JP2006089288A - Storage and retrieval and inventory control system in understowing warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an storage and retrieval/inventory control system easily introducible without modifying an existing building. <P>SOLUTION: In this storage and retrieval/inventory control system in a multi-stage understowing warehouse, information on storage and retrieval/inventory is automatically updated based on information on the confirmation of the positions of pallets mounted on a forklift truck 7. The system comprises an storage control computer 3 for inputting storage information therein, a forklift truck control computer 4 controlling the operation of the forklift truck by confirming the position of the forklift truck, a physical distribution computer 2 performing the storage and retrieval/inventory control based on the information from the storage control computer 3 and the forklift truck control computer 4, an ultrasonic receiver in the warehouse, and an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on the forklift truck 7 which are connected to a network. The positions of the pallets are confirmed based on coordinate information provided by a trilateration with the ultrasonic transmitter on the forklift truck 7 and the ultrasonic receiver in the warehouse. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for performing loading / unloading work and inventory management based on position information of a forklift in a flat warehouse, and more particularly, to be easily installed in an existing flat warehouse as well as a new one. This is related to a storage / inventory management system.

In general, flat warehouses include multi-stage warehouses such as mobile shelves and rack warehouses, and such existing warehouses are often converted to automated warehouses. Is inefficient in volume due to automation, and it is almost impossible to install in existing flat warehouses and narrow warehouses.
JP-A-10-194411 JP-A-63-74900 WO96 / 30288 pamphlet

  An object of the present invention is to provide a storage / inventory management system that can be easily introduced without remodeling an existing building.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized in that the following configuration is adopted in a storage / inventory management system in a flat warehouse, preferably a refrigerated / refrigerated flat warehouse.
Check the position of the pallet mounted on the forklift with the transmitter mounted on the forklift and multiple receivers installed in the warehouse.
In addition, a warehousing management computer that inputs warehousing information, a forklift management computer that checks the position of the forklift and manages the operation of the forklift, and a logistics that performs warehousing and inventory management based on information from the warehousing management computer and the forklift management computer A computer,
Forklift, preferably a forklift position confirmation means comprising a transmitter mounted on the mast and a plurality of receivers arranged in the warehouse, and a communication means for exchanging information between the forklift and the distribution computer thing.
Further, in the above, the position confirmation signal is an ultrasonic wave.

That is, the present invention is a horizontal warehouse characterized by automatically updating the storage / inventory information based on the position confirmation information of the pallet mounted on the forklift, preferably storage / storage in the freezing / refrigeration flat storage The gist of the inventory management system.
The above position confirmation information is information obtained by confirming the position of the pallet mounted on the forklift with the transmitter mounted on the forklift and a plurality of receivers arranged in the warehouse. The invention is based on the position confirmation information of the pallet mounted on the forklift obtained by confirming the position of the pallet mounted on the forklift by the transmitter mounted on the forklift and the plurality of receivers arranged in the warehouse. The gist is a storage / inventory management system in a flat warehouse, preferably a refrigerated / refrigerated flat warehouse, which automatically updates the storage / inventory information.

  The above transmitter is mounted on the mast part of the forklift, and the position of the pallet is confirmed from the positional relationship between the mast of the forklift and the pallet. In this case, the present invention provides the transmitter mounted on the mast part of the forklift and the warehouse. Based on the positional confirmation information of the pallet mounted on the forklift obtained by confirming the position of the pallet mounted on the forklift from the positional relationship between the forklift mast and the pallet The gist is a storage / inventory management system in a flat warehouse, preferably a refrigerated / refrigerated flat warehouse, which is characterized by updating the storage / inventory information.

