first cargo corresponding to a second pending order from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and placing the quantity of a first cargo in a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation; The method further includes the step of the second workstation picking the first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation based on the second pending order.

[0022] Optionally, the method further comprises: a step in which the control server determines a third workstation for picking the first cargo and a fifth transport facility for transporting the first cargo based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, sends a fifth transport command to the fifth transport facility, and sends a fourth pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the fifth transport facility moving to the cargo inventory location in response to the fifth transport command and transporting the first cargo to the third workstation; The method further includes the third workstation loading the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation and picking the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the fourth pending order.

[0023] Optionally, the system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, the inventory area including a plurality of inventory loads, each inventory load including at least one storage space, each storage space capable of receiving at least one container in which cargo is stored; The method comprises: The method further includes a step in which the control server obtains a cargo quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, and if the cargo quantity is less than or equal to an inventory threshold, determines the cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area, and if the cargo quantity is greater than the inventory threshold, determines the cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determines the cargo inventory location to be in the external inventory area.

[0024] Optionally, the method further comprises: The control server further includes determining, if the cargo quantity is greater than an inventory threshold, a first transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the inventory area and a second transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the external inventory area.

[0025] Optionally, the cargo buffer area is provided with a plurality of buffer storage spaces, each buffer storage space being capable of receiving at least one buffer container, the buffer container containing cargo; Optionally, the method further comprises: When the control server detects that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determining a cargo inventory location of the second cargo based on the quantity of the second cargo hit by the pending order set, determining a third transport facility for transporting the second cargo, sending a third transport command to the third transport facility, and sending a third pending order hit by the second cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the third transport equipment moving to a cargo inventory location of the second cargo in response to the third transport command and transporting the second cargo to the first workstation; The method further includes the step of the first workstation loading the second cargo into an available buffer container in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picking the second cargo based on the third pending order.

[0026] Optionally, the method further comprises: When the control server detects that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determining a first cargo to be replenished based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the new pending order set, determining a sixth transport facility to transport the first cargo to be replenished, sending a sixth transport command to the sixth transport facility, and sending a fifth pending order hit by the first cargo to be replenished in the new pending order set to the first workstation; the sixth transport facility moving to the cargo inventory location in response to the sixth transport command and transporting the first cargo awaiting replenishment to the first workstation; The method further includes the step of the first workstation loading the first cargo awaiting replenishment into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picking the first cargo awaiting replenishment from the cargo buffer area based on the fifth pending order.

[0027] Optionally, the workstation is provided with an operation object and an order picking area, the order picking area is provided with a plurality of order storage spaces, each order storage space can accommodate at least one order container; Optionally, the method further comprises: The operation object further includes removing a first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a first pending order and placing the first cargo in an order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0028] Optionally, the workstation is further provided with a work platform and a container loading / unloading facility, the container loading / unloading facility being provided between the work platform and the order picking area; The container loading / unloading equipment takes out an order container corresponding to the first pending order from the order picking area and places the order container on the work bench, or takes out the order container from the work bench and places it in the order picking area; The operation subject places the first cargo in an order container on the work platform.

[0029] Optionally, the method further comprises: The control server determines a fourth transfer facility and transmits a fourth transfer command to the fourth transfer facility; The method further includes a step in which the fourth transportation facility transports the order container for which the order picking task has been completed to a designated position in response to the fourth transportation command.

[0030] Optionally, the method further comprises: the control server determines position information of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a preset condition; The method further includes the step of the first workstation loading the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the location information.

[0031] A warehouse scheduling system provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a control server, a transport facility, and a workstation with a cargo buffer area, the control server is configured to determine a cargo inventory location of a first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by a pending order set, determine a first transport facility to transport the first cargo and a first workstation to pick the first cargo, send a first transport command to the first transport facility, and send a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation, the first transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transport the first cargo to the first workstation, and the first workstation is configured to load the first cargo into the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order. With this system, the cargo hit by the order is transported to the workstation in a concentrated manner and stored in the cargo buffer area of ​​the workstation, reducing the number of transports of containers that store the cargo, and improving cargo picking efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system structure schematic diagram of a warehouse management system provided in an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a container loading / unloading facility provided in an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a warehouse management method provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to facilitate a thorough understanding of the present application, however, the present application is not limited to the specific implementations disclosed below, since the present application may be embodied in many other forms different from those described herein, and similar modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present application.

[0034] The terms used in one or more embodiments of the present application are merely intended to describe a particular embodiment and are not intended to limit the one or more embodiments of the present application. The singular forms "a," "the," and "the" used in one or more embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be noted that the term "and / or" used in one or more embodiments of the present application is intended to include any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0035] It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used in one or more embodiments of the present application to describe various types of information, such information is not limited to these terms. These terms are merely intended to distinguish between the same types of information. For example, a first may be referred to as a second, and similarly, a second may be referred to as a first, without departing from the scope of one or more embodiments of the present application. Depending on the context, the word "when" used herein may be interpreted to mean "when" or "upon" or "depending on the determination / identification / determination."

[0036] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A warehouse management system and method are provided herein, each of which is described in detail in the following examples.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a system structure diagram of a warehouse management system provided in one embodiment of the present application, which includes a control server 110, a transport facility 120, and workstations 130, each of which is provided with a cargo buffer area 1301.

