Autonomous Mobile Robot Loading System for Stock-Picking Holders

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current order picking systems in warehouses, involving operators and autonomous mobile robots, face inefficiencies in movement and logistics, necessitating a solution that adapts in real-time to optimize the entire picking process, including preparation and finalization phases.

Innovation Solution

A system for loading and unloading at least two movable stock-picking holders on autonomous mobile robots, featuring devices for positioning and depositing holders at predetermined distances, allowing for independent loading and unloading, and incorporating automated conveying and lifting mechanisms to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If operators manually pick products and deposit them on autonomous robots, then order picking can be performed, but the efficiency is reduced due to excessive movements of operators and robots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder picking efficiencyVSAvoidmovement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares multiple picking holders in advance at the loading device before the robot needs them. The holders are positioned and ready for transfer, eliminating the need for the robot to return to a storage area to retrieve holders during order picking operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated loading device acts as an intermediary between the storage area and the robot. This intermediary device holds multiple picking holders and transfers them directly to the robot, reducing the robot's movement distance and time compared to the robot traveling to storage areas repeatedly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a single picking holder is used on the autonomous robot, then the robot structure is simple, but the productivity is limited by the need to return for additional holders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of orders pickedVSAvoidrobot structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The autonomous robot is designed with a universal carrying structure that can accommodate multiple picking holders simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows the robot to perform multiple order picking tasks without returning to storage, increasing productivity while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the number of robot trips (one-dimensional solution), the system loads multiple picking holders onto the robot simultaneously (adding a spatial dimension to the carrying capacity). This allows parallel processing of multiple orders without increasing temporal complexity of robot operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If multiple picking holders are loaded on the autonomous robot, then productivity increases, but the loading and unloading process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder picking capacityVSAvoidloading system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device combines multiple picking holders into a single transfer operation. Instead of loading holders one by one separately, the device positions multiple holders simultaneously and transfers them together to the robot in one coordinated action, reducing the complexity of the loading process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The loading device is designed to automatically position and transfer picking holders without requiring complex manual intervention or complex robot manipulation. The system serves itself by having the holders ready-positioned and using simple transfer mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity despite handling multiple holders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the robot returns to storage areas to retrieve additional picking holders, then all orders can be fulfilled, but the overall logistics chain efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder fulfillment rateVSAvoidlogistics chain energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple picking holders are prepared and positioned in advance at the loading device before the robot begins its order picking route. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for energy-consuming return trips to storage areas during order fulfillment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robot can continuously perform order picking operations with multiple pre-loaded holders without interruption for returning to storage. This continuity of useful action maximizes productivity while minimizing energy-wasting idle movements and stops in the logistics chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20230303344A1Systems for loading and unloading movable stock-picking holders on a autonomous mobile robot for order picking

Publication Date: 2023.09.28 MOVU FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A loading system for loading at least two movable stock-picking holders, referred to as picking holders, onto a mobile autonomous robot for order-picking of products stored in a warehouse. The loading system includes: a positioning device for positioning the at least two picking holders at a predetermined distance above the ground and a depositing device for depositing the at least two picking holders onto the mobile autonomous robot. Also provided is an unloading system.