JP2012250838A - Picking equipment and picking method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide picking equipment that allows maintaining or improving entire work efficiency even if there are differences or variations in the ability of operators and that can eliminate confusion of the operators by clarifying correspondency between a frontage display unit and an article collecting container.SOLUTION: The size of a zone Z is varied by changing the allocation of frontages 16 (frontage display units 19) forming each zone Z and by changing the number of article collecting containers 10 as article input objects in each zone Z. Thus, the number of frontages 16 of the zone Z in which operators having inferior ability (new comers) are allocated and the number of article collecting containers 10 as article input objects can be reduced. Maintaining or improving the picking efficiency can be expected by flowing without stagnation of the article collecting containers 10 from the zone Z where the new comer is allocated, and the number of articles subjected to picking works can be leveled in each zone Z, thus leveling the picking loads of each operator.

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking equipment and method for picking articles.

Collection and sorting of designated articles are performed at distribution centers and warehouses for various articles in logistics. In this operation, for example, in a distribution center, a so-called picking operation is performed in which an article according to a customer's order is taken out and stored (collected) in a container or the like as a collection container, and is conveyed toward the customer.
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 The operation of taking out the article and storing it in a collection container conveyed by a belt conveyor is performed.

However, in the basic picking work as described above, the range (working zone) that one worker is responsible for is fixed, and it is difficult to perform efficient personnel assignment according to fluctuations in the amount of articles to be picked. There is a problem that.
A solution to such a problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 adjusts the length (working range) of a zone so that the burden on each worker becomes equal and fair when the work amount (the amount of articles to be picked) differs in each work zone. And leveling work. As a means, the total amount of articles picked per unit time is divided by the amount of articles that one worker can work to set the number of work zones, that is, the number of work zones is set, that is, efficient staff placement is performed. According to this, the length of the work zone is set, that is, the work zone is widened or narrowed.
That is, the picking facility of Patent Document 1 divides a storage shelf that stores articles to be picked into a plurality of zones, and arranges a belt conveyor that conveys a collection box and a display lamp row so as to cross the plurality of zones, A predetermined guide lamp of the display lamp row is turned on in a predetermined zone in synchronization with the collection box moving on the belt conveyor, and a predetermined article is determined based on the quantity indicator on the storage shelf based on the lighting of the guide lamp. If the guide lamp display color is variable and the zone length is changed, the guide lamp display color should correspond to the new zone length. By changing the setting to, and turning on the display color of the guide lamp so that it corresponds to the zone, the operator can recognize the corresponding zone and picking And it is configured so as to be responsible for. By changing the length of the zone in this way, efficient personnel assignment is performed.

Japanese Patent No. 4441255

  However, the conventional picking equipment aims to level the work amount in each work zone, but there is a difference and variation in the ability of each worker, that is, the number of articles that can be processed by picking work per unit time. By simply leveling the amount of work in each work zone, in the work zone where the work capacity is inferior, for example, a new person is placed, the time required for picking work becomes long and the collection container is stagnated, In the downstream work zone, there is a problem that work waiting time (manual waiting time) occurs and the work efficiency of the entire equipment is lowered.

In addition, since the quantity display of the storage shelf simply displays the quantity of the articles to be taken out and does not indicate in which zone it is located, when the length of the zone is changed, the quantity display and the quantity display Depending on the display, the correspondence with the collection box into which the articles are taken out becomes ambiguous, and the operator may be confused and may mistake the collection box into which the articles to be taken out are put.
Also, if the length of the zone is changed, the corresponding storage shelves will be changed continuously, so the assignment to set the storage shelf in which zone the items to be collected in one collection box are taken out, There was a problem that a major review was required.

  Therefore, the present invention can maintain or improve the overall work efficiency even if there is a difference or variation in the ability of the worker, and when the zone is changed, the correspondence between the quantity indicator and the collection box is clarified. It is an object of the present invention to provide a picking facility and method that can eliminate the confusion of the user and facilitate the allocation of articles to be collected in one collection box.

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. Conveying means for transporting a plurality of areas to which article request information is assigned, and the article request information of the same sorting destination assigns the articles taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf according to the article request information of the sorting destination. A picking facility in which goods are picked for each sorting destination by being put into a designated area,
By dividing the article storage section of the picking shelf and the transport means into a plurality of zones along the transport direction of the area by the transport means, and changing the allocation of the article storage sections forming the zones, The size of can be reset.

  According to the above configuration, the size of the zone is reset by changing the allocation of the article storage units forming each zone. This makes it possible to reduce the number of article storage units in the zone where workers (newcomers) with inferior work capacity are placed, thus reducing the picking work for newcomers and stagnating the area from the zone where the newcomers are placed. It is possible to expect the maintenance or improvement of picking efficiency, and conversely, it is possible to increase the number of article storage parts in the zone where workers (experienced people) with high work ability are arranged. When the number of article storage units is increased as described above, the number of article storage units is reduced in the zone adjacent to the zone where workers having high work ability are arranged, so that the picking work is reduced and the picking work is less likely to be delayed. Therefore, improvement of the overall picking efficiency can be expected, and furthermore, the number of articles (number of hits) to be picked in each zone can be leveled. Next, it leveled picking loads of each worker.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the size of each zone is reset, and a part of an article storage portion that forms a zone between adjacent zones is arranged. In addition, the present invention is implemented by separating a part, not using a part of the article storage unit belonging to the zone, or changing the number of the article storage units belonging to the zone.

  According to the said structure, the magnitude | size of a zone is reset by cut | disconnecting a part of article storage part which forms a zone, for example, 1/4, and adding to an adjacent zone. Thereby, it is possible to limit the change of a part of the article storage units, and therefore, it becomes easier to allocate articles to be collected in one area as compared with the case where the length of the zone is changed in the entire equipment.

  In addition, the size of the zone is reduced (reset) by not using, for example, ¼ of a part of the article storage unit forming the zone. This makes it possible to reduce the number of article storage units in the zone where the newcomer is arranged, so that improvement in picking efficiency can be expected, and leveling of the number of articles to be picked (hit number) can be expected.

  Further, the size of the zone is reset by changing the number of article storage units belonging to the zone. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of article storage units in the zone where newcomers are placed, and expect to maintain or improve picking efficiency, and expect the number of articles to be picked (number of hits) to be leveled. it can.

  Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the original color indicating the article storage section and the article input target area belonging to each of the zones is adjacent. A color different from the color of the zone is set, and when the size of the zone is changed, the color indicating the article storage unit and the area is reset according to the newly belonging zone. .

