ROBOT SYSTEM FOR GRIPPING AN ITEM IN A STORAGE AND PICKING SYSTEM, AND OPERATING METHOD FOR SAME

Abstract

A robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified, which comprises a robot (1a, 1b) having a movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) with at least two suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) spaced apart from one another and a sensor system (8a . . . 8c) for detecting a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of a good (23a . . . 23n). With the aid of a controller (11), a gripping pose for the movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), in which a maximum number of suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) is in contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n), is calculated based on the determined gripping surface pose and gripping surface size. Then, the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) is moved into the calculated gripping pose where the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) are activated so as to collect the good (23a . . . 23n). Moreover, a method for operating the robot system (2a . . . 2d) is specified.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a robot (1a, 1b) in a storage and order-picking system (12), said robot (1a, 1b) having a robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) which has at least two suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) spaced apart from one another and which is movable in relation to a robot base (3), wherein a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of a good (23a . . . 23n) are determined with the aid of a sensor system (8a . . . 8c), wherein: a gripping pose for the movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), in which a maximum number of suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) is in contact with the gripping surface of the good (23a . . . 23n), is calculated based on the determined gripping surface pose and gripping surface size, and the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) is moved into the calculated gripping pose and the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) that are or are coming into contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n) are activated so as to collect the good (23a . . . 23n).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the goods (23a . . . 23n) are transferred from or out of a first goods carrier (9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21) into or onto a second goods carrier (9b, 9d, 10b, 17a, 17b, 22) with the aid of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) according to an order.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that wherein, according to an order, the goods (23a . . . 23n) are transported to the robot (1a, 1b) with the aid of the first goods carrier (9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21), are transferred from or out of the first goods carrier (9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21) into or onto the second goods carrier (9b, 9d, 10b, 17a, 17b, 22) with the aid of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), and are transported away from the robot (1a, 1b) with the aid of the second goods carrier (9b, 9d, 10b, 17a, 17b, 22).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of goods (23a . . . 23n) are stored in or on the first goods carrier (9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21) and the gripping pose for one of these goods (23a . . . 23n) is calculated.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein a contact of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) with other goods than the goods (23a . . . 23n) to be collected is prevented in the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) and/or in the motion of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) into the gripping pose.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein: the goods (23a . . . 23n) are removed from a goods carrier (9a . . . 9e) designed as a container, and a collision of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) with a side wall of the container is prevented in the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) and/or in the motion of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) into the gripping pose.

7. The method according to one of claim 5 or 6 claim 5, characterized in that wherein: multiple gripping poses are calculated, in which a maximum number of suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) is in contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n), the calculated gripping poses are checked for collisions with other goods than the goods (23a . . . 23n) to be collected and/or with a side wall of the container (9a . . . 9e) prior to the movement of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), and the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) is moved into one of the collision-free gripping poses.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein for rotation into the calculated gripping pose the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) is rotated in the direction in which, starting out from a current pose, the smallest rotational angle for the mentioned rotation is required.

9. The method according to claims 7 and 8 claim 7, on the current pose of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) the shortest way and/or the smallest rotation angle is required.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) and/or in the motion of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) into the gripping pose, a centroid of the area of the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) to be activated is brought into conformity with a centroid of the area of the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n).

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the calculation of the gripping pose and/or in the motion of the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) into the gripping pose, a centroid of the area of the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) to be activated is brought into conformity with a center of mass of the good (23a . . . 23n) projected vertically onto the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n).

12. A robot system (2a . . . 2d), comprising a robot (1a, 1b) having a robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) which is movable in relation to a robot base (3) and which is equipped with at least two suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) spaced apart from one another, a sensor system (8a . . . 8c) for detecting a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of a good (23a . . . 23n), wherein a controller (11) which is configured to calculate a gripping pose for the movable robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c), in which a maximum number of suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) is in contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n), based on the determined gripping surface pose and gripping surface size, to move the robot head (4, 4a . . . 4c) into the calculated gripping pose and to activate the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) that are or are coming into contact with the gripping surface (24a . . . 24n) of the good (23a . . . 23n), so as to collect the good (23a . . . 23n).

