Logistics Robot Fleet Control for Narrow-Aisle Docking Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional logistics robot fleet management systems face inefficiencies in narrow aisles, leading to increased waiting times and reduced productivity due to the lack of effective traffic control and docking management, resulting in higher investment costs and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A processor-implemented method that classifies aisles into single-sided and double-sided docking aisles, divides them into sections, and performs traffic control based on the number of moving and waiting robots, optimizing robot movement and docking operations by generating and assigning missions to reduce congestion and enhance productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a narrow aisle divided into multiple lanes is used to reduce area and investment costs, then the area and investment costs are reduced, but the waiting time of logistics robots increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The narrow aisle is divided into multiple functional sections (first section, second section, third section) with different traffic control rules. The first section allows free movement, the second section implements one-way traffic control for robots moving in the same direction, and the third section allows docking operations. This segmentation enables efficient space utilization while maintaining productivity through localized traffic management.
Solution Approach 2:
The traffic control system dynamically adjusts robot movement based on real-time conditions. When a robot enters the second section, the system determines its movement direction and controls other robots accordingly - allowing same-direction robots to pass while preventing opposite-direction robots from entering, thereby reducing waiting time and maintaining flow efficiency in the constrained narrow aisle space.
2Productivity
If multiple logistics robots operate simultaneously in a narrow aisle, then productivity is improved, but congestion increases and waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic traffic control in the second section by alternating between allowing robots to enter and prohibiting entry based on current occupancy and movement direction. This periodic action pattern prevents congestion while maintaining continuous operational flow, enabling multiple robots to utilize the narrow aisle efficiently without excessive waiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The fleet management apparatus continuously monitors robot positions, movement directions, and docking states, and provides real-time feedback control by dynamically adjusting which robots are permitted to enter the second section. This feedback mechanism optimizes traffic flow by preventing congestion before it occurs while ensuring continuous productive operation of multiple robots.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor-implemented method includes classifying a plurality of aisles into a single-sided docking aisle and a double-sided docking aisle within a structure including a plurality of workstations are arranged in the aisle, determining positions of each of a plurality of logistics robots within each section of each aisle based on received respective positions of respective logistics robots and received respective states of the respective logistics robots, counting a first number of moving logistics robots in each section of each aisle and a second number of waiting logistics robots in each section of each aisle, performing a first traffic control with respect to logistics robots that have entered the traffic section, performing a second traffic control with respect to logistics robots that have requested a docking-out, and generating and assigning a mission corresponding to a result of the first traffic control and the second traffic control.