JP2005187107A - Delivery method in distribution system and distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance delivery capacity of a whole of a system by reducing convergence waiting time of an aisle conveyer. <P>SOLUTION: After a cargo 17 of a plurality of automatic warehouses 12a to 12c is converged in a carrying conveyer through the aisle conveyers 14a to 14c, the cargo 17 is delivered by predetermined procedures. A stock management computer outputs carrying instruction data to respective crane controllers of the respective automatic warehouses 12a to 12c so that the cargo 17 of which consignee is same and delivery order is later does not exist in the cargos 17 laterally aligned in a condition that the delivered cargos 17 wait on the aisle conveyers 14a to 14c and the cargo 17 of which delivery order is earlier does not exist in a row behind the row laterally aligned. A conveyer control panel controls the aisle conveyers 14a to 14c so that the cargo 17 on the aisle conveyers 14a to 14c is carried by the carrying conveyer 15 in the predetermined delivery order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a delivery method and a logistics system in a logistics system, and more specifically, includes a plurality of automatic warehouses, and loads delivered from each automatic warehouse are joined to a common transport conveyor via an aisle conveyor for each automatic warehouse. The present invention relates to a delivery method and a logistics system in a logistics system that transports and delivers a cargo delivered from each automatic warehouse in a predetermined order.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this type of distribution system includes a plurality (for example, three buildings) of automatic warehouses 61, an aisle conveyor 62 provided for each automatic warehouse 61, and a plurality of (for example, four units) shipping chute conveyors. 63 and a conveyor 64 for conveyance. The conveyor 64 for conveyance conveys the load 65 carried out (delivered) from each aisle conveyor 62 to a position corresponding to the delivery chute conveyor 63.

  In conventional automatic warehouse delivery allocation, first-in first-out is basic, so the management computer that manages inventory and delivery allocates the oldest stock at the time of receipt among the same products. For example, the loads 65 are placed on the delivery chute conveyors 63 of A, B, C, and D, respectively A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, C-1, C-2. , C-3, D-1, D-2, D-3, the management computer performs A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, A-2, A delivery instruction is issued in the order of B-2, C-2,. However, A-1, B-1, C-1, D-1, A-2, B-2 are not assigned to No. 1 warehouse, and C-2 is first assigned to No. 1 warehouse. On the aisle conveyor 62, the load 65 may stand by in the order shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of automatic warehouses 61, an incoming conveyor 66 for carrying loads 65 (articles) into the automatic warehouse 61, an outgoing conveyor 67 for carrying the loads 65, and an incoming / outgoing control device 68 are provided. In the physical distribution system provided, a method for storing goods 65 in advance in the order of delivery has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-100122 (paragraphs [0018] to [0024] of FIG. 4, FIG. 4)

  However, in the former physical distribution system, the load 65 waiting on the aisle conveyor 62 arranged on the downstream side of the transfer conveyor 64 is arranged in the upstream side with the load 65 ahead of the load. When the cargo is delivered on the aisle conveyor 62, it cannot be joined to the conveyor 64 until the load 65 passes. For example, when the load 65 is delivered from the automatic warehouse 61 so as to stand by in the state shown in FIG. 7, the C-2 load 65 waiting at the exit of the aisle conveyor 62 of the No. 1 warehouse is the No. 2 warehouse and No. 3 Until the load 65 of A-1, B-1, C-1, and D-1 delivered on the aisle conveyor 62 of the warehouse passes, it cannot join the conveyor 64 for conveyance. As a result, there is a problem that the time for waiting for conveyance (waiting for merging) becomes long, and the delivery / delivery capability of the entire system cannot be fully exhibited, resulting in poor efficiency.

  The method of Patent Document 1 can solve the above problem, but cannot cope with the case where the order of delivery is not determined when the load 65 is received. In addition, depending on the system, it may not be necessary to carry out first-in first-out and first-out. For example, if there is an item in the inventory management item that items are issued in the oldest order, such as the expiration date or the date of manufacture, the items may be allocated in any order within the same expiration date or the same date of manufacture.