13. The robot system (2a . . . 2d) according to claim 12, characterized in that wherein the sensor system (8a . . . 8c) comprises a camera and/or a room depth sensor and/or a laser scanner and/or an ultrasonic sensor.

14. The robot system (2a . . . 2d) according to claim 12 wherein each one of the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) can be controlled separately.

15. The robot system (2a . . . 2d) according to claim 12, wherein a holding status of each one of the suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c) can be determined separately.

16. The robot system (2a . . . 2d) according to claim 12, wherein the robot (1a, 1b) comprises precisely three suction grippers (5, 5a . . . 5c).

17. The robot system (2a . . . 2d) according to claim 12, wherein the robot (1a, 1b) is designed as a jointed-arm robot or a gantry robot.

18. A storage and order-picking system (12) for order-picking of goods (23a . . . 23n) comprising a storage area (18) for storing goods (23a . . . 23n) and a working area for picking/repacking goods (23a . . . 23n) using a robot system (2a . . . 2d), wherein said robot system (2a . . . 2d) is designed according to claim 12.

19. The storage and order-picking system (12) according to claim 18, wherein the working area is designed for the automated order-picking of goods (23a . . . 23n), and a first conveying device for transporting goods (23a . . . 23n) in or on first goods carriers (9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21) is arranged between the storage area (18) and the robot (1a, 1b) in the working area, and/or a second conveying device for transporting goods (23a . . . 23n) in or on second goods carriers (9b, 9d, 10b, 17a, 17b, 22) is provided between the storage area (18) and the robot (1a, 1b) in the working area, wherein the robot (1a, 1b) is designed for collecting at least one good (23a . . . 23n) from or out of the first goods carrier (9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21) for an order and to place the at least one good (23a . . . 23n) in or on the second goods carrier (9b, 9d, 10b, 17a, 17b, 22) for this order.

Description

[0048] For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

[0049] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0050] FIG. 1 a first simplified example of a robot system having a robot and a stationarily installed camera system in an oblique view;

[0051] FIG. 2 similar as in FIG. 1, but with a movable camera system having a camera mounted on a robot arm segment of the robot;

[0052] FIG. 3 a schematically shown example of a storage and order-picking system in a top view;

[0053] FIG. 4 an exemplary robot head having three suction grippers in a top view;

[0054] FIG. 5 the robot head from FIG. 4 in a bottom view;

[0055] FIG. 6 an exemplary robot head having two suction grippers in a bottom view;

[0056] FIG. 7 an exemplary robot head having six suction grippers in a bottom view;

[0057] FIG. 8 a loading aid (for example a container) with multiple different goods of a first type of goods lying therein (rigid goods, such as boxes) and gripping poses of a robot head assigned to the respective goods;

[0058] FIG. 9 a loading aid (for example a container) with multiple identical goods (of just one type) lying therein (the same goods of a first type of goods, such as boxes) and gripping poses of a robot head assigned to the respective goods, and

[0059] FIG. 10 an example of a loading aid (for example a container) with multiple different goods of a second type of goods lying therein (deformable goods, such as polybags) and gripping poses of a robot head assigned to the respective goods.

[0060] First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0061] FIG. 1 shows a robot 1a in a robot system 2a. The robot 1 a comprises a robot head 4 which is movable in relation to a robot base 3 and which comprises three suction grippers 5 spaced apart from one another in this example. The robot head 4 is connected to the robot base 3 in an articulated manner via a robot arm comprising two arm segments 6 and 7. Moreover, FIG. 1 shows a sensor system 8a, 8b, which serves for the detection of a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface of a good and, in the present example, comprises two cameras. However, the goods are not visible in FIG. 1 since they are stored in the goods carriers 9a and 9b, which are designed as containers. The container 9a is a source container from which goods are collected/removed by the robot head 4, and the container 9b is a target container, into which goods are placed down/thrown by the robot head 4. The cameras 8a, 8b are arranged above the containers 9a and 9b and are each designed as a stereo camera in this example. Accordingly, the cameras 8a, 8b detect a three-dimensional image of the inside of at least the containers 9a and 9b and the goods stored therein. In general, it is also possible that merely the camera 8a (stereo camera) is provided above the container 9a. Furthermore, it is conceivable that merely one common camera 8a (stereo camera) is provided for the containers 9a and 9b. Although stereo cameras are used in a preferred embodiment, the cameras 8a, 8b can also be designed as a camera for detecting a two-dimensional image of the inside of at least the containers 9a and 9b and the goods stored therein.

