STORAGE AND ORDER-PICKING SYSTEM

Abstract

It is disclosed a method (70) for operating a storage and order-picking system (10) in which a plurality of manipulators (40) process a plurality of picking/storing orders in accordance with a manipulator-to-handling-unit principle, wherein the system (10) comprises a provision zone (12), a picking zone (14), a plurality of provision units (42, 62) in the provision zone, a plurality of, particularly stationary arranged, transfer locations (46) in the picking zone (14), a DTS (18) including a plurality of DTVs (20), and a controlling device (32), and wherein the method (70) comprises the following steps of: analyzing (S10) the plurality of picking/storing orders by the controlling device (32) for determining retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone (12); setting (S12) of transfer actions (48) by selecting for each of the retrieval/delivery locations one or more of the transfer locations (46) in the picking zone (14) as delivery/retrieval location and by assigning the same thereto, wherein the delivery/retrieval location is located within an action zone (72) extending around the respective retrieval/delivery location and moving dynamically with the respective manipulator (40); generating (S14) an action order for each of the manipulators (40) by selecting some of the transfer actions (48), and setting a, particularly unidirectional, moving path (74) along which the respective manipulator (40) moves between the selected retrieval/delivery locations throughout the, preferably entire, picking zone (14); and generating (S16) transport orders for the DTVs (20) so that each of the manipulators (40), during performance of its action order, can perform its transfer actions (48) within its action zone (72), preferably without interruption.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A method for operating a storage and order-picking system in which a plurality of manipulators process a plurality of picking/storing orders in accordance with a manipulator-to-handling-unit principle operating in accordance with the man-to-goods principle where humans and/or machine are employed, wherein the system comprises a provision zone, a picking zone adjacent to the provision zone, a plurality of provision units in the provision zone, a plurality of transfer locations arranged stationary in the picking zone, a DTS including a plurality of DTVs, and a controlling device, wherein the transfer locations respectively comprise a frame on which handling units are deposited for retrieval or delivery by the DTVs, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: analyzing the plurality of picking/storing orders by means of the controlling device for determining retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone; setting transfer actions by selecting for each of the retrieval/delivery locations at least one of the transfer locations in the picking zone as delivery/retrieval location in the pricking zone and by assigning the same to the retrieval/delivery location in the provision zone, wherein the delivery/retrieval location is located within an action zone extending around the respective retrieval/delivery location in the provision zone and moving dynamically with the respective manipulator, wherein each of the transfer actions further defines number and type of the handling units which are to be transferred by the respective manipulator between the locations being assigned to each other; generating an action order for each of the manipulators by: selecting some of the transfer actions; and setting a, in particular unidirectional, moving path along which the respective manipulator moves between the selected retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone through the, preferably entire, picking zone; and generating transport orders for the DTVs so that each of the manipulators can perform, during performance of its action orders, its transfer actions within its action zone, in particular without interruption, due to the DTVs preparing the corresponding selected transfer locations within the action zone and/or downstream thereto in time.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the generating of the action orders is performed in a work-load optimized manner by selecting the corresponding transfer actions such that an action density is adjusted to a work load, wherein the work load represents a preset number of transfer actions per standard length of a picking zone, and wherein the action density represents a manipulator-specific location-dependent number of the selected transfer actions per standard length of a picking zone.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the generating of transport orders for the DTV is performed such that the DTVs prepare the corresponding transfer locations within the action zone and/or down-stream thereto for the respective transfer actions in time.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the action zones comprises an adjustable geometric dimension, which is preferably fixed.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein an entirety of all transfer actions corresponds to the plurality of picking/storing orders.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein an averaged work load for each of the manipulators is substantially equal.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of analyzing is conducted under consideration of a distribution of the handling units in the provision zone and/or under consideration of a structure of the picking/storing orders for the purpose of the generation of the action orders.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the generation of the transport orders occurs dependent on a current location of the respective manipulator within the system, preferably in real time.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the transfer locations is selectable multiple times, but in a temporarily shifted manner.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the transport orders are generated such that the handling units arrive in a sequenced manner and/or in a sorted manner at the respective destination location.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the DTVs and each of the transfer locations has assigned an unambiguous identification, wherein the controlling device is configured to track a path of each of the handling units through the system exclusively based on the transport orders and confirmation information using the identifications of the transfer locations and the DTVs.

