JP2012240765A - Article treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve reliability of treating work, by minimizing an error of the work by strongly recognizing an indication of the treating work of respective frontages for performing takeout (picking) work or performing input (sorting) work.SOLUTION: This article treating device is provided for respectively picking respective articles from a plurality of frontages 2 or sorting the respective articles in the plurality of frontages. The article treating device indicates article treating work by selectively emitting the light from a tube light 7A of the respective frontages 2, by arranging the tube light 7A along the frontage periphery toward the frontage front in the respective frontages 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an article handling apparatus for taking out (picking) each article from a plurality of entrances, or for loading (sorting) each article into a plurality of entrances.

  Conventionally, it has been proposed to take out (pick) each article from a plurality of entrances, or to input (sort) each article into a plurality of entrances.

For example, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 2, each shelf portion is provided with four stages of upper and lower loading platforms, and each of the loading platforms has three kinds of articles in the lateral direction. Three shelves for storing are formed, and shelves are configured as a plurality of article placement units for storing 12 kinds of articles in the vertical and horizontal directions. At the lower end position of each shelf front, there is provided an arrow-shaped take-out item instruction lamp for instructing that the article in the upper shelf front is an article to be taken out, and a take-out quantity indicator for displaying the take-out quantity. Yes.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in the same document 1, a pair of left and right rear side posts and front side posts are erected on the bogie at the vehicle body rear side and front side positions of the machine base frame, respectively, A frame-shaped shelf configured in two upper and lower stages is supported by the rear side post and the front side post. On each shelf, two storage boxes as article storage portions are placed in a state where two storage boxes are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and in the lateral width direction of the vehicle body, and both end portions in the lateral width direction of each shelf corresponding to the position of each storage box The indicator that displays the article storage information for each storage box is an indicator lamp such as an arrow indicating that the storage box on the upper side is a storage box for storing articles taken from the shelf side, A quantity indicator or the like for displaying the quantity stored is provided.

JP-A-8-133429

  However, in this prior art, on the shelf front side, it is necessary to check each arrow-shaped take-out article instruction lamp that indicates that the article in the shelf front is an article to be taken out. For this reason, the operator overlooked the confirmation when he / she got used to the take-out operation, and made an inadvertent mistake such as taking out an article in another shelf. Furthermore, on the trolley side, it is necessary to check an indicator lamp such as an arrow indicating that it is a storage box for storing articles taken out from the shelf front, a quantity indicator for displaying the storage quantity, and the like. For this reason, when the worker gets used to the loading operation, the operator overlooks the confirmation and makes an inadvertent mistake such as loading it into another storage box.

  The present invention makes it possible to strongly recognize the instruction of the article handling work at each frontage during the picking (picking) work and the loading (sorting) work, and to reduce the error of the work as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of the article handling work. The purpose is to do.

The present invention is an article handling apparatus for picking each article from a plurality of frontage or sorting each article into a plurality of frontage, and each frontage has a front periphery around the frontage. The optical element is arranged along the line, and the article handling operation is instructed by selectively emitting light from the optical element at each frontage.
Therefore, it is possible to strongly recognize the instruction for the article handling work at each frontage, so that it is possible to reduce work errors as much as possible and improve the reliability of the article handling work.

Each frontage is provided with a frontage indicator that displays the quantity of articles handled, and an optical element is disposed so as to surround both the frontage and the frontage indicator.
Therefore, it is possible to more clearly recognize the instruction for the article handling work at each frontage.

Further, the optical element is covered with a flexible material to form a bendable belt shape, and is characterized by being locked to the upper and lower frames of the frontage.
Therefore, the optical element is configured with a flexible band covered with a flexible material, and can be locked without the left and right frames of the frontage. Injuries such as damaging your hands can be eliminated.

Further, the frontage is arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, and the optical element emits light in different colors at each stage.
Therefore, it is possible to recognize the frontage that received the instruction for the article handling work even if it is colored, and it is possible to help reduce errors in the work as the work gets used.

