JP2003321110A - System, method and program for sorting merchandise - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system, a method and a program for sorting merchandise capable of improving efficiency of merchandise sorting operation and realizing cost reduction. <P>SOLUTION: A host computer determines respective traveling route information of a plurality of merchandise carrying devices on the basis of merchandise location information for indicating merchandise to be sorted and the location to store the merchandise in. According to the determined traveling route information, the computer classifies a plurality of the merchandise carrying devices 3 into groups each of which shares the same traveling route information, and produces simultaneous traveling information for indicating combination of stop positions of a plurality of merchandise carrying devices contained in a classified group. According to the simultaneous traveling information, a plurality of the merchandise carrying devices sharing the same traveling route information travel simultaneously. One operator can run with a plurality of merchandise carrying devices and sort merchandise for a plurality of retailers at a time so as to improve operating efficiency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product sorting system, a product sorting method, and a product sorting program for sorting products in a distribution center or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the needs of customers have been changing in various ways, and sales shops and the like often handle a wide variety of products that meet the needs of customers every day. In general, these various products are produced by a plurality of production plants and once stored in a distribution center. Then, the worker in the distribution center sorts the stored products according to the order information sent from each sales store, and delivers the products and the number of products according to the order information to each sales store.

In recent years, in a distribution center that handles a wide variety of products, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) is often used as a product transfer device for transferring products when performing sorting work.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing a product sorting operation using a product transport device. As shown in FIG. 25, a plurality of product shelves 7 are provided in the distribution center. Further, a tape TP indicating the traveling route of the product transporting device 3 is attached along the plurality of product shelves 7 so that the products can be sorted on the plurality of product shelves 7. In addition,
The product transport device 3 is an unmanned transport vehicle that travels along the tape TP.

For example, the product transporting device 3 is provided with a predetermined product shelf 7 from the start position S in accordance with the order information from the sales store.
Self-propelled along the predetermined tape TP to the position. At this time, one worker 70 is attached to one self-propelled product transfer device 3.
Accompany. The product transport device 3 travels to the front of a predetermined product shelf 7 and stops. When the product transport device 3 is stopped, the worker 70 who was traveling together sorts the products. When this work is repeated and the sorting work of all the products is completed, the product transport device 3 self-propels to the goal position G. The worker 70 moves toward the goal position G together with the merchandise conveying device 3.

In this way, goods are sorted in the distribution center. Further, as a product sorting work method, products produced by a plurality of production factories are stored in a plurality of product shelves 7, and predetermined products are taken out from the product shelves 7 according to order information and loaded on the product transport device 3. A method and a sorting method in which one product is loaded on one product transporting device 3 and a predetermined product is stored in a plurality of product shelves 7 classified according to order information according to order information are used. There is. Hereinafter, an example of a picking type sorting operation and an example of a sorting type sorting operation will be described.

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 25 when the picking type sorting work is performed.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the picking type sorting work is performed, different kinds of products are stored in a plurality of storage units provided in a plurality of product shelves 7.

First, the product transporting device 3 is self-propelled to the front of a predetermined product shelf 7 and stopped. The worker 70 takes out a product corresponding to the order information from a predetermined product shelf 7 and puts it in the product transfer box 50 loaded on the product transfer device 3 as indicated by arrows A and B. Again, the product transfer device 3
It runs in the direction of arrow X and stops in front of the next predetermined product shelf 7. By repeating this operation, the worker 70 performs the picking-type sorting operation for all the products in the order information from the sales store by using the product transfer device 3.

Next, FIG. 27 is an enlarged view in which a part of FIG. 25 is enlarged when a sorting type sorting operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 27, when performing a sorting type sorting operation, one type of product is stored in the product transfer box 51 of one product transfer device 3.

First, the product transport device 3 self-propels to the front of a predetermined product shelf 7 and stops. The worker 70 takes out the product stored in the product transfer box 51 loaded on the product transfer device 3 in accordance with the order information from the sales store, and indicates the arrow C.
Then, as indicated by the arrow D, it is transferred to the storage section of the product shelf 7. Again, the product transport device 3 is self-propelled in the direction of arrow Y,
It stops at the next predetermined product shelf 7 position. By repeating this operation, the worker 70 uses the product transfer device 3 to perform sorting work for all products in the order information.

As described above, in the conventional product sorting work using the product transport device 3, the picking sort work or the sorting sort work is performed in accordance with the order information from each store. It is possible to prevent human error in work. As a result, the product according to the order information from each sales store can be reliably delivered to each sales store.

[0014]

However, in the conventional product sorting work, at least one worker is required for one product transporting device 3, so that many stores or various products are sold. Labor costs will increase at the distribution center that handles the work.

That is, when the conventional picking type product sorting operation is performed, even if the types of products included in the order information from one store is extremely small,
One product transfer device 3 and one worker 70 are indispensable for one sales store.

Further, when sorting products according to the conventional sorting method, one kind of product to be loaded in the product transport box 51 of the product transport device 3 is included only in the order information of one sales store. However, one product transfer device 3 and one worker 70 are indispensable for one type of product.

As described above, in a large number of sales stores or distribution centers in charge of various products, a large number of workers 70 are required, personnel costs increase, and work efficiency per worker 70 decreases. Become.

An object of the present invention is to provide a product sorting system, a product sorting method, and a product sorting program that can improve work efficiency in product sorting work and realize cost reduction.

[0019]

[Means for Solving the Problems] (First Invention) A product sorting system according to the first invention is a product sorting system that sorts products by moving to a plurality of product storage positions and transporting the products. A plurality of product transport means that travel while moving,
Travel route determining means for determining the travel route of each of the plurality of product transport means based on the product to be sorted and sorting information indicating the product storage position, and a plurality of products based on the travel route determined by the travel route determining means A unit for classifying the product conveying means classified by the classifying device so that the classifying device for classifying the conveying devices into the group of the product conveying devices having the same traveling route and the plurality of product conveying devices having the same traveling route run in parallel. And a control means for controlling the traveling operation of the plurality of product transportation means.

In the product sorting system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the products are carried by the plurality of product carrying means.
Then, the traveling route determining means determines each traveling route of the plurality of product conveying means based on the sorting information indicating the products to be sorted and the product storage position, and the traveling route is classified based on the traveling route determined by the traveling route determining means. By means of the means, the plurality of commodity conveying means are classified into groups of commodity conveying means having the same traveling route. Then, the control means controls the traveling operation of the plurality of product transporting means in units of the group of the product transporting means classified by the sorting means so that the plurality of product transporting means having the same travel route run in parallel.