28. A storage and order-picking system in which a plurality of manipulators processes a plurality of picking/storing orders with a manipulator-to-goods-principle, wherein the system comprises: a provision zone; a picking zone adjacent to the provision zone and extending along the provision zone; a plurality of provision units arranged in the provision zone next to each other and/or on top of each other, wherein each of the provision units comprises at least one handling unit; a plurality of stationary arranged transfer locations being arranged in the picking zone, preferably continuously, along the provision zone, and wherein each of the transfer locations is configured to receive and buffer one of the handling units, wherein the transfer locations respectively comprise a frame on which the handling units are deposited for retrieval or delivery by the DTVs; a driverless transport system comprising a plurality of driverless transport vehicles, wherein the DTVs and the transfer locations are configured to exchange the handling units, preferably passive and in a bidirectionally meshing manner, with each other, wherein the DTVs are movable autonomously; and a controlling device being configured to: analyze the plurality of picking/storing orders for determining retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone; set transfer actions by selecting for each of the retrieval/delivery locations in the provision zone at least one of the transfer locations in the picking zone as delivery/retrieval location in the picking zone and by assigning the same to the retrieval/delivery location in the provision zone, wherein the delivery/retrieval location is located within an action zone extending around the respective retrieval/delivery location and moving dynamically with the respective manipulator, and wherein each of the transfer actions further defines number and type of the handling units which are to be transferred by the respective manipulator between the locations being assigned to each other; generate, preferably in a work-load optimized manner, action orders for each of the manipulators by: selecting some of the transfer actions, preferably such that an action density and a work load are adjusted to each other, wherein the work load represent a desired number of transfer actions per standard length of a picking zone, and wherein the action density represents a location-dependent number of the selected transfer actions per standard length of a picking zone; and set, in particular a unidirectional, moving path along which the respective manipulator moves between the selected retrieval/delivery location in the provision zone through the, preferably entire, picking zone; and generate transport orders for the DTVs so that each of the manipulators, during performance of its action order, can perform its transfer actions within its action zone, preferably without interruption, due to the DTVs preparing the corresponding selected transfer locations within the action zone and/or downstream thereto in time for the transfer of the handling units.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the handling units arrive at respective destination location by means of the DTVs without tracking.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein at least 50%, in particular 60-70%, of an entire length of the provision zone is provided with the transfer locations.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the transport of the handling units from and to the transfer locations is performed exclusively by the DTVs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] It is clear that the above-mentioned and hereinafter still to be explained features cannot only be used in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0062] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the description below.

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a storage and order-picking system of the invention;

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system during a case-picking application;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment during a case-picking application;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of a mixed application of case picking and piece picking;

[0067] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a storage and order-picking system in accordance with the invention;

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a system for illustrating an action order as well as a moving path;

[0069] FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an action density as well as an action zone;

[0070] FIG. 8 shows an illustration from the document WO 2015/035300; and

[0071] FIGS. 9 to 13 show an illustration of conventional picking methods.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0072] If vertical and horizontal orientations are mentioned in the following, it is clear that the orientations can be exchanged with each other due to a rotation, and therefore are not to be interpreted in a limiting manner. As usual in the field of (intra) logistics, in storage and order-picking systems (distribution centers, material-handling systems, etc.) a longitudinal direction is designated by X, a transversal direction is designated by Z, and a height direction is designated by Y. The directions X, Y, and Z preferably define a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0073] In the following a provision unit is to be understood as a unit which is used in particular in the goods-receipt area and in the storage area (rack warehouse, ground warehouse, channel warehouse, etc.). A provision unit typically includes only one type but can also be provided in a mixed manner. The provision unit can comprise a load support and one or more handling units. Typically load supports such as pallets, grid boxes, containers, buckets, cartons, trays, (overhead) bags, and the like are used as load supports. However, the handling units can also be provided without storage-load supports, or load supports. In the following a handling unit is to be understood as one article or one good. One good can be one piece good. One good can be a case. A handling unit is a (smallest) unit of an (article) assortment, which can be distinguished by the handling type. Piece goods are individualized distinguishable goods which can be handled individually and stock thereof is listed by pieces or as cases. The case is a general term for a handable unit which can be moved manually or by means of technical devices (load-handling device, grippers, etc.). The terms article, case, good, and piece good will be used equivalently here.

