JP2014126930A - Conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveyance system capable of conveying an object to be conveyed at low costs.SOLUTION: The conveyance system includes conveyance machines A to D, and a computer 1 for work. In the conveyance system, the conveyance conditions of packages 3 to 5 or the like are input to the computer 1 for work. Thus, the computer 1 for work calculates the number of the conveyance machines A to D capable of satisfying the conveyance conditions, and selects specific conveyance machines A' to D' for performing a conveyance work from the conveyance machines A to D. In the conveyance system, the conveyance work of the packages 3 to 5 or the like is performed by the selected specific conveyance machines A' to D'.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport system.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional transport system. In this transport system, a transport object is transported from a departure point to an arrival point by a transport device. The transfer device is configured by connecting a plurality of transfer machines by a connecting member. Each conveyor is of the same type. The connecting member is a rectangular frame. And in a conveyance apparatus, adjacent conveyance machines are made into one set of conveyance machine groups, and the conveyance machine group is connected back and forth by the connection member. That is, in this transport apparatus, transport machines composed of an even number of four or more are arranged in a rectangular shape.

  In this transport system, for example, according to the size and weight of an object to be transported, for example, a transport device configured with four transport devices or a transport device configured with six transport devices is selected. , Or select a transfer device composed of eight transfer machines. In this way, in this transport system, the transport target can be transported from the departure point to the arrival point by the transport device corresponding to the transport target.

JP 2011-81585 A

  However, the above-described conventional transport system requires an even number of four or more transport machines due to the configuration of the transport device. For this reason, in this transport system, for example, depending on the shape of the transport object, even though no load acts on the transport system, transport is forced to travel from the starting point to the destination point by being included in the transport device. A chance can arise. For this reason, in this conveyance system, the work efficiency per conveyance machine is bad, and it is difficult to convey a conveyance target object suitably. Moreover, in this conveyance system, since it is necessary to have many conveyance machines in order to suppress the deterioration of work efficiency, a cost burden is also large.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said conventional situation, Comprising: It is set as the problem which should be solved to provide the conveyance system which can convey a conveyance target object suitably at low cost.

The transport system of the present invention is a transport system that transports a transport object from a departure point to an arrival point by one or a plurality of transport machines,
Storage means for storing the current status of all the transporters;
Input means capable of inputting transport conditions including the departure point and the arrival point;
Calculate the number of the transfer machines that can satisfy the transfer conditions, and request unit number as a required number,
Based on the current state of the transporter stored in the storage unit, selection means for selecting the transporter that matches the required number as a specific transporter;
A signal output means for transmitting a selection signal to the effect that the device is selected as the specific transport device for all the specific transport devices.

  In the transport system of the present invention, when the transport condition is input by the input unit, the number request unit calculates the number of transport machines that can satisfy the transport condition of the transport target and requests it as the necessary number. Then, the selection unit selects, as the specific transfer unit, a transfer unit that matches the required number based on the current state of the transfer unit stored in the storage unit. The signal output means transmits a selection signal to all the specific transporters.

  In this way, in this transfer system, only the transfer machines necessary for satisfying the transfer conditions of the transfer object are selected as the specific transfer machines based on the current state of the transfer machines. And the conveyance work of a conveyance target object is performed by the selected specific conveyance machine. For this reason, in this conveyance system, it becomes possible to convey the conveyance target object which matched conveyance conditions, raising the working efficiency per conveyance machine. In addition, by increasing the work efficiency per transporter, this transport system can also reduce the number of transporters that should be held.

  Therefore, according to the transport system of the present invention, the transport object can be transported suitably at low cost.

  Examples of the current state of the transport machine stored in the storage unit include information that the transport machine is currently waiting, in addition to the information that the transport machine is currently performing a transport operation. Further, the information that the transport machine is currently performing the transport work includes information on the position at which the transport machine is performing the transport work, the scheduled end time of the transport work, and the like. On the other hand, the information that the transport machine is currently waiting includes information on the scheduled start time of the transport work in addition to the information that the transport machine is waiting in a state where the immediate transport work is possible. Information such as information indicating that the transfer work cannot be performed due to maintenance work or the like, and information such as a time when the transfer work can be started are also included.