[0062] The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a conveying device for transporting the containers 9a, 9b to the robot system 2a and for transporting the containers 9a, 9b away from the robot system 2a. In particular, the conveying device comprises a first conveying path 10a for transporting the containers 9a, 9b to the robot system 2a and a second conveying path 10b for transporting the containers 9a, 9b away from the robot system 2a. Lastly, the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 comprises a controller 11, which is connected to the cameras 8a, 8b and the robot 1a and serves for calculating from the determined gripping surface pose and gripping surface size a gripping pose for the movable robot head 4 in which a maximum number of suction grippers 5 is in contact with the gripping surface of the mentioned goods. Moreover, the controller 11 serves for moving the robot head 5 into the calculated gripping pose and for activating the suction grippers 5 that are in contact with or are coming into contact with the gripping surface of the mentioned goods, so as to collect the goods. The precise alignment of the robot head 5 is not shown in detail in FIG. 1, is, however, elucidated in more detail by means of FIGS. 8 to 10.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a robot system 2b which is very similar to the robot system 2a shown in FIG. 1. In contrast, however, no cameras 8a, 8b are arranged above the containers 9a and 9b, but a single camera 8c is arranged directly on the second arm segment 7 of the robot 1b. This camera 8c is also connected to a controller 11 (connection not shown). This camera 8c can, in turn, be designed as a stereo camera, to detect a three-dimensional image of the containers 9a and 9b as well as the goods stored therein, for example by the camera 8c being moved above the container 9a or above the container 9b by means of the robot 1a and an image being detected there. However, it would also be conceivable that the camera 8c is designed merely for detecting a two-dimensional image, and a three-dimensional image of the containers 9a and 9b as well as of the goods stored therein is generated by detecting multiple two-dimensional images during a movement of the camera 8c and subsequent calculation of the three-dimensional image. At this point, it should also be noted that the camera 8c can also be combined with the cameras 8a, 8b of the robot system 1a of FIG. 1.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a storage and order-picking system 12 comprising a building 13 as well as a gate at an incoming goods department 14 and a gate at an outgoing goods department 15. In the region of the incoming goods department 14, there is a first conveying path 16 and two second conveying paths 17a and 17b. The first conveying path 16 connects the incoming goods department 14 to the robot system 2c. The two second conveying paths 17a and 17b connect the robot system 2c to a storage area 18, which comprises multiple storage racks 19 as well as storage-and-retrieval units 20a and 20b, which move in rack aisles running between the storage racks 19. At that end of the rack aisles, which is opposite to the second conveying paths 17a and 17b, there is a third conveying path 21, which is designed annularly and leads to a further robot system 2d in the present example. A fourth conveying path 22, which connects the robot system 2d to the outgoing goods department 15 in terms of conveyor technology, is arranged in the operating range of the robot system 2d as well.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a robot head 4a with three suction grippers 5a, 5b and 5c from the top and in a detailed view. FIG. 5 shows the robot head 4a with the three suction grippers 5a, 5b and 5c from below.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a robot head 4b with two suction grippers 5a and 5b from below. FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a robot head 4c with six suction grippers 5 from below. Of course, an embodiment of a robot head 4, in which three suction grippers 5a . . . 5c are arranged in one line, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, is also conceivable.

[0067] In the examples according to FIGS. 4 to 7, the suction grippers 5, 5a . . . 5c in each case form one suction gripper unit.

[0068] FIGS. 8 to 10 now each show multiple goods 23f . . . 23n which are stored in goods carriers 9a, which are designed as box-shaped containers in this example. Furthermore, the robot head 4 with the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c can be seen in different gripping poses.