  The present invention relates to a distribution system in which loads of a plurality of automatic warehouses are merged with a conveyor for conveyance via an aisle conveyor and then shipped in a predetermined order. It is an object to provide a delivery method and a distribution system in a distribution system that can increase the output capacity.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of automatic warehouses, and loads the goods delivered from the respective automatic warehouses to each common warehouse via aisle conveyors, and conveys them to each other. This is a delivery method in a logistics system in which loads delivered from a warehouse are shipped in a predetermined order. The management computer that performs at least inventory management of the automatic warehouse load and creation of delivery data indicating the delivery order of the automatic warehouse load calculates the delivery order for each automatic warehouse when creating the delivery data. To do. Then, when the management computer outputs the load transfer instruction data to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse, the shipping destination is among the side-by-side loads in the state where the discharged load is waiting on the aisle conveyor. Output the load transfer instruction data to the transfer control device of each automatic warehouse so that there is no load with the same shipment order and no load ahead of the next row. To do. The conveyor control device for controlling the aisle conveyor controls each aisle conveyor so that a load on each aisle conveyor is conveyed by the conveying conveyor in a predetermined delivery order. Here, the “predetermined order” means, for example, the oldest expiration date or the order of production date. “Unloading” means delivering a load from an automatic warehouse onto an aisle conveyor, and “shipping” means unloading the unloaded load from a conveyor for transportation. In addition, “side by side” means that when aisle conveyors are driven simultaneously with a plurality of aisle conveyors being loaded, the loads on each aisle conveyor are simultaneously carried out onto the conveyor for conveyance. It means the state that is lined up like.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the delivery order is determined in a predetermined order for each automatic warehouse, and in the state of delivery on each aisle conveyor, the shipment destination is the same among the side-by-side loads and the shipment order is later. There is no load in the order of shipment in the row behind the row. As a result, the joining waiting time of the aisle conveyor can be reduced as compared with the conventional delivery method.

  The invention according to claim 2 includes a plurality of automatic warehouses, and each of the automatic warehouses is combined with a common conveyor for conveyance via an aisle conveyor for each of the automatic warehouses. Downstream from the position corresponding to the aisle conveyor of the conveyor, the number of shipping conveyors corresponding to a plurality of different shipping destinations is branched and less than the total number of aisle conveyors, and the goods are delivered from each automatic warehouse. This is a delivery method in a distribution system for shipping the loads to be shipped in a predetermined order. The management computer that performs at least inventory management of the automatic warehouse load and creation of delivery data indicating the delivery order of the automatic warehouse load calculates the delivery order for each automatic warehouse when creating the delivery data. To do. Then, when the management computer outputs the load transfer instruction data to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse, the shipping destination is among the side-by-side loads in the state where the discharged load is waiting on the aisle conveyor. The same shipment that is later in the shipping order waits on the aisle conveyor located upstream of the transfer conveyor, and there is no load that precedes the shipping sequence in the rear row. The cargo transfer instruction data is output to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse. The conveyor control device for controlling the aisle conveyor controls the aisle conveyors to be driven simultaneously.

  In this invention, the order of delivery is determined in a predetermined order for each automatic warehouse, and when the load waits on each aisle conveyor, the shipment destination is the same among the side-by-side loads and the shipment order is later. Waits on an aisle conveyor located upstream of the conveyor. Then, the aisle conveyors are driven simultaneously, and the loads that are waiting side by side on the aisle conveyor are carried out one by one on the conveyor for conveyance. Therefore, the waiting time for joining the aisle conveyor can be reduced.

  The invention according to claim 3 is provided with a plurality of automatic warehouses, and each of the automatic warehouses is combined with a common conveyor for conveyance via an aisle conveyor for each automatic warehouse, and each automatic warehouse is transported. This is a physical distribution system that ships the goods delivered from the warehouse in a predetermined order. And a conveyor control device for controlling a conveyor installed in the automatic warehouse, an aisle conveyor for conveying the load delivered from the conveyor, a conveyor controller for controlling the aisle conveyor, and at least the automatic warehouse A management computer that performs inventory management of the cargo and creation of delivery data indicating the delivery order of the cargo in the automatic warehouse. The management computer calculates the order of delivery for each automatic warehouse when creating the delivery data, and outputs the cargo transfer instruction data to the transfer machine controller of each automatic warehouse. In the standby state, there is no load that is the same ship-to in the side-by-side load and the shipment order is later, and there is no load that is in the next order from the side-by-side column. The load transfer instruction data is output to the transfer machine controller of each automatic warehouse.

