Warehouse Robot Box Spacing Detection for Safe Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations or manual operations in warehouses cause boxes to be displaced, leading to spacings that are less than the preset value, posing safety risks for warehouse robots during retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A box retrieval method and apparatus using an image sensor on a warehouse robot to detect box spacings and determine if they meet retrieval conditions, including obstacle recognition and threshold checks, ensuring safe retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the warehouse robot operates continuously for 24 hours replacing manual management, then warehousing efficiency is improved, but box displacement due to vibrations or manual operations creates safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of box spacing before retrieval operations. The image sensor captures images of boxes and calculates spacing distances in advance, identifying potential safety risks before the robot attempts retrieval, thereby preventing collisions and shelf damage while maintaining continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where detection results of box spacing are fed back to the control module, which then determines whether to proceed with retrieval. This closed-loop control ensures that retrieval operations only occur when spacing conditions are safe, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and safety
2Speed
If the robot retrieves boxes without detecting spacing, then operation speed is improved, but collision risk with neighboring boxes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical spacing detection methods with an optical image sensor system. The sensor captures images and the control module calculates spacing distances through image processing, enabling non-contact, rapid detection that does not slow down retrieval operations while effectively identifying collision risks
3Reliability
If the robot performs spacing detection before retrieval, then retrieval safety is improved, but operation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial detection by focusing only on the spacing between the target box and its immediate neighbors, rather than comprehensive detection of all boxes. This selective approach provides sufficient safety information without significantly increasing operation time, as the detection is limited to critical spacing measurements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the safety and efficiency of warehouse robot operations by accurately detecting safe box spacings and reducing the risk of damage or shelf collapse.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor to detect box spacings
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a box retrieval method and apparatus, a system, a robot, and a storage medium. The method is applied to a warehouse robot, and includes: acquiring a detection image, where the detection image includes an image of a target box and neighboring objects; determining a box spacing between the target box and each neighboring object according to the detection image; and if the box spacing satisfies retrieval conditions for a warehouse robot, retrieving the target box. Automatic detection of the box spacing is achieved with low detection cost and high detection accuracy, and goods is retrieved only when the spacing satisfies conditions, such that goods retrieval safety is increased, and the probability of goods damage and falling down of shelves during a retrieval process is greatly lowered.