JP2009234683A - Automatic sorting system and automatic sorting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method capable of shorting a sorting work time and preventing operation mistakes. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic sorting system that sorts articles from each tray where the articles are loaded corresponding to a quantity required for each sorting destination is provided with a sorting control device that computes a required loading frequency by designating the number of bundles of the articles loaded to one tray, sequentially reduces the number of bundles corresponding to the required number for each remaining sorting destination after being loaded by the required loading frequency for the number of bundles, and repeats it before the completion of loading the articles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a plurality of trays that circulate around a loop-shaped track, an induction portion that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that supplies articles to the tray, and a tray that is disposed at a plurality of locations on the side of the track. The present invention relates to an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method having a sorting chute for receiving articles from a tray and a sorting control device for controlling a discharging operation to each sorting chute according to the required number of each sorting destination from each tray into which articles are put. .

  As a sorting device for sorting and shipping goods from stock locations such as warehouses to the number of orders for each ship-to party, it is arranged in multiple trays that circulate around a looped track and at least one side of the track. And an induction unit for loading the articles into the tray, a sorting chute for receiving the articles from the tray arranged at a plurality of positions on the side of the track, and according to the required number for each sorting destination from each tray into which the articles are loaded. There is known an automatic sorting system having a sorting control device for controlling a discharging operation to a sorting chute.

  As shown in FIG. 7, such a conventional automatic sorting system 500 is provided with an induction unit in which a plurality of trays 510 are provided so as to circulate around a loop-like track in a conveyor shape, and articles are loaded into the tray 510. A plurality of sorting chutes 530 for receiving articles from the tray 510 are arranged on the side of other predetermined positions on the track.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the induction unit 520 is provided with a terminal device 521 of a sorting control device (not shown), and the worker puts the article P on the tray 510 according to the display on the terminal device 521. And the operator inputs that the article P has been put into the tray 510 by using an input means provided in the terminal device 521, for example, a barcode reader or the like.

The sorting chute 530 is assigned to each sorting destination of the article P. When the tray 510 on which the article P is placed moves to a predetermined sorting chute 530, the tray 510 is tilted based on the information stored in the sorting control device. When the articles P are discharged to a predetermined sorting chute 530, a predetermined number of articles P are sorted for each sorting destination.
In addition, in the induction unit 520, there is a type in which articles P are automatically put into the tray 510 one by one by the sorting control device.
JP 2001-88934 A (2nd page, FIG. 1)

However, since such a conventional automatic sorting system is designed to put articles one by one into a tray regardless of the size of the articles, the time required for sorting work in proportion to the number of articles to be sorted. There was a problem of becoming longer.
In addition, it is conceivable to reduce the work time by putting a plurality of articles into one tray by registering a collection of a plurality of articles as another article. There is a problem that it is necessary to create and set it in the sorting control apparatus, and it is easy to cause work mistakes and cannot be arbitrarily changed during sorting work.

  The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, that is, the object of the present invention is to set the number of articles to be put into the tray with a simple operation, and to shorten the work time, It is an object to provide an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method that can arbitrarily change settings during sorting work according to the size of an article, the skill of an operator, and the like, and can prevent work mistakes.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of trays that circulate around a loop-shaped track, an induction portion that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that puts articles into the tray, and a plurality of trays that are located on the side of the track. An automatic sorting system having a sorting chute arranged at a location for receiving articles from a tray, and a sorting control device for controlling the discharging operation to each sorting chute according to the required number for each sorting destination from each tray into which articles are put. The sorting control device includes a necessary number setting means for setting a required number for each article sorting destination, a collective number specifying means for specifying the collective number of articles to be loaded per tray, and the required number setting means. The necessary number to be output is divided by the total number output by the total number specifying means to calculate the quotient and the remainder for each sorting destination, and the total of the quotient for each sorting destination. Means for calculating the required number of inputs, an input number display means for displaying the required number of inputs output by the calculation means, an input number counting means for counting the number of times the article has been input, and an input output by the input number counting means Receiving end detection means for detecting that the number of times has reached the required number of times that the calculating means outputs, and a remainder for each sorting destination calculated by the calculating means in response to the loading end output from the charging end detection means The necessary number setting means is set as a new necessary number for each sorting destination, the resetting means for setting the total number specifying means with a number smaller than the total number as a new total number, and the output of the resetting means In response, the calculation means, the number-of-insertions display means, the number-of-times-counting means, and the repetition-instruction command means for instructing the re-operation to the end-of-insertion detection means, and the calculation means When the remainder for each sorting destination is all zero, the operation of the resetting means and the repetitive throwing command means is prohibited, and the article throwing completion judging means for judging the completion of the throwing of the article is provided, thereby solving the above problem. To do.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in addition to the configuration of the automatic sorting system described in claim 1, the sorting control device is configured by connecting a plurality of control devices through a communication line, and at least a collective number designation is performed. Means, a number-of-insertions display means, and a number-of-times-counting means are provided in the induction section to further solve the above-mentioned problem.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in addition to the configuration of the automatic sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, the sorting control device stores and calculates information on a plurality of articles independently. By being configured in parallel, the above-described problems are further solved.

