Warehouse Robot Task Allocation for Charging Congestion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In automated warehouse systems where multiple chargeable moving objects convey cargos, simultaneous charging can lead to space compression and reduced cargo arrangement space due to overlapping charging timings, affecting the movement of other objects.
Innovation Solution
A control method that allocates conveyance units to each moving object based on residual battery capacity, target residual battery capacity, and cargo weight, minimizing the difference between the two, thereby reducing the number of objects requiring simultaneous charging beyond the charging device's capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a parking space is provided to accommodate multiple robots simultaneously for charging, then the charging capacity is improved, but the space for arranging cargos is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments robots into multiple charging groups based on battery capacity and work status. Only robots meeting specific criteria (battery capacity below threshold, not currently working) are placed in the charging group, rather than accommodating all robots simultaneously. This segmentation allows the parking space to be used efficiently without requiring excessive area.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging group is dynamically adjusted based on real-time robot status, battery capacity, and work schedules. The system continuously monitors and reassigns robots to charging groups as their status changes, optimizing the use of available parking space while maintaining adequate cargo arrangement area.
2Productivity
If multiple robots are charged simultaneously, then the charging efficiency is improved, but the space near the parking space is compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different spatial requirements to different charging scenarios. When the charging group contains fewer robots (below simultaneous charging threshold), no additional parking space is needed. When the group exceeds the threshold, the system expands the parking space only to the extent necessary to accommodate the excess robots, rather than always providing maximum space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of the parking space and charging area. The parking space serves dual purposes: as a general parking area and as an expandable charging area when needed. This merging allows flexible space utilization without permanent dedication of large areas to charging.
3Quantity of substance
If the parking space is expanded to accommodate more robots, then the charging capacity is improved, but the overall warehouse space utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of robot charging needs by monitoring battery capacity and work schedules before forming charging groups. By predicting which robots will need charging and when, the system can prepare appropriate space allocation in advance, avoiding unnecessary expansion of the parking space and maintaining high warehouse utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the parking space dynamically. The parking space capacity is adjusted based on the size of the charging group, rather than maintaining a fixed capacity. This parameter change allows the system to optimize both charging capacity and warehouse space utilization according to actual needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of controlling a plurality of moving objects that convey a plurality of cargos includes, by a computer, acquiring a residual battery capacity of the plurality of moving objects, determining a target residual battery capacity of the plurality of moving objects in a next unit of time, allocating a conveyance unit to each of the moving objects based on a residual battery capacity and a target residual battery capacity of each of the moving objects and a weight of each of the cargos, and transmitting, to each of the moving objects, control information instructing a conveyance work of the conveyance unit allocated to each of the moving objects.