JP2021095244A - Conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a conveyance system capable of reducing a cargo from staying.SOLUTION: A conveyance system comprises: a plurality of input units 100 that perform inputting of a cargo 20; a carrier unit 200 that carries the cargo through a circulation route circulating unidirectionally; a chute 300 onto which the cargo carried by the carrier unit 200 is delivered; a buffer unit 500 that is connected to a first section downstream of the chute 300 in a transport direction and upstream of the plurality of input units 100 in the transport direction, holds the cargo delivered from the first section, and delivers the cargo being held to the carrier unit 200; and a controller 400 that performs (i) order control for controlling the carrier unit 200 so as to make the cargo pass through without being delivered to the chute when the cargo being carried by the carrier unit is not in a delivery order to the chute, and (ii) storage control for controlling the carrier unit such that the cargo passed through is delivered to the buffer unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting loads from a plurality of loading devices by a transport device.

There is known a sorting system provided with a sorting device for accepting the loading of luggage from a plurality of input ports and sorting the received luggage. The sorting system disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of trays that move along an annular transport path in a state of being connected to each other, and a plurality of chutes arranged on the side of the transport path. Each of the plurality of trays functions as a tray for loading the cargo and also as a belt conveyor for discharging the cargo placed on the tray to the chute.

The tray on which the load is placed moves along the transport route toward a specific chute, which is the sorting destination of the load, among the plurality of chute. When the tray approaches a specific chute, the tray is driven as a belt conveyor. As a result, the load placed on the tray is transported in the payout direction orthogonal to the transport direction along the transport path, and is dispensed to a specific chute.

JP-A-2017-71458

By the way, in the above-mentioned sorting system, it may be required to pay out the luggage to the chute in a predetermined order. For example, by packing the packages in the order in which they are sorted into the shipping box, the sorting work at the shipping destination store can be reduced, or food-related items and pesticides are packed in the same shipping box. This is because it is easy to prevent it.

In this way, when it is required to pay out the luggage to the chute in a predetermined order, if the luggage in the order to be paid out to the chute is not paid out to the chute, other luggage to be paid out to the chute. Because it is not possible to pay out to the chute, a large amount of luggage may stay in the sorting device (transporting device) of the sorting system.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a transport system capable of reducing the retention of luggage in a transport device.

In order to achieve the above object, the transport system according to one aspect of the present invention is adjacent to a plurality of loading sections, each of which loads a load, and the plurality of loading sections, and each of the plurality of loading sections is adjacent to the plurality of loading sections. A transport device that transports the cargo loaded by the vehicle in a one-way orbital circuit route, and a transport device that is arranged at a position different from the plurality of loading portions in the transport direction of the transport device, and the transport device transports the cargo. The chute to which the cargo is discharged and the first section on the circuit path, which is downstream of the chute in the transport direction and upstream of the plurality of loading portions in the transport direction. A buffer device that is connected to the first section, holds the cargo that has been discharged from the first section, and discharges the held cargo to the transport device, and (i) a cargo that is being transported by the transport device. Is not the order in which the cargo is delivered to the chute, the order control for controlling the transport device so that the cargo reaches the chute but is passed through the chute without being discharged to the chute, and (ii) the order. It is provided with a storage control for controlling the transport device so that the load passing through the chute is discharged to the buffer device by control, and a controller for performing the storage control.

According to this, the transport device is controlled so that the load passing through the chute is discharged to the buffer device on the downstream side of the chute and on the upstream side of the loading portion by the order control. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the load that has passed through the chute from the transport device and stays there.

Further, in the storage control, the controller is (i) a second section on the circuit path, downstream of the chute in the transport direction, and upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction. The occupancy rate of the load in the second section of the above is acquired, and (ii) the transfer device is controlled so that the baggage being transported so that the occupancy rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value is discharged to the buffer device. May be good.

Therefore, the occupancy rate of the load in the second section of the transport device can be set to a predetermined value or less, and the load that has passed through the chute from the transport device and stays can be effectively reduced.

Further, in the storage control, when the difference between the order of the packages that have passed through the chute and the order of the packages to be delivered to the chute is larger than the first threshold value, the controller has passed the chute. The transport device may be controlled so that the load is discharged to the buffer device.

Therefore, since the load that requires a long time to wait for the turn to be paid out to the chute is paid out to the buffer device, it is possible to effectively reduce the load that has passed through the chute from the transport device and stays there.

Further, in the storage control, the controller is (i) a second section on the circuit path, downstream of the chute in the transport direction, and upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction. The occupancy rate of the luggage in the second section of the above may be acquired, and (ii) the first threshold value may be set to a smaller value as the occupancy rate increases.

Therefore, as the occupancy rate of the load in the second section of the transport device is large, the amount of the load delivered to the buffer device can be increased, and the load passing through the chute from the transport device and staying is effectively reduced. be able to.

Further, the controller further holds the load in the buffer device when the difference between the order of the packages stored in the buffer device and the order of the packages to be delivered to the chute is smaller than the second threshold value. Reloading control may be performed to control the buffer device so that the loaded load is reloaded into the transport device.

Therefore, it is possible to re-load the packages that should be delivered to the chute in the order close to each other into the transport device at an appropriate timing.

Further, in the re-input control, the controller is (i) a third section on the circuit path, downstream of the chute in the transport direction, and upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction. The occupancy rate of the luggage in the second section on the side may be acquired, and (ii) the second threshold value may be set to a smaller value as the occupancy rate is larger.

