Hybrid AGV Picking for High-Density Storage Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory management systems are inefficient, particularly in high-volume and high-velocity environments, as they require human agents to manually transport items and return to picking stations frequently, leading to fatigue and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid modular storage fetching system utilizing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that autonomously navigate through distribution facilities to retrieve and transport items from high-density storage areas to pick-cell stations, optimizing routing based on demand and reducing unnecessary item transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If human agents manually transport items using drag-along carts in a zone-less pick-to-cart system, then flexibility in item selection is improved, but agent fatigue increases and productivity decreases due to continuous manual cart propulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of drag-along carts with an automated guided vehicle (AGV) that autonomously navigates and transports items. The AGV uses guidance systems (optical, magnetic, or robotic navigation) to move through the facility and deliver items to pick-cell stations, eliminating the need for human agents to manually propel carts while maintaining the flexibility of item selection through programmable routing.
2Productivity
If human agents are assigned to specific zones with conveyor belts, then item transport efficiency is improved, but agent mobility is reduced and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The AGV system serves multiple functions: it acts as a mobile storage unit, a transport vehicle, and a delivery mechanism all in one. The same AGV can navigate to different locations, pick up various items from different areas, and deliver them to different pick-cell stations, replacing the need for dedicated conveyor systems in each zone while reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If automated guided vehicles are used to autonomously transport items, then labor costs are reduced and productivity is improved, but system complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AGV is equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities using optical guidance, magnetic guidance, or robotic navigation systems. It can independently determine its location, plan routes, avoid obstacles, and deliver items without continuous human intervention or complex centralized control systems, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid modular storage fetching system is described. In an example implementation, the system may include a warehouse execution system adapted to generate a picking schedule for picking pick-to-cart and high-density storage items, and an AGV dispatching system adapted to dispatch a cart automated guided vehicle and a modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle based on the picking schedule. The cart automated guided vehicle may be adapted autonomously transport a carton through a pick-to-cart area and to a pick-cell station. The modular storage fetching automated guided vehicle may be adapted to synchronously autonomously transport a modular storage unit containing items to be placed in the cartons from a high-density storage area to the pick-cell station.