JP3593669B2 - How to save and restore inventory status in automated warehouse - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention manages inventory in warehouse equipment of an automatic warehouse in a factory, and saves and restores the inventory state of the inventory in an automatic warehouse.How to save and restoreIn particular, inventory status in automated warehouses that can be easily restored in the event of a failure while efficiently storing the inventory statusHow to save and restoreIt is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in an automatic warehouse for constant management, which stores a predetermined number of various production parts necessary for assembling vehicles at a production factory and immediately supplies them to the production line at the required time, there are many types and various forms When arranging production parts and carrying them in and out continuously, the production parts are automatically transported and stored in appropriate empty shelves, and the desired production parts are automatically taken out and transported again. It is important to be able to leave the warehouse.
In addition, the production parts that need inventory in order to assemble vehicles range from small ones to large ones such as bumpers, and their specifications reflect recent demand growth. There are painting colors that can be classified very variously, such as a paint color in which a hue is preferred, and a worldwide destination having various safety standards in each country.
Furthermore, the operator monitors and sequentially instructs the transfer status regarding the loading and unloading and the stock status in the warehouse equipment, and the transfer equipment or the warehouse equipment functions in conjunction therewith, and the error of the specified transfer status or the stock status is checked. It is also important to be able to make corrections, and various methods for correcting the transport state and the stock state in an automatic warehouse have been proposed.
[0003]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a general automatic warehouse system that manages a stock state while controlling conventional warehouse equipment.
In FIG. 6, the automatic warehouse system includes warehouse facilities 1, 1,..., 1 for carrying in and out of the production parts while stocking them, and transport facilities 2a, 2b for carrying the production parts in and out. There is provided a control facility 3 for controlling the operations of the warehouse facilities 1, 1,..., 1 and the transport facilities 2a, 2b.
The transport facilities 2a and 2b are provided with a storage facility 2a for storing in a storey on the upper floor, and a delivery facility 2b for storing in a storey in a lower floor.
Each production part is placed on a pallet, which is a pedestal, and is carried in from a storage opening 2c of a storage facility 2a, and is stored in an arbitrary position of the designated warehouse equipment 1, 1,. It is taken out from the designated position and carried out to the exit 2d of the exit facility 2b.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a lift facility for communicating the outlet 2d and the inlet 2c.
[0004]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram specifically explaining the warehouse facility in FIG.
In FIG. 7, the warehouse facility 1 has an automatic transport vehicle 11 for transporting production parts, and a number of parts shelves 12, 12,... One bank is formed by arranging, for example, a bay 1a (arrow) at a horizontal position and a level 1b (arrow) at a vertical position are set to select a specific component shelf 12a. To store production parts.
The automatic transport vehicle 11 places the production parts via the pallets 13 and guides the pallets from the entrance and exit facilities 2a and 2b along the traveling path 15 to a predetermined bay (arrow) 1a by a guidance control device 14 for guiding. 13 is conveyed, lifted to the parts shelf 12a indicated by an elevator (not shown), and stored.
[0005]
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating control of the automatic warehouse in FIG.
In FIG. 8, the control of the automatic warehouse includes a sequence control unit 31 for controlling an overall sequence relating to entry and exit, a transport control unit 32 for controlling the entry and exit facilities 2a and 2b, and a monitoring of the progress of entry and exit. It comprises an instruction device 33 for instructing, and the guidance control device 14 described above.
The sequence control unit 31 includes, in addition to the part that controls the sequence itself, an input / output interface 31a that processes input / output of the pointing device 33, and a communication interface 31b that processes communication with a support system (not shown) that supports the automatic warehouse system. And a management unit 31c that introduces and recognizes the state of the automatic warehouse, forms control data, and sends out the control data while comprehensively managing the input / output and communication interfaces 31a and 31b. , 11 are guided through the guidance control device 14 to control the incoming and outgoing equipment 2a, 2b.
The instruction device 33 is connected to the management unit 31c via the input / output interface 31a, and is operated by automatic warehouse management software for instructing entry / exit while monitoring sequence control of entry / exit and managing inventory. .