Usually, a specific color is designated for each zone, and an article storage unit for taking out the article and an area to which the article is to be input are specified, and the picking operator selects the color designated for the zone in charge. Recognizing and executing picking work. In such a facility, if the size of the zone, that is, the range of the article storage unit handled by the worker is changed, the worker may not be able to recognize the article storage unit in charge.
According to the above configuration, by setting a unique color that characterizes the zone, that is, a color that indicates an article storage unit that takes out an article and a color that indicates an area into which an article is to be loaded, the correspondence between the article storage unit and the area can be established. When it is clear and the size of the zone is changed, the color indicating the article storage unit and the color indicating the area are reset according to the zone to which the zone belongs.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of the areas is an input target area into which an article taken out from the article storage unit is input. A zone indicator to which the article storage unit for taking out the article belongs is provided with an input indicator that displays in a manner peculiar to the zone to which the article storage unit for taking out the article belongs. A frontage indicator that displays in a unique manner is provided, and these input indicators and frontage indicators are changed to a method that is specific to the newly belonging zone according to the change in the size of each zone. It is a feature.

  According to the above configuration, since the worker recognizes the zone that he / she is in charge of, the display on the frontage indicator is changed to a system specific to the newly belonging zone even if the size of the zone is changed. This makes it possible to recognize whether or not the article storage unit that takes out articles belongs to the zone in charge, and the area on which the taken-out articles are thrown in by changing the display of the loading indicator to a new zone-specific method Whether or not the picking work is mistaken.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the picking operation is completed along the transport means corresponding to each of the zones. A plurality of operation means to be operated are provided, and the operation means corresponding to each zone is reset according to the reallocation of the zone belonging to each zone.

When the operator finishes putting the article taken out from the article storage unit into the area in the assigned zone, the operator operates an operation means such as a switch.
According to the above configuration, when the size of the zone is changed, the transport position of the area into which the article is put is changed, and therefore, a plurality of operation means that are operated after the article is put in are arranged along the transport means. Then, in accordance with the change in the transport position of the area into which the article is to be loaded with the change in the size of the zone, the zone to which each operation means belongs is reset.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reallocation of the article storage portion forming each zone is executed during a picking operation. It is characterized by not.
If the reassignment of the article storage unit is executed during the picking work, the boundary of the zone is changed, so that the worker who continues the picking work may be confused.
According to the above configuration, the article storage unit is not reassigned during the picking operation.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a mark indicating that the zone is different is provided at a boundary between the zones. It is what.

The operator can set the article storage unit and the area so that the colors are alternated when the zones are combined, and the zone can be identified by the color recognition. However, the worker can physically separate the article storage unit of the picking shelf for each zone. If there is no separation between the conveying means, there is a risk that the picking operation may be performed in the wrong zone, particularly when the zones are combined.
According to the above configuration, by providing a mark indicating that the zone is different at the boundary of each zone, the worker can physically recognize the boundary of the zone, and when the zone is changed, The fear of picking work can be eliminated.

The invention according to claim 8 is provided with a picking shelf having a plurality of article storage units for storing articles respectively, and transports along the picking shelf each of a plurality of areas to which article request information of the sorting destination is assigned. Each of the sorting destinations by putting the articles taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf in accordance with the article request information of the sorting destination into an area to which the article request information of the same sorting destination is allocated. A picking method for performing an article picking work on
By dividing the article storage section of the picking shelf and the transport means into a plurality of zones along the transport direction of the area by the transport means, and changing the allocation of the article storage sections forming the zones, The picking operation is executed for each reset zone.

  According to the above method, the size of the zone is reset by changing the allocation of the article storage units forming each zone, and the picking operation is executed for each reset zone. As a result, it is possible to reduce picking work for newcomers by reducing the number of article storage units in the zone where workers (newcomers) with inferior work ability are placed. By keeping the area flowing without stagnation, maintenance or improvement of picking efficiency can be expected, and conversely, by increasing the number of article storage units in the zone where workers (experienced people) with high work ability are placed In the zone adjacent to the zone where workers with high work ability are placed, the number of article storage units is reduced and the picking work can be reduced, so that the picking work is less likely to be delayed and the overall picking efficiency is reduced. In addition, it is possible to equalize the number of articles (hits) to be picked in each zone. It can be leveled a king load.

  The picking equipment and picking method of the present invention can reduce the number of article storage units in a zone where workers (newcomers, etc.) with poor work ability are arranged by changing the allocation of the article storage units forming each zone. It is possible to reduce the picking work of newcomers, and it is expected that maintenance or improvement of picking efficiency can be expected by flowing the zone without stagnation from the zone where workers with inferior work ability are placed, and the work ability is high It is possible to increase the number of article storage units in a zone where workers (experienced persons, etc.) are arranged, and when the number of article storage units is increased in this way, the zone in which workers with high work ability are arranged is arranged. In adjacent zones, the picking work is reduced because the number of article storage units is reduced, and the picking work is less likely to be delayed. The improvement in efficiency can be expected, and the number of articles to be picked in each zone (number of hits) can be leveled, and the picking load of each worker can be leveled. .

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 block diagram which detects the collection container in the zone of the general controller of the picking equipment. It is a figure of the data of the picking equipment, (a) Data indicating the control range of the frontage as the own zone for each mode, (b) Data indicating the tape switch for which the operation signal is valid for each mode, (c ) Is data indicating an accumulation unit that outputs a forward advance permission signal for each mode, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a mode for each zone. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a frontage indicator, a zone controller, and a tape switch in the mode 1 of the zone range change of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a frontage indicator, a zone controller, and a tape switch in the mode 2 of the zone range change of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a frontage indicator, a zone controller, and a tape switch in the mode 3 of the zone range change of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a frontage indicator, a zone controller, and a tape switch in the mode 4 of the zone range change of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a frontage indicator, a zone controller, and a tape switch in the mode 5 of the zone range change of the picking equipment. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning of a frontage indicator, a zone controller, and a tape switch in the mode 6 of the zone range change 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 flowchart explaining operation | movement of the picking control 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.

  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 facility that collects and distributes an example of a unique code corresponding to the article request information of the item in an assigned collection container.

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. A collection line (an example of an area into which articles are placed) 10 is circulated and conveyed, 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. Subsequently, in the bag hanging area F, the collection container 10 that has been emptied after the refilling of the articles 11 is bagged, and is 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).
As shown in FIG. 4, each frontage 16 is assigned a number (frontage number) for each vertical column from the downstream side, and each zone Z is further divided into four. 1-No. No. 6 through the frontage 16 of the A block, No. 6 7-No. No. 12 through the frontage 16 of the B block, 13-No. 18 with a frontage 16 and a C block. 19-No. A D block is formed by 24 openings 16.
A delimiter bar 17A made of a detachable pipe is provided at the boundary of each zone Z as a mark indicating the delimitation of the zone. 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. It is composed of a quantity indicator 19A, a completion push button switch 19B having a lamp portion that can be displayed in red and green, and a shortage switch 19C that is operated when a shortage occurs, and displays a frontage 16 for taking out the article 11. A frontage display 19 is provided, and the frontage display 19 provided on the frontage 16 of the shelf 17 above the shelf 17 at the lowest level has a front direction (surface on the worker H side). The display direction of the frontage indicator 19 provided in the frontage 16 of the lowermost shelf 17 is a diagonally forward (conveying line B side) direction, and each has a different display direction. The color of the lamp portion of the completion pushbutton switch 19B (lamp color) is a unique color designated for each zone Z (red or green / an example of a zone-specific method). This color is alternately set in the adjacent zones (set by a color different from the color of the adjacent zones), and the odd zones are red and the even zones are green. When the size (range) of the zone Z is changed, the color of the lamp is changed in accordance with the zone Z to which the zone Z belongs. 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 according to the display of 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. Further, a setter (setting means) (not shown) capable of changing the conveyance speed is provided in the straight conveyance line 21 (conveying means for conveying the collection container in the storage line A). Note that such a setting device is not provided in the return conveyance line 21B.

