System and method for managing public warehouses and private warehouses through automated equipment

Abstract

To provide a system and a method for managing public and private warehouses through an automated facility.SOLUTION: A public warehouse 200 includes a plurality of floors and an outer periphery. An unmanned carrier vehicle operation area 300 is installed on the outer periphery of the public warehouse 200, and includes a relay station space 310 installed on an outer side of each side of the public warehouse 200, and an unmanned carrier vehicle space 320 installed adjacent to the relay station space and on an opposite side of the public warehouse 200. A maintenance station space 330 is installed at a predetermined position adjacent to the unmanned carrier vehicle space. A loading / unloading space 340 is located on one side adjacent to the unmanned carrier vehicle space and away from the public warehouse 200. Two private warehouses 400 are connected to the loading / unloading space 340 of each unmanned carrier vehicle operating area 300, and are installed corresponding to a plurality of floors and each floor of each public warehouse 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of warehouse management, and particularly to a system and method for managing public warehouses and private warehouses through automated equipment.

Background Art

[0002] With the progress and innovation of technology, the use of Internet shopping has been increasing, and the conventional logistics solutions can no longer meet the variability brought about by the growth of current logistics requirements. The difficulty of inventory management in warehouses has been increasing day by day with the variability of logistics goods, and the uncertainty of inventory space requirement prediction has become a risk in the decision-making of the logistics industry. So far, it has been solved by paying extra costs. That is, to solve the problem that inventory requirements change according to the on / off seasons, during the peak season, the inventory pressure caused by the peak of market demand is alleviated, and during the off-season, the space cost of inventory storage is reduced to cope with the changes in market demand.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The prior art has the drawback that the difficulty of inventory management in warehouses has been increasing day by day with the variability of logistics goods, and the uncertainty of inventory space requirement prediction has become a risk in the decision-making of the logistics industry.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention provides a rental plan for flexible storage space, so that the client only needs to pay the rental fee for the warehouse space used, and the saved funds can be invested in equipment such as land purchase and warehouse construction. When there is an upstream-downstream relationship between clients, only by moving the storage space in the warehouse, the requirements for commodity distribution can be met, and the length of the supply chain between clients can be significantly shortened. Meanwhile, using an algorithm, consider the assignment of warehouse locations under the condition of distance limitation for products with conflicting attributes, avoid mutual interference of products among clients, Develop a customizable warehouse execution system that can be linked to the warehouse management system currently used by clients, and inventory information and status can be obtained at any time through software, Relates to a system and method for managing public warehouses and private warehouses through automated equipment.

[0005] The system and method for managing public warehouses and private warehouses through automated equipment according to the present invention have a warehousing step and a shipping step. The warehousing step has the following steps a1 to a8. a1: The warehouse management system of the private warehouse sends a shelving task request, and the warehouse execution system of the public warehouse issues a shelving task. a2: The machine capable of moving the products in the private warehouse moves the pallet waiting for warehousing to the entrance of the unmanned carrier vehicle operation area. a3: Perform an incoming inspection operation based on the inspection specifications. a4: The unmanned carrier vehicle in the unmanned carrier vehicle operation area travels towards the entrance and transports the pallet waiting for warehousing. a5: The unmanned carrier vehicle loads the pallet waiting for warehousing and arrives at the relay station space for shelving in the unmanned carrier vehicle operation area. a6: The machine capable of moving the products in the public warehouse travels towards the relay station space for shelving and grabs the pallet waiting for warehousing. a7: The machine capable of moving the products in the public warehouse moves the pallet waiting for warehousing to the designated storage area waiting for warehousing. a8: Complete the shelving task of the pallet. The shipping step has the following steps b1 to b6. b1: The warehouse management system of the private warehouse sends a picking task request, and the warehouse execution system of the public warehouse issues a picking task. b2: The machine that can move the goods in the public warehouse heads towards the designated storage area waiting for outbound, grabs the pallet waiting for outbound, b3: The machine that can move the goods in the public warehouse transports the pallet waiting for outbound to the relay station space for shelf lowering in the unmanned transport vehicle operation area under the shelf, b4: The unmanned transport vehicle in the unmanned transport vehicle operation area takes over the pallet waiting for outbound and transports it to the outbound port of the unmanned transport vehicle operation area of the corresponding client, b5: Based on the screen display, the client transports the pallet waiting for outbound to the private warehouse, b6: Complete the shelf lowering task of the pallet.

