Automated Storage Order Scheduling with Least-Time Port Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated storage and retrieval systems face inefficiencies in delivering storage containers to selected ports, leading to increased travel distances and traffic conflicts among container handling vehicles, delaying order assembly and impeding overall system performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for scheduling orders by identifying the locations of storage containers holding items, calculating the time required to deliver them to different ports, and assigning a port where the order can be assembled in the least amount of time, optimizing vehicle routes to reduce travel distances and conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If container handling vehicles deliver storage containers to selected ports without optimized scheduling, then order assembly can be performed, but travel distances increase and traffic conflicts occur among vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scheduling of ports for multiple orders before vehicle dispatch. The control system calculates and assigns optimal ports to orders in advance, considering vehicle locations and port capacities, thereby preventing travel delays and traffic conflicts before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The port assignment system dynamically adjusts port allocations based on real-time vehicle locations, port status, and order priorities. This dynamic scheduling allows the system to optimize vehicle routes continuously, reducing travel distances and avoiding traffic conflicts among multiple vehicles.
2Productivity
If multiple container handling vehicles operate simultaneously without coordinated scheduling, then system throughput is maintained, but traffic conflicts and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors vehicle locations, port status, and order progress, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust port assignments and vehicle dispatch decisions. This closed-loop control ensures that multiple vehicles operate coordination to maintain throughput while avoiding conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it schedules ports for multiple orders, tracks vehicle locations, calculates optimal delivery routes, and coordinates vehicle dispatch. This multi-functional scheduling system manages the complex interactions among multiple vehicles to maintain both throughput and timeliness.
3Ease of operation
If ports are selected without considering vehicle locations and delivery times, then order assembly can proceed, but total assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of delivery times and port assignments before vehicle dispatch. By pre-calculating the optimal port for each order based on vehicle locations and port capacities, the system minimizes total assembly time while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system, controller and computer program product configured to scheduling orders of items in an automated storage and retrieval system. For each order, locations of a set of storage containers holding items listed in the order are identified. The total time required to assemble the order at each available port is calculated, and the orders are scheduled by assigning a port requiring least amount of time to deliver the items listed in the order.