[0038] The control server 110 is connected to the transport facility 120 via wireless communication, and an operator operates the control server 110 by manipulating it using a workbench 114. The control server 110 is a software system that runs on a server having data storage and information processing capabilities, and can be wirelessly connected to the transport facility 120, etc. The control server 110 may include one or more servers and may have a centralized control architecture or a distributed computing architecture. The control server 110 has a processor 111 and a memory 112, and the memory 112 may have an order pool 113, and order information is stored in the order pool 113.

[0039] The conveying equipment 120 is used to convey the cargo to the workstation. In practical application, the conveying equipment is different according to different conveying contents, when conveying a container containing the cargo, the conveying equipment 120 may be a container conveying equipment (e.g., a container conveying robot), when conveying a movable rack containing the container, the conveying equipment 120 may be a rack conveying equipment (e.g., a rack conveying robot), when conveying stacked cargo, the conveying equipment 120 may be a forklift, etc., when conveying a basket cart containing the cargo, the conveying equipment 120 may be a towing equipment or a lifting equipment, etc.

[0040] The workstation 130 is an area for performing order picking tasks. The workstation 130 is generally provided with a cargo buffer area 1301, an operation object 1302, and an order picking area 1303, among which the cargo buffer area 1301 is provided with a plurality of buffer storage spaces, each of which can accommodate at least one buffer container, and each of which stores order cargo. The order picking area 1303 is provided with a plurality of order storage spaces, each of which can accommodate at least one order container, and the operation object 1302 is used to pick cargo into the order container. In practical applications, the cargo buffer area 1301 may be a buffer rack, the order picking area 1303 may be a put wall, and the operation object 1302 may be a worker, a robot arm, or other automated equipment for cargo picking.

[0041] In a specific embodiment provided herein, the control server is configured to determine a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, determine a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, send a first transport command to the first transport facility, and send a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the first transport equipment is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transport the first cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation is configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order.

[0042] Here, the set of pending orders may be all the pending orders received by the control server, or a portion of all the pending orders selected based on a preset processing rule, for example, the pending orders may be sorted based on their order shipping dates, and orders within 12 hours from the current time may be set as the set of pending orders. In this application, the specific number of pending orders in the set of pending orders is not limited.

[0043] The first cargo specifically refers to a cargo that is hit by multiple pending order sets within the pending order sets, and the cargo inventory position of the first cargo is determined based on the quantity of the first cargo that is hit by the pending order sets.

[0044] Specifically, the warehouse management system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, the inventory area includes a plurality of inventory loaders, each inventory loader includes at least one storage space, each storage space can accommodate at least one container, and each container contains cargo. The external inventory area specifically refers to an area provided outside the current inventory area, for example, when the capacity of the current inventory warehouse is limited, but the quantity of cargo hit by the pending order is large and exceeds the storage capacity of the current inventory area, it is necessary to order cargo from the external inventory area to complete the order picking.

[0045] Accordingly, the control server 110 is configured to obtain the cargo quantity of the first cargo hit in the pending order set, and if the cargo quantity is equal to or less than the inventory threshold, the cargo inventory location can be determined to be the inventory area, and if the cargo volume is greater than the inventory threshold, the cargo inventory location can be determined to be the inventory area and the external inventory area, or the cargo inventory location can be determined directly to the external inventory area. Here, the inventory threshold may specifically be the inventory quantity of the inventory area. Note that, if the cargo inventory location is the inventory area and the external inventory area, a part of the cargo can be transported from the inventory quantity of the inventory area, and then the remaining or more cargo can be transported from the external inventory area.

[0046] In one embodiment provided in the present application, the control server determines that the quantity of the first cargo is 100 pieces based on the pending order set, and the current inventory quantity in the inventory area is 200 pieces, the inventory threshold is 200 pieces, in which case the quantity of the first cargo in the inventory area can satisfy the quantity of the first cargo in the pending order set, and the cargo inventory position of the first cargo can be determined in the inventory area.

[0047] In another specific embodiment provided in the present application, the control server determines that the quantity of the first cargo is 100 pieces based on the pending order set, and the inventory threshold is 50 pieces, if the inventory area current inventory quantity is 50 pieces, in this case, the quantity of the first cargo in the inventory area cannot satisfy the quantity of the first cargo in the pending order set, and can determine that the inventory location of the first cargo can be the inventory area and the external inventory area, i.e., take 50 pieces from the inventory area and then take 50 pieces from the external inventory area. The inventory location of the first cargo may be determined to be the external inventory area, and 100 pieces may be ordered from the external inventory area.

[0048] After determining the inventory location of the first cargo, the control server determines a first transportation equipment for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, sends a first transportation command to the first transportation equipment, and sends a first waiting order in the waiting order set to the first workstation, where the first waiting order specifically refers to the order that hits the first cargo in the waiting order set.

[0049] Since the cargo inventory location of the first cargo can be an inventory area, an external inventory area, or an inventory area and an external inventory area, the corresponding first transport equipment is also associated with the cargo inventory location. For example, when the cargo inventory location is an inventory area, if it hits an inventory container in the inventory area, the first transport equipment is a container transport equipment, if it hits a movable rack in the inventory area, the first transport equipment is a rack transport equipment, if it hits an external inventory area, the first transport equipment may be a forklift, a towing equipment, a lift equipment, etc.