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 and FIG. 4 for each zone Z, on the jig 23 </ b> B suspended up to the height of the collection container 10 along the straight conveyance line 21, respectively corresponding to the accumulation unit 22. A plurality (six in the embodiment) of tape switches (an example of an operation means for finishing loading) 23 are provided in an upward posture, and the height position of these tape switches 23 is set to the height of the upper surface of the collection container 10. It is aligned. Further, the corresponding tape switch 23 is reset according to the reassignment of the accumulation unit 22 (collection container 10) belonging to the zone Z.
In addition, a detachable disk-shaped marker 23A is provided at the boundary between the zones Z between the tape switches 23 as a mark indicating the zone Z separation.
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.

  “Collection container 10”; the collection container 10 is composed of a box-shaped container 25. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the short of the container 25 on the side opposite to the storage line A side (operator side). On the side surface in the axial direction, a loading indicator (an example of a work indicator) 26 for indicating that the collection container 10 is a loading target into which the article 11 taken out from the slot 16 is loaded is a jig 40 (described later). The clearance gap 41 is provided between the container 25 and the side surface of the container 25 so that the bag 27 can be hung on the container 25. Thus, the tape switch 23, the collection container 10, and the loading indicator 26 are arranged in this order from the worker H side in the left-right direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the collection container 10 conveyed by the straight traveling conveyance line 21. Has been. The collection container 10 is conveyed to the storage line A through the straight conveyance line 21 with the bag 27 being hung in the bag hanging area F.

The jig 40 is U-shaped as viewed from the side, and a part thereof is hooked on the side surface of the container 25, and the loading indicator 26 is located on the upper end of the other end of the jig 40, that is, on the side opposite to the operator H. The collection container 10 is attached to the outside of the upper end of the collection container 10 so as to have an obliquely upward posture. When the article 11 is put into the open part of the collection container 10, there is no hindrance and the operator H Is placed in an easy-to-see position to improve work efficiency.
As shown in FIG. 4, 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 operator 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 indicator 32 is configured by the jig 40 in the conveying direction of the collection container 10 by the linearly conveying line 21 (hereinafter abbreviated as the container conveying direction). The first lamp unit 31, the digital indicator 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. It is composed of covers 39A and 39B, and the color of the lamp is changed according to the change in the size of each zone Z. In addition, the lamp 38 which is the display means of the first lamp unit 31 and the second lamp unit 33 uses the same lamp (including lamp mounting brackets) and has a structure that can be interchanged.
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 means / reading means) 42A for reading an order number written in an RFID 34 built in the loading indicator 26 is arranged along the straight-forward conveyance line 21 in each zone. A little upstream from the upstream end of Z (zone Z boundary), the zone at the downstream end of the most downstream accumulation section 22 of the upstream zone Z (the place where the collection container is brought into the zone Z) is substantially zoned. Each upstream end of Z is provided so as to be movable in the container transport direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the data reading surface of the RFID 34 of the RFID reader 42 </ b> A is arranged facing 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 sealing 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・ Assign a number (an example of a unique code) and assign a No. The order quantity (picking quantity) is written in each of the frontage openings 1 to 24 to form the picking data for the storage line A. Also, the zone number where picking ends 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, the order number assigned to the user's order is output to the RFID writer 42B in the order of the user registered in advance, and the order number is assigned to the RFID 34. Let it be written. Thereby, the order number is assigned to the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached.

(F) The collection container 10 (order number stored in the RFID 34) conveyed in each zone Z is detected and output to each zone controller 24. The detection process of the collection container 10 in the zone Z will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the overall controller 51 is written in the RFID 34 of the input indicator 26 attached to each collection container 10 positioned (moving) from upstream to downstream for each zone Z. Zone memories 61- (1) to 61- (M) (M is the most downstream zone number) for storing the order numbers in the transport order (from upstream to downstream), and each zone memory 61- (1) Stored in each of the zone memories 61- (1) to 61- (M) and the zone memories 61- (1) to 61- (M) and the zone memory update units 62- (1) to 62- (M) for updating the order number to be stored for A zone transmitter 64 is provided for outputting the ordered number of the zone Z to each zone controller 24. The function of the zone memory update unit 62 will be described by taking the zone (n) as an example.

The zone memory update unit 62- (n) receives, as registration data, an order number read by the own zone RFID reader 42A- (n) of the responsible zone (hereinafter referred to as the own zone) Z and is erased. As the data, the order number read by the downstream zone RFID reader 42A- (n + 1) of the downstream zone Z is input.
When the zone memory update unit 62- (n) inputs an order number from the RFID reader 42A- (n) of its own zone Z, the zone memory 61 uses the order number as the order number of the most upstream collection container 10. -Store in (n) and move the previously stored order number to the downstream side in order. When the order number (erased data) of the RFID reader 42A- (n + 1) in the adjacent downstream zone Z is input, the order number of the erased data is erased from the zone memory 61- (n) and previously stored. The order number is moved downstream in order. When the zone memory 61- (n) is updated, an update signal is output to the zone transmission unit 64.
As described above, in each zone Z, the order numbers read by the RFID reader 42A are sequentially stored in the zone memories 61- (1) to 61- (M). The collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached is being identified in order. Further, since the order number of the collection container 10 located in each zone Z is stored by inputting the order number from the RFID reader 42A, the mounting position of the RFID reader 42A is slid to the upstream side or the downstream side. By (moving), the size (range) of the zone Z can be varied.

Further, when the zone transmitting unit 64 receives an update signal from each of the zone memory update units 62- (1) to 62- (M), the zone memory 61- (1) to 61- (M) stores the zone stored therein. The order number of Z is output to each zone controller 24.
Each zone controller 24 can recognize the collection container 10 (order number stored in the RFID 34) that is constantly updated and is transported in each zone Z by the output of the zone transmission unit 64. .

(G) The size of the zone Z can be changed by changing the allocation of the frontage 16 (frontage display 19) forming each zone Z by changing the number of collection containers 10 to be thrown into each zone Z according to instructions from the outside. Change the size (re-set). Note that the size of the zone Z is not reset during the picking operation.
When a worker (for example, a newcomer) who is inferior in the picking work is arranged in the zone Z, in order to maintain the efficiency of the whole picking work, a part of the zone 16 that is in charge of the new work is cut off. By adding a part of the separated frontage 16 to the adjacent zone Z, the size of each zone Z on the frontage 16 side is reset. Alternatively, the size of each zone Z on the frontage 16 side is reset by not using a part of the frontage 16 of the zone Z handled by the newcomer (not used). In the present embodiment, a part of the opening 16 to be separated and added is the A block at the downstream end or the D block (1/4 zone) at the upstream end. Further, in the zone Z handled by the newcomer, a part of the collection container 10 (one collection container in the embodiment) to be thrown into the article is separated, and a part of the separated collection container 10 is separated from the adjacent zone Z. To reset the size of each zone Z on the collection container 10 side. The size (range) of each zone Z is set in six modes.

