JP5895793B2 - Sorting method and sorting equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting method and a sorting facility for sorting out articles to be transported on a transport path to a predetermined dispensing port according to a sorting destination.

Goods sorting equipment is equipment that receives orders from many sorting companies (individual users, stores, business partners, etc.), collects goods (products) for each sorting company, and delivers / ships them. It is installed in a merchandise distribution center of a retailer having a store.
When sorting articles according to sorting destinations, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a supply area for articles at predetermined positions along a conveyance path (for example, a loop-shaped traveling rail) configured to be circulated, and A sorting area is provided, and a plurality of chutes (dispensing ports) corresponding to each sorting destination are prepared in the sorting area, and a plurality of carts having trays on which articles to be sorted are placed in the supply area are provided. Articles placed on the tray by tilting the tray of the cart when the cart reaches the position of a predetermined chute in the sorting area while circulating and moving along the transport path in a connected state. The sorting equipment is used that sorts the articles according to the sorting destination in such a manner that is sent out (dispensed) to the chute.

  According to this sorting equipment, the transportation of articles from the supply area to the sorting area and the work of classifying the articles according to the sorting destination are automated, thereby improving the efficiency of the sorting operation of the articles.

JP 2011-079589 A

However, in such a sorting facility, the carriage on the transport path is moved at a high speed in order to increase the sorting efficiency. Therefore, in order to dispense the article to a desired position, the dispensing operation (here, But the timing is slightly shifted (for example, delayed) due to uneven movement of the carriage, or the position where the article is biased on the tray of the carriage even if the timing is accurate (for example, forward in the transport direction) In the case of being placed on the side, there is a problem that the article is paid out to a position (for example, a payout port on the downstream side in the transport direction) shifted from a desired position.
When an article is paid out to a position deviated from a desired position, the article is sent out to a payout port different from the target, and the article is conveyed to a sorting destination different from the sorting destination assigned to the article. Incorrect sorting will occur.
In actual transport centers, etc., multiple goods check systems are also prepared in the process from the delivery outlet to the final sorting destination, so the goods are sent out to a different delivery outlet in the sorting area. In the event of a failure, it is possible to prevent wrong items from reaching end users such as individual users, stores, and business partners. In such a case, additional work such as replenishment of missing items and return of items that have been mistakenly transported is required, which requires a great deal of labor and time. As a whole, a great time loss occurs.

  In the sorting facility described in Patent Document 1, a sensor for detecting an article is provided on a chute on the payout side so as to check whether or not the payout has been executed. Since it is only checking whether it has been done, it is not possible to find the misclassification as described above. For example, when the article is not delivered from the carriage that should originally dispense the article to the chute, and the subsequent carriage sends the article (that is, the subsequent carriage is dispensed downstream in the transport direction as described above. It is judged that the article has been paid out normally when the article has been paid out to the mouth), so that the article that should not be sent to the chute is prevented from being sent out to the sorting destination. Can not.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when sorting goods, it is possible to reliably detect misclassification regarding the delivery of articles from the conveyance path, and when an error in misclassification occurs, notify the operator that an abnormality has occurred, An object is to provide a sorting method and a sorting facility that can prevent erroneously sorted articles from being sent to a sorting destination, further reduce time loss as a whole sorting facility and improve sorting efficiency. To do.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the sorting methods of the present invention is configured to transport a plurality of articles each assigned a sorting destination in the transport direction of the transport path, and In the sorting method of paying out the predetermined articles to a plurality of payout ports provided along the transport path corresponding to the sorting destinations, respectively, upstream in the transport direction adjacent to the predetermined article on the transport path and / or Alternatively, it is possible to avoid that the article on the downstream side in the conveyance direction is dispensed simultaneously with the predetermined article to the target dispensing port that is the dispensing outlet corresponding to the sorting destination assigned to the predetermined article. However, when paying out to the target payout port, the case where no discharge of the article is detected at the target payout port and the upstream side in the transport direction adjacent to the target payout port and / Or if the payout of the article is detected by the dispensing port on the downstream side in the conveying direction, have the line an output indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the payout, a predetermined article on the conveying path is paid toward the target payout opening After the delivery, the delivery to the target delivery port is regulated until the delivery of the article to the target delivery port is confirmed .

  According to the above method, when a predetermined article on the conveyance path is paid out toward the target payout port, if the payout is not executed at the target payout port, or the upstream side where the article is different from the target payout port and / or An erroneous sorting is detected by detecting the case of paying out to the downstream outlet, and when an incorrect sorting occurs, an output such as an alarm indicates that an abnormality has occurred.

Further, the above method prevents the next article from being delivered to the target delivery port before the confirmation of the delivery of the product to the target delivery port is completed, thereby making it possible to detect erroneous sorting more reliably. .

The invention according to claim 2 is the sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the articles are circulated and conveyed on the conveyance path, and the articles whose dispensing is avoided or regulated are dispensed at the time of recirculation. Features.

  With the above method, even if an article that has not been paid out due to avoidance or regulation of payout can be paid out without any problem later.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the sorting method according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein when the delivery of the article is not detected at the target delivery port, the upstream of the conveyance direction adjacent to the target delivery port. Output indicating an abnormality of a different type is performed depending on whether the delivery of the article is detected at the delivery port on the side and / or the downstream side in the transport direction.

  According to the above method, it is possible to make an operator or the like discriminate between the case where no payout is performed and the case where an erroneous sorting occurs due to a difference in output such as an alarm.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is provided with a plurality of payout ports respectively corresponding to the sorting destinations along the transport path for transporting the plurality of articles each assigned with the sorting destination toward the transport direction, In a sorting facility capable of delivering a predetermined article on a conveyance path to the delivery outlet, the article has been delivered to the corresponding delivery outlet provided corresponding to each of the plurality of delivery outlets. A payout detecting means for detecting, a payout monitoring means capable of monitoring detection of the payout of articles by each of the payout detecting means, and a payout managing means for permitting or regulating the payout of each article on the conveyance path. The payout management means is configured such that an article on the upstream side in the transport direction and / or on the downstream side in the transport direction is adjacent to a predetermined article on the transport path. When the predetermined article is paid out to the target payout port, avoiding being simultaneously paid out to the target payout port, which is a payout port corresponding to the sorting destination assigned to the article, The payout monitoring means monitors the payout detecting means of the target payout port corresponding to the sorting destination assigned to the predetermined article, and is upstream in the transport direction and / or downstream in the transport direction adjacent to the target payout port. When the delivery detection means of the target delivery port is not detected by the delivery detection means of the side delivery outlet, and when the delivery of the article is not detected by the delivery detection means of the target delivery outlet, An abnormality occurs in the dispensing when the dispensing of the goods is detected by the mouth dispensing detection means. And have line output indicating that have, after a predetermined article on the conveyance path has been paid out toward the target payout opening, until payout of the article to the target payout opening is confirmed payout for the target payout opening It is characterized by regulation .