[0069] The function of the arrangements shown in the figures is now explained in detail below:

[0070] In a first step, a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size of a gripping surface of a good is determined with the aid of the sensor system 8a, 8b (here with the aid of two stereo cameras) shown in FIG. 1. In a specific example, the goods 23f are referred to for this purpose. The good 23f has a gripping surface 24f pointing upwards, which is designed to be rectangular and plane in this example. It can be gathered from the determined gripping surface size that merely one of the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c can be brought into contact with the gripping surface 24f. Accordingly, the controller 11 calculates a gripping pose for the movable robot head 4 in which the suction gripper 5a is in contact with the gripping surface 24f. Then, the robot head 4 is moved into the calculated gripping pose shown in FIG. 8 and the suction gripper 5a that is in contact with or during the movement of the robot head 4 will come into contact with the gripping surface 24f is activated, so as to collect the goods 23f.

[0071] Further goods 23g . . . 23l are in the container 9a. In this respect, the goods 23g . . . 23k each have a gripping surface 24g . . . 24k which can be brought into contact with two suction grippers 5a and 5b in each case. The good 23l, in turn, has a gripping surface 24l, which can be brought into contact with all three suction grippers 5a, 5b and 5c.

[0072] It can in particular be gathered from FIG. 8 that a gripping pose for the movable robot head 4 is calculated in which a maximum number of suction grippers 5a . . . 5c is in contact with a gripping surface 24f . . . 24l of a good 23f . . . 23l, also if the respective gripping surface 24f . . . 24l is not large enough to be in contact with all three suction grippers 5a . . . 5c of the robot head 4. By the suggested measures, it is ensured that the goods 23f . . . 23l can each be gripped securely according to the sizes of their gripping surfaces 24f . . . 24l and that incorrect gripping and/or falling of the goods 23f . . . 23h from the robot head 4 can be avoided.

[0073] It can further be gathered from FIG. 8 that in the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head 4 and/or in the motion of the robot head 4 into the gripping pose, a centroid of the area of the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c to be activated is brought into conformity with a centroid of the area of the gripping surfaces 24f . . . 24l of the goods 23f . . . 23l. The centroid of the area of a suction gripper 5a is in the center of the circular suction gripper 5a, the centroid of the area of two suction grippers 5a, 5b is in the center of the connecting line of the two centers of circles of the suction grippers 5a, 5b and the centroid of the area of three suction grippers 5a . . . 5c is on the z axis shown in FIG. 8. By the suggested measures, an even load on the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c can be achieved and/or tilting of the collected goods 23f . . . 23l can be avoided. This in particular holds true where the mass distribution in the collected goods 23f . . . 23l is homogeneous.

[0074] If this condition does not apply or does not apply sufficiently, then the centroid of the area of the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c to be activated is advantageously brought into conformity with a center of mass of the mentioned good 23f . . . 23l projected vertically upwards in the calculation of the gripping pose and/or in the motion of the robot head 4 into the gripping pose. Hence, an even load on the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c can be achieved even then and tilting of the goods 23f . . . 23l can be prevented if the mass distribution within the goods 23f . . . 23l is not homogeneous. For realizing this method variant, knowledge of the mass distribution in the goods 23f . . . 23l to be collected is required. For example, it can be determined empirically and be stored in a database. By determining the gripping surface pose and accessing said database, consequently, the center of mass projected vertically onto the gripping surface 24f . . . 24l can be determined. This embodiment variant is thus particularly well-suited for combo-packs which contain goods of differing weight. In this case, for example, an imprint on these combo-packs can be used to determine the position of the center of mass of the combo-pack relative to the outer contour of the packaging. Thus, information about the location of the center of mass relative to a packaging and/or relative to an imprint on said packaging can be stored in the mentioned database. For detecting said imprint, it is advantageous if the sensor system comprises cameras 8a . . . 8c for detecting a gripping surface pose and a gripping surface size, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0075] It can further be seen from FIG. 8 that a plurality of goods 23f . . . 23l is stored in the first goods carrier 9a designed as a box-shaped container and a gripping pose for one of these goods 23f . . . 23l is calculated. This means that a specific good 23f . . . 23l is removed from the goods carrier 9a in a targeted manner.