[0074] A picking order is typically represented by a set of data which can be processed. The picking order can comprise a header field, a priority field, and/or an article field. The header field can comprise, amongst other things, information related to the customer who has deposited an order, (customer) address, or customer identification number as well as an order number. The priority field includes information on whether it is a normal order or an urgent order. An urgent order is an order having high (processing) priority, which is handled typically before normal orders.

[0075] A rack arrangement (e.g., a rack warehouse) typically includes a plurality of racks provided in terms of individual racks or double racks. Double racks are individual racks erected back-to-back. Between the racks rack aisles are defined which typically extend in a longitudinal direction of the racks and serve as an action space for manipulators, driverless transport vehicles (DTV, AGV, etc.), and/or storage and retrieval devices. The racks end at its opposing (shorter) front faces which in turn are orientated in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aisle. The racks comprise a plurality of (rack) storage locations, or deposition locations (e.g., rack compartments, end of a flow channel, etc.) which can be used with the present invention.

[0076] The terms rack location, storage location, deposition location, pallet location are used equivalently. These locations mean locations within the system where the goods are stored. A rack location, or a rack compartment, is a location where the goods are provided within a rack for the purpose of picking.

[0077] A transfer location is a location where one or more goods can be buffered for the purpose of exchange with a driverless transport vehicle (DTV). The transfer locations serve for temporarily buffering one or more goods and can be connected to the DTV in terms of material flow. A transfer location can comprise a frame on which the goods can be deposited for retrieval or provision by the DTV. A transfer location can be realized by a parking spot for one of the DTVs. The transfer locations comprise fixedly defined coordinates within the system, and are preferably stationary, i.e. spatially fixed.

[0078] Further, the present invention is operated substantially in accordance with the principle man-to-goods. If also machines are used apart from humans, this principle is also called manipulator-to-goods-principle in the present case. With these principles a human, who is also called a picking person in the following, and/or a machine can move to the good which is to be picked.

[0079] In general, different strategies are distinguished upon picking. The order-related picking and the article-related picking exist, wherein the collecting of the goods can either occur serially, i.e. one after the other, or in parallel, hence at the same time. With the order-related picking an order is processed in its entirety, i.e. each good of the order is collected serially and/or in parallel (order splitting). The way in which it is picked can depend on many factors. One factor, which definitely plays a role, is an average order structure. It makes a difference whether different goods are to be picked by little number of pieces or whether the same (type of) goods are to be picked again and again by high number of pieces. It makes a difference whether one order comprises many or few lines.

[0080] A batch is a synthesis of several orders to one processing lot. A batch also is a synthesis of several (picking) orders to one ordered quantity, or list of orders. In batch operation, orders are first collected and sorted, for being processed sequentially in one step, i.e. in a batch.

[0081] Coordination of the processing of orders is handled by an order-handling system, which is most times integrated into a picking control which can comprise an enterprise resource planning system as well. The picking control can further have integrated a (storage) location administration as well as an information display. The picking control is typically realized by a data-processing system, which preferably operates in the online mode for data transmission and data processing free of delay. The picking control can be implemented by one or more controlling units which will be described in more detail below. The controlling device of the invention can include such a picking control.

[0082] With both the case picking and the piece picking the manipulators are directed to retrieval locations (destination locations) upon picking, or to delivery-locations (destination locations) upon replenishment or storing. In the following picking processes will be exemplarily considered exclusively. It is clear that the following explanations are also valid for replenishing or storing processes (replenishment), which only distinguish from picking processes in a transfer-action direction.