Therefore, as the occupancy rate of the load in the second section of the transfer device is large, the amount of the load reloaded from the buffer device into the transfer device can be reduced, and the load staying in the transfer device is effectively reduced. be able to.

Further, when a plurality of packages having a continuous order of being paid out to the chute are arranged in two or more loading units included in the plurality of loading units, the controller is conveyed to the transport device in the order of being discharged. As described above, the plurality of load loading instructions may be output to the two or more loading units.

Therefore, the load loaded into the transport device from the plurality of loading units can be efficiently discharged to the chute.

Further, a plurality of the chutes are provided, and the buffer device is a plurality of shelves arranged at different heights, and a trolley arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of shelves and carrying a load. An automatic warehouse including an elevating and lowering transport device for raising and lowering a load in a height range in which the plurality of shelves exist. In the controller, the load to be delivered to the chute is among the plurality of shelves. When placed on the first shelf, the buffer device is controlled so that other luggage to be paid out to the chute is placed on a second shelf different from the first shelf. You may.

Therefore, since the load can be delivered from the buffer device by a plurality of carts, the load delivered from the buffer device can be efficiently reloaded into the transport device.

Further, the transfer device is provided at different positions in the height direction, and has a first transfer device and a second transfer device connected to the elevating and lowering transfer device for raising and lowering the load contained in the buffer device. The chute has a first loading section for loading the load into the first transport device and a second loading section for loading the load into the second transport device, and the chute is loaded by the first transport device. The controller has a first chute to which the load is discharged and a second chute to which the load is discharged by the second transfer device. In the case of a load to be paid out to the two chute, the buffer device may be controlled so as to be paid out to the second transport device by using the elevating and lowering transport device.

Therefore, even if a malfunction such as a failure occurs in one of the first transport device and the second transport device, the load can be paid out using the other transport device.

According to the transport system according to one aspect of the present invention, the retention of luggage can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the transport system according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the peripheral configuration of the transport device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the transport system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a specific configuration of the storage. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a specific configuration of the storage. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for adjusting the occupancy rate of the transport device in the transport system. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of order control by the controller. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a storage control process by the controller. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of re-input control by the controller. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the transport system according to the modified example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, the order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims will be described as arbitrary components.

(Embodiment)
[Transport system configuration]
The overall configuration of the transport system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the transport system 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the peripheral configuration of the transport device 200 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the transport system 10 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transfer system 10 includes a plurality of input devices 100, a transfer device 200, a controller 400, and a buffer device 500. The transport system 10 may further include a detector 230 and a plurality of chute 300. The transport system 10 is for sorting a plurality of packages 20 stored in an automated warehouse or the like and assigned to each destination in the logistics field such as mail-order business, wholesale business, and home delivery business, for each destination. System. Each of the plurality of packages 20 is, for example, a packed product or the like.

Each of the plurality of loading devices 100 is connected to different warehouses 31 to 34, and is a device for loading the cargo 20 stored in the plurality of warehouses 31 to 34 into the transport device 200. For example, one end of each loading device 100 is connected to each warehouse 31 to 34, the cargo 20 is supplied from each warehouse 31 to 34, and the other end is arranged at a position near the side in the transport direction of the transport device 200. It is a conveyor that puts the cargo 20 into the transport device 200. The plurality of loading devices 100 are arranged side by side along the transport direction of the transport device 200. That is, the plurality of loading devices 100 are arranged at different positions in the transport direction. The plurality of charging devices 100 is an example of a plurality of charging units.

The plurality of loading devices 100 may be connected to a warehouse common to each other. That is, the plurality of loading devices 100 supply the cargo 20 from the common warehouse to the transport device 200.

The plurality of loading devices 100 are not limited to the conveyor, and may be a robot that loads the cargo 20 transported from the warehouse into the transport device 200. Further, instead of the plurality of loading devices 100, a plurality of loading stations for the operator to load the cargo 20 into the transport device 200 may be provided.

The transport device 200 is adjacent to the plurality of loading devices 100, and is a device that transports the load 20 loaded from each of the plurality of loading devices 100 by a transport path 240 that circulates in one way. Further, the transport device 200 may be, for example, a crossbelt sorter having a function of moving the load 20 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction along the transport path 240. The transport device 200 has a plurality of trays 210 and a drive unit 220.

The plurality of trays 210 are annularly connected to each other along the transport path 240. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of trays 210 functions as a tray on which the luggage 20 is placed. Each of the plurality of trays 210 has a function of pulling in the load 20 loaded from the plurality of loading devices 100 toward the center of the tray 210 and a function of paying out the load 20 placed on the tray 210 in the payout direction. Includes a belt conveyor with. Any two adjacent trays 210 of the plurality of trays 210 are connected to each other. The drive unit 220 moves the plurality of trays 210 along the transport path 240 in a predetermined direction, for example, in the clockwise direction in FIG.

The detector 230 detects the occupancy rate of the load in the section 243 on the upstream side of the buffer device 500 from the downstream side of the plurality of chute 300s in the transport direction of the transport path 240. By detecting the occupancy rate of the load in the section 243, the detector 230 can detect the occupancy rate of the transfer device 200 by the load 20 passing through the plurality of chute 300, which causes the retention in the transfer device 200. .. Section 243 is an example of a second section. The detector 230 is arranged at a first position between the downstream side of the plurality of chute 300s and the buffer device 500 in the transport direction of the transport path 240, and the tray 210 passes through the first position in a predetermined period. The number and the number of luggage 20 passing through the first position are counted. For example, the detector 230 counts the number of trays 210 and the number of luggages 20 that have passed the first position from the present to the present for a predetermined period of time, and counts the number of the counted luggages 20 in the tray 210. Divide by a number and detect the resulting value as an empty factor. The predetermined period may be the time required for a predetermined number (for example, 100) of trays 210 to pass through the first position. That is, the detector 230 may consider the period from the start of counting to the time when the number of counted trays 210 reaches a predetermined number as a predetermined period.