[0050] When the control server determines the cargo inventory location to the inventory area and the external inventory area based on the cargo quantity of the first cargo, it correspondingly determines a first transport subsystem and a second transport subsystem, where the first transport subsystem is used to transport the first cargo from the inventory area and the second transport subsystem is used to transport the first cargo from the external inventory area.

[0051] Accordingly, the first transport command also varies depending on the status of the first transport facility, and when the first transport sub-facility and the second transport sub-facility are determined, the first transport command may also be correspondingly a first transport sub-command and a second transport sub-command, where the first transport sub-command is sent to the first transport facility and the second transport sub-command is sent to the second transport facility.

[0052] After receiving the first transfer command, the first transfer equipment moves to a cargo inventory location in response to the first transfer command, transfers the first cargo, and transfers the first cargo to the first workstation.

[0053] The first workstation is provided with a cargo buffer area, and after the first cargo is loaded into the cargo buffer area and the first pending order is sent to the first workstation, the first cargo can be picked from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order.

[0054] In practical application, the quantity of the first workstation is determined according to the cargo type of the first cargo, the cargo type of the first cargo is determined according to the popularity of shipment and the frequency of hit by the order, the cargo with the frequency of hit by the order higher than the preset first threshold is identified as cargo type A, the popularity of the shipment is high, and multiple first workstations can be assigned to the cargo type A, realizing the ability to process cargo including type A at multiple workstations, ensuring that the cargo type A can be shipped quickly and improving picking efficiency. The cargo with the frequency of hit by the order lower than the preset first threshold and higher than the preset second threshold is identified as cargo type B, the cargo with the frequency of hit by the order lower than the second threshold is identified as cargo type C, the shipment frequency of cargo type B and cargo type C is low, and the cargo type B and cargo type C can be concentrated at some specific workstations, and the cargo type B and cargo type C can be processed intensively at these specific workstations, realizing the rational allocation of inventory picking.

[0055] Additionally, an operational object within the first workstation removes a first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the first pending order and places the first cargo in an order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0056] When the operation target is a worker, the first workstation may further be provided with auxiliary display equipment such as a display, a tablet computer, an electronic label, etc., to assist the worker in picking the cargo.

[0057] In another specific embodiment provided herein, the workstation further includes a work table and a container loading / unloading equipment, the container loading / unloading equipment being disposed between the work table and the order picking area, for picking up an order container corresponding to the first pending order from the order picking area and placing the order container on the work table, or for picking up the order container from the work table and placing it in the order picking area.

[0058] The workbench is provided between the container loading / unloading equipment and the cargo buffer area, and the container loading / unloading equipment selects an order container from the order picking area and places it on the workbench, and then the operation object takes out a first cargo from the cargo buffer area and places the first cargo in the order container on the workbench, thereby completing the order picking.

[0059] When the first transport equipment transports the first cargo to the workstation, the first cargo may be loaded into the cargo buffer area manually or automatically, for example, by a robot arm picking up the first cargo on the first transport equipment and placing it in a container in the cargo buffer area, or by throwing the cargo on the first transport equipment into a container in the cargo buffer area. Preferably, the container loading / unloading equipment may be provided next to the cargo buffer area, and when the first transport equipment transports an inventory container or an inventory rack to the workstation, the container loading / unloading equipment can pick up the inventory container from the first transport equipment and place it in the cargo buffer area.

[0060] 2, which is a schematic diagram of a container loading / unloading equipment provided in an embodiment of the present application, the container loading / unloading equipment 140 includes a housing 7 and a container removal and transport assembly 2, the housing 7 includes an X-axis rail 71 and a Y-axis rail 72 that are perpendicular to each other, and the X-axis rail 71 and the Y-axis rail 72 are installed on a vertical plane. Specifically, the Y-axis rail is configured to move along the X-axis rail, and the container removal and transport assembly 2 is configured to move along the Y-axis rail. The container removal and transport assembly 2 can remove a container from a loading device along the Z-axis direction and load it onto the placement assembly, or can unload a container from the placement assembly and place it on a movable loading device.

[0061] In one embodiment, the housing 7 includes a door frame assembly, and the X-axis rail 71 includes a ground rail structure and a sky rail structure provided on the door frame assembly. The X-axis rail 71 extends along the horizontal direction, and the Y-axis rail 72 extends along the vertical direction. The Y-axis rail 72 may be a support structure, and both ends of the Y-axis rail 72 are respectively coupled to the ground rail structure and the sky rail structure in a guidable manner, and the Y-axis rail 72 moves horizontally along the ground rail structure and the sky rail structure.

[0062] Specifically, the two X-axis rails 71 are each provided with an X-axis moving plate that can move horizontally along the X-axis rail 71, and both ends of the Y-axis rail 72 are fixedly connected to the two X-axis moving plates, respectively. The Y-axis rail 72 is provided with a Y-axis moving plate that can move vertically along the Y-axis rail 72, and the container removal transport assembly is fixedly connected to the Y-axis moving plate. The X-axis moving plate and the Y-axis moving plate may further be equipped with guide assemblies, which allow them to slide along the corresponding X-axis rail 71 and Y-axis rail 72.

