JPS6216402Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a so-called automatic warehouse, and more particularly to a storage device having an automatic storage/retrieval function for magnetic tapes, books, files, etc.

Various devices of this type have already been proposed and put into practical use. For example, there are shelves for arranging and storing articles in the vertical and horizontal directions, a movable table for moving the front surface of the shelf horizontally and vertically along the shelf, and an article drawer/pushing means installed on the table for pulling out the articles on the shelf or pushing out the articles on the movable table onto the shelf; a code plate indicating the storage address of each article on the shelf; and the code plate provided on the movable table. a first reading device that reads the code of the article; an input device that commands to take out and store the article and inputs the storage address of the article when taking it out; and an input device that reads the address code code attached to the article when storing the article. In response to signals from the second reading device and the input device, in the case of taking out an article, the moving table is moved until the address information inputted by the input device and the output of the first reading device match. Move the article and operate the article drawer/pushing means to pull out the article onto the moving table.Then move the moving table to the outlet at one end of the shelf and operate the article drawer/pushing means again to take out the article on the moving table. In the case of a series of operations for upward transfer and storage of articles, the article drawer/pushing means is operated to pull out the article on the return table at the return slot onto the moving table, while the second reading device reads the article. The storage address code code is read, and the movable table is moved until the reading output of the first reading device matches, and when they match, the article drawer and push means is operated to move the articles on the movable table into the corresponding storage. An automatic article retrieval and storage device is known from U.S. Pat. An earlier application, Utility Model Application No. 49-75392, has already proposed a system in which items can be brought to different take-out ports, and items on any shelf can be stored from a single return port.

The device proposed in the above-mentioned earlier application allows an item taken out from either of the two shelves to be taken out to one takeout port, and can be returned to either shelf from one return port. This has the advantage that a single moving table can be used for transporting articles, and there is no need to provide a take-out port and a return port for each shelf.

By the way, in the device proposed in the above-mentioned prior application or in the known device of this kind, only one article (or article storage container) can be placed in the outlet. In particular, these devices store a large number of items in a container that stores them in one storage location;
When taking out the container, the whole container is taken out and the desired article is taken out from inside the container. In this case, since the area occupied by the containers is large, in order to take out a large number of containers in succession to the take-out port, it is necessary to take the containers down from the take-out stand, which is inconvenient.

For example, when these devices are used to store magnetic tapes, it may be necessary to remove a number of containers containing unnecessary magnetic tapes. Therefore, even if you take out multiple magnetic tapes at one time, each roll of magnetic tape corresponds to one storage position, you must remove them one by one from the take-out stand at the take-out port until all the magnetic tapes are collected. It is rather inconvenient.

In view of the above, the present invention stores a large number of particularly relatively small items (or cases containing them), and allows multiple items to be taken out at one time (or by one person requesting the removal). Often requested. For example, it is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient automatic retrieval storage that can be used as a magnetic tape storage, a library, a file book storage, or the like.

For example, as shown in the above-mentioned prior application, the present invention is directed to a hanger in which a plurality of articles stored on a shelf are automatically taken out to a take-out port, and used articles are automatically stored in the storage position from a return port. In,
One end side of the shelf is opened, a part of the shelf that is continuous with this opening is used as a take-out stand, and a take-out case of a size that is movable and can hold a plurality of predetermined items is provided in the take-out stand, and a single take-out case is provided. A device equipped with a case transfer device that automatically sequentially takes out the items requested by the takeout request into the case and pushes the case out of the shelf through the opening when the takeout operation of all the requested items is completed. This allows you to obtain desired items at once. Note that the retrieval case includes a plurality of storage positions occupied by the retrieval stand, and the control circuit stores number codes corresponding to the plurality of storage positions as retrieval position codes, and a single retrieval request is performed. The requested articles are sequentially taken out into the case according to the take-out position code of this control circuit. As a result, the items are sequentially arranged in the case and taken out.
Insertion of the later taken out article into the case is not obstructed by the article taken out earlier. Therefore,
A plurality of articles can be reliably and safely taken out in one case. Of course, if you want to obtain more articles than the number that can be accommodated in the case, you may request to take out several times.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, partially cut away to show the internal structure. Referring to the same figure, shelves 1 and 1' are arranged to face each other, and inside each shelf there are articles such as magnetic tapes stored in a plurality of storage positions each having storage addresses arranged vertically and horizontally. is stored. A movable column 3 that moves left and right along both shelves is provided between the shelves 1 and 1', and a transfer table 4 that moves up and down along the movable column is provided on the movable column 3.

Although not shown, the movable column 3 is supported and guided by upper and lower rails and can be moved left and right in a vertical position, and is driven by a motor provided on the movable column or by a separately provided motor. It is moved by means of a tension cable connected to the moving column. Since these are already known from the above-mentioned US patent and the earlier application No. 49-42244, illustration thereof is omitted.

