JP2002187605A - Picking system and picking method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picking system and method capable of discriminating whether the kind and the number of articles input to a container and the destination of the container are correct to each other or not. SOLUTION: The picking system furnished with foldable containers 13a-13d to store the articles 11a-11f, a picking cart 14 to carry a plural number of the foldable containers, a host computer 20 to manage assortment information of the articles to input to the foldable containers, a display 16 to display the articles to input to the foldable containers and an article storage shelf 12 to store a plural number of kinds of the articles and to input the articles in the article storage shelf to the foldable containers by taking up the articles in the article storage shelf in accordance with the article assortment information displayed in the display 16 by an operator 15 is furnished with oscillating covers 31a-31d which are erroneous input detection means to detect the articles at the time when an operator tries to input the articles in the wrong foldable container and proximity sensors 32a-32d to detect oscillation of these oscillating covers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a picking system and a picking method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of types of articles stored in an article storage shelf are picked up by an operator, and foldable containers (hereinafter referred to as oricons) classified according to destinations.
There is a picking system designed to be put into The oricon is loaded and transported on a picking cart.

Conventionally, a picking operation is performed by looking at a card describing which merchandise is to be inputted into which oricon and an article sorting information displayed on a display connected to a host computer.

[0004]

However, in the conventional picking system, even if an article was accidentally put into the oricon, it could not be detected. Therefore, the type and number of the article put into the oricon and the destination of the oricon were: It was not possible to determine whether they were correct or not.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to detect the erroneous introduction of an article into a container, thereby detecting the type and number of articles introduced into the container and the destination of the container. Is to provide a picking system and a picking method that can determine whether or not each is correct.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for storing articles, a picking cart for transporting a plurality of containers, and a host computer for managing sorting information of the articles to be put into the containers. Display means for displaying sorting information of the articles to be put into the container, and an article storage shelf for storing a plurality of types of the articles, wherein an operator performs the sorting based on the sorting information displayed on the display means. In a picking system for picking up the article in the article storage shelf and putting the article into the container, when an operator attempts to put in an article other than the article to be stored in the container, the picking system includes an erroneous entry detecting means for detecting an erroneous insertion. The picking system according to the present invention (claim 1).

Further, the object of the present invention is to provide a picking system wherein the erroneous insertion detecting means is interlocked with the host computer and a buzzer which is interlocked with the erroneous insertion detecting means. The picking system (Claim 3), which has an alarm lamp interlocked with the erroneous insertion detecting means, wherein the erroneous insertion detecting means is provided at an article input port of the container. A picking system comprising a provided lid and a proximity sensor for detecting opening and closing of the lid (claim 5); and a picking system wherein the lid of each container is color-coded. 6) a picking system wherein the display means is mounted on the picking cart (claim 7);
The picking system is characterized in that the display means is linked to the host computer (claim 8), and the picking system (claim 9) is characterized in that opening and closing of the lid is detected by an optical sensor.

Further, the present invention provides a picking method in which an operator picks up an article from an article storage shelf for storing a plurality of kinds of articles based on article sorting information displayed on a display means and puts the article into a predetermined container. A picking method, wherein when an operator attempts to insert an article other than an article to be stored in the container, the article is detected by an erroneous insertion detection means provided at an article insertion port of the container. Item 10).

Further, according to the present invention, a picking method is characterized in that a buzzer sounds when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects the article, and when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects the article. A picking method characterized by turning on or flashing an alarm lamp (claim 12);
A picking method, comprising detecting an erroneous insertion of the article by detecting that the lid is opened by a proximity sensor or an optical sensor when opening a lid of an article insertion port of the container. Picking method, wherein the container is identified by the color of the lid of each container (claim 14), the picking method based on the article sorting information displayed on the display means interlocked with the host computer. This can be achieved by a picking method (invention 15), which comprises introducing an article.

According to the picking system of the present invention, when an article is to be inserted into a container other than the container into which the article is to be inserted, the erroneous insertion is detected by the erroneous insertion detecting means. It can be prevented (claim 1).

When the erroneous insertion detecting means is linked with the host computer storing the article sorting information, the operation setting for the erroneous insertion detecting means becomes easy (claim 2).

In the case where a buzzer interlocked with the erroneous insertion detecting means is provided (claim 3) or an alarm lamp is interlocked with the erroneous insertion detecting means (claim 4), it is ensured that the operator intends to make an erroneous injection. Can be recognized.

When the erroneous insertion detecting means is constituted by a lid provided at the article insertion port of the container and a proximity sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the lid, the erroneous insertion can be reliably performed when the operator opens the lid. Detection can be performed, the configuration of the erroneous insertion detection unit can be simplified, and cost can be reduced (claim 5).

