JP2007126270A - Picking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picking device capable of surely preventing a picking error while storing many kinds of storage objects in a limited arranging space. <P>SOLUTION: This picking device has a storage shelf 4 and a storage case 6 drawably stored in the storage shelf 4. An inside case 26 having a plurality of storage spaces 28a to 28e and a belt member 32 movably arranged around the inside case 26, are arranged inside the storage case 6. When selecting a specific storage space 28c among the plurality of storage spaces 28a to 28e, the belt member 32 is relatively moved by a predetermined quantity with respect to the storage case 6, and thereby, a picking opening 40 of the belt member 32 is oppositely positioned to the specific storage space 28c, and residual storage spaces 28a, 28b, 28d and 28e are covered with the belt member 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking device for picking up an object to be stored such as a medicine used in a hospital or a pharmacy.

  In recent years, for example, a picking device for picking up an object to be stored such as a medicine used in a hospital or a pharmacy without error has been proposed. The picking device includes a storage shelf, a plurality of storage cases that are detachably mounted on the storage shelf, a holding state in which the storage case is stored in the storage shelf, and a movement of the storage case in the pull-out direction. And an opening / closing means that is a release position that allows the opening and closing, and a control means for controlling the opening / closing means. Each storage case stores an object to be stored (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). When the object to be stored is not picked, the opening / closing means of each storage case is held in a holding state, and each storage case cannot be pulled out from the storage shelf. When a specific storage case is selected from the plurality of storage cases by the control means, the opening / closing means corresponding to the selected specific storage case is released from the holding state, thereby removing the specific storage case from the storage shelf. It becomes possible to pull out, and a desired object to be stored stored in the specific storage case can be picked. Therefore, a storage case other than the selected specific storage case is not accidentally pulled out of the storage shelf, and picking a storage object of a type different from the desired storage object (that is, picking mistake) is possible. Is prevented.

JP 2004-209027 A

  However, since the conventional picking apparatus as described above is configured to allow only the selected specific storage case to be pulled out from the storage shelf, in order to reliably prevent picking mistakes, a single storage case is used. Only one type of medicine can be stored. Therefore, in order to store many types of stored items in the storage shelf, at least the same number of storage cases as the number of types of stored items are required. For this reason, a storage shelf for storing a plurality of storage cases is large. In the case where only a limited installation space can be secured, there arises a problem that the picking device cannot be installed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a picking apparatus that can compactly store many types of objects to be stored in a limited installation space and can reliably prevent a picking error.

In the picking device according to claim 1 of the present invention, a storage case, a storage case mounted movably between a drawer position pulled out from the storage shelf and a storage position stored in the storage shelf, An internal case having a plurality of storage spaces partitioned in the pull-out direction of the storage case, and movably disposed so as to cover the opening of the internal case A belt member, the belt member has an opening for picking,
In relation to the belt member, a moving mechanism for moving the belt member relative to the housing case, and a control means for controlling the moving mechanism are provided,
When a specific storage space is selected from the plurality of storage spaces, the moving mechanism moves the belt member by a predetermined amount relative to the storage case, whereby the picking of the belt member is performed. The opening is positioned to face the specific storage space, and the remaining storage space of the plurality of storage spaces is covered with the belt member.

Further, in the picking device according to claim 2 of the present invention, the belt member is constituted by an endless belt member disposed around the inner case, and the belt member is connected to the belt member. An initial position detector corresponding to an initial position and a plurality of storage space detectors corresponding to each of the plurality of storage spaces are provided on the belt member, and each of the initial position detector and the plurality of storage space detectors is provided. A detection sensor is provided in the movement path of the belt member,
When a specific storage space is selected from the plurality of storage spaces, when the storage case is moved from the storage position toward the pull-out position, the moving mechanism moves in the pull-out direction of the storage case. Along with the movement, the belt member is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the storage case, and the specific storage space detection unit corresponding to the specific storage space among the plurality of storage space detection units is the detection sensor. , The relative movement of the belt member with respect to the storage case is stopped, whereby the picking opening of the belt member is positioned to face the specific storage space,
When the storage case is moved from the drawer position toward the storage position, the moving mechanism moves the belt member in the storage direction as the storage case moves in a direction opposite to the pull-out direction. When the initial position detector is detected by the detection sensor relative to the case in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the relative movement of the belt member with respect to the storage case is stopped. The belt member is positioned at the initial position.