As described above, since a plurality of product conveying means traveling on the same traveling route can be run in parallel, each worker moves together with the plurality of product conveying means and uses a plurality of product conveying means at a time. Products can be sorted by
Thereby, the work efficiency per worker can be improved, and the number of workers can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize cost reduction of personnel expenses even when sorting various products.

(Second Invention) A product sorting system according to a second invention is the configuration of the product sorting system according to the first invention, wherein a plurality of product transporting means included in a group sorted by the sorting means is stopped. The control means further comprises stop position determining means for determining a combination of positions as stop positions of the plurality of product conveying means of the group, and the control means determines the stop position of each of the plurality of product conveying means included in the group classified by the classifying means. The traveling operation of the plurality of commodity transporting means of the group is controlled so as to stop at the stop position determined by the means.

In this case, the plurality of product transporting means of the group can be stopped and re-traveled as a whole at the determined stop position. Therefore, one of the plurality of product transporting means of the group does not leave the group.

(Third invention) In the product sorting system according to the third invention, in the configuration of the product sorting system according to the first or second invention, the sorting information is the type of the product ordered for each orderer and Including the quantity and the product storage position, each of the plurality of product storage positions is allocated for each type of product, provided for storing the allocated product, and each of the plurality of product transportation means is allocated for each orderer. , Which is used to convey the products to be delivered to the assigned orderer.

In this case, each worker moves together with a plurality of product transportation means assigned to each orderer, takes out the product from the product storage position assigned to each product type based on the sorting information, It can be stored in the product transport means. As a result, the worker can sort the ordered products for a plurality of ordering sources at once.

(Fourth invention) In the product sorting system according to the fourth invention, in the configuration of the product sorting system according to the first or second invention, the sorting information is the type of the product ordered by each orderer and Each of the plurality of product storage positions including the quantity and the product storage position is allocated to each orderer, and is provided for storing the product to be delivered to the allocated orderer. It is assigned for each type, and is used to convey the assigned type of merchandise.

In this case, each worker moves together with the plurality of product transport means assigned to each type of product, retrieves a predetermined product from the plurality of product transport means based on the sorting information, and assigns it to each orderer. It can be stored in the designated product storage position. As a result, the worker can sort the products ordered by a plurality of ordering sources at one time.

(Fifth Invention) A commodity sorting method according to a fifth aspect of the invention is a commodity sorting method in which a commodity is sorted by moving to a plurality of commodity storage positions together with a plurality of commodity transporting means for transporting a commodity. That is, the step of determining the travel route of each of the plurality of product transport means based on the sorting information indicating the products to be sorted and the product storage position is the same as the step of determining the plurality of product transport means based on the determined travel route. A step of classifying into a group of product transporting means having a travel route, and a plurality of product transporting means traveling in units of the classified group of product transporting means so that the plurality of product transporting means having the same travel route run in parallel And a step of controlling the operation.

In the product sorting method according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the traveling routes of the plurality of product transporting means are determined based on the sorting information indicating the products to be sorted and the product storage positions, and the determined traveling routes are set. On the basis of the group of the classified product transport means, the plurality of product transport means are classified into groups of the product transport means having the same travel route based on the The traveling operation of the plurality of product transportation means is controlled.

As described above, since a plurality of product transporting means that travel on the same travel route can be run side by side, each worker moves together with a plurality of product transporting means and uses a plurality of product transporting means at a time. Products can be sorted by
Thereby, the work efficiency per worker can be improved, and the number of workers can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize cost reduction of personnel expenses even when sorting various products.

(Sixth Invention) A product sorting program according to the sixth invention causes a computer to carry out product sorting by moving to a plurality of product storage positions together with a plurality of product transporting means that transport products while traveling. A product sorting program, a process of determining a traveling route of each of a plurality of product transporting means based on sorting information indicating a product to be sorted and a product storage position, and a plurality of product transporting based on the determined traveling route A process of classifying the means into a group of product transporting means having the same travel route, and a plurality of product transporting in units of the group of the sorted product transporting means so that the plurality of product transporting means having the same travel route run in parallel. A computer is made to perform the process which controls the running operation of a means.

In the product sorting program according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the travel routes of the plurality of product transport means are determined based on the sort information indicating the products to be sorted and the product storage positions, and the determined travel routes are set. On the basis of the group of the classified product transport means, the plurality of product transport means are classified into groups of the product transport means having the same travel route based on the The traveling operation of the plurality of product transportation means is controlled.

As described above, since a plurality of product conveying means traveling on the same traveling route can be run in parallel, each worker moves together with the plurality of product conveying means and uses a plurality of product conveying means at a time. Products can be sorted by
Thereby, the work efficiency per worker can be improved, and the number of workers can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize cost reduction of personnel expenses even when sorting various products.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A commodity sorting system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a case where a picking operation is performed using the product sorting system according to the present invention in the first embodiment will be described.
Next, a case where a sorting operation is performed using the product sorting system according to the present invention in the second embodiment will be described.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product sorting system according to an embodiment of the.

As shown in FIG. 1, the product sorting system includes a host computer 1, a communication unit 2, and a plurality of product transporting devices 3. The product transport device 3 is an automated guided vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 1
Is provided so as to be able to transmit and receive to and from the plurality of product transport devices 3 via the communication unit 2. The host computer 1 transmits the product transportation instruction information described below to the plurality of product transportation devices 3. Each of the plurality of product transportation devices 3 is self-propelled in accordance with the product transportation instruction information received from the host computer 1.

2 and 3 are explanatory views showing the order information group, the storage position information, the product location information group, the traveling route information group and the product transportation instruction information group used in the host computer 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each order information in the order information group includes a sales store number and a sales store name (hereinafter,
Abbreviated as a store. ), A product number or a product code (hereinafter, abbreviated as a product number), the number of orders, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the storage position information includes location information indicating the area of the product shelf in which a predetermined product is stored, the product shelf number, the number of stages, and the pocket position from the left end, and the product number. Is included. This storage position information is stored in advance in the host computer 1 of FIG. Details of the location information included in the storage location information will be described later.

Each product location information of the product location information group shown in FIG. 2C is based on the product number shown in FIG.
It is created for each sales store by associating each order information in the order information group shown in (a) with the location information included in the storage position information shown in FIG. 2 (b).