[0063] The housing 7 is further provided with a drive system including an X-axis drive unit and a Y-axis drive unit. Here, the X-axis drive unit is used to drive the Y-axis rail 72 to move along the X-axis rail 71, and the Y-axis drive unit is used to drive the container take-out transport assembly to move along the Y-axis rail 72, so that the container take-out transport assembly can be moved to a corresponding position, for example, corresponding to a target position in the rack. The drive system may include a drive motor, a transmission gear, a transmission chain, a lead screw assembly, etc., and a person skilled in the art can configure them based on conventional techniques to realize the above functions of the drive system.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least two Y-axis rails 72 may be provided, and the at least two Y-axis rails 72 move relatively independently between the upper and lower two X-axis rails 71. At least one container removal and transport assembly is provided on each Y-axis rail, and the container removal and transport assemblies on each Y-axis rail can move independently, improving the working efficiency of the loading / unloading device.

[0065] In this embodiment, the unloading device is used to transport containers in a rack, and the container removal transport assembly can move the housing 7 along the X-axis rail 71 and the Y-axis rail 72 to a target position on the rack.

[0066] In practical application, the container access assembly accesses the container by at least one of the following methods: suction, pushing, pinching, grasping, hooking, holding, and lifting.

[0067] In another specific implementation provided herein, the control server is further configured to determine a fourth transport facility and send a fourth transport command to the fourth transport facility; The fourth transport facility is configured to transport the order container for which the order picking task has been completed to a designated position in response to the fourth transport command.

[0068] In this embodiment, the fourth conveying equipment specifically refers to the conveying equipment that conveys the order container after the order picking task is completed from the first workstation, the control server determines the fourth conveying equipment and sends a fourth conveying command to the fourth conveying equipment, and the fourth conveying equipment conveys the order container after the order picking task is completed to the packing table, the order consolidation table, or other designated position based on the fourth conveying command.

[0069] In practical application, the cargo buffer area may be provided in a container loading / unloading facility or located at a workstation, and the cargo buffer area located at a workstation may be a buffer rack, and accordingly, the buffer rack may provide one buffer container in the depth direction of the shelf, or may provide multiple buffer containers, and the buffer rack may provide multiple layers in the height direction, and a buffer container can be placed on each layer. On this basis, the control server is further configured to determine the position information of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation according to a preset condition; The first workstation is further configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the location information.

[0070] That is, the control server determines, based on preset conditions, location information of the first cargo to be placed in the cargo buffer area after being transported to the first workstation, and then loads the first cargo into the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the location information; in practical applications, the preset conditions include at least one of the popularity of the first cargo, the relevance of the first cargo to other cargoes in the cargo buffer area, and the order of orders waiting to be processed at the first workstation.

[0071] It should be noted that the popularity of the first cargo in the present application refers to the shipping volume or shipping frequency of the first cargo, and the higher the popularity of the cargo, the larger the shipping volume or the higher the shipping frequency of the cargo. The relevance between cargoes refers to the frequency with which cargoes are selected together in an order task, for example, nail polish oil and nail polish remover are usually included in one order, so the relevance of these two cargoes is high, and placing the two highly relevant cargoes in adjacent containers can effectively improve picking efficiency. The order of orders waiting to be processed specifically refers to the order of orders sent to the first workstation, and if the order that hits the first cargo is earlier, the first cargo can be placed in a position that is easy to pick, and if the order that hits the first cargo is later, the first cargo can be placed at the edge of the cargo buffer area for a while.

[0072] In another specific embodiment provided in the present application, since the number of orders that each workstation can process is fixed, when all pending orders that hit the first cargo are sent to the first workstation, the load processing capacity of the first workstation also needs to be taken into consideration.

[0073] Based on this, the control server is further configured to detect the number of first pending orders at the first workstation, and when the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, determine a second workstation and a second transport facility, send a second pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the second workstation, and send a second transport command to the second transport facility, where a distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the second transport facility is configured to, in response to the second transport command, remove a quantity of a first cargo item corresponding to a second pending order from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and place the quantity of a first cargo item in a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation; The second workstation is configured to pick the first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation based on the second pending order.

[0074] Here, when the control server allocates the pending orders, it monitors the number of pending orders at the first workstation in real time, and when the number of orders at the first workstation is greater than a preset threshold, it indicates that the pending orders at the first workstation are saturated. In this case, the control server further needs to determine a second workstation and a second transport facility, and send the second pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the second workstation, specifically, the second pending order refers to the order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set but cannot be sent to the first workstation.

[0075] The distance between the second workstation hit by the control server and the first workstation is smaller than a preset distance threshold, for example, the second workstation is adjacent to the first workstation, so that the second workstation can easily pick up the first cargo loaded into the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation from the first workstation. The second transport equipment moves to the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation in response to the second transport command and picks up the first cargo in a quantity corresponding to the second waiting order, and then moves to the cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation and loads the first cargo into the cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation, so that the second workstation can easily pick up the first cargo from the cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation based on the second waiting order.

