Automated Warehouse Laser Targeting System for Item Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated warehouses face inefficiencies in item location and storage processes, particularly in balancing identification time, accuracy, and costs, necessitating optimization of the access and storage phases.

Innovation Solution

An automated warehouse system incorporating a laser targeting system with a point-like and linear beam to create a localization track, controlled by a programmable unit, for immediate and accurate item or housing zone identification, enabling efficient item retrieval and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a laser targeting system with point-like and linear beams is implemented, then identification accuracy and speed improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem location accuracyVSAvoidtargeting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser targeting system is divided into two distinct beam types: a point-like beam for precise item location and a linear beam for defining the localization track. This segmentation allows each beam type to specialize in a specific function, achieving high measurement precision while keeping the overall system manageable through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear beam acts as an intermediary element that creates a localization track, serving as a guide or mediator between the point-like beam and the item being located. This intermediary structure simplifies the positioning process by providing a predefined path that reduces the search space for item location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the drawer extension is increased to store more items, then storage capacity improves, but identification time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of items storedVSAvoiditem identification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a single-point identification approach to a two-dimensional localization track defined by intersecting point-like and linear beams. This dimensional expansion allows the system to efficiently locate items across extended drawer surfaces by providing a structured search framework that scales with drawer size without proportionally increasing identification time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system significantly reduces identification time, enhances accuracy, and optimizes costs by automating the item location process while maintaining operational simplicity and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an automated warehouse comprising a plurality of drawers (2), a support structure (4) defining a shelf-shaped structure... a laser targeting system (8) configured for generating at least one point-like beam (9) and at least one linear beam (10) defining a localisation track (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3172152B1An automated warehouse with a laser targeting system
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 MODULA SPA
  • EP3172152B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172152B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP3172152B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An automated warehouse (1) comprises a plurality of drawers (2), each drawer comprising a plurality of housing zones (3) each adapted to receive an item (A). The warehouse also comprises moving means configured for moving a drawer (2) between a rest position in which it is stored in a respective housing seat (5) and an access portion (6), and vice versa. The access portion (6) comprises a laser targeting system (8) configured to generate at least one point-like beam (9) and at least a linear beam (10) defining a localisation track to locate an item or a housing zone in the drawer (2) disposed in the access portion (6). The automated warehouse (1) comprises a control unit operatively connected at least to the laser targeting system (8) and programmed for receiving information on at least one item to be taken /stored, and controlling the laser targeting system (8) so as to position the localisation track according to the item to be taken/stored.