[0083] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a storage and order-picking system (hereinafter also briefly designated as system) 10 in top view. The system comprises a provision zone 12 and, adjacent hereto, a picking zone 14. The provision zone 12 can be supplied with goods via a goods receipt (WE) 16. The goods, which are to be stored in the provision zone 12, originate from the goods receipt 16 and are picked (removed and delivered) subsequently in the picking zone 14 in accordance with picking orders. The picking can be performed in one stage or in several or multiple stages, as mentioned above.

[0084] Further, the system 10 comprises a driverless transport system (DTS) 18. The DTS 18 comprises a plurality of driverless transport vehicles (DTVs) 20. The DTS 18 with its DTVs 20 serves a material flow, or flow of goods, within the system 10, and in particular within the zones 12 and 14. The material flow within the system 10 is indicated by means of arrows 22. It is clear that each connection possible between the blocks of FIG. 1 is not depicted by an arrow 22. Further, it is clear that the material flow 22 in the entire system 10 does not need to be conducted by the DTS 18 only. Classic conveying systems such as steady conveyers, vertical conveyers, storage and retrieval devices, and the like can be used additionally between different blocks.

[0085] Optionally, the system 10 comprises a consolidation station 24 which is used in particular with multi-stage picking of cases (e.g., full-case picking). It is the purpose of the consolidation station 24 to sort goods in an order-orientated manner.

[0086] The system 10 can further comprise one or more packing stations 26 as well as a shipping area, or a goods issue (WA), 28. In the packing stations 26 (picking) orders, which have been collected completely, can be packed and/or moved from collecting containers into shipping containers. In the shipping area, or goods issue, 28 an order-orientated sorting process (e.g., for destination subsidiaries of a retail company) can occur again. The consolidation station 24 can be integrated into the picking zone 14, into the packing station 26, and/or into the shipping area 28. Orders, which are completely picked and packed, are shipped from the shipping area 28 in terms of consignments to the customers 30. The customers 30, which are not part of the system 10, place their customer orders, or orders, exemplarily over the Internet or over a different transmission path in the system 10. For the analysis and processing of the customer orders the system 10 comprises a controlling device 32, in particular a picking-control device. The controlling device 32 is in communication with the different components of the system 10 via fixed lines 34 and/or wireless (cf. arrow 36). In this case, in particular data connections are used.

[0087] The controlling device 32 can have several tasks. The controlling device 32 can be structured decentralized. The controlling device 32 can be structured in modules. In particular, the controlling device 32 implements one or more of the following functions: order administration, picking-guidance strategies, enterprise resource planning system, warehouse management, material-flow control, location management, DTV navigation, and DTV-route selection. These functions are typically implemented in terms of software and/or hardware. In addition, communication can occur via one (or more) communication bus(es). The controlling device 32 can be part of a central processor (not shown).

[0088] The order administration ensures that (picking) orders 38, which are coming in from the customers 30, are distributed for completion (processing) to several manipulators (humans and/or machines) 40. In this context, in particular the factor work load plays a role. Further factors such as goods-assortment distribution, path optimizations, and the like can also play a role. The manipulators substantially have the task to transfer the goods, i.e. to grab and deliver the goods. The picking orders 38 can be divided for processing, e.g., into partial orders. The picking orders 38 can further be processed for batch picking. The controlling device 32 is adapted to analyze picking orders 38, which are coming in and which came in, with respect to, and in particular such that, a plurality of batches is formed, wherein one batch is characterized by the sum of each of the goods of a respective type of goods over each order 38, which came in and is to be analyzed.

[0089] The manipulators 40 substantially move between the provision zone 12 and the picking zone 14, as it will be explained in more detail below.

