Container Transfer Vehicle With Onboard Article Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transport facilities, containers need to be temporarily transported to a different location for picking work, which hinders efficient storage or removal of articles from containers.
Innovation Solution
A transport vehicle equipped with a support region, a container transfer apparatus, a recognition apparatus, and an article transfer apparatus that allows for the transfer and storage of containers and articles between different states, eliminating the need for transporting containers post-picking work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If containers are temporarily transported to a different location for picking work, then picking operations can be performed, but additional transport time and operational complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the container transfer function and article picking function into a single integrated system. The transfer robot can simultaneously transfer containers between shelves and perform picking operations on the same platform, eliminating the need for separate transport steps and reducing overall operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport vehicle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a container transport device and as a mobile picking station. The transfer robot can handle both container movement and article retrieval tasks, allowing the system to perform multiple functions with a single device, thereby reducing transport time and operational complexity.
2Productivity
If containers are removed from container shelf, transported, had picking work performed, then re-loaded and returned, then picking work can be completed, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the container transfer operation and article picking operation into a single integrated process. The transfer robot can perform both functions on the same platform without requiring separate transport steps, thereby improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the picking function from the traditional separate location and integrates it directly onto the container transfer platform. This allows picking work to be performed immediately during the transfer process, eliminating the need for additional transport cycles and improving overall efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If a transport vehicle transports containers to a picking location, then picking work can be performed, but the vehicle must make additional trips for container transport
Solution Approach 1:
The transport vehicle is designed with universal functionality to perform both container transfer and article picking operations. The transfer robot can handle both tasks on the same platform, allowing the vehicle to complete picking work during its normal transport route without requiring additional trips, thereby maintaining high transport efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple operations (container transfer and article picking) into a single integrated process that occurs during the vehicle's normal transport cycle. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate picking trips, improving overall productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport vehicle (2) is provided with: a support region (22) where a container (W) is supported; a container transfer apparatus (24) that inserts/takes a container (W) into/out of a container shelf; a recognition apparatus (27) that recognizes at least one of an article stored in a container (W) in a first state in which the container (W) is supported in the support region (22) and an article stored in a container (W) in a second state in which the container (W) is supported by the container transfer apparatus (24); and an article transfer apparatus (26) that transfers an article recognized by the recognition apparatus (27) between a container (W) in the first state and a container (W) in the second state.