  With the above configuration, when a predetermined article on the conveyance path is paid out toward the target payout port, if the payout is not executed at the target payout port, or the upstream side where the article is different from the target payout port and / or A sorting facility is realized by detecting a case where a payout is made to the payout port on the downstream side, and detecting an error when an incorrect sorting occurs. .

  According to the sorting method and the sorting equipment according to the present invention, since an output such as an alarm indicates that a wrong sorting has occurred, an operator in charge of the sorting work who has confirmed the output can immediately correct the wrong sorting. It is possible to prevent the wrongly sorted goods from being sent to the sorting destination at an early stage in the event of incorrect sorting, and the effect of improving the sorting efficiency of the sorting equipment as a whole. can get.

It is a top view which shows the outline of the conveyance path periphery in the sorting equipment as an example of embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which expands and shows the payout opening periphery in the said equipment. It is a top view which expands and shows the discharge port periphery in the same equipment, (a) is a figure which shows the discharge port periphery of a conveyance direction downstream end, (b) is a figure which shows the discharge port periphery of a conveyance direction upstream end, (c) ) Is a view showing the vicinity of the carriage at the downstream end in the conveyance direction when the carriage is not circulated and connected, and (d) is a view showing the vicinity of the carriage at the upstream end in the conveyance direction when the carriage is not circulated. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between each structure in the equipment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of work in the equipment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of payment | withdrawal permission determination among the operations | work in the equipment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a payout monitoring process among the operations | work in the equipment.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Conveyance path 12]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration around a conveyance path 12 used in a sorting facility 10 as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the conveyance path 12 is configured in a loop shape. A plurality (n) of carts A (A _{1 to} A _n ) connected to each other travel along the transport path 12 (for example, a travel rail) in the direction of transport direction R by the power of, for example, a linear motor. Arranged to be possible. Since the conveyance path 12 is formed in a loop shape, the carriage A (A _{1 to An} ) circulates on the conveyance path 12 and travels.
A plurality of article supply ports 22 for loading and loading articles 50 supplied from the arrival area on the carriage A in a predetermined area along the conveyance path 12 and articles 50 discharged from the carriage A are sent to the shipping area. A plurality of (N places) payout ports S (S _{1 to} S _N ) are provided. Note that numbers attached to the sign of the carriage _{A (A} 1 ~A _n) and payout opening _{S (S} 1 ~S _N), where small numbers as those of the downstream side in the transport direction R are those of the upstream The number is increased. However bogie A is being circulated connected, on the upstream side of the truck A _n (rear) shall bogie A ₁ is connected.

[Check gate 14]
A gate-shaped check gate 14 is provided at a predetermined position between the article supply port 22 and the dispensing port S in the transport path 12 so as to surround the transport path 12 from above.
The check gate 14 is provided with a cart sensor 14a (FIG. 4). For example, the cart sensor 14a reflects a signal (infrared ray or the like) transmitted downward, for example, by a reflective tape attached to the cart A in advance. You can do by a method such as check, detecting a time at which each truck a ₁ to a _n has it and pass passing through the predetermined position.
The check gate 14 is also provided with a speed sensor 14b (FIG. 4). For example, the time when the cart sensor 14a detects a predetermined cart _Ai , the time when the cart _{Ai + 1} is detected, and the cart A The traveling speed of the carriage A can be detected by a method such as calculation using _i and the distance between the carriage A _{i + 1} .
In addition, the check gate 14 is provided with an article ID reader 14c (FIG. 4). The article ID reader 14c is, for example, a barcode label attached to the article 50 in advance (an individual article ID for each type of article 50). The information regarding the article 50 can be acquired by a method such as reading the information). The cart sensor 14a, the speed sensor 14b, and the article ID reader 14c can be configured as one device that integrates these functions.

[Car A]
As represented in FIG. 2 showing an enlarged vicinity of one of the dispensing port S _I of the series of payout opening S, carriage A _i has a tray AT for placing an article 50, the tray AT among the front end and rear end in the conveying direction R prevents the article 50 to fall unintentionally from carriage a _i, fall prevention portion as is provided projecting upward. Although not shown in detail, for example, the cart A _i is configured to be able to tilt the tray AT in a predetermined direction by tilting a rod that supports the lower portion of the tray AT with the power of a motor or the like. . Thus, by tilting the tray AT toward the dispensing port S _I in the vicinity of the dispensing opening S _I, the placed article 50 on the tray AT paid out to the payout opening S _I (fed) is it can.
Further, the carriage A _i is connected to the carriage A _i-1 on the downstream side in the transport direction R adjacent to itself and the carriage A _{i + 1} on the upstream side in the transport direction R by a truck coupler Ac. Thus, a series of carriages A ₁ to A _n can travel in a human settlement.
Note that, although explains carriage A _i as a representative of the carriage A has a similar structure other carriage A ₁ to A _n.
And the operation | movement of the driving | running | working and discharge | payout of each trolley | bogie A (tilt AT tilting) is controlled by the trolley controller 42 (FIG. 4).

[Goods supply port 22]
Each article supply port 22 shown in FIG. 1 can be configured as, for example, a drive conveyor connected to an arrival area, and a carriage that has come to the vicinity of the leading end by discharging the article 50 sent from the receiving area from the leading end. The article 50 is loaded (placed) on any of A. In order to prevent the article 50 from being dropped without being placed on any of the carriages A and to prevent the article 50 from being loaded onto the carriage A on which the articles 50 are already placed, It is preferable to take measures such as providing a stopper for discharging at the timing when the crab article 50 can be placed.

