Circulating Storage Order Allocation for Priority Picking Fulfillment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing picking orders are inflexible and inefficient, particularly in handling higher priority orders and ensuring rapid order fulfillment.
Innovation Solution
A central controller allocates orders to circulating storages, generates an overall list of articles per storage, and uses hanging bags for flexible article distribution, enabling preferential handling of urgent orders while checking storage contents for completeness and repurposing articles as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If articles are fixedly allocated to orders in the buffer storage, then order fulfillment is systematic and organized, but flexibility to handle higher priority orders is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic allocation of articles to orders by enabling the central controller to regularly check circulating storage contents and reallocate articles based on changing order priorities. The system transitions from static fixed allocation to dynamic reallocation, allowing articles to be repurposed for urgent orders while maintaining systematic organization through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the allocation parameter from fixed to variable by allowing the central controller to modify article assignments based on priority levels. When higher priority orders are detected, the controller reallocates articles from lower priority orders, effectively changing the allocation state parameter dynamically without physical system reconfiguration.
2Productivity
If the system processes all orders systematically, then complete order fulfillment is achieved, but processing time for urgent orders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller implements continuous feedback by regularly checking the contents of circulating storage against the overall order list. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect when articles for higher priority orders are available and immediately reallocate resources, reducing waiting time for urgent orders while maintaining systematic processing of all orders.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining an overall list of all articles and their locations in circulating storage in advance. This pre-organized information allows the controller to quickly identify and reallocate articles for urgent orders without delay, as the allocation data is already prepared and accessible before the priority change occurs.
3Reliability
If articles are discharged only when all articles for an original order are present, then complete orders are ensured, but higher priority orders cannot be expedited
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge condition parameter is changed from rigid (all articles must be present) to flexible (discharge when priority criteria met). The central controller evaluates multiple conditions including order completeness, priority level, and article availability in circulating storage, allowing discharge decisions to adapt based on the relative importance of different orders rather than following a single fixed rule.
Solution Approach 2:
The order discharge process transitions from static completion-based discharge to dynamic priority-based discharge. The system continuously monitors circulating storage and can discharge articles for higher priority orders even if the original order is not fully complete, dynamically adjusting discharge timing based on real-time priority assessments while maintaining reliability through controlled reallocation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing picking orders each having a plurality of articles, includes a replenishing storage, at least one reloading station connected to the replenishing storage for reloading of articles for hanging transportation, and a buffer storage connected to the reloading station with parallel circulating storages for hanging transports. A controller allocates orders to be picked to each circulating storage and generates a list and quantity of all articles per circulating storage, and supplies the articles present therein to the respective circulating storage. The controller checks each circulating storage to determine whether a) articles for the fulfilment of an original order are present, and/or b) articles for the fulfilment of another order to be treated preferentially are present, and/or c) articles for the fulfilment of another order to be treated preferentially are present in two or more circulating storages. Thereupon the articles are discharged from the respective circulating storage.