  In this invention, as in the invention described in claim 1, the management computer calculates the order of delivery for each automatic warehouse, and outputs the load conveyance instruction data to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse. And when the transport machine control device of each automatic warehouse controls the transport machine based on the transport instruction data and performs the delivery, the delivery destination is the same among the side-by-side loads when delivered on each aisle conveyor In this case, there is no load whose shipping order is later, and there is no load whose shipping order is earlier than that in the horizontal row. As a result, the joining waiting time of the aisle conveyor can be reduced as compared with the conventional delivery method.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, a state in which shipping conveyors corresponding to a plurality of different shipping destinations branch downstream from a position corresponding to the aisle conveyor of the conveying conveyor. Is provided. In this invention, since the load sent from the aisle conveyor onto the conveyor is shipped through the shipping conveyors provided for a plurality of different shipping destinations, the aisle conveyors wait for joining. Even if the load is simultaneously transferred onto the conveyor for transportation, each load is transferred to the shipping conveyor at the corresponding shipping destination without any trouble.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the transfer conveyor is configured to carry out the load delivered from the aisle conveyor from one outlet. And when the said management computer outputs the conveyance instruction | indication data of a load to the conveyance machine control apparatus of each said automatic warehouse, in the state which the discharged cargo waits on the said aisle conveyor, it is downstream of the said conveyor for conveyance. The load transfer instruction data is output to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse so that the load on the located aisle conveyor is the load shipped earlier from the transfer conveyor.

  In this invention, the conveyor for shipping is not provided in a state of branching corresponding to each shipping destination on the conveyor, but even if the load is simultaneously transferred from each aisle conveyor to the conveyor for transportation in a predetermined order. The load can be shipped.

  According to the present invention, in a logistics system in which loads in a plurality of automatic warehouses are merged with a conveyor for conveyance via an aisle conveyor and then shipped in a predetermined order, the aisle conveyor's merge waiting time is reduced. It is possible to increase the issue capacity of the entire system.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a physical distribution system, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a management computer, a transport machine control device, and a conveyor control device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cargo delivery state. 4 is a flowchart showing a delivery allocation procedure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the logistics system 11 includes a plurality of automatic warehouses 12a to 12c,
A carry-in conveyor 13, an aisle aisle conveyor 14a-14c provided for each automatic warehouse 12a-12c, a conveyor 15 for delivery, and a delivery chute conveyor 16a-16d as a plurality of shipping conveyors are provided. Yes. The delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d are provided in a state where the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d branch from the positions corresponding to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c of the transport conveyor 15 corresponding to the shipping destination.

  Each automatic warehouse 12a-12c is provided with a stacker crane (not shown) as a transporter. The aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are constituted by, for example, a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. The conveyor 15 includes a merging portion 15a disposed in a state orthogonal to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c and a branching portion 15b disposed in a state orthogonal to the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d. The conveyor 15 is configured such that the merging portion 15a and the branching portion 15b can be driven independently.

  A delivery device (not shown) for delivering the load 17 transported by the transporting conveyor 15 onto the shipping chute conveyors 16a to 16d is provided at the branching portion 15b in correspondence with the entrances of the shipping chute conveyors 16a to 16d. Equipped. The delivery device includes a stopper that restricts the movement of the load 17 in the direction along the branching portion 15b, and the load 17 in a state in which the movement in the direction along the branching portion 15b is restricted by the stopper. To 16d. Sensors 18 for detecting a shipping destination identification code (not shown) provided on the load 17 are provided upstream of positions corresponding to the entrances of the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d of the branch portion 15b. And the said delivery apparatus is driven based on the detection signal of the sensor 18, and the load 17 on the branch part 15b is delivered to the shipping chute conveyors 16a-16d of a shipping destination.

