Storage Location Scoring for Automated Facility Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage facilities face bottlenecks and inefficiencies due to inadequate methods for determining optimal storage locations for physical items, leading to traffic congestion and suboptimal use of space.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that assesses available storage locations based on multiple sub-scores, including size, weight capacity, travel time, and compatibility, to select the most favorable location for storing physical items, thereby optimizing storage and reducing bottlenecks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If items are stored in available storage locations without optimization, then storage capacity is utilized, but bottlenecks and traffic congestion occur in the facility
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of storage location selection from arbitrary or simple availability-based to score-based optimization. Multiple parameters (size compatibility, weight capacity, travel time, traffic conditions) are evaluated and aggregated into a favorability score, transforming the decision-making process to achieve both high storage utilization and efficient facility operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring traffic conditions, bottlenecks, and storage location characteristics, then using this information to dynamically adjust storage location selection. The favorability score incorporates real-time or historical traffic data, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both storage capacity utilization and facility productivity
2Device complexity
If items are routed to storage locations without considering traffic conditions, then storage operations are simple, but bottlenecks arise causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the routing decision from simple availability-based to multi-parameter optimization. Travel time and traffic conditions are incorporated as key parameters in the favorability score calculation, ensuring that items are routed to locations that minimize transport time while accounting for current or historical traffic patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple storage locations and their associated travel times and traffic conditions before item routing decisions are made. By pre-calculating favorability scores based on traffic patterns and transport characteristics, the system prepares optimal routing options in advance, reducing actual transport time without excessive operational complexity
3Productivity
If storage locations are selected without matching item characteristics, then storage operations are faster, but space utilization is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the selection criterion from simple availability to compatibility-based scoring. Size and weight parameters are used to calculate a favorability score that matches item characteristics with appropriate storage locations, ensuring optimal space utilization while maintaining efficient storage operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by matching specific item characteristics (size, weight) with corresponding storage location properties. Different storage locations have different capacities and characteristics, and the favorability score ensures that each item is placed in a location with appropriate local qualities, optimizing overall space utilization
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for storing items in storage facilities. The method can include receiving, by a computing system, a request to identify a destination location for a storage item, identifying a set of available storage locations from among a plurality of storage locations, and determining a score for each respective storage location of the set of available storage locations based on multiple sub-scores specific to the respective storage location, to generate a set of scores corresponding to the set of available storage locations. The method also includes selecting a selected storage location from among the available storage locations based on the selected storage location having a most favorable score from among the set of scores corresponding to the set of available storage locations, and providing instructions to cause a mechanical moving system to route the storage item to the selected storage location.