The detector 230 may detect the vacancy rate of the load on the plurality of trays 210 instead of the occupancy rate of the load on the plurality of trays 210. When detecting the vacancy rate, the detector 230 counts, for example, the number of trays 210 that have passed the first position from a predetermined period before the present to the present, and the number of trays 210 that have no luggage 20 and are counted. The number of trays 210 without luggage 20 is divided by the number of counted trays 210, and the obtained value is detected as the vacancy rate. The number of trays 210 without luggage 20 may be calculated by subtracting the number of luggage 20 from the number of trays 210 that have passed.

The detector 230 sequentially stores the passage history in which the time when the tray 210 passes the first position and the information indicating whether or not the tray 210 has the luggage 20 are associated with each other in a storage device (not shown). You may be doing it. As a result, the detector 230 or another information processing device calculates the number of trays 210 and the number of luggage 20 that have passed the first position from the present to a predetermined period before by referring to the passage history of the storage device. This allows the occupancy rate or vacancy rate to be calculated.

The detector 230 may be composed of, for example, an infrared sensor that detects that the tray 210 and the luggage 20 have passed the first position. In this case, the detector 230 may be composed of two sensors, an infrared sensor that detects the tray 210 and an infrared sensor that detects the luggage 20. Further, the detector 230 has a camera that captures the tray 210 and the luggage 20 passing through the first position, and the tray 210 without the luggage 20 passes through the first position by recognizing the image obtained by the camera. It may be composed of an information processing device that determines that the tray 210 with the luggage 20 has passed the first position.

The detector 230 does not have to count the number of trays 210 passing through the first position when the number of trays 210 passing through the first position is a fixed number in a predetermined period. By timing the passage of a predetermined period, it may be considered that a predetermined number of trays 210 have passed through the first position. In this case, the detector 230 counts the number of packages 20 passing through the first position in a predetermined period, or counts the number of trays 210 without luggage 20 passing through the first position in a predetermined period. The occupancy rate is calculated by using the value obtained in the above and a predetermined number. Further, the detector 230 in this case does not have to have an infrared sensor for detecting the tray 210.

Each of the plurality of chutes 300 is an outlet from which the cargo 20 transported by the transport device 200 is paid out by the transport device 200. Each of the plurality of chutes 300 is, for example, a conveyor. For example, each chute 300 is assigned a different destination, and the transport device 200 pays out the package 20 to the chute 300 to which the destination of the package 20 is assigned. The plurality of chutes 300 are arranged at positions different from those of the plurality of charging devices 100 in the transport direction. The plurality of chutes 300 are arranged side by side along the transport path 240 on one side of the transport path 240. The plurality of chutes 300 may be arranged side by side along the transport path 240 on both sides of the transport path 240.

The transport system 10 does not necessarily have to include a plurality of shoots 300, and may have a configuration including one chute 300.

The controller 400 controls the transfer system 10. The controller 400 controls the operation of the plurality of input devices 100 and the transfer device 200 by exchanging information with the plurality of input devices 100 and the transfer device 200. The controller 400 causes a plurality of loading devices 100 to load the cargo 20 included in the order into the transport device 200 from each warehouse, for example, based on an order received from an external device. Then, the controller 400 causes the transport device 200 to transport the baggage 20 to the chute 300 corresponding to the destination according to the order.

The order may indicate the order of the plurality of packages 20 and the plurality of packages 20. The order does not have to indicate the order of the plurality of packages 20, and in this case, the controller 400 may determine the order according to the attribute information such as the types of the plurality of packages 20 included in the order. Good. The order of the plurality of packages 20 indicates, for example, the order in which they are packed in the shipping box. The controller 400 controls the transport device 200 to pay out the cargo 20 to the chute 300 corresponding to the destination according to the order in the order of the plurality of cargo 20s. The controller 400 is composed of, for example, a processor that executes a predetermined program, a memory that stores the predetermined program, and the like. Further, the controller 400 may be configured by a dedicated circuit.

The buffer device 500 is a device that holds the cargo 20 paid out from the section 241 of the transport path 240 of the transport device 200, and puts the held cargo 20 into the transport device 200. The section 241 is a section on the transport path 240, which is a section on the downstream side in the transport direction from the plurality of chute 300 and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the plurality of input devices 100. By paying out the load 20 from the section 241 to the buffer device 500 in this way, it is possible to effectively control the occupancy rate of the load in the transport device 200 in consideration of the load 20 that has passed through the plurality of chute 300. .. Section 241 is an example of the first section.

Specifically, the buffer device 500 is connected to the first section of the transport device 200, has a receiving conveyor 501 for receiving the cargo 20 from the transport device 200, a storage 502 for temporarily storing the cargo 20, and a storage. A loading conveyor 503 for reloading the load 20 stored in the 502 into the transport device 200 is provided. The buffer device 500 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it can hold the luggage 20, rearrange the order of the held luggage 20, and re-load the rearranged luggage into the transport device 200. Absent.

The loading conveyor 503 is connected to one loading device 100, and the buffer device 500 reloads the load into the transport device 200 via the one loading device 100. The charging conveyor 503 may be directly connected to the conveying device 200 without going through the charging device 100.

