Multi-Robot Container Transfer to Cut Picking Robot Standby
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling systems that transport and move articles between containers face inefficiencies due to high standby times of robots, particularly picking robots, as transportation and transfer processes take longer than picking, leading to increased handling times.
Innovation Solution
The handling system incorporates a first transfer robot and a first loading platform to efficiently transfer containers between mobile robots and loading platforms, allowing the picking robot to automatically pick articles from one container to another, while an instruction device generates optimized instructions based on rules to reduce standby times and improve throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the system uses mobile robots to transport containers and transfer robots to move containers between platforms, then automation extent is improved, but loss of time increases due to high standby times of robots during transportation and transfer processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having mobile robots transport containers to the transfer platform in advance before the picking robot needs them. The transfer robot is ready to immediately move containers between platforms without waiting for the picking robot to finish, eliminating standby time through advance preparation of container positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous useful action by coordinating multiple robots to work simultaneously - while the picking robot is picking articles, the mobile robot is transporting another container, and the transfer robot is moving containers between platforms. This parallel operation eliminates idle time and maintains continuous productive action throughout the system.
2Productivity
If the system coordinates multiple robots for container transportation and transfer, then productivity is improved through parallel operations, but device complexity increases due to multiple robots and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the container handling task into distinct functions performed by specialized robots: mobile robots for transportation, transfer robots for platform-to-platform movement, and picking robots for article extraction. This segmentation allows each robot to be optimized for its specific function while working in parallel, improving overall productivity despite increased device complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2C
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, a handling system (1) includes a first mobile robot (11), a first transfer robot (21), and a picking robot (31). The first mobile robot (11) transports a first container (C1) out of a loading location of the first container (C1). An article (B1) is stored in the first container C1). The first transfer robot (21) transfers the first container (c1) from one of the first mobile robot (11) or a first loading platform (41) to the other of the first mobile robot (11) or the first loading platform (41). The picking robot (31) moves the article (B1) from the first container (C1) placed on the first loading platform (41) to a second container (C2) placed on a second loading platform (42).