Autonomous Warehouse Shelf Navigation With Dynamic Space Dispatching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unmanned warehousing technologies face challenges in reducing labor costs and improving efficiency due to manual errors and inefficiencies in article delivery and distribution, particularly in accurately navigating and managing shelves between warehousing and delivery stations.

Innovation Solution

A shelf system equipped with a motion device, power device, communication device, and controller that receives dispatching instructions from a control center to autonomously move and adjust storage space, charge energy, and communicate with sorting devices, enabling automated path planning and energy management to optimize delivery routes and reduce manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual transport and distribution methods are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but labor costs increase and delivery efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf is equipped with autonomous motion capabilities through integrated motion devices, power devices, and control units that enable it to self-navigate between warehousing and delivery stations without manual intervention, thereby improving delivery efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized autonomous functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical transport operations with an automated control system that uses electronic communication devices to receive dispatching instructions and execute navigation, substituting human labor with an integrated electromechanical control system that optimizes delivery efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If fixed storage space allocation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but space utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization efficiencyVSAvoidstorage space adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage space allocation is made dynamic through telescopic structures and separators that can adjust their positions based on real-time delivery requirements and article quantities, allowing the shelf to optimize space utilization for different delivery scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring and adjustment operations are performed, then delivery accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf incorporates sensors that continuously monitor article quantities and update the control unit, which communicates with the control center to receive real-time dispatching instructions. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate delivery by enabling dynamic path planning and adjustment based on current storage status and delivery requirements, while energy consumption is managed through efficient communication protocols and selective monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11500362B2Shelf, dispatching method, dispatching device and operation dispatching system
Publication Date: 2022.11.15 BEIJING JINGDONG ZHENSHI INFORMATION TECH CO LTD
  • US11500362B2 patent drawing
  • US11500362B2 patent drawing
  • US11500362B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A shelf, a dispatching method, a dispatching device, and an operation dispatching system relating to the field of intelligent warehousing technology, the shelf including: a storage device for placing an article; a motion device for moving the shelf; a power device for providing energy to the motion device; a communication device configured to communicate with a control center; and a controller that controls communication of the communication device with the control center and controls motion of the motion device.