In the transport system 10, the following effects are achieved by providing the buffer device 500. In the transport system 10, each of the plurality of loading devices 100 is connected to different warehouses 31 to 34. Therefore, even if the delivery command is issued to the plurality of input devices 100 in the order of delivery to the chute 300 indicated by the order, a plurality of delivery commands may be issued in the order of the order depending on the respective delivery status of the warehouses 31 to 34. The luggage 20 may not arrive at the loading device 100. In this case, in order to have the plurality of loading devices 100 control the loading of the cargo 20 in the order of the order, if the later cargo 20 in the order is made to wait until the earlier cargo arrives at the loading device 100, the plurality of loading devices In any of the 100, the baggage 20 stays. Therefore, the plurality of loading devices 100 load the cargo 20 into the transport device 200 in the order of arrival at the plurality of loading devices 100 so that the stagnation does not occur in the plurality of loading devices 100. Therefore, by providing the buffer device 500 in which the luggage passing through the chute 300 is discharged, the order of the luggage 20 is rearranged in the buffer device 500 so as to be in the order of the order, and the luggage 20 is re-injected into the transport device 200. It is possible to reduce the accumulation of the load 20 in the loading device 100 and the transport device.

The storage 502 is, for example, an automated warehouse. The specific configuration of the storage 502 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are schematic views showing a specific configuration of the storage 502.

The storage 502 includes a plurality of shelves 521 to 523, a plurality of carriages 531 to 533, and an elevating and lowering transport device 510 for raising and lowering the luggage 20. Each of the plurality of shelves 521 to 523 is a rectangular plate-shaped member elongated in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the Z-axis direction (height direction). The plurality of shelves 521 to 523 are arranged at different heights.

The plurality of carriages 531 to 533 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of shelves 521 to 523, respectively, and are arranged on the plus side in the X-axis direction of the plurality of shelves 521 to 523. The plurality of carriages 531 to 533 are arranged so as to be movable along the Y-axis direction, and convey the luggage 20 in the Y-axis direction. Each trolley 513 to 533 can perform an operation of placing the luggage 20 at a predetermined position in the Y-axis direction of the shelves 521 to 523 corresponding to each trolley 513 to 533, or an operation of taking in the luggage 20. That is, each carriage 531 to 533 can move the luggage 20 in the X-axis direction between the corresponding shelves 521 to 523.

The elevating and lowering transport device 510 is a device for elevating and lowering the luggage 20 in a range in the height direction in which a plurality of shelves 521 to 523 exist. The elevating and lowering transport device 510 can transport the luggage 20 to the respective heights of the plurality of carriages 531 to 533. As a result, the elevating and transporting device 510 can transfer and receive the luggage 20 to and from each of the carriages 531 to 533. It should be noted that the transfer of the luggage 20 between the elevating and lowering transport device 510 and each of the carriages 531 to 533 may be performed via the buffer conveyors 541 to 543. Each buffer conveyor 541-543 corresponds to a different carriage 531-533.

Next, specific processing by the controller 400 will be described.

The controller 400 controls the transport system 10 so that the occupancy rate of the transport device 200 is reduced and the load 20 is efficiently delivered to the plurality of chute 300. The controller 400 controls the transport device 200 so that the plurality of packages 20 are delivered to the predetermined chute 300 in the order based on the order received from the external device.

The controller 400 performs order control and storage control for the transport device 200. The controller 400 may further perform repopulation control on the buffer device 500.

In the order control, the controller 400 determines whether or not the packages transported by the transport device 200 are in the order of being paid out to the chute 300. Then, as a result of the determination, if the luggage transported by the transport device 200 is not in the order of being paid out to the chute 300, the controller 400 will be concerned even if the luggage reaches the section connected to the chute 300 next time. The transport device 200 is controlled so that the load is passed through the chute 300 without being paid out. Specifically, the controller 400 is dispensed to the chute 300 in the section from the downstream side of the plurality of throwing devices 100 to the upstream side of the plurality of chute 300 (for example, the section immediately before the chute 300) in the transport direction. Instruct the tray 210 on which the luggage 20 is placed to pay out the luggage 20 with the chute 300. That is, if there is a tray 210 on which the luggage 20 in the order of being paid out to the chute is placed in the section immediately before the chute 300, the controller 400 instructs the tray 210 to pay out the luggage 20. Each tray 210 has an optical transmission receiver, and the controller 400 is loaded with a load 20 to be delivered to the chute 300 next from the optical transmission transmitter arranged in the straight section of the chute 300. Instruct the tray 210 to pay out the chute 300. Upon receiving the instruction from the optical transmission transmitter, the tray 210 pays out the luggage 20 at the chute 300.

For example, consider a case where the order of the luggage 20 that has passed through the chute 300 is the fifth, and up to the third luggage 20 is paid out to the chute 300 to which the luggage 20 is to be paid out. In this case, since the order of the baggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 is the fourth baggage, even if the fifth baggage reaches the section connected to the chute 300, the fifth baggage is set to the chute 300. Pass without being paid out. On the other hand, when the fourth luggage reaches the section connected to the chute 300, the fourth luggage is paid out to the chute 300 by the transport device 200.

In the storage control, the controller 400 further controls the transport device 200 so that the load 20 that has passed through the chute 300 is discharged to the buffer device 500 by the order control. The controller 400 determines whether or not the first difference between the order of the luggage 20 that has passed through the chute 300 and the order of the luggage 20 that should be paid out to the chute 300 next is larger than the first threshold value. Then, when the first difference is larger than the first threshold value, the controller 400 controls the transport device 200 so that the load 20 that has passed through the chute 300 is discharged to the buffer device 500. When the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the controller 400 circulates the transport path 240 of the transport device 200 without paying the load 20 that has passed through the chute 300 to the buffer device 500. In this way, since the controller 400 performs storage control based on the first threshold value, the transfer device 200 can be controlled so that the occupancy rate of the transfer device 200 is reduced without considering the occupancy rate.