  In addition to the configuration of the automatic sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the induction units are arranged at a plurality of locations on the side of the track and the input The end detection means is configured to integrate the outputs of the input number counting means provided in the plurality of induction units, thereby further solving the problem.

  In addition to the configuration of the automatic sorting system described in claim 3 or 4, the invention according to claim 5 further includes an article specifying means for specifying the type of article to be input. The loading completion detecting means integrates the outputs of the loading count counting means according to the outputs of the article specifying means, and independently outputs the loading completion for each of a plurality of articles, thereby further solving the problem. To do.

  In the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the configuration of the automatic sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the resetting unit sequentially decreases based on a preset number sequence. The above-mentioned problem is further solved by having means for setting the summary number designating means with the number to be processed as a new summary number.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the automatic sorting system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the summary number designating means includes a number of necessary numbers for each sorting destination. A means for automatically setting a maximum value, and the resetting means having a means for setting the collective number designating means with a maximum value among the new necessary numbers for each sorting destination as a new collective number. Therefore, the above-described problem is further solved.

  The invention according to claim 8 includes a plurality of trays that circulate around a loop-shaped track, an induction portion that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that puts articles into the tray, and a plurality of trays that are located on the side of the track. An automatic sorting system having a sorting chute arranged at a location for receiving articles from a tray, and a sorting control device for controlling the discharging operation to each sorting chute according to the required number for each sorting destination from each tray into which articles are put. In the automatic sorting method, a necessary number setting step for setting a required number for each item sorting destination, a collective number specifying step for specifying a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray, and the necessary number as the collective number. Divide and calculate the quotient and remainder for each sorting destination, calculate the total number of times required for the total number of quotients for each sorting destination, and count the number of times the article has been put An input end detection process for detecting that the required number of inputs has been reached, and after detecting the end of input, the remainder for each sorting destination is reset as a new required number for each sorting destination, and a number smaller than the total number is newly set. The above-described problem is solved by including a determination step of resetting the number as a collective number, returning to the calculation step, and determining that the sorting is completed when the remainder for each sorting destination is all zero.

  The automatic sorting system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of trays that circulate around a loop-shaped track, an induction unit that is disposed in at least one side of the track, and that puts articles into the tray, A sorting chute that is arranged at a plurality of locations on the side and receives articles from the tray, and a sorting control device that controls the discharge operation to each sorting chute according to the required number of each sorting destination from each tray into which the articles are loaded In the automatic sorting system, the sorting control device includes a required number setting unit that sets a required number for each sorting destination of articles, a collective number specifying unit that specifies a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray, and the necessary Divide the required number output by the number setting means by the summary number output by the summary number designation means to calculate the quotient and remainder for each sorting destination, A calculation means for setting the total number of quotients for each share as the required number of inputs, an input count display means for displaying the required input count output from the calculation means, an input count counter for counting the input count of articles, and the input In response to an input end detection means for detecting that the number of inputs output from the number counting means has reached the required number of inputs output from the calculation means, and an output of the input end from the input end detection means, the calculation means A resetting means for setting the necessary number setting means using the calculated remainder for each sorting destination as a new necessary number for each sorting destination, and setting the summing number specifying means with a number smaller than the summed number as a new summing number; Receiving the output of the resetting means, a repetitive throwing command means for commanding a re-operation to the calculating means, throwing number display means, throwing number counting means and throwing end detection means, And an article insertion completion judging means for prohibiting the operations of the resetting means and the repetitive throwing command means and judging that the article has been thrown in when the remainder for each sorting destination calculated by the computing means is all zero. Therefore, the operator only needs to put a plurality of articles into the tray according to the display without performing complicated setting work. You can prevent mistakes.

