Goods Bot Payload Bed for Even Order Container Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated storage and retrieval systems fail to evenly distribute products within order containers, leading to inefficient order fulfillment and suboptimal product packing.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a goods bot with a payload bed and end effector configured to compartmentalize and segregate breakpack goods, allowing for even distribution of products within order containers, and a controller to manage the operation of container and goods bots for efficient order assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional conveyor belt or tilting/dumping systems are used to transfer products to order containers, then the transfer process is simple and fast, but the products are not evenly distributed within the containers
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer system is segmented into multiple independent robotic units (goods bots) that independently handle different product containers. Each robot can be controlled to deposit products at specific locations within order containers, enabling precise distribution control while maintaining system modularity and manageable complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional mechanical conveyor belt or tilting/dumping system is replaced with an automated robotic system that uses controlled movement and positioning mechanisms. This substitution enables precise control over product placement locations, achieving even distribution while the controller coordinates the complex operations of multiple robots
2Productivity
If manual breakpack operations are used to assemble orders, then product distribution can be controlled, but labor costs and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service operation where the robotic units autonomously retrieve product containers from storage, transport them to breakpack stations, perform the breakpack operation by depositing products in order containers, and return empty containers to storage. This automation eliminates manual labor while maintaining controlled product distribution and significantly reducing operation time
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system operates continuously without interruption, with multiple goods bots capable of simultaneous operations. While one robot performs breakpack operations, others can be retrieving containers or returning empties, eliminating idle time and maximizing throughput. The automated system maintains continuous useful action unlike manual operations which require pauses and transitions
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous logistics vehicle bot including a vehicle frame, a drive section operably connected to the vehicle frame, a payload bed disposed on the vehicle frame and arranged to stably hold goods payload units, where the payload bed has a support surface, disposed to contact and support each of the goods payload units in the payload bed, where the payload bed has more than one discrete payload holding sections configured to separate and distinct from each other, each configured to contain therein at least one goods payload unit separate and distinct from each other goods payload unit seated on the support surface of the payload bed and where traverse of the support surface relative to the payload bed, commonly repositions each discrete payload holding section in the payload bed, from a first position to a second position different than the first position.