[0076] In practical application, after the control server hits the popular type A cargo, it can allocate the order of the type A cargo to the first and second workstations according to the above-mentioned order allocation strategy, and the control server can also control multiple first transport devices to directly transport the type A cargo to the first and second workstations respectively, and finally realize the operation of picking the type A cargo at the first and second workstations simultaneously, thereby improving the picking efficiency of the warehouse management system. In addition, there is the following scenario: when the cargo in the first workstation exceeds the capacity, the second workstation becomes vacant at the same time, in this case, part of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation can be transported to the second workstation, and the second workstation can complete the picking task of the first cargo.

[0077] In another specific embodiment provided in the present application, the cargo buffer area can be shared among multiple workstations, for example, two adjacent workstations share the same cargo buffer area. The cargo buffer area can be shared among multiple workstations, and a power transmission belt can be connected between the cargo buffer area and the multiple workstations, and the first cargo can be moved between the multiple workstations and the cargo buffer area based on the power transmission belt, thereby improving the efficiency of the picking operation.

[0078] The above embodiment is applied to a scenario where the first cargo is transported into the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation, in which the first workstation cannot process the orders because the number of orders exceeds the capacity, and therefore a second workstation needs to be determined to assist in order picking. In order to further improve cargo picking efficiency, when allocating the pending orders, the pending orders that hit the first cargo can be directly divided, for example, when the number of first cargoes hit in the pending order set is large and obviously exceeds the load of one workstation, the control server can directly determine multiple workstations to perform cargo picking based on the number of first cargoes.

[0079] Based on this, the control server is further configured to determine a third workstation for picking the first cargo and a fifth transport facility for transporting the first cargo based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, send a fifth transport command to the fifth transport facility, and send a fourth pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the third workstation, where the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the fifth transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the fifth transport command and transport the first cargo to the third workstation; The third workstation is configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the fourth pending order.

[0080] In this case, when the control server allocates the pending orders, it not only determines the first workstation based on the quantity of the first cargo, but also determines the third workstation and the fifth conveying equipment for conveying the first cargo, and simultaneously sends the fourth pending order that hits the first cargo among the pending orders to the third workstation. That is, the control server determines the workstations for picking the first cargo to be the first workstation and the third workstation based on the quantity of the hit first cargo, and simultaneously determines that the first cargo is conveyed to the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation by the first conveying equipment and the first cargo is conveyed to the cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation by the fifth conveying equipment, and sends the first pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation, and sends the fourth pending order that hits the first cargo to the third workstation, so that the first cargo is picked at the first workstation and the third workstation at the same time. It should be noted that in practical applications, the quantity of the third workstation can be determined according to the actual situation, for example, it can be determined that there is one or more third workstations.

[0081] In response to the fifth transportation command, the fifth transportation facility transports the first cargo from the cargo inventory position of the first cargo to the third workstation and loads the first cargo into the cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation, and the cargo inventory position of the first cargo is determined in a manner similar to that of the above embodiment, and detailed explanations are omitted here.

[0082] At the third workstation, the first cargo is taken from the cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation based on the fourth pending order, and placed in a corresponding container, completing picking of the first cargo.

[0083] The above embodiments describe different scenarios of loading the first cargo into the cargo buffer area of ​​the workstation. During the process of picking the first cargo, the control server further monitors the inventory status of the cargo in each workstation in real time, and makes corresponding adjustments according to the inventory status.

[0084] Based on this, the control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determine a cargo inventory location of the second cargo based on the quantity of the second cargo hit by the pending order set, determine a third transport facility for transporting the second cargo, send a third transport command to the third transport facility, and send a third pending order hit by the second cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the third transport equipment is configured to move to a cargo inventory location of the second cargo in response to the third transport command and transport the second cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation is further configured to load the second cargo into an available buffer container in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the second cargo based on the third pending order.

[0085] In this scenario, the first cargo is picked at the first workstation, and over time, the control server detects that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, and if the orders in the pending order set that hit the first cargo are also less than the threshold, the cargo inventory location of the second cargo can be determined based on the quantity of the second cargo hit by the pending order set. That is, when the picking of the first cargo is almost completed and there is no subsequent new pending order that hits the first cargo, or the quantity of the first cargo hit by the subsequent new pending order is very small, the second cargo that is hit by the next pending order with a relatively high hit rate can be determined, and the second cargo can be placed at the first workstation for picking.

[0086] Therefore, after the control server determines the cargo inventory location of the second cargo, it needs to further determine the third transport equipment for transporting the second cargo, send the third transport command to the third transport equipment, and send the third pending order that hits the second cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation. It should be noted that the type of the third transport equipment is related to the cargo inventory location of the second cargo and the loading tool for loading the cargo. For the selection of the specific third transport equipment, please refer to the above description of the first transport equipment, and the detailed description will be omitted here.

[0087] The third transport equipment moves to the cargo inventory location of the second cargo in accordance with the third transport command, transports the second cargo to the first workstation, and loads the second cargo into the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation, thereby enabling the first workstation to pick the second cargo based on the third pending order.

