Multi-cycle Self-navigation Trolley Sorting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shipment sorting systems face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively sorting multiple shipments of varying types and quantities, often requiring a combination of manual and machine-based sorting which can increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cycle shipment sorting system that includes a delivery platform, self-navigation trolleys, a sorting platform, and a control method, where shipment boxes are identified and sorted based on their contents, and self-navigation trolleys run multiple cycles to efficiently load and unload shipments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual sorting methods are used, then labor flexibility is maintained, but sorting cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-navigation trolleys that autonomously navigate the sorting platform, load shipments onto delivery vehicles, and return to pick up more shipments without human intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for expensive manual sorting operations while maintaining operational flexibility through automated decision-making controlled by the server.
2Productivity
If all-machine sorting is implemented, then sorting efficiency is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The self-navigation trolleys serve multiple functions: they act as both sorting carriers and delivery vehicles, navigate autonomously using positioning devices, load and unload shipments, and communicate with the server for coordination. This multi-functionality achieves high sorting efficiency while avoiding the complexity of separate specialized systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that receives shipment information from the delivery vehicle, determines optimal routing and loading sequences, sends control instructions to self-navigation trolleys, and coordinates the entire sorting process. This centralized control simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high efficiency through automated coordination.
3Productivity
If multiple self-navigation trolleys are used, then sorting capacity is increased, but positioning and coordination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device continuously monitors the location and status of each self-navigation trolley, and this information is fed back to the server. The server uses this feedback to dynamically adjust routing instructions, loading sequences, and coordination commands, enabling multiple trolleys to operate efficiently without interference while maintaining high sorting capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention discloses a multi-cycle shipment sorting system and a control method thereof, wherein the system comprises: a delivery platform; a delivery device, capable of delivering a plurality of shipment boxes; a sorting platform, provided with a sorting entrance, a sorting exit, and a cyclic section; plural self-navigation trolleys wherein trolleys travel into the platform from the sorting entrance, being ordered by the positions of shipments delivered by the delivery device when passing through the cyclic section, and after loading at the loading port, traveling out of the platform from the sorting exit; a positioning device, used for performing positioning the self-navigation trolleys; and a shipment-carrying device, provided with a recognizer capable of reading the recognition devices on the shipment boxes; wherein the system has the beneficial effects of being small in sorting site, convenient for unified distribution of shipments, and high in sorting efficiency.