JP2023064202A - Conveyance control system, conveyance control device, and conveyance control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To determine and change a station to perform picking dynamically and level burdens between stations.SOLUTION: A conveyance control system of the invention includes: shelves for storing articles; multiple stations in each of which picking of the articles from the shelve is performed; and a conveyance control device which determines a station, which is set as a conveyance destination of the shelve, from the multiple stations according to in-process inventory calculated based on the quantity of the articles to be picked at the station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a transport management system, a transport management apparatus, and a transport management method.

A warehouse exists as one of the infrastructure facilities for quickly delivering ordered goods to customers. In the warehouse, articles received from manufacturers or the like are temporarily stored. After that, when an order is placed, the ordered items are taken out of the warehouse, packed, and shipped to the customer.

Among the above-described series of processes for goods, efficient retrieval of goods (also called "picking") is an important management strategy for companies operating warehouses. For example, a shelf on which items are stored is transported to one of a plurality of stations, and workers pick up ordered items from the shelf. When there are a plurality of picking stations, it is important to level the work in progress (burden) among the stations in order to improve the work efficiency of the entire warehouse.

The order management device of Patent Literature 1 creates one order group by putting together a plurality of orders. One order consists of the type of goods and its delivery destination. The order management device assigns one order set to a station and sends an instruction to the transport vehicle to transport the items included in the order set to the station. For example, the order management device creates one order set from a plurality of orders with the same delivery destination even if the types of goods are different, thereby counting the number of times a shelf storing goods is transported to a station. Minimize.

WO2016/147335

The order management device of Patent Literature 1 calculates the number of transport vehicles that have transmitted transport instructions for each station. However, the number of vehicles does not accurately represent the burden on the station. Furthermore, no mention is made of changing stations if the load of the station, once determined, changes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to dynamically determine and change the picking station to level the load among the stations.

The transport management system of the present invention includes a shelf for storing articles, a plurality of stations for picking the articles from the shelves, and a plurality of and a transport management device that determines the station to which the shelf is to be transported among the stations in the above.
Other means are described in the detailed description.

According to the present invention, it is possible to dynamically determine and change the picking station and level the load among the stations.

1 is a perspective view of a warehouse layout; FIG. 1 is a plan view of a warehouse layout; FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and the like of a transport management device; FIG. It is an example of article information. It is an example of order information. It is an example of transportation order information. It is an example of shelf information. It is an example of station information. It is a flow chart of a processing procedure.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form (it is called "this embodiment") for implementing this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings. This embodiment is an example of picking up the goods according to the order after the goods are received in the warehouse from the manufacturer or the like. However, the present invention can also be applied, for example, when a manufacturer or the like stores and manages parts in-house. It should be noted that the "goods" in the present embodiment is a concept that includes commodities to be traded, other products, parts, and the like.

(Warehouse layout)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a warehouse layout. The warehouse has storage space 5 . The storage space 5 is surrounded by a fence 6. In the storage space 5, a plurality of shelves 9 are orderly arranged in a lattice in the vertical and horizontal directions. Shelves 9 form "islands" of 2 x 7 or 1 x 7 shelves 9 . The number of islands is arbitrary. A plurality of transport vehicles 3 are present in the storage space 5 . The transport vehicle 3 has a self-propelled power and a structure for supporting the shelf 9 from below, and transports the shelf 9 by crawling under the shelf 9 . A fence 6 is broken at an arbitrary point around the storage space 5, and a plurality of stations 7 are present adjacent to the point. It should be noted that it is not essential to physically separate the storage space 5 from other areas with the fence 6 .

In the example of FIG. 1, one shelf 9 is transported to one station 7 from an island of storage space 5 . A worker 8 is taking out an article from the shelf 9 . The work is a work of taking out the articles related to the order from the shelf 9 for each order, and is called "picking work" or simply "picking". The worker 8 transfers the picked articles to a sorting shelf (not shown) or the like. Of the four surfaces of the shelf 9 in the vertical direction, the surface on which articles can be put in and taken out is called a "frontage surface". At station 7 the shelf 9 is positioned so that the front face is parallel to the line of the fence 6 and faces the worker 8 .

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the warehouse layout. For convenience of explanation, the warehouse shown in FIG. 2 is slightly different from the warehouse shown in FIG. It is the same as the warehouse of In FIG. 2, description of the carrier 3 is omitted. In FIG. 1 the station is numbered "7", but in FIG. 2 that number is omitted and instead the stations are numbered "1", "2" and "3". . Hereinafter, movement of the shelf 9 transported by the transport vehicle 3 will be described along FIG.