[0076] In general, it is advantageous if a contact of the robot head 4 with other goods than the goods 23f . . . 23l to be collected is prevented in the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head 4 and/or in the motion of the robot head 4 into the gripping pose. Likewise, it is advantageous if a collision of the robot head 4 with a side wall of the container 9a is prevented in the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head 4 and/or in the motion of the robot head 4 into the gripping pose. Hence, the location and position of the other goods 23g . . . 23l remaining in the container 9a is essentially maintained when a particular good 23f is removed. Thus, a gripping surface pose and gripping surface size for multiple goods 23f . . . 23l determined once by the cameras 8a . . . 8c can be reused for the removal of a further good 23g . . . 23l after removal of said good 23f. However, preferably, the gripping surface pose and gripping surface size are determined prior to each removal of a good 23g . . . 23l. Moreover, by the suggested measures, damage to the container 9a and/or the robot head 4 is prevented too.

[0077] In particular, multiple gripping poses in which a maximum number of suction grippers 5a . . . 5c is in contact with the gripping surface 24f . . . 24l of the mentioned good 24f . . . 24l are calculated. Then, prior to the motion of the robot head 4, the calculated gripping poses are checked for collisions with other goods than the goods 23g . . . 23l to be gripped and/or with a side wall of the container. Lastly, the robot head 4 is moved into of the collision-free gripping poses. For example, in FIG. 8 two suction grippers 5a and 5b (and thus the maximum number of suction grippers 5a . . . 5c) would be in contact with the gripping surface 24g of the good 23g also if the robot head 4 were rotated about the vertical z axis by 180; however, this would result in a collision with a side wall of the container 9a. Thus, the robot head 4 is advantageously not moved into this gripping pose.

[0078] In the calculation of the gripping pose for the robot head 4 and/or in the motion of the robot head 4 into the calculated gripping pose, it is also advantageous if for a rotation into the gripping pose, the robot head 4, starting out from a current pose, is rotated into that direction in which the smallest rotational angle is required for said rotation. With reference to FIG. 8, starting out from the gripping pose for the good 23f, it is advantageous to slightly turn the robot head 4 to the left (in the shown example by approx.)10 so as to collect the good 23g. This way, the robot head 4 can be quickly rotated into a gripping pose required for collecting a good 23f . . . 23l. It would be less advantageous to rotate the robot head 4 to the right starting out from the gripping pose for the good 23f for collecting the good 23g. The mentioned variant, in this regard, refers not only to rotations about the vertical axis (z axis) but alternatively or additionally also to rotations about a horizontal axis (x axis and/or y axis), for example where the goods 23f . . . 23l to be gripped are lying in the container 9a or standing in the container 9a in a tilted orientation.

[0079] In particular, when there are multiple collision-free gripping poses, the robot head 4 is moved into that gripping pose for which based on the current pose of the robot head 4 the shortest way and/or the smallest rotation angle is required. Hence, short cycle times are achieved.

[0080] Moreover, it is advantageous if each suction gripper 5a . . . 5c can be controlled separately, since thereby unnecessary suction of air via the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c that are not required can be prevented.

[0081] In addition to this, it is advantageous if a holding status of each suction gripper 5a . . . 5c can be detected separately via sensors (not depicted), since this way it can be determined whether a holding force is established by one of the suction grippers 5a . . . 5c brought into contact with the gripping surface 24f . . . 24l.

[0082] FIG. 9 shows an example in which the container 9a is loaded with goods 23g . . . 23k of just one type. Moreover, the goods 23g . . . 23k lie in the container 9a such that in each case a gripping surface 24b . . . 24k of the same size points upwards. At this point, it should be noted that even a container 9a loaded so as to contain articles of just one type can contain goods 23g . . . 23k having different gripping surfaces 24b . . . 24k that point upwards, for example if some of the goods 23g . . . 23k lie in the container 9a and other goods 23g . . . 23k stand in the container 9a. Accordingly, it can be provided for that the robot head 4 is rotated about a horizontal axis if the largest gripping surface 24g . . . 24k can be gripped in this orientation of the robot head 4. It would also be conceivable that a standing good 23g . . . 23k is knocked over by the robot head 4 prior to being collected, so as to allow for easier contact with the largest gripping surface 24b . . . 24k.

