Workstation and picking system

Abstract

This application relates to a workstation and picking system including a packing means, a buffer means, and a merging means. The buffer means includes a buffer frame and a plurality of buffer hoppers, the plurality of buffer hoppers being mounted on the buffer frame and configured to receive cargo transported by a picking mechanism. The number of buffer hoppers is equal to or greater than the number of sorting hoppers of the picking mechanism. The merging means is movably connected to the buffer frame by a movable means and is configured to receive cargo in at least one of the plurality of buffer hoppers and transport at least one cargo to the packing means.

Description

Cross-reference

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed on May 31, 2024, with application number 202410705234.X and title "Workstation and Picking System", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of warehouse logistics technology, and particularly to a workstation and a picking system including the workstation.

Background Art

[0003] In order to improve space efficiency, goods are generally stored on shelves. When picking goods, the system controls the picking mechanism based on order information to take out the objects set on the shelves, transfer them to the workstation, and pack them. However, with the acceleration of warehouse logistics technology, the number of orders is increasing, and the efficiency of the picking mechanism in the related technology to transfer the target goods to the workstation cannot meet the increasing number of orders.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect, the workstation of the embodiment of this application includes a packing means, a buffer means, and a merging means. The buffer means includes a buffer frame and a plurality of buffer hoppers. The plurality of buffer hoppers are attached to the buffer frame to receive the goods conveyed by the picking mechanism. The number of the buffer hoppers is not less than the number of sorting hoppers of the picking mechanism. The merging means is movably connected to the buffer frame by a movable means, configured to receive the goods in at least one of the plurality of buffer hoppers and convey at least one of the goods to the packing means.

[0005] According to a second aspect, the picking system according to the embodiment of this application comprises the above-mentioned workstation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a picking system according to one embodiment of this application, viewed from one viewpoint.

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a picking system according to one embodiment of this application, viewed from a different viewpoint.

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a picking mechanism according to an embodiment of this application.

[0009] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a sorting means according to an embodiment of this application.

[0010] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing that the trigger of the sorting mechanism is located between the push-up member and the push-down member of the workstation.

[0011] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a workstation according to an embodiment of this application.

[0012] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a buffer means according to an embodiment of this application.

[0013] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a buffer hopper according to an embodiment of this application.

[0014] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a confluence hopper according to an embodiment of this application.

[0015] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the picker according to the embodiment of this application applied to a shelf.

[0016] Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a picker according to an embodiment of this application.

[0017] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the picking means according to an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a part of the picking means according to the embodiment of this application, viewed from a different perspective.

[0019] Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a guide according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 15 is a schematic perspective view of Figure 13 with the guide omitted. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments can be implemented in multiple forms and are not limited to those described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make this application complete and comprehensive and to ensure that the concepts of the embodiments are fully understood by those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar structures, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0022] The terms “including” and “having,” and their variations, in the embodiments of this application are intended to mean non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device comprising a series of steps or units may optionally include, but is not limited to, any steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or means specific to such a process, method, product, or device.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the picking system according to the embodiment of this application comprises a picking mechanism 300, a travel mechanism 400, and a workstation 500. The picking mechanism 300 is connected to the travel mechanism 400 so as to be able to move up and down along a first direction D11, where, in the embodiment of this application, the first direction D11 is the upright direction. The workstation 500 is positioned on the ground and is used to pack sorted goods. The travel mechanism 400 is positioned so as to be able to move along a third direction D33 between a position close to the workstation 500 and a position far from the workstation 500.

[0024] During picking, the traveling mechanism 400 moves the picking mechanism 300 along the third direction D33 to the vicinity of the shelf, and the picking mechanism 300 moves up and down along the first direction D11 so as to align with the cargo to be picked. After the picking mechanism 300 takes out the cargo from the shelf and places it inside the picking mechanism 300, the traveling mechanism 400 moves the picking mechanism 300 again to the vicinity of the workstation 500 so that the picking mechanism 300 conveys the cargo to the workstation 500.

[0025] Here, the traveling mechanism 400 includes a post 410. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for the sake of simplicity of the drawings, only a part of the post 410 of the traveling mechanism 400 is shown, and other configurations are omitted. For other configurations of the traveling mechanism 400, reference may be made to products familiar with the prior art, and no further explanation will be given in this application.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the picking mechanism 300 according to the embodiment of the present application includes a lifting frame 310, a picker 100, and a sorting means 320. The lifting frame 310 is connected to the post 410 of the traveling mechanism 400 so as to be movable up and down along the first direction D11. Here, the axial direction of the post 410 is parallel to the first direction D11. The picker 100 is movably connected to the lifting frame 310 by a moving means 330, and the sorting means 320 is connected to the lifting frame 310 and includes a plurality of sorting hoppers 321. The picker 100 is configured to take out the cargo placed on the shelf and convey it to any one of the plurality of sorting hoppers 321.