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3A, each traveling route information of the traveling route information group includes a plurality of pieces of location information and a stop position of the merchandise conveying device 3. This traveling route information group is stored in advance in the host computer 1 of FIG. Details of each traveling route information of the traveling route information group will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the product transportation instruction information of the product transportation instruction information group is converted into the product location information of the product location information group shown in FIG. It is created by associating the traveling route information of the traveling route information group shown in (a).
That is, the product transportation instruction information is created by associating the travel route information including the same location information with the location information included in the product location information of each sales store.

Next, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the location information. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the location information is “01-02-03-02”, the first two digits of the first numerical value “01-02” are
The area 01 in which the product shelf is provided is shown, and the rear two digits show the product shelf number 02. Also, the third two-digit "03" indicates the third stage from the bottom of the product shelf, and the last two-digit "02" indicates the second pocket position from the left of the product shelf.

Therefore, in this case, the product number "L" whose location information is displayed as "01-02-03-02" is displayed.
The product “K01” is stored in the third shelf from the bottom and the second pocket from the left end of the product shelf of the product shelf number 02 in the area 01.

Next, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the traveling route information. The location information shown in FIG. 4 is assigned in advance to the plurality of product shelves 7 in the distribution center. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of product shelves 7 has an area 01 to 06 and a product shelf number 01.
~ 04 is allocated. Further, a tape TP is attached to the floor along the plurality of product shelves 7. further,
Stop positions P1 to P1 of the product transfer device 3 for each product shelf 7
6 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the traveling route information 01
Is the tape TP in the order of the dotted arrow A from the start position S
In the case of indicating a traveling route that arrives at the goal position G along with, the traveling route information 01 includes the product shelf numbers 01 to 04 of the areas 01 to 03 and the stop positions P1 to P.
8 are included. Further, when the traveling route information 02 indicates a traveling route which reaches the goal position G along the tape TP in the order of the dashed line arrow B from the start position S, the traveling route information 02 includes the product shelf number of the area 01. 01,
02, product shelf number 01-04 in area 06, area 03
Product shelf numbers 03, 04 and stop positions P1, P2
P7, P8, P13 to P16 are included.

As described above, in each travel route information of the travel route information group, the product transport device 3 travels along the tape TP, and the products can be picked from the plurality of product shelves 7 so that the products can be picked. The location information of the shelf 7 and the stop position are included.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the host computer 1
The configuration of will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer 1.

The host computer 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 500, an input / output device 501, a ROM (read only memory) 502, a RAM (random access memory) 503, a recording medium driving device 505 and an external storage device 506. .

The input / output device 501 transmits / receives information to / from the communication unit 2 shown in FIG. A system program is stored in the ROM 502. The recording medium driving device 505 is C
A D (compact disc) -ROM drive, a floppy disc drive, and the like are used to read / write data from / to a recording medium 504 such as a CD-ROM or floppy disc. A product sorting program is recorded on the recording medium 504. The external storage device 506 includes a hard disk device or the like, and stores the product sorting program read from the recording medium 504 via the recording medium driving device 505. This product sorting program will be described later. The CPU 500 executes the product sorting program stored in the external storage device 506 on the RAM 503.

As the recording medium 504 for recording the product sorting program, various recording media such as a semiconductor memory such as a ROM and a hard disk can be used. Further, the product sorting program is downloaded to the external storage device 506 via a communication medium such as a communication line, and the RAM 50 is downloaded.
3 may be executed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the product transfer device 3 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the product transfer device 3 of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the product transfer device 3 includes an in-vehicle computer 31 having a CPU, a product transfer box 32, a drive section 33, a display section 34, and a transmission / reception section 3.
5, a bar code reader 36, an input unit 37, a label printer 38, an obstacle detection sensor 39, a passage detection sensor 40 and a stop position detection sensor 41.

The in-vehicle computer 31 controls the drive section 33 and the display section 34 based on the instruction transmitted from the host computer 1, and recognizes the signal of the input section 37 which is pressed by the operator. Further, the bar code reader 36 is used to identify the products for which the sorting work is performed by the worker, and the label printer 38 uses the predetermined label when the in-vehicle computer 31 determines that the sorting work of the products is completed. To print.

The passage detecting sensor 40 detects the tape TP attached to the floor. The in-vehicle computer 31 controls the traveling of the product transportation device 3 according to the signal from the passage detection sensor 40. As a result, the product transport device 3 can travel along the tape TP. In addition, the stop position P
A stop mark MK made of a magnet or the like is attached to 1 to P16. The stop position detection sensor 41 detects the stop mark MK attached to a predetermined stop position. The in-vehicle computer 31 controls the stop of the product transportation device 3 according to the signal from the stop position detection sensor 41. Thereby, the product transportation device 3 can be stopped at the predetermined stop position. Further, the obstacle detection sensor 39 detects the presence of another article transport device 3 or an obstacle in the surroundings. The vehicle-mounted computer 31 is an obstacle detection sensor 39.
The stop or re-travel of the product transport device 3 is controlled according to the obstacle signal from. As a result, the product transfer device 3
It can stop and restart without colliding with obstacles.

Picked products are loaded in the product transfer box 32 of the product transfer device 3.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of product transport devices 3 correspond to the plurality of product transport means, and the host computer 1 and the on-vehicle computer 31 function as the travel route determining means, the classifying means, the control means and the stop position determining means. Correspondingly, the traveling route information corresponds to the traveling route, the simultaneous traveling information corresponds to the combination of the stop positions, the sales store corresponds to the ordering source, and the storage position information of the product shelf 7 corresponds to the product storage position.

Next, the operation of the host computer 1 of the product sorting system according to the first embodiment will be described. Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3 of the product sorting system according to the first embodiment. Will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the host computer 1 of FIG. First, the host computer 1 in FIG. 1 receives order information from each sales store (step S11).

Next, the host computer 1 compares the merchandise number included in the order information for each sales store with the merchandise number included in the storage position information stored in advance, and determines the location in the order information for each sales store. Information is associated (step S12). As a result, product location information for each sales store is created.

Next, the host computer 1 compares the location information included in the product location information for each sales store with the location information included in the pre-stored travel route information group, and the product location information for each sales store. Is associated with travel route information including the same location information (step S13). As a result, product transportation instruction information for each sales store is created.

Subsequently, the host computer 1 determines whether or not the location information is associated with all the order information received from each sales store, and further the traveling route information is associated (step S14). When the host computer 1 determines that the location information and the travel route information are not associated with all the order information, the process returns to step S12 and the processes of steps S12 and S13 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the host computer 1 determines that the location information and the travel route information are associated with all the order information, the product transport instruction information for each sales store has the same travel route information. Sorting is performed for each piece of transport instruction information (step S15). The details of this rearrangement will be described later.