  The present invention also relates to a warehousing management computer for inputting warehousing information, a forklift management computer for confirming the position of the forklift and managing the operation of the forklift, and warehousing / stocking based on information from the warehousing management computer and the forklift management computer. Means for confirming the position of the forklift by means of a logistics computer for management, a transmitter mounted on the forklift and a forklift management computer connected to a receiver arranged in the warehouse, preferably using ultrasonic waves for signals A flat warehouse comprising: a means for confirming and a communication means for exchanging information between a forklift and a logistics computer, receiving receipt / shipment / picking data from the host CPU and returning the result data , Preferably frozen / refrigerated flat It is the gist of the goods movements and inventory management system in the warehouse.

  The transmitter is mounted on the mast part of the forklift, and the position of the pallet is confirmed from the positional relationship between the forklift mast and the pallet. In this case, the present invention includes a warehousing management computer for inputting warehousing information, A forklift management computer that is installed in the mast section, confirms the position of the pallet of the forklift from the positional relationship between the mast and pallet of the forklift, and manages the operation of the forklift. Means for confirming the position of the forklift by means of a logistics computer for inventory management, a transmitter mounted on the forklift and a forklift management computer connected to a receiver arranged in the warehouse, preferably using ultrasonic waves for signals And a communication means for exchanging information between the forklift and the physical distribution computer, receiving receipt / shipment / picking data from the host CPU and returning the actual data. The gist is a storage / inventory management system in a storage warehouse, preferably a freezing / refrigerated flat storage warehouse.

  Since the storage / inventory management system in the refrigerated / refrigerated flat warehouse according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, it can be easily applied to an existing flat warehouse because there is no need to modify the building structure. In addition, complicated entry / exit settings by the forklift operator are unnecessary, and in particular, forgetting settings and mistakes when moving loads are avoided, and reliable entry / exit / inventory management becomes possible. In addition, since the ultrasonic waves are used for confirming the position of the forklift, the position of the forklift can be reliably confirmed even in a warehouse with many obstacles such as pillars or a refrigerated / refrigerated warehouse that may be frosted.

In general, the flat warehouse includes mobile shelves and rack warehouses, but the flat warehouse targeted by the present invention is used to include them.
The loading / unloading / inventory management system in the flat warehouse of the present invention is not limited to a freezer / refrigerated flat warehouse, but can also be implemented in a normal flat warehouse. Hereinafter, the system of the present invention is applied to a flat frozen / refrigerated warehouse. An example of implementation will be described.
A LAN is constructed with a distribution computer, a storage management computer, and a forklift management computer.
Communication between the forklift and the forklift management computer (LAN) is made possible.
The forklift management computer confirms the position of the forklift by using an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on the forklift and an ultrasonic receiver arranged in the warehouse.
The product information input by the warehousing management computer and the forklift management computer from the forklift management computer are stored in the physical distribution computer 1 and aggregated for warehousing / inventory management.

<< System Overview >>
The storage / inventory management system of the present invention is shown with the overall system diagram of FIG. 1 and the system configuration diagram of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the storage / inventory management system receives inbound / picking data from the host CPU and changes the inventories / actual data.
As shown in FIG. 2, the storage / inventory management system includes a distribution computer 2 installed in the management room, an actual warehouse arrangement, and a forklift management in which an arrangement corresponding to the mounting position of the receiver 10 is stored. A computer 4, a storage management computer 3 provided with a label printer 5, and a plurality (three or more) of receivers 10 installed on the ceiling of the freezer / refrigerated warehouse; The transmitter 9 is attached to the forklift 7 and emits a position detection signal. The transmitter 9 is capable of wireless communication with the physical distribution computer 2 and includes an in-vehicle terminal device 8 equipped with a display device or a barcode scanner. As a communication means, communication between a display device with a barcode scanner (forklift side) capable of communication by infrared rays and an infrared receiver installed on the ceiling is also possible.

  If the ultrasonic transmitter 9 is used as the transmitter 9 mounted on the forklift 7, the warehouse has many obstacles such as luggage and pillars, but it is easy to reach the receiver 10, and in particular, frost may be formed in a freezer / refrigerated warehouse. Yes, ultrasound is advantageous.