Reference numeral 33a denotes a built-in or auxiliary floppy disk device.
[0006]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a general procedure for controlling the automatic warehouse in FIG. In FIG. 9, the control of the automatic warehouse includes a setting step S <b> 1 of management items for classifying various management items by the instruction device 33 and setting the management items in advance in the management unit 31 a, and specifying the production parts to be moved in and out by the instruction device 33. A storage / instruction instruction step S2 for instructing entry / exit, a control step S3 in which the management unit 32c controls a sequence related to management items in accordance with the entry / exit instruction, and the management unit 32c based on the result of the sequence control. And a storage step S5 of the stock status at an arbitrary interval in the stock management business. The stock management is performed while operating the automatic warehouse mechanism, and the end of the day. At the time, before lunch break, or at the time of shift of work, the stock status in the middle is saved for safety.
The management items include specification information indicating specifications regarding the form of the production parts, and a stock status indicating whether or not stock is available in each warehouse facility 1.
[0007]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart specifically illustrating the control steps of the sequence in FIG.
In FIG. 10, a control step S3 of the sequence is a transport state setting step S31 of determining a transport path in the entrance / exit facilities 2a, 2b based on an instruction of entrance / exit, forming a transport state, and setting the transport state in the management unit 31c. And a mechanical state obtaining step S32 for obtaining a mechanical operation state on this path, a final path determining step S33 for finally determining whether or not the entire path has been passed, and a sequence in the above process. The control sequence proceeds in accordance with the transport state and an error check step S34 of a sequence for determining whether or not there is an error of the production part. Step S35 of moving the transfer area to the next transfer area S on the path, and moving and entering the entire set path. And completion step S36 of completing entry and leaving the warehouse job, has a sequence in the control from the interrupted step S37 in interrupted sequence.
[0008]
In the control, if the entire route has been passed in the final route determination step S33, the entry / exit completion step S36 is performed, and if there is an error in the sequence error check step S34, the sequence interruption step S37 is performed. It is supposed to do.
However, this large-scale mechanism detects the mutual positional relationship with the movement of the automatic transport vehicle 11 and the transport equipment 2a, 2b by using a number of limit switches including mechanical contacts or optical sensors. Sometimes, due to an error in detection, the moving state in the actual transport process is different from the moving display on the indicating device 33, or the actual stock state in the warehouse equipment is different from the stock display.
In addition to this detection error, the sequence control always slightly precedes, and the detection error itself accumulates due to this precedent, so that the production parts are no longer limited to simple differences in the actual moving state. There is a case where an operator manually moves the vehicle on the automatic transport vehicle 11, the transport facilities 2a and 2b, or the warehouse facility 1.
Further, when the difference frequently occurs, it is necessary to replace a part or the whole of the automatic transport vehicle 11, the transport facilities 2a and 2b, or the warehouse facility 1 which is presumed to be the cause of the trouble, with a spare facility, Again, this will be greatly different from the moving display or the stock display. In this case, these differences are instructed on the indicating device 33 and corrected based on the past history in the transport state or the stock state stored in advance. May need to be matched.
[0009]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically illustrating the stock state saving step in FIG.
In FIG. 11, the stock status saving step S5 determines whether or not the stock status saving mode can start the stock status saving at an arbitrary interval in the above-mentioned inventory management work. The storage state determination step S41 of the stock status that can perform the storage operation, the storage content instruction step S42 instructing the content to be saved from the instruction device 33, and the floppy disk for sequentially storing the instructed content in the floppy disk 33a. It consists of a storage step S43 in the disk.
Note that S40 is a step to start saving the stock status, and S49 is a step to execute another job.
[0010]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a conventional method for restoring the stock status in the interruption step of the sequence of FIG.
In FIG. 12, the method of restoring the stock status is as follows. In the interruption step S37 of the sequence, it is determined whether or not the stock status restoration mode can start the stock status restoration during the interruption. Determination step S371 of the inventory status restoration mode in which the inventory status can be performed, restoration content instruction step S372 instructing the content to be restored from the above-described instruction device 33, and inventory status stored in the inventory status memory in the sequence controller 31. It consists of a step S373 for storing in the state memory.