[0090] FIGS. 2 to 4 show different applications of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a multi-stage case-picking application, wherein the first picking stage is shown in particular. A human manipulator 40 removes cases 42 from pallets 44, which are preferably holding only one type, wherein the pallets are provided, for example, in two provision zones 12-1 and 12-2. The removal of one or more cases 42 from one of the pallets 44 and the delivery to one of the transfer locations 46 represents a transfer action being illustrated by an arrow 48. The DTV 20 and the transfer locations 46 are formed as described, for example, in the patent application Fahrerloses Transportsystem in einer Lager- and Kommissionieranlage (DE 10 2015 114 370.4) filed by the applicant of the present application at the same day as the present application. In this case the DTVs 20 move along traveling paths 50 which can map arbitrary (fixed) courses. For example, the traveling paths 50 can be taped like strips, for example, onto a hall floor. The DTVs 20 move along the traveling paths 50 as exemplarily indicated by an arrow 52 for the DTV 20-1. The DTV 20-1 is loaded with one (or more) cases 42 and transports the removed cases 42 to the consolidation station 24, to the packing station 26, and/or to the shipping area 28 (respectively not shown).

[0092] The transfer locations 46 are arranged in the picking zone 14. In FIG. 2 the transfer locations 46 are arranged exemplarily in two, preferably continuously formed, rows 52-1 and 52-2. It is clear that the transfer locations 46 can also be arranged in a discontinuous manner. The rows 52-1 and 52-2 are arranged, for example, distanced to each other in a transversal direction Z of the system 10, and define an aisle therebetween which can be used by the DTVs 20 for transporting the retrieved cases 42. The DTVs move within this aisle preferably unidirectionally. In the example of FIG. 2 the DTVs 20 move from top to bottom, as indicated by the arrow 52 (one-way rule). Unladen DTVs 20, such as the DTV 20-2, can move in an area being used in common with the manipulators 40, preferably also according to a one-way rule, towards the transfer locations 46, as exemplarily indicated by an arrow 53.

[0093] FIG. 3 also shows a case-picking application. In FIG. 3 the transfer locations 46 are arranged centrally in the picking zone 14 between two provision zones 12-1 and 12-2. In the provision zones 12-1 and 12-2 rack arrangements 54 are provided. The rack arrangements 54 can be formed by one or more racks 56. The (human) manipulator 40 removes cases 42 from rack compartments 58 (sources) upon picking, and deposits them onto a free, or assigned, transfer location 46, which is either transmitted in advance to the manipulator 40 or selected by the manipulator 46 and subsequently transmitted to the controlling device 32. The picking is exemplarily indicated in FIG. 3 by one transfer action 48-1. A storing process is exemplarily illustrated by another transfer action 48-2. Upon storing, a case 42 which, for example, originates from the goods receipt 16 and which has been deposited on one of the transfer locations 46, is delivered to a preset (empty) rack compartment 58 (destination location) by the manipulator 40. The transport of the case 42 from and to the transfer locations 46 in turn is performed by the DTVs 20 which are formed in a self-navigating manner in the example of FIG. 3, so that the force-guided traveling paths 50 (cf. FIG. 2) can be omitted. The transfer locations 46 in turn are arranged in rows 52 extending continuously along the racks 56 in order to provide many transfer locations 46, if possible. However, the rows 52 can be arranged in the transversal direction Z without distance. If the transfer locations 46 and the DTVs 20 are formed in accordance with the above-mentioned parallel application (DE 10 2015 114 370.4) the travelling direction of the DTVs 20 through the transfer locations 46 decides whether a case 42 is delivered or received. Preferably, the DTVs 20 can travel in both directions along Z through the transfer locations 46. In this sense, FIG. 3 shows double-transfer locations. While one of the transfer locations 46 of the double-transfer location is loaded, the other transfer location 46 of this double-transfer location is unloaded by the same DTV 20 when the travel is continued.