  The transfer machine includes an unmanned machine that performs a predetermined operation unattended in addition to a manned machine on which an operator performs various operations. Moreover, as a specific conveyance machine, the same kind of conveyance machine may be selected, and a different kind of conveyance machine may be selected. When different types of conveyors are selected as specific conveyors, the number of specific conveyors may be different for each type.

  Furthermore, when there are a plurality of transfer machines selected as the specific transfer machines, for example, the transfer object can be transferred from the departure point to the arrival point by all the specific transfer machines. Further, for example, the number of specific transporters that transport the transport target object from the departure point to the arrival point may change. Further, for example, there may be a specific transporter that transports the transport object only in a part between the departure point and the arrival point.

  The conveyance conditions can be arbitrarily set. Further, the conveyance conditions can be set for each conveyance object. Furthermore, it is possible to set different transport conditions for the same type of transport object. Further, the conveyance condition is not limited to one, and may be plural. In particular, the transport conditions include the weight of the transport object, the transport time that is required for transporting the transport object to the arrival point, and the posture of the transport object that has arrived at the arrival point. (Claim 2). Moreover, it is preferable that the conveyance conditions further include the shape of the conveyance object and the conveyance path of the conveyance object.

  The number request means calculates the number of transfer machines that can satisfy each of these transfer conditions, and the selection means selects as a specific transfer machine, so this transfer system can transfer the transfer object more suitably. Is possible.

  The storage means can further store the properties of all the transporters. The number request means preferably calculates the number of transfer machines that can satisfy the transfer conditions based on the properties of all the transfer machines.

  Examples of the properties of the transport machine stored in the storage unit include the function and performance of the transport machine in addition to the type of the transport machine. Based on these properties of the transport machine, the number request means calculates the number of transport machines that can satisfy the transport conditions, so that the selection means selects the specific transport machine that is most suitable for transporting the object to be transported. It becomes possible to do. For this reason, in this conveyance system, it becomes possible to convey a conveyance target object suitably, and also it becomes possible to improve the work efficiency per conveyance machine.

  According to the transport system of the present invention, a transport object can be transported suitably at low cost.

It is a side view which shows each conveyance machine and each load regarding the conveyance system of an Example. (A) has shown each conveying machine. (B) shows each package. FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating a work computer, each piece of information stored in the work computer, and a load condition for a package input to the work computer, according to the transport system of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a warehouse, a transport route, and the like, according to the transport system of the embodiment. It is a calculation flow for selecting a specific transport device according to the transport system of the embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer system of the embodiment includes a plurality of transfer machines A to D of different types and a work computer 1. In this conveyance system, the specific conveyance machines A ′ to D ′ selected from the conveyance machines A to D convey the packages 3 to 5 as the objects to be conveyed. The cargoes 3 to 5 etc. are transported by the specific transporters A ′ to D ′ in the warehouse 7 shown in FIG. 3.

  In the warehouse 7, a floor surface 7a on which the conveyors A to D can travel is formed. In addition, a plurality of display islands 8 to 17 are formed on the floor surface 7a by various kinds of luggage including luggage 3-5.

  In addition, a work place 19 and a storage place 21 are provided in the warehouse 7. At the work place 19, work for carrying out the displayed luggage 3-5 etc. from the warehouse 7 and carrying-in work of the new luggage 3-5 etc. into the warehouse 7 are performed. The storage 21 stores the waiting transport machines A to D.