If the lids of the containers are color-coded, operator mistakes can be reliably prevented.

When the display means is mounted on the picking cart, it is not necessary for the operator to carry the display means, so that the operability is improved.

When the display means is linked to the host computer, the article sorting information supplied from the host computer can be accurately displayed on the display means.

When the erroneous insertion detecting means is an optical sensor, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the picking method of the present invention, when the operator attempts to insert an article other than the article to be stored in the container, the erroneous insertion is detected by the erroneous insertion detecting means. It can be reliably prevented (claim 10).

When the erroneous insertion detecting means detects erroneous insertion, a buzzer sounds (claim 11), or when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects erroneous insertion, an alarm lamp is turned on or blinks. In this case (claim 12), it is possible to surely recognize that the operator is about to make an incorrect input.

When the lid of the container is opened,
When the erroneous insertion is detected by detecting that the lid is opened by the proximity sensor, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
3).

If the container is identified by the color of the lid of the container, erroneous insertion can be reliably prevented.

In the case where articles are put in based on the article sorting information displayed on the display means linked to the host computer, the article sorting information is accurately displayed, so that the operator can sort accurately.

When the erroneous insertion is detected by the optical sensor, the erroneous insertion can be reliably detected.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 is an overall view showing a picking system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a picking cart according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view showing a state where articles are put into a folding container of the picking cart, FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a picking method according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a picking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an article storage shelf 12 for storing a plurality of types of articles 11a to 11f,
Folding container 13a-1 for charging 1a-11f
3d (hereinafter referred to as Oricon) and Oricons 13a to 13
The picking cart 14 for transporting d and a host computer 20 for exchanging data with the control unit 14a of the picking cart 14 are included.

The host computer 20 is connected to the management computer 20b and the wireless computer 2 via the hub 20a.
0c, which is connected to the wireless device 20d, and exchanges data with the control unit 14a of the picking card 14 via the wireless computer 20c and the wireless device 20d.

The article storage shelf 12 is provided with a partition wall capable of individually storing the articles 11a to 11f.
The operator 11 can easily pick up 11f. Each of the oricons 13a to 13d is formed in a box shape having an open top, and the
The destinations (for example, row A) of 3a to 13d are described, and bar code labels 19a to 19d for identifying the oricons 13a to 13d are accommodated in a label holder.

The picking cart 14 includes the oricon 13
a, an upper shelf 14b for accommodating the
c, 13d, the display 16 and the barcode reader 1 connected to the control unit 14a.
7 and the wrong article 1 for each of the oricons 13a to 13d.
An erroneous insertion detecting unit 30 for detecting that 1a to 11f have been inserted, and a buzzer 18 that operates when the erroneous insertion is detected by the erroneous insertion detecting unit 30 are provided.

The display 16 displays the picking card 1
4 and displays instructions such as article sorting information transmitted from the host computer 20 to an operator 15 pushing the picking card 14 through the handle 14d. The upper shelf 14b and the lower shelf 14c are provided with reset buttons 33a to 33d for turning on lamps corresponding to the respective oricons 13a to 13d. These reset buttons 33a to 33d
Is turned off when the operator 15 presses it, and a signal is sent to the control unit 14a.

The erroneous insertion detecting means 30 is provided by the control unit 1 described above.
4a, swinging lids 31a to 31d individually suspended above the oricons 13a to 13d, and swinging lids 31a to 31d provided on the vertical surfaces of the upper shelf 14b and the lower shelf 14c.
And a plurality of proximity sensors 32a to 32d for individually detecting the movements of the side portions at.

The swing lids 31a to 31d are swingable about a horizontal support shaft 17,
When the articles 11a to 11f are thrown into the articles a to 13d, the articles 11a to 11f are always swung to open the upper parts of the oricons 13a to 13d. These swing lids 31a to 31d
The swing lid 31a is colored blue, the swing lid 31b is colored yellow, the swing lid 31c is colored green, and the swing lid 31d is colored red.
It can be clearly identified.

At this time, the control unit 14a controls the proximity sensor 32
It is determined that the swing lids 31a to 31d have swung based on a to 32d. Then, as shown in FIG.
Are swinging lids 31a-3 not corresponding to the articles 11a-11f.
When 1d swings, the buzzer 18 is activated to call attention to the operator 15.

