Mobile Picking Platform with Robotic Arm for Rack Aisle Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional picking systems require time-consuming manual handling and relocation of storage containers to picking stations, limiting throughput and efficiency, and necessitate specific ordering of source and target containers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile platform with a robotic gripping arm that travels along a guide rail, equipped with a platform-supported image acquisition and evaluation unit and controller, allowing autonomous picking directly within the storage rack aisle, eliminating the need for manual handling and enabling flexible container placement and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and relocation of storage containers to picking stations is used, then picking can be performed, but the number of operating steps increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage container, order container, and robotic gripping arm onto a single mobile platform. This merging eliminates the need for separate picking stations and manual handling steps, as the robot can perform picking operations directly within the rack store, thereby reducing the number of operating steps and increasing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bringing storage containers to a fixed picking station (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by bringing the robotic gripping arm to the storage containers. The mobile platform enables the robot to travel to where the goods are stored, eliminating the need for container relocation and reducing operating steps.
2Productivity
If storage containers are removed from storage to picking stations, then picking can be performed, but time is lost in removal and relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform is pre-equipped with the robotic gripping arm, image acquisition unit, and controller before entering the rack store. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately begin picking operations upon reaching the storage location, eliminating time loss associated with setup and container relocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic gripping arm on the mobile platform autonomously performs the picking operations without requiring manual intervention or external assistance. The platform-supported image acquisition and controller enable the robot to independently identify, grasp, and transfer items, reducing the time required for picking operations.
3Extent of automation
If dedicated picking locations with robotic gripping arms are used, then automated picking can be achieved, but the system requires specific ordering of source and target containers
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the robotic gripping arm to adapt to different storage locations and container arrangements within the rack store. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for fixed picking locations and specific container ordering, as the robot can travel to and operate at any storage location as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform serves multiple functions: it transports the robotic gripping arm, carries the order container, and provides a mobile base for the image acquisition and control systems. This multi-functionality enables the system to handle various picking scenarios and container configurations, increasing adaptability while maintaining full automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A picking device and method for increasing the through-put of picking an order from a storage container into an order container. The picking device includes a mobile platform capable to travel along a guide rail and a robotic gripping arm. The mobile platform includes a receiving location for each of a storage container and an order container, which are both reachable by the robotic gripping arm. The robotic gripping arm is actuated by a platform-supported image acquisition and evaluation unit and by a platform-supported controller.