  The automatic sorting system of the invention according to claim 2 is configured such that, in addition to the effect achieved by the automatic sorting system according to claim 1, the sorting control device connects a plurality of control devices through communication lines. In addition, since at least the collective number designation means, the input number display means, and the input number count means are provided in the induction unit, the operator can specify the collective number at the work position and arbitrarily change the setting. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily change the setting at the time of sorting work according to the size of the article, the skill of the worker, and the like.

  Moreover, in addition to the effect which the automatic sorting system which concerns on Claim 1 or Claim 2 show | plays, the said sorting control apparatus memorize | stores the information of several articles | goods independently. Since it is configured in parallel so as to calculate, it is possible to input different types of articles for each tray, and it is also possible to provide multiple induction units and sort different types of articles in parallel. Since the work setup can be changed, the work time can be further reduced.

  In addition to the effect of the automatic sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, the automatic sorting system of the invention according to claim 4 has the induction portions arranged at a plurality of positions on the side of the track. The loading completion detecting means is configured to integrate the outputs of the loading count counting means provided in the plurality of induction units, thereby performing the loading operation of the same type of article in the plurality of induction units. Work time can be further reduced.

  The automatic sorting system according to the present invention according to claim 5 has an article specifying means for specifying the type of article to be inserted by the sorting control device in addition to the effect produced by the automatic sorting system according to claim 3 or claim 4. In addition, the loading end detection means integrates the output of the number-of-insertions counting means according to the output of the article specifying means, and outputs the loading end for each of a plurality of articles independently. It is possible to start the input of another type of article before the end of the input of the type of article, and it is possible to change the type of the input article more flexibly and reduce the work time.

  The automatic sorting system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is based on the preset number sequence in addition to the effect exhibited by the automatic sorting system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. In this case, it is possible to prevent the operator from having to change the summary number at the end of the insertion, and to prevent a work mistake. .

  The automatic sorting system according to the seventh aspect of the invention has the required number of pieces for each sorting destination in addition to the effect produced by the automatic sorting system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects. Means for automatically setting the maximum value of the items, and the resetting unit sets the number-of-collection-designating means with the maximum value of the new required number for each sorting destination as the new number of pieces Since the required number of inputs is completed with the minimum number of inputs, the work time can be shortened.

  An automatic sorting method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of trays that circulate around a loop-shaped track, an induction unit that is disposed in at least one side of the track, and that puts articles into the tray, A sorting chute that is arranged at a plurality of locations on the side and receives articles from the tray, and a sorting control device that controls the discharge operation to each sorting chute according to the required number of each sorting destination from each tray into which the articles are loaded In the automatic sorting method of the automatic sorting system, a required number setting step for setting a required number for each item sorting destination, a collective number specifying step for specifying a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray, and the required number Dividing by the total number to calculate the quotient and remainder for each sorting destination, and calculating the total number of quotients for each sorting destination as the required number of times, and the input of goods Counting the number and detecting that the required number of times of injection has been reached, and detecting the end of the loading, and then resetting the remainder for each sorting destination as a new required number for each sorting destination, By re-setting a number smaller than the number as a new collective number and returning to the calculation step, and having a determination step that completes sorting when the remainder for each sorting destination is all zero, the operator can perform complicated setting work Since it is only necessary to put a plurality of articles into the tray according to the display without performing the operation, the operation time can be shortened and an operation error can be prevented.

  An automatic sorting system according to the present invention includes a plurality of trays that circulate in a loop-shaped track, an induction unit that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that supplies articles to the tray, and a plurality of locations on the side of the track. In an automatic sorting system having a sorting chute that receives articles from trays arranged in the tray and a sorting control device that controls the discharge operation to each sorting chute according to the required number of each sorting destination from each tray into which articles are loaded The sorting control device includes a necessary number setting means for setting a required number for each article sorting destination, a collective number specifying means for specifying a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray, and an output of the necessary number setting means. Divide the required number to be divided by the total number output by the total number designation means to calculate the quotient and remainder for each sorting destination, Calculating means for setting the total number of required inputs, input number display means for displaying the required input number output from the calculating means, input number counting means for counting the number of input articles, and output of the input number counting means Each of the sorting destinations calculated by the calculation means in response to the output of the completion of input from the input end detection means and the input end detection means for detecting that the number of inputs to be performed has reached the required number of inputs output by the calculation means Resetting means for setting the necessary number setting means with the remainder as a new required number for each sorting destination, and setting the total number specifying means with a number smaller than the total number as a new total number, and the resetting means The calculation means, the number-of-insertions display means, the number-of-times-counting means, and the repetition-instruction command means for instructing the re-operation to the end-of-insertion detection means, and the calculation means When the calculated remainder for each sorting destination is all zero, the operation of the resetting means and the repeated throwing command means is prohibited, and the article loading completion judging means for judging the completion of the article loading is provided. As long as the number of articles put into the tray can be set by simple operation and the work time can be shortened and the effect of preventing work mistakes can be exhibited, any specific embodiment can be used. I do not care.