Next, the host computer 1 determines whether or not the rearranged product transfer instruction information includes product transfer instruction information having the same travel route information (step S).
16). When the host computer 1 determines that there is product transportation instruction information having the same traveling route information, the host computer 1 adds the simultaneous traveling information to the product transportation instruction information having the same traveling route information (step S17). Details of the simultaneous travel information will be described later.

On the other hand, when the host computer 1 determines that there is no product transportation instruction information having the same travel route information, the host computer 1 does not add the simultaneous traveling information to the product transportation instruction information and proceeds to the next process.

Finally, the host computer 1 sends the product transport instruction information to each product transport device 3 via the communication unit 2 in FIG.
(Step S18). Then, when the host computer 1 transmits all the product transportation instruction information,
The process ends.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of rearrangement of the product transportation instruction information. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the process of step S13 of FIG. 9, the host computer 1 associates the product location information of each sales store A to H with the travel route information 01 to 04 including the same location information. The product transportation instruction information for each of the sales stores A to H is created.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the host computer 1, in the processing of step S15 of FIG. 9, has the same sales route information 01 as the sales store A,
Product transport instruction information of D and G, product transport instruction information of sales stores B and E having the same travel route information 02,
Sales stores C and F having the same travel route information 01
The product transportation instruction information of 1 and the product transportation instruction information of the sales store H having the travel route information 04 are rearranged in this order.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the host computer 1, in the processing of step S17 of FIG.
Simultaneous travel information 1 is added to the product transportation instruction information of D and G, simultaneous travel information 2 is added to the product transportation instruction information of sales stores B and E having the same traveling route information 02, and the same traveling route information 03. Simultaneous travel information 3 is added to the product transport instruction information of the sales stores C and F having the. In addition,
The host computer 1 does not add the simultaneous traveling information to the product transportation instruction information of the sales store H, because there is only one product transportation instruction information having the same travel route information 04.

Next, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the details of the simultaneous traveling information. FIG. 11 (a) shows the stores A, D and G.
11 (b) shows the simultaneous traveling information created by the host computer 1 based on the product transportation instruction information shown in FIG. 11 (a).

The product transport instruction information of the sales store A is assigned the transport device number 007, the product transport instruction information of the sale store D is assigned the transport device number 008, and the product transport instruction information of the sales store G is assigned. Is the carrier number 009
Is assigned.

In the example of FIG. 11A, the stop positions included in the product transportation instruction information of the sales store A are P1, P2, P7,
P8 and P9, the stop positions included in the product transfer instruction information of the sales store D are P1 and P9, and the stop positions included in the product transfer instruction information of the sales store G are P2 and P4.
And P8. In this case, the host computer 1
Calculates the logical sum of the respective stop positions included in the product transportation instruction information of the sales stores A, D, and G, and creates the simultaneous travel information 1 by combining the calculated stop positions.

That is, the product transfer instruction information of the sales store G does not include the stop position P1, but the product transfer instruction information of the sales store A and the sales store D includes the stop position P1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the simultaneous travel information 1 includes the stop position P1. Further, the product transfer instruction information of the sales store A and the sales store D does not include the stop position P4, but the product transfer instruction information of the sales store G includes the stop position P4. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), the stop position P is included in the simultaneous travel information 1.
4 is included.

As described above, the stop position included in any of the product transport instruction information of the sales stores A, D and G is
It is included in the simultaneous traveling information 1. The host computer 1
The product transport instruction information of the sales stores A, D, and G is transmitted to the product transport devices 3 of the transport device numbers 007 to 009, respectively, and the simultaneous travel information 1 is sent to the transport device numbers 007 to.
It is transmitted to the commodity transport apparatus 3 of 009.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transfer device 3 which has received the product transfer instruction information and the simultaneous running information from the host computer 1 will be described.

Hereinafter, in order to identify the product transporting devices having the transporting device numbers 007 to 009, the product transporting device 3 having the transporting device number 007 is referred to as a product transporting device 3a, and the transporting device number 00 is used.
The product transport device 3 of No. 8 is the product transport device 3b, the product transport device 3 of the transport device number 009 is the product transport device 3c,
Lowercase letters "a", "b", and "c" are added respectively. Further, in the case of showing all the product transporting devices 3 of the transporting device numbers 007 to 009, description will be made without adding lowercase letters.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transfer device 3, and FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display section 34 of the product transfer device 3 traveling in the distribution center. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a travel route in a distribution center.

First, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transfer device 3 receives the product transfer instruction information and the simultaneous traveling information from the host computer 1 (step S31).

Next, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product carrying device 3 displays the simultaneous running information on the display section 34 of the product carrying device 3 based on the simultaneous running information (step S32).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the in-vehicle computer 31 has the traveling route information of 01 on the display unit 34 and conveys the merchandise of the conveying device numbers 007 to 009 assigned to the sales stores A, D and G. Display that the three devices 3 are traveling at the same time. Thereby, the worker recognizes that the traveling route information is 01 and that there are three commodity transporting devices 3 traveling at the same time.

Next, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product carrying device 3 determines whether or not an obstacle signal is received from the obstacle detection sensor 39 provided in the product carrying device 3 (step S33). In-vehicle computer 3 of the product transport device 3
When determining that the obstacle signal has not been received, 1 instructs the drive unit 33 to travel to a predetermined stop position (step S34).

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, since the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3a of the transporting device number 007 at the start position S does not receive the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39, another product is forwardly moved. It recognizes that the carrier device 3 does not exist. As a result, the transport device number 00
The commodity transport device 3a of 7 is self-propelled.

In this case, the in-vehicle computer 31 of the product transporting device 3b with the transporting device number 008 is the transporting device number 00.
No. 7 does not receive the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39 due to the fact that the commodity transporting device 3a of 7 runs by itself. Thereby,
The product transporting device 3b having the transporting device number 008 is self-propelled following the product transporting device 3a having the transporting device number 007. Further, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3c of the transporting device number 009 does not receive the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39 because the product transporting devices 3a and 3b of the transporting device numbers 007 and 008 are self-propelled. As a result, the product transport device 3c with the transport device number 009 is set to the transport device number 0.
The vehicle is self-propelled following the commodity transport devices 3a and 3b of 07,008.