  As shown in FIG. 2, crane controllers 20 a to 20 c as a transport machine control device and a conveyor control panel 19 as a conveyor control device are connected to an inventory management computer 21 as a management computer. The inventory management computer 21 can exchange data signals with the conveyor control panel 19 and the crane controllers 20a to 20c via the network.

  The conveyor control panel 19 is connected to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, the transfer conveyor 15 and the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d, and based on the work instruction signal of the inventory management computer 21, each of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, the transfer conveyor 15 and the delivery The chute conveyors 16a to 16d are controlled. Each of the crane controllers 20a to 20c is provided in each of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c, and controls the stacker cranes (cranes) 22a to 22c as the transfer machines based on the work instruction signal (transport instruction data) of the inventory management computer 21, respectively. .

  The inventory management computer 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and at least inventory management of the loads 17 of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c and delivery data indicating the order of delivery of the loads 17 of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c. Create and do. The inventory management computer 21 calculates the order of delivery for each of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c when creating the delivery data. In addition, when the inventory management computer 21 outputs a delivery instruction as the transport instruction data of the load 17 to each crane controller 20a to 20c, the state in which the delivered load 17 waits on each of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c is predetermined. Output to satisfy the condition. The condition is that, in a state where the load 17 is waiting on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, there is no load 17 in the side-by-side load 17 with the same shipping destination and the shipping order later, and the rear side of the side-by-side row This means that there is no load 17 in the order of shipment. In addition, the inventory management computer 21 notifies the conveyor control panel 19 of the destination (shipment destination) and order of the load 17 delivered from the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c.

  The crane controllers 20a to 20c output the shipping instructions received from the inventory management computer 21 to the stacker cranes 22a to 22c. The stacker cranes 22a to 22c deliver the load 17 designated by the crane controllers 20a to 20c to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c.

  The conveyor control panel 19 controls the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c and the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d according to the destination and the order received from the inventory management computer 21 for the loads 17 delivered from the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c.

  The conveyor control panel 19 and the crane controllers 20a to 20c output a signal indicating that to the inventory management computer 21 when the control operation is completed. The inventory management computer 21 manages the progress of work according to the signal.

Next, the operation of the physical distribution system 11 configured as described above will be described.
The inventory management computer 21 allocates inventory to each of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c so that the load 17 is transported by the transport conveyor 15 so as to be in the state shown in FIG. I do. Specifically, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, inventory allocation is performed for each of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c.

  In step S1, the inventory management computer 21 sets 1 (to store A) to the chute destination number (shipping destination), and then proceeds to step S2 to set 1 to the automatic warehouse number for inventory search. Next, in step S3, the inventory management computer 21 determines whether there is an inventory (the oldest expiry date or the load 17 on the manufacturing date) that can be delivered to the automatic warehouse. If there is a stock that can be delivered, the process proceeds to step S4, after the inventory of the automatic warehouse is allocated, the process proceeds to step S5. If there is no inventory that can be delivered to the automatic warehouse in step S3, the inventory management computer 21 proceeds to step S6. In step S6, 1 is added to the automatic warehouse number (however, if the automatic warehouse number is MAX, the automatic warehouse number is set to 1). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S7, the inventory management computer 21 adds 1 to the shoot destination number (shipping destination) (however, if the shoot destination number is MAX, the shoot destination number is set to 1). Thereafter, the inventory management computer 21 proceeds to step S8, and determines whether or not the number of outgoing instructions (assigned number) instructed to the automatic warehouse is two or more than the number of outgoing instructions (assigned number) instructed to other automatic warehouses. to decide. If there are two or more, the process returns to step S7, and if there are not two or more, the process returns to step S3.