[0094] Further, it is clear that a type of the provision of the case 42 in the provision zones 12 is arbitrary. Therefore, one additional pallet 44 is exemplarily shown in FIG. 3, which pallet serves either as a source or as a destination location.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows a further (enlarged) perspective illustration of an application with which both piece picking and case picking can be operated simultaneously. It is clear that piece picking might also be operated alone. Upon piece picking the piece goods (not illustrated in more detail here) are delivered to order containers 60 (destination locations) which have been removed previously from storage containers 62 (sources). In the present case, the transfer locations 46 are exemplarily integrated into, for example, the lowermost plane of a rack 56. The picking zone 14 extends in this sense in an overlapping manner into the provision zone 12 where the rack 56 is arranged. In general, the transfer locations 46 and/or the rack compartments 58 can be provided with identifications (such as barcodes 64, numbers 66, or the like) for unambiguously identifying the transfer locations 46 and/or the rack compartments 58, which represent the sources and destination locations, respectively. Further, picking-guidance elements such as lamps 68 or the like can be provided exemplarily.

[0096] The transfer locations 46-1 to 46-3 of FIG. 4 are exemplarily formed single-deep. The DTVs 20 travel forward into the transfer locations 46 and rearward from the transfer locations 46. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an active lifting device for each of the transfer locations 46 in order to allow the elements of the DTVs 20 and the transfer locations 46, which are meshing with each other, to deliver and receive the goods which are to be transferred. In this case, for example, the DTV 20 is provided with a lift. The load-handling device of the DTV 20-2 is shown in an elevated state in the transfer location 46-2, whereas the load-handling device of the DTV 20-1 in the transfer location 46-1 is shown in a lowered state.

[0097] With simultaneous reference to the FIGS. 5 to 7 a method 70 for operating the system 10 will be described in the following, wherein the controlling device 32 is used.

[0098] FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the method 70. The method 70 substantially comprises the steps S10 to S16. In the step S10 the picking orders 38 and/or storing orders are analyzed. Based on this analysis the transfer actions 48 are determined, or evaluated, and distributed in step S12. As soon as transfer actions 48 are set, action orders are generated for each of the manipulators 40. An action order is distinguished by a selection of transfer actions 48 and a moving path of the respective manipulator 40 through the picking zone 14. In step S16 transport orders for the DTVs 20 are generated so that each of the manipulators 40, during performance of its action order, can perform its transfer actions within an action zone 72 (cf. FIG. 7), preferably without interruption. The action zone 72 represents a space in which the manipulator 40 moves during wandering from one retrieval/delivery location (source) to the next retrieval/delivery-location (next source). The moving path 74 of the manipulator 40 of FIG. 7 starts in starting point 76 and ends, for example, at the second retrieval/delivery location in the picking zone 14. Subsequently the manipulator 40 can take a new action order by returning either to the starting point 76 or by starting a new action order from its current location. It is also possible that the manipulator 40 moves back a little for beginning or performing the new action order. Preferably, however, the manipulator 40 moves in one direction only, i.e. unidirectionally, through the picking zone 14. In this context it can be advantageous if the manipulator 40 moves recurrently through the entire picking zone 14. It is clear that the manipulator 40, as soon as it has arrived at an end of the picking zone 14, can revert its (unidirectional) movement for getting to the opposite end of the picking zone 14. Of course, it is also possible that the manipulator 40 returns to the starting point 76, and thus traverses the picking zone 14 always in one single direction only.