Furthermore, in the picking device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the moving mechanism includes a locking portion provided on the belt member, a locking position locked to the locking portion, and the locking portion. First and second locking members mounted so as to be movable between release positions to be detached,
Based on the picking command signal from the control means, the first locking member is held at the locking position and the second locking member is held at the release position, thereby moving the storage case in the pull-out direction. In conjunction with the belt member, the belt member is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the storage case,
Further, when the specific storage space detection unit selected by the detection sensor is detected, the first locking member is held in the release position and the second locking member is held in the locking position, thereby The belt member is moved in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction relative to the storage case in conjunction with a movement of the case in a direction opposite to the drawing position.

  In the picking device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, each opening of the plurality of storage spaces is provided on the upper surface of the inner case, and the belt member extends above each opening. It is movably disposed around the inner case.

Furthermore, in the picking apparatus according to claim 5 of the present invention, a plurality of the storage cases are provided, and a ramp means and a lock means are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of storage cases, and the lock means Is selectively held in a locked state that holds the storage case in the storage position and an unlocked state that allows the storage case to be pulled out from the storage position,
When a specific storage case is selected from the plurality of storage cases, the lamp means corresponding to the selected specific storage case is turned on, and the lock corresponding to the selected specific storage case The means is changed from the locked state to the unlocked state.

  According to the picking device of the first aspect of the present invention, when a specific storage space is selected from the plurality of storage spaces, the moving mechanism moves the belt member by a predetermined amount relative to the storage case. Thus, the picking opening of the belt member is positioned to face the selected specific storage space, and the remaining storage space among the plurality of storage spaces is covered with the belt member. Since it is configured in this way, it is possible to pick a desired object (for example, a medicine) stored in a specific storage space selected from among a plurality of storage spaces in the storage case. Therefore, picking of objects to be stored in the remaining storage space becomes impossible. Accordingly, picking mistakes do not occur even if a plurality of types of objects are stored in one storage case, so the number of storage cases stored in the storage shelf can be reduced, and this is limited. It becomes possible to store many kinds of objects to be stored in the installation space in a compact manner.

  According to the picking device of the second aspect of the present invention, the belt member is moved in a predetermined direction as the storage case moves in the pull-out direction, and the specific storage selected from the plurality of storage space detection units. Since the movement of the belt member is stopped when the specific storage space detection unit corresponding to the space is detected by the detection sensor, the picking opening of the belt member can be reliably positioned to face the selected specific storage space. It becomes. Further, the belt member is moved in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction as the storage case is moved in the direction opposite to the pulling direction, and the movement of the belt member is stopped when the initial position detection unit is detected by the detection sensor. When the storage case is returned to the storage position, the belt member can be reliably positioned at the initial position. Therefore, the belt member can be moved accurately and reliably, and picking mistakes can be prevented more reliably.

  Furthermore, according to the picking device according to claim 3 of the present invention, based on the picking command signal from the control means, the first locking member is held in the locking position and the second locking member is held in the release position, When the detection sensor detects the specific storage space detection unit, the first locking member is held in the release position and the second locking member is held in the locking position, so that the storage case is pulled out or in the direction opposite to the pulling direction. The belt member can be moved in conjunction with this movement, and the belt member can be moved with a relatively simple configuration.

  In addition, according to the picking device of the present invention, since each opening of the plurality of storage spaces is provided on the upper surface of the inner case, it is covered when the storage case is pulled out from the storage shelf. The stored items do not spill out of the storage space, and the stored items can be easily picked.

  Furthermore, according to the picking device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a specific storage case is selected from the plurality of storage cases, the lamp means corresponding to the selected specific storage case is lit. Thus, it is possible to easily know in which storage case a desired storage object is stored, and the storage object can be picked efficiently. Further, since the locking means corresponding to the selected specific storage case is changed from the locked state to the unlocked state, the storage case other than the selected specific storage case is not accidentally pulled out of the storage shelf, and can be picked. Mistakes can be reliably prevented.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a picking device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a picking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a storage case and its surroundings in a state where the storage case of FIG. 1 is positioned at a storage position. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view, FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the storage case and its surroundings in a state where the storage case of FIG. 1 is positioned at the drawer position, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the storage case taken along line -A ′, FIG. 5 is a transparent schematic perspective view showing the inside of the storage case in the state of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the picking device of FIG. FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of picking in the picking apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a diagram when moving the specific storage case in the flowchart of FIG. Is a flowchart showing a flow of Kkingu Specifically, FIG. 9 is a detailed flowchart illustrating the flow of picking when moving the specific accommodating case in the flowchart of FIG. 7 in the opposite direction to the pull-out direction.

