JP3336889B2 - Storage allocation device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and allocating components to storage shelves in a warehouse, and more particularly to a storage and allocating apparatus for efficiently allocating and storing components to storage shelves divided into a plurality of sections.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a factory for assembling products using a large amount of various types of parts, for example, an automobile assembling factory, a predetermined amount of parts is stored in a distribution warehouse so as to prevent shortage or excessive inventory. It is necessary to prepare a parts supply management system that can store the parts in such a way that they can be supplied when necessary.

Conventionally, when such parts management is performed, the type, quantity, storage location, etc. of parts temporarily stored in the warehouse are recorded in a database, and parts management in the warehouse is performed based on this database. Have been done. In the component management as described above, there is a demand for efficient use of space in a warehouse and smooth entry and exit.

[0004] As a method of carrying in and out of parts while effectively utilizing the space of the warehouse, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-270 is disclosed.
There is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 611. According to this method, the assorted storage of dissimilar parts reduces the empty space in the warehouse and improves the storage efficiency.

[0005]

However, the components to be stored vary widely from small components such as screws to large components such as frames, and are stored in warehouses (packages) and stored at once. The amount to be stored and the amount that needs to be held as stock also vary. That is, since there are various types of warehousing, selection of a storable empty space in the warehouse is greatly restricted. For example, even if the empty space has a desired capacity, the shape of the empty space itself may not conform to the shape of the part or its packaging depending on the storage mode. As a result, there is a problem that quick and accurate space allocation cannot be performed.

[0006] Further, in general, a warehouse is often constituted by storage shelves of a predetermined space corresponding to the size of stored parts. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to store a new type of part, it may not be possible to store the part depending on the size of the part, or it may be necessary to change the assignment of storage shelves for storage. For this reason, a separate warehouse map must be created, and the administrator must manually allocate and manage the space, which causes a problem that the management work becomes complicated.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and even when parts are stored in various forms or when a new form of parts needs to be stored, the optimum storage space can be quickly allocated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage allocating device which can be performed at a time.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage allocating apparatus for storing and allocating parts to a plurality of storage shelves. Information on the type of each part, its packaging, and the storage condition
A component-information input means for inputting the part attribute information including the broadcast, and the block information input means for inputting information for each partition shape of the storage shelves, and rewritable storage means for storing the input information, component type for each Space calculating means for calculating a required space necessary for storing the reference stock amount of the storage shelf based on the component attribute information stored in the storage means, and a partition shape of the storage shelf based on the calculated required space. includes search means for searching for matching fit compartment housing from within, and output means for outputting the retrieved fit compartment, said search hand
The column can search for the matching compartment in the normal storage state of the part.
If there is no such information, the space calculation means
Changes the storage state based on the information and recalculates the required space.
The search means re-determines the matching section based on the recalculation result.
Searching is performed .

[0009] Here, the packing form refers to a form when parts are stored or stored, and a state in which one or more parts are packed in a wooden frame, cardboard, cushioning material, or the like, and a naked state in which the parts are not packed. including. The section of the storage shelf is a space arbitrarily divided according to the size of the package, and the height and the width are set arbitrarily. In addition, the normal storage state means that the parts
Normal position (placed with the top of the package facing up), storage
Condition information is the handling information of the parts package, such as
If it is possible to store it in a stack, or if
This is information such as whether or not it can be inverted and stored.

[0010] According to this configuration, an optimum space is calculated according to the package of parts, and efficient storage can be performed for each part. In addition, existing section form (section size)
It is possible to match the storage style of the parts
Parts can be stored efficiently.

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, the configuration of the present invention further comprises a section information for re-partitioning an empty section containing no components when the search means cannot search for a suitable section. The information processing apparatus further includes a change unit, wherein the search unit performs a re-search for a partition that matches a required space based on the re-partitioning result.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the partitioning suitable for the component packing is performed by using the empty partition, the storage shelf can be further efficiently used, and the storage and allocation of the parts can be performed quickly.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a component storage and allocation apparatus 10, and FIG. 2 shows a storage shelf 12 which can arbitrarily move a wall material or a shelf material and arbitrarily divide it. Is shown in the front view.

The storage allocating device 10 has an input unit 14 for inputting actual component attribute information and partition shape information of the storage shelf 12.
Is provided. The input unit 14 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, a panel switch formed on a display which is one of output units to be described later, an input device for inputting data from a host computer, and the like. The part number indicated by is input. This part number is the shape and size of the packaging of the parts, the storage conditions of the packaging (for example, whether or not it is possible to stack and store the packaging as it is, or to store it upside down or upside down. Conditions such as whether or not there is) and the type of parts. Further, as the section shape information of the storage shelves, as shown in FIG. 2, the positions specifying the sections 12a to 12h obtained by dividing the storage shelf 12 into a predetermined volume, and the height, width, and depth of each of the sections 12a to 12h are associated with each other. The entered information is entered. The input unit 14 may be separated for the component information input means and for the storage shelf section information input means, or may be integrated or shared.