For example, the first threshold value is "5", the order of the luggage 20 that has passed through the chute 300 is the tenth, and the chute 300 to which the luggage 20 is paid out is paid out up to the third luggage 20. Consider the case. In this case, the order of the luggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next is the fourth luggage, and the first of the order of the luggage 20 passing through the chute 300 and the order of the luggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next. The difference is "6", which is larger than the first threshold value of "5". Therefore, the controller 400 sends an instruction to the transport device 200 to pay out the 10th order of the cargo 20 to the buffer device 500. As a result, the tenth order of the cargo 20 is delivered from the transport device 200 to the buffer device 500.

Further, it is considered that the order of the luggage 20 that has passed through the chute 300 is the fourth, and only the first luggage 20 is paid out to the chute 300 to which the luggage 20 is to be paid out. In this case, the order of the baggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 is the second baggage, and the order of the baggage 20 passing through the chute 300 and the order of the baggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next are the first. The difference between the two is "2", which is equal to or less than the first threshold value of "5". Therefore, the controller 400 sends an instruction to the transport device 200 to circulate the transport path 240 without causing the buffer device 500 to pay out the cargo 20 in the fourth order. As a result, the fourth-order cargo 20 goes around the transport path 240 of the transport device 200 again.

The controller 400 may acquire the occupancy rate by using the detector 230 and set the first threshold value to a smaller value as the acquired occupancy rate is larger. That is, the controller 400 may set the first threshold value according to the occupancy rate. As a result, as the occupancy rate of the load of the transport device 200 is large, the amount of the load delivered to the buffer device 500 can be increased, and the load that is not delivered from the transport device 200 to the chute 300 and stays is effectively reduced. be able to.

The controller 400 uses the detector 230 to acquire the occupancy rate, and causes the transport device 200 to pay out the cargo 20 being transported so that the acquired occupancy rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value to the buffer device 500. You may control it. Therefore, the occupancy rate of the cargo 20 in the section 243 of the transport device 200 can be set to a predetermined value or less, and the cargo 20 that has passed through the chute 300 from the transport device 200 and stays can be effectively reduced.

In the reload control, the controller 400 further has a second difference between the order of the packages 20 stored in the buffer device 500 and the order of the packages to be delivered to the chute 300 below the second threshold. In this case, the buffer device 500 is controlled so that the load 20 held in the buffer device 500 is reloaded into the transport device 200. The controller 400 does not reload the cargo 20 into the transport device 200 when the second difference is greater than or equal to the second threshold. The second threshold value is a value equal to or less than the first threshold value. That is, the second threshold value may be a value smaller than the first threshold value or a value equal to the first threshold value.

For example, the second threshold value is "3", the order of the cargo 20 stored in the buffer device 500 is the sixth, and the chute 300 to which the cargo 20 is paid out is paid up to the third cargo 20. Consider the case where it is issued. In this case, the order of the luggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next is the fourth luggage, the order of the luggage 20 stored in the buffer device 500, and the order of the luggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next. The second difference between the two is "2", which is smaller than the second threshold value of "3". Therefore, the controller 400 sends an instruction to the buffer device 500 to pay out the sixth-order cargo 20 stored in the buffer device 500 to the transport device 200. As a result, the sixth-ordered cargo 20 is re-loaded from the buffer device 500 into the transport device 200 via the loading device 100.

Further, it is considered that the order of the luggage 20 stored in the buffer device 500 is the eighth, and up to the third luggage 20 is paid out to the chute 300 to which the luggage 20 is to be paid out. In this case, the order of the luggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next is the fourth luggage, the order of the luggage 20 stored in the buffer device 500, and the order of the luggage 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 next. The second difference between the two is "4", which is equal to or greater than the second threshold value of "3". Therefore, the controller 400 does not instruct the buffer device 500 to reload, and keeps the eighth-order package 20 stored in the buffer device 500 in the buffer device 500.

The controller 400 may acquire the occupancy rate by using the detector 230 and set the second threshold value to a smaller value as the acquired occupancy rate is larger. That is, the controller 400 may set a second threshold value according to the occupancy rate. As a result, the larger the occupancy rate of the load in the transport device 200, the more the amount of load re-loaded from the buffer device 500 into the transport device 200 can be reduced, and the load staying in the transport device 200 can be effectively reduced. be able to. On the contrary, as the occupancy rate of the load of the transport device 200 is small, the amount of the load re-loaded from the buffer device 500 into the transport device 200 can be increased, and the load can be efficiently delivered to the chute 300. it can.

Further, in the plurality of loading devices 100, when a plurality of packages 20 having a continuous order of being paid out to the chute 300 are prepared, a plurality of controllers 400 are conveyed to the transport device 200 in the order of being paid out to the chute 300. You may output the loading instruction of a plurality of luggage 20 into the loading device 100 of the above. For example, in the plurality of loading devices 100, when the second to fourth loads to be delivered to the specific chute 300 are to be loaded into the transport device 200 at the same timing, the plurality of trays 210 of the transport device 200 are lined up in the transport direction. Insert the second baggage, the third baggage, and the fourth baggage in the order in which they are placed. For example, when one loading device 100 loads a third load into the transport device 200, the baggage is paid out to the same chute 300 as the baggage 20 that the one loading device 100 is trying to load, and is about to be loaded. It is determined whether or not the cargo in the order prior to the existing cargo (for example, the second cargo) is about to be loaded into the transport device 200 by the other loading device 100. Then, when there is a second load to be paid out by the other loading device 100, the other loading device 100 loads the second load into the transport device 200 and is loaded. It waits for the third load to be loaded into the transport device 200 until the second load passes through the first loading device 100. As a result, for example, even when the second load is to be loaded from the loading device 100 on the upstream side of the loading device 100 for loading the third load, the second load is loaded in the transport direction. Since the third luggage can be placed on the tray 210 behind the tray 210 on which the luggage is to be placed, the payout to the specific chute 300 can be efficiently performed.