In this way, the transport device numbers 007 to 009
The merchandise transporting device 3 is self-propelled as a unit while maintaining a constant interval along the tape TP. The worker 70 moves to the product shelf 7A on which a predetermined product is displayed together with the product transfer devices 3 having the transfer device numbers 007 to 009.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the commodity transporting device 3 determines whether or not the vehicle has traveled to a predetermined stop position according to the stop position included in the simultaneous travel information (step S35). . In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the vehicle-mounted computer 31a of the commodity transporting apparatus 3a with the transporting apparatus number 007 displays the stop mark MK (FIG. 8) on the floor at the predetermined stop position P1 as the stop position detecting sensor 4.
It is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled to a predetermined stop position P1 based on whether or not 1 is detected.

When it is determined that the vehicle-mounted computer 31 has not traveled to the predetermined stop position P1, the process returns to step S34 and the processes of steps S34 and S35 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the on-vehicle computer 31 determines that the vehicle has traveled to the predetermined stop position P1, the drive unit 33
Is instructed to stop traveling, and the picking work instruction is displayed on the display unit 34 (step S36).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, when it is determined that the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the commodity transporting device 3a having the transporting device number 007 traveling at the head has traveled to the predetermined stop position P1, the drive unit 33 is instructed. Instruct to stop driving. As a result, the transport device number 007 that travels at the top
The product transport device 3a stops. Then, the in-vehicle computer 31 of the product transportation device 3b having the transportation device number 008,
Since the product transportation device 3a having the transportation device number 007 stops at the front, an obstacle signal is received from the obstacle detection sensor 39 and the drive unit 33 is instructed to stop traveling. As a result, the product transporting device 3b having the transporting device number 008 stops at a predetermined interval from the product transporting device 3 having the transporting device number 007 running at the top. Subsequently, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3c of the transporting device number 009 receives the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39 because the product transporting device 3b of the transporting device number 008 stops at the front, and the driving unit 33.
Instruct to stop driving. As a result, the product transporting device 3c with the transporting device number 009 stops at a predetermined interval from the product transporting device 3b with the transporting device number 008 running at the top.

Here, the transport device numbers 009, 008,
Picking work instructions are displayed on the display unit 34 in the order of the product transport devices 3c, 3b, and 3a of 007.

Accordingly, the worker 70 takes out a predetermined product from the product shelf 7A in accordance with the picking work instruction displayed on the display section 34 of the product transfer device 3c having the transfer device number 009, and the bar of the product transfer device 3c is picked up. The bar code information is read by using the code reader 36, and when the bar code information is coincident with the bar code information, the bar code information is put into the product transfer box 32c of the product transfer device 3c with the transfer device number 009. Subsequently, the picking operation is performed on the product transfer device 3b having the transfer device number 008, and finally the picking work is performed on the product transfer device 3a having the transfer device number 007. In this case, the worker 70 always performs the picking work from the rearmost product transport device 3. Also,
Each time the worker 70 finishes the picking work, he / she operates the input unit 37 of the commodity transporting device 3 to notify the in-vehicle computers 31 of the end of the picking work.

Next, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines whether or not the picking work is completed at the predetermined stop position P1 of the product shelf 7A (step S37). When the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that the picking work is not completed, the process returns to step S36, and steps S36 and S are performed.
The processing of 37 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that the picking work has been completed at the stop position P1 of the predetermined product shelf 7A, it determines whether or not all the products have been picked (step S38). .
In this case, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines whether or not all picking work has been performed based on whether or not the vehicle has stopped at all the stop positions included in the simultaneous travel information 1. When the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that the picking work for all the products has not been completed, the process returns to step S33,
The processing of steps S33 to S38 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that all the products have been picked, it instructs the drive unit 33 to travel to the goal position G (step 39).

Then, at the goal position G, the products in the product transfer boxes 32 of the product transfer devices 3a to 3c of the transfer device numbers 007 to 009 are transferred by the worker 70 to a transportation truck or the like. As a result, each sales store A, D
The goods can be delivered according to the order information of G and G. As described above, the vehicle-mounted computer 3 of the product transfer device 3
The operation of 1 ends.

As described above, according to the merchandise sorting system of the first embodiment, it is possible to integrally move and stop a plurality of merchandise conveying devices 3 traveling on the same traveling route. As a result, one worker 70 can accompany the plurality of product transporting devices 3 and take out the product from the product shelf 7B at each stop position to sort the products according to the order information from each sales store. Therefore, the worker 70
Can sort products according to order information from a plurality of sales stores at one time. As a result, by using the product sorting system according to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the work efficiency per worker 70.

Even if the type of merchandise included in the order information from one sales store is extremely small, it is possible to combine a plurality of items together with the order information from other sales stores traveling on the same travel route. The number of workers 70 can be reduced by traveling the article transport device 3 of 1. Therefore, labor costs can be reduced even at many sales stores and distribution centers that handle a variety of products.

In the above embodiment, the case where the three product transport devices 3 are made to travel integrally has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any other number of product transport devices 3 are made to travel integrally. You may let me.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a case will be described in which a sorting operation is performed using the product sorting system according to the present invention in the second embodiment. Second
The embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the following points.

15, 16 and 17 are an order information group, storage position information used in the host computer 1 of FIG.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the location information group classified by sales store, the goods location information group, the driving route information group, and the goods conveyance instruction information group.

As shown in FIG. 15A, each order information in the order information group includes a sales store number, a sales store name (hereinafter abbreviated as a sales store), a product number or a product code (hereinafter, product). Abbreviated as a number) and the number of orders received.

As shown in FIG. 15B, the storage position information includes location information indicating the storage shelf area, storage shelf number, number of stages, and pocket position from the left end for each predetermined sales store and the sales store. Is included. This storage position information is stored in advance in the host computer 1 of FIG. Details of the location information included in the storage location information will be described later.

The location information for each sales store of the location information group for sales stores shown in FIG. 15C is added to the order information of the order information group shown in FIG. It is created by associating the location information included in the storage location information shown in.

Next, the product location information of the product location information group shown in FIG. 16A includes the sales store, the number of orders received, and the number of orders received for each product number included in the location information group for each sales store shown in FIG. 15C. It is created by rearranging the location information.

Each travel route information of the travel route information group shown in FIG. 16 (b) includes the order of a plurality of location information and the stop position of the product transport device 3. This travel route information is stored in advance in the host computer 1 of FIG.

Each piece of product transfer instruction information in the product transfer instruction information group shown in FIG. 17A is based on the location information shown in FIG.
It is created by associating the product location information of the product location information group shown in FIG. 6A with the travel route information of the travel route information group shown in FIG. 16B. That is, the product transportation instruction information is created by associating the travel route information including the same location information as the location information included in the product location information of each product number.

