JP2012232837A - Picking facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picking facility improving work efficiency, by achieving picking work of article collecting containers that are conveyed further upstream when the picking work in one's own zone and an upstream neighboring work zone is not required.SOLUTION: When the picking work is not required in one's own zone Z and the upstream zone Z, the article collecting containers 10 requiring the picking work are determined out of the article collecting containers 10 identified that they are conveyed further upstream of the upstream zone Z. Instructions are given by a front port indicator 19 and a temporarily placing indicator 47 so that the articles 11 to be stored into the acquired article collecting containers 10 are taken out from a front port 16, and all of them are temporarily placed on a temporarily placing table 46.

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking facility for picking articles.

  Collection and sorting of designated articles are performed at distribution centers and warehouses for various articles in logistics. For example, in a distribution center, a so-called picking operation is performed in which an article according to a customer order is taken out and stored in a container as a collection container.

  A basic form of such picking work is to divide a collection container transport means such as a belt conveyor into a plurality of work zones along the moving direction of the transport means, and each work zone has another work zone. In addition to arranging storage shelves that store different types of articles, workers dedicated to each work zone are arranged, and each worker is instructed from the storage shelves of his work zone based on the picking instruction A picking operation is performed in which an article is taken out and stored in a collection container conveyed by a belt conveyor.

When there is no picking work for the collection container conveyed by the belt conveyor in each work zone, the worker waits. Therefore, many picking facilities have been proposed that improve the work efficiency by effectively using this waiting time.
For example, in the picking equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1, temporary work tables are arranged along the belt conveyors in each work zone, and when waiting is generated, the work is transported from the next upstream work zone. Items to be thrown into (collected from) the incoming collection container are previously taken out of the storage rack in your work zone, put into a temporary table, collected, and collected in your work zone from the upstream work zone. When the product container is conveyed, it is configured to be transferred from the temporary table, shortening the time for picking work and improving work efficiency.

JP 2008-195482 A

  However, with conventional picking equipment, basically only temporary storage work can be performed on a collection container transported from an adjacent upstream work zone, and when there is no picking work in the upstream work zone, Is hand-held.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a picking facility that realizes picking work for a collection container transported further upstream when there is no picking work in the adjacent upstream work zone in addition to its own zone, and can further improve work efficiency. It is intended to provide.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a picking shelf having a plurality of article storage portions each storing articles, and each of the sorting destinations is arranged along the picking shelf. There is an area to which the article request information is allocated, and an article taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf according to the article request information of the sorting destination is in the area allocated to the article request information of the sorting destination. A picking facility equipped with a transporting means for transporting the article by area,
The conveying means and the picking shelf are partitioned into a plurality of zones along the conveying direction of the articles by the conveying means, and taken out from the article storage section of the picking shelf along the conveying means into each zone. Temporary storage shelves for temporarily placing articles are provided, and the areas that are being transported in each zone are identified in order by the article request information of the sorting destination, and each zone is adjacent to its own zone or its own zone. Presence / absence of picking work in which the article taken out from the article storage unit is put in the zone according to the article request information of the sorting destination assigned to the area identified as being transported in the upstream zone If it is determined that there is no picking work, the area identified as being transported further upstream than the upstream zone Based on the article request information of the sorting destination assigned to each, the area that requires the picking work is determined as an area to be temporarily placed, and based on the article request information of the sort destination in the area to be temporarily placed The article taken out from the article storage section for this area is instructed to be temporarily placed on the temporary shelf.

  According to the above configuration, when there is no picking work in the own zone and the upstream zone adjacent to the own zone, an area requiring the picking work is obtained from the areas identified as being transported further upstream than the upstream zone. Then, it is instructed to take out the articles stored in this area from the article storage unit and temporarily place them on the temporary storage shelf. As a result, the worker who performs the picking work uses the waiting time without picking work in the own zone and the upstream zone, takes out the article for the area to be picked further upstream, and temporarily places it on the temporary storage shelf. When this area has been conveyed by the conveying means, the articles can be transferred efficiently.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein an area to be temporarily placed in each zone is adjacent to the own zone on the basis of an area located upstream of the own zone. It is characterized in that it is a specific range area further upstream than the upstream zone.
According to the above configuration, by setting the area to be temporarily placed as the area of the specific range, it is possible to remove the area approaching the adjacent upstream zone from the temporarily placed object, and picking in the upstream zone The work and the temporary picking work overlap, and the work is prevented from being confused, and the temporary picking work is facilitated.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the area to be temporarily placed in each zone is an area in a preset range.
According to the above configuration, by setting the area to be temporarily placed as an area in a preset range, the picking work in the upstream zone and the temporarily placing picking work can be prevented from overlapping and the work being confused. This makes it possible to facilitate the temporary picking operation.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the article taken out for the area to be temporarily placed includes an article that cannot be temporarily placed. If it is determined whether or not the total number of articles is greater than or equal to the predetermined number and it is determined that there are items that cannot be temporarily placed, or if the total number of articles is determined to be greater than or equal to the predetermined number, Is excluded from the target.

Estimated that there is an article whose capacity (outer shape / weight) exceeds a predetermined capacity that puts too much burden on the worker, or that it exceeds the capacity that can be stored in the temporary storage shelf as the predetermined number of articles as a temporary storage impossible product There is a number to be.
According to the above configuration, if the articles to be temporarily placed are items that cannot be temporarily placed, or if a predetermined number or more, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator by removing the collection container from the collection container to be temporarily placed. Is done.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the total number of articles to be temporarily placed on the temporary placement shelf provided in each zone, Alternatively, a temporary placement indicator that displays the article request information code of the sorting destination assigned to the temporary placement target area is provided, and the temporary placement indicator temporarily places the article on a temporary shelf provided with the indicator. In some cases, the total number is displayed, and when the temporary placement target area is transported to the upstream zone adjacent to the own zone where the temporary storage shelf is provided, the article request information of the sorting destination is displayed, and the temporary placement target area is displayed. An instruction is given to transfer the article from the storage shelf to the temporary placement target area.

  According to the above configuration, when temporarily placing an article on the temporary placement indicator, the total number of articles to be temporarily placed is displayed, so that the operator can recognize in advance the number of articles to be temporarily placed. When goods are transferred from the temporary storage shelf to the temporary storage target area, the article request information of the sorting destination is displayed, so that the worker can recognize the temporary storage shelf and the temporary storage shelf. It is possible to recognize the area to which the placed article is to be transferred.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of temporary storage shelves are arranged in each of the zones, These are used in order from a temporary storage shelf located upstream.

  According to the above configuration, a plurality of temporary storage shelves are arranged in each zone and used from the upstream side. The upstream temporary storage shelf is closer to the upstream zone, and the distance traveled by the worker to transfer the articles taken out from the temporary storage shelf is short, so the work time is shortened.

  The picking equipment according to the present invention, when there is no picking work in the own zone and the upstream zone adjacent to the own zone, requires the picking work from the collection containers identified as being transported further upstream from the upstream zone. When an article container is required, and an instruction to take out the article stored in the collection container from the article storage unit and temporarily place it on the temporary storage shelf, the worker who performs the picking work picks up in the own zone and the upstream zone. Using the waiting time without work, it is possible to take out the article for the collection container to be picked further upstream and temporarily store it on the temporary storage shelf, and this collection container has been transported by the transport means. In this case, the articles can be transferred efficiently and work efficiency can be improved.

