Dual-Robot Warehousing for Fixed and Portable Rack Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intelligent warehousing systems face limitations in height, leading to space inefficiency and low warehouse utilization due to the fixed height of racks used by warehousing robots, which restricts the flexibility of material handling and storage.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a dual-robot system comprising a first warehousing robot for fixed racks and a second robot for portable racks, allowing for flexible positioning and movement of both fixed and portable racks within the warehouse, enabling efficient fetching and placement of materials across different rack types and locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-height rack is used by the warehousing robot, then the robot can stably lift and move the rack, but the warehouse space utilization is low due to limited height
Solution Approach 1:
The rack system is segmented into fixed racks and portable racks. Fixed racks provide stable storage for materials, while portable racks can be moved by the second warehousing robot to access frequently ordered materials. This segmentation allows the system to maintain stability for storage while improving space utilization through flexible positioning of portable racks in the lower space of fixed racks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vertical dimension by placing portable racks in the lower space of fixed racks, effectively using three-dimensional warehouse space. This dimensional approach allows materials to be stored at different heights and accessed by different robot types, improving overall space utilization without compromising the stability of the fixed rack structure.
2Reliability
If the rack height is limited to prevent dumping, then the robot can safely operate, but the warehouse cannot fully utilize available space
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs two types of warehousing robots with different functions: the first robot handles fixed racks for stable storage, while the second robot handles portable racks for flexible material retrieval. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain safety through appropriate robot-rack matching while improving productivity by fully utilizing warehouse space through portable racks positioned in lower spaces.
3Ease of operation
If a single type of warehousing robot is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the flexibility to handle different rack types and materials is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control server acts as an intermediary that manages the coordination between different robot types and rack types. It receives material retrieval requests, determines the appropriate robot and rack combination, and issues corresponding control instructions. This intermediary approach maintains operational simplicity by centralizing decision-making while enabling versatility through intelligent task allocation to different robot types.
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent warehousing system, a material fetching and placing method and a processing terminal thereof, where the intelligent warehousing system includes a first warehousing robot and a second warehousing robot, the first warehousing robot is configured to receive a first scheduling instruction, move to a fixed shelf to fetch and place a material box according to the first scheduling instruction, and handle the material box to a first target position; and the second warehousing robot is configured to receive a second scheduling instruction, move to a portable shelf according to the second scheduling instruction, and handle the portable shelf to a second target position. Through the technical solution of the present application, compatibility of the intelligent warehousing system is improved, which may be applied to a warehouse with different shelves, thus improving the utilization rate of the warehouse.