  The automatic sorting method of the present invention includes a plurality of trays that circulate around a loop-shaped track, an induction unit that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that puts articles into the tray, and a side of the track. Automatic sorting having sorting chutes arranged at a plurality of locations for receiving articles from trays, and sorting control devices for controlling the discharge operation to each sorting chute according to the required number for each sorting destination from each tray into which articles have been placed. In the automatic sorting method of the system, a required number setting step for setting a required number for each item sorting destination, a collective number specifying step for specifying a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray, and the necessary number as the collective number To calculate the quotient and remainder for each sorting destination, and the total number of quotients for each sorting destination is calculated as the required number of times, and the number of times the product is placed is calculated. Then, after detecting the end of the input, detecting the end of the input, and after detecting the end of the input, the remainder for each sorting destination is reset as a new required number for each sorting destination, and is smaller than the number of sums The number is reset as a new collective number and the process returns to the calculation step, and when the remainder for each sorting destination is all zero, it has a judgment step for completing sorting. Any specific embodiment may be used as long as it is effective in setting the number and shortening the work time and preventing work mistakes.

  The summary number designation means of the sorting control device in the automatic sorting system of the present invention may be a unit that designates the summary number according to a pattern stored in advance or according to a required number for each sorting destination of articles, The operator may be arbitrarily designated. Further, the summary number designation means may be one that can be arbitrarily designated by the operator after the summary number is reset by the resetting means.

  Further, the sorting control device of the automatic sorting system of the present invention is capable of controlling the discharge from each tray to the sorting destination chute and automatically controlling discharge by specifying the sorting destination chute from the input information of each tray. Alternatively, optimal control such as determining the discharge order in relation to the physical position of the chute, the information on the sorting destination, the information on the article, and the like may be performed.

The automatic sorting system and the automatic sorting method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the input process of the automatic sorting system and automatic sorting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the automatic sorting system and automatic according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a sorting method, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an input process of an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method. FIG. 5 is a table of the number of times of charging in the conventional example and the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a table.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, an automatic sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided such that a plurality of trays 510 are connected in a conveyor shape and circulate around a loop-shaped track, as shown in FIG. An induction unit 520 for putting articles into the tray 510 is arranged at a side of a predetermined position on the track, and a number of sorting chutes 530 for receiving articles from the tray 510 are arranged at a side of another predetermined position on the track. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the induction unit 520 is provided with a terminal device 521 of a sorting control device (not shown), and the worker inputs the article P into the tray 510 according to the display of the terminal device 521. At the same time, the worker inputs that the article P has been put into the tray 510 using an input means provided in the terminal device 521, for example, a barcode reader.

  The sorting chute 530 is assigned to each sorting destination of the article P. When the tray 510 on which the article P is placed moves to a predetermined sorting chute 530, the tray 510 is tilted based on the information stored in the sorting control device. When the articles P are discharged to a predetermined sorting chute 530, a predetermined number of articles P are sorted for each sorting destination.

Therefore, an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described along the flow of FIG.
First, when the type of article to be input is input (101), the necessary number setting means and the collective number designation means are obtained from the article management data (120) and the collective number sequence (121) for each kind of article prepared in advance. The required number data for each article sorting destination and a sequence of the number of articles put together per tray are acquired (102).

Input of the type of article to be input may be performed using a barcode reader or the like at the terminal device 521 provided in the induction unit 520, or may be performed in other departments according to a pre-programmed order. Also good.
Further, the article management data (120) and the summary number sequence (121) may be prepared in a host system of an automatic sorting system such as a merchandise order management system.