Further, in the controller 400, the luggages 21 and 22 to be delivered to the specific chute 300 among the plurality of chute 300 are placed on the shelves 521 and 522 among the plurality of shelves 521 to 523 in the storage 502 of the buffer device 500. When each is placed, the buffer device 500 may be controlled so that the other luggage 23 to be paid out for the specific chute 300 is placed on a shelf 523 different from the shelves 521 and 522.

Therefore, in parallel with the transportation of the luggage 23 scheduled to be delivered to the specific chute 300 by the trolley 533, the transportation of the other luggages 21 and 22 scheduled to be delivered to the specific chute 300 is carried out by the other trolley 531. It can be done at 532. That is, when a plurality of packages 21 to 23 scheduled to be paid out to a specific chute 300 are instructed to be delivered from the buffer device 500 to the transport device 200, they are arranged on different shelves 521 to 523, so that a plurality of packages are arranged on different shelves 521 to 523. The carriages 531 to 532 of the above move the luggages 21 to 23 in parallel to the buffer conveyors 541 to 543. Therefore, the time required for the elevating and transporting device 510 to receive the cargo 21 to 23 can be shortened, and the elevating and transporting device 510 can efficiently receive the cargo 21 to 23 from the buffer conveyors 541 to 543 in the order of the order. it can. Therefore, for example, when the order of the luggages 21 to 23 is continuous and the luggages 21 to 23 are taken in and out of the storage 502 at the same timing, the luggages 21 to 23 can be efficiently transported.

[Operation of transport system]
Hereinafter, the operation of the transport system 10 will be described.

The process of adjusting the occupancy rate of the transport device in the transport system 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing for adjusting the occupancy rate of the transport device in the transport system 10.

In the transfer system 10, the controller 400 uses the detector 230 to determine the occupancy rate of the transfer device 200 from the downstream side of the plurality of chute 300s in the transfer direction of the transfer path 240 to the receiving conveyor 501 of the buffer device 500. Acquire (S11).

Next, the controller 400 performs order control (S12). The details of the order control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of order control by the controller 400.

When the cargo 20 reaches the section connected to the specific chute 300, the controller 400 determines whether or not the cargo 20 is in the order of being paid out to the specific chute 300 (S21).

When the controller 400 determines that the orders match (Yes in S21), the controller 400 determines to send an instruction to pay out the cargo 20 to the specific chute 300 to the transport device 200 (S22).

When the controller 400 determines that the order does not match (No in S21), the controller 400 determines not to transmit the instruction to pay out the cargo 20 to the specific chute 300 to the transport device 200 (S23). That is, the controller 400 determines to orbit the luggage 20. The controller 400 does not have to perform step S23.

After the order control, the controller 400 transmits an instruction to pay out the cargo 20 to the specific chute 300 to the transport device 200 when the step S22 is performed (S13). The controller 400 does not send an instruction when step S23 is performed.

Next, the controller 400 performs storage control (S14). The details of the storage control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a storage control process by the controller 400.

The first difference between the order of the luggage 20 that has passed through the specific chute 300 and has not been paid out to the chute 300 and the order of the luggage 20 that should be paid out to the specific chute 300 is first. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the threshold value of (S31).

When the controller 400 determines that the first difference is larger than the first threshold value (Yes in S31), the controller 400 determines to transmit an instruction to pay out the baggage 20 to the buffer device 500 to the transport device 200 (S32). ).

When the controller 400 determines that the first difference is equal to or less than the first threshold value (No in S31), the controller 400 determines not to transmit the instruction to pay out the baggage 20 to the buffer device 500 to the transport device 200 (S33). .. That is, the controller 400 determines to orbit the luggage 20. The controller 400 does not have to perform step S33.

After the storage control, the controller 400 transmits an instruction to pay out the cargo 20 to the buffer device 500 to the transport device 200 when the step S32 is performed (S15). The controller 400 does not send an instruction when step S33 is performed.

Next, the controller 400 performs re-input control (S16). The details of the re-input control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of re-input control by the controller 400.

The controller 400 determines whether or not the second difference between the order of the packages 20 stored in the buffer device 500 and the order of the packages 20 to be paid out to the specific chute 300 is smaller than the second threshold value. Judgment (S41).

When the controller 400 determines that the second difference is smaller than the second threshold value (Yes in S41), the controller 400 determines to send an instruction to reload the cargo 20 into the transport device 200 to the buffer device 500 (Yes). S42).

When the controller 400 determines that the second difference is equal to or less than the second threshold value (No in S41), the controller 400 ends the process.

After the reloading control, when step S42 is performed, the controller 400 transmits an instruction to reload the cargo 20 into the transport device 200 to the buffer device 500 (S17). If the controller 400 determines No in step S41, the controller 400 does not transmit an instruction.