  Further, on the floor surface 7a, conveyance paths 50 to 52 for the conveyance machines A to D to travel are set. The conveyance paths 50 to 52 shown in FIG. 1 are examples of the conveyance paths set on the floor surface 7a, and conveyance paths other than the conveyance paths 50 to 52 are also set on the floor surface 7a.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the packages 3 to 5 are classified according to weight, size, type, and the like. The luggage 3-5 and the like are placed on the pallet 27 in addition to being displayed on the floor surface 7a of the warehouse 7 in a state of being stored in the shelf 25 with the cart according to the weight, size, type, and the like. In this state, it is displayed on the floor surface 7a. Specifically, the luggage 3 and the luggage 4 are displayed while being stored in the shelf 25. Further, the luggage 5 is displayed in a state of being placed on the pallet 27. For example, different packages 3 and 4 may be stored in one shelf 25, and the packages 3 and 4 may be placed on the pallet 27.

  Among the transfer machines A to D shown in FIG. 1A, the transfer machines A, C, and D are manned machines that are operated by an operator (not shown). On the other hand, the carrier B is an unmanned aircraft capable of traveling by autonomous control. Each of the transporters A, C, and D is provided with a work lamp 20 and a monitor (not shown). The work lamp 20 is turned on when a transfer operation by the transfer machines A, C, and D is performed. On the monitor, the destinations of the transporters A, C, and D are displayed, and information about the transporters A, C, and D is displayed.

  In this transport system, ten transport machines A and B are provided, and three transport machines C are provided. And five conveyance machines D are provided. Each of the transporters A to D is wirelessly connected to the work computer 1 shown in FIG.

  A carrier A shown in FIG. 1A is a towing vehicle having a towing member 29. The transporter A locks the pulling member 29 on the shelf 25, thereby transporting the load 3, the load 4, and the like stored in the shelf 25 together with the shelf 25 shown in FIG.

  A carrier B shown in FIG. 1A is a low-floor traction vehicle having a traction member 31. The conveyor B has a control unit (not shown). This control unit can appropriately construct various control programs for controlling the conveyor B. The transport machine B moves while pulling the luggage 3, the luggage 4, and the like stored in the shelf 25 together with the shelf 25 by engaging the pulling member 31 with the shelf 25 while entering below the shelf 25.

  The conveyor C is a forklift. In the carrier C, the cargo 3 and the like installed on the pallet 27 can be transported together with the pallet 27. Further, the transporter C performs the work of placing the loads 3 to 5 on the pallet 27.

  The transporter D is a tow vehicle having a tow cart 33. The conveyor D carries the luggage 3 to 5 while towing the tow truck 33 by placing the luggage 3 to 5 on the tow truck 33. The other configurations of the conveyors A to D are the same as those of public goods.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the work computer 1 includes an apparatus main body 1a, a keyboard 1b, and a display 1c. In the computer main body 1a, a storage unit and a calculation unit (not shown) are provided.

  In the apparatus main body 1a, the number of all the transport machines A to D possessed by the transport system is stored. In addition, the apparatus main body 1a stores the properties of the transport machines A to D and the current status of the transport machines A to D. The properties of the transport machines A to D stored in the apparatus main body 1a include the types of the transport machines A to D, the distinction between manned machines and unmanned machines and the functions of the transport machines A to D, as well as the transport functions. Information on the performance of each of the transport machines A to D, such as the transportable weight and travel speed per machine A to D, is included.

  The current status of each of the transfer machines A to D stored in the apparatus main body 1a can be broadly divided into information indicating that the current transfer operation is being performed and information indicating that the transfer is currently waiting. These working information and waiting information are constantly updated.

  The work-in-progress information includes the number information for each of the transfer machines A to D performing the transfer work, the position information for each of the transfer machines A to D during the transfer work in the warehouse 7, and the transfer for each of the transfer machines A to D. The scheduled end time of the work and the like are included.

  On the other hand, the waiting information includes information on the number of transporters A to D that are waiting in a state where immediate transport work is possible, and information on scheduled start times of the transport machines A to D on which the transport work is scheduled. It is included. The standby information includes information on the transport machines A to D that are waiting in a state where the transport work is impossible due to maintenance work or the like, and the transport machines A to D that are waiting in a state where the transport work is impossible. Information such as the time at which the transfer work can be started is also included.