  1 to 6, the illustrated picking device 2 includes a storage shelf 4 and a plurality of storage cases 6 that are detachably mounted on the storage shelf 4. This embodiment demonstrates the case where this picking apparatus 2 is used in order to pick the chemical | medical agent as a to-be-stored object, for example in a hospital or a pharmacy. Hereinafter, each component of the picking apparatus 2 will be described in detail.

  The storage shelf 4 is provided with a plurality of (50 in this embodiment) case spaces 8 extending in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2), and each of the plurality of case spaces 8 has an opening. 10 are arranged on the front surface of the storage shelf 4 in, for example, 10 rows in the vertical direction and 5 rows in the horizontal direction. A first locking member 12 and a second locking member 14 made of, for example, an electromagnetic solenoid are attached adjacent to each other near the upper end of the opening 10 of each case space 8. The stop member 12 is disposed closer to the opening 10 of the case space 8 than the second locking member 14 (see FIG. 2). The first and second locking members 12 and 14 respectively include first and second locking main body portions 16 and 18 each having a solenoid coil (not shown) therein, and the first and second locking main body portions 16 and 18. The first and second actuating bars 20 and 22 are arranged in 18 solenoid coils so as to be movable in the vertical direction. When an exciting current from a driving power source (not shown) provided in the storage shelf 4 is supplied to the solenoid coil in the first (second) locking body 16 (18), the first (second) When the actuating rod 20 (22) is attracted to the solenoid coil and moved downward, the first (second) locking member 12 (14) is held in the locking position, and the exciting current from the driving power source Is cut off from the solenoid coil by the action of, for example, a built-in spring (not shown), the first (second) operating rod 20 (22) is moved upward. 2) The locking member 12 (14) is held in the release position. Thus, by controlling the supply of the excitation current from the driving power source, the first and second locking members 12 and 14 are freely moved between the holding position and the release position, respectively. In addition, on the front surface of the storage shelf 4, lamp means 24 made of, for example, a light emitting diode is attached above each opening 10 of the plurality of case spaces 8.

  The storage case 6 is movably stored in the case space 8 of the storage shelf 4, and is stored in the storage shelf 4 (see FIG. 2), and at least a part of the storage case 6 is pulled out from the storage shelf 4. (See FIG. 3). A handle or a recess (not shown) is attached to one end of the storage case 6 (the left end in FIG. 2). By hooking the handle or the recess on a finger or the like, the storage case 6 Can be withdrawn from the storage shelf 4. The upper surface of the storage case 6 is open, and has a plurality of storage spaces (five in this embodiment) that are partitioned in the drawing-out direction of the storage case 6 (left and right in FIG. 2). An inner case 26 is provided. The plurality of storage spaces are composed of, for example, first to fifth storage spaces 28a to 28e partitioned by partition walls 27a to 27d, and these first to fifth storage spaces 28a to 28e are one end portions of the inner case 26 ( In FIG. 2, they are arranged adjacent to each other in this order from the left end) side. The openings of the storage spaces 28a to 28e are respectively provided on the upper surface of the inner case 26. For example, different types of drugs (not shown) are stored in the storage spaces 28a to 28e, respectively. For example, medicines A to E are stored in the first to fifth storage spaces 28a to 28e of the fifth storage case 6a from the left in the uppermost stage among the plurality of storage cases 6, respectively. The left and right (left and right in FIG. 4) outer surfaces of the inner case 26 are respectively attached to the left and right (left and right in FIG. 4) inner surfaces of the storage case 6, and the height and depth direction of the inner case 26 (left and right in FIG. 2). The size of the direction) is configured to be somewhat smaller than the height of the storage case 6 and the size in the depth direction.