[0088] The above is the case where the quantity of the first cargo in the first workstation is smaller than the buffer threshold, and the orders in the pending order set that match the first cargo are also smaller than the threshold. In actual applications, however, the number of unprocessed orders increases from time to time, that is, over time, a new pending order set is generated, and the new pending order set is the newly arrived pending order after the pending order set. When the new pending order set also matches the first cargo, a replenishment operation needs to be performed on the first cargo.

[0089] Based on this, the control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determine a first cargo to be replenished based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the new pending order set, determine a sixth transport facility to transport the first cargo to be replenished, send a sixth transport command to the sixth transport facility, and send a fifth pending order hit by the first cargo to be replenished in the new pending order set to the first workstation; the sixth transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the sixth transport command and transport the first cargo awaiting replenishment to the first workstation; The first workstation is further configured to load the first cargo awaiting replenishment into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first cargo awaiting replenishment from the cargo buffer area based on the fifth order awaiting processing.

[0090] In this case, the control server detects that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than the buffer threshold, but determines that the subsequent orders hitting the first cargo are large according to the quantity of the first cargo hit by the new pending order set, and if the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is insufficient at this time, it needs to determine the first cargo to be replenished and transport the first cargo to be replenished from the cargo inventory location to the first workstation. Therefore, it is also necessary to determine the sixth transport facility to transport the first cargo to be replenished and send the sixth transport command, and at the same time, send the fifth pending order hit by the first cargo to be replenished in the new pending order set to the first workstation.

[0091] In response to the sixth transport command, the sixth transport facility transports the first cargo waiting for replenishment from the cargo inventory position of the first cargo waiting for replenishment to the first workstation, and loads the first cargo waiting for replenishment into the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation, and the cargo inventory position of the first cargo is determined in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and detailed description is omitted here. Picking of the first cargo is continued at the first workstation.

[0092] The warehouse management system provided in the present application provides a cargo buffer area at the workstation for storing cargo that is subject to orders waiting to be processed, thereby avoiding frequent transportation of cargo between the cargo inventory location and the workstation and improving picking efficiency.

[0093] Next, by determining the cargo inventory location of the cargo based on the quantity of cargo hit by the pending order set, it is possible to facilitate transporting as much cargo as possible to the workstation, and by concentrating the cargo at one workstation, sending the orders hit by the cargo to the workstation, and centrally processing the pending orders hit by the cargo at the workstation, the order picking efficiency is also effectively improved.

[0094] Here, if the orders waiting to be processed at a workstation exceed its capacity, other workstations can be found around the workstation to help pick the cargo, and the source of the cargo may be the cargo buffer area of ​​the original workstation or the cargo inventory location of the cargo. If the cargo cannot be processed at the original workstation, multiple workstations can be selected to work together to process the orders in parallel, further improving the efficiency of order picking.

[0095] Finally, it can be determined whether cargo needs to be replenished based on the new pending order set, if the cargo is also hit in the new pending order set, a replenishment operation needs to be performed, and if new cargo is hit in the new pending order set, the new cargo can be loaded into the cargo buffer area of ​​the workstation, thereby improving the picking efficiency of the pending orders.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 3, which is a flow chart of a warehouse management method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the method is applied to a warehouse management system provided in the above embodiment, the system includes a control server, a conveying device, and a workstation provided with a cargo buffer area, and the method includes: Step 302: the control server determines a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, determines a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, sends a first transport command to the first transport facility, and sends a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; In step 304, the first transport equipment moves to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transports the first cargo to the first workstation; The first workstation loads the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picks the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order (306).

[0097] Optionally, the method further comprises: the control server detects the number of first pending orders at the first workstation, and when the number of orders is greater than a preset threshold, determines a second workstation and a second transport facility, transmits a second pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the second workstation, and transmits a second transport command to the second transport facility, in which a distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the second transport facility, in response to the second transport command, removing a quantity of a first cargo corresponding to a second pending order from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and placing the quantity of a first cargo in a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation; The method further includes the step of the second workstation picking the first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation based on the second pending order.

[0098] Optionally, the method further comprises: a step in which the control server determines a third workstation for picking the first cargo and a fifth transport facility for transporting the first cargo based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, sends a fifth transport command to the fifth transport facility, and sends a fourth pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the third workstation, wherein the distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the fifth transport facility moving to the cargo inventory location in response to the fifth transport command and transporting the first cargo to the third workstation; The method further includes the third workstation loading the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation and picking the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the fourth pending order.

[0099] Optionally, the system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, the inventory area including a plurality of inventory loads, each inventory load including at least one storage space, each storage space capable of receiving at least one container in which cargo is stored; The method comprises: The method further includes a step in which the control server obtains a cargo quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, and if the cargo quantity is less than or equal to an inventory threshold, determines the cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area, and if the cargo quantity is greater than the inventory threshold, determines the cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determines the cargo inventory location to be in the external inventory area.

[0100] Optionally, the method further comprises: The control server further includes determining, if the cargo quantity is greater than an inventory threshold, a first transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the inventory area and a second transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the external inventory area.