The numbers “1”, “2” and “3” written inside the squares indicating the shelves 9 indicate the stations 1, 2 and 3 to which the shelves 9 are to be transferred. Shelf 9a has started to be transported from an island with station 1 as its destination. After that, the shelf 9a reaches the transfer destination review area 41 . At this time, the transport management device 1 reviewed the transport destination, but as a result, the transport destination after review was the same station 1 . Shelf 9 a was then transported to station 1 .

Shelf 9b began to be transported from an island with station 2 as its destination. After that, the shelf 9b reaches the transfer destination review area 42 . At this time, the transport management device 1 reviewed the transport destination. As a result, the transfer destination is changed to station 1. Shelf 9b was then transported to station 1. Without this change, shelf 9b would have been at the end of a row of shelves 9 forming an L shape near station 2. FIG. In other words, the change is a measure to avoid placing a burden on the station 2 .

Shelf 9c began to be transported from an island with station 3 as its destination. After that, the shelf 9c reaches the transfer destination review area 43 . At this time, the transport management device 1 reviewed the transport destination. As a result, the transfer destination is changed to station 2. Shelf 9c was then transported to station 2. Without this change, shelf 9c would have been at the end of a row of shelves 9 forming an L shape near station 3. FIG. In other words, the change is a measure to avoid placing a burden on the station 3 .
Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the shelf 9c approaches the destination review area 42, the transport management device 1 can change the transport destination of the shelf 9c to the station 1 again.

(Configuration of transport management device)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and the like of the transport management apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. The transportation management apparatus 1 is a general computer, and has a central control unit 11 , an input device 12 such as a keyboard, an output device 13 such as a display, a main storage device 14 , an auxiliary storage device 15 and a communication device 16 . These devices are interconnected by a bus. The auxiliary storage device 15 stores article information 31, order information 32, delivery order information 33, shelf information 34, and station information 35 (all of which will be described later in detail).

The input/output processing unit 21 and the station management unit 22 in the main storage device 14 are programs. In the following, when the subject of action is described as "○○ part," it means that the central control unit 11 reads each program from the auxiliary storage device 15, loads it into the main storage device 14, and then performs the function of each program (details (described later). The auxiliary storage device 15 of the transport management device 1 may be configured independently from the transport management device 1 .

The transportation management device 1 is connected to a transportation vehicle control device 2 and one or a plurality of transportation vehicles 3 via a wired or wireless network 4 (including a local private line). The transport vehicle control device 2 controls the transport vehicle 3 via the network 4 . The transport vehicle 3 has an electric motor that rotates the drive wheels, an electric motor that adjusts the height of the loading platform that lifts the shelf 9, a storage battery that feeds these electric motors, a sensor, and an on-board computer (not shown). The shelf 9 (FIG. 1), the station 7 (FIG. 1) and the transport management device 1 constitute a transport management system.

(article information)
FIG. 4 is an example of the article information 31. As shown in FIG. In the item information 31, in association with the item ID stored in the item ID column 101, the work burden value is stored in the work load value column 102, the storage quantity is stored in the storage quantity column 103, and the shelf ID is stored in the shelf ID column 104. However, the shelf position is stored in the shelf position column 105 .

The item ID in the item ID column 101 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the type of item (not the individual item). For simplification of explanation, in this embodiment, only one type of article is stored in one container, and the container is stored in the shelf 9 . The nine (3×3) drawer-like storage boxes stored in the shelf 9 in FIG. 1 are the containers here.

The work burden value in the work burden value column 102 is an arbitrary value indicating the work burden caused by picking one of the articles. "#" abbreviates different values (same below). Examples of work burden values include:
・Standard time required to pick one item ・Standard man-hours required to pick one item ・Labor cost required to pick one item ・Necessary to pick one item Utility costs

The storage quantity in the storage quantity column 103 is the quantity of articles stored in the container.
A shelf ID in the shelf ID column 104 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the shelf 9 .
The shelf position in the shelf position column 105 is the two-dimensional coordinate value of the shelf 9 on the floor surface of the storage space 5 .

(order information)
FIG. 5 is an example of the order information 32. As shown in FIG. In the order information 32, in association with the order ID stored in the order ID column 111, the product ID column 112 contains the product ID, the order quantity column 113 contains the order quantity, the customer ID column 114 contains the customer ID, The transport vehicle ID column 115 stores the transport vehicle ID, the station ID column 116 stores the station ID, and the transport instruction time column 117 stores the transport instruction time.

The order ID in the order ID column 111 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the order from the customer. An order is an offer to purchase goods.
The item ID in the item ID column 112 is the same as the item ID in FIG. 4, but here in particular specifies the item for which the order has been placed.
The order quantity in the order quantity column 113 is the quantity of articles ordered by the customer.
The customer in the customer ID column 114 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the customer who ordered the item.
The transport vehicle ID in the transport vehicle ID column 115 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the transport vehicle 3 .

The station ID in the station ID 116 column is an identifier that uniquely identifies the station 7 .
The transport instruction time in the transport instruction time column 117 is the time at which the transport management apparatus 1 transmits an instruction to the transport vehicle 3 to transport the shelf 9 storing the ordered article to any station. .

The station management unit 22 of the transport management apparatus 1 keeps the information of the order information 32 up-to-date based on the information it has sent to the transport vehicle 3 and the information received from the transport vehicle 3 .

(Transportation order information)
FIG. 6 is an example of the transport order information 33. As shown in FIG. In the transport order information 33 , the transport order is stored in the transport order column 122 and the time is stored in the time column 123 in association with the station ID stored in the station ID column 121 .
Station IDs in the station ID column 121 are the same as the station IDs in FIG.

The transport order in the transport order column 122 is obtained by arranging the shelf IDs of the shelves to be transported to the station in the order of picking. Determined by taking into account the distance to the station. The shelf here is already assigned a destination station and exists inside the island or on the route from the island to the station. Therefore, unless there is a particular review of the transport destination, the transport order "1, 2, 3, . Of course, among the shelves appearing in the transfer order information 33, the ones with the earlier (lower) order may already be lined up. “●” or “○” may be attached before the shelf ID. "●" indicates that the destination station is assigned to the rack for the first time. "O" indicates that the station assigned to that shelf has been changed.
The time in the time column 123 is the time when the record of the transportation order information 33 was created.

The station management unit 22 of the transport management apparatus 1 keeps the information of the transport order information 33 up-to-date based on the information it has transmitted to the transport vehicle 3 and the information received from the transport vehicle 3 .

Looking at FIG. 6, for example, the following can be understood.
・At 10:04:00 on a certain day, shelves "B01", "B02" and "B06" were scheduled to be lined up in that order at station "F01" (some are already lined up; the same applies below). .). Among them, the shelf "B06" first appeared in the transport order information 33 at 10:04:00. Shelves "B01" and "B02" had already appeared in the transport order information 33 at the last transport destination review opportunity prior to 10:04:00.

- At 10:04:00 on that day, shelves "B03", "B04", "B05" and "B07" were scheduled to line up in that order at station "F02". Among them, the shelf "B07" first appeared in the transport order information 33 at 10:04:00. Shelves "B03", "B04" and "B05" had already appeared in the transport order information 33 at the last transport destination review opportunity prior to 10:04:00.

- At 10:06:00 on that day, shelves "B02", "B06" and "B07" were scheduled to line up in that order at station "F01". Among them, the transport destination of shelf "B07" was changed to station "F01" at 10:06:00. Shelf "B01" returned to the island from station "F01" after picking was completed.

・At 10:06:00 on that day, shelves "B04" and "B05" were scheduled to line up at station "F02" in that order. Shelf "B03" returned to the island from station "F01" after picking was completed.

(Shelf information)
FIG. 7 is an example of the shelf information 34. As shown in FIG. In the shelf information 34, the current position column 132 stores the current position, the current state column 133 stores the current state, and the distance column 134 stores the distance in association with the shelf ID stored in the shelf ID column 131. there is
The shelf ID in the shelf ID column 131 is the same as the shelf ID in FIG.
The current position in the current position column 132 is the two-dimensional coordinate value of the current position of the shelf 9 on the floor surface of the storage space 5 . The shelf position in FIG. 4 indicates the position (storage position) within the "island" to which the shelf 9 should return. In contrast, the current position of FIG. 7 is the temporary position when the shelf 9 is being transported by the transport vehicle 3 between the storage position and the station 7 . The transport vehicle 3 transmits the shelf ID of the shelf 9 being transported and its own current position to the picking management device 1 in real time.

The current state of the current state column 133 is the current state of the shelf 9 . If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 that transports the shelf 9 matches the storage position, the current state is "waiting in storage space". If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 is a position designated for picking adjacent to station "FOO", the current state is "Picking at FOO". If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 is on the route from the storage position to the station 7, the current state is "transporting". If the current position of the carrier 3 is on the route from the station 7 to the storage position, the current state is "returning". The current state “arrived at FOO and waiting for picking” is a state of lining up during the transition from “transporting” to “picking at FOO”.

The distance in the distance column 134 is a vector indicating the distance between the shelf 9 and each station. The dimension of the vector is equal to the number of stations. For example, if the distance of shelf "B01" is currently "(10,20,30)", shelf B01 is now "10" away from station 1, "20" away from station 2 and "30" away from station 3. in position.

(station information)
FIG. 8 is an example of station information 35 . In the station information 35, in association with the station ID stored in the station shelf ID column 141, the number of waiting shelves is stored in the waiting shelf number column 142, the work load total value is stored in the work load total value column 143, and the worker ID. The column 144 stores the worker ID, the worker efficiency column 145 stores the worker efficiency, and the in-process amount column 146 stores the in-process amount.

The station ID in the station shelf ID column 141 is the same as the station ID in FIG.
The number of waiting shelves in the number of waiting shelves column 142 is the number of shelves whose current status is "arrived at FOO and waiting for picking" or "picking at FOO" for station "FOO". The number of waiting racks may include the number of racks that are being transported with "F○○" as the transport destination.
The work load total value in the work load total value column 143 is obtained by multiplying the work load value (column 102 in FIG. 4) by the order quantity of the item related to the order (column 113 in FIG. 5) and totaling the value for each item. It is a value obtained by totaling the total number of shelves counted as the number of waiting shelves (column 142 in FIG. 8).
The worker ID in the worker ID column 144 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the worker 8 .

The worker efficiency in the worker efficiency column 145 is a value obtained by dividing the quantity of all kinds of articles that have been picked by the worker in the past by the accumulated past work time of the worker. The worker efficiency may be a relative value such as a deviation value with the average of all workers being "50".
The amount of work in progress column 146 is a value obtained by dividing the total work load by the efficiency of the worker. The number of waiting shelves represents the current load on the station. However, the total work load accurately represents the load based on the work load (standard time, etc.) according to the type and quantity of items actually picked. In addition, the work-in-progress more accurately represents the burden based on the work efficiency of the picking workers.

At least one type of item can be picked from one shelf. Although it depends on chance, if multiple types of articles can be picked from one shelf, work efficiency will be greatly improved. The station management unit 22 of the transport management apparatus 1 may divide the amount of work in process by the hit rate, and set the value as the amount of work in progress after correction, and store the value in the amount of work in process column 146 together. Hit rate is the number of item types that can be picked from one shelf in one picking opportunity. The hit rate is defined for each shelf based on the order information 32 (FIG. 5) and can be aggregated for each station to which the shelf is to be delivered.

(Processing procedure)
FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the processing procedure. As a premise for starting the processing procedure, in addition to the order information 32 (FIG. 5) and the delivery order information 33 (FIG. 6), the article information 31 (FIG. 4), the shelf information 34 (FIG. 7) and the station information 35 (FIG. 8) is always stored in the auxiliary storage device 15 in the latest state. When the input/output processing unit 21 of the transportation management device 1 recognizes that a new record (by order ID) has been stored in the order information 32, the following processing is started. At this stage, the transport vehicle ID column 115, the station ID column 116, and the transport instruction time column 117 of the new record are blank.

In step S201, the station management unit 22 of the transport management apparatus 1 identifies a shelf to be transported. Specifically, the station management unit 22 refers to the new record of the order information 32 (FIG. 5) and the item information 31 (FIG. 4) to identify the shelf where the ordered item is stored. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed here that the shelf "B07" is specified.

In step S202, the station management unit 22 acquires the work-in-progress amount for each station. Specifically, the station management unit 22 refers to the station information 35 (FIG. 8) and acquires the work in progress of all stations.

In step S203, the station management unit 22 determines whether or not there is a station whose work-in-progress amount is less than the threshold. Specifically, if the amount of products in process acquired in step S202 includes an amount less than the predetermined threshold ("Yes" in step S203), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S204. Otherwise ("No" in step S203), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S205.

In step S204, the station management unit 22 identifies the nearest station from the shelf among the stations whose work-in-progress amount is less than the threshold. Specifically, the station management unit 22 refers to the shelf information 34 (FIG. 7), and identifies the station having the shortest distance from the shelf "B07" among the stations whose work-in-progress amount is less than the threshold. The station identified here is called the "initial station".

In step S205, the station management unit 22 identifies the station furthest from the shelf among the stations whose work-in-progress amount is equal to or greater than the threshold. Specifically, the station management unit 22 refers to the shelf information 34 (FIG. 7), and identifies the station having the largest distance from the shelf "B07" among the stations whose work-in-progress amount is equal to or greater than the threshold. The station identified here is also called the "initial station".

In step S206, the station management unit 22 transmits the transport destination station to the transport vehicle. Specifically, first, the station management unit 22 identifies the unoccupied carrier 3 by any method.
Second, the station management unit transmits an instruction to initially transport the shelf “B07” to the station via the transport vehicle control device 2 to the transport vehicle identified in “first” in step S206. After that, time passes while the transport vehicle is running and transporting. In the meantime, other orders are placed concurrently, and the work-in-progress quantity at each station changes from moment to moment.

In step S207, the station management unit 22 receives notification that the transport vehicle has arrived at a specific position near the station. Specifically, the station management unit 22 receives information indicating that the shelf "B07" has arrived at any of the destination review areas 41, 42, or 43 from the transport vehicle specified in step S206. It is received via the carrier control device 2 .

In step S208, the station management unit 22 determines whether or not the initial station's work-in-progress amount is equal to or greater than the threshold. Specifically, first, the station management unit 22 refers to the station information 35 (FIG. 8) and acquires the current work-in-progress of the initial station.
Secondly, if the initial station's work-in-progress amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value ("Yes" in step S208), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S209. Otherwise ("No" in step S208), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S211.

In step S209, the station management unit 22 determines whether or not the work-in-progress of the surrounding stations is less than the threshold. Specifically, first, the station management unit 22 refers to the station information 35 (FIG. 8) and acquires the current work-in-progress of stations around the initial station. Peripheral stations are, for example, stations on both sides of the initial station.
Secondly, if the work in progress of all surrounding stations is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold ("No" in step S209), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S211. Otherwise ("Yes" in step S209), the station management unit 22 retains the station ID of the station with the smallest work-in-progress amount, and proceeds to step S211.

In step S210, the station management unit 22 transmits the changed station to the carrier. Specifically, the station management unit instructs the station with the station ID temporarily held in step S209 to transport the shelf "B07" through the transport vehicle control device 2 in step S206. It is transmitted to the transportation vehicle specified in "first".

In step S211, the station management unit 22 maintains the transfer destination station as it is. Specifically, the station management unit retransmits an instruction to transport the shelf "B07" to the initial station to the transport vehicle identified in "first" in step S206 via the transport vehicle control device 2. . After that, the procedure ends.

(Modification 1)
The steps S203 to S205 described above are merely an example of how the station management unit 22 determines the destination station for a given shelf. More generally, the station management unit 22 determines that a station with a larger work-in-progress quantity tends to carry a shelf farther from the station, and a station with a smaller work-in-progress quantity tends to carry a shelf closer to the station. Make it easier to be first. For this purpose, for example, the station management unit 22 may determine the transfer destination station based on the score calculated by a formula such as "score=W1*distance+W2*in-process amount". Here, "W1" and "W2" are weights and conversion factors designated by the user, and the positive and negative signs of "W1" and "W2" are arbitrary.

As an example, when the work-in-process amount of a station to which a given shelf is to be transferred is large enough to satisfy a predetermined standard, the station management unit 22 sets the order of transfer instructions to be assigned to the station and executed in the future as follows: A change may be made so that a shelf whose distance from the station to the storage position satisfies a predetermined criterion is preferentially transported to the station.

In that case, if the amount of work in progress at a certain station is large and it is expected that it will take a relatively long time to work on shelves that have already arrived, priority will be given to shelves that are stored far away from the station and require a long time to be transported. By transporting to the station, the total waiting time of the shelf in front of the station can be reduced, contributing to the improvement of the working efficiency of the station in a predetermined period.

As another example, when the work-in-process amount of a station to which a given shelf is to be transferred is small enough to satisfy a predetermined standard, the station management unit 22 determines the order of transfer instructions to be assigned to the station and executed in the future. may be changed so that a shelf whose distance from the station to the storage position is small enough to satisfy a predetermined criterion is preferentially transported to the station.

In that case, if the amount of work in progress at a certain station is small and it is expected that the time required to work on shelves that have already arrived will be relatively short, priority will be given to shelves that are stored near the station and do not take much time to be transported. By transporting the wafer to the station, it is possible to suppress an increase in the time during which the station waits without performing any work, which contributes to improving the work efficiency of the station during a predetermined period.

(Modification 2)
In the "second" of step S208, the station management unit 22 compares the initial station's work-in-progress quantity (total work-in-progress quantity) with the threshold value. However, the station management unit 22 calculates the work-in-progress quantity (individual work-in-progress quantity) initially imposed on the station by the shelf “B07”, and if the ratio of the individual work-in-progress quantity to the total work-in-progress quantity is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, step S209 is performed. otherwise, the process may proceed to step S211.

(Effect of this embodiment)
The effects of the transport management system of this embodiment are as follows.
(1) The transport management system can determine the station to which the shelf is to be transported according to the work-in-progress of the station (leveling).
(2) The transport management system decides to transport a shelf from a distance to a station with a large work-in-progress (earning time for leveling).
(3) The transport management system determines that a shelf is transported from a station with a small work-in-progress (same as above).
(4) The transport management system can review the once determined transport destination station (thorough leveling).

(5) The transport management system can review the station according to the work-in-progress imposed by the individual shelf on the once-determined station (ibid.).
(6) The transport management system can change the transport destination to a station near the determined station (restriction on transport route extension).
(7) The transport management system can change the order of picking shelves at each station.
(8) The transport management system can determine the station according to the attributes of the article and the attributes of the worker (improved leveling accuracy).
(9) The transport management system can determine stations based on hit rate (Id.).

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the described configurations. In addition, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Moreover, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

1 transportation management device 2 transportation vehicle control device 3 transportation vehicle 4 network 5 storage space 6 fence 7 station 8 worker 9 shelf 11 central control device 12 input device 13 output device 14 main storage device 15 auxiliary storage device 16 communication device 21 input/output Processing unit 22 Station management unit 31 Article information 32 Order information 33 Transfer order information 34 Shelf information 35 Station information

Claims (11)

a shelf for storing items;
a plurality of stations for picking the item from the shelf;
a transport management device that determines, from among the plurality of stations, the station to which the shelf is to be transported, according to a work-in-progress calculated based on the quantity of the articles picked at the station;
A transport management system characterized by: The transport management device
Determining the station as a transfer destination of the shelf located at a storage position far from the station when the work-in-progress at the station is large enough to satisfy a predetermined standard;
The transport management system according to claim 1, characterized by: The transport management device
Determining the station as a transfer destination of the shelf located at a storage position close to the station when the work-in-process amount of the station is small enough to satisfy a predetermined standard;
The transport management system according to claim 2, characterized by: The transport management device
Determining whether or not the determined station is to be a transport destination when the transport vehicle that transports the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, according to the amount of work in progress at the determined station at the time of arrival;
The transportation management system according to claim 3, characterized by: The transport management device
When the transport vehicle that transports the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, the determined station is set as the transport destination according to the work-in-progress amount of the determined station at the time of arrival and the work-in-progress amount imposed on the determined station by the shelf. to determine whether or not to
The transport management system according to claim 4, characterized by: The transport management device
setting another station, which is near the determined station and has a small work-in-progress amount satisfying a predetermined criterion, as the destination after the change;
The transport management system according to claim 5, characterized by: The transport management device
chronologically changing the order of the shelves to be picked in each of the plurality of stations according to the amount of work in progress;
The transport management system according to claim 6, characterized by: The amount of work in progress is
Furthermore, it is calculated based on the work load of the items to be picked and the work efficiency of the workers who perform the picking,
The transport management system according to claim 7, characterized by: The amount of work in progress is
further calculated based on a hit rate, which is the number of item types that can be picked from one said shelf in one picking opportunity;
The transport management system according to claim 8, characterized by: In a warehouse comprising shelves for storing articles and a plurality of stations for picking the articles from the shelves, the comprising a station management unit that determines the station to which the shelf is to be transferred;
A transport management device characterized by: The station management section of the transport management device
In a warehouse comprising shelves for storing articles and a plurality of stations for picking the articles from the shelves, the determining the station to which the shelf is to be transferred;
A transport management method for a transport management device characterized by:

Images