[Discharge port S]
Each payout port S _{1 to SN} can be configured as a drive conveyor connected to the shipping area, for example, and is driven by moving the product 50 away from the conveyance path 12 when the product 50 is paid out from the carriage A. The article 50 paid out from the carriage A can be sent in the direction of the shipping area. Each of the discharge ports S _{1 to} S _N is assigned to each of a plurality of sorting destinations. For example, the worker in charge of shipping has discharged the article 50 to which of the discharge ports S _{1 to} S _N. It is possible to determine to which sorting destination the article 50 should be shipped.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the vicinity inlet (end of the transport path 12 side) of the payout opening S (will be described here payout opening S _I), for example constituted by a photoelectric sensor such as a photo interrupter payout sensor P _I as payout detection means. The payout detection sensor P _I, it is possible to detect that the article 50 has been paid out to payout opening S _I.
Then, in the vicinity of the dispensing opening S _I, (details below) abnormalities such as sorting false at payout opening S _I shown by such abnormality was that buzzer sound generator or lamp lighting occurrence in payout operations when occurs alarm display and alarm device D _I is provided as a display means for outputting, also, on the side close to the shipping area payout opening S _I, alarm by being operated (for example, pressed by the operator) D _I alarm release button G _I as alarm release means for releasing the alarm is provided.
Here, although describes payout opening S _I as a representative of the payout opening S, has a similar structure other payout opening S ₁ to S _N, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, the payout opening S ₁ to S, respectively associated to payout sensor _P 1 to P _N of _N, alarm device _D 1 to D _N, the warning release button _G 1 ~G _N is provided.
The operation of each payout port S is controlled by the payout port controller 44 (FIG. 4). Although not shown in FIG. 1, the payout port controller 44 is wirelessly connected to the drive conveyor of each payout port S, payout detection sensors P _{1 to} P _N , alarm devices D _{1 to} D _N , and alarm release buttons G _{1 to} G _N. It communicates by wire to control information transfer and operation.

[Conveyance path controller 30]
Operations of equipment around the transport path 12 such as the carriage A and the payout opening S are controlled by a transport path controller 30 provided in the sorting equipment 10. The transport path controller 30 can be configured by, for example, a computer. As shown in FIG. 4, the transport path controller 30 is connected to the check gate 14, the cart controller 42, and the dispensing port controller 44 so that they can communicate with each other wirelessly or by wire. 60 is also connected. The host system 60 manages the order received from a sorting destination (individual user, store, business partner, etc.) by a person who operates the sorting facility 10, for example, a merchandise distribution center, and the purchase of the product according to the order. 10 is a system for managing the entire operation.
As shown in FIG. 4, the transport path controller 30 includes a carriage position detection unit 32, a payout management unit 34, and a payout monitoring unit 36. These various functional units are implemented as means having various functions such as the following <cart position detection function>, <payout management function>, and <payout monitoring function>, and are provided with these functions. It can be implemented as a preconfigured mechanism or processor, or it can be implemented as a program routine created to perform these functions.

<Dolly position detection function>
This is a function of the trolley position detection unit 32 as the trolley position detection means, and is a function of detecting at which position each of the trolleys A _{1 to An} is on the conveyance path 12.
In the present embodiment as a specific example, the cart position detection unit 32 is connected to the cart sensor 14a and the speed sensor 14b of the check gate 14 as shown in FIG. 4, and each cart A _{1 to} A is connected to the cart sensor 14a. _{The time when n} passes the position of the check gate 14 is acquired, and the speed of the carriage A is acquired from the speed sensor 14b.
Then, calculation using the speed each truck A ₁ to A _n is obtained from a time and a speed sensor 14b that has passed since then passes through the position of the check gate 14, each carriage A ₁ to A _n can check gate 14 by calculating the distance traveled from the position, carriage position detector 32 can detect whether each carriage a ₁ to a _n at the current time in any position on the conveying path 12.
Further, the carriage position detection unit 32 is also connected to the article ID reader 14c of the check gate 14, and can acquire information regarding the article 50 on the carriage A read by the article ID reader 14c. Carriage position detection unit 32 uses the information acquired from the article ID reader 14c, and information on which carriage A ₁ to A _n obtained from the carriage sensor 14a has passed the position of the check gate 14, which carriage A ₁ to a _n what article 50 is placed on, you can create an article placed information about.
The cart position detection unit 32 is also connected to a payout management unit 34 described later, and notifies the payout management unit 34 of the detected position, speed, and article placement information of the cart A.

<Disbursement management function>
Payout a payout function managing unit 34 has as the management unit, in addition to indicating that paid out for each carriage _A 1 to A _n, the article 50 to any of the payout opening _S 1 to S _N, carriage A This is a function for permitting or regulating the delivery of the article 50 to the delivery port S (ie, tilting of the tray AT).
In the present embodiment as a specific example, the payout management unit 34 is connected to the cart position detection unit 32 as described above, and as shown in FIG. 4, the sorting information storage unit 62 in the host system 60, It is connected to the article ID reader 14 c of the check gate 14, the cart controller 42, and the payout monitoring unit 36. Here, in the sorting information storage unit 62 in the host system 60, information relating to the sorting destination assigned to each article 50 by a method that the operator of the sorting facility 10 inputs in advance, that is, which article 50 Assortment information on which sorter should be sorted is stored. Specifically, a data table in which the article ID and the discharge outlets S _{1 to SN} are associated with each other is recorded for how many articles 50 of which article IDs should be sent to which discharge outlets S _{1 to SN} . Has been.
The payout management unit 34 obtains the above-described article placement information from the cart position detection unit 32 and also obtains the sort information from the sort information storage unit 62, and sets the article ID included in the article placement information as data of the sort information. by collating a table, determine whether to pay out an article 50 which is placed on any carriage _a 1 to a _n to any payout opening _S 1 to S _n. Specific examples here, the payout opening S should pay out an article 50 placed on the carriage A _i to the target payout opening S _I.
Then, to get the current position and velocity of the carriage A from carriage position detector 32, the distance between the current position and the position of the payout opening S, and by calculating with the speed, carriage A _i is the target payout opening S calculating a payout time _{T i} to reach the _I, it notifies the payout time _{T i} of the carriage _{a i} to carriage controller 42. Thus, by carriage controller 42 is tilting the tray AT dolly A _i to payout opening S side at payout time T _i, the placed article 50 in carriage A _i, is allocated to the article 50 it can be paid out to the target payout opening S _I corresponding to the sorting destination. Incidentally, when notifying the payout time T _i of the carriage A _i to carriage controller 42, as will be described later in detail, with respect to the payout monitoring unit 36 notifies the information of the payout time T _i and the target payout opening S _I .
However, as will be described later in the “payout instruction”, when the restriction flag indicating that the payout is restricted is valid (ON) for the carriage A _i , the payout time T _i is not notified, If the restriction flag respect carriage a _i is not enabled, i.e. only if the payout is permitted, an instruction of the payout for the carriage a _i (notification payout time T _i of the carriage controller 42).
Incidentally, the payout controller 34, as a function to perform authorization and restriction of payout for each carriage A ₁ to A _n, has the function of setting a restriction flag indicating that regulating the payout, this feature Will be described in “work flow” and “payout permission determination” described later.