  Mode 1 is a mode in which the size of the zone Z is not changed. As shown in FIGS. 11 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. 12, the zone controller 24 includes 24 units A to D blocks. A frontage indicator 19 and an accumulation unit 22 located on the most downstream side of the own zone Z are connected, and further, six tape switches 23 of the own zone Z are connected.

  Mode 2... Mode that expands to ¼ zone of the adjacent downstream zone Z, that is, a collection container that has moved to the accumulation section 22 located at the most upstream of the downstream zone Z by adding the D block of the adjacent downstream zone Z 10 is added as a target of the picking work in the own zone Z, and as shown in FIGS. 11 (a), (b), (c) and FIG. A total of 30 frontage indicators 19 of the block and the D block in the downstream zone Z, the accumulation unit 22 located most downstream in the own zone Z, and the accumulation unit 22 located most upstream in the downstream zone Z are connected, and In addition to the six tape switches 23 of the own zone Z, one tape switch located at the most upstream of the downstream zone Z 23 is connected. The operation signal of one tape switch 23 in the downstream zone Z is recognized as an operation signal at the end of the picking work in the own zone Z.

  Mode 3... Mode that expands to ¼ zone of the adjacent upstream zone Z, that is, the collection container moving to the accumulation section 22 located most downstream of the upstream zone Z by adding the A block of the adjacent upstream zone Z 10 is added as a target of the picking work in the own zone Z, and as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 14, the zones A to D of the own zone Z are sent to the zone controller 24. A total of 30 frontage indicators 19 of the A block in the block and the upstream zone Z, and an accumulation unit 22 located on the most downstream side of the own zone Z are connected, and further, six tape switches 23 in the own zone Z, and further upstream zone One tape switch 23 located on the most downstream side of Z is connected. The operation signal of the tape switch 23 is recognized as an operation signal at the end of the picking work in the own zone Z.

  Mode 4... A mode in which the A block is separated and the 1/4 zone is reduced, that is, the A block is passed to the adjacent downstream zone Z, and the collection container 10 moving to the accumulation unit 22 located most downstream of the own zone Z Are excluded from the picking work target in the own zone Z, and as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 15, the zone controller 24 sends The five front-end indicators 19 of the D block and the accumulation unit 22 located second from the most downstream side of the own zone Z are connected, and the five switches excluding the tape switch 23 located most downstream of the own zone Z are connected. The tape switch 23 is connected.

  Mode 5... A mode in which the D block is separated and the 1/4 zone is reduced, that is, the D block is passed to the adjacent upstream zone Z, and the collection container 10 is moved to the accumulation unit 22 located upstream of the own zone Z. Are excluded from the picking work target in the own zone Z, and as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 16, the zone controller 24 sends the A to Z of the own zone Z. Five tape switches 23 except for the 18 frontage indicators 19 of the C block and the accumulator 22 located most downstream in the own zone Z, and further excluding the tape switch 23 located most upstream in the own zone Z. Is connected.

  Mode 6... Is a mode in which the ¼ zone is reduced by not using the D block. As shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 17, the zone controller 24 has The 18 frontage indicators 19 of the A to C blocks of the own zone Z and the accumulation unit 22 located on the most downstream side of the own zone Z are connected, and further, six tape switches 23 of the own zone Z are connected.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, the positions of the separator bar 17A, the marker 23B, and the RFID reader 42A are changed at the boundary of the zone Z in accordance with the changed mode. Thereby, the worker H can physically check the partition of the frontage 16 for each zone Z and the partition of the first straight conveyance line 21A, and the possibility of mistakes of the zone Z at the time of picking work is eliminated. Further, by changing the position of the RFID reader 42 </ b> A, the number of the collection containers 10 to be put into the articles being conveyed in each zone Z (the number of order numbers stored in the zone memory 61) is changed.
Then, as shown in FIG. 11D, the mode is set for each zone Z and is output to the zone controller 24 of each zone Z.
The data in this mode is output only before the previous one batch of picking operation is completed and the next picking data is output to the zone controller 24 of each zone Z.

  Further, in accordance with the changed mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, when mode 2 is instructed, when the original color designated for the own zone Z is green, the D block in the adjacent downstream zone Z The lamp portion of the frontage indicator 26 is displayed in green, and the lamp portion of the input indicator 26 of the collection container 10 moving to the accumulation portion 22 located at the most upstream of the downstream zone Z is displayed in green. In this way, according to the change in the size of the zone Z, by resetting both the frontage 16 and the color indicating the collection container 10 so that the colors alternate at the boundary of the zone Z, the frontage for taking out the article 10 The correspondence between 16 and the collection container 10 to be thrown into the article is clarified.

  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 size of the zone Z is changed according to an instruction from the outside, the mode of each zone Z is set, 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. 18, each zone controller 24 includes 24 frontage indicators 19 in its own zone Z, 6 frontage indicators 19 in the D block in the downstream zone Z, and A in the upstream zone Z. Six frontage indicators 19 in the block, six tape switches 23 in the own zone Z, one tape switch 23 located most downstream in the upstream zone Z, one tape located most upstream in the downstream zone Z Switch 23, further, the most downstream accumulation part 22 of the own zone Z, the most upstream accumulation part 22 of the downstream zone Z, Accumulation section 22 positioned in the second than the most downstream zone Z, the communication controller 52 and overall controller 51, are connected.

  Each zone controller 24 is previously set with a number (zone number) that identifies its own zone Z, and further has a front 16 of its own zone Z, a front 16 of the A block in the upstream zone Z, and a D of the downstream zone Z. The arrangement of the frontage 16 of the block and the data (arrangement data) of the articles 11 stored in each frontage 16 are set, and the data of the mode set in each zone Z and assigned to the user by the general controller 51. An order number and zone picking data are entered. The control of the zone controller 24 differs depending on the set mode (the mode of the size of the zone Z).

"Mode 1" (when there is no zone Z change)
As shown in FIG. 12, the zone controller 24 designates the picking container 10 that is normally picking control, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z, as an object input target with respect to the own zone Z. The article 11 taken out from 16 is put into the designated collection container 10 and the operation of confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by operating one of the six tape switches 23 in the own zone Z.
Further, when there is no picking work for the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z, the preceding picking work to the upstream zone Z, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the upstream zone Z is designated as an object input target. Then, the article 11 taken out from the front opening 16 of the own zone Z is put into the collection container 10 of the designated upstream zone Z, and the operation is completed by operating one of the tape switches 23 of the six of the own zone Z. Control what to check.