  Further, the apparatus main body 1a includes the current time, coordinate data obtained by coordinating the floor surface 7a of the warehouse 7, all the conveyance paths including the conveyance paths 50 to 52, the weight of the luggage 3 to 5 and the like, and the luggage 3 Display position information and display state information such as ˜5 are stored. In the coordinate data, in addition to the coordinates of the work place 19 and the storage place 21, coordinates such as the points P1 to P3 are stored.

  The display position information of the packages 3 to 5 and the like is, for example, among the display islands 8 to 17 shown in FIG. 3, for example, the load 3 exists at the point P1 on the display island 12, and the load 4 exists at the point P2 on the display island 12. The package 5 is information that exists at the point P3 on the display island 17. The display status information of the packages 3 to 5 and the like is, for example, that the packages 3 and 4 are displayed in the state of being stored in the shelf 25 at the points P1 and P2, and the packages 5 are displayed on the pallet 27 at the point P3. It is information that it is displayed in a state where it is placed on.

  The keyboard 1b shown in FIG. 2 can input the luggage 3-5 etc. conveyed by the conveyors A to D and the conveyance conditions such as the luggage 3-5 to the apparatus main body 1a. Details regarding the conveyance conditions will be described later. On the display 1c, the calculation result by the apparatus main body 1a is displayed.

  This working computer 1 corresponds to the storage means, input means, number request means, selection means, and signal output means in the present invention. The operations as the number request means, the selection means, and the signal output means in the work computer 1 will be described later.

  In the transport system configured as described above, the specific transport machines A ′ to D ′ that perform the transport work of the packages 3 to 5 and the like are selected from the transport machines A to D according to the flow shown in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the process of selecting the specific transport machines A ′ to D ′ by the work computer 1 will be described by taking as an example the case where the four packages 3 displayed in the warehouse 7 are transported to the work place 19.

  When starting the transfer operation, the operator operates the keyboard 1b to input the load 3 to be transferred and the transfer conditions of the load 3 to the work computer 1 (step S101). The conditions for transporting the luggage 3 include the departure and arrival points when the luggage 3 is transported, the weight of the luggage 3, the transportation time of the luggage 3, the posture of the luggage 3, the shape of the luggage 3, and the luggage 3 It is a conveyance route at the time of conveyance.

  As shown in FIG. 3, since the luggage 3 is displayed at the point P1 on the display island 12, the point P1 is input as the departure point. Further, since the luggage 3 is transported to the work place 19, the work place 19 is input as the arrival point. As the weight of the luggage 3, a specific weight of the luggage 3 is input. Here, when there are a plurality of packages 3 to be transported or when the packages 3 are stored in the shelf 25 together with other packages 4 and the like, the total weight at the time of transport is input. In this example, the total weight of the four packages 3 is input in order to transport the four packages 3 stored in the shelf 25.

  As the transport time of the load 3, the time required for transporting the load 3 to the work place 19 is input. In this example, the transfer time is input so that the transfer work is completed at a time 15 minutes after the current time when the transfer conditions are input. As the posture of the luggage 3, the direction of the luggage 3 when reaching the work place 19 is input. Such a posture of the baggage 3 is used as a transport condition, for example, when carrying out the work of unloading the baggage 3 at the work place 19, it is important which direction the specific surface such as the upper surface of the baggage 3 is facing. This is because there are cases.

  As the shape of the luggage 3, the size of the luggage 3 is input. In addition, information that the luggage 3 is stored in the shelf 25 is also input. As the transport path, a transport path 50 selected from a plurality of transport paths is input.