The input unit 14 is a rewritable storage unit 1
The storage unit 16 is connected to the storage unit 16 and stores the information input from the input unit 14 and the use status of the storage shelf 12 (particularly, empty partition information). Further, a space calculation unit 18 is connected to the storage unit 16, and calculates a required space required to store the component package for a predetermined time based on the component attribute information stored in the storage unit 16. .
Further, a search unit 20 is connected to the storage unit 16 and the space calculation unit 18, and a predetermined amount of the required space calculated by the space calculation unit 18 and a predetermined load form based on the free space information of the storage shelf 12. Search for the optimal storage compartment for delivered parts. The optimum section searched by the search unit 20 is output from the output unit 22. The result output form from the output unit 22 is an information label printer 22a directly attached to the package.
And a graphic display of the storage position and storage state on the display 22b, and information output to an automatic storage and retrieval system (not shown).

Further, the space calculation unit 18 and the search unit 2
To 0, the condition changing unit 24 is connected. When the optimum section cannot be searched based on the search result of the search section 20, the condition changing section 24 performs at least one of a change of the storage form of the package and a change of the partitioning of the storage shelf. Normally, the packing style (part packing style) of a part is stored in a normal state (arrangement with the upper surface of the packing face up), and the storage space required for that is calculated by the space calculating unit 18. If the package has storage permissible conditions and the package can be stored by stacking, laying down, or turning it upside down, the required space in the stacked or laid-down state is recalculated and the corresponding parts Search again for the optimal storage compartment for the package. If there is no compartment capable of physically storing the package, the storage unit 1
The empty section information of No. 6 is appropriately changed, and a new section is allocated according to the size of the package. Then, based on the new section shape information, the search unit 20 searches again for the optimum section of the target part package and determines a storage location.

The storage allocation process of the components by the storage allocation device 10 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS.

First, when a start switch (not shown) of the storage allocation device 10 is turned on, a control unit (not shown) determines whether or not new partition data needs to be input (S10).
0). When the start switch is turned on from the reset state, it is necessary to input all the section data of the target storage shelf 12 from the input unit 14. When it is necessary to add a new section when a new type of part is received, information necessary for the section from the input unit 14, such as the section size (height, width, depth, etc.) and the section Is entered and stored (registered) in the storage unit 16 (S1).
01). If it is not necessary to register the section data in S100, the part data relating to the part desired to be stored is input via the input unit 14 (S102). The input unit 14
May be input manually or information based on a production plan or the like supplied from a host computer may be directly transferred and input. When the component data is input, the space calculation unit 18 determines whether the component data can be allocated (S103). That is,
Here, it is determined whether or not the input component data has already been allocated. If the layout process has not been performed yet, that is, if the layout process is possible, the input component data is registered in the storage unit 16 (S10).
4). Then, based on the input component data, the space calculation unit 18 recognizes, for example, the component package delivered from the first five digits of the product number (S105). The items to be recognized here are mainly the size (height, width, depth) and shape of the package in the normal position. Note that the packing form refers to a form at the time of storing or storing parts, and includes a state in which one or more parts are packed in a wooden frame, cardboard, cushioning material, and the like, and a bare state in which the parts are not packed. .

Subsequently, the space calculation section 18 performs area allocation of the storage shelves 12 to be stored based on the part numbers of the components (S106). This area allocation is a simple classification performed according to the type and size of parts, the place of use, the frequency of loading and unloading, and the like. For example, automobile parts are classified into large cast parts such as frames and engine blocks, interior parts such as air conditioners and instruments, exterior parts such as lamps, small additional parts, etc., and storage shelves and interior parts for large parts. Storage shelves,
Classification is performed on storage shelves for exterior parts, storage shelves for small parts, and the like. At this time, it is desirable to perform simple division classification even in each storage shelf classified as necessary. For example,
In the storage shelf 12 shown in FIG.
e, medium-sized parts are classified into sections 12c, and small parts are classified into sections 12a and the like. In this way, by performing the simple classification, it is possible to prevent a section having an extremely large margin from being selected at the time of selecting an optimum section described later.

Subsequently, the space calculation unit 18 determines a reference stock for each component (S107). This reference stock is the minimum stock of parts that can supply the parts to the departments that need them without any shortage. It is determined based on. Further, the space calculation unit 18
Based on the calculated reference inventory and the shape of the packaging of each part, the necessary space required to store the parts of the packaging corresponding to the reference inventory is calculated (S108).

Then, the search unit 20 sequentially compares the section size of the section information stored in the storage unit 16 with the required space calculated in S108, and searches for a section capable of storing the part packing of the standard stock. I do. That is, a determination is made as to whether or not required space ≦ section size (S10).
9), the section having the smallest section size among the required space ≦ the section size is selected as the optimum storage location of the component to be stored, and the section number is determined (S110).

Subsequently, the output unit 22 outputs the storage allocation result of the parts package based on the determined section (S11).
1). For example, an information label indicating the relationship between the determined optimum section and the part packing is issued via the printer 22a or the like,
Attached to parts packing. If necessary, the storage position of the corresponding component package, the storage status of the stored component package, the vacancy status of the section, and the like are graphically displayed on the display 22b. Further, the storage status of the parts package may be output to an automatic loading / unloading system (not shown).