  By repeating this process, allocation is performed so that the number of instructed delivery instructions is equalized for each of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c. For example, when the oldest stock is continuously present in the No. 3 warehouse, the loads A-1 and B-1 are continuously allocated to the aisle conveyor 14c of the No. 3 warehouse as shown in FIG. There is also. However, the load 17 is not allocated to the No. 3 warehouse until the load 17 is allocated to the No. 1 warehouse and the No. 2 warehouse, which are other automatic warehouses, based on the determination in Step S8. In addition, as a premise for the allocation of the shipment, allocation is performed in the order of shipment destination A store, B store, C store, and D store, and in order of shipment, that is, A-1, B-1, C- 1, D-1, A-2, B-2, C-2, D-2, A-3, B-3, C-3, and D-3 are assigned in this order. Accordingly, in step S3, even if a load 17 having an expiration date or production date older than the stock load 17 in the automatic warehouse exists in another automatic warehouse, A-1, B-1, and C-1 are already different. In the case of being assigned to an automatic warehouse, D-1 is assigned to the load 17 having the oldest expiration date or manufacturing date in the automatic warehouse.

  The inventory management computer 21 allocates the delivery as described above, and sequentially outputs the delivery instructions to the crane controllers 20a to 20c. The crane controllers 20a to 20c control the stacker cranes 22a to 22c according to the delivery instructions. The cargo 17 is delivered to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c (wholesale).

  Further, the inventory management computer 21 notifies (outputs) the destination and order information of the load 17 to the conveyor control panel 19 at the timing when the stacker cranes 22a to 22c deliver the load 17 to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c. The conveyor control panel 19 controls the joining and branching of the conveyors, that is, the aisle conveyors 14 a to 14 c and the conveying conveyor 15 in accordance with the destination and order of the load 17.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the load 17 is left on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c in a standby state, the conveyor control panel 19 controls the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c to be driven simultaneously. And the load 17 is sent out in order of C-1, B-1, and A-1 from the downstream on the junction part 15a, and is conveyed to the branch part 15b. In the branch portion 15b, the load 17 is delivered to the respective outgoing chute conveyors 16a, 16b, and 16c at positions corresponding to the outgoing chute conveyors 16a, 16b, and 16c.

  The conveyor control panel 19 is temporarily stopped in a state in which the load 17 for one row is sent out to the joining portion 15a, and after the load 17 of A-1 passes through the position corresponding to the aisle conveyor 14a, the aisle conveyors 14a to 14a again. 14c is controlled to be driven simultaneously. Thereafter, in the same manner, the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are intermittently driven simultaneously, and the load 17 is sent out onto the conveyor 15 for conveyance. And it is conveyed to the branch part 15b, and is delivered to the corresponding delivery chute conveyors 16a-16d in the branch part 15b. As a result, the cargo 17 is placed in a predetermined order on each of the shipping chute conveyors 16a to 16d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the cargo 17 is left on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c in a standby state, the conveyor control panel 19 drives the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c intermittently at the same time as described above. Then, the load 17 is sent out onto the junction 15a. As a result, the loads 17 are arranged in a predetermined order on the outgoing chute conveyors 16a to 16d.

This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) The inventory management computer 21 is in a state where the delivered load 17 waits on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, and there is no load 17 in the side-by-side load 17 where the shipping destination is the same and the shipping order is later. In addition, the conveyance instruction data is output to the crane controllers 20a to 20c so that there is no load 17 that precedes the shipping sequence in the rear row. Moreover, the conveyor control board 19 controls each aisle conveyor 14a-14c so that the load 17 on each aisle conveyor 14a-14c is conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 15 in predetermined delivery order. Therefore, in a state where the load 17 is delivered on each of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, there is no load 17 in the side-by-side load 17 in which the shipping destination is the same and the shipping order is later, and the rear side of the side-by-side row There is no load 17 in the order of shipment. As a result, the joining waiting time of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c can be reduced as compared with the conventional delivery method.

  (2) The aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are driven at the same time in order to simultaneously send out the loads 17 delivered on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c onto the transfer conveyor 15 one row at a time. Accordingly, the conveyor control panel 19 only needs to drive the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c intermittently and simultaneously, and the control becomes simpler than when the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are independently driven at different periods. .