  The work computer 1 displays the input transport conditions, the current time stored in the apparatus main body 1a, the display position information and the display state information of the transport paths 50 to 52, the luggage 3 to 5 and the like. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the transporting operation of the luggage 3 can be realized (step S102 shown in FIG. 4). Here, for example, when the baggage 3 does not exist at the point P1 input as the departure point, there is a discrepancy between the input transfer target and transfer conditions and each information stored in the work computer 1 Therefore, the work computer 1 determines that the transportation of the luggage 3 is not feasible. When the work computer 1 determines that the transportation of the luggage 3 cannot be realized (step S102: NO), the display 1c indicates that the transportation of the luggage 3 cannot be realized. At the same time, a message prompting the user to re-input the parcels 3 to 5 or the like to be transported or the transport conditions is displayed (step S107).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the transportation of the luggage 3 can be realized (step S102: YES), the work computer 1 performs various calculations to realize the transportation of the luggage 3. Specifically, first, the work computer 1, more specifically, the calculation unit in the apparatus main body 1a can satisfy the transport conditions of the luggage 3 from the properties of the transport machines A to D stored in advance. The number of transport machines A to D is calculated, and these are requested as the required number (step S103). In this example, since the luggage 3 is displayed in a state of being stored in the shelf 25, the conveyance machine A and the conveyance machine B are selected when carrying the luggage 3. Further, it was calculated that one transport machine A and four transport machines B were necessary to satisfy transport conditions such as the transport time of the luggage 3.

  Next, the work computer 1 selects the transporters A and B that match the required number based on the stored current state of each transporter A and the current state of each transporter B, and the specific transporters A ′ and B ′. It is determined whether immediate selection is possible (step S104). Here, when the specific transfer machines A ′ and B ′ cannot be immediately selected from the transfer machines A and B due to the fact that all the transfer machines A and B are currently working (step S104: NO). The display 1c displays the time when the specific transport machines A ′ and B ′ can be selected, that is, the time when the transporting operation of the luggage 3 can be started (step S108).

  On the other hand, when the specific transporters A ′ and B ′ can be selected immediately, or when the specific transporters A ′ and B ′ can be selected due to the current state of the transporters A and B (step S104: YES), The specific transporters A ′ and B ′ are actually selected (step S105). In this example, based on the current state of the transporter A and the current state of the transporter B, the work computer 1 selects one specific transporter A ′ from a plurality of transporters A waiting in the storage 21. Elected. In addition, the work computer 1 selects one specific transporter B ′ from the plurality of transporters B waiting in the storage room 21 and also performs a plurality of transporters currently performing other transporting operations. From B, the remaining three specific transfer machines B ′ were selected.

  Then, the work computer 1 transmits a selection signal indicating that it has been selected as the specific transfer machines A ′ and B ′ to the specific transfer machines A ′ and the specific transfer machines B ′ (step S106). . Thereby, the selection processing of the specific transport machines A ′ to D ′ by the work computer 1 is completed. In this example, a selection signal is transmitted to the specific transporter A ′ and the specific transporter B ′. Thus, the specific transporter A ′ that has received the selection signal turns on the work lamp 20 and notifies the operator of the location of the specific transporter A ′. In addition, a guide route to the point P1 is displayed on the monitor of the specific transporter A '. On the other hand, in each specific transport machine B ′ that has received the selection signal, the schedule of the work of transporting the luggage 3 is recorded in each control unit. Each control unit constructs a control program for carrying the cargo 3. As a result, the specific transporter B 'standing by in the storage 21 starts traveling toward the point P1, which is the departure point. On the other hand, the three specific transfer machines B ′ currently performing other transfer operations start the transfer operation of the luggage 3 after the ongoing transfer operation is completed.

  In this example, in order to satisfy the transport condition of the load 3, the specific transporter A ′ and one specific transporter B ′ cooperate from the point P1 shown in FIG. 3 to the point T3 of the transport path 50. The luggage 3 is transported by pulling the shelf 25. Here, in this conveyance path 50, it is necessary to change the pulling direction of the shelf 25 at three points T1 to T3. For this reason, when the direction is changed at the point T1, one of the remaining three specific transfer machines B 'participates. Thereby, the direction change at the point T1 is completed. In addition, the specific transporter B ′ that has participated in this direction changing work does not participate in the subsequent work of transporting the luggage 3 but participates in another transport work or waits in the storage room 21.

