WORKSTATION WITH A REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE AND PICKING SYSTEM

Abstract

At a workstation for an order-picking system, with a remote control device are a source load carrier, and a target loading aid of a picking order, wherein the operator reloads at least one article unit according to an order. By actuating a confirmation control element, the operator indicates the completed reloading to a process controller of the workstation, which is configured to trigger a step following the current order. The confirmation control element has a base station and a mobile unit, between which a coupled wireless data communication connection is established. The mobile unit has an actuating element with an electric contactor, an electric energy storage, and a micro controller with a communication interface. Moreover, the data communication connection is only established during an actuation of the actuating element and the transmission of the data telegram.

Claims

1. A workstation for an order-picking system (1), with a remote control device (1), wherein the workstation (4) is connected, in respect of an article flow, to a warehouse system (2) by means of a conveying system (3), and wherein, at the workstation (4), a source load carrier (5) and a target load carrier (6) for an order are provided, wherein the operator transfers at least one article unit from the source load carrier (5) into the target load carrier (6) according to an order, and wherein the workstation (4) has a process controller (8) and a confirmation control element (7) connected thereto, which process controller (8) is designed to trigger a step following the current order after actuation of the confirmation control element (7) by the operator, wherein the confirmation control element (7) comprises a base station (9) and a mobile unit (10), between which a coupled, wireless data communication connection (11) is established, wherein the base station (9) comprises a receiving and evaluation unit (16), which is always configured to receive data telegrams of the mobile unit (10) and comprises a switching output (13) that is connected to a control input (19) of the process controller (8), and wherein the mobile unit (10) comprises an actuating element (12) with an electric contactor (13), an electric energy storage (15), and a micro controller (14) with a communication interface, and the micro controller (14) is configured to send a data telegram by means of the communication interface upon actuation of the actuating element (12) and thus, the actuation of the contactor (13), and wherein the data communication connection (11) is only established during an actuation of the actuating element (12) and the transmission of the data telegram.

2. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the data communication connection (11) is formed by a packet-based radio data connection, in particular by means of WLAN, and preferably by means of a paired radio data connection.

3. The workstation according to claim 2, wherein access data (18) of the base station, in particular a network identifier, is stored in a storage means of the micro controller (14).

4. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage (15), the electric contactor (13), and the micro controller (14) form an electric circuit, in particular that a closed circuit is formed by an actuated contactor (13).

5. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the electric contactor (13) is connected to a detection input (21) of the micro controller (14).

6. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the micro controller (14) comprises a non-operating state operating mode, in particular a deep non-operating state.

7. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the base station (9) comprises a further switching output (22), which is possibly connected to a data processing system (23) via an interface (24).

8. The workstation according to claim 7, wherein the interface (24) is formed by a controller of a human-machine interface.

9. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the receiving and evaluation unit (16) is configured to transmit a confirmation message to the mobile unit (10), in particular to the micro controller (14) via the communication interface.

10. The workstation according to claim 9, wherein the mobile unit (10) comprises a signal generator connected to the micro controller (14).

11. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit (10) comprises a housing (25), which is formed by a base body (26) and the actuating element (12), wherein the energy storage (15), the contactor (13), and the micro controller (14) are accommodated in the housing (25).

12. The workstation according to claim 11, wherein the base body (26) has an adhesive element (27) for the releasable arrangement of the mobile unit (10) on a component of the workstation.

13. The workstation according to claim 11, wherein the base body (26) comprises an elastic clip element (28), which is designed to attach the base body (26) to a piece of clothing, which piece of clothing is worn by the operator.

14. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the mobile unit (10) is arranged on a glove, which glove is worn by the operator.

15. The workstation according to claim 14, wherein the glove has a back-of-the-hand section, a palm section, and finger sections, and wherein either the actuation element (12) is arranged on the palm section such that it can be reached and actuated by one of the finger sections, or the actuation element (12) is arranged on a first finger section of the finger sections such that it can be reached and actuated by a second finger section of the finger sections.

16. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element (12) can be actuated with one hand.

17. The workstation according to claim 1, wherein the base station (9) comprises a further actuating element with an electric contactor, and/or that such a further actuating element is arranged on the workstation (4), which contactor is connected to the receiving and evaluation unit (16).

18. An order-picking system (1) with a warehouse system (2) and at least one workstation, which is connected, in respect of an article flow, to the warehouse system (2) by means of a conveying system (3), wherein the workstation is designed according to claim 1.

