Picking System Load-Carrying Device for Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing picking systems generate noise pollution and increase the risk of injury for picking personnel due to the tilting and movement of storage containers during the picking process, which complicates the ergonomic delivery and handling of items.
Innovation Solution
A picking system with a load-carrying device that supports storage containers between two levels, allowing for ergonomic positioning and movement without tilting near the picking person, and enables direct transfer from the first conveyor track to the second, reducing noise and risk of injury by using an endlessly rotating conveyor element and adjustable guide for flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If storage containers are tilted in the vicinity of the picking person during the picking process, then ergonomic handling and visual detection of items are improved, but noise pollution and the risk of injury for picking personnel increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting action is extracted from the picking station area and relocated to a separate preparation area. Storage containers are tilted and prepared for picking in a remote location, then transported to the picking station in their tilted state. This separates the noisy tilting operation from the picking personnel, eliminating noise pollution and injury risk while maintaining ergonomic handling benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
A conveyor system acts as an intermediary between the container preparation area and the picking station. The conveyor transports pre-positioned storage containers to the picking person, eliminating the need for mechanical tilting movements near the picking area. This intermediary transport mechanism delivers containers in an ergonomically favorable position without exposing personnel to harmful tilting motions.
2Extent of automation
If multiple separate conveyor devices are used to transport storage containers to and from the picking station, then automated transport capability is improved, but device complexity and noise emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second conveyor tracks are merged into a single continuous conveyor system that passes through the picking station. This unified conveyor performs multiple functions: transporting containers to the picking station, receiving processed containers, and conveying them away. The consolidation reduces the number of separate conveyor devices from two to one, simplifying the system while maintaining full automated transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single conveyor track is designed with multi-functionality to handle both incoming storage containers and outgoing processed containers. By making the conveyor universal, it eliminates the need for separate dedicated conveyors for each direction, reducing device complexity and noise emissions while preserving complete automation for both container supply and removal.
3Productivity
If separate conveyor tracks are used for transporting storage containers and order containers, then transport efficiency is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system utilizes vertical dimensionality by arranging the picking station at an elevated level above the conveyor track. Storage containers are transported horizontally along the conveyor, then vertically lifted to the picking station level. This three-dimensional arrangement allows a single conveyor track to serve dual purposes for both container supply and removal, maintaining transport efficiency while reducing the number of required conveyor tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system incorporates dynamic height adjustment capabilities, allowing the conveyor track to change its vertical position. This dynamic feature enables the same conveyor to efficiently handle containers at different levels - transporting them horizontally at ground level, then elevating them to the picking station. The dynamic adaptability allows one conveyor to replace what would traditionally require separate fixed conveyor tracks.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a picking station for picking items (15) from storage containers (4) into order containers by a picker (2) at a picking station (3), wherein a storage container (4) is conveyed to the picking station (3) by means of a first conveyor (6) and is picked up from a first level (20) by a load handling device (22) from the first conveyor (6) and moved to a second level (24), in which the storage container (4) is in a staging position (25) for the picker (2) and picks items (15) from the storage container (4) into at least one order container. During the movement between the first level (20) and the second level (24), the storage container (4) is held in a position inclined towards the picker (2).The storage containers (4) can be conveyed after the picking process by means of the second conveyor, which also conveys the order containers.