Warehousing system and method, and lifting machine

Abstract

The present application pertains to the technical field of three-dimensional warehousing, and provides a warehousing system and method, and a lifting machine, which are applicable to a three-dimensional warehousing system, wherein each goods position of the warehousing system can be used for storing a plurality of vertically stacked material bins. The warehousing system comprises: at least one shuttle, which is configured to, in response to a retrieval instruction for a target material bin, carry to a buffer area stacked material bins at a target goods position, the target goods position being the goods position at which the target material bin is located; and a lifting machine, which is configured to, in response to a sorting instruction for the target material bin, sort the target material bin from the stacked material bins and convey same to a retrieval conveyor line. According to the present application, by bringing forward a bin unstacking stage so that the lifting machine can directly sort out the target material bin and convey same to the retrieval conveyor line, the overall efficiency of storage and retrieval is improved.

Description

Warehousing system, method and hoist

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to application number 202311523910.3 filed with the Patent Office of China on November 15, 2023 and entitled “A Warehousing System, Method and Elevator,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of three-dimensional warehousing technology, and in particular relates to a warehousing system, method and elevator. Background Art

[0004] The statements in this section merely provide background technical information related to this application and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0005] In order to achieve more efficient utilization of three-dimensional storage space, multiple cargo boxes can be stored in one cargo space. In order to realize the outbound and inbound storage of this storage method, patent document CN115063082A provides a cargo conveying system and warehouse management system, in which a stacking machine is set on the inbound conveying line at the front end of the elevator to stack the boxes to be stored in the warehouse, and the stacked multiple boxes are stored on the shelves through the cooperation of the elevator and the shuttle car. When outbound, the multiple stacked boxes containing the target box are transported to the outbound conveying line through the cooperation of the elevator and the shuttle car, and the multiple boxes are unpacked by the unpacking machine on the conveying line. After unpacking, the target box is transported to the picking station, and the remaining boxes are transferred to the inbound conveying line. Although this conveying system realizes the storage and outbound of multi-layer material boxes, since each outbound operation requires the stacked multiple material boxes to be taken out at the same time and transported to the outbound conveying line, the non-target material boxes must be transported to the inbound conveying line after unpacking, and together with the newly-entered material boxes, they must be stacked by the stacking machine and then transported and stored, which affects the overall storage and outbound efficiency.

[0006] Application Contents

[0007] The purpose of this application is to address the deficiencies in the above-mentioned prior art and provide a warehousing system, method and elevator. By placing the unpacking process in front, the elevator can directly pick out the target material box and transport it to the outbound conveying line, thereby improving the overall warehousing and outbound efficiency.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, one or more embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

[0009] A warehousing system is used for outbound delivery, wherein each cargo space of the warehousing system can store multiple vertically stacked containers, including:

[0010] At least one shuttle vehicle is configured to move the stacked containers on the target cargo location to the buffer area in response to a delivery instruction of the target container; the target cargo location is the cargo location where the target container is located;

[0011] The elevator is configured to pick up the target box from the stacked boxes in response to a picking instruction of the target box and transport the target box to an outbound transport line.

[0012] As an optional implementation, the shuttle is specifically configured to move the stacked containers on the target cargo location and place them in the buffer area in response to the outbound instruction of the target container;

[0013] The elevator is specifically configured to pick up the target box from the stacked boxes on the buffer area in response to a picking instruction of the target box.

[0014] As an optional implementation, the buffer area is a transition platform arranged at the end of the shelf; the direction of the elevator picking up goods is parallel to the extension direction of the shelf aisle.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the shuttle is specifically configured to carry the stacked containers on the target cargo location to the buffer area in response to a delivery instruction of the target container;

[0016] The elevator is specifically configured to pick the target bin from the shuttle's silo.

[0017] As an optional implementation, the buffer area is extended outward along the running track of the shuttle car, the direction of the elevator picking up goods is perpendicular to the extension direction of the shelf aisle, and a rotating mechanism is provided under the loading platform.

[0018] As an optional implementation, the elevator includes a cargo platform, the cargo platform includes a bottom platform, and two support frames are arranged on both sides of the bottom platform; at least one pair of telescopic forks are provided on the two support frames.

[0019] As an optional implementation, the at least one pair of telescopic forks can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame.

[0020] As an optional implementation, the two support frames are provided with a pair of telescopic forks and a pair of lifting mechanisms in sequence from bottom to top, and the lifting mechanisms can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frames.

[0021] As an optional implementation, the support frame is provided with two pairs of telescopic forks, one pair of which is fixed to the bottom of the support frame, and the other pair of which can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame.

[0022] As an optional implementation, the telescopic fork includes a primary fork arm and a secondary fork arm, the primary fork arm and the secondary fork arm are slidably matched, and the primary fork arm and the secondary fork arm are connected to a telescopic drive mechanism, and the telescopic drive mechanism is configured to drive the primary fork arm and the secondary fork arm to extend and retract simultaneously.