"Mode 2" (when 1/4 zone is expanded downstream)
As shown in FIG. 13, the zone controller 24 performs normal picking control, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z (the collection being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located in the most upstream of the downstream zone Z). Container 10 is designated as an article input target, and the article 11 taken out from the entrance 16 of the own zone Z or the entrance 16 of the D block in the downstream zone Z is introduced into the designated collection container 10 and The operation of confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by operating one tape switch 23 or one tape switch 23 located on the most upstream side of the downstream zone Z.
Further, when there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 (including the collection container 10 conveyed in the accumulation unit 22 located at the most upstream position of the downstream zone Z) being conveyed in the own zone Z, the upstream zone Z is entered. The preceding picking operation, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the upstream zone Z is designated as an object input object, and the article 11 taken out from the front opening 16 of the own zone Z or the front opening 16 of the D block in the downstream zone Z The operation of checking the completion of the operation is controlled by operating the tape switch 23 of the own zone Z or the one tape switch 23 located on the most upstream side of the downstream zone Z. .

"Mode 3" (when 1/4 zone is expanded upstream)
As shown in FIG. 14, the zone controller 24 performs normal picking control, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z (the collection being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located most downstream in the upstream zone Z). Container 10) is designated as an article input object, and article 11 taken out from its front zone Z frontage 16 or A block frontage 16 of upstream zone Z is put into said designated collection container 10 and its own zone Z The operation of confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by operating the tape switch 23 or one tape switch 23 located on the most downstream side of the upstream zone Z.
Further, when there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 (including the collection container 10 conveyed in the accumulation unit 22 located most downstream in the upstream zone Z) being conveyed in the own zone Z, the upstream zone Z is entered. Preceding picking operation, that is, the collection container 10 transported in the upstream zone Z (excluding the collection container 10 transported in the accumulation section 22 located most downstream in the upstream zone Z) is designated as the object input target Then, the article 11 taken out from the slot 16 of the own zone Z or the slot 16 of the A block in the upstream zone Z is put into the collection container 10 of the designated upstream zone Z, and the tape switch 23 of the own zone Z or the upstream zone The operation for confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by operating one tape switch 23 located on the most downstream side of Z.

"Mode 4" (when 1/4 zone is cut to the downstream zone)
As shown in FIG. 15, the zone controller 24 performs normal picking control, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z (the collection being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located most downstream in the own zone Z). (Excluding the container 10) is designated as an article input object, the article 11 taken out from the front port 16 of its own zone Z excluding the A block is introduced into the designated collection container 10, and one tape switch located most downstream. The operation for confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by the operation of the tape switch 23 in the own zone Z except 23.
Further, when there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z (excluding the collection container 10 being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located most downstream in the own zone Z), the upstream zone Z is entered. Preceding picking operation, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the upstream zone Z is designated as an article input target, and the article 11 taken out from the slot 16 of the own zone Z excluding the A block is designated in the designated upstream zone Z. The operation of checking the completion of the operation is controlled by operating the tape switch 23 in the own zone Z except for the one tape switch 23 located on the most downstream side.

"Mode 5" (when 1/4 zone is cut off to upstream zone)
As shown in FIG. 16, the zone controller 24 performs normal picking control, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z (the collection being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located at the most upstream side of the own zone Z). (Excluding the container 10) is designated as an article input object, the article 11 taken out from the front port 16 of the own zone Z excluding the D block is introduced into the designated collection container 10, and one tape switch located at the most upstream position The operation for confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by the operation of the tape switch 23 in the own zone Z except 23.

  Further, when there is no picking operation for the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z (excluding the collection container 10 being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located most upstream of the own zone Z), the upstream zone Z is entered. Preceding picking operation, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the upstream zone Z (including the collection container 10 being transported in the accumulation unit 22 located at the most upstream side of the own zone Z) is designated as the object input target Then, the article 11 taken out from the front opening 16 of the own zone Z excluding the D block is put into the collection container 10 of the designated upstream zone Z, and the article Z of the own zone Z excluding the one tape switch 23 located at the most upstream side. The operation for confirming the completion of the operation is controlled by operating the tape switch 23.

"Mode 6" (when 1/4 zone is unused)
As shown in FIG. 17, the zone controller 24 designates the picking container 10 being normally picked, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z as an object input object, and takes it out from the slot 16 of the own zone Z excluding the D block. The work 11 is put into the designated collection container 10, and the operation of confirming the completion of the work is controlled by operating the tape switch 23 in the own zone Z.
Further, when there is no picking work for the collection container 10 being transported in the own zone Z, the preceding picking work to the upstream zone Z, that is, the collection container 10 being transported in the upstream zone Z is designated as an object input target. Then, the article 11 taken out from the entrance 16 of the own zone Z excluding the D block is put into the collection container 10 of the designated upstream zone Z, and the work completion is confirmed by operating the tape switch 23 of the own zone Z. Control.

“Control Configuration of Zone Controller 24”; FIG. 14 shows a control configuration diagram for realizing the above-described control 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;
5 (moving) located upstream from Z in upstream zone Z (when 1/4 zone is expanded upstream), 6 or 7 (upstream 1/4 zone is reduced) An upstream zone memory 72 in which the order number written in the RFID 34 of the loading indicator 26 attached to each collection container 10 is stored;
5 items (when 1/4 zone is reduced downstream), 6 items, or 7 items (when 1/4 zone is enlarged upstream) located in own zone Z from upstream to downstream A self-zone memory 73 in which a similar order number of the container 10 is 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 preceding display control unit 78, picking control unit 79, and forward feed permission control Part 80 and an afterimage display control part 82.

“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 its own zone Z, and each zone memory output from the overall controller 51 is stored in the upstream zone memory update unit 75. 61 data is input, and the upstream zone memory 72 is updated. That is, the data in the zone memory 61 corresponding to the upstream zone Z among the data in each zone memory 61 output from the overall controller 51 is written in the upstream zone memory 72.
“Own Zone Memory Update Unit 76”; the own zone memory update unit 76 stores the zone number of the own zone Z, and each zone memory output from the overall controller 51 is stored in the own zone memory update unit 76. 61 data is input and the own zone memory 73 is updated. That is, of the data in each zone memory 61 output from the overall controller 51, the data in the zone memory 61 corresponding to the own zone Z is written into the own zone memory 73.