In addition, 370 is a step for starting the restoration of the stock status, and 379 is a step for executing another job.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is a problem described below when trying to store the actual stock status group in the warehouse equipment one by one using the above-mentioned conventional method for storing the stock status in an automatic warehouse.
(1) Since the inventory management operation that is currently being performed is interrupted and the inventory status group is saved by offline processing, it is not possible to interrupt and repeat the operation frequently, as well as during the operation.
(2) Since the operator instructs to save manually, there is anxiety about forgetting to save in busy inventory management that must be linked with the production line, so he is not convinced, and hinders improvement in efficiency required for operation work. Was.
(3) Since all the stock status groups are stored regardless of whether the stock status has been updated, a long process is always required.
[0012]
(4) In addition, since the data is stored on a floppy disk and stored separately, an extra labor and burden is imposed on the operator, and confusion is unavoidable in the case of an emergency to be repaired due to occurrence of a stock error, and an operation error occurs during the repair. I was worried.
(5) Since the stored inventory status is mainly at the start of the business, when the inventory status is restored, it must always go up at the start of the business, and the repair work is difficult and takes a long time. did.
(6) It was not clear when the stored inventory status was preserved, and when restoring, an appropriate one was estimated based on the operator's guide.
As described above, due to the problems (1) to (6), it is not only difficult to maintain the stock status but low in reliability, but also to urgent demands on the production line, which is one of the most important goals of the production plant. I couldn't answer enough. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a method for saving and restoring the inventory status of warehouse equipment in an automatic warehouse, wherein the inventory status in the automatic warehouse can be easily restored in the event of a failure while efficiently saving the inventory status.How to save and restoreThe task is to provide
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following means.
When managing the inventory of the production parts in the warehouse equipment of the automatic warehouse that supplies the production parts to the production line under the control of the sequence controller, it is possible to automatically restore the stock state saved at a specific point in time, In the method for saving and restoring the inventory state in the warehouse, when the count value for counting the change in the event reaches a predetermined number, a storage opportunity notification step for notifying an opportunity for saving the inventory state, and the opportunity is notified. A cumulative storage step of storing the history information formed by accumulating the storage information in a fixed storage device, and notifying the requirement for restoring, and From the history corresponding to each inventory status stored in the storage device, a notification stage of a recovery requirement indicating a plurality of histories satisfying this requirement, and any inventory status can be determined by this history. And restoring the selected stock status from the fixed storage device to the memory of the sequence control device. .
[0015]
[Action]
When a trigger for storing is notified, the time information at that time is added to the stock status and transferred, the stored information is accumulated and formed as history information, and the history information is stored in the fixed storage device. You.
The storage trigger is when the count value for counting the change in the event reaches a predetermined number.
[0016]
Further, the requirement for restoration is notified, and a plurality of histories satisfying the requirement are shown from the histories corresponding to each inventory status stored in the fixed storage device. The selected stock status is actually obtained from the stock status group that has been selected and accumulated in the fixed storage device.
[0017]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention in an automatic warehouse of a factory will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are explanatory views for explaining an embodiment according to the method of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a method for saving the stock status, and FIG. 2 shows a method for restoring the same. It is.
In FIG. 1, the saving method includes a notification step S51 of a saving trigger for notifying a trigger for saving and transferring the stock state, a cumulative storing step S52 for cumulatively storing the stock state, The storage status confirmation step S53 is performed to check the storage status of the storage device.
Note that S50 is a start stage and S59 is an end stage.
[0018]
The notification step S51 of the storage opportunity is a storage opportunity when the number of times of updating the stock status reaches a predetermined number, periodically determines until the storage opportunity is reached, and when it is reached, notifies that the arrival has been reached, By this notification, information to be stored is formed by adding time information to the stock status that is not being updated at that time, and if the stock status is being updated, the information to be stored is formed and transmitted after the update process is completed. It is like.