Next, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of location information. As shown in FIG. 18, for example, when the location information is “01-02-03-02”, the first two digits of the first numerical value “01-02” are the area 01 where the storage rack is provided. Showing the rear side 2
The digit indicates the storage shelf number 02. Also, the third two-digit "0
"3" indicates the third stage from the bottom of the storage rack, and the last two digits "02" indicates the second pocket position from the left of the storage rack.

Therefore, in this case, the ordered product of the sales store A whose location information is displayed as "01-02-03-02" is the third row from the bottom of the storage shelf of the storage shelf number 02 in the area 01, and the left end. It is stored in the second pocket.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of product transporting devices 3 correspond to the plurality of product transporting means, and the host computer 1 and the on-vehicle computer 31 function as the traveling route determining means, the classifying means, the control means and the stop position determining means. Correspondingly, the traveling route information corresponds to the traveling route, the simultaneous traveling information corresponds to the combination of the stop positions, the sales store corresponds to the ordering source, and the storage position information of the storage rack corresponds to the product storage position.

Next, the operation of the host computer 1 of the product sorting system according to the second embodiment will be described, and then the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3 of the product sorting system according to the second embodiment. Will be described.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the operation of the host computer 1 of FIG. First, the host computer 1 of FIG. 1 receives order information from each sales store (step S51).

Next, the host computer 1 compares the sales store included in the order information for each sales store with the sales store included in the storage position information stored in advance, and determines the location in the order information for each sales store. The information is associated (step S52a). As a result, a location information group for each sales shop is created.

Next, the host computer 1 rearranges the sales store, the number of orders received, and the location information for each product number included in the sales store-specific location information group for each sales store (step S52b). Thereby,
Product location information is created for each product number.

Next, the host computer 1 compares the location information included in the product location information for each product number with the location information included in the pre-stored travel route information group, and the product location information for each sales store. Is associated with travel route information including the same location information (step S53). As a result, product transport instruction information for each product number is created.

Subsequently, the host computer 1 determines whether or not the location information is associated with all the order information received from each sales store and further the traveling route information is associated (step S54). When the host computer 1 determines that the location information and the travel route information are not associated with all the order information, the process returns to step S52 and the processes of steps S52 and S53 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the host computer 1 determines that the location information and the travel route information are associated with all the order information, the product transport instruction information for each product number has the same travel route information. Sorting is performed for each piece of transport instruction information (step S55).

Next, the host computer 1 determines whether or not the rearranged product transfer instruction information includes product transfer instruction information having the same travel route information (step S).
56). When the host computer 1 determines that there is product transportation instruction information having the same traveling route information, the host computer 1 adds the simultaneous traveling information to the product transportation instruction information having the same traveling route information (step S57). This simultaneous travel information will be described later.

On the other hand, when the host computer 1 determines that there is no product transportation instruction information having the same travel route information, the host computer 1 does not add the simultaneous traveling information to the product transportation instruction information and proceeds to the next process.

Finally, the host computer 1 sends the product transfer instruction information to each product transfer device 3 via the communication section 2 of FIG.
(Step S58). Then, when the host computer 1 transmits all the product transportation instruction information,
The process ends.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of rearrangement of the product transportation instruction information. As shown in FIG. 20A, in the process of step S53 of FIG. 19, the host computer 1 associates the product location information of each product number LK01 to LK08 with the travel route information 01 to 04 including the same location information and associates them with each other. Product number LK01 to LK0
The product transportation instruction information for each 8 is created.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20 (b), the host computer 1, in step S55 of FIG. 19, has the product number LK0 having the same travel route information 01.
1, LK04 and LK07 product transport instruction information, product number LK02 and LK05 product transport instruction information having the same travel route information 02, the same travel route information 0
3, the product transport instruction information of product numbers LK03 and LK06, and the product number LK0 having travel route information 04
The commodity transportation instruction information of 8 is rearranged in the order.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20 (c), the host computer 1 adds the simultaneous traveling information 1 to the commodity conveyance instruction information of the commodity numbers LK01, LK04 and LK07 having the same traveling route information 01, and the same information is obtained. Item number LK03 and LK having the same traveling route information 03 by adding the simultaneous traveling information 2 to the item conveyance instruction information of the item numbers LK02 and LK05 having the traveling route information 02.
Simultaneous running information 3 is added to the product conveyance instruction information of 06.
The host computer 1 does not add the simultaneous traveling information to the product transportation instruction information of the product number LK08 because there is only one product transportation instruction information having the same travel route information 04.

Next, FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing the details of the simultaneous traveling information. FIG. 21A shows product numbers LK01 and LK.
No. 04 and LK07 show the transport device numbers and the stop positions of the product transport instruction information, and FIG. 21B shows the simultaneous travel information created by the host computer 1 based on the product transport instruction information shown in FIG. .

The transport device number 007 is assigned to the product transport instruction information of the product number LK01, and the product number LK is assigned.
The transport device number 008 is assigned to the product transport instruction information 04, and the transport device number 009 is assigned to the product transport instruction information of the product number LK07.

In the example of FIG. 21A, the product number LK01
The stop positions included in the product conveyance instruction information are P1, P2,
P7, P8, and P9, the stop positions included in the product transportation instruction information of the product number LK04 are P1 and P9, and the stop positions included in the product transportation instruction information of the product number LK07 are P2, P4, and P8. In this case, the host computer 1 calculates the logical sum of the respective stop positions included in the product conveyance instruction information of the product numbers LK01, LK04, and LK07, and creates the simultaneous travel information 1 by combining the calculated stop positions.

That is, although the stop position P1 is not included in the product conveyance instruction information of the product number LK07, the product number L
The stop position P1 is included in the product conveyance instruction information of K01 and the product number LK04. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (b), the stop position P is included in the simultaneous travel information 1.
1 is included. Further, although the stop position P4 is not included in the product transportation instruction information of the product number LK01 and the product number LK04, the product transportation instruction information of the product number LK07 is
The stop position P4 is included. As a result, as shown in FIG. 21B, the simultaneous travel information 1 includes the stop position P4.

As described above, the product numbers LK01 and LK04
And the stop position included in one of the LK07 product conveyance instruction information is included in the simultaneous traveling information 1. The host computer 1 transfers the product transport instruction information of the product numbers LK01, LK04, and LK07 to the transport device numbers 007 to 007.
009 to each of the product transport devices 3,
Simultaneous travel information 1 is transmitted to the product transporting devices 3 having transporting device numbers 007 to 009.