[Effects, etc.]
According to the transport system 10 according to the present embodiment, the controller 400 pays out the load 20 that has passed through the chute 300 by order control to the buffer device 500 on the downstream side of the chute 300 and on the upstream side of the loading device 100. The transport device 200 is controlled so as to cause the transfer. Therefore, it is possible to effectively reduce the load 20 that is not discharged from the transport device 200 to the chute 300 and stays there.

Further, since the load 20 staying in the transport device 200 can be reduced, the chance of loading the load 20 into the transport device 200 by the plurality of loading devices 100 can be increased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of the cargo 20 in the plurality of loading devices 100. Further, since the number of loading opportunities by the plurality of loading devices 100 increases, the load 20 to be delivered next to the chute 300 can be loaded into the transport device 200, and the load 20 to be paid out to the chute 300 can be increased. Therefore, the cargo 20 can be efficiently sorted by the transport device 200.

Further, in the storage control, when the difference between the order of the packages that have passed through the chute 300 and the order of the packages that should be delivered to the chute 300 next is larger than the first threshold value, the controller 400 has the packages that have passed through the chute 300. The transport device 200 is controlled so that the buffer device 500 pays out. Therefore, since the baggage that requires a long time to wait in line until it is paid out to the chute 300 is paid out to the buffer device 500, it is possible to effectively reduce the baggage that remains without being paid out from the transport device 200 to the chute 300. it can.

Further, in the storage control, the controller 400 occupies the load in the section 243 on the transport path 240, which is the section 243 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the chute 300 and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the buffer device 500. Get the rate. Then, the controller 400 sets the first threshold value to a value that is smaller as the occupancy rate is larger. Therefore, as the occupancy rate of the load in the section 243 of the transport device 200 is large, the amount of the load delivered to the buffer device 500 can be increased, and the load staying without being delivered from the transport device 200 to the chute 300 is effective. Can be reduced to.

Further, the controller 400 is held by the buffer device 500 when the difference between the order of the packages stored in the buffer device 500 and the order of the packages to be delivered to the chute 300 next is smaller than the second threshold value. Reloading control is performed to control the buffer device 500 so that the loaded load is reloaded into the transport device 200. Therefore, the packages that should be delivered to the chute in the same order can be re-loaded into the transport device 200 at an appropriate timing.

Further, in the reload control, the controller 400 is a section 243 on the transport path 240, which is a section 243 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the chute 300 and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the buffer device 500. Get the occupancy rate. Then, the controller 400 sets the second threshold value to a smaller value as the occupancy rate increases. Therefore, as the occupancy rate of the load in the section 243 of the transport device 200 is large, the amount of the load re-loaded from the buffer device 500 into the transport device 200 can be reduced, and the load staying in the transport device 200 is effective. Can be reduced to.

Further, the controller 400 has a plurality of loading devices 100 so that when a plurality of packages having a continuous payout order to the chute 300 are collected in the plurality of loading devices 100, they are transported to the transport device 200 in the order of payout. Outputs instructions for loading multiple packages to. Therefore, the load loaded into the transport device 200 from the plurality of loading devices 100 can be efficiently discharged to the chute.

[Modification example]
In the transfer system 10 according to the above embodiment, the plurality of input devices 100, the transfer device 200, and the plurality of shoots 300 have been described by taking as an example a one-layer configuration, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the configuration is not limited to this. There may be.

A modified transfer system 10A will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the transport system 10A according to the modified example. In FIG. 10, the first floor portion and the second floor portion are shown separately, but in reality, the first floor portion and the second floor portion are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction and overlap each other in the top view. Is located in. The first floor portion and the second floor portion may not be arranged at overlapping positions in the top view.

The transport system 10A includes a plurality of loading devices 100A, a transport device 200A, and a plurality of chute 300A on the first floor portion, and a plurality of loading devices 100B, a transport device 200B, and a plurality of shoots on the second floor portion. It is equipped with 300B. That is, the transfer system 10A includes transfer devices 200A and 200B provided at different positions in the height direction and connected to different positions in the height direction of the elevating transfer device 510 included in the buffer device 500.

The plurality of loading devices 100A are loading devices that load the load into the transport device 200A, and each is connected to different warehouses 31 to 34. The plurality of loading devices 100B are loading devices that load the load into the transport device 200B, and each is connected to different warehouses 31 to 34. In FIG. 10, the plurality of input devices 100A are connected to the warehouse 31, the warehouse 32, the warehouse 33, and the warehouse 34 in order from the left, and the plurality of input devices 100B are connected to the warehouse 31, in order from the left in FIG. It is connected to warehouse 32, warehouse 33 and warehouse 34. Not limited to this, the plurality of input devices 100B may be connected to the warehouse 31, the warehouse 32, the warehouse 33, and the warehouse 34 in this order from the right. When the transport devices 200A and 200B have an annular path that circulates in the same rotation direction, the arrangement order of the plurality of loading devices to which the warehouses 31 to 34 are connected in the transport direction is reversed between the first floor portion and the second floor portion. Become. Therefore, for example, the warehouse connected to the loading device to be loaded to the upstream side on the first floor portion is connected to the loading device to be loaded to the downstream side on the second floor portion. As a result, it is possible to reduce the variation in the positions on the transport devices 200A and 200B into which the cargo 20 delivered from each warehouse 31 to 34 is loaded. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the cargo in the specific warehouse is easily loaded into the transport device and the cargo in another specific warehouse is difficult to be loaded into the transport device. The chute 300A is paid out by the transport device 200A, and the chute 300B is paid out by the transport device 200B.