<Discharge monitoring function>
This is a function of the payout monitoring unit 36 as payout monitoring means, and is a function of monitoring whether or not the goods 50 are normally paid out to the payout opening S by the carriage A.
In this embodiment as a specific example, as shown in FIG. 4, the payout monitoring unit 36 is connected to a payout management unit 34, a cart controller 42, and a payout port controller 44.
Payout monitoring unit 36, as an auxiliary function of the payout monitoring function measures the function of setting the number of flags indicating the state of the target payout opening S _I, the elapsed time from the start monitoring the target payout opening S _I monitoring timer It has a function.
As described above, payout monitoring unit 36 acquires information of payout times T _i and the target payout opening S _I from the payout controller 34. When the payout time T _i arrives, i.e. when the article 50 on the dolly A _i by the control of the carriage controller 42 is paid out toward the target payout opening S _I, payout monitoring unit 36 starts measuring the monitoring timer with, the target payout opening S _I is enabled (oN) the monitoring flag indicating that it is being monitored.
In monitoring the time from dispensing time T _i until a predetermined time has elapsed, the payout monitoring unit 36, the target payout opening S other payout in _I, the target payout opening S payout opening the conveying direction R downstream of the _I S _{I -1} and payout at the upstream payout port SI _{+ 1} are monitored. Specifically, the payout detection sensors P _I and P _I− corresponding to the target payout port S _I , the downstream payout port S _I−1 , and the upstream payout port S _{I + 1} , respectively, via the payout port controller 44 _{. 1} , payout is monitored by acquiring information on the presence or absence of payout from PI _{+ 1} .
Then, during the monitoring time, any one of the target payout opening S _I , the downstream discharge opening S _I-1 , and the upstream discharge opening S _{I + 1} is misclassified as described in detail later in the “payout monitoring step”. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the payout monitoring unit 36 enables (ON) a payout failure flag indicating that the payout has failed or an erroneous sorting flag indicating that an incorrect sorting has occurred. A command is issued via the dispensing port controller 44 to output an alarm display to the alarm devices D _I , D _I-1 , D _{I + 1} corresponding to the dispensing ports S _I , S _I-1 , S _{I + 1} in which an abnormality has occurred. Thus, an output indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the payout is performed.
The payout monitoring unit 36 is notified the monitoring flag related to the target payout opening S _I to the carriage controller 42, carriage controller 42, when the monitoring flag respect the target payout opening S _I is enabled, carriage A It is not performed the payout to the target payout opening S _I by a subsequent carriage a from _i. Thus, between the payout time T _i to monitor a target payout opening S _I is completed, i.e. after the articles 50 on the dolly A _i is paid out toward the target payout opening S _I, the target payout opening S _I until payout of the article 50 is checked to will be paid out to the target payout opening S _I is regulated. Here, the monitoring flag basically becomes invalid (OFF) when the monitoring time ends. However, when an abnormality occurs in the payout ports S _I , S _I-1 , S _{I + 1} , the payout ports S _I , S _{I The} alarm release buttons G _I , G _I-1 , and G _{I + 1} corresponding to ₋₁ and S _{I + 1} are not disabled (OFF).
Note that the determination of whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the payout monitoring function will be described later in the “payout monitoring step”.

"Workflow"
Next, in the sorting facility 10 according to the present embodiment, the work flow and control from when the article 50 is placed on the carriage A until it is paid out to the payout port S will be described with reference to the drawings. Although a description will be mainly focused on the carriage A _i in the following, similar control is also performed for the other carriage A ₁ to A _n.
First, in step X1 shown in FIG. 5, the article 50 from the article supply port 22 is mounted to the tray AT of discharged cart A _i.
Next, in step X2, the carriage A _i passes through the check gate 14, the carriage position detector 32 creates article placement information related to the carriage A _i , and the payout management section 34 acquires the article placement information. Incidentally, the payout controller 34 setting the restriction flag for temporarily carriage A _i at this point disabled (OFF) state.
In step X3, payout managing unit 34 obtains a sorting information from the sorting information memory unit 62, followed by dispensing timing of the truck A _i in step X4, namely the calculation of the payout time T _i performed. After calculating the payout time _{T i,} of the variable _t 1 ~t _n that is provided to store the payout timing of each truck _A 1 to A _n in the storage area of the payout controller 34 (memory), carriage _{A i} T _i is stored in the variable t _i of (t _i ← T _i ). When the article 50 is not placed on the carriage A _i and the article ID reader 14c cannot read the article ID, a default value (for example, 0) indicating that the article 50 is not placed is set as a variable t. _It is good to store in _i .
Then, following the process proceeds to step X5, a determination is made whether to allow the payout by truck A _{i + 1} of the rear bogie A _i (upstream side).