[0023] As an optional implementation, two storage locations are provided on the bottom platform of the elevator in sequence along the picking direction of the elevator.

[0024] As an optional implementation, at least one of the two support frames can be moved along the bottom platform, so that the distance between the two support frames is adjustable.

[0025] As an optional implementation, the system further includes an outbound conveying line configured to transmit the target material box to the picking platform in response to a conveying instruction of the target material box.

[0026] As an optional implementation, a conveying mechanism is provided on the bottom platform, configured to convey the target material box to the outbound conveying line.

[0027] One or more embodiments of the present application further provide a warehousing system, which is used for warehousing and is connected to a warehousing system for warehousing, including:

[0028] The elevator is configured to, in response to a bin stacking instruction, stack the bins to be stored to a set number of layers and then transport them to a target shelf layer, or transport the bins to be stored to corresponding target shelf layers and stack the bins to be stored on the same target shelf layer; the bin stacking instruction includes information about the number of stacking layers and the target shelf layer;

[0029] At least one shuttle is configured to move all stacked containers to a target cargo location in response to a container storage instruction; the container storage instruction includes target cargo location information.

[0030] As an optional implementation, the system also includes an incoming conveying line, which is configured to receive and transport the boxes to be entered into the warehouse. A barcode scanner is provided on the incoming conveying line, which is configured to scan the codes on the boxes to be entered into the warehouse and obtain information about the goods in the boxes.

[0031] One or more embodiments of the present application further provide a warehousing method, which is applied to a host computer connected to the warehousing system and includes the following steps:

[0032] Obtain order information, and obtain the name and quantity of the goods to be shipped based on the order information;

[0033] According to the name and quantity of the goods, searching for a target container that stores the goods and meets the quantity requirement, and obtaining location information of the target container; the location information of the target container includes location information of the target location where the target container is located, and location information of the target container within the target location;

[0034] Generate an outbound instruction based on the location information of the target cargo location and send it to the shuttle in the outbound system to control the shuttle to move the stacked containers on the target cargo location to the buffer area;

[0035] A picking instruction is generated according to the position information of the target material box in the target cargo location and sent to the elevator in the outbound system to control the elevator to pick out the target material box from the stacked material boxes and transport the target material box to the outbound transmission line.

[0036] As an optional implementation, the method further includes: after controlling the elevator to pick out the target box from the stacked boxes, controlling the elevator to return other boxes in the stacked boxes to the buffer area, and then transporting the target box to the outbound transport line.

[0037] As an optional implementation, the method further includes: controlling the shuttle vehicle to transport the other material boxes back to the original cargo location.

[0038] One or more embodiments of the present application also provide an elevator, which is applied to the above-mentioned warehousing system. The elevator includes a cargo platform, and the cargo platform includes a bottom platform. Two support frames are arranged on both sides of the bottom platform; at least one pair of telescopic forks are provided on the two support frames.

[0039] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0040] In the outbound system of the present application, when the shuttle car hands over the material box to the elevator, the target material box is directly picked out by the elevator, so that only the target material box is transported to the outbound conveying line during outbound delivery. There is no need to set up a decartoning machine in the outbound link, and there are no non-target material boxes that need to be re-entered into the inbound conveying line. The transmission efficiency is improved for both outbound and inbound delivery.

[0041] For the buffer area required for the handover between the shuttle car and the elevator, the present application provides various forms, which can be applied to various storage systems with and without handover platforms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of this application, are used to provide further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments of this application and their descriptions are used to explain this application and do not constitute improper limitations on this application.

[0043] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system using a transition platform as a buffer area in one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0044] FIG2 is a top view of a storage system including a transition station in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0045] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the elevator in one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0046] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a cargo platform in one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0047] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a cargo platform in one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0048] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a delivery system in which the extension of the shuttle lane outside the shelf is used as a buffer area in one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0049] FIG7 is a top view of a storage system in which the extension of the shuttle lane outside the shelf is used as a buffer area in one or more embodiments of the present application;

[0050] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a rotating mechanism provided under the cargo platform in one or more embodiments of the present application.

[0051] Among them, 1. Shelf; 2. Elevator; 3. Cargo platform; 4. Transition platform; 5. Shuttle car; 6. Rotating mechanism; 7. Outbound conveying line; 8. Material box; 2-1. Frame; 2-2. Lifting device; 3-1. Bottom platform; 3-2 Support frame; 3-3 Telescopic fork; 3-4 Conveying mechanism; 3-5 Lifting mechanism; 3-6. Box picking fixture; a. Aisle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0053] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0054] In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0055] The three-dimensional storage system described in one or more embodiments of the present application includes shelves, shuttle vehicles, elevators, conveying systems and host computers.

[0056] The shelf is used to place cargo boxes. The shelf has multiple layers, each layer has multiple cargo spaces, and each cargo space can store multiple vertically stacked boxes, which are used to store cargo.

[0057] The elevator is used to stack multiple boxes during the storage phase, and to unstack boxes and take out target boxes during the storage phase.