“Own Zone Advance Display Control Unit 78”; The own zone advance display control unit 78 stores the zone number of the own zone Z, and each zone Z output from the overall controller 51 before the picking operation is started. The mode of the own zone Z is confirmed according to the mode data, and the frontage 16 for taking out the article 11 regarded as the own zone Z is specified by the confirmed mode.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, in addition to the 24 frontage 16 of the A to D blocks of the own zone Z in the mode 1, and in addition to the 24 frontage 16 of the A to D blocks of the own zone Z in the mode 2. 6 frontage 16 of D block in downstream zone Z, in addition to 24 frontage 16 of A to D block of own zone Z in mode 3, plus 6 frontage 16 of A block of upstream zone Z, own zone in mode 4 It is identified as 16 frontage 16 excluding the A block of Z, and 16 frontage 16 excluding the D block of its own zone Z when in mode 5 or mode 6.
When the picking operation is started, the order number stored in the own zone memory 73 is confirmed, the picking memory 71 is searched by each order number, and the presence / absence of picking data (considered as the own zone Z) Whether or not there is an article 11 picked from the frontage 16 and put into the collection container 10 located in the own zone Z; if the picking operation has been completed, it is considered that there is no picking data).
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. And the number of the own zone Z is 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. 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 stores the zone number of its own zone Z, and before starting the picking operation, each zone Z input from the overall controller 51 is stored. According to the mode data, the mode of the own zone Z is confirmed, and the front door 16 from which the article 11 regarded as the own zone Z is taken out is specified by the confirmed mode, like the own zone preceding display control unit 78.
When the picking operation is started, the order number stored in the upstream zone memory 72 is confirmed, the picking memory 71 is searched by each order number, and the presence / absence of the picking data in the upstream zone (the own zone Z and Whether or not there is an article 11 picked from the considered frontage 16 and put into the collection container 10 located in the upstream zone Z; if the picking operation is completed, it is considered that there is no picking data).
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 preceding 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 upstream zone Z number (self 1 is subtracted from the number of the zone Z) 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. Output. 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).

“Picking control unit 79”; the picking control unit 79 stores the zone number of its own zone Z, and according to the mode data of each zone Z output from the overall controller 51 before the start of the picking operation. The mode of the own zone Z is confirmed, and the tape switch 23 that validates the operation signal is specified by the confirmed mode.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11B, the six tape switches 23 in the own zone Z when in mode 1 or mode 6, the six tape switches 23 in the own zone Z and the most downstream zone Z when in mode 2. One tape switch 23 located upstream, six tape switches 23 in its own zone Z in mode 3 and one tape switch 23 located most downstream in the upstream zone Z, and in its own zone Z in mode 4 The five tape switches 23 except for the tape switch 23 located at the most downstream side, and the five tape switches 23 except for the tape switch 23 located at the most upstream side in the own zone Z in the mode 5 are specified.

The operation during the picking operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the order number of the collection container 10 to be picked is input from the own zone preceding display control unit 78 or the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77 (step-1), the picking of the picking memory 71 is performed based on the order number. The data is retrieved (step-2), and the order number that has been input is designated as a unique color (red or green) of the own zone Z, the number of the own zone Z or the upstream zone Z, and the lighting signal. The added zone picking lighting data or upstream zone picking lighting data is output to the communication controller 52 (step-3).
Based on the own zone picking lighting data, the lamp 38 of the second lamp section 33 is lit red or green, and based on the upstream zone picking lighting data, the lamp 38 of the first lamp section 31 is lit red or green. (To be described later).
Subsequently, according to the picking data of the collection container 10 to be picked, the frontage display 19 designates the color (red or green) of the lamp 38 and takes out the frontage 16 from which the items 11 are taken out and the quantity of the items 11 to be taken out. Display (step-4).
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) (step-5).
Subsequently, when the input of the operation signal of the tape switch 23 that validates the operation signal described above (an example of the input of the operation end signal of the operation means) is confirmed (step-6), the input to the collection container 10 in the zone Z is performed. Recognize that the picking operation has ended.

  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 self 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 is red or green. Blinks (described later).

When the end of the picking work is recognized, the picking data in the picking memory 71 that has been executed is regarded as the end of the picking work (Step-7), and the order number for which the picking work has been completed is output to the forward feed permission control unit 80 (Step-8). Subsequently, in the picking data, it is confirmed whether or not the own zone Z is set as the picking end zone (step-9). 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 (step -10).
When it is confirmed that the article 11 cannot be removed 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.

“Front feed permission control unit 80”; the front feed permission control unit 80 stores the zone number of its own zone Z, and the mode of each zone Z input from the overall controller 51 before the picking operation is started. According to the data, the mode of the own zone Z is confirmed, and the accumulator 22 that outputs the forward advance permission signal is specified by the confirmed mode.
That is, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the accumulator 22 is located most downstream of the own zone Z in mode 1, mode 3, mode 5 or mode 6, and is located most upstream in the downstream zone Z in mode 2. The accumulating unit 22 is identified as the accumulating unit 22 located in the second most downstream of the own zone Z in the mode 4.
When the picking work is started, the picking data in the picking memory 71 is searched by the order number at the most downstream of the own zone memory 73 to check the presence / absence of the picking work. When there is no picking work, the above specified accumulation is performed. The forward feed permission signal is output to the unit 22. When picking work is present, the picking control unit 79 waits until the order number for which the picking work has been completed is input, and the collection container 10 for which the picking work has not been completed is downstream from the accumulation unit 22 that is regarded as the own zone Z. When moving to the zone Z is blocked and an order number is input, it is checked whether or not the order number matches the order number at the most downstream side of the own zone memory 73. The forward feed permission signal is output to 22.

  “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. 21, the afterimage display control unit 82 includes an upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 86, an upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 87, a local zone afterimage lighting unit 88, and a local zone afterimage lighting unit 89.

<Upstream Zone Afterimage Lighting Unit 86>; The upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 86 searches and stores the picking memory 71 by the order number stored in the upstream zone memory 72 at regular time intervals (scan time). It is confirmed whether or not the picking data being set is “Picking work completed”. {As described above, the picking control unit 79 confirms the completion of the picking operation to the collection container 10 in the zone Z by operating the tape switch 23, and when confirmed, the picking data (order number of the picking memory 71 executed) is confirmed. (Including picking) ”is“ End of picking work ”. }
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 87, and the upstream zone Z number 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 87>; the upstream zone afterimage extinguishing unit 87 stores the order number input from the upstream zone afterimage lighting unit 86, 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 88>; The own zone afterimage lighting unit 88 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 89, 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 89>; The own zone afterimage extinguishing unit 89 stores the order number input from the own zone afterimage lighting unit 88, 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, as described above, the communication controller 52 outputs the current display control state data output from the display controller 35 of the input display 26 to the zone controller 24.
Then, 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 unlit data, the own zone white lighting data, the own zone white unlit data, the zone End-off data, or 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 related to upstream zone Z 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. The second lamp unit 33 is used for displaying picking work in the own zone Z, and the first lamp unit 31 is used for displaying picking work in the upstream zone Z adjacent to the own zone Z. Except when white or yellow is lit, red when the zone Z number is odd and green when it is even. When the size of the zone Z is changed, the color of the lamp 38 is reset according to the zone Z to which it belongs.
-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: The lamp 38 of the first lamp unit 31 is lit.
Upstream zone unlit data or upstream zone white unlit 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.

  As described above, the lamp 38 of the second lamp portion 33 of the loading indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 located in the range regarded as the own zone Z is lit / flashed / turned off in red, green, or yellow. Alternatively, when the green light is on (an example of the input target display), it is displayed that the collection container 10 is a picking work execution target, and when the light is yellow, it is displayed that the collection container 10 is scheduled for picking work. The collection container 10 that is turned off and displayed as a collection container 10 that is not the target of the picking work, and that is in the range regarded as the own zone Z, to which the input indicator 26 is attached, is displayed by the second lamp unit 33. Whether or not it is a collection container into which the article 11 taken out in its own zone Z is to be input is indicated.