"Disbursement permission judgment"
FIG. 6 shows details of step X5 in FIG. 5, that is, the payout permission determination. Here, for explanation, the payout permission judgment regarding carriage A _i-1 of the front carriage A _i (downstream side) is already completed, enable / disable (ON / OFF) the determination of the regulatory flag relating carriage A _i own Is also completed.
In performing the payout permission judgment, first, in step Y1 in FIG. 6, if the calculation of the payout timing of the truck A _{i + 1} of the rear bogie A _i (upstream side) has been finished, i.e. upstream of the carriage A _{i + 1} for the variable Check if a value is stored in t _{i + 1} . If the value has not been stored yet, this step Y1 is repeated until it is stored. When the value is stored, the process proceeds to the next step Y2.
In step Y2, it is confirmed whether or not the restriction flag of the carriage A _i itself is already valid by the payout permission determination regarding the front (downstream) carriage A _i-1 . If the restriction flag of the carriage A _i itself is valid, the payout permission determination is terminated and the process proceeds to Step X6 shown in FIG.
If not valid regulations flag of the truck A _i itself, the process proceeds to step Y3 shown in FIG. 6, checks the value stored in the variable t _{i + 1} for bogie A _{i + 1} on the upstream side adjacent to the carriage A _i, which is It does not have the same value as the payout time T _i of the truck a _i, i.e. payout timing of the truck a _{i + 1} on the upstream side to check if they are the carriage a _i and the same time. If the value of the variable t _{i + 1} does not coincide with the payout time T _i , the payout permission determination is terminated and the process proceeds to Step X6 shown in FIG.
If the variable t _{i + 1} has the same value as the payout time T _i , the process proceeds to step Y4 shown in FIG. 6 and the upstream carriage A _{i + 1} corresponding to the variable t _{i + 1 that} has the same value as the payout time T _i. The restriction flag is made valid (ON).
By performing such control on each carriage A, in the subsequent “dispensing instruction”, the carriage A _i pays out the article 50 simultaneously with the downstream carriage A _i-1, or the upstream carriage. It is not permitted that A _{i + 1} pays out the article 50 at the same time as the carriage A _i . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveying direction R downstream of the carriage _{A i-1} / upstream of the article 50 on the dolly _{A i + 1} adjacent to the carriage _{A i} are paid out at the same time articles 50 on the dolly _{A i} Is not allowed and such a situation is avoided.
That is, it says by focusing on article 50, payout of the conveying direction R the upstream side / downstream side of the article 50 adjacent in the conveying path 12 above for the article 50 that are to be paid out to the target payout opening S _I is, it is that is avoided is performed simultaneously with the articles 50 that are to be paid out to the target payout opening S _I.
In the above it was determined by considering the payout by both the carriage A _{i + 1} of the downstream carriage A _i-1 and upstream of it, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the target payout opening S _I Is the most downstream payout port S _1, it is only necessary to avoid that the payout by the upstream (following) carriage A _{i + 1} is at the same time as the payout by the carriage A _i . That is, in the case shown in FIG. 3A, it is not necessary to confirm whether or not the restriction flag of the carriage A _i is validated by the payout permission determination regarding the downstream (front) carriage A _i-1. You can skip it). Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), if the target payout opening S _I is the most upstream payout opening S _N is the payout payout by truck A _{i + 1} on the downstream side (front side) is due to carriage A _i the It is only necessary to avoid the time. That is, in the case shown in FIG. 3 (b), there is no need to pay out timing of the truck A _{i + 1} on the upstream side to confirm whether it is the payout time T _i and the same time in the payout permission judgment regarding carriage A _i (step Y3 and Y4 may be skipped).
When step Y4 is completed as described above, payout permission determination, that is, step X5 shown in FIG. 5 is ended, and the process proceeds to step X6.

"Disbursement Instruction"
After payout permission judgment in the step X5 is completed, the payout instruction at a predetermined time the bogie A _i approaches to the target payout opening S _I, control situation payout management unit 34 proceeds to step X6 against carriage A _i I do. That is, if the regulation flag of the truck A _i is allowed payout by truck A _i ineffective notifies the payout time T _i of the cart A _i to a truck controller 42. Then, the process proceeds to a payout monitoring process in the next step X7.
However, when the restriction flag of the carriage A _i is valid, the payout time T _i is not notified. Further, when the regulation flag of the truck A _i is enabled, control over the carriage A _i are not proceed to payout monitoring process by the next step X7, carriage A _i traveling the conveyance path 12 of the loop Then, it is recirculated to the position of the check gate 14 and waits until the article placement information is recreated (return to step X2).

"Discharge monitoring process"
FIG. 7 shows details of step X7 in FIG. 5, that is, the payout monitoring process. Note Here, it is assumed that the monitoring process is started with the advent of payout time T _i.
Upon executing a payout monitoring process, first, in step Z1 in FIG. 7, it starts the monitoring timer, the time elapsed from the monitor start (in this case the elapsed time from the payout time T _i) starts measuring the. Further, by which the monitoring flag related to the target payout opening S _I enabled (ON) notifying the status of the monitoring flag to a truck controller 42, payout of the article 50 into the monitoring time or target payout opening S _I is confirmed until that is restricted that the payout of the article 50 to the target payout opening S _I is carried out.
At this time, in addition to articles 50 paid out from the carriage A _i is so caused to favorably move to the shipping area side from the target payout opening S _I, to drive the conveyor of the target payout opening S _I, deviation of payout timing article 50 when had paid out downstream payout opening S _I-1 or upstream payout opening S _{I + 1} to the article 50 adjacent to the target payout opening S _I in sorting erroneous due is the payout opening S between the transport path 12 It is desirable to drive the conveyors of the downstream payout port SI _-1 and the upstream payout port SI _{+ 1} in order to prevent the payout port S from clogging.
Incidentally, when enabled (ON) the monitoring flag before or at the same time from the dispensing time T _i, the monitoring flag before the execution of the payout toward the target payout opening S _I by truck A _i is the carriage controller 42 it is notified, for payout by truck a _i itself is likely to be regulated, when to enable monitoring flag it is desirable to slow slightly than payout time T _i.
When the step Z1 is completed or, the process proceeds to step Z2, while measuring the elapsed time from the start monitored by the monitoring timer payout detection sensor P _I of the target payout opening S _I, the transport direction of adjacent target payout opening S _I The discharge detection sensors P _I-1 and P _{I + 1} of the discharge port S _I-1 on the downstream side R and the discharge port S _{I + 1} on the upstream side are monitored, and the articles are detected by these discharge detection sensors P _I , P _I-1 , P _{I + 1} . When 50 payouts are detected, it is recorded that the detection has been made.
When the monitoring time of a predetermined length ends (when expressed using the current time t and the monitoring time length τ, t> T _i + τ), the process proceeds to step Z3, and the target payout port S _I within the monitoring time. payout sensor P _I corresponding to to see if it has detected the payout of the article 50. When the payout sensor P _I within the monitoring time is detected payout of article 50 proceeds to step Z5.
On the other hand, if the monitoring time is not detected payout of the article 50 by the dispensing sensor P _I of the target payout opening S _I be terminated, either did not take place payout itself of the article 50 such as by operation failure of the truck A _i, or it determines that the payout opening S _I-1 next to the deviation of the payout _{timing, S} I + ₁ to either had paid out the article 50, the payout for reasons such as failure, payout related to the target payout opening S _I proceeds to step Z4 After making the failure flag valid (ON), the process proceeds to step Z5.
In step Z5, payout sensor _P I-1 corresponding to the payout opening _{S I + 1} of the payout opening the conveying direction R downstream adjacent to the target payout opening _{S I S I-1} and _{upstream, P I + 1} is within the monitoring time It is confirmed whether or not the delivery of the article 50 is detected. If the payout detection sensors PI _-1 and PI _{+ 1} do not detect the payout of the article 50 within the monitoring time, the process proceeds to step Z7.
On the other hand, any _one of the discharge detection sensors P _I-1 and P _{I + 1} corresponding to the discharge port S _I-1 on the downstream side in the transport direction R adjacent to the target discharge port S _I and the upstream discharge port S _{I + 1} within the monitoring time. If the payout of the article 50 is detected, it is determined that the carriage A _i has made an erroneous sorting of paying out the article 50 to the adjacent payout opening SI _-1 or payout opening SI _{+ 1} for reasons such as a shift in the payout timing. Then, after making the misclassification flag relating to the dispensing ports S _I-1 and S _{I + 1} corresponding to the dispensing detection sensors P _I-1 and P _{I + 1} that detected the dispensing of the article 50 valid (ON), the process proceeds to step Z7.
In step Z7, a target payout opening S _I and payout opening S _I-1 of the _{adjacent, S} I + ₁ payout failure flag and erroneous sorting flags sure about payout opening dye flags erroneous or payout failure flag is enabled A command is transmitted to the alarm devices D _I , D _I-1 , and D _{I + 1} corresponding to S _I , S _I-1 , and S _{I + 1} to output an alarm display via the dispensing port controller 44. It should be noted that here, different types (for example, different lamp emission colors, different cases) when the payout failure flag is valid and when the misclassification flag is valid so that the payout failure and the incorrect sorting can be distinguished. It is desirable to output a warning display (buzzer sound). Further, at this time, it is desirable to stop the traveling of the carriage A and the operation of the drive conveyors of the delivery ports S _I , S _I-1 , S _{I + 1} via the carriage controller 42 and the delivery port controller 44.
If any of the payout failure flag / missorting flag of the payout ports S _I , S _I-1 , S _{I + 1} is not valid, the alarm display is not output.
If in step Z7 is completed or, the process proceeds to step Z8, pressed by alarm _{D I, D I-1,} D I + 1 alarm indicator alarm release button _{G I, G I-1,} G I + 1 of the operation (e.g., worker ) Is confirmed via the dispensing port controller 44. If the alarm display is not released, this step Z8 is repeated until it is released. When the alarm display of the alarm devices D _I , D _I-1 , D _{I + 1} is canceled, or when the alarm display of the alarm devices D _I , D _I-1 , D _{I + 1} is not output in the _{first place} , the process proceeds to step Z9. .
In step Z9, all of the monitoring flag, the payout failure flag, and the misclassification flag used in the current payout monitoring process are invalidated (OFF), and the current payout monitoring process ends. Further, when the traveling of the carriage A is stopped, the traveling is resumed.