Description

[0049] For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a remote control device in an order-picking system in an overview;

[0051] FIGS. 2a) and b) show possible embodiments of the remote control device;

[0052] FIG. 3a) to c) show possible embodiments of the mobile unit.

[0053] It is noted that the representation shows only a very small cutout of an actual realization of an order-picking system. In particular, most times, only a minimal configuration is shown in order to be able to describe the individual elements of the order-picking system. A realized system is significantly larger, and above all, the individual components will be larger and/or present in greater numbers.

[0054] Die remote control device is also used/employed in an order-picking system. As the individual components of the order-picking system, in particular the warehouse system and the conveying system, are not the subject matter of this invention, they are not elucidated further here. As an example not to be understood as exhaustive, the warehouse system may be a shuttle warehouse, and the conveying system may be a roller conveying system. Instead of a stationary conveying system, autonomous transport vehicles (“automated guided vehicle” AGV, or “autonomous mobile robots” AMR) may be used.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an order-picking system 1 comprising a warehouse system 2 and a workstation 4 connected, in respect of an article flow, to the warehouse system 2 by means of a conveying system 3. When processing picking orders at a workstation 4, an article is reloaded out of a source load carrier 5 into a target load carrier 6 by an operator, and the reloading, and thus the completion of the picking order, is confirmed by actuating an actuating element of a confirmation control element 7. A process controller 8 of the workstation evaluates this confirmation signal and carries out a picking step following the current picking order. This may, for example, be an exchange of both load carriers 5, 6 if the following picking step requires new source load carrier 5 and target load carriers 6. The following picking step may also consist in that only one of the two load carriers is exchanged. Here, an exchange of a load carrier is understood to mean that the load carrier is automatically transported out of the provisioning position at the workstation 4, and a new load carrier—in most cases, the next one—is transported to the provisioning position, which is now free, so that the operator can carry out the following picking step. In order to be able to perform this provisioning change swiftly, the workstation 4 will also have conveying system components, which can supply and transport away load carriers in a non-blocking manner The conveying system 3 between the workstation 4 and the warehouse system 2 will also be designed to have multiple tracks at least in some regions, in order to be able to provide the transport capacity between the workstation 4 and the warehouse system 2.

[0056] However, the workstation 4 may also be designed to forward the detected confirmation signal to a superordinate warehouse management system 20, which carries out the coordination of the further steps in the picking process, in particular the coordination of the processes in the warehouse system 2, on the conveying system 3 and the workstation 4, and therefore, the command for performing a load carrier change is transmitted to the workstation 4.

[0057] It is provided that the confirmation control element 7 has a base station 9 and a mobile unit 10, between which a coupled, wireless data communication connection 11 is established. On the one hand, the coupling ensures a clear assignment between the mobile unit 10 and the base station 9—and thus the workstation 4—and thus, makes an erroneous operation of a different workstation impossible. As, according to the invention, the communication connection is established only during the actuation of the actuating element, without the suggested coupling, the communication connection would have to be re-established for each transmission process, which costs time and, above all, energy.

[0058] The mobile unit 10 comprises an actuating element 12 with an electric contactor 13. The actuating element 12 may be formed, by way of non-exhaustive example, by a button, a rocker, a flap, or the like; the electric contactor 13 is preferably formed by a switching contact. The mobile unit further has a micro controller (μC) 14 and an electric energy storage 15 for supplying the micro controller 14. The micro controller 14 is designed for evaluating the switching state of the contactor 13 and sends a data packet to the base station 9 by means of the communication connection 11 upon contact connection. In order to receive data packets via the established communication connection 11, the base station 9 has a receiving and evaluation unit 16 with a receiving device. The receiving and evaluation unit 16 further has a switching output 17, which is connected to a control input of the process controller 8. If a data packet is received by the receiving and evaluation unit 16, it is evaluated and checked whether the sending mobile unit 10 is authorized or if an erroneous communication has occurred. After a successful check, the switching output 17 is activated, whereupon the process controller 8 of the workstation 4 triggers the next step.

[0059] According to a further possible embodiment, it may be provided that, due to the electric design and/or the electric wiring of the micro controller, it is possible for example by providing small capacities storing energy for a short time, that the communication connection may remain in place even for a short time after releasing the actuation of the actuating element; for example and not to be understood as exhaustive, in order to explicitly also transmit the status of the released actuation to the process controller of the workstation, and/or in order to transfer the micro controller into an orderly shut-off or non-operating state. The capacities are particularly not intended to maintain a (full) operation, as the additional loading processes would significantly increase the total energy consumption. Only as much energy as needed to prevent a disorderly end of operation of the micro controller is supposed to be present.

