Rotating Compartmentalized Shelf for Order Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing order picking systems are inefficient in sorting and distributing articles by type and quantity to specific recipients, often leading to incorrect assignments and requiring multiple order pickers, especially when handling multiple items simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic order picking module featuring a rotatable compartmentalized shelf with radially arranged compartments and displays, allowing simultaneous picking of multiple articles, accompanied by acknowledgment buttons for efficient compartment management and automatic rotation, enabling seamless transition between compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional shelf system is used for order picking, then multiple order pickers are required to handle multiple items simultaneously, but this increases operational complexity and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is divided into multiple compartments, each dedicated to a specific article type. This segmentation allows a single order picker to simultaneously access and pick multiple different articles by rotating the shelf to bring different compartments into the picking position, eliminating the need for multiple pickers and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf is designed to be rotatable about its vertical central axis, allowing dynamic repositioning of compartments during the picking process. This dynamic capability enables a single picker to efficiently access multiple article types without moving between fixed locations, significantly improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If articles are stored in fixed positions on conventional shelves, then pickers must travel long distances between compartments, but this increases picking time and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shelf design allows compartments to be dynamically positioned near the picker's stationary location. Instead of the picker traveling between fixed compartments, the shelf rotates to bring the needed compartment into reach, dramatically reducing picking distance and increasing picking speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf can be pre-rotated to position the next required compartment in advance, allowing the picker to continuously work without interruption. This preliminary positioning minimizes idle time and maintains high picking speed throughout the order fulfillment process.
3Reliability
If displays show quantities for each article on the shelf, then incorrect assignments are prevented, but this requires additional components and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Displays are positioned next to each compartment to show the quantity of articles to be picked. This visual feedback system guides the picker in real-time, ensuring accurate article assignment to the correct order. The feedback mechanism is simple and intuitive, adding minimal complexity while significantly improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compartment is equipped with its own display showing the specific quantity needed for that article type. This localized information provision ensures that the picker receives precise guidance for each compartment without requiring a complex centralized control system, balancing reliability with manageable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The commissioning module has multiple shelves. The commissioning module is formed by two shelves, which are arranged adjacent to each other and are provided with multi-panel cabinets, a multi-panel cabinet shelf (1) and an article shelf (2). The multi-panel cabinet shelf is formed roundly when viewed from top, and is arranged in a rotating manner around its perpendicular central axis (M). The multi-panels (4) of the multi-panel cabinet shelves are arranged adjacent to each other radially around the central axis of the multi-panel shelf.