It is a lineblock diagram of the picking equipment in an embodiment of the invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the picking equipment. It is a side view of the picking equipment. It is a principal part top view of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the collection container and input indicator of the picking equipment, (a) is a perspective view when an input indicator is attached to the collection container, (b) is a collection container, input indicator It is a perspective view when mounted in the tray to which the is attached. It is a figure of the input indicator of the picking equipment, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a control block diagram. It is a whole control block diagram of the picking equipment. It is a communication control block diagram with respect to the input indicator of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the whole picking data of the picking equipment. It is a control block diagram in each zone of the picking equipment. It is a control block diagram in the zone controller of the picking equipment. It is a block diagram of the temporary placement process part of the zone controller of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the range of the collection container of the temporary placement object in the picking equipment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the temporary placement control part of the temporary placement process part of the zone controller of the picking equipment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the transfer control part of the temporary placement process part of the zone controller of the picking equipment. It is a block diagram of the afterimage display control part of the zone controller of the picking equipment. It is explanatory drawing of the temporary placement operation | work among the temporary placement picking operations of the picking equipment. It is explanatory drawing of the transfer operation | work among the temporary picking operations of the picking equipment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This picking equipment accepts an order received from an individual pre-registered user (an example of a sorting destination) (an example of sorting item request information; an order), and an order number (sorting destination) corresponding to the user's order. This is a picking facility that collects and distributes to a collection container (an example of an area) that is assigned a unique code corresponding to the article request information.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a picking facility according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The picking facility stores (collects) the storage line A in which the storage box 12 (FIG. 2) in which the collected articles 11 (FIG. 2) are stored and the articles 11 taken out from the storage box 12. It comprises a conveyance line B that circulates and conveys the collection container 10, a sealing area D, a refill area E, and a bag hanging area F.
The storage line A and the transport line B are divided into a plurality of zones Z (described later), and one worker H who performs a picking operation (described later) is arranged in each zone Z. The storage line A (a flow rack 15 to be described later) and the transport line B (a straight transport line 21 to be described later) are arranged on the opposite side with respect to the worker H (as viewed from the worker H). Has been. The collection container 10 is bagged.
With the above overall configuration, articles stored in the storage line A for each collection container (inside the bag) 10 conveyed by the operator H in the respective zones Z through the conveyance line B based on the order. When 11 is taken out and inserted, the picking operation is executed (details will be described later).
Then, in the sealing area D, in the storage line A, the article 11 in the collection container 10 that has been picked up and transported by the transport line B is inspected, the bag is folded and sealed, and then refilled. In area E, the sealed article 11 (collected article 11 packed in a bag) in the collection container 10 is refilled into a collection box (shipping box; not shown) and shipped, and then in the bagging area F The collection container 10 that has been emptied after the refilling of the articles 11 is bagged and returned upstream from the storage line A. As described above, the collection container 10 is circulated by the transfer line B, and the collection container 10 itself is not shipped. Detailed description of the sealing area D, the refill area E, and the bag hanging area F will be omitted.

Detailed configurations of the storage line A and the transport line B will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the storage line A is composed of a flow rack (an example of a picking shelf) 15, and the flow rack 15 stores one type (one item) of articles 11. The shelf 17 having a plurality of rows of front doors 16 (an example of an article storage unit) on which the storage boxes 12 are placed (stored) is vertically arranged in a plurality of stages (in this embodiment, three stages; preferably three or more stages). ) Arranged and divided into a plurality of front doors 16 (in the present embodiment, the shelf has three stages and the front doors have a total of 24 front doors in a total of 24). A zone Z for executing the take-out operation is set (formed). A zone controller 24 (FIG. 7) is provided for each zone Z.

In addition, at the front end of each shelf 17 of the flow rack 15 (the end of the worker H facing the transfer line B), the front of each frontage 16 (the surface on the worker side) displays the quantity of articles 11 to be taken out. There is provided a frontage indicator 19 composed of a quantity indicator 19A, a complete pushbutton switch 19B having a lamp portion which can be displayed in red, green and yellow, and a shortage switch 19C which is operated when a shortage occurs. The display direction of the frontage indicator 19 provided in the frontage 16 of the shelf 17 above the lowermost shelf 17 is the front (surface on the side of the worker H), and the frontage of the lowermost shelf 17 The display direction of the frontage indicator 19 provided in 16 is an obliquely forward direction (conveying line B side), and each has a different display direction. The color of the lamp portion (lamp color) of the completion pushbutton switch 19B is the color designated for each zone Z (red for odd-numbered zones and green for even-numbered zones), and yellow for temporary placement work described later. The The storage box 12 is constituted by a box (box) whose upper surface is opened and from which the article 11 can be taken out.
The worker H picks the article 11 from the frontage 16 (storage box 12) and puts it into the collection container 10 or a temporary storage shelf 45 to be described later according to the display on each frontage display 19.

  "Conveying line B"; As described above, the conveying line B constitutes a circulation line that circulates the collection container 10, and includes a straight conveyance line 21 that conveys the collection container 10 along the flow rack 15, The straight conveyance line 21 includes a return conveyance line 21B of the collection container 10 that connects the end and the tip.

  The straight conveyance line 21 is constituted by an accumulation conveyor (a conveyor that can be accumulated and moved for each collection container and is designed so that the collection containers are accumulated without colliding with each other), and one collection container 10. Each of the accumulators 22 is provided with an accumulation unit 22 that can store and sequentially feed the collection containers 10, and each accumulation unit 22 has an accumulation unit 22 that is empty (the collection container 10 does not exist) in front as is well known. In some cases, it has a function to advance the collection container 10 forward.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the collection container 10 (conveying position) conveyed by the straight conveyance line 21 is divided along the conveyance direction of the collection container 10 in the straight conveyance line 21. The zones of the straight transport line 21 are partitioned (formed) in the transport direction so as to face each zone Z of the storage line A without any deviation. A zone Z is formed by the rectilinear transport line 21. Hereinafter, the zone of the straight conveyance line 21 is also referred to as zone Z. Basically, the picking operation is executed in each zone Z. In other words, the article 11 taken out from the storage box 12 in the frontage 16 is put into the collection container 10 being conveyed by the straight conveyance line 21.
Each zone Z is provided with a plurality of accumulation units 22 (six in the embodiment), that is, each zone Z can store and forward a maximum of six (a plurality of examples) collection containers 10. It is said that. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 for each zone Z, a tape switch (an example of a loading end operation means) 23 is placed on a jig 23A that is suspended along the straight conveyance line 21 to the height of the collection container 10. Is provided in an upward orientation, and the height position of the tape switch 23 is aligned with the height of the upper surface of the collection container 10.

In addition, as described above, the accumulation unit 22 has a function of feeding the collection container 10 forward. However, the accumulation unit 22 located at the most downstream of each zone Z is given a permission condition for forward feeding. When there is an empty accumulation unit 22 in front and a forward feed permission signal (details will be described later) is received from the zone controller 24 provided in the zone Z where it is located, the collection container 10 is forwarded. Is configured to do.
A temporary shelf 45 is provided for each zone Z on the side opposite to the worker H side along the straight conveyance line 21 along the flow rack 15.

  “Temporary storage shelf 45”; the temporary storage shelf 45 is opened on the worker H side, and a plurality of units (in the order of implementation) 5 in the form) are provided, and a temporary display 47 is provided for each temporary table 46 toward the worker H. This temporary indicator 47 is a completion pushbutton having a quantity indicator 47A for displaying the quantity (total number) or the order number of articles 11 to be temporarily placed, and a lamp unit that can display the colors in red, green and yellow. The switch 47B is configured.

“Collection container 10”; the collection container 10 is composed of a box-shaped container 25, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the container 25 on the side opposite to the storage line A (the side opposite to the worker) On the side surface in the short axis direction, a loading indicator 26 that indicates that the collection container 10 is to be loaded, into which the article 11 taken out from the zone 16 opening 16 is loaded, is attached to the container 25 by a jig 40 (described later). A gap 41 is provided between the container 25 and the side surface of the container 25 so that the bag 27 can be hung, and the bag 27 is attached to the worker H in an oblique posture. As a result, the tape switch 23, the collection container 10, the loading indicator 26, and the temporary storage shelf are sequentially arranged from the worker H side in the left-right direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the collection container 10 conveyed by the straight conveyance line 21. The tape switch 23 and the loading indicator 26 are arranged at the height of the upper surface of the collection container 10 along with 45. Then, the collection container 10 is transported to the storage line A by the straight transport line 21 in a state where the bag 27 is hung in the bag hanging area F.
The jig 40 is U-shaped in a side view, and a part thereof is hooked on the side surface of the container 25, and the loading indicator 26 is collected on the upper end of the other end of the jig 40, that is, on the worker H side. The container 10 is attached to the outside of the upper end portion of the container 10 so as to face upward, and when the article 11 is put into the open portion of the collection container 10, it is not obstructed and is easy to see for the operator H. Arranged and working efficiency has been improved.
As shown in FIG. 2, the collection containers 10 are arranged so that the long axis direction of the container 25 is the front in the conveyance direction and the input indicator 26 is located on the opposite side of the worker H by the straight conveyance line 21. As described above, a plurality of collection containers 10 (maximum of six in the embodiment) for each zone Z can be accumulated and sequentially fed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the insertion indicator 26 is a first lamp arranged in order on the surface of the vertically long box-shaped display body 30 and the display body 30 in the long axis direction. Embedded in the display unit 30, a display unit (an example of upstream zone display means) 31, a digital display (an example of a display screen) 32 made of electronic paper, a second lamp unit (an example of its own zone display means) 33, and From an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification; an example of an RF tag / storage means) 34 capable of reading, writing, and erasing data, a display controller 35, a radio with an antenna (an example of a data receiver) 36, and a battery 37 The digital display unit 32 is configured by the jig 40 in the transport direction of the collection container 10 by the straight transport line 21 (hereinafter abbreviated as the container transport direction). The first lamp unit 31, the digital display unit 32, and the second lamp unit 33 are arranged in order from the top (from the downstream side) in the container transport direction so as to be positioned at the center of the second lamp unit 33. It is attached to the collection container 10 (container 25) in an oblique direction. The order number is written and stored (attached) to the RFID 34 (details will be described later). Further, by providing the input indicator 26 with the digital display 32, the order number or the like that can specify the collection container 10 can be displayed, and the collection container 10 can be specified.
The straight conveyance line 21 is provided with a pair of left and right round pipe guides (an example of guide means) 28 that guides the collection container 10 in the container conveyance direction and restricts the lateral displacement. The round pipe guide 28 prevents the collection container 10 from shifting in the left-right direction during conveyance and coming into contact with the input indicator 26 and the RFID reader 42A and RFID writer 42B described later.