Next, a picking method using the above-described picking system 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 4, after turning on the power of the host computer 20 (FIG. 1) and the picking cart 14 (ST41), the barcode reader 17 reads the barcode label 19a of the oricon 13a (ST42). Then, the information of the oricon 13a is sent to the host computer 20 via the control unit 14a, and the host computer 20 turns on the reset button 33a corresponding to the position of the picking card 14 in which the oricon 13a is to be accommodated via the control unit 14a. (ST4
3).

The operator 15 presses the reset button 33a
After the Oricon 13a is accommodated in the location corresponding to
4) The reset button 33a is pressed to turn off the light, and the host computer 20 is notified that the oricon 13a has been placed at the proper position (ST45). Next, if the other reset buttons 33b to 33d are lit, the above operation is repeated to sequentially arrange the oricons 13b to 13d, and the host computer 20 determines in which position which oricons 13b to 13d are arranged. (ST46).

When it is determined that all the oricons 13b to 13d have been arranged at predetermined positions, article sorting information is displayed on the display 16 on the picking cart 12 (S).
T47). Then, the operator 15 picks up the articles 11a to 11f from the article storage shelf 12 and
The barcode (not shown) attached to 11f is read by the barcode reader 17 (ST48). Thereby, the oricon 1 into which the articles 11a to 11f are to be put
Reset buttons 33a to 33d corresponding to 3a to 13d
Lights up.

Next, the picked-up articles 11a to 11f are
The swinging lids 31a to 31d corresponding to the lit reset buttons 33a to 33d are put on the corresponding oricons 13a to 13d while swinging by touching them (ST51). When the swing lids 31a to 31d swing in this way, it is determined whether the buzzer 18 has been operated next (ST5).
2). Here, when it is determined that the buzzer 18 has been activated,
Next, the display 16 indicates that it is an erroneous insertion, for example, "It is an erroneous insertion" (ST53).

In this case, the buzzer 18 is stopped by pulling out the articles 11a to 11f and returning the swinging lids 31a to 31d to their normal positions (ST54).
5) Return to ST51 and restart the work.

On the other hand, if it is determined in ST52 that the buzzer 18 is not operating, the operator 16 presses the corresponding reset buttons 33a to 33d to turn off the light (ST52).
56). As a result, the signal is transmitted to the host computer 20.
And it is determined that the sorting operation of the oricons 13a to 13d has been completed. Next, it is determined whether or not all the reset buttons 33a to 33d are turned off (ST5).
7) If it is determined that all lights have been turned off, the sorting operation ends (END).

If it is determined in ST57 that none of the reset buttons 33a to 33d is turned off, the process returns to ST49, and the same processing as described above is performed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the article 11a
When the user attempts to insert the 〜11f into the wrong oricons 13a〜13d, the swinging lids 31a〜31d oscillated by the articles 11a〜11f are detected by the proximity sensors 32a〜32d as the erroneous insertion detecting means 30. Erroneous input can be reliably prevented.

Further, since the proximity sensors 32a to 32d as the erroneous insertion detecting means 30 and the host computer 20 storing the article storage information are linked, the proximity sensors 32a to 32d are connected.
Operation setting for 32d becomes easy. Further, since the buzzer 18 is interlocked with the proximity sensors 32a to 32d, it is possible to reliably recognize that the operator 15 is about to make an erroneous insertion and to prevent erroneous insertion.

The erroneous insertion detecting means 30 is connected to the oricon 1
Swing lids 31a to 31a to 3d provided at the article input ports 3a to 13d
31d and the proximity sensors 32a to 32d for detecting the swinging of the swinging lids 31a to 31d, the erroneous insertion is reliably detected when the operator 15 swings the swinging lids 31a to 31d. The structure can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the swinging lids 31a to 31d of the oricons 13a to 13d are color-coded, mistakes of the operator 15 can be reliably prevented. Further, since the display 16 as the display means is mounted on the picking cart 14, the operator 15 does not need to carry the display 16, and the operability is improved.

Since the display 16 is linked to the host computer 20, the host computer 20
Since the article sorting information supplied from the company can be accurately displayed, the sorting operation can be performed accurately.

In the above embodiment, the case where the proximity sensor is used as the erroneous insertion detecting means has been described. However, various sensors such as an optical sensor can be used as the erroneous insertion detecting means. Also in this case, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the buzzer is provided to notify the erroneous insertion to the outside, but an alarm lamp may be provided.

[0046]

As described above, according to the picking system according to the present invention, when an article is to be inserted into a container other than the container into which the article is to be inserted, the erroneous insertion is detected by the erroneous insertion detecting means. Therefore, erroneous insertion can be reliably prevented, and it can be determined whether or not the type and number of articles put into the container and the destination of the oricon are mutually correct (claim 1).

