Rotatable AGV Goods Sectors for Faster, More Accurate Order Picking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems for order picking face challenges in reducing error rates and walking distances for order pickers, leading to inefficiencies in the picking process.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a rotatable goods receiving device mounted on an AGV, which positions order-specific goods sectors to face the order picker, reducing walking distances and minimizing errors by ensuring the correct goods are placed in the appropriate sectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the order picker manually picks goods from fixed shelves and places them in cartons on the AGV trolley, then the picking process can be completed, but the walking distances and time required for the order picker increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking speedVSAvoidtime required for picking process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The goods receiving device is made rotatable relative to the AGV, allowing dynamic repositioning of goods sectors to face the order picker. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for the order picker to walk to different locations, significantly reducing walking distances and picking time while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable goods receiving device acts as an intermediary between the fixed storage shelves and the order picker. By rotating to present the required goods sector facing the order picker, it mediates the interaction and eliminates the need for the order picker to traverse long distances, thereby reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If goods are stored in fixed cartons on the AGV trolley, then the picking process can proceed, but error rates increase due to difficulty in identifying correct goods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of goods identificationVSAvoiderror rate in order picking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The goods receiving device rotates to dynamically present the specific goods sector corresponding to the current order facing the order picker. This dynamic positioning makes it easier to identify the correct goods and reduces errors by ensuring the order picker is always presented with the relevant goods sector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The goods receiving device is divided into multiple goods sectors, each assigned to a specific order. By rotating to present only the relevant goods sector facing the order picker, the system applies local quality - making the identification of correct goods easier and reducing errors through focused presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the AGV transports a stationary goods receiving device, then the system structure remains simple, but the order picker must cover large distances to access different goods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structural complexityVSAvoidaccessibility of goods to order picker

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The goods receiving device is equipped with a rotation mechanism that allows it to dynamically orient different goods sectors toward the order picker. This adds moderate complexity to the system structure but dramatically improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for the order picker to walk long distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the entire AGV or having the order picker move in the horizontal plane to access different goods, the system introduces rotation as another dimension of movement. This allows the goods receiving device to present different sectors without changing its position, improving accessibility while maintaining relatively simple system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250355447A1Method for order picking using an automated guided vehicle with a rotatable goods receiving device

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 SAFELOG

AI summary

A method is for picking goods assigned to different orders using a picking system with an automated guided vehicle and a goods receiving device rotatably mounted thereon for receiving goods in order-specific goods sectors. The method includes providing the first good to be picked, assigned to a first order, at a first transfer position, picking up the first good at the first transfer position by an order picker, positioning the picking system near the order picker, and rotating the goods receiving device relative to the automated guided vehicle in such a way that a first goods sector of the goods receiving device assigned to the first order faces the order picker.