GB1443231A - Automated warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

1443231 Warehousing systems HITACHI LTD 8 Aug 1973 [9 Aug 1972] 37599/73 Heading A4T An automated warehouse 1 comprises storage pallets, means for conveying them to a fixed location 43 for removal of goods, means 2 for memorizing the extent to which the space in the warehouse 1 is occupied, means for feeding delivery demands into the system including the memorizing means, and means 4 for deciding on the basis of the memorized occupation and the demands fed in from which pallets the goods shall be delivered in order to achieve maximum overall efficiency, the warehouse 1 including pallets having differing numbers of the various articles to be supplied. On feeding in a signal 1a representing the supply requirement, a crane control device 5 is actuated by the deciding means 4 to operate a stacker crane 41 to withdraw pallets from racks 40 to a belt conveyer 42". The device 5 is controlled by a signal 1b from the memory means 2 in accordance with the warehouse occupation and a signal from a device 3 which is controlled by a calculating device 2', which provides information from the memory means 2 in accordance with the different numbers of each article on the respective pallets. To ensure as far as possible that articles are dispensed from pallets holding as nearly as possible the required number, the deciding means 4 includes means 22 for receiving the requirement signal 1a and means 23 for receiving a signal indicative of the pallet occupation. If a suitable pallet is present, a signal 24a is passed from a detector 24 to means 28, which memorizes the allotment of this pallet to the particular order, whereas if this is not the case, a second detector is actuated with a view to locating a pallet capable of fulfilling two orders together, resulting in a signal 25a. If the order is still not fulfilled, a detector 26 arranges for the most economical delivery from the pallets available, and the signals memorized by the means 28 are passed through means 29 for achieving delivery in a required sequence to the control device 5.