Outbound Robot Sequencing to Prevent Mixed Order Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In smart warehousing, there is a challenge in reducing confusion between materials of different outbound orders when multiple orders are assigned to the same workstation, leading to errors in sorting and potential mixing of materials.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine a first outbound order for a robot and control other robots to either suspend or continue their carrying tasks based on whether they correspond to the same or different orders, ensuring that materials of the same order are continuously carried to the workstation without interference from other orders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple robots carry materials for different outbound orders to the same workstation simultaneously, then the productivity of the workstation is improved, but the confusion between materials of different outbound orders increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary identification of the first outbound order when the first robot arrives at the workstation. Based on this preliminary action, the system proactively controls subsequent robots to suspend or continue their carrying tasks before material confusion can occur, thus preventing sorting errors while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the arrival status of robots at the workstation and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the carrying tasks of subsequent robots. When a robot carrying materials for a different outbound order detects that another robot is already present, it receives feedback to suspend or continue its task accordingly, preventing material confusion
2Reliability
If a robot suspends its carrying task to wait for other robots, then the material sorting accuracy is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring all robots to suspend their tasks, the system applies partial action by allowing robots to continue their carrying tasks if they are not involved in the current outbound order conflict. Only the specific robot carrying materials for the same outbound order needs to suspend, reducing overall waiting time while maintaining sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the suspension or continuation of carrying tasks based on real-time conditions. Robots can switch between suspending and continuing their tasks depending on the arrival status of other robots and the specific outbound order requirements, optimizing the balance between accuracy and time efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A material outbound method includes: determining a first outbound order corresponding to a first robot among at least one robot, where a carrying task performed by the at least one robot corresponds to a same workstation, and the first robot is a robot that first carries a material to the workstation; controlling a third robot according to a control strategy; and determining the control strategy for the third robot based on whether robots corresponding to the first outbound order include a second robot, where the second robot is a robot other than the first robot that corresponds to the first outbound order, the control strategy includes controlling the third robot to suspend performing a carrying task, the carrying task includes a carrying task corresponding to at least one second outbound order, and the at least one second outbound order is an outbound order other than the first outbound order.