"Recycle"
When the payout monitoring step or step X7 shown in FIG. 5 is completed above, the control relates carriage A _i is the time being ended. However, since the conveyance path 12 is configured in a loop shape, the carriage A _i is circulated and conveyed again to the area of the article supply port 22 after a while, and the same control as the previous time is performed again from step X1. . At this time, can not be executed payout is enabled restriction flag in the previous step X5～X6 (was avoided), or if the monitoring flag of the target payout opening S _I when an attempt is made to payout effectively when there was no performed payout they become (is regulated), since the carriage a _i has left the article 50 placed in the previous step X1 resting places the new article 50 Without doing so, control is resumed from step X2 through step X1. Then, when this carriage A _i came again to the target payout opening S _I (during recirculation), the last can be paid out of the article 50 which had been avoided or restricted.

In the above embodiment, the payout relative to the target payout opening S _I did not run, and erroneous sorting the articles 50 are paid out to the payout opening S _{I-1, S} I + ₁ different from the target payout opening S _I is It can be detected that the occurrence has occurred, and the fact that an abnormality has occurred in the payout (the payout operation has not been performed normally) is indicated by the alarm display output of the alarm devices D _I , D _I-1 , D _{I + 1} , For example, an operator arranged in the area of the dispensing port S confirms the alarm devices D _I , D _I-1 , D _{I + 1} for which an alarm display is output, and the corresponding dispensing ports S _I , S _I-1. , S _{I + 1} , and mis-sorted articles 50 can be reintroduced into the correct target dispensing port S _I. Then, the release alarm Resolve the erroneous sorting button G _I, by operating the _{G I-1, G I +} 1, payout of the article 50 with respect to the target payout opening S _I is to be resumed. As described above, when an erroneous sorting (sorting error) occurs, it is possible to immediately detect and display the error, and to remove the mistake on the spot where the erroneous sorting occurs. Therefore, even if misclassification occurs, the misclassified article 50 is prevented from reaching the shipping area, and the sorting facility 10 is detected due to a delay in the misclassification detection (such as being detected immediately before shipment in the shipping area). Therefore, the work efficiency of the sorting equipment 10 as a whole can be improved.

According to this embodiment, when the carriage A _i to the target payout opening S _I is paid out of the article 50, the carriage A _{i + 1} of the carriage A _i-1 and the upstream side in the conveying direction R downstream carriage A _Since paying out at the same time as _i is avoided, it is mistaken that the article 50 on the downstream carriage A _i-1 or the upstream carriage A _{i + 1} has been delivered to the dispensing outlets S _I-1 , S _{I + 1} . in addition to the would it determines that sorting is prevented, thereby dispensing the articles 50 and because of the truck a _{i + 1} of the downstream carriage a _i-1 or the upstream side and displacement of payout timing to the target payout opening S _I This is also prevented.

According to this embodiment, since until payout of the article 50 to the target payout opening S _I is confirmed that the payout of the target payout opening S article 50 to _I is carried out is restricted, erroneous sorting the can be reliably detected, further and that confirmed the article 50 as continuously not in time would be sent to the target payout opening S _I jammed the target payout opening S _I, the target payout opening S _I and payout opening of the next it is possible to prevent the S _{I-1, S} target payout opening S further article 50 to _I in the context _{of I} + ₁ to abnormality has occurred comes sent.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the article 50 is circulated and conveyed on the carriage A on the conveyance path 12 configured in a loop shape, and the payout is avoided or regulated at the payout port S, and cannot be paid out. Since the articles 50 are dispensed at the time of recirculation, the articles 50 that are regulated to be dispensed can be automatically sorted, eliminating the need for manual re-sorting by an operator or the like. it can.

