Automated Guided Vehicle Sorting System for Multi-Destination Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sorting systems face inefficiencies when the number of sorting destinations exceeds the number of chutes, requiring additional manual sorting by workers, as they cannot directly feed articles to multiple vessels efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system incorporating an information processing device, a sorter, and an automated guided vehicle (AGV) that communicates and coordinates to directly feed articles to vessels, with the AGV transferring articles between sorter trays and additional vessels, allowing for efficient sorting even when the number of destinations surpasses the number of chutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of sorting destinations is larger than the number of chutes, then the sorting capacity is improved, but manual sorting by workers is required
Solution Approach 1:
An automated guided vehicle (AGV) is introduced as an intermediary between the sorter and the vessels. The AGV collects articles from the sorter and transports them to various vessels, enabling automatic sorting to multiple destinations without manual intervention. This mediator extends the sorting capacity beyond the physical limitations of the number of chutes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional chute-based sorting approach to a three-dimensional operation by introducing mobile AGVs that can transport articles to multiple vessels at different locations. This dimensional expansion allows the system to serve more sorting destinations simultaneously without requiring proportional increases in chute numbers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional vessels are added to increase sorting destinations, then the sorting capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated guided vehicle serves multiple functions: it acts as a transport mechanism, a sorting intermediary, and a flexible delivery system to various vessels. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle multiple sorting destinations using a single versatile platform rather than requiring dedicated infrastructure for each destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic resource allocation where AGVs can be reassigned to different vessels and sorting destinations based on real-time needs. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to adapt to varying sorting requirements without requiring permanent dedicated infrastructure for each possible destination, thereby managing complexity through adaptability.
3Device complexity
If manual sorting is used to handle additional destinations, then the system complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated guided vehicle operates autonomously to transport articles from the sorter to the vessels without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the sorting process by using AGVs to automatically collect and deliver articles, maintaining high productivity while avoiding the need for complex manual coordination systems.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a system includes an information processing device, a sorter, and an automated guided vehicle. The sorter includes trays and a feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds each of the articles from the trays to a first vessel or the automated guided vehicle. The automated guided vehicle includes a loading mechanism and a moving mechanism. The loading mechanism is loaded with the article and feeds the article to a second vessel. The information processing device includes a communication unit and a processor. The processor executes acquiring sorting destination information indicating sorting destinations of the articles from the external device via the communication unit, specifying the first vessel or the second vessel based on the sorting destination information, transmitting a control signal to cause the sorter to feed the article to the first vessel via the communication unit.