[0058] The shuttle can be a standard shuttle, an automatic level-changing shuttle, a mother-and-child shuttle, a four-way shuttle, or any other type of shuttle, without limitation. If a standard shuttle is used, the three-dimensional storage system is also equipped with a level-changing elevator to enable the shuttle to change levels vertically. The shelves are equipped with a track system for the shuttle to travel, allowing it to pick up a bin at a designated location.

[0059] The host computer is connected to the conveying system, the elevator and the shuttle car respectively, and is used to execute the storage and outbound control method and manage inventory information.

[0060] As described in the background technology, the existing method of setting up stacking machines and de-cartoning machines on the conveying line has a certain impact on the overall warehousing and out-of-warehouse efficiency. In order to improve the warehousing and out-of-warehouse efficiency and reduce unnecessary transmission processes, in one or more embodiments of the present application, after the stacked multiple material boxes are transported to the transition area by a shuttle car in the outbound link, the target material boxes are directly picked out by the elevator, so that only the target material boxes are transported to the outbound conveying line during outbound delivery. There is no need to set up a de-cartoning machine on the outbound conveying line, and there are no non-target material boxes that need to be re-merged into the inbound conveying line. The transmission efficiency is improved for both outbound and inbound delivery.

[0061] This embodiment provides a warehousing system for outbound delivery. Each cargo space of the warehousing system can store multiple vertically stacked containers, including:

[0062] At least one shuttle vehicle 5 is configured to move the stacked containers on the target cargo location to the buffer area in response to the outbound instruction of the target container; the target cargo location is the cargo location where the target container is located;

[0063] an elevator 2 configured to pick up a target bin from the stacked bins in response to a picking instruction of the target bin and transport the target bin to an outbound transport line; and

[0064] The outbound conveying line 7 is configured to transmit the target material box to the picking platform in response to the conveying instruction of the target material box.

[0065] Specifically, the buffer area is a designated location on the shelf layer near the elevator 2, where the shuttle can transfer the boxes between the elevator and the stacked boxes. In this embodiment, the shuttle 5 transports the stacked boxes to the buffer area in two situations:

[0066] (1) The shuttle 5 transports the stacked bins and places them in the buffer area, and the elevator 2 picks the target bins from the buffer area. The buffer area can be a transition platform 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The transition platform 4 is set at the end of the shelf, and the pickup direction of the elevator is parallel to the extension direction of the lane a. In this way, the shuttle 5 can place the transported stacked bins on the transition platform 4, and then the elevator 2 picks the stacked bins on the transition platform 4. Those skilled in the art will understand that the transition platform can be a non-powered transition platform or a powered transition platform.

[0067] (2) The shuttle 5 carries the stacked bins to the buffer area, and the elevator 2 picks the target bin from the bin of the shuttle 5. The buffer area can be an area extending outward along the running track of the shuttle 5, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. In other words, a section of running track is extended outward from the end of the shelf, so that the shuttle 5 can travel out of the shelf storage area and reach the elevator 2 to dock with it.

[0068] Of course, the buffer area can also be in other forms, and this application does not limit this.

[0069] As shown in Figure 2, the elevator 2 includes a frame 2-1, a cargo platform 3, a lifting device 2-2, and a lifting drive mechanism. The frame 2-1 includes, from bottom to top, a base, three-dimensional columns, and a top frame. The lifting device 2-2 includes a track longitudinally arranged on the frame 2-1 and a sliding mechanism provided on one side of the cargo platform 3. Driven by the lifting drive mechanism, the cargo platform 3 can slide up and down along the frame 2-1.

[0070] The cargo platform 3 includes a bottom platform 3-1, with two support frames 3-2 disposed on opposite sides of the bottom platform 3-1. The two support frames 3-2 are equipped with at least one pair of telescopic forks 3-3. A conveying mechanism 3-4 is disposed on the bottom platform 3-1, and the conveying mechanism 3-4 is connected to a conveying drive mechanism. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the pair of telescopic forks 3-3 are disposed on the two support frames at the same height.

[0071] As a possible implementation, the support frame 3-2 is provided with a pair of telescopic forks 3-3, and the pair of telescopic forks 3-3 can be raised and lowered synchronously relative to the support frame 3-2. The method for picking a target bin based on such an elevator includes the following steps:

[0072] (1) Control the elevator to reach the shelf level where the target material box is located and dock with the buffer area;

[0073] (2) Control the telescopic fork to reach the height of the target material box. If the target material box is on the uppermost layer, control the telescopic fork to grab the target material box from the buffer area and place it on the bottom platform, and directly execute step (4); if the target material box is not on the uppermost layer, control the telescopic fork to grab the target material box and the material box above it from the buffer area and place them on the bottom platform, and execute step (3);

[0074] (3) Control the telescopic fork to grab other boxes above the target box and put them back into the buffer area;

[0075] (4) Control the elevator to descend, and after docking with the outbound conveying line, control the conveying mechanism on the bottom platform to transfer the target material box to the outbound conveying line.

