Movable Picking Rack with Resupply for Upper Space Utilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing picking systems in warehouses and factories face inefficiencies due to the inability to move racks with resupply racks, limiting the use of upper storage space and reducing both picking operation efficiency and spatial utilization.
Innovation Solution
A data-driven picking system that utilizes movable racks, a processor, storage device, and communication interface to manage the movement of conveyance racks, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of articles by conveying racks to workstations, enabling the use of upper spaces for resupply and improving work efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a fixed picking operation rack with resupply rack is used, then upper space utilization is improved, but the rack cannot be moved which reduces picking operation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The picking rack is made movable by integrating a conveyance vehicle that can transport the entire rack assembly (including resupply rack) to different workstations. This dynamic capability allows the rack to be repositioned as needed while maintaining the resupply functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between mobility and upper space utilization.
2Productivity
If movable racks are used, then picking operation efficiency is improved, but articles cannot be resupplied to upper positions which reduces spatial use efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The movable picking rack and resupply rack are merged into a single integrated assembly that moves together on the conveyance vehicle. This combination ensures that when the rack is transported to a workstation, the resupply rack is also positioned correctly, enabling both mobility and upper space utilization simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance vehicle acts as an intermediary that transports both the picking rack and resupply rack to the workstation. This mediator enables the movable rack system to maintain resupply capability by coordinating the movement and positioning of multiple rack components.
3Ease of operation
If articles are stored only at worker-accessible heights, then ease of operation is improved, but upper space of the rack is not utilized which reduces storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a vertical dimension to storage by incorporating a resupply rack positioned above the picking rack. Articles are stored at multiple height levels, with the conveyance vehicle enabling access to upper positions by transporting the entire rack assembly to the workstation, thus increasing storage capacity without compromising worker accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The picking system according to the present invention for executing operation assistance corresponding to an operation target relating to physical distribution receives an order designating a specific article, retrieves a first storage position at which the specific article is stored from shelf stock information, generates operation instruction data relating to a specific operation target for instructing to move the specific article from the first storage position to a second storage position, refers to operation station information and accesses the first storage position, retrieves a specific operation station capable of performing the specific operation target, transmits the operation instruction data to a terminal of the specific operation station, and transmits, to a movement device, conveyance instruction data instructing to convey a conveyance rack to the specific operation station.