Autonomous Cargo Box Transport Robot for Logistics Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic transport methods, such as 'shelves coming to people,' are inefficient as they require transporting entire shelves to fetch a single item, wasting resources and limiting the transport of multiple types of goods simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a transport robot with a drive unit, cargo box storing unit, and delivery unit that autonomously moves to fetch and store multiple cargo boxes, allowing for the simultaneous transport of various goods by moving between shelves and storing cargo boxes at different heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transport robot transports the whole shelf to fetch one piece of goods, then the goods can be delivered, but resources are wasted and transport efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shelf into multiple independent cargo boxes, each capable of being transported separately. The transport robot selects and transports only the specific cargo box containing the required goods rather than the entire shelf, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the specific cargo box containing the required goods from the shelf and transports it independently. This extraction principle allows the robot to avoid transporting unnecessary cargo boxes and shelves, directly addressing the energy waste problem in traditional methods.
2Productivity
If the transport robot transports the whole shelf, then one piece of goods can be fetched, but only one kind of goods can be transported at a time
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shelf into multiple cargo boxes, the system enables the robot to select and transport multiple different cargo boxes in a single operation. Each cargo box may contain different types of goods, allowing simultaneous transport of various kinds of goods to different destinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo box design provides universality, as each cargo box can be independently transported and delivered to different locations. The robot can perform multiple delivery tasks in sequence without returning to the shelf, enabling multi-functional operations and transporting various kinds of goods simultaneously.
3Productivity
If the transport robot transports multiple cargo boxes, then various kinds of goods can be transported at a time, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transport task into multiple independent cargo box operations. Each cargo box is a standardized unit that can be individually grasped, transported, and delivered. This segmentation simplifies the robot's operation logic while enabling multi-cargo transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo boxes are designed to be nested or stacked on the shelf in an organized manner, allowing the robot to efficiently access and transport them. The nested arrangement optimizes space utilization and simplifies the robot's navigation and manipulation tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method of robotic transport of goods and relates to the field of storage logistics, including the following steps: providing a transport robot and shelves, the transport robot comprising a drive unit, a cargo box storing unit and a cargo box delivery unit, wherein the drive unit driving the cargo box storing unit and the cargo box delivery unit to move together; the cargo box storing unit and the shelves comprising one or more cargo box storing spaces, respectively; the transport robot autonomously moving to the front of a destination shelf according to a goods fetching instruction, the cargo box delivery unit acquiring one cargo box from one cargo box storing space of the shelf specified according to the goods fetching instruction, and then delivering the cargo box to another cargo box storing space in the cargo box storing unit specified according to the goods fetching instruction; repeating the goods fetching step if the instruction contains the goods fetching instruction for the same shelf; the transport robot autonomously moving to another shelf and repeating the goods fetching step if the instruction contains the goods fetching instruction for another shelf; the transport robot carrying the fetched goods and autonomously moving to a picking table after performing all the goods fetching instructions.