Movable Picking Stations to Cut Warehouse Shelf Waiting Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warehouse systems require workers to perform picking work at fixed picking stations, leading to long standby times and inefficient shelf replacement, reducing overall picking efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A picking system incorporating an automatic transport apparatus that moves storage shelves, picking station units, and shipping shelves to optimized disposition positions based on order information, utilizing a management server to determine and control the movement of these units via a communication network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If picking stations are fixed at predetermined places, then workers can perform picking work at stable locations, but standby time increases and picking efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The picking station is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one by integrating it with an automated guided vehicle (AGV). The picking station unit can dynamically change its position by being transported to different storage shelves via the automated transport apparatus, eliminating the contradiction between location stability and picking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The picking station unit is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple storage shelves sequentially. By being movable, a single picking station unit can perform picking operations at different locations, replacing the need for multiple fixed picking stations and improving overall system productivity.
2Ease of operation
If workers perform picking work at fixed picking stations, then operational procedures are simplified, but time required for shelf replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The picking station's ability to move dynamically allows it to be quickly repositioned to different storage shelves. This eliminates the time-consuming process of manual shelf replacement while maintaining procedural simplicity, as the system automatically manages the movement and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically transporting the picking station unit to the required storage shelf locations. This automated movement reduces the time required for shelf replacement and eliminates the need for manual intervention in the repositioning process.
3Extent of automation
If storage shelves are transported to fixed picking stations, then material handling is automated, but standby time until shelf arrival increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting storage shelves to fixed picking stations, the invention inverts the approach by moving the picking station unit to the storage shelves. This reversal eliminates the need for long-distance shelf transport and reduces standby time, while maintaining automation benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The picking station unit dynamically repositions itself to different storage shelf locations using the automated transport apparatus. This dynamic approach allows for shorter transport distances and reduced standby time compared to moving entire storage shelves to fixed locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A picking system includes an automatic transport apparatus that transports goods, a picking station unit where a worker boards to perform picking work on the goods, a determination processing unit that determines a disposition position of the picking station unit, and a movement processing unit that moves the picking station unit to the disposition position.