[0027] The picking mechanism 300 according to an embodiment of the present application, during picking, after the picker 100 takes out the first target cargo, transfers the cargo to any one of the sorting hoppers 321, and then the picker 100 continues to take out the second target cargo. If the distance between the second target cargo and the first target cargo is close, the picker 100 can be moved relative to the lifting frame 310 only, without moving the traveling mechanism 400 and / or driving the lifting frame 310 to move up and down, to take out the second target cargo, and then transfer the second target cargo to any one of the remaining empty sorting hoppers 321. When all the sorting hoppers 321 are filled with cargo, the traveling mechanism 400 is moved back again to transfer all the cargo in the picking mechanism 300 to the workstation 500.

[0028] Thus, the picking mechanism 300 according to an embodiment of the present application, the picker 100 is movably connected to the lifting frame 310 by the moving means 330, and the sorting means 320 includes a plurality of sorting hoppers 321 for accommodating cargo. By a slight movement of the picker 100 relative to the lifting frame 310, the picker 100 can take out a plurality of cargo and load them into the plurality of sorting hoppers 321 respectively, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of the picker by the picking mechanism 300.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the moving means 330 includes a first moving unit 330a and a second moving unit 330b. The first moving unit 330a moves the picker 100 along the first direction D11. The second moving unit 330b moves the picker 100 along the second direction D22. The first direction D11, the second direction D22 and the third direction D33 are perpendicular to each other, and the plurality of sorting hoppers 321 are arranged side by side in the first direction D11 or the second direction D22.

[0030] For example, the first moving unit 330a and the second moving unit 330b are linear slide tables. For instance, the first moving unit 330a includes a first slide rail 331 and a first slider 332, the first slide rail 331 being connected to a lifting frame 310, and the longitudinal direction of the first slide rail 331 being parallel to the first direction D11. The first slider 332 is connected to the first slide rail 331 so as to be movable along the first direction D11.

[0031] The second moving unit 330b includes a second slide rail 333 and a second slider 334. The second slide rail 333 is connected to the first slide rail 332, and the longitudinal direction of the second slide rail 333 is parallel to the second direction D22. The second slider 334 is connected to the second slide rail 333 so as to be movable along the second direction D22. The picker 100 is connected to the second slider 334.

[0032] Of course, in other embodiments, the first moving unit 330a and the second moving unit 330b may be other linear drive mechanisms, and their explanation is omitted here.

[0033] Furthermore, if the picker 100 can pick up different target goods by moving relative to the lifting frame 310, the movement path of the picker 100 relative to the lifting frame 310 by the moving means 330 does not have to be a straight line, but may be an arc, for example.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the lifting frame 310 includes two first vertical beams 311 spaced apart in a second direction D22, and a plurality of sorting hoppers 321 are connected to the two first vertical beams 311 and arranged side by side in a first direction D11. The area between the two first vertical beams 311 is partitioned into a plurality of first windows 311a by the plurality of sorting hoppers 321, each of which corresponds to a plurality of sorting hoppers 321.

[0035] For example, after the picker 100 has picked up the first target item, the cooperative movement of the first moving unit 330a and the second moving unit 330b causes the picker 100 to align with one of the first windows 311a. As a result, the first target item in the picker 100 slides through the first window 311a into one of the sorting hoppers 321.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, each sorting hopper 321 has a first outlet 321a for sliding out the cargo. The sorting means 320 further has a shutter 322 that is movable to a lifting frame 310 between a first position and a second position. The shutter 322 has a plurality of second windows 322a. When the shutter 322 is in the first position, the shutter 322 closes the plurality of first outlets 321a simultaneously, and when the shutter 322 is in the second position, the plurality of second windows 322a communicate with the plurality of first outlets 321a, respectively.

[0037] Furthermore, when the picker 100 according to this embodiment takes out cargo, the shutter 322 is positioned in a first position so as to close the multiple first outlets 321a of the multiple sorting hoppers 321, thereby preventing the cargo from sliding out of the first outlets 321a of the sorting hoppers 321. After the picking by the picker 100 is completed and the traveling mechanism 400 returns the picking mechanism 300 to the workstation 500, the shutter 322 is positioned in a second position, and the cargo in each sorting hopper 321 automatically slides down to the workstation 500 by passing through the second window 322a corresponding to that sorting hopper 321.

[0038] As an example, the shutter 322 is connected to the lifting frame 310 so as to be movable along the lifting direction of the lifting frame 310 (first direction D11). Since the first direction D11 is the upright direction, the shutter 322 can move from the second position to the first position by its own weight.

[0039] The sorting means 320 further includes an elastic member 323 connected to the lifting frame 310 and the shutter 322, which provides the shutter 322 with elastic force to move to a first position. The elastic member 323 holds the shutter 322 in the first position while the picking mechanism 300 is picking, preventing the shutter 322 from inadvertently opening the first outlet 321a of the sorting hopper 321 and causing the goods in the sorting means 320 to slide out.

[0040] In one embodiment, the elastic member 323 may be a tension spring, but is not limited thereto.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the shutter 322 has a trigger 322b at its top. The workstation 500 has a push-up member 501, and the orthographic projections of the push-up member 501 and the trigger 322b onto a target plane overlap to form a first projection. Here, the target plane is perpendicular to the vertical direction (first direction D11) of the lifting frame 310. As the lifting frame 310 descends, the push-up member 501 abuts against the trigger 322b, causing the shutter 322 to move from a first position to a second position.