According to this embodiment, an abnormality when the payout relative to the target payout opening S _I has not been performed, the erroneous sorting can be distinguished by differences in abnormality and an alarm display or an alarm sound if it occurs The operator can determine the misclassification status (whether the article 50 to be paid out to which outlet S has been accidentally paid out to which outlet S) by checking the display and the type of sound. This makes it easier to deal with misclassification quickly, shortens the time until the sorting operation resumes, and improves sorting efficiency.

In the present embodiment, it calculates the current position of the carriage A _i based on the time elapsed from the check gate 14 passes, but also instructs payout timing is performed by specifying the payout time T _i, the transport like along the road 12 provide a large number of micro-switch for detecting the passage of the truck a _i, may be configured to detect the current position of the carriage a _i directly, the payout timing also, carriage a _i is the target payout it may be configured to instruct the tilting of the tray aT when it detects that it has reached the position of the mouth S _I.
Further, in this embodiment, carriage A _i-1 before and after the carriage A _i, for avoidance of payout by truck A _{i + 1,} performs a payout permission judgment on whether payout timing matches, a payout time T _i It is performed to regulation by does not notify, next when configured to directly detect the current position of the carriage a _i as described above, carriage a _i has reached the position of the target payout opening S _I You may make it avoid by confirming whether the trolley | bogie _Ai-1 , Ai _{+ 1} is going to pay out.
Further, in this embodiment, is performed payout truck A _i by instructing the payout from payout management unit 34, the target payout from ID and sorting information of the article 50 the bogie A _i itself is placed to be able to determine the mouth S _I, further configured to cart a _i itself can determine the execution of the tilting operation of the tray aT, (from e.g. payout management unit 34) from the outside when instructed regulation, Or you may comprise so that tilt may not be performed when it is judged that it should avoid by the judgment function of cart _Ai itself.
Further, in this embodiment, so that wait until it reaches again recycled target payout opening S _I if payout is regulated, the article is placed on the carriage A _i 50 subject sorting destination is assigned is addition to the target payout opening S _I, if also corresponds to one of the conveying direction R downstream of the dispensing port S _I-1 ~S ₁ is performing the payout in The position may be set to any _one of the payout ports S _{I-1 to} S ₁ .

Further, in this embodiment, although the time from the monitoring start up to the length of the predetermined monitoring time τ elapses determined that the monitoring time of the target payout opening S _I, which is confirmed payout of the article 50 may be a until that, for example, the target payout opening S leave _I prepared an article dispensing check button, the operator time to press this article payout confirmation button may be monitoring time.
Further, in this embodiment, the payout sensor P _I during the monitoring _time, P _{I-1, P I} + ₁ by fastening only keep time being recorded by the detection, steps in FIG monitoring time from the end Z3 Each flag is operated by performing the determination in step Z5. However, each flag may be operated when a payout is detected by the payout detection sensors P _I , P _I-1 , P _{I + 1} .
Further, in this embodiment, payout opening an abnormality occurs S _I, but to stop the running of S _I-1 of the S _{I + 1} for driving the conveyor or carriage A, stop them even if an abnormality has occurred If the sorting operation can be continued without any trouble, it is not necessary to stop it.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transport path 12 is configured in a loop shape so that the cart A that is circulated and connected on the transport path 12 circulates, but without the cart A being circulated and connected, FIG. c), as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the top (it may be configured as a carriage (a) of a row having a carriage a _n of the cart a ₁ and the end of most downstream) (most upstream). At this time, in the payout permission judgment, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), when the carriage A _i to be determined is the head carriage A ₁ is payout payout by subsequent carriage A ₂ is due to carriage A ₁ It is only necessary to avoid the same time. That is, since there are no more carriage A is in front, (may skip step Y2) restriction flag does not have to check whether it has been enabled for carriage A ₁ by the payout permission judgment regarding the front of the cart A. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), when the truck A _i to be determined is the end of the carriage A _n is the payout at the same time payout by the front of the carriage A _n-1 is due to carriage A _n It only has to be avoided. That is, since the rear there are no more carriage A, there is no need to check whether the payout timing behind the carriage (A) is in the dispensing time T _i and the same time (or skip step Y3, Y4) .
Further, in the present embodiment, the articles 50 whose dispensing has been regulated or avoided (not dispensed) are dispensed again at the time of recirculation. Is not limited to this. For example, a mischute is provided at the downstream end in the transport direction R of the dispensing port S, and the articles 50 that have not been dispensed are not waited for recirculation but are put into this mischute. In this way, the operator may manually carry the article 50 put into the misshoot to the sorting destination.
In the present embodiment, check gates 14 are provided only at one location. However, check gates 14 are provided at a plurality of locations along the conveyance path 12 so that the position of the carriage A can be detected more accurately. Also good.
Further, in the present embodiment, the payout is performed by tilting the tray AT at the position of the payout port S using the carriage A provided with the tray AT. However, it is not always necessary to use the tray AT. For example, the carriage A is configured to include a drive conveyor on which the article 50 can be placed, and the drive conveyor is driven (rotated) toward the discharge port S at the position of the discharge port S to perform payout. You may do it.
Further, in the present embodiment, the carriage A on which the article 50 is placed is caused to travel along the conveyance path 12. However, the conveyance path 12 may be any means that can convey the article 50, and is not necessarily a carriage. A need not be used. For example, the conveyance path 12 may be configured as a drive conveyor (a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, a slide shoe conveyor, a slat conveyor, or the like), and the article 50 may be directly placed on the drive conveyor and conveyed. In this case, the payout method is different from that when the carriage A is used, but in a transfer device having a branch, such as the article 50 being pushed out to the discharge outlet S side by the push-out arm at the position of the discharge outlet S. The various methods used can be taken. Further, in this case, the payout timing instruction and the payout port S monitoring method are different from those when the carriage A is used. For example, the position of the article 50 can be detected, and the payout timing instruction is based on the position. Or the payout port S may be monitored.