[0076] As a second possible implementation, two pairs of telescopic forks 3-3 are provided on the support frame 3-2, and the two pairs of telescopic forks 3-3 can be raised and lowered synchronously relative to the support frame 3-2. The method for picking a target bin based on this elevator includes the following steps:

[0077] (1) Control the elevator to reach the shelf level where the target material box is located and dock with the buffer area;

[0078] (2) If the target material box is on the top of the stacked material boxes, control the telescopic fork above to reach the height of the target material box, grab the target material box, and directly execute step (3);

[0079] If the target material box is not on the top layer of the stacked material boxes, control the upper telescopic fork to reach the height of the material box above the target material box, grab and lift the target material box and the material boxes above it; control the lower telescopic fork to reach the height of the target material box, grab the target material box and place it on the bottom platform, and execute step (3);

[0080] (3) Control the elevator 2 to descend, and after docking with the outbound conveying line, control the conveying mechanism 3-4 on the bottom platform 3-1 to transfer the target material box to the outbound conveying line.

[0081] As a third possible implementation, as shown in Figure 4, a pair of telescopic forks 3-3 and a pair of lifting mechanisms 3-5 are provided on the support frame 3-2 in order from bottom to top. The pair of telescopic forks 3-3 are fixed to the bottom of the support frame 3-2, and the lifting mechanism 3-5 can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame. In addition, two storage locations are provided on the bottom platform of the lifting mechanism in the direction of the lifting mechanism.

[0082] Methods for target bin picking based on this elevator include:

[0083] (1) Control elevator 2 to reach the shelf layer where the target material box is located and dock with the buffer area;

[0084] (2) Control the telescopic fork 3-3 to grab the stacked material box from the buffer area and place it on the storage position of the bottom platform 3-1 close to the shelf;

[0085] (3) If the target bin is at the bottom of the stacked bins, proceed directly to step (4);

[0086] If the target material box is on the top layer of the stacked material boxes, control the lifting mechanism 3-5 to reach the height of the target material box and lift the target material box; control the telescopic fork 3-3 to put the remaining material boxes on the bottom platform 3-1 back into the buffer area, and control the lifting mechanism 3-5 to put the target material box back into the storage position of the bottom platform 3-1 close to the shelf; directly execute step (6);

[0087] If the target material box is in the middle layer of the stacked material boxes, control the lifting mechanism 3-5 to reach the height of the target material box and lift the target material box and the material boxes above it; control the telescopic fork 3-3 to put the remaining material boxes on the bottom platform 3-1 back to the buffer area, control the lifting mechanism 3-5 to put the target material box and the material boxes above it back on the bottom platform 3-1, and execute step (4);

[0088] (4) Control the lifting mechanism 3-5 to lift the other boxes above the target box, and control the conveying mechanism 3-4 on the bottom platform 3-1 to transfer the target box to a storage location away from the shelf;

[0089] (5) Control the telescopic fork 3-3 to re-grab the bin returned in step (3) from the buffer area and place it on the storage position of the bottom platform 3-1 close to the shelf, and control the lifting mechanism 3-5 to drop the lifted bin. In this way, after the target bin is picked, the upper and lower position order of the other bins remains unchanged, and finally control the telescopic fork 3-3 to place the other bins back into the buffer area;

[0090] (6) Control the elevator 2 to descend, and after docking with the outbound conveying line, control the conveying mechanism 3-4 on the bottom platform 3-1 to transfer the target material box to the outbound conveying line.

[0091] As a fourth possible implementation, as shown in FIG5 , two pairs of telescopic forks 3-3 are provided on the support frame 3-2, one pair of which is fixed at the bottom of the support frame 3-2, and the other pair of which can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame 3-2. The method for picking a target bin based on this elevator 2 includes:

[0092] (1) Control the elevator 2 to reach the shelf layer where the target material box is located and dock with the buffer area;

[0093] (2) Control the telescopic fork 3-3 at the bottom to grab the stacked material box from the buffer area and place it on the bottom platform 3-1;

[0094] (3) If the target bin is at the bottom of the stacked bins, proceed directly to step (4);

[0095] If the target material box is on the top of the stacked material boxes, control the telescopic fork 3-3 to reach the height of the target material box and lift the target material box; control the telescopic fork 3-3 at the bottom to put the remaining material boxes on the bottom platform 3-1 back into the buffer area, and control the telescopic fork to put the target material box back onto the bottom platform 3-1; directly execute step (5);

[0096] If the target material box is in the middle layer of the stacked material boxes, control the telescopic fork 3-3 that can be raised and lowered to reach the height of the target material box, and lift the target material box and the material boxes above it; control the telescopic fork 3-3 at the bottom to put the remaining material boxes on the bottom platform 3-1 back into the buffer area, control the telescopic fork 3-3 that can be raised and lowered to put the target material box and the material boxes above it back onto the bottom platform 3-1, and execute step (4);

[0097] (4) Control the telescopic fork 3-3 to lift the other boxes above the target box and put them back into the buffer area. If there are already boxes in the buffer area, stack them directly on top of the boxes in the buffer area so that after the target box is taken out, the upper and lower positions of the other boxes remain unchanged;

[0098] (5) Control the elevator 2 to descend, and after docking with the outbound conveying line, control the conveying mechanism 3-4 on the bottom platform 3-1 to transfer the target material box to the outbound conveying line.