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.
In addition, the lamp 38 of the first lamp portion 31 of the input indicator 26 attached to the collection container 10 located in the range regarded as the upstream zone Z is turned on / flashing / turned off in red, green, or yellow. 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, and when it is lit yellow, it is displayed that it is the collection container 10 that is scheduled to be picked. The collection container 10 that is not the target of the picking operation is displayed, and the first lamp unit 31 is attached to the input indicator 26, and the collection container 10 located in the range regarded as the upstream zone Z is in its own zone Z. It is shown whether it is the collection container of the input object of the articles | goods 11 taken out in (1).
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 preceding display control unit 78 and the afterimage display control unit 82, and the first lamp unit. The state of the lamp 38 of 31 is controlled by the upstream zone preceding display control unit 77 and the afterimage display control unit 82, so that when the collection container 10 is moved from the upstream zone Z to the downstream zone Z, The states of the first lamp unit 31 and the lamp 38 of the second lamp unit 33 of the input indicator 26 are reviewed simultaneously, and the states of both the lamps 38 of the first lamp unit 31 and the second lamp unit 33 are simultaneously reviewed. Will be updated.

“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, when the collection container 10 is the picking work target. 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.

“Picking Work”: The operation of the “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 described above, when the size of the zone Z is changed, the attachment positions of the separation bar 17A, the marker 23B, and the RFID reader 42A are changed at the boundary of the zone Z in accordance with the changed mode. Thereby, the worker H can physically confirm the partition of the frontage 16 for each zone and the partition of the first straight conveyance line 21A, and the possibility of mistakes of the zone Z at the time of picking work is eliminated. The order number written in the RFID 34 is read by each RFID reader 42A, so that when the position of the RFID reader 42A is changed, the number of collection containers 10 movable in the zone Z is changed. In the zone memories 61- (1) to 61- (M) of the overall controller 51, the order numbers assigned to the collection containers 10 positioned (moving) from upstream to downstream are transferred in the order of conveyance ( Is stored in the zone memory 61- (1) to 61- (M), even if the number of collection containers 10 movable in the zone Z is changed. The order number of the collection container 10 transported in each zone Z is stored. Therefore, it is not necessary for the zone controller 24 to review the order numbers stored in the upstream zone memory 72 and the own zone memory 73 in accordance with the change in the size of the zone Z.
Further, according to the change in the size of the zone Z, the zone controller 24 identifies the frontage 16 regarded as the own zone Z and the collection container 10 into which the article 11 is put, and controls the frontage display 19 and the loading display 26. Therefore, the worker H may perform the picking work according to the display of the frontage display 19 and the input display 26 without being aware of the change in the size of 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 indicated by turning on yellow, and no picking work is indicated by turning off. At this time, each frontage indicator 19 regarded as the own zone Z is displayed. 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 pressed.) When all the articles 11 are loaded, the tape which is physically indicated by the marker 23A and is regarded as the own zone Z The switch 23 is pressed to finish the picking operation for the target collection container 10.
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 input indicator 26 is attached is located in the range regarded as the own zone Z. The self-zone lamp that enables work 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 in red or green, the worker H arranged in the own zone Z is regarded as an adjacent upstream zone Z based on the display of each frontage indicator 19. The article 11 taken out from the frontage 16 considered to be its own zone Z with respect to the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached, in which the lamp 38 of the first lamp section 31 is lit in red or green. (Advance picking work in the upstream zone 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 first lamp unit 31 can be viewed only from the own zone Z when the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached is located in the range regarded as the upstream zone Z. A leading zone ramp that enables picking work is formed.
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 an operator who puts the article 11 into the collection container 10 to which the loading indicator 26 is attached.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the allocation of the frontage 16 (frontage display 19) that forms each zone Z is changed, and the number of collection containers 10 to be thrown in each zone Z is changed to change the zone. By changing the size of Z, it is possible to reduce the number of front doors 16 in the zone Z where workers (newcomers, etc.) with inferior work ability are arranged, and to reduce the number of collection containers 10 to which goods are to be input. Therefore, the picking work of a new face is reduced, and the collection container 10 can flow without stagnation from the zone Z in which the worker having inferior work ability is arranged, and the picking efficiency can be maintained or improved.
In addition, by changing the size of the zone Z, it is possible to increase the number of the openings 16 in the zone Z where workers (experienced persons, etc.) with high work ability are arranged. In the zone adjacent to the zone Z, the picking work is reduced and the picking work is less likely to be delayed because the number of the frontage 16 is reduced, and the improvement of the entire picking efficiency can be expected.
Further, by changing the size of the zone Z, the number of articles (number of hits) to be picked in each zone Z can be leveled, and the picking load of each worker can be leveled.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the size of the zone Z is reset by separating a part of the frontage 16 that forms the zone Z (1/4 zone in the embodiment) and adding it to the adjacent zone. By restricting the change to the part of the frontage 16, it becomes easier to allocate the articles 11 to be collected in one collection container 10 as compared with the case where the length of the zone Z is changed in the entire equipment.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, a newcomer is arranged by reducing the size of the zone by not using a part of the frontage 16 that forms the zone Z (in the embodiment, ¼ zone). It is possible to reduce the number of front doors 16 in the zone Z, and expect to maintain or improve the picking efficiency, and expect the leveling of the number of articles to be picked (the number of hits).

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the size of the zone Z, that is, the range of the frontage 16 handled by the worker H is changed, the worker H executes the picking work. However, the original color characterizing the zone Z, that is, the color indicating the front opening 16 for taking out the article 11 and the color indicating the collection container 10 to be put into the article are set. When the size of the frontage 16 and the collection container 10 are changed, the picking operation is performed by resetting the color indicating the frontage 16 and the color indicating the collection container 10 in accordance with the zone Z to which it belongs. The fear that the correspondence cannot be recognized can be eliminated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the worker H recognizes the color of the zone Z that he / she is in charge of, the display color of the frontage display 19 is changed even if the size of the zone Z is changed. Thus, it is possible to recognize whether the front door 16 for taking out the article 11 belongs to the zone Z in charge, or the color of the display on the insertion indicator 26, so that it is possible to recognize whether or not it is the collection container 10 into which the removed article 11 is put in. Can be prevented.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of tape switches 23 that are operated along the straight conveyance line 21 to operate when the articles 11 taken out from the frontage 16 are finished being put into the collection container 10 are arranged, and the size of the zone Z is increased. The worker H is aware of the change of the zone Z by resetting the zone to which each tape switch 23 belongs in accordance with the change of the transport position of the collection container 10 into which the articles 11 are put in due to the change of the height. Without doing so, the end of the loading of the article 11 can be input by operating the tape switch 23 corresponding to the collection container 10 into which the article 11 has been loaded.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, if the reallocation of the article storage unit is executed during the picking work, the boundary of the zone is changed, so that it cannot be changed during the picking work. The confusion of the worker H can be avoided.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the separator H and the marker 23A are provided at the boundary of the zone Z as marks indicating that the zone Z is different, so that the operator H can operate even when the zone Z is combined. The boundary of the zone Z can be physically recognized, and the possibility of picking work in the wrong zone Z can be solved.