  Inside the storage case 6, there are an upper case vicinity and a lower end vicinity at one end of the inner case 26, an upper end vicinity and a lower end vicinity at the other end (the right end in FIG. 2) of the inner case 26, respectively. The moving roller 30 is supported so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2). In this manner, an endless belt member 32 (hereinafter referred to as “belt member 32”) is movably stretched on a plurality (four in this embodiment) of moving rollers 30 arranged around the inner case 26. Thus, the belt member 32 is movably disposed around the inner case 26 so as to cover the openings through the upper portions of the plurality of storage spaces 28a to 28e inside the storage case 6. Established.

  On the outer surface of the belt member 32, an initial position detector 34 corresponding to an initial position (described later) of the belt member 32 and first to fifth storage space detectors corresponding to the first to fifth storage spaces 28a to 28e, respectively. 36a to 36e are provided in this order in a predetermined direction (that is, counterclockwise in FIG. 2) with a predetermined interval (that is, an interval substantially equal to the depth direction size of the openings of the storage spaces 28a to 28e). Yes. In the present embodiment, each of the detection units 34, 36a to 36e is constituted by a protrusion protruding outward. Further, on the outer surface of the belt member 32, a locking portion 38 is provided in the vicinity of the initial position detecting portion 34. The locking portion 38 is connected to the first locking member 12 when the belt member 32 is in the initial position. It is located between the second locking member 14. In the present embodiment, the locking portion 38 is constituted by a protrusion protruding outward. A rectangular picking opening 40 is provided between the initial position detection unit 34 and the first storage space detection unit 36a of the belt member 32. The size of the picking opening 40 is set to each of the storage spaces 28a to 28a. It is configured to be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the size of the opening 28e. Further, in the inside of the storage case 6, an upper end portion of one end portion of the storage case 6 is opposed to the outer surface of the belt member 32 so as to face the initial position detection unit 34 and the first to fifth storage space detection units 36 a to 36. The detection sensor 42 for detecting each of 36e is attached, and this detection sensor 42 is arrange | positioned in the moving path | route (namely, moving path | route of each detection part 34, 36a-36e) of the belt member 32. FIG.

  Here, the relationship between the movement of the belt member 32 and the position of the picking opening 40 will be described. When the medicine picking described later is not performed, the belt member 32 of each storage case 6 is positioned at the initial position (see FIG. 2), and at this initial position, the initial position detector 34 moves to the detection sensor 42. The picking opening 40 is positioned to face one end surface of the inner case 26, and the belt member 32 is a storage space of the inner case 26. The upper surface openings of 28a to 28e are covered. From this state, when the belt member 32 moves relative to the storage case 6 in a predetermined direction (the direction indicated by the arrow Q in FIG. 2) as will be described later, the first storage space detector 36a detects the detection sensor. 42 (that is, the first storage space detector 36a is detected by the detection sensor 42). At this time, the picking opening 40 is opposed to the first storage space 28a corresponding to the first storage space detector 36a. Positioned. When the belt member 32 further moves and the second (third) (fourth) (fifth) storage space detectors 36b (36c) (36d) (36e) face the detection sensor 42, the picking The opening 40 is positioned to face the second (third) (fourth) (fifth) storage space 28b (28c) (28d) (28e).

  Further, a lock means 44 (see FIG. 6) is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of storage cases 6, and the lock means 44 is, for example, an opening 10 on the upper side surface of the case space 8 of the storage shelf 4. , And is configured to be selectively held in a locked state in which the storage case 6 is held in the storage position and in an unlocked state in which the storage case 6 is allowed to be pulled out from the storage position. . Such a locking means 44 includes, for example, a lock receiving portion (not shown) provided on the storage case 6 side, an engagement claw portion (not shown) provided on the storage shelf 4 side, and an engagement claw portion. An electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) for moving between an engaging position for engaging the lock receiving portion and a non-engaging position for releasing the lock receiving portion. When is excited, the engaging claw portion is released from the lock receiving portion.

  In relation to the belt member 32, a moving mechanism 46 for moving the belt member 32 relative to the housing case 6 and a terminal device 48 as a control means for controlling the moving mechanism 46 are provided. It has been. The moving mechanism 46 includes a locking portion 38 provided on the belt member 32 described above, and first and second locking members 12 and 14 provided on the storage shelf 4 side. When the first (second) locking member 12 (14) is held in the locking position, the lower end portion of the operating rod 20 (22) of the first (second) locking member 12 (14) is moved to the belt member 32. When the first (second) locking member 12 (14) is held in the release position, the first (second) locking member 12 (14) is actuated. The lower end portion of the rod 20 (22) is configured to retreat from the moving path of the locking portion 38 of the belt member 32.

