Picking Device Automatic Piece Goods Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for storing pharmaceutical packages in picking devices are time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when dealing with a plurality of identical piece goods, as they require manual input of the number of packages and can lead to incorrect counting during chaotic or unmixed storage.
Innovation Solution
A picking device equipped with a storage device, a control unit, and a sensor system that automatically determines the number of piece goods based on size data and sensor feedback, eliminating the need for manual input and reducing errors by using a gripping apparatus to move packages from a storage area onto a support table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual input of the number of packages is used for storage, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor systems to automatically detect and count piece goods as they are placed in the storage device, eliminating the need for manual input. The control unit processes sensor data to automatically determine the number of packages, making the system self-sufficient and error-free in counting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical counting with automated sensor-based detection. Optical sensors, weight sensors, or other detection mechanisms automatically identify and count packages, substituting human operation with an automated measurement system that improves speed and accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual counting of piece goods is performed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensor systems that continuously monitor and detect piece goods during storage. The control unit receives feedback from these sensors and automatically adjusts or records the number of packages, ensuring accurate counting through real-time verification and reducing human error.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual counting is replaced with automated sensor detection systems that provide precise measurement of package numbers. Optical sensors, weight sensors, or image processing systems automatically count packages with high accuracy, eliminating the errors associated with manual counting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If chaotic or unmixed storage is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in counting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensor systems such as optical sensors, weight sensors, or image processing systems to automatically detect and count piece goods in chaotic or unmixed storage configurations. These sensors can identify packages based on their physical properties rather than their arrangement, enabling accurate counting regardless of storage order or mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from positional arrangement (which is difficult in chaotic storage) to physical properties such as weight, optical characteristics, or dimensional measurements. This parameter change enables accurate counting even when packages are mixed or randomly arranged, maintaining both adaptability and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and picking devices for storing a plurality of identical piece goods in the picking device in which the number of identical piece goods is automatically detected are provided. Multiple piece goods are placed in a support area of a storage device and a determination that a last piece good has been placed is made. Upon detection, the piece goods are moved into a removal area of the storage device and a gripping apparatus of an operating unit moves into the removal area, grasps the piece goods, and moves them from the removal area onto a support table of the operating unit. The number of piece goods situated in the support area is determined based on piece goods data and size data of the piece goods that are detected with a sensor system, after it has been detected that a last piece good has been placed in the support area.