The first lamp unit 31 and the second lamp unit 33 cover the lamps 38 that protrude from the surface of the display unit 30 and can be lit and flashed in four colors of red, green, yellow, and white. The lamp 38, which is composed of the covers 39A and 39B and is the display means of the first lamp portion 31 and the second lamp portion 33, uses the same lamp (including lamp mounting brackets) and can be interchanged. It has become.
The cover 39A is a cover that is open only in the container transport direction so that the lighting state of the lamp 38 can be recognized from the downstream side in the container transport direction and cannot be recognized from the front, and the cover 39B is conversely from the front. The front cover is open so that the lighting / flashing state of the lamp 38 can be recognized and cannot be recognized from the downstream side in the container transport direction.

Further, the lamp 38 of the lamp units 31 and 33, the digital display 32, the RFID 34, and the radio device 36 with a built-in antenna are connected to the display controller 35, and the display controller 35 is connected to the order number written in the RFID 34. Based on the number (described later) and the command / data received by the wireless device 36 (details will be described later), the color, lighting / flashing / extinguishing (no lighting) of the lamp 38 of the lamp units 31 and 33, and digital display The display of the device 32 is controlled. In the digital display 32, the storage line A is input by the straight-forward conveyance line 21, that is, when the collection container 10 is moving, the “order number” written in the RFID 34 or the black and white is inverted “ "Order number" is displayed.
Although not described in detail later, while moving in the sealing area D and the refilling area E, the “total number of articles 11” collected in the collection container 10 based on the data received by the wireless device 36 (counting number; Inspection quantity) is displayed.
The battery 37 supplies power to the lamps 38 of the lamp units 31 and 33, the digital display 32, the wireless device 36, and the display controller 35.

  “RFID reader / writer”; an RFID reader (an example of a reading unit / reading unit) 42A that reads an ID written in the RFID 34, along the straight conveyance line 21, at the upstream end of each zone Z (zone Z boundary) On the slightly upstream side, it is possible to move to the downstream end of the most downstream accumulation unit 22 in the upstream zone Z (the place where the collection container is loaded into the zone Z) substantially every upstream end of the zone Z. Is provided. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID reader 42 </ b> A is disposed to face the input indicator 26 (RFID 34).

An RFID writer 42B that erases the order number written in the RFID 34 and writes the order number assigned to the collection container 10 is provided along the return transport line 21B at the end of the return transport line 21B. .
As these RFID readers 42A and 42B, RFID reader / writers capable of simultaneously writing (IN) and reading (OUT) RFID are used.

In the RFID 34, the order number is written by the RFID writer 42B when picking is started (before entering the storage line A). At this time, the order number written in the RFID 34 by the display controller 35 is digitally written. It is displayed on the display 32.
Further, the order number written in the RFID 34 is read by each RFID reader 42A, whereby the position of the RFID 34, that is, the position of the input indicator 26 in which the RFID 34 is incorporated, that is, the collection container to which the input indicator 26 is attached. Ten positions (which zone Z is moving) are specified (details will be described later).

  “Antenna”: An antenna 43 (FIG. 8) for transmitting / receiving data to / from the wireless device 36 of the input indicator 26 is laid above the straight conveyance line 21. An antenna 43 is also laid above the refill area D.

“Control Configuration”; FIG. 7 shows the control configuration of the picking equipment.
In addition to the zone controller 24 for each zone Z, a general controller 51 and a communication controller 52 are provided as control means for the picking equipment.

  "Communication controller 52": As shown in FIG. 8, the communication controller 52 is connected to the zone controller 24 for each zone Z, the overall controller 51, and the transmission / reception device 53 to which the antenna 43 is connected. Data is transmitted / received to / from the wireless device 36 of each input indicator 26 via the antenna 43 and the transmitting / receiving device 53.

“Overall controller 51”: As shown in FIG. 7, the overall controller 51 is connected to a zone controller 24 for each zone Z and a communication controller 52, and further includes a straight conveyance line 21, a return conveyance line 21B, and a zone Z. Each RFID reader 42A and RFID writer 42B are connected.
In the general controller 51, array data of the zone Z frontage 16 (data of the zone Z frontage 16 corresponding to each product 11) in which the articles 11 to be ordered are stored is set in advance.

The overall controller 51 has the following functions.
(I). A work start command and an end command are output to the zone controller 24 for each zone Z and the communication controller 52.
(B). The straight conveyance line 21 and the return conveyance line 21B are activated and stopped.
(C). Orders from individual users registered in advance {order: an example of article request information from each sorting destination; consisting of information for identifying articles (for example, article type, article name, article code, etc.) and quantity (number) When one or a plurality of data} is received, as shown in FIG. 9, in the order of the registered users who have received the order, the user's order (or the user, that is, the article request information of the sorting destination), the consecutive orders A number (an example of a unique code) is assigned, and the order quantity (picking quantity) is written in each frontage 16 of each zone Z to form the picking data of the storage line A. At this time, for each user order, a zone number at which picking is completed is obtained and stored.
(D). The order number assigned to each user and the picking data of the formed storage line A (including the zone number at which picking is completed) are output to the zone controller 24 of each zone Z.
(E). When the RFID writer 42B detects the RFID 34, based on the picking data, sequential order numbers are sequentially output to the RFID writer 42B, and the order numbers are written to the RFID 34. As a result, sequential order numbers are sequentially assigned to the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached.
(F). When missing part data, that is, data including an order number, a zone number, a frontage 16 number, and a quantity in which a missing part is generated is input from a zone controller 24 described later, the missing part data is stored.

(G) A memory for storing a maximum of 6 order numbers in each zone Z is provided for each zone Z, and when the order number is input by the RFID reader 42A of each zone Z, the order number is set to "the most upstream collection. The order number of the product container 10 is stored in each memory, the previously stored order number is sequentially moved downstream, and the order number input from the RFID reader 42A in the adjacent downstream zone Z is read from the memory. By erasing, the order numbers arranged in order from upstream to downstream are always specified for each zone Z. That is, the collection containers 10 being transported in each zone Z are identified in order by the order number read by the RFID reader 42A.
The specified order number of the collection container 10 is output to each zone controller 24.

  In this way, when the general controller 51 starts / stops the transfer lines 21 and 21B and further inputs an order from each user, the picking data for the storage line A (picking data for each zone Z) ) Is formed and output to the zone controller 24. Further, the order number of the collection container 10 transported in each zone Z is specified and output to each zone controller 24.

  “Zone Controller 24”; each zone controller 24 controls the picking operation of taking out and putting in the article 11 from the corresponding slot 16 of the own zone Z with respect to the collection container 10 being conveyed by the straight conveyance line 21. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the zone controllers 24 is arranged (corresponding to) the frontage indicators 19 of the corresponding zone (hereinafter referred to as “own zone”) 19 and the corresponding zone Z. The tape switch 23, the temporary indicator 47 of each temporary table 46 arranged (corresponding) to face the own zone Z, the accumulation unit 22 at the most downstream side of the own zone Z, the communication controller 52, and the head A controller 51 is connected.

  Each zone controller 24 is set in advance with a number (zone number) for identifying its own zone Z. Further, the arrangement of the frontage 16 of the own zone Z and the data of the articles 11 stored in each frontage 16 ( Array data) is set, and the order number assigned to the user and zone picking data specified by each order number are input from the overall controller 51.