  When the transmitter 9 mounted on the forklift 7 transmits ultrasonic waves for position confirmation at regular time intervals, the receiver 10 around the transmitter 9 receives the signal transmitted from the transmitter 9, and at that time The reception time is transmitted to the forklift management computer 4.

  The forklift management computer 4 calculates the reception time difference for the same transmitter 9 based on the reception times from the plurality of receivers 10, specifies the position of the transmitter 9 in the manner of three-point surveying, and determines the three receivers 10 The current position of the transmitter 9 is used as a reference, and the current position in the warehouse of the forklift is specified in real time based on the current position information and the stored internal layout.

  Entry / exit / inventory management system in a freezing / refrigerated flat warehouse according to the present invention Since the above configuration is provided, the transmitter 9 mounted on the forklift 7 transmits a signal, and the plurality of receivers 10 receive the signal, respectively. Send to management computer 4. Upon receiving the signal, the forklift management computer 4 calculates the position of the transmitter 9, that is, the position of the forklift 6 in the warehouse, in the manner of three-point surveying based on the signal, and displays the arrangement map stored in the forklift management computer 4. Always check the current position of the forklift 7 at all times.

  When the forklift 7 reaches a predetermined cargo handling position and presses confirmation of the in-vehicle terminal device 8, the position information at that time is sent from the forklift management computer 4 to the logistics computer 2. Since the information is stored, the logistics computer 2 performs storage / extraction and inventory management based on the information.

  Details of the present invention will be described in the examples. The present invention is not limited to the examples.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, but the detailed configuration is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example in which a wireless modem 6 connected to a LAN is used for bidirectional communication between the forklift 7 and the physical distribution computer 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example in which infrared rays are used for bidirectional communication between the forklift 7 and the physical distribution computer 2. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the display / operation panel 13 when the two-way communication using infrared rays is used.
FIG. 2 shows an example in which a wireless modem 6 arranged in a LAN constructed by the logistics computer 2, the warehousing management computer 3 and the forklift management computer 4 is used to communicate with a terminal device mounted on the forklift 7. FIG. 3 shows an example in which two-way communication is performed between the operation panel 8 mounted on the forklift 7 and the forklift management computer 4 using infrared rays. The operation panel 8 is provided with a confirmation button 15.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of infrared transmitters / receivers 10 are arranged in a warehouse, the infrared transmitter / receiver 10 is mounted on the forklift 7, and the forklift 7 and the forklift management computer 4 communicate with each other. Communication between the warehousing management computer 3 and the forklift management computer 4 and the physical distribution computer 2 is performed by a LAN.
Further, the operation panel 13 includes a display unit 14 that displays a confirmation button, a warehousing number, and a location number as shown in FIG.

  In the illustrated example, the infrared transmitter / receiver 10 and the ultrasonic receiver 10 are installed at the same location in the warehouse, thereby facilitating the mounting operation. The mounting location can be selected in consideration of these characteristics.

The operation of the system having the above configuration will be described (see FIG. 1).
《Receiving work》
(1) Product information received from the host computer 1, product information such as the amount of goods received, information necessary for management such as date, etc. is printed out by the label printer 5 in units of pallets.
(2) Affix the label to the product in units of pallets, read the barcode on the label with the barcode scanner of the in-vehicle terminal, and match the data of the pallet and forklift number.
(3) The logistics computer 2 searches for a vacant location and informs the forklift 7 of the vacant location.
(4) The forklift 7 moves toward the designated location.
(5) When a designated location or area is reached, a confirmation signal is transmitted. (6) It is determined whether or not it matches the designated location.
(7) If unmatched, allow unloading, otherwise issue an alarm.
(8) Unload.
(9) Issue an end signal.
(10) The logistics computer 2 updates the transport data as inventory data. In addition, there is no location instruction from the logistics computer 2 in the above (3), it is possible to enter the warehouse at an arbitrary location and update the inventory by a confirmation signal after confirming the displayed location.

