Reconfigurable Transporter Fleet Control for Order Picking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems deploying autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles in item handling facilities face inefficiencies due to varying item combinations and locations, leading to suboptimal deployment and utilization of transporters, resulting in increased travel distances and complex order separation tasks.

Innovation Solution

A fleet control system that includes a server and reconfigurable transporters with varying receptacle capacities, which optimizes order allocation by assigning item groups to receptacle configurations based on item attributes and locations, and monitors transporter availability to efficiently distribute orders among the fleet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles are deployed to handle items in facilities, then item handling capability is improved, but deployment efficiency deteriorates due to varying item combinations and locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem handling capabilityVSAvoiddeployment efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically assigns different item group definitions to transporters based on real-time conditions. The server continuously monitors transporter availability and adjusts assignments to optimize for travel distance, ensuring the system adapts to varying item combinations and locations rather than using fixed routing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by selecting different receptacle configurations based on item attributes. When items have varying dimensions, weights, or locations, the server adjusts the receptacle assignment parameters to match the specific requirements of each item group, optimizing transporter utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If transporters are assigned fixed routes, then operational simplicity is improved, but travel distance increases due to varying item locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute assignment simplicityVSAvoidtravel distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The server dynamically changes route parameters based on item locations and transporter positions. Instead of fixed routes, the system calculates optimal paths by considering the current locations of items and transporters, adjusting travel parameters in real-time to minimize distance while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If more transporters are deployed to handle diverse item combinations, then order fulfillment capacity is improved, but fleet utilization deteriorates due to suboptimal distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder fulfillment capacityVSAvoidtransporter utilization rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the fleet management into discrete item group definitions that can be independently assigned to different transporters. By dividing the order fulfillment task into manageable item groups with specific attributes, the server can optimally distribute work across the fleet, ensuring each transporter is utilized efficiently based on its current state and the requirements of each item group

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The server dynamically adjusts fleet utilization parameters by monitoring transporter availability and changing assignments based on real-time conditions. This allows the system to maintain high order fulfillment capacity while optimizing the distribution of tasks across transporters, preventing both over-provisioning and under-utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12459739B2Automated transporter fleet control in order fulfillment facilities

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 SKILD-FETCH LLC

AI summary

A method includes: obtaining a batch of item group definitions, each item group definition having one or more item identifiers and corresponding quantities; for each item identifier, retrieving (i) a location of a corresponding item in a facility, and (ii) a dimensional attribute of the corresponding item; based on the locations and dimensional attributes, assigning sets of the item group definitions to respective receptacle configurations, each receptacle configuration including, for each item group definition in the set, a receptacle type with a predefined capacity; monitoring availability of a plurality of transporters in the facility, each transporter having a chassis configured to support a selectable set of receptacles; and responsive to detecting that a transporter is available, selecting one of the receptacle configurations, and presenting the selected receptacle configuration via an output device, to initiate placement of receptacles onto the chassis of the transporter according to the selected receptacle configuration.