The movable table 4 is moved up and down by means of a motor provided on the movable table and a chain cable stretched above and below the movable column. This is also already disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. patent and Utility Model Application No. 49-30825, so it will be omitted here.

In order to know its current position, the moving pillar 3
It is equipped with a horizontal direction reader that reads the horizontal position code installed on the ceiling or guide rail.
The movable platform 4 is equipped with a vertical reading device that reads a vertical position code C provided on the movable column in order to know its current vertical position, and from these, the position of the movable platform in space can be known. Also,
The storage position of each shelf can be expressed by the combination of the horizontal position code and the vertical position code. These reading devices and the provision of codes are also disclosed in the above-mentioned US patent and the above-mentioned earlier application and are well known, so further explanation will be omitted.

An article drawer/pushing device 5 is provided on the movable table 4 for pulling out articles on the shelf onto the movable table and pushing out articles on the movable table into the shelf.
This article drawer and pusher is a device that can pull out articles from shelves on either side and at the same time push out articles on a movable platform to either shelf. Jitsugan Showa 49-75392
Those known in the No. 1 can be used.

The control system for the automatic retrieval hangar with the above configuration is as follows:
This will be explained with reference to FIG.

The input device 21 includes a keyboard, and inputs storage position address information of the article to be taken out, a take-out command signal,
The storage position address information from the input device 21 is input to the converter 22.
The signals are converted into corresponding address code signals and code signals indicating the left and right shelves, and are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 23.

The command signal from the input device 21 is given to the control circuit 24, and the control circuit 24 sends a start signal to the moving column drive control circuit 25 and the moving platform drive control circuit 26, while controlling both of these control circuits 25 and 26.
It has a function of sending an activation signal to the article drawer/extrusion device drive control circuit 27 when receiving a termination signal from the article drawer/extrusion device drive control circuit 27. The control circuit 24 further stores a take-out port position code and a return port position code.

The moving column drive control circuit 25 receives the activation signal from the control circuit 24 and operates the moving column driving device 28 (for example, the motor of the moving column) to cause the moving column to travel, and reads the read output of the horizontal direction reading device 29 described above. and the horizontal code code in the buffer memory 23 (or the horizontal code code of the take-out or return port position code in the control circuit 24).
0, and when both codes match, the moving column driving device 28 is stopped and a termination signal is sent to the control circuit 24.

Similarly, the moving table drive control circuit 26 also controls the control circuit 2.
4, the mobile platform driving device 31
(For example, a motor on the moving table) is operated to move the moving table up and down, and the reading output of the vertical direction reading device 32 and the vertical code code in the buffer memory 23 (or the output port or return port in the control circuit 24) are operated. The vertical comparator 33 compares the position code with the vertical code (sign) of the position code, and when both codes match, the movable platform driving device 31 is stopped and a termination signal is sent to the control circuit 24.

The article drawer pusher drive control circuit 27 receives the start signal from the control circuit 24 and operates the drive device 39 for operating the article drawer pusher 5 according to the right or left instruction code in the buffer memory 23. , the operation end signal is sent to the control circuit 24
Send to.

A reading device 34 for reading the code of the item to be returned is provided at the return slot, and the reading output is transferred to a buffer.

According to the above configuration, when the address information and take-out command of the desired article are inputted using the input device 21, the moving table 4 reads the code code transferred into the buffer memory 23 and the horizontal direction reading device 29 and the vertical direction reading device 32. By comparison with the read output of
Outlet position code code stored in control circuit 24 and horizontal and vertical readers 29 and 3
By comparison with the read output of No. 2, it is moved to the take-out port, and there, it is transferred onto the take-out stand.

On the other hand, when a storage command signal is input through the input device 21, the movable platform 4 reads the position code code of the return port in the control circuit 24 and the horizontal and vertical direction reading device 29.
The article is moved to the return slot by comparison with the reading output of 33, and there, the article on the return table is transferred onto the moving table 4. At that time, the code of the article is read by the reading device 34, and the code of the article is read by the buffer memory 23. input to. Subsequently, by comparing the address code stored in the buffer memory 23 with the reading outputs of the horizontal and vertical reading devices 29 and 32, the movable table 4 is moved to the storage position of the article to be returned. Then, the articles on the moving table 4 are pushed out into the shelves and stored. Incidentally, when taking out the articles, if the address information of a plurality of articles to be taken out is successively inputted and stored in the buffer memory 23 in succession, a continuous taking out operation can be performed.

Thus, automatic withdrawal and storage of articles takes place.

The above configuration and operation are shown in the above-mentioned prior application and are well known, so further explanation will be omitted.

The feature of this invention is that the above-mentioned article takeout stand utilizes a part of one end of the shelf, and a movable case is installed there, and the takeout operation takes out the article into this case. It is.

Returning to FIG. 1, an opening 11 is provided in a part of the side surface of one end of the shelf 1, and a part of the shelf that communicates with this opening 11 is used as a take-out stand 12, on which the take-out case 6 is placed. ing. Article removal table 12
is equipped with a transfer device, such as a conveyor or a pushing rod, so that the cases 6 can be delivered through the opening 11 to the outside of the shelf.