《Outgoing work》
(1) The logistics computer 2 issues a delivery instruction to the fork terminal.
(2) The worker moves toward the location displayed on the fork terminal.
(3) When the designated location is reached, the confirm button 14 is pressed.
(4) The logistics computer 2 confirms the position of the forklift 7 and if it is correct, displays the completion of delivery on the terminal device mounted on the fork.

《Picking work》
(1) The logistics computer 2 issues a picking instruction to the in-vehicle terminal or H / T.
(2) The operator scans the warehousing label, picks the designated quantity, and sends a confirmation signal after completion.
(3) The actual result data is transmitted to the physical distribution computer 2 when it is determined.
(4) The pallet that has finished picking is re-stocked by scanning the warehousing label.

It is drawing explaining the storage / inventory management system outline of a freezing / refrigerated flat warehouse. It is a system configuration diagram (in the case of a fork LAN). It is a system configuration diagram (in the case of infrared communication). It is a detailed view of a display / operation panel when two-way communication using infrared rays is used.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host computer 2 Logistics computer 3 Receipt management computer 4 Forklift management computer 5 Label printer 6 Modem 7 Forklift 8 In-vehicle terminal device 9 Transmitter 10 Receiver 11 In-vehicle infrared transmitter / receiver 12 Infrared transmitter / receiver 13 Display / operation panel 14 Display unit 15 Confirmation button

Claims (4)

A storage / inventory management system in a multi-stage flat warehouse that automatically updates storage / inventory information managed by a host CPU based on position confirmation information of a pallet mounted on a forklift,
A warehousing management computer for entering warehousing information, a forklift management computer for checking the position of the forklift and managing the operation of the forklift, and a logistics computer for warehousing and inventory management based on information from the warehousing management computer and the forklift management computer 3 or more ultrasonic receivers placed in the warehouse and an ultrasonic transmitter mounted on the forklift are connected to the network,
The position confirmation information of the pallet is based on the coordinate information obtained by three-point surveying of the ultrasonic transmitter mounted on the mast part of the forklift and the three ultrasonic receivers arranged in the warehouse. A storage / inventory management system characterized by checking the position of the pallet from the positional relationship. Forklift equipped with ultrasonic transmitter, in-vehicle infrared transceiver and barcode scanner, warehousing management computer for inputting warehousing information, forklift management computer for checking the position of forklift and managing its operation, warehousing management computer, Logistics computer that performs loading and unloading and inventory management based on information from the forklift management computer, three or more ultrasonic receivers arranged in the warehouse, a plurality of infrared transceivers arranged in the warehouse, and pallet units A multi-stage warehouse storage / inventory management system connected to a network with a label printer for printing
The forklift reads a label affixed to each pallet with a barcode scanner, transmits incoming data and forklift number data to the logistics computer by the in-vehicle infrared transceiver, and transmits a confirmation signal from the in-vehicle infrared transceiver And position confirmation information can be transmitted from the ultrasonic transmitter,
The forklift management computer can calculate the reception time difference between the three ultrasonic receivers that have received the position confirmation information from the forklift, and can specify the position of the forklift in the manner of three-point surveying,
The logistics computer, when receiving a confirmation signal from a forklift via an infrared transmitter / receiver, acquires the position information of the forklift from the forklift management computer, and performs loading / unloading and inventory management. A warehouse / inventory management system that can be easily installed in a flat warehouse without remodeling the building structure. The logistics computer is capable of transmitting storage location information in the warehouse to the infrared transceiver,
3. The storage / inventory / inventory management system according to claim 2, wherein the forklift has a display device that displays the storage location information received from the infrared transmitter / receiver by the in-vehicle infrared transmitter / receiver. The storage / inventory management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flat warehouse is a freezer / refrigerated flat warehouse.

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