  The terminal device 48 is placed on a work table 50 disposed adjacent to the storage shelf 4, and is used for input operation of storage means 52 storing various data, various data, various processing instructions, and the like. Input means 54, display means 56 for displaying various data, and a computer 58 for executing various processing instructions (see FIG. 6). The storage means 52 is composed of, for example, a hard disk, and the storage means 52 stores storage location data indicating the relationship between the type of medicine and the storage spaces 28a to 28e of the storage case 6 in which the medicine is stored. Is remembered. The input means 54 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a barcode reader, or a card reader, and the display means 56 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or CRT.

  The computer 58 reads the storage location data stored in the storage means 52, and selects the specific storage spaces 28a to 28e of the specific storage case 6 based on the read storage location data. A selection means 62; a picking command means 64 for generating a picking command signal, a picking completion signal and a switching signal; and a counting means 66 for counting the number of times each of the detection units 34, 36a to 36e is detected by the detection sensor 42. And determination means 68 for determining whether or not the movement of the belt member 32 has been completed as required based on the counting result obtained by the counting means 66.

  Next, the flow of drug picking by the picking apparatus 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When the medicine is not picked, the lock means 44 of each storage case 6 is held in a locked state, and each storage case 6 cannot be pulled out from the storage shelf 4. The belt member 32 of each storage case 6 is positioned at the initial position, and the first and second locking members 12 and 14 corresponding to the storage case 6 are held at the release positions. The lamp means 24 corresponding to each storage case 6 is turned off.

  For example, when a dispenser or the like receives a prescription or the like, the dispenser or the like inputs drug data indicating the type of drug to be dispensed (for example, drug C) based on the items described in the prescription or the like by the input means 54 ( Step S1). When the medicine data is thus input by the input means 54, the reading means 60 reads the storage location data stored in the storage means 52 (Step S2), and the selection means 62 adds the read storage location data to the storage location data. Based on this, a specific storage space 28c (for example, the third storage space 28c) of the specific storage case 6a in which the medicine C is stored (for example, the fifth storage case 6a from the top left) is selected (step S3). ).

  When the specific storage space 28c of the specific storage case 6a is selected by the selection means 62, information on the specific storage space 28c of the specific storage case 6a is displayed on the display means 56, and the picking command means 64 outputs a picking command signal. (Step S4), and the generated picking command signal is sent to the ramp means 24, the lock means 44, and the first and second locking members 12 and 14 corresponding to the specific storage case 6a (step S5). .

  The lamp means 24 corresponding to the specific storage case 6a is turned on based on the picking command signal (step S6). When the lamp means 24 is turned on in this way, the storage case 6 stores the medicine C to be picked. You can easily know what is being done. The lamp unit 24 may be blinked. The locking means 44 corresponding to the specific storage case 6a is held from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the picking command signal (step S7), so that the specific storage case 6a can be pulled out from the storage shelf 4. Become. Further, based on the picking command signal, an exciting current from a driving power source (not shown) is supplied to the first locking member 12 corresponding to the specific storage case 6a, whereby the first locking member 12 is It is held from the release position to the locking position (step S8). At this time, the second locking member 14 is held at the release position.

  In this state, when the dispenser or the like moves to the front of the storage shelf 4 and pulls out the specific storage case 6a whose lamp means 24 is lit, in the pull-out direction (the direction indicated by the arrow P in FIG. 2) ( Step S9), when the lower end portion of the actuating rod 20 of the first locking member 12 is in contact with the front side (the left side surface in FIG. 2) of the locking portion 38, the specific storage case 6a is moved in the pull-out direction. In conjunction with this, the belt member 32 is moved in a predetermined direction (the direction indicated by the arrow Q in FIG. 2) relative to the specific storage case 6a (step S9-1). When the belt member 32 is thus moved, the initial position detector 34 and the first to third storage space detectors 36a to 36e are detected by the detection sensor 42 in this order (step S9-2), and the counting means 66 is detected. Counts the number of times each detection unit 34, 36a to 36e is detected by the detection sensor 42 (step S9-3). Based on the counting result of the counting means 66 and the specific storage space 28c selected by the selection means 62, the determination means 68, for example, when the counted number of detections becomes four (that is, the specific corresponding to the specific storage space 28c). It is determined that the picking opening 40 of the belt member 32 is positioned facing the third storage space 28c (when the third storage space detection unit 36c as the storage space detection unit is detected by the detection sensor 42) (step S9). -4).