According to the characteristic configuration of the first invention, since it is possible to strongly recognize the instruction of the article handling work at each frontage, it is possible to reduce work errors as much as possible and to improve the reliability of the article handling work. .
According to the characteristic configuration of the second invention, it is possible to more clearly recognize the instruction for the article handling work at each frontage.
According to the characteristic configuration of the third invention, the optical element is covered with a flexible material and is configured with a bendable belt, and since there are no left and right frames, the left and right frames are handled during the article handling operation. Injuries such as hand damage can be eliminated.
According to the characteristic configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to recognize the frontage that has received the instruction for the article handling work even if it is colored, and it is possible to help reduce errors in the work as the work gets used.

It is a principal part perspective view of the article handling apparatus of this embodiment. It is a control block diagram of the article handling apparatus of this embodiment. It is the structure of the tube light containing the optical element of this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the article handling apparatus of this embodiment.

Examples will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a work shelf (an example of an article handling device) 1 has three zones and 12 rows (in FIG. 1, only three rows and three rows are shown). They are arranged in parallel at intervals necessary for work. The work shelf 1 has three upper and lower shelves 3 attached to the front, rear, left, and right columns 8, and each shelf 3 is provided with a shelf 3A between a front frame 4A and a rear frame 4B.
A controller composed of a computer is provided beside the work shelf 1, and as shown in FIG. 2, the controller includes a display device 5A, a fixed barcode reader 5B having a barcode scanning function for an article, and a printer 5C. Each is provided.

Further, the work shelf 1 is provided with a frontage indicator 6 for displaying an article handling quantity in each frontage 2 and a display controller 9 for interfacing with the frontage display 6. The display controller 9 is connected in parallel with the front display 6 for 36 units × the number of zones by a connector 6a.
In each frontage 2 of the work shelf 1, each article is stored on the shelf 3 </ b> A according to the type from the back side of the shelf 3. A unique frontage number is set for each frontage, and a frontage display 6 is provided on the front frame 4A.
As shown in FIG. 1, each frontage indicator 6 includes a three-digit display unit 6 </ b> A that indicates the quantity of articles in order to carry out the work of taking out the articles in each frontage 2 (an example of an article handling work), A completion button 6B that also functions as a lamp indicating that there is a button and a button switch that indicates that the work has been completed.
The frontage display 6 exchanges signals and confirms with the display controller 9 by the controller via the input / output interface connected to the signal line based on the frontage number assigned to each frontage display 6. Then, a quantity display signal to the display unit, a lamp display signal for a completion button, and a push operation signal for a work completion instruction are delivered.
In the take-out operation, the lamp display of the completion lamp of the frontage indicator 6 according to an instruction from the display controller 9 indicates that there is a takeout work in the frontage 2, and the quantity of articles to be taken out is displayed on the display unit 6A. The take-out operation is executed, the taken-out article is put into the work carriage 11 shown in FIG. 4, and when the article-insertion work is finished, the completion lamp is pushed and the take-out work at the front end is finished.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each frontage 2 is provided with a tube light 7 </ b> A along the periphery of the frontage toward the front of the frontage, and the tubelight 7 </ b> A is a light emitting diode (LED) as shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of optical elements 7, 7,... Are arranged at equal intervals by power line cords 7 d, 7 d, and the outer periphery thereof is covered with a flexible plastic material and can be bent freely. And is bent and attached so that the four corners are fastened by a locking tool (not shown) so as to be locked to the opening holes (not shown) of the frame 4A above and below the frontage.
Moreover, the tube light 7A is arrange | positioned so that the frontage 2 and the frontage display 6 may be enclosed, as shown in FIG.
The tube light 7 </ b> A is controlled to be lighted by the display controller 9 by providing electric wirings including a signal line and a power supply line. As shown in FIG. 2, a cable forming a signal line and a power supply line is laid, the optical element is connected to each frontage indicator 6 by a connection connector 7b, and a display controller 9 is connected to one end of the cable.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tube light 7A has a connector 7b at one end of the power cord 7a connected to the cap port 7c of the tube light 7A, and a power plug at the other end of the power cord connects the power cable of the frontage display. Connected through.