[0042] In the embodiment of this application, when the traveling mechanism 400 moves the picking mechanism 300 closer to the workstation 500, the trigger 322b is positioned above the push-up member 501. The orthographic projections of the push-up member 501 and the trigger 322b to a single target plane have a first overlapping projection. As the lifting frame 310 lowers the picking mechanism 300, the push-up member 501 abuts against the trigger 322b, causing the shutter 322 to move from a first position to a second position. By providing the push-up member 501 and the trigger 322b in this way, when the lifting frame 310 descends, the shutter 322 automatically opens the first outlet 321a of the sorting hopper 321, and further allows the cargo in the sorting hopper 321 to slide down to the workstation 500.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the workstation 500 further includes a push-down member 502. The orthographic projections of the push-down member 502 and the trigger 322b onto the target plane have an overlapping second projection. When the lifting frame 310 rises, the push-down member 502 stops the trigger 322b.

[0044] After all the cargo in the sorting hopper 321 has slid into the workstation 500, the travel mechanism 400 activates the picking mechanism 300 to perform the next picking operation. Normally, after the trigger 322b releases the push-up member 501, the shutter 322 moves from the second position to the first position by the weight of the shutter 322 itself and / or the elastic force of the elastic member 323. However, in the event of an abnormality, for example, if the shutter 322 does not slide smoothly against the lifting frame 310, the shutter 322 may become jammed and unable to move to the first position by its weight and / or elastic force, leaving the first outlet 321a of the sorting hopper 321 open. If a picking operation is performed at this time, the cargo may slide out of the first outlet 321a of the sorting hopper 321.

[0045] In the embodiment of this application, by installing the push-down member 502, it is possible to prevent the shutter 322 from being unable to return to the first position due to the occurrence of an abnormal situation, and to ensure that the next picking operation is performed normally.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the push-down member 502 and the push-up member 501 are arranged facing each other in the first direction D11, and the orthographic projections of the push-down member 502 and the push-up member 501 onto the target plane have an overlapping third projection.

[0047] In the first direction D11, at least a portion of the trigger 322b is located between the push-down member 502 and the push-up member 501. To ensure the normal raising and lowering of the lifting frame 310 and to avoid interference with the push-down device 502, the operation of the travel mechanism 400 and the lifting frame 310 is performed in stages as follows.

[0048] In the process of returning to the workstation 500, the travel mechanism 400 moves the picking mechanism 300 to the third position, and when the picking mechanism 300 is in the third position, the trigger 322b is located outside the space enclosed by the push-up member 501 and the push-down member 502, that is, the orthographic projections of the trigger 322b and the push-up member 501 onto the target plane do not overlap. Subsequently, the travel mechanism 400 translates along the third direction D33, thereby moving the picking mechanism 300 to the fourth position, and when the picking mechanism 300 is in the fourth position, at least a portion of the trigger 322b is positioned between the push-up member 501 and the push-down member 502. Finally, the lifting frame 310 lowers the picking mechanism 300 to the fifth position, and as the picking mechanism 300 moves from the fourth position to the fifth position, the push-up member 501 pushes up the trigger 322b so as to move the shutter 322 from the first position to the second position.

[0049] In the process of picking away from the workstation 500, the picking mechanism 300 moves from the fifth position to the fourth position. If the shutter 322 is not jammed due to an abnormality, the shutter 322 automatically returns to the first position. The traveling mechanism 400 then translates along the third direction D33, moving the trigger 322b out of the space enclosed by the push-up member 501 and the push-down member 502. If the shutter 322 is jammed in a certain position on the lifting frame 310 due to an abnormality, the push-down member 502 presses the trigger 322b during the process of the picking mechanism 300 moving from the fifth position to the fourth position, causing the shutter 322 to return to the first position due to the pressing force. This prevents the first outlet 321a of the sorting hopper 321 from remaining open. Subsequently, the travel mechanism 400 should translate along the third direction D33 to separate the trigger 322b from the space enclosed by the push-up member 501 and the push-down member 502.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, the workstation 500 according to the embodiment of this application includes a packing means 530, an abnormality processing means 540, a buffer means 510, and a merging means 520. The buffer means 510 includes a buffer frame 511 and a plurality of buffer hoppers 512 attached to the buffer frame 511 to receive cargo transported by the picking mechanism 300. The number of buffer hoppers 512 is equal to or greater than the number of sorting hoppers 321. The merging means 520 is movably connected to the buffer frame 511 by a movable means 550 and is configured to receive cargo in at least one of the plurality of buffer hoppers 512, transport at least one cargo to the packing means 530, and transport abnormal cargo to the abnormality processing means 540.

[0051] Here, abnormal cargo refers to cargo that has been mistakenly picked up by the picking mechanism 300, or one or more cargo items corresponding to an order that has been canceled by a customer.

[0052] The abnormality handling means 540 is for handling abnormal cargo. For example, in one embodiment, the abnormality handling means 540 may be a slide that can transport the abnormal cargo to a designated location.