[0060] FIGS. 2a) and b) show two possible embodiments of the electric wiring of the confirmation control element 7. Both embodiments shown have in common that the communication connection 11 is only active during the time, in which the actuating element 12 on the mobile unit 10 is actuated, and thereby the electric contactor 13 is activated.

[0061] In the preferred embodiment according to FIG. 2a, the contactor 13 is designed as a make contact and forms, together with the electric energy storage 15 and the micro controller 14, an electric circuit. According to this embodiment, the circuit is only closed when the actuating element 12, and thus also the contactor 13, is actuated.

[0062] The remote station of the communication connection 11 is the base station 9 on the workstation 4, in particular the receiving and evaluation unit 16, which has an independent energy supply or supplied with electric energy by the workstation 4 and is thus permanently designed for receiving data telegrams of the mobile unit 10. The data telegrams coming in via the communication connection 11 are received by the receiving and evaluation unit 16 and it is checked, in the course of the evaluation, whether the data telegram was sent from an authorized mobile unit 10.

[0063] The receiving and evaluation unit 16 further has a switching output 17, which is activated after evaluation and positive checking of the received data telegram. This switching output is connected to a control input 19 of the process controller 8 of the base station 4. Using a signal at this control input 19, the process controller 8 triggers the steps of the next pending picking operation. However, the signal may possibly also only be forwarded to the superordinate warehouse management system (WMS) 20, which subsequently carries out the coordination of the next steps. Details of the individual processes in an order-picking system, in particular at or in the periphery of the workstation, are not the subject matter of this invention. Hence, they are not explained in further detail here.

[0064] According to an advancement, it is provided that in a storage means of the micro controller, access data 18 of the base station 9 is stored, in particular access data 18 of the receiving and evaluation unit 16. Hence, a time- and energy-intensive re-establishment of the communication connection 11 is not necessary when the micro controller is activated.

[0065] FIG. 2b shows a further possible embodiment of the confirmation control element 7. Here, the electric wiring of the components of the mobile unit 10 is designed differently. The energy storage supplies the micro controller 14 with electric energy, the electric contactor 13 is connected to a detection input 21 of the micro controller 14. Which evaluates the status of the contactor 13 and subsequently generates a data telegram. The further features are to be gathered from the description above.

[0066] The receiving and evaluation unit 16 on the base station 4 has a further switching output 22, which is preferably activated at the same time as the first switching output 17. According to a possible further embodiment, this further switching output may also realize a time delay or a defined switching pattern. Preferably, this further switching output 22 is connected to a presentation system 23 for controlling a presentation running simultaneously with the picking operation on the workstation, possibly with an interposition of an interface 24.

[0067] In FIG. 2, a further advantage of the remote control device is shown, if, according to a possible embodiment, the base station 9 is arranged at a workstation 4 later. Part of the basic configuration of a workstation 4 is often a confirmation control element, in particular also in order to be able to carry out picking actions in case of a failure of the remote control device. The base station is preferably designed as an independent unit, so that only the switching output 17 of the receiving and evaluation unit 16 has to be connected to the switching output 19 of the process controller. This often means, in particular, that only the switching output 17 of the receiving and evaluation unit 16 must be switched in parallel to an actuating element and/or electric contactor fixedly installed on the workstation.

[0068] FIGS. 3a) to c) show possible housing embodiments of the mobile unit 10. It is explicitly pointed out that the figures are highly simplified and, in particular, only show the basic design. Mechanical/constructional details, such as guides and resetting elements for retaining the elements in their position, for example, are not shown in the figures for illustrative reasons, as they are not relevant for the invention.

[0069] FIG. 3a shows a first embodiment of a housing 25, which has a base body 26 and an actuating element 12. In the base body, the energy storage 15, the contactor 13, and the micro controller 14 are accommodated. According to a possible embodiment, the actuating element 12 is designed as a lid covering the entire base body 26. This has the advantage that the operator does not have to aim precisely in order to actuate the actuating element 12, and to thereby trigger the sending of a data telegram, as the entire lid serves as a triggering element. In contrast, it is also possible, for ensuring a conscious triggering, that the actuating element is designed as a push button, which, in addition, is possibly also protected against an accidental actuation by means of a constructional embodiment—for example by means of a recessed arrangement and/or a surrounding border.

