Warehouse Carrier Load Positioning for Center-of-Gravity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shelf-to-person picking systems, the instability of the center-of-gravity of shelves carrying containers or goods during transportation by robots can lead to shelf collapse.
Innovation Solution
A warehousing system that includes a carrier with a controller to adjust the placement and position of containers based on a preset center-of-gravity area and weight, ensuring the overall center-of-gravity remains stable during transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robots transport shelves with containers at high speed to improve picking efficiency, then productivity increases, but the center-of-gravity becomes unstable causing shelf collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the center-of-gravity position before transportation begins. The controller pre-calculates the expected center-of-gravity based on container weights and positions, and proactively adjusts container placements or shelf configurations to ensure stability before the robot starts moving, preventing collapse before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the actual center-of-gravity position during transportation and compares it against the pre-calculated expected position. When deviations are detected, the system automatically adjusts container positions or slows down the robot to maintain stability, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time conditions.
2Ease of operation
If containers are placed on shelves without weight consideration to simplify loading, then ease of operation improves, but center-of-gravity becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated weight detection and automatic center-of-gravity calculation. When containers are placed on the shelf, the system automatically detects their weights (using sensors or pre-programmed data) and calculates the resulting center-of-gravity position. The controller then automatically adjusts container positions or alerts operators to potential instability, eliminating the need for manual weight consideration by operators while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If the shelf structure is made more robust to prevent collapse, then reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical reinforcement of the shelf structure with a control-based solution. Instead of making the physical shelf stronger or more complex to prevent collapse, the system uses sensors, controllers, and automated container positioning to manage the center-of-gravity. This substitution of mechanical reinforcement with intelligent control maintains reliability while reducing structural complexity and manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A warehousing system includes a carrier, an operating device, and a controller. The carrier includes a plurality of placement positions for placing containers; the operating device is configured to execute at least one of adjusting a placement position of a container on the carrier, placing a container on the carrier, or taking out a container from the carrier; and the controller is connected to the operating device and is configured to control the operating device to perform at least one of taking out a container on the carrier, placing the container on the carrier or adjusting the position of the container on the carrier based on at least one of a preset center-of-gravity area of the carrier or a weight of the containers.