The zone controller 24 has a function of executing normal picking control, preceding picking control, and temporary picking control.
In “normal picking control”, the collection container 10 transported in the own zone Z is designated as an article input target, and the article 11 taken out from the front opening 16 of the own zone Z is introduced into the designated collection container 10. The normal picking operation for confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by operating the tape switch 23 in the own zone Z.
In the “preceding picking control”, when there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z, the collection container 10 being transported in the upstream zone Z is designated as an object input target, The article 11 taken out from the front opening 16 of the zone Z is put into the collection container 10 of the designated upstream zone Z, and the preceding picking work for confirming the completion of the work is controlled by operating the tape switch 23 of the own zone Z.
Further, in the “temporary picking control”, when there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 transported in the own zone Z and the upstream zone Z, the collection identified as being transported further upstream from the upstream zone Z. Picking data is retrieved from the containers 10 by the order number assigned to each container 10 to obtain a collection container 10 that needs to be picked in its own zone Z. Based on the order number, this collection container 10 is obtained. Therefore, the temporary picking operation for temporarily placing the article 11 taken out from the frontage 16 on the temporary placement table 46 is controlled (details will be described later).

“Control Configuration of Zone Controller 24”; FIG. 11 shows a control configuration diagram of the zone controller 24.
The zone controller 24
A picking memory 71 for storing the arrangement data, the order number assigned to each user, picking data (including a zone number at which picking is completed), and whether or not the picking work by the picking data has been completed;
The upstream zone in which the order number written in the RFID 34 of the input indicator 26 attached to each of the maximum six collection containers 10 located (moving) in the upstream zone Z from the upstream to the downstream is stored. Memory 72;
A self-zone memory 73 in which similar order numbers of up to six collection containers 10 located in the self-zone Z from upstream to downstream are stored;
Data processing unit 74, upstream zone memory update unit 75, own zone memory update unit 76, upstream zone preceding display control unit 77, own zone display control unit 78, picking control unit 79, and forward feed permission control unit 80, an afterimage display control unit 82, and a temporary placement processing unit 83.

  “Data processing unit 74”; the data processing unit 74 stores the order number assigned to each user and the picking data input from the overall controller 51 in the picking memory 71.

“Upstream Zone Memory Update Unit 75”; the upstream zone memory update unit 75 stores the zone number of the own zone Z, and the upstream zone memory update unit 75 stores the zone number output from the overall controller 51. Data in the memory is input, and the upstream zone memory 72 is updated.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the upstream zone memory update unit 75 stores the memory data of the zone corresponding to the upstream zone Z in the upstream zone memory 72 among the memory data of each zone output from the overall controller 51. Write.

“Own zone memory update unit 76”; the own zone memory update unit 76 stores the zone number of the own zone Z, and the own zone memory update unit 76 stores each zone output from the overall controller 51. Data in the memory is input and the own zone memory 73 is updated.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the own zone memory update unit 76 stores the data of the memory of the zone corresponding to the own zone Z in the own zone memory 73 out of the memory data of each zone output from the overall controller 51. Write.

“Own Zone Display Control Unit 78”; The own zone display control unit 78 confirms the order number stored in the own zone memory 73, searches the picking memory 71 by each order number, and Presence / absence of picking data (whether or not there is an article 11 picked from the entrance 16 of the own zone Z and put into the collection container 10 located in the own zone Z; if the picking operation has been completed, no picking data exists) To be considered).
If there is picking data in the order number (if there is picking work), the order number is memorized, and the order number (collection container 10) at the most downstream is selected as the order number (collection object) for picking work. The color designation and the zone Z number are added to the order number and output to the picking control unit 79. In addition to the other order numbers excluding the order number of the collection container 10 to be picked, the own zone yellow lighting data including the yellow color designation, the number of the own zone Z, and the lighting signal is added. Output to the communication controller 52. Based on the own zone lighting data, the lamp 38 of the second lamp section 33 is lit in yellow (described later).
If there is no picking data in the order number by searching (if there is no picking work), the own zone extinguishing data, which is the order number plus the zone Z number and the extinguishing signal, is sent to the communication controller 52. The picking data absence signal is output to the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77 and the temporary processing unit 83. Based on the self-zone turn-off data, the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 is turned off (described later).

“Upstream Zone Advance Display Control Unit 77”; The upstream zone advance display control unit 77 confirms the order number stored in the upstream zone memory 72, searches the picking memory 71 by each order number, and upstream Presence / absence of picking data in the zone (whether or not there is an article 11 picked from the front opening 16 of the own zone Z and put into the collection container 10 located in the upstream zone Z; no picking data if the picking operation has been completed) To be considered).
If there is picking data in the order number (if there is picking work), the order number is stored, and then it is confirmed whether or not the picking data no signal is inputted from the own zone display control unit 78. When the no picking data signal is confirmed, the most downstream order number (collection container 10) is determined as the order number (collection container) to be picked, and the color designation and upstream zone Z A number (subtract 1 from the number of the own zone Z) is added and output to the picking control unit 79.
Also, the upstream zone yellow lighting data is added to the other order numbers excluding the order number of the collection container 10 to be picked, plus the yellow color designation, the upstream zone Z number, and the lighting signal. Output to the communication controller 52. If there is no picking data in the order number by searching (if there is no picking work), the upstream zone extinction data including the order number plus the upstream zone Z number and the extinction signal is sent to the communication controller 52. The picking data absence signal is output to the temporary processing unit 83. Based on the upstream zone lighting data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is turned on in yellow, and based on the upstream zone lighting data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is turned off (described later).

  “Temporary placement processing unit 83”; the temporary placement processing unit 83 temporarily placed the article 11 for each of the temporary placement control unit 85 and each of the five temporary placement tables 46 in the own zone Z, as shown in FIG. The temporary storage memory 86 that stores the order number of the collection container 10 and a transfer control unit 87 are configured.

<Temporary placement control unit 85>; The temporary placement control unit 85 uses the order number of the collection container 10 located upstream of the own zone Z stored in the own zone memory 73 in advance as a reference order number. The collection container 10 in a specific range further upstream than the zone Z (for example, from the order of the collection container four upstream from the upstream zone Z to 35 orders before) is set as the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed. As shown in FIG. 13, when the zone Z is the zone (3), the reference order number is “6”, and the collection containers 10 with the order numbers “16” to “41” are the targets of temporary placement picking. It is said. In this way, the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed is the collection container 10 in the specific range, so that the collection container 10 approaching the adjacent upstream zone Z is excluded from the temporary placement target. Therefore, it is avoided that the picking work in the upstream zone Z and the temporary picking work overlap and the work is confused.
The operation of the temporary control unit 85 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Temporary control unit 85 receives picking data absence signal from own zone display control unit 78 and upstream zone preceding display control unit 77 (steps -1 and 2), that is, is transported in own zone Z and upstream zone Z. If there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 being placed, temporary picking control is executed.
That is, the standard order number is confirmed from the own zone memory 73 (step-3), and then the order number of the collection container 10 in the specific range is obtained from the standard order number (step-4). The picking memory 71 is searched in order from the downstream order number closest to the own zone Z, and the presence or absence of picking data of the own zone Z (picking from the front 16 of the own zone Z to the temporary placement table 46 of the own zone Z) Whether or not there is an article 11 to be temporarily placed is confirmed (steps -5, 6, and 7). When it is confirmed that there is picking data, the collection container 10 of this order number is recognized as a (temporary) temporary placement target (a collection container 10 that requires picking work is obtained) (step -8).
Next, the picking memory 71 is searched again by this order number, and the article 11 to be collected and temporarily placed for the temporarily placed collection container 10 is picked up by the picking data. (Weight) is an article exceeding a predetermined capacity that is too burdensome for the worker}, or whether it is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (a number estimated to exceed the capacity that can be stored in the temporary table 46) (step-9) 10) When confirmed, the collection container 10 is removed from the temporary collection target collection container (skip), and the picking memory 71 is set again in order from the order number one upstream from this order number. The presence / absence of picking data of the own zone (whether there is an article 11 picked from the frontage 16 of the own zone Z and temporarily placed on the temporary placement table 46 of the own zone Z) Check the.
Then, the article 11 to be collected and temporarily placed for the temporarily placed collection container 10 is identified as the temporarily placed collection container 10 with an order number that is not temporarily placed or is not more than a predetermined number. (Step-11).
As described above, when the order number of the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed is found, there is an empty temporary placement base 46 depending on whether or not the order number of each temporary placement base 46 is stored in the temporary placement memory 86. (Step-12), if there is, the most upstream side temporary placement table 46 is identified as a temporary placement table (step-13), and the quantity indicator 47A of the temporary placement indicator 47 of this temporary placement table 46 The total number of temporarily placed articles 11 based on the found picking data is displayed, and the lamp of the completion pushbutton switch 47B is lit in yellow, that is, the article 11 taken out from the frontage 16 for the temporarily placed collection container 10 is temporarily placed. An instruction is given to temporarily place the table 46 (step -14), and the found order number is output to the picking control unit 79 (step -15).
Then, when an operation signal (temporary placement end signal) of the completion push button switch 47B of the temporary placement indicator 47 is input (step -16), the temporary placement memory 46 is ordered to the temporary placement stand 46 where the temporary placement work has been completed. The number is stored (step-17), and the lamp of the completion push button switch 47B is turned off (step-18). The total number of temporarily placed articles 11 displayed on the quantity display 47A is left as it is. Further, a temporary placement end signal is output to the picking control unit 79 (step-19), and the process ends.