[0006] In one embodiment, the inbound inspection work includes volume, weight, and pallet number inspections.

[0007] In one embodiment, if a non - compliance with the specifications is detected during the inbound inspection work, a re - inspection is carried out. If it meets the requirements, proceed to the next step to ensure that the goods of different clients do not affect each other.

[0008] The present invention further provides a system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment, The system includes a public warehouse, an unmanned transport vehicle operation area, an unmanned transport vehicle space, an inbound / outbound space, and a private warehouse. The public warehouse has multiple floors and an outer perimeter. The unmanned transport vehicle operation area is installed on the outer perimeter of the public warehouse. The unmanned transport vehicle operation area has a relay station space installed on the outside of each side of the public warehouse. The unmanned transport vehicle space is installed on one side away from the public warehouse, outside each side of the public warehouse and adjacent to the relay station space. The maintenance station space is installed on the outside of each side of the public warehouse and at a predetermined position close to the unmanned transport vehicle space. The inbound / outbound space is installed on the outside of each side of the public warehouse and is installed adjacent to one side of the public warehouse of the unmanned transport vehicle space. The private warehouse is connected to the inbound / outbound space in the operating area of the AGV. Each private warehouse has multiple floors and is installed corresponding to each floor of each public warehouse.

[0009] In one embodiment, the public warehouse has multiple storage areas. Each storage area has multiple storage space groups. The system can define the attributes of the goods that can be stored in different storage areas and the conflict relationships between different attributes.

[0010] In one embodiment, the public warehouse has an automated warehouse system and a stacker crane.

[0011] In one embodiment, the inbound / outbound space has multiple inbound ports and multiple outbound ports, and is installed corresponding to each floor of the public warehouse and the private warehouse respectively.

[0012] In one embodiment, an in-storage shelf inspection workstation is installed in the inbound / outbound space.

[0013] In one embodiment, an out-storage shelf inspection workstation is installed in the inbound / outbound space.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] (One Embodiment) In order to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present invention by reading this specification, the following will further describe the implementation manner of the present invention in more detail with reference to the drawings and component symbols.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment according to the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a system 100 for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automated equipment of the present invention includes a public warehouse 200, an automated guided vehicle operating area 300, and a private warehouse 400. In one embodiment, the public warehouse 200 is called an in-field, and no human operation is required. Like a conventional automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS), all operations are performed by automated equipment. The private warehouse 400 is called an out-field and is used by a renting client or a vendor. The public warehouse 200 has multiple floors and at least one side. In one embodiment, the public warehouse 200 is similar to a building with general multi-floors and has an outer periphery such as the east side and the west side, but is not limited thereto. The private warehouse 400 and the public warehouse 200 simultaneously have corresponding multi-layers and outer peripheries. The unmanned transport vehicle operation area 300 is connected to or installed on the outer periphery of the public warehouse 200, and the private warehouse 400 is connected to or installed on one side away from the public warehouse 200 of the corresponding unmanned transport vehicle operation area 300. That is, the unmanned transport vehicle operation area 300 is located between the public warehouse 200 and the private warehouse 400. In one embodiment, the public warehouse 200 of the present invention has an automated warehouse system and a stacker crane (not shown).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each unmanned transport vehicle operation area 300 is installed on all sides of the public warehouse 200 and is located between the public warehouse 200 and the private warehouse 400. The unmanned transport vehicle operation area 300 has a relay station space 310, an unmanned transport vehicle space (AGV) 320, a maintenance station space 330, and a loading / unloading space 340.

[0019] The relay station space 310 is installed outside each side of the public warehouse 200 and adjacent to the public warehouse 200. The relay station space 310 is a relay station for pallets or goods. The unmanned transport vehicle space 320 is installed outside each side of the public warehouse 200 and is installed close to the relay station space 310 on the side opposite to the public warehouse 200. The maintenance station space 330 is installed outside each side of the public warehouse 200 and is installed above and close to the unmanned transport vehicle space 320. The position where the maintenance station space 330 is installed can be changed according to actual usage requirements. The loading / unloading space 340 is installed outside each side of the public warehouse 200 and is installed close to the unmanned transport vehicle space 320 on the side away from the public warehouse 200.

