Goods Picking Assembly With Sensor-Based Container Depth Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intelligent warehousing systems face issues with the safe placement of goods containers, as they often rely on default values for retrieval and placement, leading to potential damage or falling of containers due to mismatched sizes and distances.

Innovation Solution

A goods picking apparatus equipped with sensors and a depth determining module that measures the depth of a goods container and adjusts the picking and placement process accordingly, using through-beam sensors, visual sensors, or distance measurement sensors to determine the optimal placement depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multiple types of goods are stored in the same storage space, then storage space utilization is improved, but the risk of damaging vulnerable goods during extraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoiddamage risk to vulnerable goods
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different extraction forces based on the specific characteristics of each good being extracted. The control unit determines the type of good (fragile, soft, hard, heavy) and adjusts the extraction force parameters accordingly, allowing each extraction action to be optimized for its specific target while operating in a mixed storage environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the extraction force parameters dynamically based on the good type being extracted. By adjusting force magnitude, velocity, and acceleration parameters according to the detected good characteristics, the system can safely extract vulnerable goods from shared storage spaces without causing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If extraction force is increased to extract goods firmly attached to shelves, then extraction efficiency is improved, but the risk of damaging vulnerable goods increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction efficiencyVSAvoiddamage risk to vulnerable goods
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction force is not static but dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of good characteristics. The system transitions from fixed-force extraction to adaptive-force extraction, where the force parameters are modified during operation based on the detected good type and attachment state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes extraction force parameters (magnitude, velocity, acceleration) based on the detected good type. For firmly attached goods, higher forces are applied; for vulnerable goods, lower forces are used, optimizing both extraction efficiency and damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If manual inspection of each good is performed to determine extraction method, then extraction accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual visual inspection with automated image recognition technology. The imaging device captures images of goods on shelves, and the control unit automatically analyzes these images to identify good types and determine appropriate extraction methods, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital representation (image) of the physical goods and processes this copy to determine extraction parameters. By working with the image data rather than physically inspecting each good, the system achieves rapid automated classification and extraction planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If storage spaces are dedicated to specific good types, then good management is improved, but storage space utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegood managementVSAvoidstorage space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction device is designed to handle multiple types of goods (fragile, soft, hard, heavy) using the same storage space. The system's ability to automatically detect and adapt to different good types makes the storage system universal, allowing any storage location to accommodate various good types without requiring dedicated spaces for each category.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances the safety and efficiency of container placement, reducing the likelihood of damage and falling, and improves the intelligence and operational efficiency of warehousing robots by adapting to varying container sizes.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging device to capture images of goods on a shelf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage capture: Photography

Implementation Method 2

a control unit to control the moving device, the imaging device and the extraction device, where the control unit is configured to calculate, based on the captured images, a depth of the good relative to the shelf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage analysis for depth measurement: Photogrammetry

Data Source

PatentEP4166479A1Goods extraction device, depth measurement method, warehouse robot, and warehouse system
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 HAI ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • EP4166479A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4166479A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4166479A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a goods picking apparatus, a depth measurement method, a warehousing robot, and a warehousing system. The goods picking apparatus includes a goods picking assembly, a sensor, and a depth determining module; the sensor is provided on the goods picking assembly and configured to collect a measurement signal when the goods picking assembly extends; and the depth determining module is configured to determine a depth of a goods container according to the measurement signal to pick and/or place the goods container according to the depth of the goods container, where the depth is a length of the goods container in an extension direction of the goods picking assembly during goods picking. Through the sensor and the depth determining module arranged on the goods picking assembly, the depth of the goods container is measured, and the efficiency of goods container retrieval and the safety of goods container placement are improved.