Automated Storage Goods Inspection for Lower-Surface Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated warehouses face challenges in ensuring that goods entering and leaving the racking system are in suitable condition, as the shape and condition of goods are not always under control, which can lead to damage to robots or the racking system, and there is a need for a well-functioning inspection system to assess the condition of goods.
Innovation Solution
An inspection system that inspects the less visible or less accessible sides of goods using a goods upholding means to free part of the lower surface from contact, combined with a moving means and inspection means, such as cameras and lasers, to analyze the freed surface for damage or deviations from required dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If goods are transported through the racking system using automated robots, then productivity and automation level are improved, but the risk of damage to robots and racking system increases due to uncontrolled shape and condition of goods
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system performs preliminary inspection of goods before they enter the automated storage system. The lower surface of goods is inspected while they are being transported on the conveyor, allowing damage detection before the goods are stored in the racking system, thus preventing potential damage to robots and equipment during automated operations
2Device complexity
If inspection is performed only on visible surfaces of goods, then inspection system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision is insufficient for detecting damage on all surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection process is segmented into different zones along the conveyor path. The goods are inspected at multiple locations: the lower surface is inspected while supported by the conveyor, and other surfaces are inspected at different sections. This segmentation allows comprehensive inspection without requiring complex simultaneous multi-angle imaging systems
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system utilizes the temporal dimension by inspecting goods at different points along their movement through the conveyor. The lower surface is inspected in a first dimension (while on the conveyor), and other surfaces are inspected in subsequent dimensions (at different locations in the storage system), achieving comprehensive coverage without complex simultaneous inspection
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lower surface of goods is continuously supported during transport, then goods stability is improved, but inspection capability of the lower surface is reduced due to lack of access
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system extracts or separates the inspection function from the transport function. While the conveyor provides continuous support for stable transport, a separate inspection means is positioned to inspect the lower surface of goods as they pass by on the conveyor. This allows both stable transport and effective inspection to occur simultaneously without interfering with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
An inspection system for inspecting goods in an automated storage is provided, which inspection system comprises a goods upholding means adapted to free at least part of the lower surface of a good from any contact, an inspection means to inspect the freed part of the lower surface of the good, and a moving means to move the inspection means and the freed part of the lower surface of the good relative one to the other