[0053] Of course, in other embodiments, the abnormality handling means 540 may be a device for collecting abnormal cargo.

[0054] In the embodiment of this application, after the picking mechanism 300 has taken goods from the shelf, the traveling mechanism 400 moves the picking mechanism 300 closer to the workstation 500, and all the goods in the multiple sorting hoppers 321 of the picking mechanism 300 are transferred to the multiple buffer hoppers 512 of the buffer means 510. Then, depending on whether the goods are abnormal or not, the merging means 520 transports the goods to the packing means 530 or the abnormality processing means 540. At this point, since the transfer of goods in the sorting hoppers 321 of the picking mechanism 300 is complete, the traveling mechanism 400 can return the picking mechanism 300 to the shelf and perform the next picking operation, and does not need to wait for the transfer of goods by the merging means 520 to be completed before returning it to the shelf and performing the next picking operation.

[0055] Thus, the workstation 500 according to the embodiment of this application includes a buffer means 510 and a merging means 520, the buffer means 510 is used to temporarily store goods transported from the picking mechanism 300, and the merging means 520 can transport goods transported from the buffer means 510 to the packing means 530 or the abnormality processing means 540, and when the merging means 520 transfers goods, the picking mechanism 300 can perform the next picking operation without waiting, thereby significantly improving picking efficiency and effectively improving the order processing capacity of the workstation 500.

[0056] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, the movable means 550 may, for example, be a linear slide table. For example, the movable means 550 includes a third slide rail 551 connected to the buffer frame 511 such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the height direction (first direction D11) of the buffer frame 511, and a third slider 552. The third slider 552 is movably connected to the third slide rail 551, and the merging means 520 is connected to the third slider 552.

[0057] Of course, in other embodiments, the movable means 550 may be other linear drive mechanisms, and such descriptions are omitted here.

[0058] Furthermore, the movement path of the merging means 520 relative to the buffer frame 511 by the movable means 550 does not have to be a straight line; for example, it may be an arc, as long as the movement of the merging means 520 relative to the buffer frame 511 allows for the extraction of target cargo from different buffer hoppers 512.

[0059] As shown in Figure 6, the buffer frame 511 includes two frames 5111 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (third direction D33) of the buffer frame 511, and each frame 5111 is connected to a plurality of buffer hoppers 512 spaced apart in the height direction (first direction D11) of the buffer frame 511. The number of buffer hoppers 512 connected to the same frame 5111 is greater than or equal to the number of sorting hoppers 321. The merging means 520 is movably positioned between the two frames 5111 along the height direction (first direction D11) of the buffer frame 511.

[0060] Note that, for the sake of simplifying the drawings, in Figure 1, a picking mechanism 300 is provided on only one of the two frames 5111, while the other frame 5111 is not. In practice, both frames 5111 of this application may be provided with a corresponding picking mechanism 300. That is, the two frames 5111 of the workstation 500 correspond to two sets of picking mechanisms 300 and a travel mechanism 400, and the picking mechanism 300 is connected to the corresponding travel mechanism 400 in a vertically movable manner. The two travel mechanisms 400 are movable in a direction toward or toward each other along the third direction D33. The two travel mechanisms 400 can operate the two picking mechanisms 300 respectively to retrieve goods from two shelves at different positions.

[0061] In the embodiments of this application, the confluence means 520 is provided with frames 5111 on both sides along the third direction D33, and each frame 5111 has a plurality of buffer hoppers 512, so that the confluence means 520 can receive cargo from buffer hoppers 512 located on different frames 5111 and transport these cargo to the packing means 530 for packing.

[0062] For example, if two items corresponding to one order are located on different shelves, two travel mechanisms 400 need to drive two picking mechanisms 300 respectively to retrieve the two items and transfer them to buffer hoppers 512 on two frames 5111, respectively.

[0063] In the embodiments of this application, each frame 5111 is provided with three buffer hoppers 512, and for convenience of explanation, the three buffer hoppers 512 in one frame 5111 are numbered 1, 2, and 3, respectively, and the three buffer hoppers 512 in the other frame 5111 are numbered 4, 5, and 6, respectively. When two goods corresponding to one order are transferred to 1 and 6 respectively by two picking mechanisms 300, the merging means 520 sequentially receives the goods in 1 and 6, and after merging, the two goods can be simultaneously transported to the packing means 530 for packing.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the packaging means 530 comprises a packaging machine 531 and a buffering table 532. The packaging machine 531 is for packaging cargo, and the buffering table 532 is configured to buffer the cargo being transported by the consolidation means 520 and transport it to the packaging machine 531.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, the buffering platform 532 can buffer the cargo and prevent the packaging machine 531 from being damaged by excessive impact when the cargo slides out of the converging means 520.

[0066] In one embodiment, the buffer platform 532 may be a conveyor belt means, a conveyor roller means, etc., and this application is not particularly limited.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7, each frame 5111 has two spaced-apart second vertical beams 5111a, between which a plurality of guides 5112 are connected, spaced apart in the height direction (first direction D11) of the buffer frame 511, with each of the guides 5112 corresponding to a plurality of buffer hoppers 512 within the plurality of frames 5111. Each guide 5112 has a guide slope 5112a for guiding cargo to slide down from the picking mechanism 300 into the buffer hopper 512. The plurality of sorting hoppers 321 of the picking mechanism 300 can each correspond to a plurality of guides 5112 provided on one frame 5111, and cargo slides down from the sorting hopper 321 into the buffer hopper 512 via the guides 5112.