The buffer device 500 is connected to the transfer device 200A by the receiving conveyor 501A, and is connected to one charging device 100A by the charging conveyor 503A. Further, the buffer device 500 is connected to the transport device 200B by the receiving conveyor 501B, and is connected to one charging device 100B by the charging conveyor 503B.

Then, when the load loaded into the transport device 200A in the loading device 100A is a load delivered to the chute 300B, the controller 400 uses the lifting / lowering transport device 510 of the buffer device 500 to discharge the load to the transport device 200B. Control 500. That is, in this case, the luggage of the transport device 200A is raised to the second floor portion by the elevating and lowering transport device 510 and is discharged to the transport device 200B.

Further, the controller 400 is a buffer device so that when the load loaded into the transport device 200B in the loading device 100B is a load delivered to the chute 300A, the load is delivered to the transport device 200A by using the lifting / lowering transport device 510 of the buffer device 500. Control 500. That is, in this case, the luggage of the transport device 200B is unloaded to the first floor portion by the elevating and lowering transport device 510 and is discharged to the transport device 200A.

Therefore, in the transport system 10A, even if one of the transport device 200A and the transport device 200B fails, the other transport device can be used to pay out the load.

Further, when a plurality of cargoes 20 to be paid out for one specific chute 300 are discharged from the warehouses 31 to 34 at a time, the cargoes in the order of the chute 300 to the first to third are paid out to the transport device 200A, 4 The sixth cargo may be delivered to the transport device 200B and then stored in the buffer device 500. As a result, it is possible to efficiently collect the luggage to be paid out to one specific chute.

The present invention is useful as a transport system or the like that can reduce the retention of luggage.

10, 10A Conveyor system 20-23 Luggage 31-34 Warehouse 100, 100A, 100B Loading device 200, 200A, 200B Conveyor device 210 Tray 220 Drive unit 230 Detector 240 Conveyor path 300, 300A, 300B Shoot 400 Controller 500 Buffer device 501 , 501A, 501B Receiving Conveyor 502 Storage 503, 503A, 503B Loading Conveyor 510 Lifting and Transporting Device 521-523 Shelf 531-533 Cart 541-543 Buffer Conveyor

Claims (9)

Multiple loading units, each of which loads luggage,
A transport device that is adjacent to the plurality of loading sections and that transports the load loaded by each of the plurality of loading sections by a one-way orbiting route.
A chute, which is arranged at a position different from the plurality of loading portions in the transport direction of the transport device, and the load to be transported by the transport device is discharged.
The first section on the circuit path, which is connected to the first section on the downstream side in the transport direction from the chute and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the plurality of input portions, and is the first section. A buffer device that holds the baggage paid out from the above and discharges the held baggage to the transport device.
(I) When the packages transported by the transport device are not in the order of being paid out to the chute, the transport device is passed so that the packages are passed through the chute without being paid out even if the packages reach the chute. (Ii) A transport system including a controller that controls the transport device to control the transport device so that the load passing through the chute is discharged to the buffer device by the order control. In the storage control, the controller
(I) Acquire the occupancy rate of the load in the second section on the circuit path, which is downstream of the chute in the transport direction and upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction. And
(Ii) The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is controlled so that the package being transported so that the occupancy rate is equal to or less than a predetermined value is discharged to the buffer device. In the storage control, the controller
When the difference between the order of the packages that have passed through the chute and the order of the packages to be delivered to the chute is larger than the first threshold value, the packages that have passed through the chute are to be discharged to the buffer device. The transport system according to claim 1, which controls the transport device. In the storage control, the controller
(I) Acquire the occupancy rate of the load in the second section on the circuit path, which is downstream of the chute in the transport direction and upstream of the buffer device in the transport direction. And
(Ii) The transport system according to claim 3, wherein the first threshold value is set to a smaller value as the occupancy rate is larger. The controller is further held in the buffer device if the difference between the order of the packages stored in the buffer device and the order of the packages to be delivered to the chute is less than the second threshold. The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reload control is performed to control the buffer device so that the load is reloaded into the transport device. In the re-input control, the controller
(I) Acquire the occupancy rate of the load in the third section on the circuit path, the second section on the downstream side in the transport direction from the chute and on the upstream side in the transport direction from the buffer device. And
(Ii) The transport system according to claim 5, wherein the second threshold value is set to a smaller value as the occupancy rate is larger. When a plurality of packages having a continuous order of being paid out to the chute are arranged in two or more loading units included in the plurality of loading units, the controller is conveyed to the transport device in the order of being discharged. The transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which outputs a plurality of load loading instructions to the two or more loading sections. A plurality of the shoots are provided,
The buffer device has a plurality of shelves arranged at different heights, a trolley arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of shelves and carrying luggage, and a height at which the plurality of shelves exist. It is an automated warehouse equipped with a lifting and lowering transport device that raises and lowers luggage in a range of directions.
When the baggage to be paid out to the chute is placed on the first shelf of the plurality of shelves, the controller sets the other baggage to be paid out to the chute in the first shelf. The transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the buffer device is controlled so as to be placed on a second shelf different from the shelf. The transport device is provided at different positions in the height direction, and has a first transport device and a second transport device that are connected to an elevating and lowering transport device that raises and lowers the load contained in the buffer device.
The loading section includes a first loading section for loading the load into the first transport device and a second loading section for loading the load into the second transport device.
The chute has a first chute in which the cargo is discharged by the first transport device and a second chute in which the cargo is discharged by the second transport device.
When the load loaded into the first transport device in the first loading section is a load delivered to the second chute, the controller uses the lifting / lowering transport device to deliver the load to the second transport device. The transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which controls the buffer device.

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