  Similarly, when the direction is changed at the point T2, one of the remaining two specific transport machines B 'participates. Thereby, the direction change at the point T2 is completed. In addition, the specific transporter B ′ that has participated in the direction changing work does not participate in the subsequent work of transporting the luggage 3. At point T3, the remaining one specific transport device B 'participates, and the transport operation of the specific transport device A' ends. Then, the direction of the shelf 25 is changed by the two specific transfer machines B ', and the shelf 25 is pulled from the point T3 to the work place 19 that is the arrival point. Thus, the transfer operation of the luggage 3 according to the transfer conditions by the transfer system is completed.

  As described above, in this transport system, in the transport system, in addition to the departure point and the arrival point, the weight of the load 3-5 and the load of the load 3-5 etc. The time, the posture of the baggage 3-5, etc. that arrived at the arrival point, the shape of the baggage 3-5, etc., and the transfer route 50-52, etc., of the baggage 3-5, etc. are input to the work computer 1 as transfer conditions. The And in this conveyance system, only specific conveyance machine A'-D is required for satisfying conveyance conditions, such as luggage 3-5, based on the present conditions and properties of conveyance machine AD. Elected as'. Thereby, in this transport system, the work of transporting the cargoes 3 to 5 and the like is performed by the selected specific transport machines A ′ to D ′. For this reason, in this conveyance system, it becomes possible to convey the packages 3 to 5 and the like that meet the conveyance conditions while increasing the working efficiency of each of the conveyance machines A to D. In addition, by increasing the working efficiency per conveyor A to D, this conveyor system can also reduce the number of conveyors A to D that should be held.

  Therefore, according to the transport system of the present invention, it is possible to transport the luggage 3-5 and the like suitably at low cost.

  While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the spirit thereof.

  For example, as a transportation condition for the packages 3 to 5 and the like, the departure point may be the work place 19 and the arrival points may be the points P1 to P3. In this case, it is possible to carry out the transportation work for display in the warehouse 7 of the packages 3 to 5 and the like newly carried into the warehouse 7.

  In addition, if the specific transport machines A ′ to D ′ cannot be selected immediately in step S104, a display prompting re-input of the transport conditions such as the packages 3 to 5 or the change of the transport conditions may be performed in step S108. good.

  Furthermore, the current time, the weight of the luggage 3-5, etc., and the display position information and the display status information of the luggage 3-5, etc. may be stored without being stored in the apparatus main body 1a.

  Moreover, you may employ | adopt industrial vehicles other than conveyance machine AD as a conveyance machine. Further, all the conveyors may be manned machines or all unmanned machines.

  The present invention can be used for a physical distribution system, as well as an automatic control device in an industrial machine such as an industrial vehicle or an industrial robot.

1 ... Work computer (storage means, input means, number request means, selection means, signal output means)
3-5 ... Package (object to be transported)
50-52 ... Conveyance path A-D ... Conveyance machine A'-D '... Specific conveyance machine

Claims (4)

A transport system that transports a transport object from a departure point to an arrival point by one or a plurality of transport machines,
Storage means for storing the current status of all the transporters;
Input means capable of inputting transport conditions including the departure point and the arrival point;
Calculate the number of the transfer machines that can satisfy the transfer conditions, and request unit number as a required number,
Based on the current state of the transporter stored in the storage unit, selection means for selecting the transporter that matches the required number as a specific transporter;
A transport system comprising: a signal output unit that transmits a selection signal indicating that the transport device is selected as the specific transport device to all the specific transport devices.   The transport conditions include the weight of the transport object, a transport time that is required when transporting the transport object to the arrival point, and the posture of the transport object that has arrived at the arrival point. The transfer system according to claim 1, wherein:   The transport system according to claim 2, wherein the transport condition further includes a shape of the transport object and a transport path of the transport object. The storage means further stores the properties of all the conveyors,
4. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the number requesting unit calculates the number of the transporters that can satisfy the transport condition based on the properties of all the transporters. 5.

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