[0068] In one embodiment, a push-up member 501 and a push-down member 502 are provided at the top of each frame 5111.

[0069] As shown in Figure 8, the buffer hopper 512 includes a hopper body 5121 and a first covering means 5122. The hopper body 5121 is connected to the buffer frame 511 and has a second outlet 5121a. The first covering means 5122 is connected to the hopper body 5121 and is for closing or opening the second outlet 5121a. When the first covering means 5122 is closed, it can prevent cargo in the hopper body 5121 from sliding out of the second outlet 5121a.

[0070] As an example, the first covering means 5122 includes a first cover plate 5122a, a first link 5122b, a second link 5122c, and a third motor 5122d. The first cover plate 5122a for opening and closing the second outlet 5121a is rotatably connected to the hopper body 5121, one end of the first link 5122b is hinged to the side of the first cover plate 5122a, one end of the second link 5122c is hinged to the other end of the first link 5122b, the third motor 5122d is connected to the hopper body 5121, and the output shaft of the third motor 5122d is connected to the other end of the second link 5122c.

[0071] As shown in Figure 9, the confluence means 520 includes a confluence hopper 521 and a second cover means 522. The confluence hopper 521 is movably connected to the buffer frame 511 by a movable means 550 and has a third outlet 5211. The second cover means 522 is connected to the confluence hopper 521 and closes or opens the third outlet 5211. When the second cover means 522 is closed, it can prevent cargo in the confluence hopper 521 from sliding out of the third outlet 5211.

[0072] As an example, the second covering means 522 includes a second cover plate 5221, a third link 5222, a fourth link 5223, and a fourth motor 5224. The second cover plate 5221 for opening and closing the third outlet 5211 is rotatably connected to the confluence hopper 521. One end of the third link 5222 is hinged to the side of the second cover plate 5221, and one end of the fourth link 5223 is hinged to the other end of the third link 5222. The fourth motor 5224 is connected to the confluence hopper 521, and the output shaft of the fourth motor 5224 is connected to the other end of the fourth link 5223.

[0073] As shown in Figure 10, the picker 100 of this embodiment can take goods placed on shelves 200 from shelves 200. The picker 100 according to the embodiment of this application comprises a frame 120, a picking hopper 130, and a picking means 110. The picking hopper 130 is attached to the frame 120, the picking means 110 is connected to the frame 120, and the picking means 110 guides goods to slide into the picking hopper 130.

[0074] The shelf 200 comprises multiple pallets 210 arranged at intervals, each pallet 210 being tilted, and cargo placed on the pallets 210. Baffles 230 are provided at the ends of the pallets 210 to prevent cargo from sliding off the pallets 210 due to its own weight. Each pallet 210 is further provided with a notch 211, and two adjacent notches 211 on adjacent pallets 210 form a notch 212. Each pallet 210 is further provided with a partition plate 220, and adjacent partition plates 220 on adjacent pallets 210 form a cargo storage space for storing multiple cargo items arranged in the direction of the tilt of the pallets 210. Due to the action of gravity, two adjacent cargo items come into contact with each other, and the cargo item located at the bottom of the multiple cargo items comes into contact with the baffle 230.

[0075] During picking by the picker 100, the picking means 110 moves to the bottom of the pallet 210 and moves from bottom to top, passing through the notch 212, thereby lifting the lowest-located item among the multiple items, passing it through the baffle 230 and sliding down to the picking means 110, and further sliding down into the picking hopper 130 via the picking means 110.

[0076] As shown in Figure 11, the frame 120 comprises a first crossbeam 121, two second crossbeams 122, two third vertical beams 123, and a back plate 124. The length of the first crossbeam 121 is parallel to the left-right direction D1 (arrow direction is left, opposite direction is right), the length of the second crossbeams 122 is parallel to the front-back direction D2 (arrow direction is front, opposite direction is rear), and the length of the third vertical beams 123 is parallel to the up-down direction D3 (arrow direction is up, opposite direction is down). Both ends of the first crossbeam 121 in the left-right direction D1 are connected to the front ends of the two second crossbeams 122, respectively, and the lower ends of the two third vertical beams 123 are connected to the rear ends of the two second crossbeams 122, respectively. The back plate 124 is connected to the two third vertical beams 123 and is located behind the two third vertical beams 123. Note that the left-right direction D1, the front-back direction D2, and the up-down direction D3 are all orthogonal to each other.

[0077] The frame 120 further includes two support beams 125. The longitudinal direction of each support beam 125 is parallel to the vertical direction D3, and the two support beams 125 are connected to two second crossbeams 122, respectively.

[0078] The picker 100 according to the embodiment of this application includes two picking means 110, the two picking means 110 are installed opposite each other along the left-right direction D1 and are each connected to two support beams 125, and the two picking means 110 are further connected to a back plate 124.