Next, the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transfer device 3 which has received the product transfer instruction information and the simultaneous running information from the host computer 1 will be described.

Hereinafter, in order to identify the product transporting devices having the transporting device numbers 007 to 009, the product transporting device 3 having the transporting device number 007 is referred to as the product transporting device 3a, and the transporting device number 00
The product transport device 3 of No. 8 is the product transport device 3b, the product transport device 3 of the transport device number 009 is the product transport device 3c,
Lowercase letters "a", "b", and "c" are added respectively. Further, in the case of showing all the product transporting devices 3 of the transporting device numbers 007 to 009, description will be made without adding lowercase letters.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the commodity conveying apparatus 3, and FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the display section 34 of the commodity conveying apparatus 3 traveling in the distribution center. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a travel route in a distribution center.

First, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product carrying device 3 receives the product carrying instruction information and the simultaneous running information from the host computer 1 (step S71).

Next, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product carrying device 3 displays the simultaneous running information on the display section 34 of the product carrying device 3 based on the simultaneous running information (step S72).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 24, the in-vehicle computer 31 has the traveling route information of 01 on the display unit 34, and conveys the merchandise of the conveyance devices Nos. 007 to 009 assigned to the merchandise Nos. Display that the three devices 3 are traveling at the same time. Thereby, the worker recognizes that the traveling route information is 01 and that there are three commodity transporting devices 3 traveling at the same time.

Next, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product carrying device 3 determines whether or not an obstacle signal is received from the obstacle detection sensor 39 provided in the product carrying device 3 (step S73). In-vehicle computer 3 of the product transport device 3
When determining that the obstacle signal has not been received, 1 instructs the drive unit 33 to travel to a predetermined stop position (step S74).

For example, as shown in FIG. 24, since the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3a of the transporting device number 007 at the start position S does not receive the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39, other products are forwardly moved. It recognizes that the carrier device 3 does not exist. As a result, the transport device number 00
The commodity transport device 3a of 7 is self-propelled.

In this case, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3b having the transporting device number 008 is the
No. 7 does not receive the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39 due to the fact that the commodity transporting device 3a of 7 runs by itself. Thereby,
The product transporting device 3b having the transporting device number 008 is self-propelled following the product transporting device 3a having the transporting device number 007. Further, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3c of the transporting device number 009 does not receive the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39 because the product transporting devices 3a and 3b of the transporting device numbers 007 and 008 are self-propelled. As a result, the product transport device 3c with the transport device number 009 is set to the transport device number 0.
The vehicle is self-propelled following the commodity transport devices 3a and 3b of 07,008.

In this way, the transport device numbers 007 to 009
The merchandise transporting device 3 is self-propelled as a unit while maintaining a constant interval along the tape TP. The worker 70 moves to the product shelf 7B on which a predetermined product is displayed together with the product transfer devices 3 having the transfer device numbers 007 to 009.

Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the commodity transporting device 3 determines whether or not the vehicle has traveled to a predetermined stop position according to the stop position included in the simultaneous travel information (step S75). . In this case, as shown in FIG. 24, the in-vehicle computer 31a of the product transporting device 3a with the transporting device number 007 displays the stop mark MK (FIG. 8) attached to the floor at the predetermined stop position P1 to the stop position detecting sensor 4
It is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled to a predetermined stop position P1 based on whether or not 1 is detected.

When it is determined that the vehicle-mounted computer 31 has not traveled to the predetermined stop position P1, the process returns to step S74 and the processes of steps S74 and S75 are repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle-mounted computer 31 has traveled to the predetermined stop position P1, the drive unit 33
Is instructed to stop traveling, and the picking work instruction is displayed on the display unit 34 (step S76).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 24, when it is determined that the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the commodity transporting apparatus 3a having the transporting apparatus number 007 traveling at the head has traveled to the predetermined stop position P1, the drive unit 33 is instructed. Instruct to stop driving. As a result, the transport device number 007 that travels at the top
The product transport device 3a stops. Then, the in-vehicle computer 31 of the product transportation device 3b having the transportation device number 008,
Since the product transportation device 3a having the transportation device number 007 stops at the front, an obstacle signal is received from the obstacle detection sensor 39 and the drive unit 33 is instructed to stop traveling. As a result, the product transporting device 3b having the transporting device number 008 stops at a predetermined interval from the product transporting device 3 having the transporting device number 007 running at the top. Subsequently, the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the product transporting device 3c of the transporting device number 009 receives the obstacle signal from the obstacle detection sensor 39 because the product transporting device 3b of the transporting device number 008 stops at the front, and the driving unit 33.
Instruct to stop driving. As a result, the product transporting device 3c with the transporting device number 009 stops at a predetermined interval from the product transporting device 3b with the transporting device number 008 running at the top.

Here, the carrier device numbers 009, 008,
Sorting work instructions are displayed on the display unit 34 in the order of the product transport devices 3c, 3b, 3a of 007.

As a result, the worker 70 takes out a predetermined product from the product transfer box 32 of the product transfer device 3c according to the sorting work instruction displayed on the display section 34 of the product transfer device 3c having the transfer device number 009, The barcode information is read by using the barcode reader 36 of the commodity transporting device 3c, and if the barcode information matches, the barcode information is put into the storage rack 7B. Subsequently, a sorting operation is performed on the product transportation device 3b having the transportation device number 008, and finally, the transportation device number 007.
Sorting work is performed on the product transport device 3a.
In this case, the worker 70 always performs the sorting work from the rearmost product transport device 3. Further, the worker 70 operates the input unit 37 of the commodity transporting device 3 each time the sorting work is completed, and notifies each in-vehicle computer 31 of the completion of the sorting work.

Next, the in-vehicle computer 31 determines whether or not the sorting work is completed at the predetermined stop position P1 of the storage rack 7B (step S77). When the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that the sorting work has not been completed, the process returns to step S76 and step S7.
The process of S6 and S77 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that the sorting work has been completed at the stop position P1 of the predetermined storage rack 7B, it determines whether or not the sorting work has been carried out at all the stores (step S).
78). In this case, the in-vehicle computer 31 determines whether or not all sorting work has been performed based on whether or not the vehicle has stopped at all the stop positions included in the simultaneous traveling information 1. When the in-vehicle computer 31 determines that the sorting work has not been completed at all the sales stores, the process returns to step S73, and steps S73 to S78 are repeated.

On the other hand, when the vehicle-mounted computer 31 determines that the sorting work has been performed at all the stores, it instructs the drive unit 33 to travel to the goal position G (step 79).

