Warehouse Picking Vehicle Routing Across Multiple Picking Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing item picking methods in large storage spaces are inefficient due to the manual nature of item retrieval, leading to increased time and labor costs, especially in warehouses with numerous items spread across multiple areas.
Innovation Solution
An automated item picking method utilizing a picking management device that allocates tasks to drive apparatuses and item carrying vehicles, determining optimal routes and sequences based on load states and travel costs to efficiently move items between storage areas and picking devices for automated retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual item retrieval is used in large storage spaces, then labor flexibility is maintained, but picking efficiency is low and time costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical retrieval with an automated system comprising drive apparatus, item carrying apparatus, and picking devices. The drive apparatus automatically transports item carrying apparatus to storage locations, and picking devices automatically retrieve items, eliminating manual labor and significantly improving picking efficiency while reducing time costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the drive apparatus autonomously navigates to target locations, the item carrying apparatus self-transports items, and picking devices automatically complete retrieval tasks. This self-service mechanism operates without human intervention, maximizing productivity while minimizing time loss.
2Productivity
If automated picking systems are implemented, then picking efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated picking system is divided into three independent functional modules: drive apparatus for transportation, item carrying apparatus for holding items, and picking devices for retrieval. Each module operates independently but coordinates through a management device, allowing the system to achieve high productivity while managing complexity through modular design.
3Productivity
If multiple picking tasks are handled sequentially, then task accuracy is maintained, but completion duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive apparatus continuously transports item carrying apparatus between storage locations and picking points without idle interruptions. The system maintains continuous operational flow, ensuring that multiple picking tasks are completed in rapid succession while maintaining accuracy through automated control and coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The picking management device receives real-time feedback from drive apparatus, item carrying apparatus, and picking devices to monitor task progress and coordinates their actions. This feedback mechanism ensures that multiple tasks are executed accurately and efficiently, maintaining reliability while improving completion speed through optimized task scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an item picking method, so that an item stored in a warehouse can be picked and placed in a picking vehicle. Specifically, the warehouse may be divided into one or more picking areas. A picking management device may divide a picking task for items into different picking sub-tasks according to picking areas in which the items are located. One picking vehicle corresponds to several picking sub-tasks. The picking management device allocates an automated guided vehicle (AGV) for a picking sub-task, causing the AGV to move the picking vehicle to a picking area corresponding to the picking sub-task. The picking management device may send task information of the picking sub-task to a picking device corresponding to the picking area. The picking device executes the picking sub-task according to the task information, so as to pick an item and place the item in the picking vehicle, thereby implementing the automation of an item picking process. In addition, the present disclosure further provides a device related to item picking, so as to ensure the actual application and implementation of the foregoing method.