Logical Sort Destination Reassignment for Full Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing article sorting systems face inefficiencies due to the time required for replacing full receptacles with empty ones, which impacts throughput and efficiency, especially when this process is manual or partially automated.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a server with a receptacle logical destination ID assignment engine, automated transport devices, and sensing devices to reassign articles to nearby available receptacles when a destination becomes full, allowing continuous sorting operations by optimizing the location of receptacle replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a receptacle is replaced manually or by automated process when full, then the sorting operation can continue, but the destination is unusable during the replacement time interval which impacts throughput and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sorting system into multiple destination groups, where each group has multiple receptacles that can be independently managed. When one receptacle becomes full, the system can switch to another receptacle within the same destination group, segmenting the replacement process so that it does not interrupt the overall sorting flow to that destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple physical receptacles into a single logical destination group, allowing them to function as a unified sorting target. This merging enables the system to treat multiple receptacles as one functional unit, so when one is full, articles can be redirected to another receptacle in the same group without stopping the sorting operation.
2Productivity
If multiple physical locations are used to represent logical destinations, then receptacle replacement downtime is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes logical destination groups universal by allowing them to contain multiple receptacles that can serve the same logical destination. This multi-functionality enables any receptacle within a group to fulfill the sorting requirement, providing flexibility and reducing downtime without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of destination assignments by mapping logical destination IDs to multiple physical receptacle locations. When one physical location is full, the system switches to another physical copy (receptacle) that represents the same logical destination, maintaining operational continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
System for use in directing a sorting operation comprises a server, a receptacle logical destination identification (ID) assignment engine, a plurality of receptacles, and an automated transport device for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system is configured to: assign a first logical destination ID to a first receptacle; and direct an automated transport device to transport and deposit a first article into the first receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID. The system is further configured to: determine that the first receptacle is full; re-assign the first logical destination ID to a second receptacle; and re-direct the automated transport device to transport and deposit the first article into the second receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID.