JP2020201209A - Sizing device and sizing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve productivity of an entire line by organically linking a functional part for measuring sizing of an article and a functional part for performing sorting, and then flexibly performing condition change on the sorting operation.SOLUTION: A sizing device 1 includes: conveying means for conveying an article; a measuring section for measuring a dimension of an article W conveyed by the conveying means; a setting section for setting a sorting condition for determining the sorting destination according to the dimension of the article W measured by the measuring section, and a display control section capable of selectively displaying a plurality of sorting conditions set by the setting section on a display section 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a device that measures and measures articles and directly controls a sorting unit that sorts articles.

In these days when the use of courier services is rapidly increasing and redelivery is a big problem, it is possible to contribute to the efficiency improvement and cost reduction of the extremely busy distribution site by measuring the size of the packaged package speedily and accurately. In addition, in BtoC logistics such as EC sites, mail-order sales, and online shops, where the logistics cost is not appropriate for delivery by a specific carrier, the size and mass of the package are accurately measured, and according to the size and weight. By reflecting the size and weight of the article in the billed amount, such as by selecting a carrier, the billed amount can be made appropriate.

In this regard, for example, in Patent Document 1, a dimensional weight measuring device for measuring the size and weight of a cargo moving on a transport path, wherein a plurality of light receiving sensors are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the cargo. The optical gate that receives the parallel light beam projected onto the cargo from the orthogonal direction by the light receiving sensor and detects the position of the light shielding light receiving sensor that is blocked by the cargo and cannot receive light, and the transport distance of the cargo on the transport path. The transport distance detecting means for detecting and every time the transport distance increases by a certain amount, all the positions of the light-shielding light receiving sensor of the optical gate are stored in association with the transport distance, and this operation is performed by the cargo. A storage means that repeats until it passes through the gate, and a shape that has the smallest area among the shapes that surround all the positions of the light-shielding light receiving sensor stored in the storage means after the cargo has passed through the optical gate are obtained. Therefore, a dimensional weight measuring device including a dimensional measuring means for calculating the size of the cargo and a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the cargo moving on a transport path has been proposed.

Japanese Patent No. 5588153

However, in distribution centers and the like, the sorting conditions of sorters (sorting devices) cannot be changed flexibly. Further, in the downstream of the transport line, an error may occur in the sorter, which causes a situation in which the entire line has to be stopped.

Therefore, in the present invention, the functional unit for measuring and measuring the article and the functional unit for sorting are organically linked, and at the same time,
The purpose is to improve the productivity of the entire line by making it possible to flexibly change the conditions of sorting work and switch the sorting destination.

In order to achieve the above object, the measuring device according to the present invention includes a transporting means for transporting an article, a measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the article transported by the transporting means, and the article measured by the measuring means. It is provided with a setting means for setting a sorting condition for determining a sorting destination according to a dimension, and a display control means for displaying a plurality of sorting conditions set by the setting means on a predetermined display unit so as to be selectable. It is characterized by that.

The measuring device according to the present invention can also be configured as an invention related to a method, system, or computer program having a similar configuration. Further, the computer program can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or can be recorded and provided on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM.

According to the present invention, the functional unit for measuring and measuring an article and the functional unit for sorting can be organically linked. In addition, the conditions for sorting work can be changed flexibly, and the productivity of the entire line is improved.

It is an external perspective view which showed the whole of the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which showed the arrangement structure of the sensor group which comprises the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which showed the gate sensor which comprises the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention by the AA cross section. It is a functional block diagram which showed the function which the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the display part in the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the display part in the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the display part in the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which showed an example of the screen displayed on the display part in the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a processing flow diagram which showed the flow of processing executed by the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a processing flow diagram which showed the flow of processing executed by the measuring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a system composed of a measuring and measuring unit 1a for measuring and measuring articles and a sorting unit 1b for sorting articles W. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, this automatic measuring shape device includes a belt conveyor 10, a sensor group 20, a chute unit 131, 141, a transmission unit 30, a detection unit 40, and a display unit 50, and specifies an article W. Sort into shoot portions 131 and 141.

The belt conveyor 10 is a general term for the belt conveyors 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and the branch portions 130, 140, and the sensor group 20 is an article detection sensor 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g. , 21h, and the gate sensor 23 are generically used.
Further, although only two shoot portions 131 and 141 are shown in FIG. 1, a larger number of shoot portions are provided according to appropriate specifications. Further, a discharge chute portion for sorting error articles may be provided at the tail end or the like.

● Measuring and measuring unit 1a
The belt conveyor 10 constitutes a transport path for the article W and is a transport means for transporting the article W.
The belt conveyor 10 is provided between a plurality of belt conveyors 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 arranged in series and adjacent to each other in a straight line, and between the belt conveyors 13, 14 and between the belt conveyors 14, 15, respectively. It is composed of the branch portions 130 and 140.
Of these, the belt conveyors 11 and 12 form a part of the measuring and measuring unit 1a, and the belt conveyors 11 and 12 are provided with a sensor group 20 for detecting the passage of the article W to be conveyed.

The sensor group 20 is an article information acquisition means for acquiring article information from the article W conveyed on the belt conveyor 10, and the external dimensions of the article W are calculated from the article information.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor group 20 is composed of article detection sensors 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g, 21h and a gate sensor 23.

Among the sensor group 20, the article detection sensors 21a to 21h are continuously provided at regular intervals along the conveying direction of the belt conveyors 11 and 12, and detect the movement of the conveyed article W. The article detection sensors 21a to 21h are each composed of a photosensor composed of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion provided so as to face each other in the width direction of the belt conveyors 11 and 12, and an optical path formed between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. By detecting the blockage of the article W, the movement of the article W at a predetermined position is detected. The information detected by these article detection sensors 21a to 21h becomes article information for calculating or measuring the dimensions and shapes of the article W.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gate sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting the dimensions and end portions of the article W conveyed on the belt conveyors 11 and 12, and is a sensor of the belt conveyor 11 and the belt conveyor 12. It is provided in between. The gate sensor 23 includes a gate-type frame 231 straddling the transport surfaces of the belt conveyors 11 and 12, and a plurality of gate sensors 23 provided on the frame 231 and arranged vertically facing each other with the transport surfaces of the belt conveyors 11 and 12 interposed therebetween. It is composed of a photo sensor composed of a light emitting unit 23a and a light receiving unit 23b, and a photo sensor composed of a plurality of light emitting units 23c and a light receiving unit 23d arranged so as to face each other in the width direction of the conveyor. In the photo sensor, the light receiving unit 23b (23d) receives the light from the light emitting unit 23a (23c) and uses it as a signal, and the article W conveyed on the belt conveyors 11 and 12 is the light emitting unit 23a (23c) and the light receiving unit. The article W can be detected by reading the change in the signal generated by blocking the optical path formed between the 23b (23d). Further, by sampling the signal and detecting that the sequential sample value changes significantly, it is possible to determine the end portion (tip or rear end along the transport direction) of the article W. Further, since the light emitting unit 23c and the light receiving unit 23d are arranged on the transport surface at the lowest position and are sequentially arranged in the vertical direction, the end portion in the height direction of the article W is detected and detected. The information is the article information for measuring the height of the article W.

As described above, since the light emitting unit 23a and the light receiving unit 23b constituting the gate sensor 23 are arranged so as to face each other vertically with the transport surfaces of the belt conveyors 11 and 12 interposed therebetween, it depends on the thickness of the article W. However, the movement can be detected regardless of the shape.

Further, although not shown, the belt conveyors 11 and 12 are provided with a measuring unit for measuring the weight of the transported article W as an article information acquisition means, and are attached or printed on the article W. A camera or the like that reads information such as a bar code is provided as appropriate.

Further, in addition to the article detection sensors 21a to 21h, a sensor for measuring the timing at which the article W sent out to the chute portions 131 and 141 reaches the branch portions 130 and 140 may be appropriately provided. Such a sensor can be configured by, for example, a photo sensor composed of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion provided so as to face each other in the width direction of the belt conveyors 13 and 14.
● Sorting unit 1b

The belt conveyors 13, 14, 15 and the branching portions 130, 140 form a part of the sorting portion 1b. At the branching portions 130, 140, the article W is sent to the chute portions 131, 141, whereby the article W is sent. Sorted.

The branching portions 130 and 140 are provided with a sending portion 30 that sends the article W that has reached the branching portions 130 and 140 to the predetermined chute portions 131 and 141. The specific mechanism of the delivery unit 30 is not particularly limited, but for example, the branch units 130 and 140 are composed of a plurality of rotatable rollers arranged in the transport direction of the belt conveyors 13, 14 and 15, and are adjacent to each other. A claw-shaped pusher that protrudes from the gap provided between the rollers and pushes the article W toward the chute portions 131 and 141 is provided. As a result, the predetermined article W can be pushed out from the branch portions 130 and 140 to the chute portions 131 and 141, and the article W can be sorted.
The delivery unit 30 may be an air jet type, an arm type, or a tray transport type, such as a method in which the tray is tilted toward the sorting destination to perform sorting.

The chute portions 131 and 141 are outlets of the belt conveyor 10 for sending out the article W according to the sorting information, and are provided in plurality so as to be sorted into a plurality of shipping directions and pallet warehouses.
In the industry, the chute portions 131 and 141 mean equipment that drops (puts) articles W sorted by sorting destination by a sorter or the like into a container to retain or temporarily store the articles W, and is an inclined type. It is composed of various parts such as a free roller conveyor and a drive conveyor, and such various parts themselves are called as such.
Further, in the present embodiment, "sorting destination" may be used in the same meaning as "shoot (shoot portion)". Generally, the term "sorting destination" means a shipping company when sorting by delivery company, but in the present embodiment, the place where the goods W are transported after being sorted according to the sorting conditions, that is, It is used synonymously with the shoot units 131 and 141, and when it is simply referred to as "sorting destination according to sorting conditions", it means the shoot units 131 and 141.

The sorting unit 1b is provided with a detecting unit 40 for detecting the state of the sorting unit 1b. The detection unit 40 can be composed of, for example, a sensor that detects the article W on the belt conveyors 13, 14, 15 and the branch portions 130, 140, a sensor that recognizes the chute units 131, 141, and the like.
● Display 50

The display unit 50 is a functional unit that displays information on the items W to be transported and sorting according to the control by the display control unit described later, and is realized by a device capable of inputting / outputting data such as a touch panel display. To.
The display unit 50 displays, for example, the information on the article W obtained by the measuring and measuring unit 1a, the sorting information on the article W, and receives the selection input of the sorting conditions from the operator.

Here, an example of the display screen in the display unit 50 is shown in FIG.
The display screen 100a displays the processing result in the measuring and measuring unit 1a. On the display screen 100a, the measurement value display column 101, the weight display column 102, the bar code display column 103, the sorting destination display column 104, and the column for displaying the information about the goods transported to the measuring and measuring unit 1a are displayed. A situation image display field 105 is provided. Further, as operation keys for operating the measuring device 1, a start key 106, a stop key 107, a sorting condition switching key 108, and a language switching key 109 are provided, and a status icon 110 indicating the state of the measuring device 1 is provided. It is provided.

The dimension of the article W shown in the measurement value display column 101 is information calculated by the measurement unit described later based on the article information obtained by the sensor group 20. The weight of the article W shown in the weight display column 102 is obtained by the weighing unit. In the barcode display field 103, a barcode is printed or affixed to the article W by a label, and when the barcode is read, the information of the barcode is displayed. When it is necessary to read a plurality of barcode information in the barcode display field 103, a plurality of reading results can be displayed. The sorting destination shown in the sorting destination display column 104 is information indicating the sorting destination of the article W determined by the generation unit described later, that is, one of the shoot units 131 and 141, based on the measured value of the article W and the sorting conditions. Is. The image shown in the transport status image display column 105 shows the article W that has been measured or weighed most recently, and at the same time, the shape of the article W based on the dimensions and the information obtained by the sensor group 20 is reflected. There is.
In addition, when the object to be measured is sorted by any length of height, width, or depth, specifically, the length limit of a long object, only the dimension value may be displayed. The display mode of the target dimension value may be changed, or the background color may be changed to distinguish the display.

Further, the sorting condition switching key 108 displays the current sorting condition, and when pressed, the sorting condition selection screen (selection screen of FIG. 7 described later) is displayed. The selection screen is displayed in a pop-up window, for example, but the screen may be changed to the selection screen without being limited to the pop-up window. Further, after switching the sorting conditions or by canceling the operation, the display screen of FIG. 5 is displayed. The language switching key 109 displays various language selection screens when pressed, and changes the language on the display screen 100a according to the operator's selection. Regarding the language switching key 109, on the display screen 100a, it is shown that Japanese is selected by an icon imitating the Japanese flag.
Regardless of the example of FIG. 5, the current sorting condition displayed on the sorting condition switching key 108, the currently selected language displayed on the language switching key 109, and the measuring device displayed on the status icon 110. In any of the states of 1, specific contents and the like can be displayed by providing a separate display frame or the like.

In addition, a state icon 110 can be provided, and the state icon 110 is an icon that appears according to the state of the measuring device 1, and indicates an icon (area) for notifying the state of the scanner and an output state of measurement data. It is possible to display the notification icon or the like individually or in combination. In the background processing of the state icon 110, for example, the scanner notifies a standby state, a state in which barcode data is being received, a state in which a scanner reading error or a failure in the scanner body has occurred, and the like. When a plurality of scanners are equipped, an icon may be provided for each, or a screen for confirming the status of each scanner may be displayed by pressing the icon. If there is a serious error, the screen shown in FIG. 6 may be expanded to notify the error content.

Further, another example of the display screen on the display unit 50 is shown in FIG.
The display screen 100b is able to selectably display the sorting conditions that are the conditions applied to the articles W when the articles W are sorted. On the display screen 100b, a sorting condition list display field 111 displaying a plurality of sorting conditions 112 arbitrarily selectable by the operator by a pop-up window is provided.
In addition, there is a key for performing a cancel operation. In the case of cancellation, it is also possible to return to the display screen of FIG. 5 by selecting the selected sorting condition.

A name that can be arbitrarily set by the operator can be set for each sorting condition 112, and each sorting condition 112 is displayed according to the name. In the example of FIG. 7, the sorting conditions 112 are named "height sorting", "carrier sorting", "morning sorting", and "afternoon sorting", so that the operator can use the desired sorting condition 112. The desired sorting condition 112 is selected after recognizing the above.
The sorting conditions can be switched from the display screen 100b shown in the example of FIG. 7 according to the selection of the operator, and the sorting conditions are automatically set according to a preset schedule. It can also be switched to the condition. Further, it is also possible to attach predetermined identification information to the dummy article W, and when the predetermined identification information is acquired by the sensor group 20, it is possible to switch to the predetermined sorting condition by using this as a trigger. it can. By doing so, screen operation is not required, which leads to shortening the flow line of the operator.

Further, another example of the display screen on the display unit 50 is shown in FIG.
The display screen 120 displays the result of the sorting work of the article W. The result of the sorting work is stored in the sorting information storage unit, and the operator, the manager, or the like can confirm the details of the result of the sorting work so far on the display screen 120.

In this display example, it is possible to confirm the number of measurements, the transport distance, and the energization time for today, yesterday, and a predetermined period (here, one week). This information is output to an external device. It is also possible to display the average value of the same day of the week or a predetermined period of the previous week, specifically, one week, the current month, one month, and the like. It is also possible to calculate and display the predicted number of measurements from the past data such as the previous year, the previous month, the day of the week, the event schedule (year-end and New Year holidays, summer vacation, other long vacations, etc.).

Further, regarding the data related to the transport result list, the time range may be specified, or the latest predetermined number of data may be displayed. In addition, data can be displayed and can be selected, especially for each error code. Specifically, it is easy to understand if it is classified by 0: normal, 1: excess weight, 2: total excess of 3 sides, 3: excess length of 1: 1 side, 4: scanner reading error, or the like. Further, although not shown, a sorting number (sorting chute unit number) may be displayed so that each sorting number can be confirmed.

In this way, from the display screen 120, the sorting conditions can be changed quickly and easily as needed while checking the measuring and sorting work of the article W. Therefore, the sorting conditions can be changed diligently according to the work contents without feeling a burden on the operator, and the work efficiency in the distribution center is improved.

● Functional unit As shown in FIG. 4, the measuring device 1 stores arithmetic units such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for executing information processing, and memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). A device is provided, and as software resources, at least a sorting condition storage unit, a sorting information storage unit, a setting unit, an extraction unit, a display control unit, a measurement unit, a generation unit, an instruction unit, and a switching unit are provided.

The sorting condition storage unit is a storage unit that stores the sorting conditions.
The sorting condition is a condition applied to the article when the article W is sorted, and a plurality of sorting conditions are stored in the sorting condition storage unit. Specifically, the sorting condition is composed of information such as the size and weight threshold of the article W, the delivery company, the fare for each size of the article W, the delivery condition, the closing time, and the like. Further, the elements constituting the sorting condition, the name of the sorting condition, and the like are determined by the operator and the like, and the sorting condition determined by each element and the like is set by the setting unit. By applying the sorting conditions to the dimensions and weight of each article W and other information required when applying the sorting conditions, the sorting destinations of the articles W, that is, the chute portions 131 and 141 are determined.

Specifically, there are types of sorting that make up the sorting conditions. When sorting by barcode information, information on the delivery destination and delivery area, if there is a relay center, the center code, or for carrier sorting. It is a condition by barcode.
There is also a condition by setting the range designation of the mass of the article W hierarchically. It is possible to sort by carrier whose transportation fee depends on the mass or which does not accept delivery according to the mass.
Of course, there is also a condition based on the total of the three sides of the article W, one of the length, the width, and the height, or the maximum value and the minimum value thereof. It is effective when sorting and sorting long items and other items.
Further, it is also possible to set an applicable range for those conditions and set a sorting condition in which a nonconforming article W is regarded as an error. These conditions can be combined, and by setting a name in the "sorting condition", the sorting condition can be set with a name that can be selected and judged by anyone.

The sorting information storage unit is a storage unit that stores sorting information of the article W and information related to the sorting status of the article W based on the sorting information.
In this sorting information storage unit, for example, information such as sorting information generated by a generation unit described later and work results of sorting work executed by the sorting unit 1b is stored. By referring to such information, it is possible to grasp what kind of sorting work is being executed and what the result of the sorting work is.

The setting unit sets the sorting conditions for determining the sorting destination according to the dimensions of the article W measured by the measuring unit. The set sorting conditions are stored in the sorting condition storage unit, and when the operator selects an arbitrary sorting condition, the selected sorting condition is applied to a predetermined sorting operation.

The extraction unit refers to the sorting condition storage unit and the sorting information storage unit based on the request from the operator and the processing request from other functional units, and data such as the sorting condition, the sorting information, and the information related to the sorting status. Executes the process of extracting. For example, when the operator requests the selection of the sorting condition via the display unit 50, the extraction unit extracts the selectable sorting condition by referring to the sorting condition storage unit accordingly. Further, when the generation unit requests the acquisition of the sorting conditions to be applied when generating the sorting information, the extraction unit extracts the sorting conditions to be applied in response to the request.

The display control unit causes the display unit 50 to display the information extracted from each storage unit by the extraction unit in an appropriate form. With this display control unit, for example, a plurality of sorting conditions set by the setting unit can be selectively displayed on the display unit 50. Further, in another example, the dimensions measured by the measuring unit, the sorting conditions, the sorting destination determined according to the dimensions, and the sorting conditions can be displayed on the same screen of the display unit 50. .. In yet another example, the switching unit can display on the display unit 50 that the sorting destination of the article W has been switched.

The measuring unit calculates the dimensions (three sides of length, width, and height) of the article W from the article information obtained by the sensor group 20, and obtains a measured value related to the external dimensions of the article W.

The generation unit determines the sorting destination of the article W by applying the sorting condition based on the dimensions and weight of the article W and other information necessary for applying the sorting condition, and sorts the article W. Generate sorting information.
This sorting information includes at least information on the sorting destination of the article W, that is, the chute portions 131 and 141 to which the article W should be sent, and appropriately includes information on the article W itself such as the dimensions and weight of the article W. be able to.

The instruction unit outputs a control signal based on the sorting information to the sorting unit 1b that sorts the article W into the predetermined shooting units 131 and 141, thereby instructing the sorting work.
The sorting unit 1b sends each article W to the predetermined chute units 131 and 141 by the sending unit 30 based on the control signal input from the indicating unit.

The switching unit causes the generation unit to generate new sorting information according to the information related to the state of the sorting unit 1b obtained from the detection unit 40 included in the sorting unit 1b, and the sorting information stored in the sorting information storage unit. To update.
Specifically, the switching unit grasps whether or not an error has occurred in the sorting unit 1b and the content of the error by referring to the information related to the state of the sorting unit 1b detected by the detecting unit, and when an error occurs, Causes the generation unit to generate new sorting information that avoids errors. For example, the sorting destination is changed so that the article W is sent to a spare chute unit or a chute unit for discharge instead of the chute units 131 and 141 in which the error has occurred. Then, the sorting information is updated by overwriting the newly generated sorting information with the original sorting information. As a result, the updated sorting information is applied to the subsequent articles W, and the sorting work can be continued in a state where the error occurring in the sorting unit 1b is avoided.
When the sorting destination of the article W is switched by the switching unit, the display control means displays information on the display unit 50 indicating that the sorting destination of the article W has been switched. The information indicating that the sorting destination of the article W has been switched includes information such as a notification that the switching has occurred, information on the sorting destination before and after the switching, and information such as the cause of the switching.

● Process Flow Next, a series of process flows when the article W is sorted by the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
First, with reference to FIG. 9, the flow of processing until the article W is measured and weighed by the measuring and measuring unit 1a and the article W is sorted into the predetermined chute portions 131 and 141 will be described.
At the start of the sorting work, the extraction unit extracts the sorting conditions applied in the sorting work from the sorting condition storage unit, and determines the extracted sorting conditions (S101).
When the article W is conveyed to the measuring and measuring unit 1a, the article W is detected by the sensor group 20 (S102). The measuring unit obtains the dimensions of the article W based on the article information detected by the sensor group 20, and the measuring unit obtains the weight of the article W (S103).

The generation unit determines the predetermined shoot units 131 and 141 as the sorting destination of the article W by applying the sorting conditions based on the dimensions and weight of the article W and other information necessary for applying the sorting conditions. Then, sorting information including the information related to the sorting destination is generated (S104).
The generated sorting information is registered in the sorting information storage unit (S105), converted into a control signal, and output to the sorting unit 1b (S106). In response to this, the sorting unit 1b executes the sorting work of the article W based on the sorting information.

According to the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the measuring and measuring unit 1a for measuring and measuring the article and the sorting unit 1b for sorting are organically linked to improve the productivity of the entire line. In particular, since the measuring device 1 directly outputs the control signal to the sorting unit 1b, an urgent change in the sorting conditions is immediately reflected. In addition, work such as attaching slips to goods W and transshipping to roll box pallets (basket trucks) usually occurs downstream of the transport line, and shift changes in the number of workers also occur. Since the sorting work can be flexibly changed according to the change of the schedule or the schedule, it is possible to prevent a situation such as a large loss of work time and progress, and an excess of shipping time. Further, even in sorting by direction, carrier sorting by time zone, etc., sorting according to the size and weight of the article can be smoothly performed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the flow of processing when an error occurs in the sorting unit 1b will be described.
In the sorting unit 1b, the sorting state of the article W is constantly detected by the detecting unit 40, and the measuring device 1 receives the detection information (S201).
When the switching unit refers to the detection information and determines that an error has occurred (S202), the switching unit causes the generation unit to generate new sorting information that avoids the error, and generates the new sorting information. Update registration is performed in the storage unit (S203). In other words, the article W can be sorted by switching the sorting destination.

The new sorting information registered for update is converted into a control signal and output to the sorting unit 1b (204). In response to this, the sorting unit 1b executes the sorting work of the article W based on the new sorting information.
As a result, even if an error occurs in the sorting unit 1b, the sorting work is continued without stopping the movement of the entire system, so that the work efficiency of the entire system does not decrease.

Further, the event of switching the sorting destination of the article W by updating and registering the new sorting information in the sorting information storage unit is not limited to the failure of the sorting unit 1b, but the shoot units 131, 141, shoot units 131, 141. Failure of the equipment attached to the is also covered.
Further, when the article W stays in the chute portions 131, 141 as a result of delay in loading the article W into the roll box container or the like at the chute portions 131, 141, for example, at a predetermined position of the chute portions 131, 141. The sorting destination may be switched by arranging the detection unit and detecting for a predetermined time, or the sorting destination may be switched by pressing the stop button of the operator of the shoot units 131 and 141. In that case, it may be output to another information device such as a patrol light (registered trademark), a screen of the own device, or a higher-level device.
Further, the error information, the switching of the sorting destination, and the update registration at that time may be managed as historical data and stored for a predetermined period so that they can be analyzed, or may be constantly transmitted to a higher-level information device. ..

Furthermore, volume calculation is performed from the three sides of the article W according to the measurement result, and loading is smooth while adjusting the container for air transportation, rail transportation, etc., the loading capacity of the vehicle, the loading capacity, etc. from the measurement data. You can also switch the sorting destination to. That is, until the above-mentioned container is full, the full container is moved, and a new empty container is prepared in the predetermined shoot portions 131, 141, the article having the predetermined shoot portions 131, 141 as the sorting destination. Work can be continued by switching W to other shoot units 131 and 141. You can also set a new sort destination for a new container.
Specifically, if the chute units 131 and 141 have a mobile terminal such as an information device or a handy terminal, it is possible to read the identification information of a new container or input the destination information, that is, the identification of the delivery destination. By transmitting the code (store code, relay center code, delivery code, etc.) to the measuring device 1, the sorting destination is changed, and the identification information is associated with the information such as the article W, dimensions, and mass to manage and utilize the data. It is also possible to do. It is possible to automatically switch the sorting destination by volume calculation or mass, or to switch the sorting destination by simply notifying the fullness with the above-mentioned information device or mobile terminal or by simply operating a button.
In the volume calculation, the volume of the container may be adjusted by a predetermined ratio, or the fullness may be determined while monitoring the stacking at any time according to the shape of the container. Of course, when the product is not loaded on the upper stage due to its mass, it is possible to avoid damage to the article W by using the other chute portions 131 and 141 as the sorting destination.
In this way, it is possible to improve the efficiency of sorting work, the efficiency and optimization of loading work, and even the leveling of work that does not depend on the skill level of workers.

In the measuring device 1 according to the above embodiment, between the measuring and measuring unit 1a and the sorting unit 1b, the article information of the article W, the invoice slip, and the like are printed on the label paper as print information to issue a label. A label issuing device, a label affixing device for affixing the label to the article W, and the like can also be provided.
Further, by arranging the label issuing device in each chute section 131, 141, for example, when sorting by carrier is selected according to the sorting conditions, the chute section 131, 141 (sorting destination, carrier of sorting destination) is the carrier. Labels can be issued. Since the slip format and print contents differ for each carrier, systematization and line-up can be realized by including the print information in the output sorting information and outputting it. If the slips can be unified, it is not necessary to arrange them in the chute units 131 and 141, and the label issuing device can be arranged between the measuring unit 1a and the sorting unit 1b.

Further, as a function for smoothing the sorting work of articles, for example, when the articles W are continuously conveyed, a function of changing the conveying speed according to the weight of the articles W and each chute of the articles W. A function for adjusting the delivery speed and the pressing amount of the delivery unit to be transmitted to the units 131 and 141 may be appropriately provided.
By doing so, it is possible to avoid damage or overturning of items that are handled with care, or items that are useless or tall, so that damage due to such damage or overturning can be eliminated, and the man-hours for reporting them and instructing additional work are also required. It is possible to prevent unnecessary man-hours such as.

Further, the software resources described above can be distributed or aggregated in any hardware resource by an appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as a physically integrated device or a separate device. .. Thereby, for example, a part or all of the software resource can be configured to be provided to a centralized higher-level device or controller, or can be provided to an external server connected by a predetermined network.

● Appendix The automatic measuring and measuring device according to another embodiment is based on a measuring means for measuring the dimensions of an article, a sorting means for sorting the article into a predetermined chute portion, and the dimensions of the article and a predetermined sorting condition. It is characterized by having a generation means for generating sorting information including information relating to a sorting destination of the article, and an instruction means for instructing the sorting means of the sorting information generated by the generation means.

It may further have a first display means for selectively displaying the sorting conditions applied to the article.

It may further have a second display means for outputting the information relating to the sorting destination constituting the sorting information of the article together with the measured value of the article on the same screen.

It may further have a detecting means for detecting the state of the sorting means.

It may further have a switching means for switching the sorting destination of the articles according to the state of the sorting means.

Further having a measuring means for measuring the weight of the article, the generating means includes sorting including information relating to the sorting destination of the article based on the size of the article, the weight of the article, and predetermined sorting conditions. It may be used to generate information.

The automatic measuring and measuring system according to still another embodiment generates sorting information including information on the sorting destination of the article based on the process of measuring the dimension of the article and the dimension of the article and a predetermined sorting condition. It is characterized in that a process and a process of instructing control of the sorting means for sorting the articles into a predetermined chute portion together with a control signal based on the sorting information are executed.

1 Measuring device 1a Measuring and measuring part 11 Belt conveyor 12 Belt conveyor 1b Sorting part 13 Belt conveyor 14 Belt conveyor 15 Belt conveyor 130 Branch part 140 Branch part 131 Shoot part 141 Shoot part 20 Sensor group 30 Sending part 40 Detection part 50 Display part W Goods

Claims (6)

Transport means for transporting goods and
A measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the article transported by the transporting means,
Setting means for setting sorting conditions for determining the sorting destination according to the dimensions of the article measured by the measuring means, and setting means.
A display control means for displaying a plurality of sorting conditions set by the setting means on a predetermined display unit so as to be selectable.
A measuring device characterized by that. The display control means further displays the dimensions measured by the measuring means, the sorting conditions, and the sorting destination determined according to the dimensions on the same screen of a predetermined display unit.
The measuring device according to claim 1. A sorting means for sorting the articles to a predetermined sorting destination according to the dimensions and the sorting conditions.
Further provided is a switching means for switching the sort destination to another sort destination, which is determined according to the sort condition according to the state of the sort destination.
The measuring device according to claim 1 or 2. The display control means causes the switching means to display on a predetermined display unit that the sorting destination of the article has been switched.
The measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the measuring device is characterized by the above. A transport means for transporting an article, a measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the article transported by the transport means, and a measuring means.
Setting means for setting sorting conditions for determining the sorting destination according to the dimensions of the article measured by the measuring means, and setting means.
The sorting destination of the article is determined according to the sorting condition of any one of the plurality of sorting conditions set by the setting means and the dimension measured by the measuring means, and the article is classified into the plurality of sorting destinations. Sorting means to sort to one of the sorting destinations,
A switching means for switching the sort destination to another sort destination according to the state of the one sort destination is provided.
A measuring device characterized by that. A transport process for transporting an article, a measurement process for measuring the dimensions of the article transported by the transport means, and
A setting process for setting sorting conditions for determining a sorting destination according to the dimensions of the article measured by the measuring means, and
The sorting destination of the article is determined according to the sorting condition of any one of the plurality of sorting conditions set by the setting means and the dimension measured by the measurement process, and the article is classified into the plurality of sorting destinations. Sorting process to sort to one of the sorting destinations,
The switching process of switching the sort destination to another sort destination according to the state of the one sort destination is executed.
A measuring system that features that.

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