Next, the first summary number G1 is set as the summary number G (103, 104), and the total number of insertions T for the summary number G is set by the following calculation in the calculation means.
At this time, the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination when the introduction with the collective number G is completed is also calculated at the same time.
T = TA1 + TA2 + TA3 + ... + TAn
Integer part (quotient) of TAn = (An / G)
The remainder of CAn = (An / G) Note that if the required number An for each sorting destination is all equal to or less than the total number G, the total number of inputs T = 0, so that the next numerical value in the total number sequence is calculated as G again. (106, 115, 116, 104).

In response to the output of the calculation means, the insertion number display means provided in the terminal device 521 displays (107) the total number G and the total number T of inputs, and inputs from the terminal device 521 when it is desired to change the total number G arbitrarily. (108, 117), the computing means again computes the new total number of times T of input using the input new collective number G.
When starting the input operation with the displayed summary number G, the input number display means displays the collective number G, the total input number T, and the remaining input number T-Tz (109), and the operator summarizes in the induction unit 520. Articles are loaded by the number G (110) and placed on the tray 510.

The introduction unit 520 reads the input every time the total number of articles is input, and the input count counting unit counts up the input count Tz for each input (111). In the input end detection unit, the input count Tz becomes the total input count T The remaining number of times T-Tz of the number-of-inputs display means is sequentially updated until it is detected that the value has reached (112), and charging is repeated.
The input reading in the induction unit 520 may be automatically performed by a sensor or the like, or may be input by the operator from the terminal device 521.
In addition, an optical sensor, a weight sensor, or the like that detects whether or not the collective number G has been accurately inserted into the induction unit 520 once may be provided.

When the loading end detection means detects that the loading number Tz has reached the total loading number T (112), in the article loading completion determination means, the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination previously calculated by the calculation means is obtained. If it is determined that all the items are not zero, that is, all the inputs of the article are not completed (113), the resetting means newly sets the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination previously calculated by the calculating means. The required number An for each destination is set to 114 (114), and the next total number Gy of the previous total number sequence is set to a new total number G (115, 104). To do.
At this time, if the collective number G immediately before the finished throwing operation is arbitrarily input, the collective number Gy smaller than the immediately preceding collective number G is selected (116).

  When the article input completion determining means determines that the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination previously calculated by the calculating means is all zero, that is, when all the articles have been input (113), Is completed.

  To explain with a simple example compared to the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 2, the article P is divided into three and two pieces in two places using a collective number sequence (two pieces, one piece). To explain, in the first calculation, the total number of times is 2 when the total number is 2, and the operator puts the articles P into the tray 510 twice, looking at the display of the number-of-inputs display means, and then summing up. When the number is 1, the total number of times of insertion is displayed once, and one piece is put into the tray 510 once and the article P is put in, so that the loading operation is completed. This reduces the time and effort of work.

Next, an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described along the flow of FIG.
First, when the type of article to be input is input (201), the necessary number setting means obtains necessary quantity data for each sorting destination of the article from the article management data (220) for each kind of article prepared in advance. (202).
Further, the summary number designation means sets the maximum number of necessary number data for each sorting destination as the summary number G (203).

Input of the type of article to be input may be performed using a barcode reader or the like at the terminal device 521 provided in the induction unit 520, or may be performed in other departments according to a pre-programmed order. Also good.
Further, the article management data (220) may be prepared in a host system of an automatic sorting system such as a merchandise order management system.

Next, in the calculating means, the total number of times of insertion T in the collective number G is set by the following calculation.
At this time, the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination when the introduction with the collective number G is completed is also calculated (204).
T = TA1 + TA2 + TA3 + ... + TAn
Integer part (quotient) of TAn = (An / G)
The remainder of CAn = (An / G)

In response to the output of the calculation means, the input number display means provided in the terminal device 521 displays (206) the collective number G and the total input number T, and if it is desired to reduce the collective number G, the necessary number for each sorting destination. Among the data, the maximum number less than the current summary number G is set as a new summary number G, and the above calculation is performed again by the calculation means (207, 215, 216).
Further, when it is desired to arbitrarily change the total number, it is input from the terminal device 521 (208, 217), and the above calculation is performed again by the calculation means using the input new total number G.
If the required number An for each sorting destination is less than or equal to the newly entered total number G, the total number of times T = 0, so that the maximum number of the required number data for each sorting destination is again the total number. Calculation is performed again as G and setting (205, 203, 204).
When starting the input operation with the displayed summary number G, the input number display means displays the collective number G, the total input number T, and the remaining input number T-Tz (209), and the operator summarizes in the induction unit 520. Articles are loaded by the number G (210), and the articles are placed on the tray 510.

Each time the number of articles is put in, the induction unit 520 reads the input, the input number counting means increments the input number Tz for each input (211), and the input end detection means determines that the input number Tz is the total input number T Until it is detected (212), the remaining number of times T-Tz of the number-of-insertions display means is sequentially updated, and the insertion is repeated.
The input reading in the induction unit 520 may be automatically performed by a sensor or the like, or may be input by the operator from the terminal device 521.
In addition, an optical sensor, a weight sensor, or the like that detects whether or not the collective number G has been accurately inserted into the induction unit 520 once may be provided.

  When the loading end detection means detects that the loading number Tz has reached the total loading number T (212), in the article loading completion determination means, the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination previously calculated by the calculation means is obtained. If it is determined that all the items are not zero, that is, all of the articles are not completely charged (213), the resetting unit newly sets the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination previously calculated by the calculating unit. The required number An for each destination is set (214), and the maximum number among the required numbers An for each new sorting destination is set as the new combined number G (203). To repeat.

  If the article input completion determining means determines that all the necessary number of remaining CAn for each sorting destination previously calculated by the calculating means is zero, that is, if all the articles have been input (213), Is completed.

  To explain with a simple example compared to the conventional example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the article P is divided into 3 and 2 parts at 2 locations, the total number 3 is the total number of times of insertion in the first calculation. Once the operator sees the display of the input number display means, the operator puts three into the tray 510 twice, and then puts the article P into the tray 510. Subsequently, the total number of inputs is displayed as one in the collective number 2, and the tray 510 Each time, two articles are loaded once and the article P is loaded to complete the loading operation, so that the number of loading operations is reduced three times as compared with the conventional automatic sorting system, and the labor of the work is eliminated and the time is shortened.

The above-described automatic sorting system and automatic sorting method of the present invention will be described in more detail by taking as an example a case where the articles to be sorted are two types of merchandise A and merchandise B and the sorting destinations are six locations of store 1 to store 6. .
As shown in FIG. 5, 10, 13, 5, 19, 11, 23 products A and 5, 2, 16, 6, 3, 7 products B for sorting destination stores 1 to 6, respectively. Sort.
In the conventional example in which one article is put into one tray, as shown in FIG. 5, it is necessary to throw in the number of times of the number of articles, that is, the total of the products A and B 120 times.

In contrast, the case of the first embodiment will be described first.
The first embodiment-1 in FIG. 5 is a case in which the number-of-summary number sequence is (5, 3, 1, 1). 3 times, 2 times with 1 batch, 19 times, for product B, 6 times with 5 batches, 1 with 3 batches, 6 with 1 batch, 13 times The total number of insertions is 32 times.

The first embodiment-2 in FIG. 5 is a case in which the number-of-summary number sequence is (9, 4, 1, 1). 3 times, 6 times for 1 group, 16 times for product B, 19 times for product B, 1 time for 9 pieces, 4 times for 4 pieces, 14 times for 1 piece. The total number of inputs is 35.
The optimal summary number sequence differs depending on the number of sorting destinations and the required number, and also varies depending on the size of the article and the skill of the worker, etc. Can be reduced and work efficiency can be improved.

Next, the case of the second embodiment will be described.
The second embodiment-1 in FIG. 5 is a case where the total number is the same as the calculation. Since the required number is different in all stores for the products A and B, the required number of each store is set as the total number. Therefore, the total number of insertions is 12.
In the second embodiment-2 in FIG. 5, the initial collective number is 10 for the product A and 10 for the product B in consideration of the size that can be placed on one tray and the skill of the worker. Is an example when the number is 5, for product A, 6 times for 10 pieces, 1 time for 9 pieces, 1 time for 5 pieces, 2 times for 3 pieces, Total number of times is 1 for a total of 11 times. For product B, 6 times for a total number of 5 times, 1 time for a total of 3 times, 2 times for a total number of 2 times, 2 times for a total number of 1 time 11 times in total, the total number of times of insertion is 22 times.
In any of the examples, the number of times of insertion is greatly reduced as compared with the conventional example, and work efficiency can be improved.

  In the automatic sorting system and the automatic sorting method of the present invention, the tray is specifically configured to have a sorting chute around the loop-shaped track. However, the transport facility having the same function, that is, a plurality of transporting articles. The transfer means may be applied to any type of transfer facility as long as it is a sort transfer facility that circulates or reciprocates between the carry-in portion and the carry-out portion.

