Warehouse Picking Guidance via Light Ray Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warehouse systems cannot guide workers on which type of goods to pick from storage units that contain multiple types of goods, as the indicators only display the number of items to be picked without distinguishing between types.
Innovation Solution
A warehouse system that includes position information obtaining means to identify the location of identification codes on goods within storage units and position guidance means to direct workers to the specific items based on their identification codes, using cameras and light ray units to visually indicate the correct items for picking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If indicators display only the number of items to be picked, then the display is simple and easy to understand, but workers cannot identify which specific type of goods to pick from storage units containing multiple types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional numerical display to two-dimensional visual positioning by projecting light rays onto the storage unit surface. This adds spatial dimension to the guidance information, enabling workers to locate specific items by their position on the storage unit rather than just knowing how many to pick.
Solution Approach 2:
The light ray projection system acts as an intermediary between the storage unit and the worker. Instead of providing direct verbal or textual instructions, the system uses projected light patterns as a visual mediator to indicate item locations, making the information transmission more intuitive and less error-prone.
2Productivity
If workers manually search through storage units to find specific goods, then no additional guidance equipment is needed, but picking time increases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of target item positions before the worker begins picking. By pre-calculating and projecting the light ray patterns onto the storage unit, the system prepares the guidance information in advance, allowing workers to immediately locate items without searching, thus improving picking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual searching (mechanical human action) with an automated optical guidance system. The light ray projection system automatically identifies and indicates target positions, substituting the worker's manual search process with an automated optical measurement and indication mechanism.
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
Enables accurate identification and retrieval of specific goods from storage units containing multiple types, improving picking efficiency and reducing errors by providing clear visual guidance to workers.
Implementation Method 1
position guidance means for giving guidance to a worker about the position of the article of goods that is an object to be worked on
Data Source
AI summary
Workers are given guidance about which goods are to be picked up out of a storage unit. A warehouse system is provided, which includes: position information obtaining means for searching, in a storage unit, in which a plurality of articles of goods each including an identification code section are stored, the position of the identification code section that is related to the identification code of one of the plurality of articles of goods that is an object to be worked on, and obtaining information of this position; and position guidance means for giving guidance to a worker about the position of the article of goods that is the object to be worked on, based on the information obtained by the position information obtaining means.