Then, the commodities sorted on the storage shelves 7B from the respective commodity transport boxes 32 of the commodity transport apparatuses 3a to 3c having the transport apparatus numbers 007 to 009 are transferred to the transportation truck or the like by the worker 70. Thereby, the product can be delivered according to the order information of each sales store. With the above, the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer 31 of the commodity transporting device 3 ends.

As described above, according to the merchandise sorting system of the second embodiment, it is possible to integrally move and stop a plurality of merchandise conveying devices 3 traveling on the same traveling route. As a result, one worker 70 accompanies the plurality of product transfer devices 3 and takes out the product from the product transfer box 32 of the product transfer device 3 in front of the predetermined storage rack 7B, and stores the product in the predetermined storage rack 7B. Can be sorted. Therefore, the worker 70 can sort the products according to the order information from a plurality of sales stores at one time. As a result, by using the product sorting system according to the second embodiment, it is possible to improve the work efficiency per worker 70.

Further, even when one type of product loaded in the product transport box 32 of the product transport device 3 is included only in the order information of one sales store, another sale running on the same travel route is performed. The number of workers 70 can be reduced by running the plurality of product transport devices 3 as one unit together with the order information of the store. Therefore,
Personnel costs can be reduced even at many sales stores and distribution centers that handle a wide variety of products.

In the above embodiment, the case where the three product transporting devices 3 are made to travel integrally has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and another arbitrary number of product transporting devices 3 are made to travel integrally. You may let me.

[0151]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of commodity conveying means traveling on the same traveling route can be run side by side.
It is possible for each worker to move together with the plurality of product transporting means and sort the products using the plurality of product transporting means at one time. Thereby, the work efficiency per worker can be improved, and the number of workers can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize cost reduction of personnel expenses even when sorting various products.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product sorting system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram showing an order information group, a storage position information, a product location information group, a travel route information group, and a product transportation instruction information group used in the host computer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an order information group, a storage position information, a product location information group, a traveling route information group, and a product transportation instruction information group used in the host computer of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of location information.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of travel route information.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a host computer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the product transport device of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the product transport device of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of rearrangement of product conveyance instruction information.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing details of simultaneous travel information.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer of the product transfer device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display unit of a product transportation device that travels in a distribution center.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a travel route in a distribution center.

15 is an explanatory diagram showing an order information group, a storage position information, a location information group for each store, a product location information group, a travel route information group, and a product transportation instruction information group used in the host computer of FIG.

16 is an explanatory diagram showing an order information group, a storage position information, a location information group for each store, a product location information group, a travel route information group, and a product transportation instruction information group used in the host computer of FIG.

17 is an explanatory diagram showing an order information group, a storage position information, a location information group for each store, a product location information group, a travel route information group, and a product transportation instruction information group used in the host computer of FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of location information.

19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of rearrangement of product conveyance instruction information.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing details of simultaneous travel information.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted computer of the product transport device.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display unit of a product transfer device that travels in a distribution center.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a travel route in a distribution center

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing product sorting work using a product transport device.

FIG. 26 is a diagram when performing a picking type sorting work;
Enlarged view of a part of 5.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view in which a part of FIG. 25 is enlarged when the sorting method sorting work is performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host computer 2 Communications department 3,3a, 3b, 3c Product transport device 7,7A, 7B Product shelf, storage shelf 31 In-vehicle computer 32 Product Transport Box 33 Drive 34 Display 35 Transmitter / receiver 36 Bar Code Reader 37 Input section 38 Label Printer 39 Obstacle detection sensor 40 Passage detection sensor 41 Stop position detection sensor 70 worker 500 CPU 501 I / O device 502 ROM 503 RAM 504 recording medium 505 Recording medium driving device 506 External storage device S start position G goal position

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A merchandise sorting system that sorts merchandise by moving to a plurality of merchandise storage positions, and shows a plurality of merchandise transporting means that travels while transporting merchandise, and merchandise to be sorted and merchandise storage positions. The traveling route determining means for determining the traveling route of each of the plurality of product transporting means based on the sorting information, and the plurality of product transporting means for the same traveling route based on the travel route determined by the traveling route determining means. A plurality of product transporting means in units of the group of product transporting means classified by the classifying means so that the classifying means for classifying into the group of the product transporting means and the plurality of product transporting means having the same traveling route run in parallel. And a control means for controlling the traveling operation of the commodity sorting system. 2. A stop position determination unit that determines a combination of stop positions of a plurality of product transportation units included in the group classified by the classification unit as a stop position of a plurality of product transportation units of the group, The control means controls the plurality of commodity transportation means of the group so that each of the plurality of commodity transportation means included in the group classified by the classification means stops at the stop position determined by the stop position determination means. The product sorting system according to claim 1, wherein the traveling operation is controlled. 3. The sorting information includes the type and quantity of products ordered for each orderer and the product storage position, and each of the plurality of product storage positions is allocated for each product type, and the allocated product 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of product transporting means is provided for storing the Two
The described product sorting system. 4. The sorting information includes the type and quantity of products ordered for each orderer, and the product storage position. Each of the plurality of product storage positions is assigned to each orderer, and the assigned orderer It is provided to store a product to be delivered to each of the plurality of product transfer means, and each of the plurality of product transfer means is assigned to each product type and is used to transfer the assigned type of product. Item sorting system according to item 1 or 2. 5. A product sorting method for sorting products by moving to a plurality of product storage positions together with a plurality of product transport means that travel while transporting products, and a product sorting method that indicates a product to be sorted and a product storage position. Determining the travel route of each of the plurality of product transport means based on information, and classifying the plurality of product transport means into a group of product transport means having the same travel route based on the determined travel route And a step of controlling the traveling operation of the plurality of product conveying units in units of the group of the classified product conveying units so that the plurality of product conveying units having the same traveling route run in parallel. How to sort products. 6. A product sorting program which causes a computer to carry out product sorting by moving to a plurality of product storage positions together with a plurality of product transporting means for transporting products, wherein the products to be sorted and product storage positions. Processing for determining the traveling route of each of the plurality of product transporting means based on the sorting information indicating that, and the plurality of product transporting means are grouped into a group of product transporting means having the same traveling route based on the determined travel route. The classification processing and the processing of controlling the traveling operation of the plurality of product transportation means in units of the group of the classified product transportation means so that the plurality of product transportation means having the same travel route run in parallel to the computer. A product sorting program characterized by being executed.