Next, the operation of the transfer control unit 87 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
<Transfer Control Unit 87>; The transfer control unit 87 stores the zone number of the own zone Z in advance, and sends a picking data absence signal from the own zone display control unit 78 and the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77. When input (steps -1, 2), that is, if there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 transported in the own zone Z and the upstream zone Z, the article 11 temporarily placed on the temporary placement table 46 is targeted. The control to transfer to the collection container 10 is executed.
That is, the upstream zone memory 72 is monitored based on the order number stored in the temporary memory 86, that is, whether the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed in the order number has been transported to the upstream zone Z. When the order number appears in the upstream zone Z, the order number is displayed on the quantity display 47A of the temporary display 47 of the temporary placement table 46 of the order number that has appeared, The lamp of the completion pushbutton switch 47B is lit in the color of its own zone Z (red when the zone Z number is odd, green when it is even) (step -4), and then the color designation and upstream zone are set in the order number. The upstream zone temporary lighting data obtained by adding the number of Z (subtract 1 from the number of its own zone Z) is output to the communication controller 52 (step -5).
When the operation signal of the tape switch 23 is input (step-6), it is determined that the transfer of the article 11 is completed, and the display of the quantity display 47A of the temporary display 47 and the lamp of the completion push button switch 47B are turned off. (Step -7), upstream zone temporary turn-off data obtained by adding the number of the upstream zone Z and the turn-off signal to the order number is output to the communication controller 52 (Step -8). The order number stored in (1) is deleted (step-9). Then, the picking data in the picking memory 71 of the transferred order number is regarded as the end of the picking work (step -10), and the process ends.
Based on the upstream zone temporary lighting data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is lit in a designated color, and based on the upstream zone temporary lighting data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is turned off. (To be described later).

“Picking control unit 79”; the picking control unit 79 inputs the order number of the collection container 10 to be picked from the own zone display control unit 78, the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77, or the temporary processing unit 83. The picking data in the picking memory 71 is searched based on the order number.
When an order number is input from the own zone display control unit 78 or the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77, the input order number is designated with a color (red or green), the number of the own zone Z or the upstream zone Z The self zone picking lighting data or the upstream zone picking lighting data added with the number and lighting signal is output to the communication controller 52. Based on the own zone picking lighting data, the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 is lit red or green, and based on the upstream zone picking lighting data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is red or green. Illuminated (described later).
Subsequently, according to the picking data of the collection container 10 to be picked, the color of the lamp 38 is designated by the frontage display 19 (from the own zone display control unit 78 or the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77). When the number is input, red or green, and when the order number is input from the temporary processing unit 83, yellow is displayed), and the opening 16 for taking out the article 11 and the quantity of the article 11 to be taken out are displayed.
Then, the operation of the complete pushbutton switch 19B of all the displayed frontage indicators 19 confirms the removal of the article 11 from the frontage 16, or the operation of the shortage switch 19C of the frontage display 19 allows the goods from the frontage 16 to be removed. When it is confirmed that 11 cannot be taken out (out of stock), it is recognized that the taking out of the article 11 is finished (finishing of the article is finished).
When the order number is input from the own zone display control unit 78 or the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77, the operation signal of the tape switch 23 of the own zone Z is input (the operation end signal of the input end operation means is input). When (example) is confirmed, it is recognized that the picking operation to the collection container 10 in the zone Z is completed.
When the tape switch 23 is operated and an operation signal is input, it is confirmed whether or not the article removal has been completed. If the tape switch 23 is operated before the completion of the article removal, the article display is completed on the input indicator 26. In order to indicate that the zone has not been selected, the local zone picking lighting data is used as the self zone picking flashing data switched to the lamp flashing, or the upstream zone picking lighting data is used as the upstream zone picking flashing data switched to the lamp flashing. Output to the communication controller 52. Based on the own zone picking blinking data, the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 blinks red or green, or based on the upstream zone picking blinking data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 turns red or green. Flashes (described later).
When the end of the picking operation is recognized, the picking data in the picking memory 71 that has been executed is terminated, and the order number for which the picking operation has been completed is output to the forward feed permission control unit 80. Subsequently, in the picking data, the own zone Z Check if is set to the picking end zone. When the own zone Z is set as the picking end zone, in addition to the order number, black and white reversed “order number” (an example of “article input end” display) display command and turn-off signal The zone end unlit data is output to the communication controller 52.
In addition, when it is confirmed that the article 11 cannot be taken out from the frontage 16 (out of stock) by operating the shortage switch 19C of the frontage display 19, the above-mentioned shortage data, that is, the missing item is sent to the overall controller 51. The data including the order number, the number of the own zone Z (zone number), the number of the frontage 16 where the shortage switch 19C is operated, and the quantity to be picked is output.
When the temporary placement end signal is input from the temporary placement processing unit 83, it is recognized that the temporary placement picking work is finished.

  “Previous advance permission control unit 80”; The forward advance permission control unit 80 searches the picking data in the picking memory 71 based on the most downstream order number of the own zone memory 73 and confirms the presence or absence of the picking work. When no picking operation is performed, the forward feed permission signal is output to the most downstream accumulation unit 22. When picking work is present, the picking control unit 79 waits until an order number for which picking work has been completed is input, and the collection container 10 that has not finished picking work moves from its own zone Z to the downstream zone Z. When the order number is input, it is checked whether or not the order number matches the downstreammost order number of the own zone memory 73. Output permission signal.

“Afterimage display control unit 82”; the afterimage display control unit 82 is a lamp of the first lamp unit 31 or the second lamp unit 33 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 for which the picking operation has been completed in each zone Z. 38 is a control unit that displays an afterimage of picking work (an example of an input confirmation display) by lighting 38 in a “white” color. As shown in FIG. 15, the afterimage display control unit 82 includes an upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 88, an upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 89, a local zone afterimage lighting unit 90, and a local zone afterimage lighting unit 91.
<Upstream Zone Afterimage Lighting Unit 88>; The upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 88 searches the picking memory 71 by the order number stored in the upstream zone memory 72 at a predetermined time (scan time) and stores it. It is confirmed whether or not the picking data being set is “Picking work completed”. {As described above, the picking control unit 79 or the temporary placement processing unit 83 confirms the completion of the picking operation to the collection container 10 in the zone Z by the operation of the tape switch 23. Data (including order number) is “End of picking”. }
When it is confirmed that the picking operation is completed in the upstream zone Z, the order number is output to the upstream zone afterimage extinguishing unit 89, and the number of the upstream zone Z and white lighting are added to the order number. The upstream zone white lighting data is output to the communication controller 52.
<Upstream zone afterimage extinguishing unit 89>; The upstream zone afterimage extinguishing unit 89 stores the order number input from the upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 88, and at a certain time (scan time), the stored order number The upstream zone memory 72 is searched, and it is confirmed whether or not it has disappeared from the upstream zone memory 72, that is, whether or not the collection container 10 has moved from the upstream zone Z to its own zone Z. Upon confirmation, the upstream zone white extinction data obtained by adding the upstream zone Z number and white extinction to the order number is output to the communication controller 52, and the stored order number is erased.
<Own Zone Afterimage Lighting Unit 90>; The own zone afterimage lighting unit 90 searches the picking memory 71 by the order number stored in the own zone memory 73 for every predetermined time (scan time) and stores it. It is confirmed whether or not the picking data being set is “Picking work completed”.
When it is confirmed that the picking operation is completed in the own zone Z, the order number is output to the own zone afterimage extinguishing unit 91, and the number of the own zone Z and white lighting are added to the order number. The local zone white lighting data is output to the communication controller 52.
<Own zone afterimage extinguishing unit 91>; The own zone afterimage extinguishing unit 91 stores the order number input from the own zone afterimage lighting unit 90, and at a certain time (scanning time), by the stored order number, The own zone memory 73 is searched and it is confirmed whether or not it disappears from the own zone memory 73, that is, whether or not the collection container 10 has moved from the own zone Z to the downstream zone Z. Upon confirmation, the self-zone white extinction data obtained by adding the number of the own zone Z and the white extinction to the order number is output to the communication controller 52, and the stored order number is erased.
With the above configuration, the picking memory 71 is searched based on the order numbers stored in the upstream zone memory 72 and the own zone memory 73, and whether or not the stored picking data is “picking work completed”. If the order number stored in the upstream zone memory 72 is confirmed, the upstream zone white lighting data is output to the communication controller 52, and the order number is confirmed. When the number disappears from the upstream zone memory 72, the upstream zone white light-off data is output to the communication controller 52. In the case of the order number stored in the own zone memory 73, the own zone white lighting data is output to the communication controller 52, and when the order number disappears from the own zone memory 73, the own zone white light-off data is displayed. Is output to the communication controller 52.