  (3) Outlet chute conveyors 16a to 16d corresponding to a plurality of different shipping destinations are provided downstream from positions corresponding to the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c of the conveyor 15 for conveyance. Therefore, the load 17 sent out from the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c onto the transfer conveyor 15 is shipped via delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d provided corresponding to a plurality of different shipping destinations. As a result, even if the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c do not wait for merging and the load 17 is simultaneously transferred onto the transfer conveyor 15, each load 17 is transferred to the corresponding delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d without any trouble. .

  (4) A sensor 18 for detecting the ship destination identification code of the load 17 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d of the branch part 15b, and the delivery device is driven based on the detection signal of the sensor 18, The load 17 on the branching portion 15b is delivered to the shipping chute conveyors 16a to 16d as shipping destinations. Therefore, the branch part 15b can deliver the predetermined load 17 to each of the outgoing chute conveyors 16a to 16d while continuing to drive.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the point that the conveyor 15 is configured to carry out the load 17 delivered from each of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c from one outlet, that is, it does not include the branch portion 15b. This is different from the first embodiment. In addition, when the inventory management computer 21 outputs the load transfer instruction data to each of the crane controllers 20a to 20c, the load 17 on the aisle conveyor located downstream of the transfer conveyor 15 is as far as the load conveyor 15 from the transfer conveyor 15. Another difference is that the load conveyance instruction data is output so that the load 17 is shipped. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the physical distribution system.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the transfer conveyor 15 does not include the branching portion 15 b, and the load 17 transferred from each of the aisle conveyors 14 a to 14 c is transferred in the arrangement order and shipped from the outlet. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, in the state in which the delivered cargo is waiting on the aisle conveyor, there is no load that is the same destination in the side-by-side load and the shipping order is later, and the side-by-side The control of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c may be complicated only by the condition that there is no load ahead of the shipment order in the rear row.

  Therefore, when the inventory management computer 21 sequentially outputs the conveyance instruction data of the load 17 to the crane controllers 20a to 20c, the unloading load 17 waits on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, as shown in FIG. The conveyance instruction data is output so that That is, A-1, D-1, C-2, and B-3 are delivered in order on the aisle conveyor 14a of the first warehouse, and B-1, A-2, The goods are delivered in the order of D-2 and C-3, and the goods are delivered in the order of C-1, B-2, A-3, and D-3 on the aisle conveyor 14a of the third warehouse. In this state, the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are intermittently driven at the same time, and the load 17 is delivered onto the conveyor 15 for conveyance.

Therefore, this embodiment has the following effects.
(5) The conveyor 15 for conveyance is comprised so that the load 17 delivered from the aisle conveyors 14a-14c may be carried out from one exit. However, when the inventory management computer 21 sequentially outputs the transfer instruction data of the load 17 to the crane controllers 20a to 20c, the load 17 on the aisle conveyor located downstream of the transfer conveyor 15 is further away from the transfer conveyor 15. The load conveyance instruction data is output so that the load 17 is shipped. Accordingly, although the shipping conveyors (shipping chute conveyors 16a to 16d) are not provided corresponding to each shipping destination on the conveyor 15 for transportation, the loads 17 are simultaneously transported from the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c. Even if it is delivered to the conveyor 15, the load can be shipped in a predetermined order without any trouble.

  (6) Since it is not necessary to provide the shipping conveyor (shipping chute conveyors 16a to 16d) in a branched state corresponding to each shipping destination, the structure of the distribution system 11 is simplified.

The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be embodied as follows, for example.
○ As in the second embodiment, when the conveyor 15 is configured to carry the load 17 delivered from the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c from one outlet, the inventory management computer 21 is the first You may output conveyance instruction data to each crane controller 20a-20c on the conditions similar to these embodiments. The condition is that in the state where the delivered load 17 stands by on the aisle conveyor, there is no load that is the same in the shipping destination and the shipping order is later in the side-by-side load, and the rear row of the horizontal row This is a condition that there is no load in the shipping order. That is, you may leave the aisle so that the load 17 waits on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c as shown in FIG. In this case, the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are not driven at the same time, but by repeatedly driving the aisle conveyor 14c of the No. 3 warehouse, the ais conveyor 14b of the No. 2 warehouse, and the ais conveyor 14a of the No. 1 warehouse, The load 17 can be shipped in a predetermined order. Compared to the configuration in which the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c are driven intermittently and sequentially at the same time, the waiting time for joining the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c is increased, but compared with the prior art in which the load 17 is waiting in the arrangement as shown in FIG. Thus, the waiting time for joining decreases.