[0020] In one embodiment, the loading / unloading space 340 has a plurality of loading ports and a plurality of unloading ports, and is installed corresponding to each layer of the public warehouse 200 and the private warehouse 400 respectively. That is, all sides of all floors of both the public warehouse 200 and the private warehouse 400 have both an inlet and an outlet at the same time. In one embodiment, the inlet is a pallet relay station opening, and the outlet is a pallet receiving station opening.

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the warehousing step of a method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automation equipment according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the shipping step of a method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automation equipment according to the present invention. The method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automation equipment of the present invention has a warehousing step Sa and a shipping step Sb.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the warehousing step Sa has the following. Step a1: Send a shelving task request by the warehouse management system of the private warehouse 400 (for example, Warehouse Management System, WMS), and issue a shelving task by the self-developed warehouse execution system (WES, Warehouse Execution System) of the public warehouse 200. Step a2: Move the pallet waiting for warehousing to the inlet by a machine (for example, a stacker) that can move the goods in the private warehouse 400. Step a3: Perform an incoming inspection operation based on the inspection specifications. Step a4: The automated guided vehicle travels towards the inlet and transports the pallet waiting for warehousing. Step a5: The automated guided vehicle loads the pallet waiting for warehousing and arrives at the shelving relay station space 310. Step a6: The stacker crane (Crane) of the public warehouse 200 or other machine that can move goods travels towards the shelving relay station space 310 and grabs the pallet waiting for warehousing. Step a7: Use the stacker crane in the public warehouse 200 or other machinery capable of moving goods to move the pallet waiting for storage to the designated storage area (public warehouse 200) waiting for storage. Step a8: The pallet completes the shelving task. The aforementioned Warehouse Execution System (WES) is designed and developed in-house by the owner or developer of the public warehouse and is improved based on usage requirements.

[0023] In the inbound inspection operation in step a3, volume, weight, and pallet number inspections are included. In the inbound inspection operation, if a non-conformance with the specifications is detected, a reinspection is performed (step a9). If it meets the usage requirements, proceed to the next step (i.e., step a4). In step a5, after the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) loads the pallet waiting for storage and arrives at the shelving relay station space 310, if there is an abnormality with the pallet waiting for storage, the pallet with the abnormality is transported to the maintenance station space 330 for maintenance work (step a10). If there is no abnormality with the pallet waiting for storage, proceed to the next step (i.e., step a6). In steps a1 to a3 of the inbound step Sa, the operation and elimination are performed by the client, and steps a4 to a8 of the inbound step Sa are automatically processed by the warehouse execution system developed and designed in-house by the owner of the public warehouse 200.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the outbound step Sb includes the following. Step b1: The Warehouse Management System (i.e., WMS) of the private warehouse 400 sends a task request for picking, and the in-house developed Warehouse Execution System (i.e., WES) of the public warehouse 200 issues a picking task. Step b2: The stacker crane in the public warehouse 200 or other machinery capable of moving goods heads towards the designated storage area waiting for outbound, and picks up the pallet waiting for outbound. Step b3: The stacker crane in the public warehouse 200 or other machinery that can move goods conveys the pallets waiting for outbound to the relay station space 310 for under-shelf storage. Step b4: The automated guided vehicle takes over and conveys the pallets waiting for outbound to the outbound opening of the private warehouse 400 of the corresponding client. Step b5: Based on the screen display, the client removes the pallets waiting for outbound. Step b6: Complete the under-shelf task of the pallets.

[0025] During steps b2 to b4 of the outbound step Sb, if there is an abnormality in the pallets waiting for outbound, the pallets waiting for outbound will go to the maintenance station space 330 for maintenance work (step b7). If there is no abnormality in the pallets waiting for outbound, perform the respective next steps (i.e., step b3, step b4, step b5). In steps b1, b5, and b6 of the outbound step Sb, the client performs operations and eliminations, and steps b2 to b4 of the outbound step Sb are automatically processed by the warehouse execution system developed and designed by the owner of the public warehouse 200. In one embodiment, the designated storage area waiting for outbound during the outbound step Sb can only be used by the client.

[0026] With the above structure and method, by providing a more flexible rental plan for the storage space, the client only needs to pay the rental fee for the warehouse space used, and the saved funds can be invested in facilities such as land purchase and warehouse construction. If there is an upstream-downstream relationship between clients, by simply moving the storage space in the warehouse, the requirements for commodity distribution can be met, and the length of the supply chain between clients can be significantly shortened.