  Further, the communication controller 52 relates to the own zone Z, the own zone picking lighting data, the own zone yellow lighting data, the own zone picking blinking data, the own zone off data, the own zone white lighting data, the own zone white off data, and the zone end unlit. Data, upstream zone picking lighting data, upstream zone yellow lighting data, upstream zone picking blinking data, upstream zone lighting data, upstream zone white lighting data, upstream zone white lighting data, upstream zone temporary lighting data, When the upstream zone temporary turn-off data is input, the data is transmitted via the transmission / reception device 53 and the antenna 43.

When this data is received by the radio 36 of the input indicator 26, the display controller 35 confirms whether or not the received data is addressed to itself based on the order number of the received data. Therefore, the “order number” is displayed on the digital display 32, or when the zone end unlit data is displayed, the black and white “order number” is displayed on the digital display 32, and the second lamp unit 33 and The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is turned on / flashed / turned off. Except when white or yellow is lit, it is assumed that red when the zone Z number is odd and green when it is even.
-Own zone picking lighting data: The lamp 38 of the second lamp section 33 is lit.
-Own zone unlit data or zone end unlit data or own zone white unlit data ... The lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 is turned off.
-Own zone yellow lighting data: The lamp 38 of the second lamp section 33 lights yellow.
-Own zone picking blinking data: The lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 blinks.
-Own zone white lighting data: The lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 lights white.
Upstream zone picking lighting data or upstream zone temporary lighting data: The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is lit.
Upstream zone turn-off data, upstream zone white turn-off data, or upstream zone temporary turn-off data: The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is turned off.
-Upstream zone yellow lighting data: The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 lights yellow.
Upstream zone picking blinking data: The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 blinks.
Upstream zone white lighting data: The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is lit white.

Thus, the lamp 38 of the second lamp portion 33 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 located in its own zone Z is turned on / flashing / turned off in red, green, or yellow, and red or green. When it is lit (an example of the input target display), it is displayed that it is the collection container 10 that is currently the picking work execution target. The collection container 10 that is not the object of the picking operation is displayed, and the collection container 10 located in the own zone Z, to which the input indicator 26 is attached, is taken out in the own zone Z by the second lamp unit 33. It is indicated whether or not it is a collection container into which the article 11 is to be thrown.
Further, the blinking of red or green indicates that the tape switch 23 has been operated even though the removal operation of the article 11 has not been completed, and that the removal of the article 11 has not yet been completed.
In addition, the white lighting of the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 (an example of a loading confirmation display) allows the collection container 10 located in the own zone Z to be a collection container into which the article 11 is to be loaded in the own zone Z. It is also shown that the picking operation has been completed.

The lamp 38 of the first lamp portion 31 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 located in the upstream zone Z is lit / flashing / turned off in red, green, or yellow, and lit in red or green (loading) In the example of the target display), it is displayed that the collection container 10 is currently the picking work execution target or temporary work target, and the yellow lighting indicates that the collection container 10 is scheduled for picking work. When it is turned off, it is displayed that the collection container 10 is not subject to any work, and the collection container 10 located in the upstream zone Z to which the input indicator 26 is attached is displayed in the own zone Z by the first lamp unit 31. It is indicated whether or not it is a collection container to which the article 11 taken out is to be thrown in, or whether or not it is a collection container to be thrown in the article 11 taken out from the temporary placement table 46 in its own zone Z.
Further, the blinking of red or green indicates that the tape switch 23 has been operated even though the removal operation of the article 11 has not been completed, and that the removal of the article 11 has not yet been completed.
In addition, by the white lighting of the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 (an example of an input confirmation display), the collection container 10 located in the upstream zone Z is a collection container to which the articles 11 are input in the upstream zone Z. It is also shown that the picking operation has been completed.
The state of the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 of the input indicator 26 (lit / flashing / unlit state) is controlled by the own zone display control unit 78 and the afterimage display control unit 82, and the first lamp unit 31. The state of the lamp 38 is controlled by the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77, the afterimage display control unit 82, and the temporary processing unit 83, so that the collection container 10 moves from the upstream zone Z to the downstream zone Z. When moved, the states of the lamps 38 of the first lamp unit 31 and the second lamp unit 33 of the input indicator 26 are reviewed simultaneously, and both the lamps 38 of the first lamp unit 31 and the second lamp unit 33 are reviewed. Will be updated at the same time.
The effect | action by the structure of the said picking installation is demonstrated.

“Movement operation of the collection container 10 in the storage line A”; The movement operation of the collection container 10 for each zone Z by the configuration of the straight conveyance line 21 and the configuration of the zone controller 24 is as follows.
a. In the zone Z, if there is an empty accumulation unit 22, it is left-justified.
b. In the case of the collection container 10 that is not the picking work target, the movement across the zone Z is unconditionally output from the zone controller 24 of the own zone Z, and a free accumulator 22 upstream of the downstream zone Z. It moves when it occurs.
c. The movement across the zone Z is performed upstream of the downstream zone Z until the forward feed permission signal is output from the zone controller 24 of the zone Z, that is, until the picking operation is completed, in the case of the collection container 10A to be picked. Even if an empty accumulation unit 22 is generated, it does not move and stops, and the most downstream collection container 10 that has not finished picking work is prevented from moving to the downstream zone Z, allowing forward feed. It moves to the downstream zone Z for the first time by the output of the signal (provided that an empty accumulation unit 22 is generated upstream of the downstream zone Z).
In this way, when the collection container 10 capable of crossing the zone Z (allowed) moves across the zone Z and the downstream zone Z is clogged (there is no empty accumulation part 22). In the case), the system waits and moves to the downstream zone Z when the empty accumulation unit 22 is generated.

“Normal Picking Work and Preceding Picking Work”: The operation of the “normal picking work and the preceding picking work” by the configuration of the zone controller 24 will be described together with the picking work operation of the worker H arranged in the zone Z.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lamp 38 of the second lamp portion 33 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 located in the own zone Z is turned on, blinked, or turned off, and picking is performed by turning on red or green. Execution of work, picking work is displayed when the lamp is lit yellow, and picking work is not displayed when the lamp is turned off. In addition, the blinking indicates that the tape switch 23 has been operated even though the removal of all articles 11 has not been completed.
The worker H arranged in his / her zone Z takes out the articles 11 to be put into the collection container 10 from the storage box 12 based on the indications of the frontage indicators 19 and completes the frontage indicator 19 each time he / she takes them out. The push button switch 19B is pressed, the display on the frontage indicator 19 is confirmed to be turned off, the article 11 is taken out, turned around, and conveyed to its own zone Z, and the lamp 38 of the second lamp section 33 is red or green. Is put into the collection container 10 to which the loading indicator 26 lit is attached (picking operation is executed). (In the case of a shortage, the shortage switch 19C of the frontage indicator 19 is pushed.) When all the articles 11 have been charged, the tape switch 23 is pushed to perform the picking operation on the target collection container 10. finish.
As described above, the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 can be seen only from the own zone Z when the collection container 10 to which the loading indicator 26 is attached is located in the own zone Z, and can be picked. The self-zone lamp is formed.
When the tape switch 23 is operated in this manner and the picking operation is completed, the lamp 38 of the second lamp portion 33 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 that is the object of the picking operation is collected. While the container 10 is being transported through its own zone Z, it is lit in white, indicating that this collection container 10 was the input work target (input confirmation display).
Further, the lamp 38 of the second lamp portion 33 blinks, so that it is displayed that the tape switch 23 has been operated even when the removal of the article 11 has not been completed. By recognizing that the take-out has not been completed and reviewing the display of each frontage indicator 19, a mistake of forgetting to put the article 11 is prevented.

