Movable Shelf Allocation for Warehouse Picking Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a shelf movement type warehouse, existing systems struggle to efficiently allocate items on movable shelves to minimize picking time and optimize worker load, while also reducing the frequency of shelf movements.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device determines the allocation of items to movable shelves based on their distance from the picking station and order information, aiming to place frequently delivered items closer to the picking station and enable simultaneous picking from multiple shelves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If items are allocated to shelves based on frequency of delivery and distance from picking station, then picking efficiency is improved, but shelf movement frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking efficiencyVSAvoidshelf movement frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary allocation of items to shelves based on predicted order frequencies and shelf distances before actual picking operations. By pre-optimizing the placement of frequently ordered items on closer shelves, the system reduces the need for frequent shelf movements during operation, thus improving picking efficiency while minimizing movement frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts allocation parameters such as item placement positions and shelf assignments based on changing order patterns and shelf distances. By modifying these parameters optimally, the system achieves high picking efficiency without requiring excessive shelf movements to reconfigure storage arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If shelves are moved frequently to optimize item placement, then picking efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary optimization of item-shelf assignments based on predicted order frequencies and shelf distances before actual picking operations. By pre- positioning frequently ordered items on closer shelves, the system minimizes the need for energy-consuming shelf movements during operation, thus improving picking efficiency while reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts allocation parameters such as item placement positions and shelf assignments based on changing order patterns and shelf distances. By optimally modifying these parameters, the system achieves high picking efficiency without requiring excessive energy-consuming shelf movements to reconfigure storage arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If items are placed on shelves closer to picking station, then picking time is reduced, but shelf conveyance distance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking timeVSAvoidshelf conveyance distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the allocation parameters by considering both the distance from the picking station and the current shelf positions. It optimizes the assignment of items to shelves by calculating the combined impact on picking time and shelf conveyance distance, thereby achieving a balanced solution that reduces picking time without excessively increasing shelf movement distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12333494B2Information processing device, information processing method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and information processing system

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an information processing device includes a processor configured to determine items to be put on a plurality of first shelves which are capable of moving to a picking station, on a basis of distances between the plurality of first shelves and the picking station and order information of the items.