Further, in the present embodiment, the payout opening S is provided only on one side of the transport path 12, but the payout opening S may be provided on both sides of the transport path 12. In this case, in addition to improving sorting efficiency since it is possible to provide a larger number of payout opening S, adjacent to the article 50 by the transport path 12 on the same time as the article 50 are paid out to the target payout opening S _I even upstream side or downstream side of the article 50 was to be paid out, since their payout direction does not need to regulate the dispensing if the direction opposite to the target payout opening S _I, further Sorting efficiency is improved. It should be noted that in this case, for the payout regulation, among the articles 50 adjacent to the front and rear of the article 50 that are to be paid out to the target payout opening S _I, payout the same time to the target payout opening S _I and (when viewed from the transport path 12 ) payout of target payout opening S _I article 50 will be paid out to the side of it is sufficient to regulate.
Further, in the present embodiment, the dispensing port S is configured as a drive conveyor so that the dispensed article 50 is automatically conveyed to the shipping area. A non-drive conveyor such as a simple slope or a free roller conveyor may be used. Alternatively, the conveyor may be formed short so that a container capable of accumulating the articles 50 is provided at the tip, and the operator can manually carry the articles 50 accumulated in the container.
In the present embodiment, the payout detection sensors P _{1 to} P _N are photoelectric sensors. However, any means that can detect that the article 50 has been paid out may be used. It may be a microswitch that is connected or disconnected.

  In the present embodiment, the payout management unit 34 and the payout monitoring unit 36 are internal mechanisms of the transport path controller 30, but any means that can manage the payout and means that can monitor the payout can be used. You may comprise as an apparatus of.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the article supply port 22 is comprised as a drive conveyor, it is not restricted to this, For example, non-drive conveyors, such as a simple slope and a free roller conveyor, may be sufficient. In addition, in order to smoothly supply the article 50 to the conveyance path 12, such a drive conveyor, a slope, a free roller conveyor, and the like are provided with an inclination in a direction downward from the supply area to the conveyance path 12. It is desirable that the article 50 that has come down is supplied from above the transport path 12 and loaded (loaded).
In the present embodiment, the article 50 is automatically supplied to the conveyance path 12. However, for example, an operator disposed along the conveyance path 12 may supply the article 50 manually. Good.
Further, in this embodiment, is performed to read the article ID to check gate 14 during the passage, if able to perform the indexing of the target payout opening S _I until the article 50 reaches the payout opening S For example, when the article 50 is supplied to the conveyance path 12, the article ID is read, and the correspondence between the position where the article 50 is placed on the conveyance path 12 and the article 50 is created as article placement information. May be.

In the present embodiment, the sorting destination of the article 50 is confirmed by comparing the article ID with the sorting information. However, the barcode label attached to the article 50 includes information indicating the sorting destination. It may be left.
In the present embodiment, a bar code label is attached to the article 50. However, any bar code label may be used as long as it can record / read information on the article 50, for example, a two-dimensional bar code label or RFID (record / read wirelessly). IC tag).

Further, in the present embodiment, the abnormality is an alarm display by buzzer sound generation and lamp lighting alarm devices D ₁ to D _N to output when occur, indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the payout For example, an electronic bulletin board may be provided at a position that can be easily seen by an operator of the sorting facility 10, and the fact that an abnormality has occurred may be displayed on the electronic bulletin board. In addition, a signal for notifying another system, for example, the host system 60, that an abnormality has occurred may be output (the output here also includes turning off the signal).
Further, in this embodiment, providing a tape switch but the payout opening S ₁ is provided with ~S each alarm release corresponding button _N G ₁ ~G _N, for example disposed throughout payout opening S For example, the configuration serving as the alarm canceling unit may be integrated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Sorting equipment 12 Conveyance path 30 Conveyance path controller 32 Discharge management part 34 Discharge monitoring part 50 Goods A Carriage S Discharge port

Claims (4)

A plurality of articles each assigned with a sorting destination are transported in the transport direction of the transport path, and a plurality of predetermined articles on the transport path are provided along the transport path corresponding to the sorting destination, respectively. In the sorting method to pay out against
The article on the conveyance path adjacent to the predetermined article in the conveyance direction upstream side and / or the conveyance direction downstream side is moved to the target dispensing port side which is a dispensing outlet corresponding to the sorting destination assigned to the predetermined article. Avoid being paid out at the same time as certain goods,
When the predetermined article is paid out to the target payout opening,
When the delivery of the article is not detected at the target delivery port,
When a discharge of an article is detected at a discharge port on the upstream side in the transport direction and / or on the downstream side in the transport direction adjacent to the target discharge port,
There line an output indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the payout,
After the predetermined article on the conveyance path has been paid out to the target payout port, the sorting method is characterized in that the payout to the target payout port is regulated until the delivery of the article to the target payout port is confirmed . The method of sorting according to claim 1, the article in the transport path and the circulation transportation, characterized in that pays out when recycling an article dispensing is avoided or restricted. Different types of abnormalities depending on whether the delivery of an article is not detected at the target delivery port and the delivery of an article is detected at the delivery port upstream and / or downstream in the conveyance direction adjacent to the target delivery port The sorting method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an output indicating is output. A plurality of discharge ports corresponding to the respective sorting destinations are provided along a transport path for transporting a plurality of articles each assigned a sorting destination in the transport direction, and a predetermined article on the transport path is provided to the discharge port. In the sorting equipment that can be paid out,
A payout detecting means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of payout ports and detecting that an article has been paid out to the corresponding payout port;
Dispensing monitoring means capable of monitoring the detection of the dispensing of articles by each of the dispensing detection means,
A payout management means that permits or regulates the payout of each item on the transport path;
With
The payout management means is a target in which an article on the upstream side in the transport direction and / or a downstream side in the transport direction adjacent to the predetermined article on the transport path is a payout port corresponding to a sorting destination assigned to the predetermined article. To avoid being paid out at the same time as the specified goods
When the predetermined article is paid out to the target payout opening,
The payout monitoring means includes:
The payout detection means of the target payout port corresponding to the sorting destination assigned to the predetermined article is monitored, and the payout detection of the payout port upstream in the transport direction and / or downstream in the transport direction adjacent to the target payout port is detected. Monitor the means,
When the payout of the article is not detected by the payout detection means of the target payout port,
When the discharge of the article is detected by the discharge detection means of the discharge port on the upstream side in the transport direction and / or the downstream side in the transport direction adjacent to the target discharge port,
There line an output indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the payout,
After the predetermined article on the transport path is paid out to the target payout port, the payout to the target payout port is regulated until the delivery of the article to the target payout port is confirmed. Sorting equipment to do.

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