It should be noted that, simultaneously with the output of the result, the search unit 2
In the case of 0, the partition number determined in S110 is deleted from the storage unit 16 and excluded from the subsequent allocation targets (S112). Further, the space calculating unit 18 deletes the part number of the component for which allocation has been completed from the storage unit 16 and excludes it from the subsequent allocation target (S113), ends the storage allocation processing of the desired component, and performs the next component allocation. To wait. Note that S1
12. Since the part numbers and the sections that have already been allocated in S113 are excluded from the next allocation target,
When the component data for which allocation has been completed is input in S102, the space calculation unit 18 displays that the allocation processing has already been completed (S114), and performs the result output operation of S111.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S109 that there is no partition satisfying the required space ≦ the partition size, that is, if there is no partition size larger than the storage space calculated in S108, the condition changing unit 24 is targeted. It is determined whether the storage state of the component can be changed (S
115). The calculation of the required space in S108 was performed for the part packing in the normal position. As shown in FIG. 4, when the required space is calculated in a state where the components in the component packaging A0 are in the normal position, the height H1 of the component packaging A0 is the section 12f.
Height H is exceeded and cannot be stored. At this time, if the component package A0 has the storage allowable condition, that is, if the component package A0 can be stored sideways, the necessary space is recalculated using the component package A1 in the sideways state (S116). . Then, the processing of S109 and the subsequent steps are performed, and the optimal section is searched again. As shown in FIG. 4, in the case of the component package A0, it is possible to store the component package A1 in the compartments 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, etc. by turning over. In addition, the above-mentioned storage allowable condition includes, in addition to the above-mentioned side-down, the upside-down reversal and the stacking. This upside down or stacking is effective for efficient space utilization, as it allows dense storage when storing in a plurality of parts packing as shown in FIG.

If the condition changing unit 24 determines that the storage state cannot be changed in S115, that is, if the storage unit 16
If it is determined that the storage permitting condition is not set in the component data (packing style) and only the storage is to be performed correctly, information indicating that there is a part with an undetermined section number is provided via the output unit 22 ( S117). Then, the condition changing unit 24 determines whether or not the partitioning can be changed based on the empty partition data in the storage unit 16 (S118). In other words, if the partition size can be increased by moving the wall material or shelf material of the storage shelf 12, the partition data is corrected according to the size of the target part package, A section having a size capable of storing the parts packing of the reference stock is created, and the correction contents are stored in the storage unit 16 (S119). And
The processing of S109 and subsequent steps is performed, and the optimal section is searched again. The contents of the correction of the division are separately displayed on the display 22b to urge the administrator to change the division of the storage shelf. If a mechanism for automatically correcting a section is provided, data for instructing this is transferred.

Although the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which the change of the storage state and the change of the division are individually performed, a configuration in which the two are combined may be used. For example, when the package is turned over, an empty space may be generated in the height direction. In this case, if this empty space is partitioned by a shelf material to form a new partition, it can be used as a storage section for storing other parts and the storage efficiency can be improved.

If it is determined in S118 that the partitioning cannot be changed, it is determined that the current storage shelf cannot store the corresponding part package, and the undetermined parts in the storage section are determined. The information is suspended, and the fact is output from the output unit 22 to separately prompt a countermeasure (S120), and the storage allocation process ends.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the optimum storage space can be quickly allocated even if the storage form of the parts packing is different or if it becomes necessary to store the parts in a new form. The storage space can be used efficiently by changing the storage state and the partition form .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a storage allocation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a storage shelf.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of allocating a part package by the storage allocating device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a stored state of a part packing.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 storage allocation device, 12 storage shelves, 12a to 12h
Section, 14 input section, 16 storage section, 18 space calculation section, 20 search section, 22 output section, 22a printer,
22b display, 24 condition changing part, A0, A1
Parts packaging.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage allocating apparatus for storing and allocating parts to storage shelves divided into a plurality of sections, comprising: a component attribute including a type of each component, information on its packaging, and allowable information on a storage state. Part information input means for inputting information; section information input means for inputting information of each section shape of the storage shelf; rewritable storage means for storing each input information; and standard stock amount for each part type Space calculating means for calculating a required space required for the storage based on the component attribute information stored in the storage means, and adapting to storage from among the partition shapes of the storage shelf based on the calculated required space. includes a retrieving means for retrieving fit compartment, and an output means for outputting the retrieved fit compartment, said retrieval means, adapted compartments in normal storage conditions of the component
When it is not possible to search for, the space calculation means,
Change the storage state based on the permission information to
The recalculation is performed, and the search unit performs appropriate calculation based on the recalculation result.
A storage allocating device for re-searching for a combined section . The apparatus of claim 2 according to claim 1 Symbol placement, further, when the search unit can not be retrieved compliance partition has a partition information changing means for performing re-subdivision of free compartments of parts undelivered, The storage allocating device according to claim 1, wherein said search means performs a re-search for a partition that matches a required space based on a result of the re-partitioning.