In addition, the lamp 38 of the first lamp portion 31 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 located in the upstream zone Z (which can be seen only from the own zone Z) is turned on, blinking, or turned off. When picked up in green, picking work is executed, when picked up yellow, picking work is performed, and when turned off, no picking work is displayed.
When the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is lit red or green, the worker H arranged in the own zone Z is located in the adjacent upstream zone Z based on the display of each frontage indicator 19. Then, the article 11 taken out from the front port 16 of the own zone Z is put into the collection container 10 to which the loading indicator 26 whose lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is lit in red or green is attached (upstream). Perform pre-picking work in the zone). (In the case of a shortage, the shortage switch 19C of the frontage indicator 19 is pushed.) When all the articles 11 have been charged, the tape switch 23 is pushed to perform the picking operation on the target collection container 10. finish.
As described above, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 can be seen only from the own zone Z when the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached is located in the upstream zone Z. A leading zone ramp is made possible.
When the tape switch 23 is operated in this manner and the picking operation is completed, the lamp 38 of the first lamp portion 31 of the input indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 that is the object of the picking operation is collected. While the container 10 is being transported in the upstream zone Z, it is lit in white, and it is displayed that the collection container 10 is an input work target (input confirmation display).
Further, the lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 blinks, so that it is displayed that the tape switch 23 has been operated even though the removal of the article 11 has not been completed. By recognizing that the take-out has not been completed and reviewing the display of each frontage indicator 19, a mistake of forgetting to put the article 11 is prevented.

As described above, the worker H can put the article 11 taken out from the own zone Z into the collection container 10 being conveyed in the own zone Z and the upstream zone Z. As shown in FIG. For each worker H, a range in which the loading operation can be performed over two continuous zones Z is formed. In addition, except for the most downstream zone Z, a zone Z in which two people perform the loading operation into the collection container 10 continues from the most upstream zone Z, and only one worker is only in the most downstream zone Z. It becomes the zone Z in which the loading operation into the collection container 10 is performed. That is, by enabling the worker H to perform the picking work in the own zone Z and the upstream zone Z, the zones Z in which each worker H can execute the picking work are adjacent to each other except the most downstream zone Z. The zones Z are arranged so as to be continuously shifted and overlapped, and in each zone Z, picking work is executed by two workers.
When the picking operation to the collection container 10 is completed due to the completion of the picking operation, an “order number” in which black and white are reversed is displayed on the digital display 32.
The digital indicator (display screen) 32 of the input indicator 26 is attached to the center of the lamp (own zone lamp) 38 of the second lamp section 33 and the lamp (leading zone lamp) 38 of the first lamp section 31. This makes it easier to see than the operator H who puts the article 11 into the collection container 10 to which the loading indicator 26 is attached.

“Temporary Picking Operation”: The operation of “temporary picking control” by the configuration of the zone controller 24 will be described together with the operation operation of the worker H arranged in the zone Z.
<Temporary work>
As shown in FIG. 17, when there is no picking operation in the own zone Z and the upstream zone Z, the articles 11 are temporarily placed in order from the temporary placement table 46 on the upstream side for the collection container 10 further upstream from the upstream zone Z. The
At this time, the total number of articles 11 to be temporarily placed is displayed on the quantity indicator 47A of the temporary placement indicator 47 of the target temporary placement stand 46, and the lamp of the completion push button switch 47B is lit in yellow. Further, the quantity display 19A of the frontage display 19 of the frontage 16 for taking out the article 11 displays the quantity of the article 11 to be taken out, and the lamp of the completion push button switch 19B is lit in yellow.
The worker H arranged in his / her zone Z takes out the articles 11 to be put into the collection container 10 from the storage box 12 based on the indications of the frontage indicators 19 and completes the frontage indicator 19 each time he / she takes them out. The push button switch 19B is pushed to confirm that the display on the frontage display 19 is turned off, the article 11 is taken out, turned around, and put on the temporary placement table 46 in which the lamp of the temporary placement indicator 47 is lit in yellow. The total number of articles 11 put in advance can be recognized by the quantity display 47A. Then, when all the inputs are completed, the completion push button switch 47B of the temporary display 47 is operated to complete the operation. At this time, the lamp of the completion push button switch 47B is turned off.
In this way, the temporary work is executed based on the display on the temporary display 47 and the display on the frontage display 19.
<Transfer work>
As shown in FIG. 18, the temporarily placed article 11 is transferred to the temporarily placed collection container 10 that has been transported to the upstream zone Z.
The order number of the collection container 10 for transferring the article 11 temporarily placed on the temporary table 46 is constantly monitored. When the collection container 10 having this order number is transported to the upstream zone Z, the order number is automatically monitored. On the condition that there is no picking work in the zone Z and the upstream zone Z, the order number is displayed on the quantity indicator 19A of the temporary placement indicator 47 of the temporary placement stand 46 specified by the appearing order number, and the completion pushbutton switch The lamp 47B is lit in the color of its own zone (red when the number of the zone Z is odd, green when it is even), and the lamp 38 of the first lamp portion 31 of the loading indicator 26 of the collection container 10 is switched to its own zone Z. It is lit in the color.
The worker H arranged in his / her zone Z confirms the order number of each temporary indicator 47 and the input indicator 26 and, based on the display of the temporary indicator 47 of the temporary table 46, the collection container. The article 11 to be put into 10 is taken out from the temporary table 46 and put into the collection container 10 in which the lamp 38 of the first lamp portion 31 of the loading indicator 26 is lit in the color of its own zone. Then, when all the inputs are completed, the tape switch 23 is operated to end the operation. At this time, the lamp of the completion push button switch 47B is turned off, and the order number is turned off on the quantity display 47A.
As described above, the transfer operation is executed based on the display on the temporary display 47 and the display on the loading display 26.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when there is no picking operation in the own zone Z or the upstream zone Z, picking is performed from among the collection containers 10 that are identified as being transported further upstream from the upstream zone Z. The collection container 10 that requires work is obtained, and when the article 11 stored in the collection container 10 is instructed to be taken out from the frontage 16 and temporarily placed on the temporary placement table 46, the worker H Using the waiting time without picking work in Z and the upstream zone Z, the article 11 can be taken out for the collection container 10 that needs picking work in its own zone Z and temporarily placed on the temporary placement table 46, When the collection container 10 has been transported to the upstream zone Z by the rectilinear transport line 21, the articles 11 can be transferred efficiently and work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed is the collection container 10 in the specific range, so that the collection container 10 approaching the adjacent upstream zone Z is It can be excluded from the temporary placement object, and therefore, the picking work in the upstream zone Z and the temporary placement picking work can be overlapped, and the work can be prevented from being confused, and the temporary placement picking work can be facilitated.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the articles 11 to be collected and temporarily placed for the temporary collection target collection container 10 are temporarily non-placeable articles, or when the number is a predetermined number or more, the collection container 10 is The burden on the worker H can be reduced by removing the temporary storage target collection container.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the temporary placement indicator 47 includes the total number of the articles 11 to be temporarily placed and the temporary placement table 46 for temporarily placing the collected articles 11 when temporarily placing the articles 11. By displaying the color indicating yellow (yellow), the worker H can recognize in advance the number of the temporary placement table 46 to be temporarily placed and the number of articles 11 to be temporarily placed, or the temporary collection target collection from the temporary placement shelf 45 When the article 11 is transferred to the container 10, the order number that identifies the target collection container 10 is displayed, and by switching to the color instructing the transfer, the worker H can The temporary placement table 46 to be transferred and the collection container 10 to be transferred into which the articles 11 temporarily placed on the temporary placement table 46 are placed can be recognized.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of temporary placement tables 46 are arranged in each zone Z and used from the upstream side, so that the upstream temporary placement table 46 is closer to the upstream zone Z, and the temporary placement table 46 Since the distance traveled by the operator Z in order to transfer the article 11 taken out from 46 can be shortened, the working time can be shortened.