  When determined in this way, the picking command means 64 generates a switching signal based on the determination signal from the determination means 68 (step S9-5), and this switching signal is used for the first and the first corresponding to the specific storage case 6a. 2 is sent to the locking members 12 and 14, respectively (step S9-6). Based on this switching signal, the first locking member 12 is held from the locking position to the release position, and the second locking member 14 is held from the release position to the locking position (steps S9-7 and S9-8). Thus, the lower end portion of the operating rod 20 of the first locking member 12 is detached from the locking portion 38 of the belt member 32, and the belt member 32 with respect to the specific storage case 6a is interlocked with the movement of the specific storage case 6a in the pull-out direction. The relative movement is stopped (step S9-9), and the belt member 32 does not move even if the specific storage case 6a is further pulled out.

  When the movement of the belt member 32 is stopped in this way, the picking opening 40 of the belt member 32 is positioned so as to face the selected third storage space 28c, and the first to fifth storage spaces 28a to 28e. The remaining first, second, fourth, and fifth storage spaces 28a, 28b, 28d, and 28e are covered with portions other than the picking opening 40 of the belt member 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Therefore, only the medicine C stored in the selected third storage space 28c can be picked through the picking opening 40, and the drugs A, B, D stored in the other storage spaces 28a, 28b, 28d, 28e. , E are not picked by mistake, and a picking mistake can be surely prevented.

  When the picking of the medicine C stored in the third storage space 28c is completed (step S10), the dispenser or the like again moves the specific storage case 6a in the direction opposite to the above-described pulling direction (the direction indicated by the arrow R in FIG. 3). (Step S11). When the specific storage case 6a is moved in this manner, the lower end portion of the actuating rod 22 of the second locking member 14 comes into contact with the back side of the locking portion 38 (the right side surface in FIG. 3). The belt member 32 is moved in a predetermined direction (direction indicated by an arrow S in FIG. 3) relative to the specific storage case 6a in conjunction with the movement of the use case 6a in the direction opposite to the pulling-out direction (see FIG. 3). Step S11-1). When the belt member 32 is moved in this way, the third, second and first storage space detectors 36c, 36b, 36a and the initial position detector 34 are detected by the detection sensor 42 in this order (step S11-2). The counting means 66 counts the number of times each of the detection units 34, 36a to 36c is detected by the detection sensor 42 (step S11-3). Based on the counting result by the counting unit 66 and the specific storage space 28c selected by the selection unit 62, the determination unit 68 is determined when the counted number of detections becomes four (that is, the initial position detection unit 34 detects the detection sensor 42). It is determined that the belt member 32 has been positioned at the initial position (step S11-4). When the belt member 32 is positioned at the initial position in this way, the specific storage case 6a is positioned at the storage position.

  When stored in this way, the picking command means 64 generates a picking completion signal based on the determination signal from the determination means 68 (step S11-5), and the picking completion signal is used as the lamp means corresponding to the specific storage case 6a. 24, the locking means 44, and the first and second locking members 12 and 14, respectively (step S11-6). Based on this picking completion signal, the second locking member 14 is held from the locking position to the release position (step S11-7), whereby the lower end portion of the operating rod 22 of the second locking member 14 is moved to the belt member 32. The belt member 32 is disengaged from the locking portion 38, the relative movement of the belt member 32 with respect to the specific storage case 6a is stopped (step S11-8), and the belt member 32 is positioned at the initial position.

  The lamp means 24 corresponding to the specific storage case 6a is turned off based on the picking completion signal (step S12), and the lock means 44 corresponding to the specific storage case 6a is locked from the unlocked state based on the picking completion signal. The specific storage case 6a cannot be pulled out from the storage shelf 4 (step S13). As described above, picking by the picking device 2 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the medicine C stored in the third storage space 28c is picked has been described. However, the medicine stored in the first, second, fourth and fifth storage spaces 28a, 28b, 28d, 28e. A, B, D, and E can be picked in the same manner as described above.

