Order-picking system with heterogeneous cells and job management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional picking systems are limited in efficiency and the range of goods they can handle, as they often rely on a single type of picking cell with uniform capabilities, which restricts the variety of goods that can be picked and processed.
Innovation Solution
A picking system comprising multiple automated picking cells with different handling properties and job management controls that allocate jobs and goods based on specific properties, allowing for the use of various grippers and robots to handle goods of different weights, sizes, and types, and enabling parallel or sequential operation of cells to optimize handling and reduce workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single type of picking cell with uniform capabilities is used, then the system structure is simple, but the range of goods that can be picked is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The picking system is divided into multiple picking cells, each equipped with different types of grippers suited for specific goods categories. This segmentation allows each cell to specialize in handling particular types of goods, thereby expanding the overall range of pickable goods while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The job management control unit serves as a central coordinating component that manages multiple picking cells with different capabilities. This multi-functional control unit allocates jobs to appropriate cells based on goods properties, enabling the system to handle diverse goods types through a single unified management structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple picking cells with different handling properties are used, then the range of goods that can be picked is expanded, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each picking cell is equipped with grippers and handling properties specifically adapted to the local requirements of certain goods types. For example, delicate grippers are assigned to fragile goods while robust grippers handle heavy items, optimizing each cell's performance for its designated goods category
Solution Approach 2:
The object detection device scans goods and provides data to the job management control unit, which then determines the optimal picking cell assignment based on goods properties. This feedback loop ensures that jobs are dynamically allocated to cells with the most appropriate handling capabilities, maximizing system efficiency
3Productivity
If jobs are distributed among multiple picking cells, then the picking efficiency is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The job management control unit pre-processes job data and determines the optimal assignment of jobs to picking cells before execution. By performing this allocation in advance based on goods properties and cell capabilities, the system avoids complex real-time decision-making during the actual picking process
Solution Approach 2:
The job management control unit serves as a central coordinating component that manages multiple picking cells with different capabilities. This multi-functional control unit allocates jobs to appropriate cells based on goods properties, enabling the system to handle diverse goods types through a single unified management structure
4Manufacturing precision
If picking cells are specialized for specific goods, then the handling precision is improved, but the system flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically assigns jobs to picking cells based on the specific requirements of each job and the current status of cells. This dynamic allocation allows the system to adapt to different goods types and job requirements while maintaining specialized handling capabilities, balancing precision with flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The job management control unit adjusts assignment parameters based on goods properties such as weight, size, and fragility. By changing assignment parameters dynamically, the system optimizes handling precision for each specific goods type while maintaining the ability to handle a wide variety of goods
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a picking system for a job-related picking of goods in output bins, said picking system comprising a plurality of automated picking cells; comprising a first conveying system for the supply and/or discharge of the supply bins to and/or from the picking cells; and a second conveying system for the supply and/or discharge of the output bins to and/or from the picking cells, and a job management control for working through a plurality of picking jobs by controlling the first and second conveying systems and the plurality of picking cells, wherein at least one first picking cell has different goods handling properties than a second picking cell; and/or in that the job management control uses at least one first picking cell for working through different jobs and/or partial jobs than a second picking cell.