[0079] The picking hopper 130 is located within the space enclosed by the first crossbeam 121 and the two second crossbeams 122, and the picking hopper 130 is connected to the two picking means 110.

[0080] Of course, in other embodiments, the number of picking means 110 may be one, three, or any other number. The picking hopper 130 may be connected to the first crossbeam 121 and the second crossbeam 122.

[0081] As shown in Figure 11, the picking hopper 130 has a fourth outlet 131 for sliding out the cargo. The picker 100 also includes an opening / closing mechanism 140 for opening and closing the fourth outlet 131.

[0082] As an example, the opening / closing mechanism 140 includes a drive mechanism 141 and a door member 142. The door member 142 is movable between a first position that closes the fourth exit 131 and a second position that opens the fourth exit 131, and the drive mechanism 141 is connected to the picking hopper 130 and to the door member 142 to drive and move the door member 142. It is understood that by providing the opening / closing mechanism 140, it is possible to control when the cargo in the picking hopper 130 slides out of the picking hopper 130.

[0083] The drive mechanism 141 may be a motor (defined as a second motor), an electric push rod, etc., and it is understood that this application is not limited thereto.

[0084] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the picking means 110 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a ramp 111, a guide 112, a rotating unit 113, and a first motor 114. The ramp 111 has an edge 1111. The guide 112 is connected to the ramp 111, and at least a portion of the guide 112 protrudes from the edge 1111. The rotating unit 113 is rotatably connected to the portion of the guide 112 protruding from the edge 1111, creating friction with the cargo and causing the cargo to slide into the ramp 111 so as to pass through the guide 112. The first motor 114 is connected to the rotating unit 113 and rotates the rotating unit 113.

[0085] As shown in Figure 10, when the picking means 110 according to the embodiment of this application performs picking, at least a portion of the guide 112 and the rotating unit 113 passes through the notch 212 from bottom to top, the first motor 114 drives the rotating unit 113 to rotate, and the frictional force between the rotating unit 113 and the cargo is used to slide the cargo into the slope 111 so that it passes through the guide 112.

[0086] Thus, the picking means 110 according to the embodiment of this application can pick up cargo by utilizing the frictional force generated between the rotating unit 113 and the cargo due to the rotation of the rotating unit 113, thereby significantly improving the picking efficiency. Furthermore, as the cargo slides into the picking means 110, it is subjected not only to its own weight but also to frictional force, so the success rate of the cargo sliding into the picking means 110 is significantly improved.

[0087] Here, the ramp 111 has a target angle with respect to the horizontal plane, that is, the ramp 111 is installed at an incline. The ramp 111 has a bottom plate 1115 and two side plates 1116, and the bottom plate 1115 is connected to the two side plates 1116 along both sides in the front-rear direction D2. By providing the side plates 1116, it is possible to prevent cargo on the ramp 111 from sliding off the sides of the ramp 111. The bottom plate 1115 of the ramp 111 has this edge 1111.

[0088] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the rotating unit 113 includes two rotating members 1131 and one endless member 1132. For convenience of explanation, the two rotating members 1131 are defined as the first rotating member 1131a and the second rotating member 1131b, respectively. The first rotating member 1131a is connected to the output shaft of the first motor 114. The second rotating member 1131b is rotatably connected to a portion of the guide 112 that protrudes from the edge 1111. The endless member 1132 is wound around the outer circumference of the two rotating members 1131. The outer surface of the endless member 1132 is for generating friction with the cargo. When the first motor 114 is operated, the first rotating member 1131a is rotationally driven. The first rotating member 1131a rotates the endless member 1132, which in turn drives the second rotating member 1131b. As the endless member 1132 rotates, its outer surface can generate friction with the cargo, and this friction pulls the cargo from the shelf 200 into the ramp 111.

[0089] For example, the inner surface of the endless member 1132 has a first tooth structure, and the outer surface of each rotating member 1131 has a second tooth structure, and the first tooth structure and the second tooth structure mesh together. In other words, in this embodiment, the rotating unit 113 is a timing belt structure. When the rotating unit 113 is a timing belt structure, the first rotating member 1131a is a timing pulley, the second rotating member 1131b is a driven pulley, and the endless member 1132 is a timing belt.

[0090] Of course, the rotating unit 113 is not limited to a timing belt structure, and in other embodiments, for example, the rotating unit 113 includes a friction wheel and a motor. The friction wheel is rotatably connected to a portion of the guide 112 that protrudes from the edge 1111. The motor is connected to the friction wheel and rotates the friction wheel to create friction with the cargo, causing the cargo to pass through the guide 112 and slide into the slope 111.

[0091] Continuing to refer to Figures 12 and 13, the bottom plate 1115 of the ramp 111 further has a slope 1112 for guiding the sliding of cargo and a back surface 1114 located on the opposite side of the slope 1112, where one side of the slope 1112 is an edge 1111 and the guide 112 is in close contact with the slope 1112. The first rotating member 1131a and the first motor 114 are both located on the back surface 1114 side, and at least a portion of the second rotating member 1131b is positioned higher than the slope 1112. In one embodiment, the first motor 114 is fixedly connected to the bottom plate 1115 of the ramp 111. In other embodiments, the first motor 114 may be fixedly connected to the frame 120. Because the first motor 114 is located on the back surface 1114 side of the ramp 111, it does not affect the sliding of cargo on the slope 1112.