[0099] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, based on the third possible implementation, more liftable telescopic forks 3 - 3 may be added, which can provide higher efficiency for situations where the number of stacked layers is high.

[0100] In some embodiments, to adapt the elevator 2 to different container sizes, at least one of the two brackets can be moved along the bottom platform 3-1, making the distance between the two brackets adjustable. As a specific implementation, one of the two brackets is movable, and a sliding mechanism is provided on the bottom platform 3-1, allowing the movable bracket to move closer to or away from the other bracket along the sliding mechanism.

[0101] In some embodiments, the telescopic fork 3 - 3 includes at least two levels of fork arms, and the material box can be clamped and the position transferred by telescoping the fork arms.

[0102] As a possible embodiment, the telescopic fork 3-3 includes a multi-stage fork arm. The fork arm connected to the support rod is the first-stage fork arm, and the fork arm farthest from the fork frame is the last-stage fork arm. This embodiment uses a two-stage fork arm as an example, namely a first-stage fork arm and a second-stage fork arm. The first-stage fork arm slides with the inner wall of the fork frame, and the second-stage fork arm slides with the first-stage fork arm. The first-stage fork arm and the second-stage fork arm are connected to a telescopic drive mechanism, which enables simultaneous extension and retraction of the first-stage fork arm and the second-stage fork arm. In this embodiment, the telescopic drive mechanism includes but is not limited to a motor + synchronous belt mechanism and a motor + rack and pinion mechanism.

[0103] In order to achieve effective clamping of the material box, the secondary fork arm is also provided with a box-taking clamp 3-6, which is a telescopic claw or a swinging claw for picking up the box. When the box-taking clamp 3-6 is a telescopic claw for picking up the box, the telescopic claw is a component with a telescopic function, such as an electromagnetic telescopic rod, an electric push rod, etc. The telescopic direction of the telescopic claw is perpendicular to the telescopic direction of the telescopic fork 3-3. The telescopic claw extends when it reaches the material box picking position and retracts when it reaches the box placement position. By setting the telescopic claw for picking up the box, the effective clamping of the material box by the fork is guaranteed, and the stability of the fork picking up the material box is improved. When the box-taking clamp 3-6 is a swinging claw for picking up the box, the swinging claw is rotationally connected to the secondary fork arm, and the swinging claw is driven to rotate by a motor + gear, or other rotation drive methods are used.

[0104] In the prior art, the two fork arms need to perform relative displacement laterally after extending forward to clamp the material box, while the telescopic fork 3-3 with the claws only needs to be extended back and forth, which simplifies the control process and can adapt to material boxes of various sizes.

[0105] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 3-5 includes a cross bar provided on the bracket, and a pair of cross bars provided on the support frame 3-2 can clamp the upper material box and separate it from the lower material box.

[0106] In order to adapt to various sizes of boxes and realize the separation between boxes of different sizes, one or more retractable supporting members are further provided in sequence on the cross bar in a transverse direction, and the extending direction of the supporting members is toward the cargo position.

[0107] In some embodiments, the conveying mechanism 3 - 4 is a roller conveying mechanism 3 - 4 .

[0108] According to the relative positional relationship between the elevator 2 and the shelf 1, the direction of the telescopic fork 3-3 of the elevator 2 in picking up goods may not be facing the buffer area. For example, in the case where the three-dimensional storage system does not have a transition platform 4, a position near the elevator 2 is used as a buffer area, such as the area obtained by extending outward along the lane a of the shuttle 5 as the buffer area. At this time, the cargo bin of the shuttle 5 may be facing the bracket on the cargo platform 3, making it impossible to pick up goods. In order to solve the above problem, in some embodiments, a rotating mechanism 6 is provided under the cargo platform 3, as shown in Figure 8, after controlling the elevator 2 to lift the cargo platform 3 to the cargo layer where the target material box is located, and controlling the shuttle 5 to carry the material box to the buffer area, the cargo platform 3 is first controlled to rotate so that the elevator 2 can grab and place the material box from the material bin on the shuttle 5.

[0109] The aforementioned outbound system can be designed to work with existing inbound systems. As long as incoming bins can be stacked in multiple layers, the inbound elevator can remain unchanged. For example, a stacker can be added to the inbound conveyor line. In some cases, the system can also be designed to work with an inbound system that includes the aforementioned elevator, as detailed in the following embodiments.

