Shelf Selection and Picking Position Control for Warehouse Order Fulfillment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional warehousing methods result in low efficiency and high labor intensity due to manual article picking, leading to delays and increased chances of errors, especially in high-volume e-commerce warehouses.
Innovation Solution
An article picking method that determines optimal order picking positions and selects shelves based on article coincidence degrees and handling costs, using shelf handling carts to efficiently transport shelves to picking positions, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual article picking is used in traditional warehouses, then operators can flexibly handle orders, but labor intensity increases and picking efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing shelves to be automatically selected and transported to picking positions without manual intervention. The shelf selection module autonomously determines optimal shelves based on article coincidence degrees, and shelf handling carts automatically transport selected shelves, eliminating the need for operators to manually search and transport shelves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated systems. Instead of operators manually selecting and transporting shelves, the system uses a shelf selection module with automated algorithms and shelf handling carts with automated transport mechanisms, substituting human mechanical labor with automated mechanical systems.
2Productivity
If orders are accumulated and processed uniformly in traditional warehouses, then processing can be standardized, but order processing delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-selecting shelves and preparing them before orders are fully accumulated. The shelf selection module identifies and prepares shelves with high coincidence degrees in advance, so when orders are ready for processing, the shelves are already selected and waiting at picking positions, eliminating processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the system to adjust shelf selection and picking positions in real-time based on order characteristics. Instead of uniform static processing, the system dynamically optimizes shelf combinations and picking positions according to specific order requirements, enabling faster processing without standardization losses.
3Reliability
If manual article picking is used, then operators can handle complex orders, but mistakes increase due to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring order requirements and comparing them with shelf contents. The shelf selection module receives feedback from order data and adjusts shelf selections to maximize coincidence degrees, ensuring accurate article matching. The system also provides feedback to operators through display devices that show precise picking information, eliminating mistakes caused by fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating digital representations of order requirements and shelf contents. The system copies order data into a digital format that can be processed and compared with shelf inventory data, ensuring accurate matching without manual verification. This digital copying and comparison eliminates human error while maintaining the ability to handle complex orders.
4Productivity
If more shelves are dispatched to handle high-volume orders, then picking capacity increases, but handling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple order requirements into unified shelf selections by identifying shelves that contain articles for multiple orders simultaneously. The shelf selection module combines order data and identifies shelf combinations that satisfy multiple orders, reducing the total number of shelves needed while maintaining or increasing picking capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the coincidence degree parameter in shelf selection. By changing the selection criterion from simple article matching to coincidence degree optimization, the system identifies shelves that serve multiple purposes, increasing picking capacity without proportionally increasing the number of shelves dispatched, thereby reducing handling costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an article picking method, server and system, and relates to the field of smart storage technology. The article picking method according to the present disclosure includes: determining an order picking position for an order to be picked for according to one or more articles required in the order to be picked for; selecting one or more shelves carrying one or more of the articles required in the order to be picked for according to information of one or more articles on candidate shelves and distances from the shelves to the order picking position; and driving one or more selected shelves to the order picking position to perform article picking.