Warehouse Carrier Navigation Using Shelving-Based Position Deviation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing navigation methods for moving carriers in warehouses, relying on QR codes, are prone to errors due to incorrect placement, leading to unreliable operation and potential collisions with shelving units.

Innovation Solution

A navigation method that calculates deviated position information of a moving carrier relative to shelving units and navigates the carrier based on this information, preventing collisions and ensuring reliable operation within a preset space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If QR codes are used for navigation, then the moving carrier can be guided in the warehouse, but errors occur due to incorrect code placement leading to unreliable operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical QR code placement system with a visual field-based navigation system. The moving carrier uses visual sensors to detect shelving units and calculates its position based on the visual field information, eliminating the need for physical QR code markers and their associated placement errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces shelving units as intermediary reference objects for navigation. Instead of using QR codes directly on the ground, the system uses the shelving units themselves as fixed reference points that the moving carrier can visually detect and use for position calculation, providing a more reliable reference system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If QR codes are placed on the ground for navigation, then the moving carrier can acquire navigation data, but mistakes in code placement lead to potential collisions with shelving units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation setupVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical QR code placement system with a visual field-based navigation system. The moving carrier uses visual sensors to detect shelving units and calculates its position based on the visual field information, eliminating the need for physical QR code markers and their associated placement errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by continuously monitoring the moving carrier's position relative to shelving units using visual field information. The system calculates deviated position information in advance and adjusts the navigation path to prevent collisions before they occur, rather than reacting after a collision risk is detected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS12235647B2Navigation method, moving carrier and navigation system
Publication Date: 2025.02.25 HAI ROBOTICS CO LTD
  • US12235647B2 patent drawing
  • US12235647B2 patent drawing
  • US12235647B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of intelligent warehousing, and discloses a navigation method, a moving carrier, and a navigation system. The navigation method is applied to the moving carrier capable of traveling in a preset space including a roadway formed by at least two rows of shelving units opposite to each other. The navigation method includes: acquiring deviated position information of the moving carrier in a non-traveling direction relative to the shelving units in the roadway, and navigating the moving carrier according to the deviated position information. The moving carrier is prevented from hitting the shelving units, and, besides, can be reliably navigated in the roadway.