Warehouse Sorting Task Planning for Dynamic Inventory Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing warehousing systems, the inventory structure cannot be adjusted in real-time, leading to inefficient management and poor utilization of warehouse space due to the lack of flexibility in inbound and outbound operations.

Innovation Solution

A warehouse sorting method and system that involves a server and robot collaboration to determine and execute warehouse sorting tasks, including identifying the type of sorting requirement, determining warehouse sorting task information, and moving goods from one container to another based on storage density improvement or outbound efficiency improvement, using robots to carry containers and sort goods according to the task information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If goods are stored in goods containers in the warehouse during inbound operations, then the warehouse can accommodate incoming goods, but the inventory structure cannot be adjusted in time leading to poor warehouse management efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarehouse management efficiencyVSAvoidinventory structure adjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively identifying goods that should be sorted based on outbound requirements before actual outbound operations occur. The server determines warehouse sorting task information in advance, including identifying to-be-sorted goods, their current container locations, and target container assignments, enabling the inventory structure to be adjusted proactively rather than reactively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server continuously monitors outbound requirements and inventory status, then generates sorting tasks based on this feedback. The system uses feedback from inbound and outbound operations to dynamically adjust inventory structure, ensuring timely responses to changing warehouse management needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If a large amount of goods containers are arranged in the warehouse for storing goods, then the warehouse storage capacity increases, but the warehouse space utilization becomes poor due to inability to adjust inventory structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarehouse storage capacityVSAvoidwarehouse space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities to the static warehouse inventory structure. The server dynamically determines sorting tasks based on real-time outbound requirements and inventory status, enabling the inventory structure to adapt flexibly to changing demands. This dynamic approach allows the warehouse to maintain high storage capacity while improving space utilization through timely reorganization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key parameters of the inventory structure by adjusting which goods are stored together in which containers. The server modifies the inventory configuration parameters based on outbound requirements, changing the composition and arrangement of goods in containers to optimize both storage capacity and space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual inventory structure adjustment is performed based on inbound and outbound orders, then the inventory can be managed, but the warehouse management cannot be effectively implemented and use effect is relatively poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management operationVSAvoidwarehouse management effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically determining warehouse sorting tasks without requiring manual intervention. The server autonomously identifies to-be-sorted goods, determines their current and target container locations, and generates sorting task information based on outbound requirements and inventory status, making the inventory management process self-regulating and highly effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical inventory management operations with an automated information processing system. The server uses computational algorithms to analyze outbound requirements and inventory data, substituting human decision-making and physical sorting operations with automated task generation and robotic execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230143065A1Warehouse sorting method, server, robot, system, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.05.11 HAI ROBOTICS CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a warehouse sorting method and apparatus, a server, a robot, a system, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining a type of a warehouse sorting requirement; determining warehouse sorting task information according to the type of the warehouse sorting requirement, the warehouse sorting task information including information about to-be-sorted goods, information about a sorted-out container in which the goods are currently located, and information about a corresponding target container, to move the goods from the sorted-out container to the target container; and outputting the warehouse sorting task information. Therefore, the user and/or the robot may execute the warehouse sorting task information, to sort stored goods in time, thereby performing management on a warehouse more efficiently and improving a use effect of the warehouse.