The operation of the take-out operation with the above configuration will be described.
First, the display controller 9 normally turns off the optical element. When an instruction for the article handling work is issued from the host computer, the optical element is turned on together with the quantity display on the front display and the lamp display on the completion lamp.
The take-out operation is instructed by selectively or simultaneously emitting light from the display of the quantity of the display section of the frontage where the article should be taken out, the lamp display of the completion lamp, and the lighting of the optical element.
The quantity is displayed on the display unit, the lamp of the completion button is turned on, the light element is turned on, and a push button operation signal is output to the display controller 9 when the work is completed. The display is erased, the lamp is turned off, and the optical element is turned off.
By repeatedly executing such an article handling work instruction, the work is completed.

Note that the first stage optical element at the lowest stage of the frontage arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction emits red light, the second stage optical element at the middle stage emits blue light, and the uppermost three stages. The optical element of the eye emits green light and emits light in a different color for each stage.

Further, after the completion of the take-out operation, as shown in FIG. 4, the taken-out article can be put into each frontage of a predetermined work cart 11 in a specific zone (an example of an article handling operation).

A work cart (an example of an article handling apparatus) 11 has three stages and three rows of openings 12 disposed therein. The working carriage 11 has three upper and lower shelves 13 attached to the front, rear, left, and right columns 18, and each shelf 13 is provided with a shelf plate 13A between a front frame 14A and a rear frame 14B. In addition, traveling wheels 20 for moving and working are provided at the lower ends of the respective columns 18.
The work cart 11 is provided with a display controller 19 including a computer, and the display controller is provided with a display device 15 </ b> A via a data communication device 21.

In addition, the work carriage 11 is provided with a frontage display 16 at each frontage 12 and a display controller 19 that interfaces with the frontage display 16. Seven frontage indicators 16 are connected to the display controller 19 by a connector 16a.
Each frontage 12 is set with a specific frontage number, and a frontage indicator 16 is provided on the front frame 14A.
Each frontage indicator 16 completes the work with a three-digit display section 16A indicating the quantity of goods and a lamp indicating that there is a loading work in order to load the goods into each frontage 12 (an example of article handling work). It is composed of a completion button 16B that also functions as a button switch for instructing that the operation has been performed.
The frontage display 16 exchanges signals with the display controller 19 by the controller via the input / output interface unit connected to the signal line based on the frontage number assigned to each frontage display 16 and performs confirmation. Then, a quantity display signal to the display unit, a lamp display signal for a completion button, and a push operation signal for an operation completion instruction are delivered.
During the loading operation, the lamp display of the completion lamp of the frontage display 16 in accordance with an instruction from the display controller 19 indicates that there is a loading operation at the frontage, and displays the quantity of articles to be loaded on the display unit 16A. When the loading operation is executed and completed, the completion lamp is pushed and operated to complete the loading operation at the frontage.

Further, similarly to the work shelf 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a tube light 17A is arranged along the periphery of each front door 12 toward the front of the front door, and the tube light 17A is shown in FIG. , Light elements 17, 17, etc., which are light emitting diodes (LEDs), are arranged at equal intervals by power line cords 17 d, 17 d, and the outer periphery thereof is covered with a flexible plastic material and bent freely. It constitutes a possible transparent belt-like shape, and is bent so that its four corners are fastened by a locking tool (not shown) so as to be locked to an opening hole (not shown) of the upper and lower frames 14A. Attached.
Moreover, the tube light 17A is arrange | positioned so that the frontage 12 and the frontage display 16 may be enclosed, as shown in FIG.
The tube light 17 </ b> A is controlled to be lighted by the display controller 19 by providing electrical wiring using a signal line and a power supply line. As shown in FIG. 2, a cable forming a signal line and a power supply line is laid, connected to each frontage indicator by a connector 16a, and a display controller 19 is connected to one end of the cable.
As shown in FIG. 3, the tube light 17A has a connection connector 17b at one end of the power cord 17a connected to a cap port 17c of the tube light 17, and a power plug at the other end of the power cord connects the power cable of the frontage display. Connected through.

