Picking Robot Scheduling by Task Association and Working Stage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assigning picking tasks to robots result in unstable response efficiency due to indiscriminate allocation, leading to some tasks exceeding execution time limits while others remain idle, affecting overall picking efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method for scheduling picking robots that sorts tasks based on task association information, including item quantity, packing information, and category, and schedules robots according to working stages such as picking, packing, replenishment, and maintenance, ensuring rational task allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If picking tasks are assigned to robots evenly based on task generation time and number of tasks, then the allocation process is simple, but the response efficiency becomes unstable and some tasks exceed execution time limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic task scheduling by continuously monitoring robot working stages and adjusting task assignments in real-time. The system transitions from static even distribution to dynamic allocation based on current robot availability, ensuring stable response efficiency while maintaining simple operation through automated stage monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring robot working stages (picking, packing, replenishment, idle, maintenance) and using this information to adjust task assignments. This feedback loop ensures tasks are allocated based on actual robot availability, resolving the contradiction between simple allocation and stable response efficiency.
2Device complexity
If picking tasks are assigned without considering working stages, then the scheduling process is simple, but some robots remain idle while others face task backlogs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the robot workflow into distinct stages (picking, packing, replenishment, idle, maintenance) and uses this segmentation to make intelligent task assignments. This segmentation enables the system to allocate tasks based on which stage a robot is currently in, preventing idle time and task backlogs while maintaining manageable scheduling complexity through modular stage management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the scheduling parameters from simple task count-based allocation to multi-parameter evaluation including working stage, task urgency, and robot availability. This parameter change enables optimized task distribution that prevents idle robots and task backlogs, improving overall productivity without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a robot must complete the entire previous task before executing a new one, then the execution process is simple, but the system cannot determine task execution status and response efficiency becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic task execution by allowing robots to switch between tasks based on working stage monitoring. Instead of strict sequential execution, the system dynamically assigns new tasks when robots transition between stages, reducing execution time while maintaining operational simplicity through automated stage-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from working stage monitoring to determine when robots are ready for new tasks. This feedback mechanism enables better task execution status determination and reduces execution time without complicating the execution process, as the stage monitoring automatically triggers appropriate task assignments.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for scheduling picking robots, an electronic device and a storage medium. The method includes: sorting, in response to receiving multiple picking tasks, the multiple picking tasks based on task association information corresponding to the picking tasks to obtain a task sorting result, the task association information including at least one of total quantity of items of items to be picked corresponding to the picking tasks, packing information, or category information; and scheduling a picking robot to execute the picking tasks according to a working stage of the picking robot and the task sorting result, the working stage including at least one of a picking stage, a packing stage, a replenishment stage, an idle stage, or a maintenance stage.