Mobile Trolley Weighing Balance for Faster Order Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency and conflict arising from limited weighing balances in stores or warehouses, leading to reduced picker efficiency due to simultaneous use by multiple users, particularly during busy periods, and the need for separate weighing and labeling processes for items defined by weight or quantity.
Innovation Solution
A trolley equipped with a movable picker unit containing a weighing balance, display, communication module, memory, and processor, which associates item weights with order data, determines weight accuracy, and provides visual and audio feedback, eliminating the need for separate weighing and labeling steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed location weighing balances are used in stores or warehouses, then weighing function is provided to customers and pickers, but picker efficiency is reduced due to conflicts when multiple users want to use the weighing balance simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the weighing balance with the mobile trolley, merging two previously separate functions (mobile picking and stationary weighing) into a single integrated system. This allows pickers to perform weighing operations anywhere in the store without returning to fixed weighing stations, thereby eliminating waiting time and conflicts while maintaining weighing functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a fixed location weighing balance is used, then weight determination is achieved, but separate weighing and labeling processes are required which consume additional time
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the weighing balance, display device, and labeling function into a single integrated unit on the mobile trolley. The processor automatically generates and displays price information and labels immediately after weight determination, eliminating the need for separate weighing and labeling processes that were required with fixed weighing stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically calculating price information and generating labels immediately after weight measurement, before the picker needs to proceed to the next item. This preliminary processing of labeling and pricing information eliminates subsequent steps and reduces overall process time.
3Productivity
If multiple pickers work in a dark store with limited weighing balances, then order fulfillment is achieved, but waiting time increases when pickers need to use the weighing balance
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile trolley with integrated weighing balance serves multiple pickers simultaneously as each picker has their own equipped trolley. This universal solution allows any picker to perform weighing operations independently anywhere in the dark store, eliminating the need to share limited fixed weighing balances and thereby reducing waiting time while maintaining order fulfillment capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances picker efficiency by allowing simultaneous item retrieval and weight verification directly on the trolley, reducing the need for fixed weighing stations and printed labels, thus saving time and resources.
Implementation Method 1
The weighing balance may comprise a load cell and an inclinometer
Implementation Method 2
The weighing balance may comprise a load cell and an inclinometer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a trolley, comprising: a weighing balance mounted on the trolley and configured to weigh at least one item placed on the weighing balance; a display; a communication module configured to receive order data indicative of an order comprising one or more items, wherein at least one of the items is defined by weight; a memory configured to store the order data; a processor configured to: control the display to output an indication of at least some of the one or more items, determine a weight of one of the items defined by weight placed on the weighing balance, and control the display to output the determined weight of the at least one item from the weighing balance on the display.