  In the present embodiment, the case of picking only one type of drug C has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the case of picking a plurality of types of drugs can be performed in the same manner as described above. For example, when picking two types of medicines X and Y, the second storage space (not shown) of the first storage case 6b from the left of the third stage (ie, the third stage from the top). If the medicine X is stored in the container 5 and the medicine Y is stored in the fifth storage space (not shown) of the third storage case 6c from the left in the lowermost stage, the dispenser or the like can use these medicine X and medicine. Drug data related to Y is input by the input unit 54, and the selection unit 62 selects the second storage space of the specific storage case 6b in which the drug X is stored and the fifth of the specific storage case 6c in which the drug Y is stored. Each storage space will be selected. Therefore, the medicine X and the medicine Y are picked for each of the specific storage cases 6b and 6c in the same manner as in Steps S1 to S13 described above.

  For example, when picking medicine A and medicine B stored in one storage case 6, picking of medicine A is first performed in steps S1 to S11, and then the process returns to step S8 again. -Picking of the medicine B may be performed in step S13.

  In the picking apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, 50 storage cases 6 are provided, and five storage spaces 28a to 28e are provided inside one storage case 6. It can be stored in the storage shelf 4, and can store five times as many types of medicines as compared with, for example, a conventional picking apparatus provided with 50 storage cases. Therefore, it is possible to provide a picking device 2 that can store many types of objects in a limited installation space in a compact manner and can reliably prevent a picking mistake. In addition, by appropriately setting the number of storage cases 6 and the number of storage spaces 28a to 28e provided in the storage case 6, the number of types of medicines stored in the storage shelf 4 can be set as appropriate. For example, 1500 kinds of medicines can be stored in an installation space having an area of 3 tsubo.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the picking device according to the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case of picking a medicine used in a hospital, a pharmacy, or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, picking an electronic component such as a resistance element or an IC mounted on a printed wiring board It can also be applied to cases.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the belt member 32 is configured to move relative to the storage case 6 in conjunction with the movement of the storage case 6 in the pull-out direction or the direction opposite to the pull-out direction. However, the belt member 32 may be moved using a drive source (not shown) such as an electric motor. That is, based on the picking command signal from the picking command means 64, the driving source is rotated in a predetermined direction to move the belt member 32 in the predetermined direction, and when the detection sensor 42 detects the specific storage space detection unit, the picking command means 64 is detected. The movement of the belt member 32 may be stopped by stopping the rotation of the drive source on the basis of the switching signal from. When the picking of the objects to be stored is completed, for example, by pressing a switch (not shown) or the like provided on the front surface of the storage shelf 4, the driving source is rotated in the direction opposite to the predetermined direction, thereby the belt member 32. The movement of the belt member 32 may be stopped by stopping the rotation of the drive source based on the picking completion signal from the picking command means 64.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, each of the detection units 34 and 36a to 36e is configured by a protrusion protruding outward, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured by, for example, a slit, a recess, or a mark. In this case, each detection part 34, 36a-36e can be detected by the detection sensor 42 by comprising the detection sensor 42 from an infrared sensor.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the locking portion 38 is configured by a protrusion protruding outward, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured by, for example, a recess or an opening provided in the belt member 32. In this case, when the first (second) locking member 12 (14) is held in the locking position, the lower end of the operating rod 20 (22) of the first (second) locking member 12 (14). What is necessary is just to comprise so that a part may be inserted in the recessed part, opening, etc. which were provided in the belt member 32. FIG.

  Further, for example, in the above embodiment, only one locking portion 38 is provided. However, for example, two locking portions 38 are provided, and one locking portion is locked to the first locking member 12 and the other locking portion 38 is locked. The locking portion may be configured to be locked to the second locking member 14.