The flowchart of the input process of the automatic sorting system and automatic sorting method which are 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. The flowchart of the input process of the automatic sorting system and automatic sorting method which are 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an automatic sorting system and an automatic sorting method according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3. The table | surface of the injection frequency of a prior art example and 1st Example of this invention. The table | surface of the injection frequency of 2nd Example of this invention. Overall schematic diagram of a conventional automatic sorting system. Explanatory drawing of the conventional automatic sorting system. Schematic of a conventional automatic sorting system and automatic sorting method.

Explanation of symbols

500 ... Automatic sorting system 510 ... Tray 520 ... Induction section 521 ... Terminal device 530 ... Sorting chute

Claims (8)

A plurality of trays that circulate around the loop-shaped track, an induction unit that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that receives articles from the tray that is disposed at a plurality of positions on the side of the track. In an automatic sorting system having a sorting chute to perform and a sorting control device that controls the discharge operation to each sorting chute according to the required number of each sorting destination from each tray into which articles are input,
The sorting control device is
Necessary number setting means for setting the required number for each sorting destination of articles,
A collective number designating means for designating a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray;
An operation in which the required number output from the required number setting means is divided by the total number output from the total number specifying means to calculate the quotient and the remainder for each sorting destination, and the total sum of the quotients for each sorting destination is used as the required number of inputs. Means,
The number-of-inputs display means for displaying the required number of times of output outputted by the arithmetic means;
A number-of-times counting means for counting the number of times the article has been charged;
An insertion end detection means for detecting that the number of times of input output by the number of times of input counting means has reached the required number of times of input output by the arithmetic means,
The required number setting means is set as a new required number for each sorting destination by receiving the output of the loading end from the loading end detecting means, and is less than the total number Resetting means for setting the summary number designating means with the number as a new summary number;
In response to the output of the resetting means, a repetitive charging instruction means for instructing the re-operation to the calculating means, charging number display means, charging number counting means and charging end detection means,
When the remainder for each sorting destination calculated by the calculation means is all zero, the operation of the resetting means and the repeated input command means is prohibited, and an article input completion determination means for determining completion of article input is provided. Automatic sorting system characterized by The sorting control device is configured by connecting a plurality of control devices with a communication line,
2. The automatic sorting system according to claim 1, wherein at least a summary number designating unit, a loading number display unit, and a loading number counting unit are provided in the induction section.   The automatic sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sorting control device is configured in parallel so as to store and calculate information of a plurality of articles independently. The induction part is arranged at a plurality of locations on the side of the track,
3. The automatic sorting system according to claim 1, wherein the input end detection unit is configured to integrate the outputs of the input number counting unit provided in the plurality of induction units. 4. . The sorting control device further has an article specifying means for specifying the type of article to be inserted,
4. The input end detecting means adds up the outputs of the input number counting means according to the outputs of the article specifying means, respectively, and independently outputs the input end for each of a plurality of articles. The automatic sorting system according to claim 4.   6. The resetting means includes means for setting the summary number designating means with a number that decreases sequentially based on a preset number sequence as a new summary number. An automatic sorting system as described in any of the above. The summary number designation means has means for automatically setting the maximum value among the necessary numbers for each sorting destination,
The re-setting means includes means for setting the number-of-collecting-number designating means by setting a maximum value among the new necessary numbers for each sorting destination as a new number of sums. The automatic sorting system according to any one of 5. A plurality of trays that circulate around the loop-shaped track, an induction unit that is disposed at least at one side of the track, and that receives articles from the tray that is disposed at a plurality of positions on the side of the track. In an automatic sorting method of an automatic sorting system having a sorting chute to be performed and a sorting control device that controls the discharge operation to each sorting chute according to the required number of each sorting destination from each tray into which articles are input,
A required quantity setting process for setting the required quantity for each article sorting destination;
A collective number designating process for designating a collective number of articles to be loaded per tray;
An operation step of dividing the necessary number by the summary number to calculate a quotient and a remainder for each sorting destination, and a total sum of quotients for each sorting destination being a required number of inputs,
Counting the number of times the article has been loaded, and a loading completion detection step for detecting that the required number of times has been reached,
After detecting the end of input, the remainder for each sorting destination is reset as a new required number for each sorting destination, and the number smaller than the summed number is reset as a new summed number, and the process returns to the calculation step. An automatic sorting method comprising: a determination step of completing sorting when all the remainders are zero.

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