[0099] FIG. 6 shows top view of a schematically illustrated system 10 and serves for illustrating an exemplary action order for a (single) manipulator 40. Each of the action orders is formed by a plurality of transfer actions 48. With a first transfer action 48-1 the manipulator 40 (not shown) is required to remove three cases 42, for example, from a pallet 44-1, and to deliver the same to a first transfer location 46-1. A second transfer action 48-2 represents a storing order, according to which six piece goods being provided on a transfer location 46-2 are to be stored into a rack compartment 58-1. With a third transfer action 48-3 one piece good is to be removed from the rack compartment 58-2 and is to be delivered to the transfer location 46-7. In accordance with a fourth transfer action 48-4 two piece goods from a rack compartment 58-3 are to be delivered to a transfer location 46-11. A fifth transfer action 48-5 is intended for illustrating that the manipulator 40, upon picking, might possibly select from several transfer locations 46 for setting a destination location itself. The transfer action 48-5 merely defines the retrieval location, namely the rack compartment 58-4 as well as a quantity which is to be removed, for example, one piece. As the picking order 38, on which the transfer action 48-5 is based, consists, for example, of this one piece only and since three empty order containers 60 (destination locations) on the transfer locations 46-15 to 46-17 in the direct vicinity of the rack compartment 58-4 are present, wherein the transfer locations 46-15 to 46-17 are within the corresponding action zone 72, the manipulator 40 can select one of these order containers 60 which is subsequently brought to an associated destination location (consolidation station, packing station, or shipping area) by the DTVs 20. The DTV 20 which are not shown in FIG. 6 can respond, dependent on the situation, to actions of the manipulator 40 in that the controlling device 32 generates corresponding transport orders. This means that it is not necessarily required that the controlling device 32 determines each of the transport orders for the DTVs 20 in advance, i.e. before the manipulator 40 begins its path through the picking zone 14. Also, it is not required that each of the transfer locations 46 is already prepared for the respective transfer action 48 at the beginning of the performance of an action order. The controlling device 32 merely needs to ensure that the transfer locations 46 within the action zone 72 and, if necessary, some of the transfer locations 46 located downstream are prepared correspondingly. The transfer locations 46 are prepared if, for example, having been emptied, loaded with empty order containers 60, loaded with a pre-picked order container 60, or loaded with a storage container 62 or a good for the storing process. It is clear that the picking process and the storing process can occur simultaneously, i.e. within one action order. Alternatively, picking processes and storing processes can be assigned to different manipulators 40 so that each of the manipulators 40 either picks (only) or stores (only). This can depend on an action density 78 (number of transfer actions per standard length) as will be explained with reference to FIG. 7.

[0100] FIG. 7 serves for illustrating a (possible) general distribution/assignment of each of the transfer actions 48. With the analysis of the step S12 in FIG. 5, in particular the sources (picking) or destination locations (storing) in the provision zone(s) 12 are determined. The sources and destination locations in the provision zones 12 of FIG. 7 are represented by differently sized dots. The bigger a dot is the more goods need to be transferred. Each dot represents a location in the provision zone 12 from where goods are removed or where goods are delivered to. Each of these dots in FIG. 7 also represents a retrieval or delivery location. Each of the retrieval/delivery locations in turn determines a corresponding transfer action 48. A direction of the arrows representing the transfer actions 48 in FIG. 7 possibly is not yet set necessarily in the step S12 (cf. transfer action 48-5 in FIG. 6). Nevertheless an action density 78 can be determined. In FIG. 7 the action density 78 is illustrated by a circular area within the action zone 72. This area exemplarily includes three transfer actions 48 which can be performed or need to be performed by the manipulator 40 within the action zone 72.

[0101] Now, for the purpose of a work-load optimization for each of the manipulators 40, which are present in large numbers, transfer actions 48 are selected such that each of the manipulators 40 (in average) is preferably given a workload to an equal extent. The work load can be measured, for example, by the number of transfer actions 48 per walking meter of the manipulator 40 along the picking zone 14. Thus, each of the manipulators 40 gets assigned a sub quantity of the transfer actions 48. The DTVs 20 in turn ensure that selected or potential transfer locations 46 are prepared in time for the performance of a respective action order. The corresponding transport orders for the DTVs can also be calculated in dependence on a respective current location of the respective manipulator 40 by means of the controlling device 32.

TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 10 Storage and order-picking system 12 Provision zone 14 Picking zone 16 Goods receipt (WE) 18 Driverless transport system/DTS 20 Driverless transport vehicle/DTV 22 Material flow (flow of goods) 24 Consolidation station 26 Packing stations 28 Shipping area/goods issue (WA) 30 Customer 32 Controlling device 34 Lines 36 Wireless connection 38 (Picking) orders 40 Manipulator 42 Case 44 Pallets 46 Transfer location 48 Transfer action 50 Traveling paths 51, 53 Transport direction 52 Row of 46 54 Rack arrangement 56 Rack 58 Rack compartment 60 Order container 62 Storage container 64 Barcode 66 Number 68 Lamp 70 Method 72 Action zone 74 Moving path 76 Starting point 78 Action density