[0101] Optionally, the cargo buffer area is provided with a plurality of buffer storage spaces, each buffer storage space being capable of receiving at least one buffer container, the buffer container containing cargo; Optionally, the method further comprises: When the control server detects that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determining a cargo inventory location of the second cargo based on the quantity of the second cargo hit by the pending order set, determining a third transport facility for transporting the second cargo, sending a third transport command to the third transport facility, and sending a third pending order hit by the second cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the third transport equipment moving to a cargo inventory location of the second cargo in response to the third transport command and transporting the second cargo to the first workstation; The method further includes the step of the first workstation loading the second cargo into an available buffer container in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picking the second cargo based on the third pending order.

[0102] Optionally, the method further comprises: When the control server detects that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determining a first cargo to be replenished based on the quantity of the first cargo hit by the new pending order set, determining a sixth transport facility to transport the first cargo to be replenished, sending a sixth transport command to the sixth transport facility, and sending a fifth pending order hit by the first cargo to be replenished in the new pending order set to the first workstation; the sixth transport facility moving to the cargo inventory location in response to the sixth transport command and transporting the first cargo awaiting replenishment to the first workstation; The method further includes the step of the first workstation loading the first cargo awaiting replenishment into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picking the first cargo awaiting replenishment from the cargo buffer area based on the fifth pending order.

[0103] Optionally, the workstation is provided with an operation object and an order picking area, the order picking area is provided with a plurality of order storage spaces, each order storage space can accommodate at least one order container; Optionally, the method further comprises: The operation object further includes removing a first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a first pending order and placing the first cargo in an order container corresponding to the first pending order.

[0104] Optionally, the workstation is further provided with a work platform and container loading / unloading equipment 140, the container loading / unloading equipment being provided between the work platform and the order picking area; The container loading / unloading equipment takes out an order container corresponding to the first pending order from the order picking area and places the order container on the work bench, or takes out the order container from the work bench and places it in the order picking area; The operation subject places the first cargo in an order container on the work platform.

[0105] Optionally, the method further comprises: The control server determines a fourth transfer facility and transmits a fourth transfer command to the fourth transfer facility; The method further includes a step in which the fourth transportation facility transports the order container for which the order picking task has been completed to a designated position in response to the fourth transportation command.

[0106] Optionally, the method further comprises: the control server determines position information of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a preset condition; The method further includes the step of the first workstation loading the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the location information.

[0107] The warehouse management method provided in the present application provides a cargo buffer area at the workstation for storing cargo that is subject to pending orders, thereby avoiding frequent transportation of cargo between the cargo inventory location and the workstation and improving picking efficiency.

[0108] Next, by determining the cargo inventory location of the cargo based on the quantity of cargo hit by the pending order set, it is possible to facilitate transporting as much cargo as possible to the workstation, and by concentrating the cargo at one workstation, sending the orders hit by the cargo to the workstation, and centrally processing the pending orders hit by the cargo at the workstation, the order picking efficiency is also effectively improved.

[0109] Here, if the orders waiting to be processed at a workstation exceed its capacity, other workstations can be found around the workstation to help pick the cargo, and the source of the cargo may be the cargo buffer area of ​​the original workstation or the cargo inventory location of the cargo. If the cargo cannot be processed at the original workstation, multiple workstations can be selected to work together to process the orders in parallel, further improving the efficiency of order picking.

[0110] Finally, it can be determined whether cargo needs to be replenished based on the new pending order set, if the cargo is also hit in the new pending order set, a replenishment operation needs to be performed, and if new cargo is hit in the new pending order set, the new cargo can be loaded into the cargo buffer area of ​​the workstation, thereby improving the picking efficiency of the pending orders.

[0111] The above describes certain embodiments of the present application. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. The acts or steps recited in the claims may be performed in a different order than in the examples to achieve desirable results. It should be noted that the processes depicted in the figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In some embodiments, multitasking or parallel processing may be possible or advantageous.

[0112] It should be noted that, although the above-mentioned embodiments of the methods are described as a series of operation combinations for the sake of simplicity, those skilled in the art should know that the present application is not limited to the described operation order, since some steps may be performed in other orders or simultaneously according to the present application. In addition, those skilled in the art should know that all the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and related operations or modules are not necessarily essential to the present application.

[0113] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment focuses on different points, and for the details or parts not described in an embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0114] The preferred embodiments of the present application disclosed above are merely intended to assist in the description of the present application. The selectable embodiments are not exhaustive in describing all details, nor are the present invention limited to the specific embodiments described. Obviously, many modifications and variations can be made based on the contents of the present application. The embodiments of the present application have been selected and described in order to more clearly describe the principles and practical applications of the present application, and to enable those skilled in the art to easily understand and utilize the present application. The present application is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 110 Control Server 111 Processor 112 Memory 113 Order Pool 114 Workbench 120 Transport Equipment 130 workstations 1301 Cargo Buffer Area 1302 Operation target 1303 Order Picking Area 140 Container loading and unloading equipment 7. Cabinet 71 X-axis rail 72 Y-axis rail 2 Container removal transport assembly

Claims

1. The system includes a control server, a transport facility, and a workstation having a cargo buffer area; the control server is configured to determine a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, determine a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, send a first transport command to the first transport facility, and send a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the first transport equipment is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transport the first cargo to the first workstation; 2. A warehouse management system comprising: a first workstation configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation; and to pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order.