[0092] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the guide 112 comprises a connecting section 1121 and a pair of cantilever beams 1122. The connecting section 1121 is connected to the slope 111 and is in close contact with the inclined surface 1112. The pair of cantilever beams 1122 are connected to the connecting section 1121 and at least a portion of them protrudes from the edge 1111. Here, at least a portion of the rotating unit 113 is rotatably connected between the pair of cantilever beams 1122.

[0093] In the embodiments of this application, the second rotating member 1131b is rotatably connected between a pair of cantilever beams 1122, and at least a portion of the endless member 1132 is located between the pair of cantilever beams 1122. By providing the second rotating member 1131b rotatably between the pair of cantilever beams 1122, the rotational stability of the second rotating member 1131b, and consequently the rotational stability of the endless member 1132, can be increased, allowing for stable retrieval of cargo.

[0094] The connecting portion 1121 and the slope 111 may be separate structures or integrated structures.

[0095] A reinforcing portion 1124 is provided at one end of the cantilever beam 1122 that connects to the connecting portion 1121. The reinforcing portion 1124 and the connecting portion 1121 are located on opposite sides of the slope 111 in the thickness direction, and a slot 1125 is formed between the reinforcing portion 1124 and the connecting portion 1121 into which the slope 111 is inserted. Specifically, the connecting portion 1121 is located on the inclined surface 1112 side of the bottom plate 1115 of the slope 111, and the reinforcing portion 1124 is located on the back surface 1114 side of the bottom plate 1115. When assembling the guide 112 and the slope 111, the edge 1111 side of the slope 111 is inserted into the slot 1125 formed by the reinforcing portion 1124 and the connecting portion 1121.

[0096] When cargo slides down the guide 112, the cantilever beam 1122 of the guide 112 is positioned in a suspended state, and the gravity of the cargo may cause the cantilever beam 1122 to bend downward. In the embodiment of this application, the structural strength of the entire guide 112 can be improved by providing the reinforcing portion 1124. When the cantilever beam 1122 tends to bend downward, the reinforcing portion 1124 can abut against the bottom plate 1115 of the slope 111 to maintain the stability of the guide 112.

[0097] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, a stopper 1123 is provided at the end of each cantilever beam 1122 away from the connection portion 1121. The stopper 1123 protrudes from the cantilever beam 1122 in the thickness direction of the connection portion 1121 and is positioned to protrude downward to the left to catch the cargo.

[0098] As shown in Figure 10, when the guide 112 passes through the notch 212 from bottom to top and pushes up the lowest-positioned cargo, that cargo slides down the slope 111 due to its own weight and the frictional force between the endless member 1132 and the cargo. At this time, the remaining cargo automatically moves to the baffle 230 due to its own weight.

[0099] In the embodiments of this application, if other cargo automatically slides off the pallet 210, the stopper 1123 stops the cargo before it reaches the baffle 230. Once the picker 100 moves away from the notch 212, the other cargo continues to slide down until it is stopped by the baffle 230. That is, by dividing the process of the picker 100 picking up one cargo and then sliding the other cargo to the baffle 230 into two stages, the distance the cargo slides in each stage can be shortened, preventing the cargo from becoming too inert and protruding from the baffle 230 due to excessive sliding distance.

[0100] As shown in Figure 15, an opening 1113 is formed in the edge 1111 of the slope 111, penetrating the inclined surface 1112 and the back surface 1114, and the endless member 1132 is movably drilled into the opening 1113.

[0101] In the embodiment of this application, the endless member 1132 is movably drilled into the opening 1113 of the slope 111, thereby reducing the length to which the guide 112 protrudes from the edge 1111 of the slope 111, saving costs and avoiding the guide 112 forming a long cantilever structure.

[0102] In other embodiments, the picking means 110 may have a different structure, for example, the picking means 110 is a fork that moves to the bottom of the pallet 210 and moves from bottom to top, passing through the notch 212, thereby lifting the lowest-located item among several items, so that the item slides over the baffle 230 into the picking hopper 130.

[0103] As described above, the workstation and picking system according to the embodiment of this application have at least the following advantages and beneficial effects.

[0104] The workstation 500 according to the embodiment of this application includes a buffer means 510 and a merging means 520, the buffer means 510 for temporarily storing goods transported from the picking mechanism 300, and the merging means 520 for transporting goods transported from the buffer means 510 to a packing means 530 or an error handling means 540, and when the merging means 520 transfers goods, the picking mechanism 300 can perform the next picking operation without waiting, thereby significantly improving picking efficiency and effectively improving the order processing capacity of the workstation 500.

[0105] To ensure clarity, the various embodiments provided in this application can be combined in any way, as long as they do not contradict each other, but examples will not be provided here.

