Relay Goods Picking Coordination for Mixed Manual-Robot Orders
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Solution Overview
Problem
The logistics and warehousing industry faces challenges in improving picking efficiency due to the unsynchronized information between manual and robot-based picking systems, leading to inefficiencies in both manual picking and goods-to-person modes.
Innovation Solution
A relay-type goods picking system that combines manual and robot-based picking modes through a control system, using carrying robots, manual and robot picking rack areas, and auxiliary pickup tools to classify orders and allocate tasks in a relay manner, allowing for person-to-goods and goods-to-person picking modes to be used sequentially.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual picking mode is used, then hardware costs are low and labor flexibility is high, but information synchronization is poor and picking efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges manual picking and robot-based goods-to-person picking into a unified relay-type system. The control system integrates both picking modes, allowing them to work together on mixed orders. Manual pickers handle portions of orders while robots handle other portions, and the control system coordinates information flow between them, achieving both high efficiency and information synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between manual pickers and robot-based picking systems. It receives order information, allocates tasks to appropriate picking modes, and coordinates the relay process. This intermediary ensures information synchronization while enabling the productivity benefits of both manual and automated picking.
2Productivity
If robot-based goods-to-person picking mode is used, then picking efficiency is improved and labor intensity is reduced, but system complexity and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the picking system into distinct zones: a robot picking rack area for automated goods-to-person picking and a manual picking rack area for manual picking. This segmentation allows each mode to operate independently on suitable tasks while the control system coordinates them, reducing overall system complexity compared to a fully automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing full automation across all picking operations, the system applies robot-based picking partially - only for portions of mixed orders that are suitable for automated handling. The remaining portions are handled manually, thereby achieving productivity improvements without the full complexity and cost of complete automation.
3Productivity
If fully automated robot picking is implemented, then labor burden is reduced and speed is improved, but adaptability to different order types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically allocates picking tasks between manual and robot-based modes based on order characteristics. The control system evaluates each mixed order and determines the optimal division of labor, allowing the system to adapt to different order types while maintaining high picking speed through automated handling of suitable items.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a relay goods picking system, the system includes: a plurality of carrying robots, a manual picking area, auxiliary pickup tools for manual goods picking which store goods for manual picking, a robot picking inventory container area provided with a plurality of inventory containers used for storing goods and being carried by the plurality of carrying robots, operating positions and a control system capable of communicating with the plurality of carrying robots and manual picking persons. For a mixed order which involves both goods in the manual picking area and goods in the robot picking rack area, under control of the control system, a person-to-goods picking mode and a goods-to-person picking mode are used to complete the goods picking.