[0083] The goods 23f . . . 23l shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 each have a rectangular gripping surface 24f . . . 24l. However, this is not an obligatory condition but the gripping surfaces of the goods to be collected can also be shaped irregularly, as is shown in FIG. 10 for the goods 23m and 23n. What has been said with regard to the goods 23f . . . 23l can be analogously applied to the goods 23m and 23n. In this context, reference is made to the fact that the goods 23a . . . 23n are not necessarily rigid bodies but can for example also be designed as a bag or a sack. In particular, the container 9b shown in FIG. 10 can, in turn, be loaded with goods 23m and 23n of just one type.

[0084] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the process when loading goods 23a . . . 23n from a first goods carrier 9a (source container) into a second goods carrier 9b (target container) with the aid of the robot head 4. The goods carriers 9a and 9b formed as box-shaped containers are transported to the robot 1a, 1b by means of the conveying devices 10a and 10b for the loading operation and transported away from the robot 1a, 1b after the loading operation. However, the transport of the goods 23a . . . 23n with the aid of loading aids 9a and 9b is no necessary requirement, but the goods 23a . . . 23n can also be transported directly on the conveying devices if these for example comprise a belt conveyor, a modular belt conveyor and the like as the first conveying path 10a and a belt conveyor, a modular belt conveyor and the like as the second conveying path 10b. Of course, roller conveyors 10a and 10b can be provided as well. Likewise, other loading aids, such as trays or cardboard boxes, can be provided in place of the containers 9a and 9b. Such loading aids comprise a bottom, side walls rising up from it and a loading opening bounded by the side walls. However, the use of pallets as a loading aid is also conceivable.

[0085] If in the region of the robot system 2a, 2b loading aids (containers, trays, cardboard boxes) from which or out of which goods 23a . . . 23n are removed by means of the suction grippers 5, 5a . . . 5c are used as first object carriers 10a, the (source) loading aids can advantageously be loaded with goods 23a . . . 23n of just one type or be loaded compartmentalized with goods 23a . . . 23n of just one type. For example, a first loading aid contains the good A, a second loading contains the good B and so on. As opposed to this, it is also possible that a loading aid is divided into multiple receiving compartments by means of dividing walls and can accommodate different goods A, B, wherein a good A can be accommodated in the first receiving compartment and a good B can be accommodated in the second receiving compartment.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a fairly more complex arrangement, in specific terms a storage and order-picking system 12. In this regard, goods 23a . . . 23e are delivered to the incoming goods department 14, loaded onto the first conveying path 16, transferred from the first conveying path 16 to the second conveying paths 17a and 17b by the robot system 2c and stored in the storage racks 19 by means of the storage-and-retrieval units 20a and 20b. The first conveying path 16 in this operation acts as the first goods carrier and/or the source, whereas the second conveying paths 17a and 17b in this operation act as the second goods carrier and/or the target.

[0087] When a picking order is to be processed, the goods 23a . . . 23e assigned to the order are removed from at least one storage rack 19 with the aid of at least one storage-and-retrieval unit 20a and 20b and transferred to the third conveying path 21. Then, the goods 23a . . . 23e are transported to the robot system 2d with the aid of the third conveying path 21 and transferred from the third conveying path 21 to the fourth conveying path 22 by said robot system 2d and are lastly transported to the outgoing goods department 15 with the aid of the fourth conveying path 22. The third conveying path 21 in this operation acts as the first goods carrier and/or the source, whereas the fourth conveying path 22 in this operation act as the second goods carrier and/or the target.

[0088] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the goods 23a, 23b and 23e are transported directly on the conveying paths 16, 17a, 17b, 21 and 22 acting as goods carriers, whereas the goods 23c and 23d are transported with the aid of loading aids 9c . . . 9e, which accordingly also act as goods carriers. Thus, FIG. 3 shows a mixed type of transport. It would certainly also be conceivable that the goods 23a . . . 23e are transported solely on the conveying paths 16, 17a, 17b, 21 and 22 acting as goods carrier or solely with the aid of the loading aids 9c . . . 9e.

