Warehouse Picking Sequence for Higher Robot Utilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The low utilization rate of robots in cargo-to-people systems is due to the inefficiencies in the picking process, where the picking device performs tasks based on the time order of carrier arrival at parking points, leading to longer waiting times for carriers with shorter picking durations and reduced robot efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine a picking order for carriers based on picking duration and/or priority, allowing the picking device to prioritize tasks accordingly and release robots for other transport duties, thereby optimizing robot utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the picking device performs picking tasks according to the time order of carrier arrival at parking points, then the process is simple to implement, but the robot utilization rate is low and waiting time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter for determining picking order from 'time order of arrival' to 'picking duration' and 'picking priority'. By sorting carriers based on these new parameters, the system achieves higher robot utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through automated parameter-based sorting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment of picking order based on real-time carrier information including picking duration and priority levels. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying task requirements and optimize robot allocation, improving utilization without complex manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the picking device waits for all carriers to arrive before starting picking, then the process is straightforward, but the robot cannot perform other tasks and utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary sorting of carriers by picking duration and priority before the picking process starts. This preliminary action enables the picking device to immediately begin tasks with carriers that have shorter durations or higher priorities, eliminating unnecessary waiting time while keeping the coordination process simple through pre-established sorting criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by allowing the picking device to start processing carriers as soon as they are ready based on the predetermined picking order, rather than waiting for all carriers to arrive. This maintains continuous productivity and reduces robot waiting time while preserving operational simplicity through automated sequencing.
3Productivity
If carriers with longer picking durations are processed first, then the picking device can complete more tasks, but carriers with shorter durations wait longer and robot efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sorting parameter from 'picking duration' alone to a composite of 'picking duration' and 'picking priority'. This allows the system to prioritize carriers with shorter durations or higher priorities, reducing waiting time while still enabling efficient task completion through the dual-parameter sorting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic priority levels and flexible sorting based on carrier-specific attributes. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively select which carrier to process next, balancing the need to complete more tasks with the need to minimize waiting time for individual carriers, thereby optimizing overall robot efficiency.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a picking method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a readable storage medium. The picking method comprises: generating a carrying task corresponding to each piece of goods information on the basis of the plurality of pieces of goods information in a warehouse exit order, then respectively sending the carrying tasks to a plurality of first robots, such that the first robots carry, on the basis of the corresponding carrying tasks, target carriers corresponding to the carrying tasks to parking points of a target workstation; determining a picking sequence of the plurality of target carriers on the basis of picking information of each target carrier among the plurality of target carriers, wherein the picking information comprises a picking duration and/or a picking priority; and on the basis of the picking sequence of the plurality of target carriers, sending a target picking instruction to a picking device, such that the picking device carries target goods in the target carriers to the target workstation according to the picking sequence of the plurality of target carriers.