[0027] Develop a customizable warehouse execution system that can be linked to the warehouse management system currently used by the client, and tasks such as inbound and outbound can be executed at any time through software.

[0028] The above are only embodiments for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to impose any formal restrictions on the present invention. All modifications or changes to the present invention made under the same inventive spirit shall fall within the scope of protection intended by the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0029] 100 A system for managing public warehouses and private warehouses through automated equipment, 200 Public warehouse, 300 Automated guided vehicle operation area, 310 Relay station space, 320 Automated guided vehicle space, 330 Maintenance station space, 340 Inbound / outbound space, 400 Private warehouse, Sa Inbound step, a1~a10 Steps, Sb Outbound step, b1~b7 Steps.

Claims

1. A method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment, having an inbound step and an outbound step, wherein the inbound step includes the following steps a1 to a8: a1: The warehouse management system of the private warehouse sends a shelving task request, and the warehouse execution system of the public warehouse issues a shelving task. a2: The machine capable of moving the goods in the private warehouse moves the pallet waiting for inbound to the inbound entrance of the unmanned transport vehicle operation area. a3: Perform an inbound inspection operation based on the inspection specifications. a4: The unmanned transport vehicle in the unmanned transport vehicle operation area travels towards the inbound entrance and transports the pallet waiting for inbound. a5: The unmanned transport vehicle loads the pallet waiting for inbound and arrives at the shelving relay station space in the unmanned transport vehicle operation area. a6: The stacker crane of the public warehouse or other machine capable of moving goods travels towards the shelving relay station space and grabs the pallet waiting for inbound. a7: The stacker crane of the public warehouse or other machine capable of moving goods moves the pallet waiting for inbound to the designated storage area waiting for inbound. a8: The pallet completes the shelving task. The outbound step includes the following steps b1 to b6: b1: The warehouse management system of the private warehouse sends a picking task request, and the warehouse execution system of the public warehouse issues a picking task. b2: The stacker crane of the public warehouse or other machine capable of moving goods travels towards the designated storage area waiting for outbound and grabs the pallet waiting for outbound. b3: The stacker crane of the public warehouse or other machine capable of moving goods transports the pallet waiting for outbound to the picking relay station space in the unmanned transport vehicle operation area. b4: The unmanned transport vehicle in the unmanned transport vehicle operation area takes over the pallet waiting for outbound and transports it to the outbound entrance of the unmanned transport vehicle operation area of the corresponding client. b5: The client unloads the pallet waiting for outbound to the private warehouse based on the screen display. b6: Complete the picking task of the pallet. Characterized by a method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment.

2. In the method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automated equipment, the inbound inspection operation includes volume, weight, and pallet number inspections. If non - conformity to the specifications is detected during the above - mentioned warehousing inspection operation, reinspection is carried out. If it conforms to the use, proceed to the next step. Characterized by A method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automated equipment according to claim 1.

3. A1 - a3 of the above - mentioned warehousing steps are operated and excluded by the client, and a4 - a8 of the above - mentioned warehousing steps are automatically processed by the warehouse execution system. Characterized by A method for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automated equipment according to claim 1.

4. A system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment has the following: The public warehouse has multiple floors and an outer periphery. The area for the operation of the automated guided vehicle is installed on the outer periphery of the public warehouse. The area for the operation of the automated guided vehicle has the following: It has a relay station space installed on the outer side of each side of the public warehouse. The automated guided vehicle space is installed on one side away from the public warehouse, outside each side of the public warehouse and adjacent to the relay station space. The maintenance station space is installed on the outer side of each side of the public warehouse and at a predetermined position close to the automated guided vehicle space. The warehousing / shipping space is installed on the outer side of each side of the public warehouse and is installed adjacent to one side of the public warehouse of the automated guided vehicle space. Two private warehouses are respectively connected to the warehousing / shipping space of each automated guided vehicle operation area. Each private warehouse has multiple floors and is installed corresponding to each floor of each public warehouse. Characterized by A system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through automated equipment.

5. The public warehouse has a plurality of storage areas, and each storage area has a number of storage space groups. The public warehouse has an automated warehouse system and several stacker cranes or other machines for moving goods. The warehousing / shipping space has a plurality of warehousing ports and a plurality of shipping ports, and is installed corresponding to each floor of the public warehouse and the private warehouse respectively. Characterized by A system for managing a public warehouse and a private warehouse through the automated equipment according to claim 4.

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