[0106] In embodiments of this application, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are for illustrative purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, and the term “plural” refers to two or more unless otherwise explicitly defined. Terms such as “attachment,” “connection,” “joining,” and “fixing” should be understood broadly, for example, “connection” can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, and “connection” can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium. The specific meaning of the above terms in embodiments of this application can be understood by those skilled in the art from specific contexts.

[0107] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "front," and "back" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments of this application and to simplify the explanation. These terms do not suggest or imply that the apparatus or unit is positioned in a particular direction or configured and operated in a particular direction, and should not be understood as limitations to the embodiments of this application.

[0108] In this specification, the terms “one embodiment,” “several embodiments,” and “specific embodiments” mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described in that embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the embodiments of this application. In this specification, the exemplary descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or properties described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in an appropriate manner.

[0109] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the embodiments of this application and do not limit the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application are subject to various modifications and changes. All modifications, substitutions of equivalents, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the embodiments of this application should be included within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A workstation including a packing means (530), a buffer means (510), and a merging means (520), The buffer means (510) includes a buffer frame (511) and a plurality of buffer hoppers (512), the plurality of buffer hoppers (512) being attached to the buffer frame (511) and configured to receive cargo transported by the picking mechanism, the number of buffer hoppers (512) being equal to or greater than the number of sorting hoppers (321) of the picking mechanism, The merging means (520) is movably connected to the buffer frame (511) by a movable means (550) and is configured to receive cargo from at least one of the buffer hoppers (512) and to transport at least one of the cargo to the packing means (530). A workstation characterized by the following features.

2. The movable means (550) comprises a third slide rail (551) connected to the buffer frame (511) and a third slider (552) movably connected to the third slide rail (551). The merging means (520) is connected to the third slider (552), The workstation according to feature 1.

3. The longitudinal direction of the third slide rail (551) is parallel to the height direction of the buffer frame (511). The workstation according to feature 2.

4. The buffer frame (511) comprises two frames (5111) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the buffer frame (511), and each of the frames (5111) is connected to a plurality of buffer hoppers (512) spaced apart in the height direction of the buffer frame (511), and the number of buffer hoppers (512) connected to the same frame (5111) is equal to or greater than the number of sorting hoppers (321). Along the height direction of the buffer frame (511), the merging means (520) is movably positioned between the two frames (5111). The workstation according to feature 1.

5. Each frame (5111) comprises two second vertical beams (5111a), between which a plurality of guides (5112) are connected, spaced apart in the height direction of the buffer frame (511), each of which guides (5112) corresponds to a plurality of buffer hoppers (512) within the frame (5111), and each guide (5112) has a guide slope (5112a) for guiding the cargo to slide down from the picking mechanism into the buffer hopper (512). The workstation according to feature 4.

6. The buffer hopper (512) comprises a hopper body (5121) and a first covering means (5122), The hopper body (5121) is connected to the buffer frame (511) and has a second outlet (5121a), and the first cover means (5122) is connected to the hopper body (5121) and is for opening and closing the second outlet (5121a). The workstation according to feature 1.

7. The first covering means (5122) is, A first cover plate (5122a) is rotatably connected to the hopper body (5121) and opens and closes the second outlet (5121a), A first link (5122b) is hinged at one end to the side of the first cover plate (5122a), A second link (5122c) is hinged at one end to the other end of the first link (5122b), The system includes a third motor (5122d) whose output shaft is connected to the other end of the second link (5122c) and which is connected to the hopper body (5121), The workstation according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned merging means (520) is A merging hopper (521) is movably connected to the buffer frame (511) by the movable means (550) and has a third outlet (5211), The system includes a second covering means (522) connected to the aforementioned merging hopper (521) for opening and closing the third outlet (5211), The workstation according to feature 1.

9. The second covering means (522) is, A second cover plate (5221) is rotatably connected to the aforementioned merging hopper (521) and is used to open and close the third outlet (5211), A third link (5222) is hinged at one end to the side of the second cover plate (5221), A fourth link (5223) is hinged at one end to the other end of the third link (5222), The system includes a fourth motor (5224) whose output shaft is connected to the other end of the fourth link (5223) and which is connected to the confluence hopper (521), The workstation according to feature 8.

10. The aforementioned packaging means (530) A packaging machine (531) for packaging the aforementioned cargo, The system includes a buffer platform (532) configured to buffer the cargo transported by the consolidation means (520) and transport it to the packaging machine (531), The workstation according to feature 1.

11. It further includes an abnormality handling means (540), The merging means (520) is further configured to transport abnormal cargo to the abnormal cargo processing means (540). The workstation according to feature 1.

12. A workstation comprising the one described in any one of claims 1 to 11, A picking system characterized by the following features.

13. The picking system further comprises the picking mechanism (300) configured to transport the cargo to a plurality of buffer hoppers (512) of a workstation. The picking mechanism (300) comprises a picker (100) and a sorting means (320), The sorting means (320) comprises a plurality of sorting hoppers (321), the number of buffer hoppers (512) is equal to or greater than the number of sorting hoppers (321), and the picker (100) is configured to take the goods placed on the shelves (200) and transport the goods to one of the plurality of sorting hoppers (321). The picking system according to feature 12.

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