[0089] Of course, the design and arrangement of the conveying paths 16, 17a, 17b, 21 and 22 in FIG. 3 is to be considered illustrative and other formations and arrangements of the mentioned conveying paths 16, 17a, 17b, 21 and 22 are also conceivable. In particular, an annular conveying path could be arranged at the incoming goods department 14, or linear conveying paths could be provided at the outgoing goods department 15. The conveyor connection of the robot system 2c and 2d to the incoming goods department 14, to the storage area 18 and to the outgoing goods department 15 is not necessarily established via stationary conveying means, as shown in FIG. 3, but could also take place in whole or in part via autonomous transport vehicles (in particular autonomous floor conveyors), whose loading platforms then also serve as goods carriers.

[0090] It would further be conceivable that the goods 23a . . . 23e are loaded directly onto the storage-and-retrieval units 20a and 20b by the robot system 2c or are taken over directly from the storage-and-retrieval units 20a and 20b by the robot system 2d. In this case, the loading platforms of the storage-and-retrieval units 20a and 20b also serve as goods carriers.

[0091] At this point, it should also be noted that the robots 1a and 1b do not necessarily have to be designed as jointed-arm robots, but can also be designed for example as gantry robots.

[0092] It should further be noted that the sensor system can not only comprise cameras 8a . . . 8c, but alternatively or additionally also a room depth sensor, a laser scanner and/or an ultrasonic sensor. With the aid of these sensors, not only a two-dimensional but also a three-dimensional image of the goods 23a . . . 23n lying in or on a goods carrier (for example in the containers 9a . . . 9e or on the conveying paths 10a and 10b) can be detected. Accordingly, an inclined position of a gripping surface 24a . . . 24n can also be detected, which is caused for example by a tilted position of the goods 23a . . . 23n to be collected in or on the goods carrier. Moreover, by the three-dimensional detection a surface structure of the gripping surface 24a . . . 24n can be detected as well and the suitability for gripping by means of the suction grippers 5, 5a . . . 5c can be determined. For example, highly convex surfaces are less suitable as gripping surface 24a . . . 24n, whereas plane surfaces are particularly well-suited as gripping surfaces 24a . . . 24n. At this point, it should be noted that a surface structure and/or an inclined position of a gripping surface 24a . . . 24n, due to the distorted image, can also be determined with the aid of a camera for detecting a two-dimensional image if the shape of the gripping surface 24a . . . 24n is generally known.

[0093] It should also be noted that the goods 23a . . . 23n may be arranged in or on the first goods carrier 9a, 9c, 9e, 10a, 16, 21 next to each other, on top of each other, standing upright or lying down, in particular disordered (chaotic) and/or in a random arrangement.

[0094] Moreover, it is conceivable that multiple two-dimensional images are captured by a relative movement between the camera and the gripping surfaces 24a . . . 24n and a two-dimensional image of the mentioned gripping surfaces 24a . . . 24n is calculated therefrom.

[0095] Finally, it should also be noted that the scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.

[0096] In particular, it should also be noted that the devices shown may in reality comprise more or less components than those shown. In some cases, the shown devices and/or their components may not be depicted to scale and/or be enlarged and/or reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0097] 1a, 1b robot [0098] 2a . . . 2d robot system [0099] 3 robot base [0100] 4, 4a . . . 4c robot head [0101] 5,5a . . . 5c suction gripper [0102] 6 first robot arm segment [0103] 7 second robot arm segment [0104] 8a . . . 8c camera (sensor system) [0105] 9a . . . 9e container (goods carrier) [0106] 10a, 10b conveying device(s) (goods carrier) [0107] 11 controller [0108] 12 storage and order-picking system [0109] 13 building wall [0110] 14 incoming goods department [0111] 15 outgoing goods department [0112] 16 first conveying path (goods carrier) [0113] 17a, 17b second conveying path (goods carrier) [0114] 18 storage area [0115] 19 storage rack [0116] 20a, 20b storage-and-retrieval unit [0117] 21 third conveying path (goods carrier) [0118] 22 fourth conveying path (goods carrier) [0119] 23a . . . 23n good(s) [0120] 24a . . . 24n gripping surface