The operation of the charging operation with the above configuration will be described.
First, the display controller 19 normally turns off the optical element. When an instruction for the article handling work is generated from the host computer, the light element is turned on together with the quantity display on the front display and the lamp display on the completion lamp.
The loading operation is instructed by selectively or simultaneously emitting the quantity display on the display section of the frontage where the article should be loaded, the lamp display of the completion lamp, and the lighting of the optical element.
The quantity is displayed on the display unit, the lamp of the completion button is turned on, the light element is turned on, and a push button operation signal is output to the display controller 19 when the work is completed. The display is erased, the lamp is turned off, and the optical element is turned off.
Such an instruction for the article handling work is repeated, the same operation is performed, all the operations are completed, and the next type of article loading work is awaited.

The first stage light element, which is the lowest stage of the frontage arranged in multiple stages in the vertical direction, emits red light, the second stage light element, which is the middle stage, emits blue light, and the third stage light, which is the upper stage. The element emits green light and emits light in a different color for each stage. A top plate 22 is provided at the top to reinforce the work cart body.

In this embodiment, a fluid shelf is used as a work shelf, but a general shelf on which articles do not move can also be used.
In this embodiment, the article taken out from the work shelf is put into the work cart. However, a system may be used in which the article taken out from the work shelf is put into the work container on the conveyor beside the work shelf. .
Moreover, although the light emitting diode (LED) is used as an optical element, not only this but a light bulb may be sufficient. Further, although the optical element is covered with a flexible material to form a bendable band shape, each optical element can be simply formed as one straight tube fluorescent lamp.
Further, the lamp is composed of a lamp indicating that there is a picking work and a completion button that also functions as a button switch for instructing the completion of the work. However, the lamp and the button switch may be provided separately.

  The present invention is suitable for an article handling apparatus for taking out (picking) each article from a plurality of entrances or for putting (sorting) each entrance into a plurality of entrances. It can also be used in a system for taking out articles from a shelf and assembling them.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work shelf 2 Frontage 3 Shelf part 3A Shelf board 4A Front frame 4B Rear frame 5A Display device 5B Bar code reader 5C Printer 6 Frontage display 6A Display part 6B Completion button 6a Connector 7 Optical element 7A Tube light 7a Power cord 7b Connector 7c Cap port 7d Power line cord 8 Post 9 Display controller 11 Working carriage 12 Front port 13 Shelf 13A Shelf plate 14A Front frame 14B Rear frame 15A Display device 16 Front port display 16A Display unit 16B Complete button 16a Connector 17 Optical element 17A Tube light 17a Power cord 17b Connector 17c Cap port 17d Power line cord 18 Strut 19 Display controller 20 Traveling wheel 21 Data communication device 22 Top plate

Claims (4)

An article handling device for picking each article from a plurality of front doors, or for sorting each article into a plurality of front doors,
An article handling apparatus characterized in that an optical element is disposed along the periphery of the frontage at each frontage along the front of the frontage, and an article handling operation is instructed by selectively emitting light from each frontage.   2. The article handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a frontage indicator for displaying an article handling quantity is provided at each frontage, and an optical element is disposed so as to surround both the frontage and the frontage display. 2. The article handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical element is covered with a flexible material to form a bendable belt and is locked to the upper and lower frames of the frontage. The article handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frontage is arranged in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction and causes the optical element to emit light in different colors for each stage.