Mobile Sorter Platforms With Marker Navigation for Retail Backrooms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers face labor-intensive and error-prone processes in fulfilling ecommerce orders, as existing automated sorting equipment is too large, expensive, and inflexible for use in retail store backrooms, necessitating a need for mobile and efficient sorting solutions.
Innovation Solution
A modular, portable, and scalable mobile platform assembly system with computer-controlled transport vehicles and markers for navigation, allowing for flexible configuration and rapid setup in retail environments, enabling efficient sorting and delivery of ecommerce orders while reducing labor and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated sorting equipment is used in dedicated fulfillment centers, then sorting efficiency and accuracy are improved, but the equipment is too large, expensive, and inflexible for use in retail store backrooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sorting function into modular components: mobile platform assemblies that can be positioned throughout the store, individual computer-controlled transport vehicles, and distributed markers. This segmentation allows the sorting capability to be deployed in small units rather than requiring one large centralized system, making it suitable for retail backroom environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical sorting equipment with computer-controlled transport vehicles that use sensors, processors, and communication systems to navigate and deliver items. This substitution of mechanical systems with computerized control enables smaller, more flexible, and more adaptable sorting capabilities suitable for retail settings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If employees manually pick items from shelves for ecommerce orders, then flexibility in handling diverse orders is maintained, but the process becomes labor-intensive and slow
Solution Approach 1:
The computer-controlled transport vehicles autonomously navigate the store, locate items using markers and sensors, and deliver them to designated locations without human intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for employees to manually pick items, significantly reducing labor intensity while maintaining the ability to handle diverse order requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors on the transport vehicles to detect markers and item locations, with feedback loops that allow real-time navigation and delivery adjustments. This feedback mechanism enables automated vehicles to adapt to different order requirements while maintaining high-speed operation, combining the flexibility of manual picking with the speed of automation.
3Productivity
If batch picking is used to process multiple orders simultaneously, then throughput is increased, but manual sorting of items to individual orders becomes labor-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The computer-controlled transport vehicles autonomously sort items to the correct delivery locations based on their programmed instructions. Each vehicle independently navigates to the appropriate mobile platform assembly and deposits items without human intervention, eliminating the manual sorting step entirely while maintaining high throughput from batch picking operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If fixed automated sorting systems are installed in fulfillment centers, then sorting precision is improved, but the systems occupy large space and cannot be moved or reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses mobile platform assemblies on wheels that can be moved and repositioned throughout the retail environment. The computer-controlled transport vehicles dynamically navigate to different locations and adapt their delivery destinations based on real-time order requirements. This dynamic design provides both sorting accuracy and the flexibility to reconfigure or relocate the system as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform assemblies and transport vehicles are designed as universal components that can serve multiple functions: sorting different types of items, delivering to various locations, and adapting to different order configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single system to replace multiple fixed sorting stations, providing both precision and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A platform assembly for use with sorting articles includes a first panel including a plurality of markers thereon, the markers forming a track on the first panel for transit thereabout by a plurality of vehicles. Each marker includes one or more magnetic characteristics for determining an orientation of the marker. A container is positioned about at least one of the plurality of markers. The platform assembly defines a first orientation in which the platform assembly is in a retracted position and a second orientation in which the platform assembly is in an extended position with a horizontal disposition. During operation, the vehicle is directed by a control system to deposit an article carried thereon into a container associated with a marker based on the location and the orientation of the marker.