  Further, the arrangement of the detection units 34, 36a to 36e of the belt member 32, the arrangement site of the detection sensor 42 and the moving mechanism 46, and the like can be appropriately set as long as the belt member 32 can be moved as described above. For example, the detection units 34, 36a to 36e are arranged at different portions in the width direction of the belt member 32 and are detected by dedicated detection sensors respectively corresponding to the detection units 34, 36a to 36e. You may do it.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the picking apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the storage case in the state in which the storage case of FIG. 1 was located in the storage position, and its periphery. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the storage case in the state in which the storage case of FIG. 1 was located in the drawing-out position, and its periphery. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the storage case by the A-A 'line in FIG. FIG. 4 is a transparent schematic perspective view showing the inside of the storage case in the state of FIG. 3. It is a block diagram which shows simply the structure of the picking apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the picking in the picking apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows concretely the flow of picking at the time of moving the case for specific storage in the flowchart of FIG. 7 to the drawing-out direction. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of picking at the time of moving the specific storage case in the flowchart of FIG. 7 in the direction opposite to a drawing-out direction.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Picking apparatus 4 Storage shelf 6,6a, 6b, 6c Storage case 12 1st latching member 14 2nd latching member 24 Lamp means 26 Inner case 28a-28e 1st-5th storage space 32 Belt member 34 Initial position Detection unit 36a to 36e First to fifth storage space detection unit 38 Locking unit 40 Picking opening 42 Detection sensor 46 Moving mechanism 48 Terminal device

Claims (5)

A storage shelf, and a storage case mounted movably between a drawer position pulled out from the storage shelf and a storage position stored in the storage shelf, and inside the storage case, An internal case having a plurality of storage spaces partitioned in a pull-out direction of the storage case and a belt member movably disposed so as to cover the opening of the internal case are provided, and the belt member is used for picking Has an opening,
In relation to the belt member, a moving mechanism for moving the belt member relative to the housing case, and a control means for controlling the moving mechanism are provided,
When a specific storage space is selected from the plurality of storage spaces, the moving mechanism moves the belt member by a predetermined amount relative to the storage case, whereby the picking of the belt member is performed. An opening is positioned to face the specific storage space, and the remaining storage space of the plurality of storage spaces is covered with the belt member. The belt member includes an endless belt member disposed around the inner case, and an initial position detection unit corresponding to an initial position of the belt member and the plurality of storage spaces are associated with the belt member. A plurality of storage space detection units corresponding to each of the plurality of storage space detection units are provided on the belt member, and detection sensors for detecting each of the initial position detection unit and the plurality of storage space detection units are provided on the movement path of the belt member. Provided,
When a specific storage space is selected from the plurality of storage spaces, when the storage case is moved from the storage position toward the pull-out position, the moving mechanism moves in the pull-out direction of the storage case. Along with the movement, the belt member is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the storage case, and the specific storage space detection unit corresponding to the specific storage space among the plurality of storage space detection units is the detection sensor. , The relative movement of the belt member with respect to the storage case is stopped, whereby the picking opening of the belt member is positioned to face the specific storage space,
When the storage case is moved from the drawer position toward the storage position, the moving mechanism moves the belt member in the storage direction as the storage case moves in a direction opposite to the pull-out direction. When the initial position detector is detected by the detection sensor relative to the case in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, the relative movement of the belt member with respect to the storage case is stopped. The picking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the belt member is positioned at the initial position. The moving mechanism is mounted movably between a locking portion provided on the belt member, a locking position locked to the locking portion, and a release position released from the locking portion. First and second locking members,
Based on the picking command signal from the control means, the first locking member is held at the locking position and the second locking member is held at the release position, thereby moving the storage case in the pull-out direction. In conjunction with the belt member, the belt member is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the storage case,
Further, when the specific storage space detection unit selected by the detection sensor is detected, the first locking member is held in the release position and the second locking member is held in the locking position, thereby The belt member is moved in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction relative to the storage case in conjunction with a movement of the case in a direction opposite to the drawing position. Picking device.   Each opening of the plurality of storage spaces is provided on the upper surface of the inner case, and the belt member is disposed movably around the inner case through the upper part of the opening. The picking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the picking device is provided. A plurality of storage cases are provided, and lamp means and lock means are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of storage cases, and the lock means is in a locked state in which the storage case is held in the storage position. And an unlocked state that allows the storage case to be pulled out from the storage position, and is selectively held,
When a specific storage case is selected from the plurality of storage cases, the lamp means corresponding to the selected specific storage case is turned on, and the lock corresponding to the selected specific storage case The picking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means changes from the locked state to the unlocked state.

Images