In the present embodiment, the size of the zone Z is changed by changing the allocation of the frontage 16 (frontage display 19) that forms each zone Z, and the collection container 10 to be thrown into the article in each zone Z. Although it is performed by changing the number, it is not always necessary to change the number of the collection containers 10. Since the number of articles 11 (the number of hits) to be picked can be changed simply by changing the allocation of the frontage 16 (frontage display 19), the frontage of the zone Z where workers (newcomers, etc.) with inferior work ability are arranged. By reducing the number of 16, the collection container 10 can be expected to flow without stagnation from the zone Z in which the worker with inferior work ability is arranged, and the picking efficiency can be maintained and improved.
Further, in the present embodiment, the change of the zone Z is executed by separating, adding, or not using the 1/4 zone, but it goes without saying that the zone Z is limited to the 1/4 zone.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, it collects by putting the articles | goods 11 according to an order into the collection container 10 to which the order number was allocated by the rectilinear conveyance line 21 which is a conveyance means. The container 10 is not limited, and the transport means is divided into a plurality of areas in the transport direction to form areas (areas), order numbers are assigned to these areas, and articles 11 corresponding to the orders are placed in these areas. It can also be collected. 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.

  In addition, each zone Z is formed by 24 front openings 16, but the size of the zone Z can be changed by changing the number of front openings 16 forming the zone Z by changing the number of stages and rows of the flow rack 15. Can also be reset. In this way, by changing the number of the frontage 16 of the flow rack 15 and resetting the size of the zone Z, the number of the frontage 16 of the zone Z where the newcomer is arranged can be reduced. The maintenance or improvement of the efficiency can be expected, and the level of the number of articles 11 (hits) to be picked can be expected.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the conveyance line B is comprised by one circulation line, it is also possible to comprise by two, for example, two circulation lines arrange | positioned in parallel.
Further, in the present embodiment, the order number is stored in the RFID 34 and the collection container 10 is specified by reading the order number. However, a barcode (code) corresponding to the order number is assigned to the collection container 10. 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. .
Further, in the present embodiment, the flow rack 15 and the rectilinear transport line 21 are arranged on the opposite side across the worker H, but the storage line A (flow rack 15) and the rectilinear transport for the worker H are arranged. The line 21 may be arranged on the same side. As a result, the article 11 taken out from the frontage 16 can be put into the collection container 10 being transported to the zone Z as it is (picked) in the taken (picked) hand trajectory (picking operation is executed). Can be improved.
In this embodiment, the color of the input confirmation display is white. However, the worker H only needs to be able to clearly distinguish the input confirmation display from the input object display and other displays, and the color such as purple or blue is input. It may be used as a color.
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. Alternatively, 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, and thereby the sorting request or the article request information of the sorting destination is assigned to the collection container 10 to which the input indicator 26 is attached. It is also possible.
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 arrange an automatic loading device for automatically loading the collection container 10 so that the articles 11 are automatically loaded.
Further, in the present embodiment, the color of the lamps that are turned on for each zone Z, which is the “method specific to the zone to which it belongs” (the lamp of the completion push button switch 19B of the frontage indicator 19 and the first indicator of the input indicator 26). By changing the color of the lamps 31 and the lamps 38 of the second lamp unit 33, the worker H does not mistake the collection container 10 into which the articles 11 taken out from the zone Z are put. Any specific method may be used as long as the worker H does not mistake the collection container 10, 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, as an example of the input end operation means that is operated when input of the article 11 to the collection container 10 is completed or input of the article 11 from the frontage 16 to the collection container 10 is completed. Although the tape switch 23 is used, it may be a switch that simply inputs completion (end), and may be a simple push button switch or a device that outputs a completion (end) signal due to sensor interruption.
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 17 Shelf 17A Separator 19 Frontage indicator 21 Straight forward conveyance line 23 Tape switch 23A Marker 24 Zone controller 26 Input indicator 28 Round pipe Guide 31 First lamp part 32 Digital display 33 Second lamp part 34 RFID
36 Radio 42A RFID reader 42B RFID writer 43 Antenna 51 General controller 52 Communication controller 53 Transceiver 59 Tray

Claims (8)

Comprising a picking shelf having a plurality of article storage units each storing articles, and comprising a transport means for transporting a plurality of areas along which the article request information of the sorting destination is allocated, respectively, along the picking shelf,
By picking up the articles taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf according to the article request information of the sorting destination into the area where the article request information of the same sorting destination is allocated, the picking work of the articles is performed for each sorting destination. A picking facility to be performed,
Dividing the article storage section of the picking shelf and the transport means into a plurality of zones along the transport direction of the area by the transport means;
A picking facility, wherein the size of the zone can be reset by changing the allocation of the article storage units forming the zones. Resetting the size of each zone, adding a part of an article storage unit that forms a zone with an adjacent zone and separating a part, or not using a part of the article storage unit belonging to the zone, Alternatively, the picking equipment according to claim 1, wherein the picking equipment is implemented by changing the number of article storage units belonging to the zone. A unique color indicating the article storage section and the article input target area belonging to each zone is set by a color different from the color of the adjacent zone,
3. The picking equipment according to claim 1, wherein when the size of the zone is changed, the color indicating the article storage unit and the area is reset according to a newly belonging zone. In each of the above-mentioned areas, an input indicator is provided for displaying, by a method specific to the zone to which the article storage unit for taking out the article belongs, that it is an input target area for putting in the article taken out from the article storage unit,
Each of the article storage units is provided with a frontage indicator that displays an article storage unit for taking out an article by a method peculiar to a zone to which the article storage unit for taking out the article belongs,
3. The display according to claim 1, wherein the input indicator and the frontage indicator change their display to a system specific to a new zone according to a change in the size of each zone. Picking equipment. Corresponding to each of the zones, a plurality of operation means are provided for operation when the picking work is completed along the transport means,
The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation unit corresponding to each zone is reset according to the reallocation of the areas belonging to each zone. The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reallocation of the article storage units forming the zones is not executed during a picking operation. The picking facility according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a sign indicating that the zones are different is provided at a boundary between the zones. Comprising a picking shelf having a plurality of article storage units each storing articles, and comprising a transport means for transporting a plurality of areas along which the article request information of the sorting destination is allocated, respectively, along the picking shelf,
By picking up the articles taken out from the article storage unit of the picking shelf according to the article request information of the sorting destination into the area where the article request information of the same sorting destination is assigned, the picking work of the articles is performed for each sorting destination. A picking method to perform,
Dividing the article storage section of the picking shelf and the transport means into a plurality of zones along the transport direction of the area by the transport means;
A picking method comprising: resetting the size of a zone by changing the allocation of the article storage units forming each zone, and executing the picking operation for each reset zone.

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