In the above-described embodiment, collection is performed by putting the articles 11 according to the orders into the collection containers 10 to which the order numbers are assigned by the straight conveyance line 21 that is a conveyance means. It is not limited to the product container 10, and the conveyance means is divided into a plurality of areas in the conveyance direction to form areas (areas), order numbers are assigned to these areas, and articles 11 corresponding to the orders are input into these areas. You can also collect them. At this time, the RFID 34 is provided for each area, the order number stored in the RFID 34 is read by each RFID reader 42A, and the zone Z in which the area is moving is specified.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed is a specific upstream of the upstream zone Z, with the order number of the collection container 10 located upstream of the own zone Z being the reference order number. Although the collection container 10 in the range is used, the collection container 10 to be temporarily placed may be simply set as the collection container 10 in a preset range. For example, the collection container 10 is transported in the zone Z two upstream from the own zone Z or in the zone Z further upstream. This also allows the picking work in the one upstream zone Z adjacent to the own zone Z and the temporary picking work to be overlapped, and the work can be prevented from being confused, thereby facilitating the temporary picking work. It is done. Further, in the zone Z located downstream in the container transport direction, the temporary placement picking operation can be started before the collection container 10 is transported to the own zone Z. Therefore, the effect of providing the temporary storage shelf 45 (the effect of improving the work efficiency) is larger in the zone Z located downstream in the container conveyance direction.
On the contrary, the effect of providing the temporary shelf 45 in the zone Z located upstream in the container transport direction is less than that in the zone Z located downstream, and therefore the zone Z located upstream in the container transport direction. May not necessarily provide temporary storage shelves 45, i.e., do not provide temporary storage shelves 45 in all zones Z, but may provide temporary storage shelves 45 at least in zone Z located downstream in the container transport direction. .

In the above embodiment, the order number is stored in the RFID 34 and the collection container 10 is specified by reading the order number. However, the collection container 10 has a barcode (code) corresponding to the order number. It is also possible to identify the collection container 10 by attaching a label on which an example) is read and reading this barcode with a barcode reader (an example of reading means).
In the present embodiment, the input indicator 26 is attached to the collection container 10. However, as shown in FIG. 5B, the input indicator 26 is provided on a tray 59 on which the collection container 10 is placed. Thus, the input indicator 26 may be provided (corresponding to) the collection container 10 via the tray 59. Further, a plurality of such trays 59 with the loading indicator 26 can be circulated through the transport line B, and the collection container 10 can be automatically loaded into the circulating tray 59 and automatically dispensed. .

In this embodiment, the color of the input confirmation display (afterimage display) is white. However, it is sufficient that the operator H can clearly distinguish the input confirmation display from the input target display and other displays. The color may be used as the color of the input confirmation display.
In the present embodiment, a continuous order number is assigned to the user's order and is written in the RFID 34, whereby the order number is assigned to the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached. And the user or the user's order, that is, the sorting destination or the article request information of the sorting destination is directly written in the RFID 34, whereby the sorting container or the sorting destination is placed in the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached. It is also possible to assign the article request information.

In the present embodiment, a container is used as the collection container 10. However, the collection container 10 can be attached to the input indicator 26 with the jig 40 and can store the article 11 temporarily. For example, cardboard or the like can be used.
In the present embodiment, numbers (order numbers) are used as unique codes for specifying the user's order, but characters such as barcodes and alphabets, pictograms, and the like can also be used. At this time, the order of barcodes, characters and pictograms is determined, assigned to the user's order in that order, and written to the RFID 34 by the RFID writer 42B.
In this embodiment, one worker H is arranged in each zone Z. However, a plurality of (for example, two) workers H may be arranged in each zone Z. . As a result, even when the collection container 10 to be picked is brought into the zone Z without any gap, the work speed in the zone Z is improved, so that the collection container 10 stays in each zone Z. The risk of picking up can be reduced and the efficiency of picking work can be improved. The worker H in the zone Z directly puts the picked article 11 into the collection container 10 (manually puts it in), but on each straight line on the straight conveyance line 21 for each zone Z. It is also possible to automatically load the article 11 by arranging an automatic loading device for automatically loading the collection container 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, the colors of the lamps that are turned on for each zone Z (the lamps of the completion pushbutton switch 19B of the frontage indicator 19 and the first lamp portion 31 and the second lamp portion 33 of the input indicator 26). By changing the color of the lamp 38, the worker H prevents the collection container 10 into which the article 11 taken out from the zone Z is put in from being mistaken. Any method may be used as long as there is no mistake, for example, a method of changing the light intensity of the lamp. It is also possible to increase the color of the lamp and specify the color for each of the three zones Z and Z to change the colors alternately.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the rectilinear conveyance line 21 is comprised from the accumulation conveyor, it is also possible to comprise by a free conveyor.
In the present embodiment, the flow rack 15 is arranged along the straight conveyance line 21, but the frontage (article storage unit) 16 may be arranged for each zone Z, and the straight conveyance line for each zone Z. 21 may be arranged in a perpendicular direction.
In the present embodiment, the flow rack 15 is used as the picking shelf, but a general shelf on which the article 11 or the storage box does not move can also be used.
Further, in the present embodiment, the articles 11 placed on the shelves 17 of the flow rack 15 are stored in the storage box 12, but can be made in units of pieces, and the number of the shelves 17 can be increased. Is possible.
Further, in the present embodiment, each shelf 17 of the flow rack 15 is fixed, but it may be configured such that it can be arbitrarily moved and adjusted back and forth (in the direction of the rectilinear transport line 21).
Further, in the present embodiment, the tape switch 23 is used with the completion of the article 11 in the collection container 10 as an input means. However, the switch is simply a switch for inputting completion, and may be a simple push button switch.
In this embodiment, the sorting destination is classified by user. However, the sorting destination is not limited to the user, and may be classified by store, by category or category such as products, by region, by transport truck, and the like.

A Storage line B Transport line H Worker Z Zone 10 Collection container 11 Goods 15 Flow rack 16 Frontage 19 Frontage indicator 21 Straight transport line 26 Input indicator 31 First lamp part 32 Digital indicator 33 Second lamp part 34 RFID
36 Radio equipment 42A RFID reader 42B RFID writer 43 Antenna 45 Temporary shelf 46 Temporary table 47 Temporary indicator 51 General controller 52 Communication controller 53 Transmitter / receiver

Claims (6)

A picking shelf having a plurality of article storage units for storing articles respectively, and having an area to which each item request information (order) of the sorting destination is allocated along the picking shelf, the item requesting information of the sorting destination Accordingly, the picked-up equipment is provided with a transporting means for transporting the goods by area according to the article, and the articles taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf are put into the area allocated to the article request information of the sorting destination. And
The conveying means and the picking shelf are partitioned into a plurality of zones along the conveying direction of the article by the conveying means,
In each of the zones, a temporary storage shelf for temporarily placing an article taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf is provided along the conveying means,
The areas being transported in each of the zones are identified in order by the article request information of the sorting destination,
In each zone, the article in the own zone or the zone identified as being transported in the upstream zone adjacent to the own zone, according to the article request information of the sorting destination respectively assigned to the zone. Determine the presence or absence of picking work to put in the article removed from the storage unit,
When it is determined that there is no picking work, the area that needs the picking work is determined based on the article request information of the sorting destination assigned to each of the areas identified as being conveyed further upstream than the upstream zone. Obtained as an area to be temporarily placed, and based on the article request information of the sorting destination of the area to be temporarily placed, an instruction to temporarily place an article taken out of the article storage unit for the area on the temporary shelf Picking equipment characterized by doing. The area to be temporarily placed in each zone is defined as an area in a specific range further upstream than an upstream zone adjacent to the own zone, with reference to an area located upstream of the own zone. The picking equipment according to 1. The picking facility according to claim 1, wherein an area to be temporarily placed in each zone is an area in a preset range. When it is determined whether the article taken out for the temporary placement target area contains articles that cannot be temporarily placed, or whether the total number of articles is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and it is determined that articles that are temporarily placed are not contained The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when it is determined that the total number of articles is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the area to be temporarily placed is excluded from the target. Each temporary storage shelf provided in each zone is provided with a temporary placement indicator that displays the total number of articles to be temporarily placed, or the article request information code of the sorting destination assigned to a temporary placement target area,
The temporary placement indicator displays the total number when temporarily placing an article on the temporary shelf provided with the indicator, and the area to be temporarily placed is adjacent to the own zone where the temporary shelf is provided. The article request information of the sorting destination is displayed when it is conveyed to the upstream zone, and an instruction is given to transfer the article from the temporary storage shelf to the temporary storage target area. The picking equipment according to claim 4. A plurality of temporary storage shelves are arranged in each zone, and these temporary storage shelves are used in order from a temporary storage shelf located upstream. Picking equipment as described in.

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