  ○ For each delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d provided in the branching portion 15b, when it is not necessary to keep the order completely, for example, either A-1 or A-2 may be first. -2 and A-3 can also be applied to a system where it is impossible to reverse the order.

  In the first embodiment, the number of aisle conveyors 14a to 14c is not limited to the number of delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d. The configuration may be larger than the number of ~ 16d.

  ○ The warehouse entrances of the automatic warehouses 12a to 12c are not limited to the side opposite to the delivery exit, and may be provided anywhere. For example, it may be provided on the same side as the exit port. When it is provided on the same side as the exit port, the entrance port and the exit port are arranged up and down, and one is used as the entrance port and the other is used as the exit port.

  ○ In the first embodiment, instead of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, step S <b> 6 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 is eliminated, and in step S <b> 3, when there is no inventory that can be delivered, the process proceeds to step S <b> 7. A flowchart may be used.

  ○ In the configuration in which the conveyor for shipping is provided in a state where the conveyor for shipping is branched in correspondence with each shipping destination, if the number of shipping conveyors is less than the total number of aisle conveyors, the shipment has been issued. In a state where the load 17 stands by on the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c, there may be a load in which the shipping destination is the same and the shipping order is later in the side-by-side loads. However, the inventory management computer 21 determines that there is no load that precedes the side-by-side column in the order of shipment, and that when the delivered load waits on the aisle conveyor, The load transfer instruction data is output so that the load whose shipment destination is the same and whose shipment order is later waits on the aisle conveyor located on the upstream side of the transfer conveyor. Further, the conveyor control panel 19 controls the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c to be driven simultaneously. Then, the aisle conveyors are simultaneously driven, and the loads waiting side by side on the aisle conveyors are carried out one by one onto the transfer conveyor 15 at the same time. Therefore, the waiting time for joining the aisle conveyor can be reduced.

  ○ When the load 17 is sent out as in the first embodiment, in the configuration in which each of the aisle conveyors 14a to 14c is driven simultaneously, instead of a configuration that can be driven independently as an aisle conveyor, A conveyor driven simultaneously by a drive source may be used.

O You may make it drive each aisle conveyor 14a-14c in the state discharged for 1 row, without waiting for the load 17 to be shipped in multiple rows on each aisle conveyor 14a-14c.
○ In the configuration in which the delivery chute conveyors 16a to 16d are provided in the downstream portion of the conveyor 15 for transportation, instead of enabling the conveyor 15 to be driven independently of the upstream merging portion and the downstream branching portion, One drive source may be used.

  ○ The automatic warehouses 12a to 12c are not limited to those equipped with the stacker cranes 22a to 22c, and the storage racks of the automatic warehouse are configured to be rotary, and the corresponding empty shelves are stopped at the storage position, and the goods are received from the conveyor. The thing of the system which stops the applicable shelf at the delivery position, and delivers the load to be delivered on a conveyor may be used.

The technical idea (invention) that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described below.
(1) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the transporter is a stacker crane.

  (2) In the invention according to claim 3, the transfer conveyor is configured such that a merging portion corresponding to the aisle conveyor and a branching portion corresponding to the shipping conveyor can be driven independently.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a physical distribution system according to a first embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the relationship between an inventory control computer, a crane controller, etc. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the delivery state of a load. The flowchart which shows the delivery allocation procedure. The schematic block diagram of the distribution system of 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the delivery state of the load in another embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the distribution system of a prior art. The schematic block diagram of another prior art physical distribution system.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Logistics system, 12a-12c ... Automatic warehouse, 14a-14c ... Aisle conveyor, 15 ... Conveyor for conveyance, 16a-16d ... Delivery chute conveyor as shipping conveyor, 17 ... Load, 19 ... Conveyor as conveyor control device Control panel, 20a to 20c: crane controller as a transport machine control device, 21 ... inventory management computer as a management computer, 22a to 22c ... stacker crane as a transport machine.

