Shuttle Robot Parcel Handling with Removable Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current logistics centers face challenges in efficiently processing heavy and bulky parcels from loading points to drop-off points, particularly due to manual handling and the risk of misrouting, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of trolleys with removable receptacles and shuttle robots controlled by a command unit to automatically move parcels from loading points to drop-off points, eliminating manual handling and reducing misrouting by following a sorting plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling is used to transfer parcels from receptacles to bags and move bags to drop-off points, then flexibility in handling different parcel types is maintained, but operator workload increases and risk of misrouting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the shuttle robot autonomously transports receptacles from loading points to drop-off points without human intervention. The robot navigates independently, docks automatically, and replaces full receptacles with empty ones, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating manual handling while maintaining reliability through automated route following
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling by operators is replaced with an automated robotic system. The shuttle robot uses automated docking mechanisms, sensor-based navigation, and programmable route following to substitute human physical labor, thereby reducing workload while eliminating human error-related misrouting through systematic automated control
2Productivity
If automated sorting conveyor is used to move parcels along sorting outlets, then sorting efficiency is improved, but additional equipment complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the parcel handling process into distinct functional zones: sorting outlets for initial parcel distribution, loading points for receptacle filling, and drop-off points for final delivery. The shuttle robot operates independently between these segments, allowing each zone to be optimized separately and reducing overall system complexity through modular functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle robot acts as an intermediary between the sorting conveyor system and the final delivery platforms. It receives sorted parcels at loading points, transports them to drop-off points, and enables seamless integration between different handling systems without requiring direct complex interconnection, thereby simplifying the overall equipment architecture
3Productivity
If removable receptacles are used in trolleys for bulk parcel dumping, then handling speed is improved, but receptacle replacement operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle robot performs automatic receptacle replacement at drop-off points without human assistance. The robot docks with the trolley, identifies full receptacles, transports them to loading points, and brings empty receptacles back for replacement. This self-service automation simplifies the replacement operation by eliminating manual intervention while maintaining high handling speed through continuous automated cycles
Solution Approach 2:
Empty receptacles are prepared and positioned at loading points in advance before needed at drop-off points. The shuttle robot pre-positions replacement receptacles and prepares trolleys for upcoming deliveries, ensuring that receptacle replacement operations can proceed immediately without delay, thereby maintaining high handling speed while managing complexity through advance preparation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A piece of equipment for processing parcels (2) between loading points (S1, S2, S3, S4) and drop-off points (PT1, PT2, PT3, PT4) of said parcels in a logistics centre (1) comprising sorting containers (7) positioned at said loading points into which said parcels are unloaded loose, further comprises carriages (6) each designed to carry a removable container (7) and shuttle robots (13) designed to dock with the carriages and move them automatically, a control unit (4) for automatically remotely controlling the movement of the shuttle robots according to a sorting plan, so as to position carriages with empty containers at said loading points and position said carriages with a container loaded with parcels at a drop-off point where the container loaded with parcels is replaced with an empty container.