2. The control server is further configured to detect an order number of the first pending orders at the first workstation, and when the order number is greater than a preset threshold, determine a second workstation and a second transport facility, send a second pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the second workstation, and send a second transport command to the second transport facility, when a distance between the second workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the second transport facility is configured to, in response to the second transport command, remove a quantity of a first cargo item corresponding to a second pending order from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and place the quantity of a first cargo item in a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the second workstation is configured to pick the first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the second workstation based on the second pending order.

3. The control server is further configured to determine a third workstation for picking the first cargo and a fifth transport facility for transporting the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, send a fifth transport command to the fifth transport facility, and send a fourth pending order that hits the first cargo in the pending order set to the third workstation, wherein a distance between the third workstation and the first workstation is less than a preset distance threshold; the fifth transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the fifth transport command and transport the first cargo to the third workstation; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the third workstation is configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the third workstation and pick the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the fourth pending order.

4. The system further includes an inventory area and an external inventory area, the inventory area including a plurality of inventory loads, each inventory load including at least one storage space, each storage space capable of receiving at least one container in which cargo is stored; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the control server is further configured to obtain a cargo quantity of a first cargo hit by a pending order set, and if the cargo quantity is less than or equal to an inventory threshold, determine a cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area, and if the cargo quantity is greater than the inventory threshold, determine a cargo inventory location to be in the inventory area and the external inventory area, or determine a cargo inventory location to be in the external inventory area.

5. 5. The warehouse management system of claim 4, wherein the control server is further configured to determine a first transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the inventory area and a second transport subsystem to transport the first cargo from the external inventory area when the cargo quantity is greater than an inventory threshold.

6. 6. The warehouse management system of claim 5, wherein the first transport sub-facility includes a container transport facility or a load transport facility, and the second transport sub-facility includes any one of a forklift, a towing facility, and a lift facility.

7. the cargo buffer area is provided with a plurality of buffer storage spaces, each buffer storage space being capable of receiving at least one buffer container, the buffer container containing cargo; the control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determine a cargo inventory location of the second cargo based on the quantity of the second cargo hit by the pending order set, determine a third transport facility for transporting the second cargo, send a third transport command to the third transport facility, and send a third pending order hit by the second cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the third transport equipment is configured to move to a cargo inventory location of the second cargo in response to the third transport command and transport the second cargo to the first workstation; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the first workstation is further configured to load the second cargo into an available buffer container in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the second cargo based on the third pending order.

8. The control server is further configured to, when detecting that the quantity of the first cargo in the cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation is less than a buffer threshold, determine a first cargo to be replenished based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by a new pending order set, determine a sixth transport facility to transport the first cargo to be replenished, send a sixth transport command to the sixth transport facility, and send a fifth pending order hit by the first cargo to be replenished in the new pending order set to the first workstation; the sixth transport facility is configured to move to the cargo inventory location in response to the sixth transport command and transport the first cargo awaiting replenishment to the first workstation; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the first workstation is further configured to load the first cargo awaiting replenishment into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and pick the first cargo awaiting replenishment from the cargo buffer area based on the fifth order awaiting processing.

9. The workstation is provided with an operation object and an order picking area, the order picking area is provided with a plurality of order storage spaces, each order storage space can store at least one order container; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the operation object is configured to remove a first cargo from a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a first pending order and place the first cargo in an order container corresponding to the first pending order.

10. The workstation is further provided with a work platform and container loading / unloading equipment; the container loading / unloading equipment is provided between the work bench and the order picking area, and is configured to take an order container corresponding to the first pending order from the order picking area and place the order container on the work bench, or take the order container from the work bench and place it in the order picking area; The warehouse management system according to claim 9, wherein the operation object is further configured to place the first cargo in an order container on the work platform.

11. The control server is further configured to determine a fourth transport facility and send a fourth transport command to the fourth transport facility; The warehouse management system according to claim 9, wherein the fourth transport facility is configured to transport an order container for which an order picking task has been completed to a designated position in response to the fourth transport command.

12. The warehouse management system according to claim 9, wherein the operation target includes a worker, a robot arm, or an automated device for picking cargo.

13. The control server is further configured to determine position information of the first cargo in a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on a preset condition; 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein the first workstation is further configured to load the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation based on the location information.

14. 14. The warehouse management system of claim 13, wherein the predefined conditions include at least one of the following: popularity of the first cargo, relevance of the first cargo to other cargo in the cargo buffer area, and order of orders waiting to be processed at the first workstation.

15. 2. The warehouse management system of claim 1, wherein at least two workstations share the same cargo buffer area.

16. A warehouse management method applied to a warehouse management system including a control server, a conveying facility, and a workstation having a cargo buffer area, comprising: a control server determines a cargo inventory location of the first cargo based on a quantity of the first cargo hit by the pending order set, determines a first transport facility for transporting the first cargo and a first workstation for picking the first cargo, transmits a first transport command to the first transport facility, and transmits a first pending order hit by the first cargo in the pending order set to the first workstation; the first transport equipment moving to the cargo inventory location in response to the first transport command and transporting the first cargo to the first workstation; the first workstation loading the first cargo into a cargo buffer area of ​​the first workstation and picking the first cargo from the cargo buffer area based on the first pending order; A warehouse management method comprising:

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