When the erroneous insertion detecting means is linked with a host computer storing the article sorting information, the operation setting for the erroneous insertion detecting means becomes easy (claim 2).

When a buzzer interlocked with the erroneous insertion detecting means is provided (claim 3) or when a lamp is interlocked with the erroneous insertion detecting means (claim 4), it is ensured that the operator intends to make an erroneous injection. Can be recognized.

When the erroneous insertion detecting means is constituted by a lid provided at the article insertion port of the container and a proximity sensor for detecting the opening and closing of the lid, the erroneous insertion can be reliably performed when the operator opens the lid. Detection can be performed, the configuration of the erroneous insertion detection unit can be simplified, and cost can be reduced (claim 5).

When the lid of each container is color-coded, operator mistakes can be reliably prevented.

When the display means is mounted on the picking cart, the operator does not need to carry the display means, so that the operability is improved (claim 7).

When the display means is linked with the host computer, the article sorting information supplied from the host computer can be accurately displayed on the display means, so that the sorting operation can be performed accurately.

When the opening and closing of the lid is detected by an optical sensor, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

According to the picking method of the present invention,
When the operator attempts to insert an article other than the article to be stored in the container, the erroneous insertion is detected by the erroneous insertion detecting means, so that the erroneous insertion can be reliably prevented (claim 10).

An alarm lamp or a buzzer is activated when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects an article (claim 11), or the lamp is turned on or blinks when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects an article. In the case (Claim 1
2) Since the operator can surely recognize that the operator intends to make an incorrect insertion, it is possible to reliably prevent the incorrect insertion.

When the lid of the article input port of the container is opened,
When the erroneous insertion is detected by detecting that the lid is opened by the proximity sensor or the optical sensor, the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced (claim 13).

When the container is identified by the color of the lid of the container, the operator does not mistake the container, so that erroneous insertion can be prevented.

When the sorting operation is performed based on the item sorting information displayed on the display means linked to the host computer, the item sorting information is accurately displayed, so that the operator can perform the sorting operation accurately ( Claim 15).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a picking system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a picking cart and a container according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a folding container according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a picking method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a picking method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Picking system 11a-11f Goods 12 Goods storage shelves 13a-13d Oricon (folding container) 14 Picking cart 14a Control part 15 Operator 16 Display (display means) 18 Buzzer 20 Host computer 30 False input detection means 31a-31d Swing lid ( Error detection means) 32a to 32d Proximity sensor (error detection means)

Claims (15)

[Claims] A container for storing articles; a picking cart for transporting the plurality of containers; a host computer for managing sorting information of the articles to be put into the containers; Display means for displaying sorting information; and an article storage shelf for storing a plurality of types of articles, wherein an operator picks up the article in the article storage shelf based on the sorting information displayed on the display means, The picking system for putting into the container, further comprising an erroneous insertion detecting means for detecting an erroneous insertion when an operator attempts to insert an article other than an article to be stored in the container. 2. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein said erroneous insertion detecting means works in conjunction with said host computer. 3. The picking system according to claim 1, further comprising a buzzer linked to the erroneous insertion detecting means. 4. The picking system according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm lamp linked to the erroneous insertion detecting means. 5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the erroneous insertion detection unit includes a lid provided at an article insertion port of the container, and a proximity sensor for detecting opening and closing of the lid.
The picking system according to any one of the above. 6. The picking system according to claim 5, wherein the lid of each container is color-coded. 7. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein said display means is mounted on said picking cart. 8. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein said display means works in conjunction with said host computer. 9. The picking system according to claim 5, wherein the opening and closing of the lid is detected by an optical sensor. 10. A picking method in which an operator picks up an article from an article storage shelf that stores a plurality of types of articles based on article sorting information displayed on a display means and puts the article into a predetermined container. A picking method, characterized in that when an article other than an article to be stored in a container is to be put in, an erroneous insertion is detected by an erroneous insertion detecting means. 11. A buzzer sounds when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects the article.
Picking method described in 12. The picking method according to claim 10, wherein an alarm lamp is turned on or blinks when the erroneous insertion detecting means detects the article. 13. An erroneous insertion of the article is detected by detecting that the lid has been opened by a proximity sensor or an optical sensor when the lid of the article insertion port of the container is opened. Item 13. The picking method according to any one of Items 10 to 12. 14. The container according to claim 10, wherein the container is identified by the color of the lid of each container.
3. The picking method described in any one of 3. 15. The picking method according to claim 10, wherein the article sorting information is displayed on the display unit in conjunction with the host computer.