Claims (5)

A plurality of automated warehouses are provided, the cargoes delivered from each automated warehouse are transported by being joined to a common conveyor via the aisle conveyor for each automated warehouse, and the cargoes delivered from each automated warehouse are In a logistics system that ships in order,
The management computer that performs at least inventory management of the load of the automatic warehouse and creation of delivery data indicating the delivery order of the load of the automatic warehouse calculates the delivery order for each automatic warehouse when creating the delivery data, When outputting the load transfer instruction data to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse, in the state where the discharged load is waiting on the aisle conveyor, the shipping destination is the same among the side-by-side loads and the shipping order is later The load conveying instruction data is output to the transfer machine controller of each automatic warehouse so that there is no load that is in the rear of the side-by-side row and the shipment order is ahead, and the aisle conveyor is The conveyor control apparatus to control is the delivery method in the physical distribution system which controls each aisle conveyor so that the load on each aisle conveyor is conveyed by the said conveyor in a predetermined delivery order. A plurality of automated warehouses, each of which is loaded with the cargo delivered from each automated warehouse to the common conveying conveyor via the aisle conveyor and transported, and the position of the conveying conveyor corresponding to the aisle conveyor More downstream than the total number of aisle conveyors in a state where the shipping conveyors corresponding to a plurality of different shipping destinations are branched, the cargoes discharged from each automatic warehouse are shipped in a predetermined order. In the logistics system
The management computer that performs at least inventory management of the load of the automatic warehouse and creation of delivery data indicating the delivery order of the load of the automatic warehouse calculates the delivery order for each automatic warehouse when creating the delivery data, When outputting the load transfer instruction data to the transfer machine control device of each automatic warehouse, in the state where the discharged load is waiting on the aisle conveyor, the shipping destination is the same among the side-by-side loads and the shipping order is later So that there is no load on the aisle conveyor located on the upstream side of the transfer conveyor, and there is no load that precedes the side by side in the order of shipment. A delivery method in a physical distribution system that outputs conveyance instruction data of a load to a transfer machine control device, and the conveyor control device that controls the aisle conveyor controls to drive each aisle conveyor at the same time. A plurality of automated warehouses are provided, the cargoes delivered from each automated warehouse are transported by being joined to a common conveyor via the aisle conveyor for each automated warehouse, and the cargoes delivered from each automated warehouse are A logistics system that ships in order,
A transporter control device for controlling the transporter installed in the automatic warehouse;
An aisle conveyor for conveying the load delivered from the conveyor;
A conveyor control device for controlling the aisle conveyor;
A management computer that performs at least inventory management of the load in the automatic warehouse and creation of delivery data indicating the delivery order of the load in the automatic warehouse;
The management computer calculates the order of delivery for each automatic warehouse when creating the delivery data, and outputs the cargo transfer instruction data to the transfer machine controller of each automatic warehouse. In the standby state, there is no load that is the same ship-to in the side-by-side load and the shipment order is later, and there is no load that is in the next order from the side-by-side column. A distribution system that outputs load transfer instruction data to the transfer machine controller of each automatic warehouse.   The distribution system according to claim 3, wherein a shipping conveyor corresponding to a plurality of different shipping destinations is provided downstream from a position corresponding to the aisle conveyor of the transfer conveyor.   The transfer conveyor is configured to carry the load delivered from the aisle conveyor through one exit, and the management computer outputs load transfer instruction data to the transfer machine controller of each automatic warehouse. In the state where the delivered load waits on the aisle conveyor, the load on the aisle conveyor located on the downstream side of the transfer conveyor becomes the load shipped earlier from the transfer conveyor. The physical distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the transportation instruction data of the load is output to a transport machine controller of the automatic warehouse.

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