Inventory Receptacle Picking Through Vertical-Horizontal Robot Specialization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in inventory picking processes due to robots performing both 'taking out' and 'carrying' operations, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency, as well as the incompatibility between robot picking efficiency and costs in existing inventory systems.
Innovation Solution
An inventory system and method utilizing a control system to coordinate storage and retrieval equipment and handling equipment, where the storage equipment focuses on vertical handling and the handling equipment on horizontal transport, optimizing their respective roles to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robots perform both 'taking out' and 'carrying' operations, then the robot can complete the full picking process, but the picking efficiency is reduced due to wasted time in carrying operations
Solution Approach 1:
The picking process is segmented into two distinct operations: 'taking out' performed by storage and retrieval equipment, and 'carrying' performed by handling equipment. This segmentation allows each robot type to specialize in one operation, eliminating the time waste associated with robots performing both operations sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage and retrieval equipment acts as an intermediary between the shelves and the handling equipment. It performs the 'taking out' operation and transfers items to the handling equipment, which then performs the 'carrying' operation. This intermediary role eliminates the need for robots to perform both operations, thereby improving picking efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If robots with special mechanisms are used to perform 'taking out' operations, then the operation can be completed, but the robot costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the robot population into two types with specialized functions: storage and retrieval equipment for 'taking out' operations, and handling equipment for 'carrying' operations. This segmentation allows each robot type to have simpler, more cost-effective mechanisms tailored to its specific function, rather than requiring all robots to have complex mechanisms for both operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage and retrieval equipment is designed to autonomously perform 'taking out' operations from shelves using mechanisms optimized for this specific task. This self-service capability eliminates the need for more expensive, multi-functional robots, thereby reducing overall system costs while maintaining operational effectiveness.
3Productivity
If a larger quantity of robots with special mechanisms are arranged to improve picking efficiency, then the picking process can be accelerated, but the equipment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the robot fleet into two specialized groups: storage and retrieval equipment for shelf operations, and handling equipment for transport operations. This segmentation allows for optimized resource allocation where each robot type performs only its specialized function, improving overall picking efficiency without requiring every robot to have expensive multi-functional capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
While individual robot types have specialized functions, the system achieves multi-functionality at the system level. The storage and retrieval equipment handles all 'taking out' operations across multiple shelves, while handling equipment handles all 'carrying' operations, creating a universal solution that improves efficiency without proportionally increasing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method, control system, storage and retrieval equipments, and handling equipments. The control system is configured to: determine a target inventory receptacle from inventory receptacles in a storage area of an inventory system; and determine a target storage and retrieval equipment and a target handling equipment, and send a dispatching instruction to the target storage and retrieval equipment and the target handling equipment. The target storage and retrieval equipment is configured to: drive, in response to the dispatching instruction, to a position specified in the dispatching instruction, take out the target inventory receptacle, and directly or indirectly undertake the target inventory receptacle to the target handling equipment. The target handling equipment is configured to: drive, in response to the dispatching instruction, to a position specified in the dispatching instruction, undertake the target inventory receptacle, and transport the target inventory receptacle from the storage area to a workstation.