[0110] This embodiment provides a warehousing system that cooperates with the above-mentioned warehousing system for outbound delivery, including:

[0111] Inbound conveyor line, configured to receive and transport bins to be inbound;

[0112] The elevator is configured to, in response to a container stacking instruction, stack the containers to be stored to a set number of layers and then transport them to a target shelf layer, or transport the containers to be stored to corresponding target shelf layers and stack the containers to be stored on the same target shelf layer; the container stacking instruction includes information about the number of stacking layers and the target shelf layer;

[0113] At least one shuttle is configured to move all stacked containers to a target cargo location in response to a container storage instruction; the container storage instruction includes target cargo location information.

[0114] Utilizing the stacking function of the elevator, the elevator can stack the incoming boxes and then transport them to the target shelf level. In other words, multiple consecutive boxes on the incoming conveyor line can be stacked and stored in the same storage location. Of course, multiple consecutive boxes on the incoming conveyor line may need to be transported to different storage locations. In this scenario, the elevator can transport the incoming boxes to the buffer area of ​​the corresponding target shelf level. If there are already boxes in the buffer area, they will be stacked on top of the existing boxes, achieving continuous stacking on the same shelf level.

[0115] To ensure orderly stacking of bins, a barcode scanner is installed on the incoming conveyor line. It is configured to read the information on the bins and transmit it to the host computer to record the incoming goods. Correspondingly, the bins are affixed with a barcode, QR code, or other code that records the bin's identification information, the type, name, quantity, and dimensions of the goods inside.

[0116] Regarding the first implementation of the elevator described in the aforementioned embodiment: a pair of telescopic forks 3-3 are provided on the support frame 3-2, and the pair of telescopic forks 3-3 can be raised and lowered synchronously with respect to the support frame 3-2. A method for controlling the stacking of containers using this elevator includes: controlling the telescopic forks to sequentially grab containers to be stored and stack them on the loading platform; or using the telescopic forks 3-3 to stack containers to be stored on the storage conveyor line and, after stacking, transporting the containers to the loading platform.

[0117] Regarding the second implementation of the elevator described in the aforementioned embodiment: two pairs of telescopic forks 3-3 are provided on the support frame 3-2, and the two pairs of telescopic forks 3-3 can be raised and lowered synchronously relative to the support frame 3-2. The control method for stacking material boxes based on this elevator includes: controlling the telescopic forks below to grab the first material box and place it on the loading platform; controlling the telescopic forks 5 above to lift the material box on the loading platform; then controlling the telescopic forks below to grab the next material box and place it on the loading platform, and so on, so that the material boxes that arrive first are on top and the material boxes that arrive later are on the bottom. Similarly, the elevator can also stack the material boxes to be stored on the storage conveyor line and then transport them to the loading platform. The specific process will not be repeated here.

[0118] Regarding the third implementation of the elevator described in the aforementioned embodiment: a pair of telescopic forks 3-3 are provided on the support frame 3-2 and fixedly mounted at the bottom of the support frame 3-2. In addition, a pair of lifting mechanisms 3-5 are provided on the support frame 3-2, and the pair of lifting mechanisms 3-5 can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame 3-2. The control method for stacking containers based on this elevator includes: controlling the telescopic forks 3-3 to grab the first container and place it on the loading platform 3; controlling the lifting mechanisms 3-5 to lift the container on the loading platform 3; then controlling the telescopic forks 3-3 to grab the next container and place it on the loading platform 3, and so on, so that the first container that arrives is on top and the last container that arrives is on the bottom.

[0119] Regarding the fourth implementation of the elevator described in the aforementioned embodiment: two pairs of telescopic forks 3-3 are provided on the support frame 3-2, one pair of which is fixed to the bottom of the support frame 3-2, and the other pair of telescopic forks 3-3 can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame 3-2. The control method for stacking containers using this elevator includes: controlling the telescopic forks 3-3 at the bottom to grab the first container and place it on the loading platform 3; and controlling the telescopic forks 3-3 to sequentially grab the containers to be stored and stack them on top of the existing containers on the loading platform 3.

[0120] Based on the above-mentioned warehousing system, the number of layers of stacked boxes can be flexibly controlled, so that boxes of different sizes can be stacked to adapt to the height of the shelves.

[0121] Based on the warehousing system provided in the aforementioned embodiment, this embodiment further provides a warehousing method, which is applied to a host computer.

[0122] The host computer stores current inventory information, including bin information of the inventory bins, location information of the storage location, and location information within the storage location. The bin information includes bin identification information and information about the goods within the bin. The goods information includes information such as the type, name, quantity, and bin size of the goods. As an example, the storage locations can be uniquely identified by the row, column, layer, and number of the shelf. The location information of the bin within the storage location is supplemented with location information based on the storage location identification information. The location information can be expressed as relative positions such as top, middle, and bottom, or as Arabic numerals indicating the number of layers of the bin within the corresponding storage location.

[0123] The warehousing method is applied to outbound control and includes the following steps:

[0124] Step 1: Obtain order information and obtain the name and quantity of the goods to be shipped based on the order information.

[0125] Step 2: Based on the name and quantity of the goods, find the target material box that stores the goods and meets the quantity requirements, and obtain the location information of the target material box; the location information of the target material box includes the location information of the target cargo location where the target material box is located, and the location information of the target material box in the target cargo location.