The size of the takeout stand 12 is such that it covers a plurality of predetermined article storage positions, and the case 6 is made to have the same size as the takeout stand 12.

The articles taken out by the moving table 4 in the above-described operation are pushed into the case 6 by the article drawer and pusher 5.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the operation for taking out all the stored contents in the buffer memory 23 is completed, the control circuit 24 gives a start signal to the case transfer device drive control circuit 35, thereby causing the case transfer device to 36 is operated to push the case out of the shelf through the opening 11.

In this way, all the required items can be obtained from the case 6 at once in a single request.

If the address code storage capacity of the buffer memory 23 and the number of articles that can be stored in the case 6 are matched,
Whenever the retrieval operation for all address codes stored in the buffer memory 23 is completed, the control circuit 24 can send an activation signal to the case transfer device drive control circuit 35.

The configuration of the return slot is particularly limited by using part of the shelf,
Although it is not necessary to use a case, in this example,
Similar to the outlet, there is an opening 1 on the side of one end of the shelf 1'.
1', a part of the shelf following this is used as a return table 12', and a return case 7 containing items to be returned is sent onto the return table 12' from an opening 11'. As a transport device for the return case 7, for example a conveyor or a push rod can likewise be used. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive device 37 of the return case transfer device is controlled by the operation of a return case transfer device drive control circuit 38 which operates in response to a start signal from the control circuit 24. When the control circuit 24 receives the storage command signal from the input device 21, it first sends an activation signal to the return case transfer device drive control circuit 38 to transfer the return case 7 onto the return table 12'. After that, the above-mentioned storage operation is performed.
Of course, the reading device 34 for reading the codes of the articles to be returned is provided at a position where the codes of the articles in the case can be sequentially read when the return case is transferred onto the return table 12'. Thus, the codes of all items in the return case will be stored in the buffer memory 23, thus performing a continuous storage operation.

As is clear from the embodiments described above, according to the present invention, all the articles required for one take-out request are performed continuously, and all the articles are placed in one case and removed from the shelf. Since the material is extruded, the drawbacks of the prior art described above are eliminated.

In addition, when extruding an article from the moving table 4 into the case 6, in order to prevent the extrusion of the subsequent article from being obstructed by the previous article that has already been transferred into the case 6, the following information is stored in the control circuit 24. The control circuit 24 is configured such that the take-out position code code is set as an address code corresponding to a plurality of accommodation positions occupied by the take-out table 12, and the code of the take-out position is sequentially changed for each take-out operation. be. As a result, the articles are sequentially lined up in the case and taken out. In addition to this, for example, a means for biasing the article inserted into the case 6 to one side within the case may be provided. The same applies to the return case and the return port position code stored in the control circuit 24.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a control system diagram thereof. In the figure,
The main reference symbols are as follows. 1, 1'... Shelf, 2... Goods, 3... Moving column,
4...Moving table, 5...Article drawer pushing device, 6
...Removal case, 7...Return case, 1
1, 11'...opening, 12...removal stand, 12'...
... Return table, 21 ... Input device, 22 ... Converter, 23 ... Buffer memory, 24 ... Control circuit, 25 ... Moving column drive control circuit, 26 ... Moving table drive control circuit, 27 ... Article drawer pusher Device drive control circuit, 28... Moving column drive device, 29...
...Horizontal reader, 30...Comparator, 31...
Moving table driving device, 32... Vertical direction reading device, 3
3... Comparator, 34... Reading device, 35... Transfer device drive control circuit, 36... Transfer device drive device,
37... Drive device for return case transfer device, 38
...Return case transfer device drive control circuit, 39...
...A drive device for an article push-out and drawer device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A large number of relatively small items are stored in multiple storage positions in two rows of shelves, and a desired item is automatically taken out onto a take-out table at one end of the shelf, and a return table provided at one end of the shelf is installed. In an automatic article retrieval/storage device in which the automatic storage operation of articles on a table is automatically carried out under the control of a control circuit, an opening is provided in the side surface of one end of the shelf; A portion of a continuous shelf containing a plurality of storage positions is used as the takeout stand, and is movably provided on the takeout stand, having a size that occupies the plurality of storage positions and can store a plurality of articles. The control circuit includes a take-out case and a case transfer means for sending the case from the take-out stand through the opening to the outside of the shelf, and the control circuit stores address codes of the plurality of storage positions as take-out position codes. In the automatic retrieval/storage device, the articles requested in one retrieval request are sequentially lined up and taken out of the case according to the retrieval position code of the control circuit, and when the retrieval operation of all the articles is completed, the control circuit transfers the items to the case. 1. An automatic article take-out and storage device, characterized in that a driving signal is supplied to a transfer means to send the case from a take-out stand to outside the shelf.