[0070] Not shown are mechanical components for retaining the actuating element 12, in particular elastic elements for holding the actuating element 12 in its non-actuated position as standard, in particular so stably that an accidental actuation is prevented.

[0071] According to this embodiment, it is provided that at least one adhesive element 27 is arranged in the base body 26, which adhesive element 27 may be designed, for example, as a suction knob or preferably as a magnet. Using this adhesive element, the mobile unit can be arranged on any flat and/or metallic surface. Such surfaces are present in a workstation in the area of the operator, so that they can arranged the mobile unit as best-suited to their requirements as possible.

[0072] FIG. 3b shows a further possible embodiment of the mobile unit 10, in particular of the base body 26, which embodiment is designed for being arranged on a piece of clothing. For this purpose, the base body 26 has an elastic clip element 28, which may be designed, for example, as a clasp. This clip element 28 makes it possible for an operator to arrange the mobile unit 10 for example on a belt, on a pocket or the like, and to also remove it. In this regard, the clip element 28 is constructionally designed such that it can be arranged on a plurality of pieces of clothing with different thicknesses. The piece of clothing, on which the mobile unit 10 is arranged, is clamped between the clip element 28 and the rear side 30 of the base body.

[0073] FIG. 3b shows, in a detail view, another independent, further possible embodiment, according to which it is provided that the clip element 28 is designed so as to be pivotable. For this purpose, the clip element is arranged so as to be pivotable about an axis 29 in the base body 26. When arranged on a piece of clothing, the clip element 28 is pivoted inward, as shown in the overall view in FIG. 3b, so that the mobile unit 10 can be clamped on to a piece of clothing. However, the clip element 28 can also be pivoted outward about the axis 29—after a release of the clip element out of its inward-pivoted position—so that the rear side 30 of the base body 26 is freely accessible again. In particular, the adhesive element 27 is exposed again to allow arranging the mobile unit 10 on the workstation, as described in FIG. 3a.

[0074] A further possible embodiment is shown in FIG. 3c. According to this embodiment, the mobile unit 10 is arranged on a glove. The glove is shown in a view onto the back-of-the-hand section. The glove comprises a back-of-the-hand section, a palm section, and finger sections, which are preferably sewn together. The glove forms the base body 26. Thereby, the mobile unit 10 is always directly on the operator, resulting in the shortest distances for them. An object of the invention consists in creating a compact remote control element. Due to the arrangement on the glove, this is achieved in a particular advantageous manner, as, according to possible embodiments, the actuating element 12 and/or the electric contactor 13 may be arranged, as shown by way of example, particularly handily-placed on the index finger, or is arranged such that the actuation must be performed using one finger of the other hand—in order to prevent an erroneous triggering. In order to prevent the arranged components from compromising the picking action, the micro controller 14 and the energy storage 15 are preferably arranged in the area of the back of the hand. The demands of working safety also require a compact structure, as the arranged components must not be so voluminous that they interfere with the work of the operator.

[0075] Ultimately, 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.

[0076] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants of the, and it should be noted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to these particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible and that this possibility of variation owing to the teaching for technical action provided by the present invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field. Thus, any and all conceivable embodiment variants, which are possible by combining individual details of the embodiment variant shown and described, are also covered by the scope of protection.

[0077] Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease of understanding of the method steps, drawing elements are partially not depicted to scale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0078] 1 Order-picking system [0079] 2 Warehouse system [0080] 3 Conveying system [0081] 4 Workstation [0082] 5 Source load carrier [0083] 6 Target load carrier [0084] 7 Confirmation control element [0085] 8 Process controller [0086] 9 Base station [0087] 10 Mobile unit [0088] 11 Communication connection [0089] 12 Actuating element [0090] 13 Electric contactor [0091] 14 Micro controller [0092] 15 Electric energy storage [0093] 16 Receiving and evaluation unit [0094] 17 Switching output [0095] 18 Access data [0096] 19 Control input [0097] 20 Warehouse management system [0098] 21 Detection input [0099] 22 Switching output [0100] 23 Presentation system [0101] 24 Interface [0102] 25 Housing [0103] 26 Base body [0104] 27 Adhesive element [0105] 28 Clip element [0106] 29 Pivot axis [0107] 30 Rear side