[0126] Step 3: Generate an outbound instruction based on the location information of the target cargo location, and send it to the shuttle in the outbound system to control the shuttle to move the stacked material boxes on the target cargo location to the buffer area; generate a picking instruction based on the location information of the target material box in the target cargo location, and send it to the elevator in the outbound system to control the elevator to pick out the target material box from the stacked material boxes and transport the target material box to the outbound transmission line.

[0127] For the first, third, and fourth implementations of the elevator described in the aforementioned embodiments, after controlling the elevator to pick the target bin from the stacked bins, the elevator is also controlled to return the other bins in the stacked bins to the buffer area and then transport the target bin to the outbound transport line. Simultaneously, the shuttle is controlled to transport the other bins back to their original locations.

[0128] Regarding the second implementation of the elevator in the aforementioned embodiment, after controlling the elevator to pick out the target bin from the stacked bins, the elevator is also controlled to transport the target bin to the outbound transport line. Simultaneously, the shuttle is controlled to transport the other bins back to their original locations.

[0129] Step 4: Control the outbound conveying line to transfer the target material box to the picking station.

[0130] Step 5: Update the inventory information and, at the same time, update the location information of other containers in the target location.

[0131] It should be noted that step 5 can be executed after step 2 is completed, and there is no restriction on the execution order.

[0132] Based on the storage system provided in the above embodiment, this embodiment provides a storage method applied to a host computer. The storage method is applied to warehousing control and includes the following steps:

[0133] Step 1: Receive the material box information obtained by scanning the incoming material box with the scanner on the incoming conveying line, and count the material boxes scanned by the scanner; the material box information includes the material box identification information and the cargo information inside the material box, and the cargo information includes the name and quantity of the cargo.

[0134] Step 2: When the number of scanned bins reaches the set number of stacking layers, these bins are recorded as bins to be stacked. A vacant storage space is allocated for each bin to be stacked, and the position of each bin within the stack is determined according to the rules for stacking bins in the elevator. The number of bins scanned by the scanner is recounted. The set number of stacking layers is the maximum number of bins that can be accommodated in the storage space.

[0135] Step 3: Generate a container stacking instruction based on the number of stacking layers and the target shelf layer where the vacant cargo space is located, and send it to the elevator in the warehousing system to control the elevator to stack the containers to be stacked to the set number of layers and transport them to the target shelf layer; generate a container warehousing instruction based on the position of the vacant cargo space in the target shelf layer, and send it to the shuttle in the warehousing system to move all the stacked containers to the vacant cargo space.

[0136] The material box information of each material box, the location information of the storage location, and the location information in the storage location are associated and stored.

[0137] The warehousing method for warehousing allows users to flexibly set the number of layers of material boxes stacked on the cargo space according to the space of the cargo space and the size of the material boxes. It is applicable to situations where the shelves have the same height but there are material boxes of different sizes that need to be stored, or situations where the shelves have different heights.

[0138] It can be seen that the above storage method uses the number of incoming bins reaching the set number of stacking layers as a trigger condition to generate stacking and storage instructions, stacking multiple consecutive bins and storing them in the same shelf location. However, in some application scenarios, when bins are put into storage, in order to achieve classified storage, consecutive bins on the incoming conveyor line may correspond to different shelf layers. In this scenario, the method includes the following steps:

[0139] Step 1: Receive the container information obtained by scanning the incoming container with a barcode scanner on the incoming conveyor line. The container information includes the container identification information and the cargo information inside the container, including the name and quantity of the cargo. Based on the cargo information, the container is assigned a cargo location and the target shelf layer and target cargo location information are obtained.

[0140] Step 2: Generate a material box stacking instruction based on the number of stacking layers and the target shelf layer where the vacant cargo space is located, and send it to the elevator in the warehousing system to control the elevator to transport the material boxes to be stored to the buffer area of ​​the corresponding target shelf layer in sequence. If there are already material boxes in the buffer area, they will be stacked on top of the existing material boxes, thereby realizing the stacking of materials on the same shelf layer and the same cargo space. When the number of stacked material boxes meets the set number of stacking layers, generate a material box warehousing instruction based on the target cargo space information, and send it to the shuttle car in the warehousing system to transport all the stacked material boxes to the target cargo space.

[0141] The material box information of each material box, the location information of the storage location, and the location information in the storage location are associated and stored.

[0142] Although the above describes the specific implementation methods of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it does not limit the scope of protection of the present application. Technical personnel in the relevant field should understand that on the basis of the technical solution of the present application, various modifications or variations that can be made by technical personnel in this field without creative work are still within the scope of protection of the present application. Industrial Applicability

[0143] The warehousing system, method and elevator of the present application, by placing the unpacking process in front, enables the elevator to directly pick out the target material box and transport it to the outbound conveyor line, thereby improving the overall warehousing and outbound efficiency. The warehousing system, method and elevator of the present application can be applied to the warehousing field.

