Rotating Shelf Picking for Cold-Chain Outbound Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in delivering items from a warehouse, particularly fresh cold chain items, due to the need for operators to operate in low-temperature environments, reduces overall efficiency and affects customer experience and supply chain timeliness.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine storage positions and classify items for efficient delivery by rotating shelves to a preset position for picking, using a drive apparatus and conveying system to improve delivery efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operators manually pick items from storage positions in low-temperature environments, then delivering tasks can be completed, but delivering efficiency is reduced and operator comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the warehouse into multiple storage areas with different temperature zones. High-temperature storage areas are separated from low-temperature storage areas, allowing operators to work in comfortable high-temperature environments while automated systems handle low-temperature zones. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by dividing the workspace based on temperature requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated shelf rotation and item retrieval mechanisms that operate without human intervention in low-temperature environments. The automated storage and retrieval system serves itself by automatically positioning shelves and delivering items to operators in high-temperature areas, eliminating the need for operators to work in uncomfortable low-temperature conditions while maintaining high delivering efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If operators work in low-temperature environments for extended periods, then delivering tasks are completed, but overall delivering efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces automated robotic systems and conveyor mechanisms as intermediaries between the low-temperature storage areas and the high-temperature operator zones. These intermediaries handle the physically demanding tasks of retrieving items from low-temperature environments and transporting them to operators, allowing continuous operation without reducing overall delivering efficiency while protecting operators from prolonged exposure to cold conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension to the delivering process by creating separate physical zones for different temperature conditions. Operators remain in high-temperature control rooms or warm areas, while automated systems operate in low-temperature storage zones. This dimensional separation allows the system to maintain high task completion rates without compromising operator comfort or overall efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple storage areas with different temperature zones are implemented, then item storage requirements are met, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal automated shelf units and standardized storage modules that can function across multiple temperature zones. These multi-functional components are designed to operate in various environmental conditions, allowing the same hardware to serve high-temperature, low-temperature, and intermediate storage areas. This universality reduces overall system complexity despite the presence of multiple temperature zones by using standardized, adaptable components throughout the warehouse.
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 delivery efficiency by optimizing the operation of multiple storage areas and providing a comfortable environment for operators, improving the overall delivery process.
Implementation Method 1
rotating, by using a drive apparatus, a shelf group to which the shelf indicated by the picking task belongs, so that the shelf indicated by the picking task is rotated to a preset position
Implementation Method 2
conveying, in response to determining that the crate receives the to-be-delivered items represented by the picking task, the to-be-delivered items out of storage by using a conveying apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for delivering an item. A specific embodiment of the method includes: determining, in response to receiving a set of tasks comprising a plurality of outbound delivering tasks, in a plurality of storage areas, a storage position of a to-be-delivered item in each outbound delivering task in the set of tasks; determining, from the plurality of storage areas, a target storage area corresponding to the set of tasks based on storage positions of to-be-delivered items in outbound delivering tasks; determining, from the target storage area, target storage positions of the to-be-delivered items in outbound delivering tasks; and classifying to-be-delivered items, target storage positions of which belonging to a same shelf in a same storage area, in the set of tasks into a same picking task for outbound delivery processing.