Claims

1. A storage system, used for outbound delivery, wherein each cargo space of the storage system can store multiple vertically stacked boxes, characterized in that: include: at least one shuttle vehicle configured to move the stacked containers on the target cargo location to the buffer area in response to a warehouse-out instruction of the target container; The target cargo location is the cargo location where the target material box is located; The elevator is configured to pick up the target box from the stacked boxes in response to a picking instruction of the target box and transport it to the outbound transport line.

2. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shuttle is specifically configured to move the stacked containers on the target cargo location and place them in the buffer area in response to the outbound instruction of the target container; The elevator is specifically configured to pick up the target box from the stacked boxes on the buffer area in response to a picking instruction of the target box.

3. The storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The buffer area is a transition platform arranged at the end of the shelf; the direction of picking up goods by the elevator is parallel to the extension direction of the shelf aisle.

4. The storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shuttle is specifically configured to carry the stacked containers on the target cargo location to the buffer area in response to the outbound instruction of the target container; The elevator is specifically configured to pick the target material box from the material bin of the shuttle vehicle.

5. The storage system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The buffer area is extended outwardly along the running track of the shuttle vehicle, and the picking direction of the elevator is perpendicular to the extension direction of the shelf lane; the elevator includes a loading platform, and a rotating mechanism is provided under the loading platform.

6. The storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The lifting machine comprises a cargo platform, and the cargo platform comprises a bottom platform. Two supporting frames are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the bottom platform; and at least one pair of telescopic forks are arranged on the two supporting frames.

7. The storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The at least one pair of telescopic forks can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame.

8. The storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that: A pair of telescopic forks and a pair of lifting mechanisms are sequentially arranged on the two support frames from bottom to top, and the lifting mechanisms can be lifted and lowered synchronously along the support frames.

9. The storage system according to claim 8, characterized in that: On the bottom platform of the elevator, two storage positions are arranged in sequence along the picking direction of the elevator.

10. The storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support frame is provided with two pairs of telescopic forks, one pair of which is fixed at the bottom of the support frame, and the other pair of which can be raised and lowered synchronously along the support frame.

11. The outbound delivery system according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that: The telescopic fork comprises a primary fork arm and a secondary fork arm, the primary fork arm and the secondary fork arm are slidably matched, and the primary fork arm and the secondary fork arm are connected to a telescopic driving mechanism, and the telescopic driving mechanism is configured to drive the primary fork arm and the secondary fork arm to telescope simultaneously.

12. The storage system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: At least one of the two support frames is movable along the bottom platform, so that the distance between the two support frames is adjustable.

13. The storage system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The system further comprises an outbound conveying line configured to transmit the target box to a picking station in response to a conveying instruction of the target box.

14. The storage system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The bottom platform is provided with a conveying mechanism configured to convey the target material box to the outbound conveying line.

15. A storage system, used for warehousing, characterized in that: Connected to a warehousing system for outbound delivery as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising: The elevator is configured to respond to a material box stacking instruction, stack the material boxes to be stored to a set number of layers and then transport them to a target shelf layer, or transport the material boxes to be stored to the corresponding target shelf layers respectively and stack the material boxes to be stored on the same target shelf layer; the material box stacking instruction includes the number of stacking layers and the target shelf layer information; At least one shuttle is configured to move all stacked containers to a target cargo location in response to a container storage instruction; the container storage instruction includes target cargo location information.

16. The storage system according to claim 15, characterized in that: The system also includes an incoming transport line, which is configured to receive and transmit the material boxes to be stored. A scanner is provided on the incoming transport line, which is configured to scan the code on the material boxes to be stored and obtain the cargo information in the material boxes.

17. A warehousing method, applied to a host computer, wherein the host computer is connected to the warehousing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Obtain order information, and obtain the name and quantity of the goods to be shipped according to the order information; According to the name and quantity of the goods, a target material box that stores the goods and meets the quantity requirement is searched, and the location information of the target material box is obtained; the location information of the target material box includes the location information of the target cargo location where the target material box is located, and the location information of the target material box in the target cargo location; Generate a delivery instruction according to the location information of the target cargo location, and send it to the shuttle in the delivery system to control the shuttle to move the stacked material boxes on the target cargo location to the buffer area; A picking instruction is generated according to the position information of the target material box in the target cargo location, and is sent to the elevator in the outbound system to control the elevator to pick out the target material box from the stacked material boxes and transport the target material box to the outbound transmission line.

18. The storage method according to claim 17, characterized in that: The method further includes: after controlling the elevator to pick out the target material box from the stacked material boxes, controlling the elevator to return other material boxes in the stacked material boxes to the buffer area, and then transporting the target material box to the outbound transportation line.

19. The storage method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that: The method further includes: controlling the shuttle vehicle to transport the other material boxes back to the original cargo position.

20. An elevator, applied to the storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that: The lifting machine comprises a cargo platform, and the cargo platform comprises a bottom platform. Two supporting frames are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the bottom platform; and at least one pair of telescopic forks are arranged on the two supporting frames.

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