The number of updates is initially set to, for example, about 100 times by a specific command in consideration of the frequency of entering / exiting the warehouse equipment and the ability to carry by the carrying equipment, and the value is monitored while being counted. .
[0019]
The storage trigger is not limited to the number of updates, but may use a counter or timer that determines that a periodic timing has been reached, in which case the stock status is transferred when the previous save was performed. After that, the inventory status whose contents have been updated is determined and identified based on individually attached flags or the like, and only the identified inventory status group may be transferred.
The periodic timing may be counted while controlling the sequence, or may be counted independently by a peripheral device and notified externally.
Further, a case where the control of the sequence is ended may be added to the save trigger, and in this case, it is preferable to add a time when the control of the sequence is started to the trigger of the recovery.
The time information may be, for example, a combination of year, month, day, hour, minute, and second.
[0020]
In the cumulative storing step S52, information to be stored is sequentially received to form a history information file, and the history information file is made to correspond to each stock status, and time information is accumulated to form a history selection file. Then, the history information file is stored in the fixed storage device.
If only the history information file is stored in the fixed storage device, the storage capacity can be saved. If the history selection file is additionally stored, the history selection file is formed every time the history information file is searched or updated. Since there is no need, each process in these cases can be performed quickly.
[0021]
The storage status confirmation step S53 is cumulative or continuous with the storage trigger notification step S51 between other processes in the sequence control until the storage of the inventory status in all the banks of the warehouse equipment is completed. The storing step S52 and the storing state confirming step S53 are repeatedly performed in order, so that the operator does not feel as if the operation is waiting in the frequent processing of the entering and leaving operation that is always performed.
[0022]
In FIG. 2, in the restoration method according to the present invention, a requirement for restoration can be notified, a restoration requirement notification step S371 indicating a stock history satisfying the restoration requirement, and a stock state can be selectively acquired based on the stock history. It comprises a selective acquisition step S372 and a restoration status confirmation step S373 for confirming the restoration status at that time.
In the notification step S371 of the restoration requirement, for example, the closest one to the current time is set as the restoration requirement, and ten items are shown as the inventory history retroactively from the last saved inventory state.
[0023]
The recovery requirement may add the fact that a sequence control error has occurred.In this case, the error occurrence time is compared with the inventory history, the relevant inventory history is highlighted, and the inventory status immediately before the error occurrence is displayed. It is also possible to indicate to the operator, or to indicate to the operator the stock status sufficiently before the occurrence of the inventory abnormality due to the error in the sequence control.
In addition, the operator may directly instruct the display. In this case, an arbitrary specific time is input by a key, and an operation before or after this time is operated. It can also be shown to a member or the same number of cases before and after that.
[0024]
The optional acquisition step S372 shows a stock history display screen, which will be described in detail later, to the operator, and processes the screen operation in accordance with the operator's instructions, and stores the specified stock status in the stock history in the fixed storage device. To be obtained selectively from In the restoration status confirmation step S373, the restoration requirement notification step S371, the selective acquisition step S372, and the restoration status confirmation step S373 are repeatedly performed until an inventory state that can confirm the cancellation of the restoration requirement is acquired. The designation can be performed interactively with the operator.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing an apparatus using the method of the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In FIG. 3, the apparatus includes a second sequence control device 35 according to the method of the present invention, a storage device 37 having a fixed storage device 38 for storing various information of the second sequence control device 35, And a second instruction device group 36a, 36b, 36c for instructing the sequence control device 35 of FIG.
[0026]
The second indicating devices 36a, 36b and 36c display the specifications of the production parts and the graphics relating to the control state of the automatic warehouse 1 in a preset manner, and indicate a specific position and management work in the automatic warehouse 1 in a second sequence. The operator inputs the information to the control device 35, confirms the control state, and instructs the operation related to loading and unloading of the production parts by pressing the graphic.
One of the second indicating devices 36a, 36b, 36c is at the above-mentioned entrance 2c, the other is at the exit 2d, and the other is a comprehensive monitoring and spare machine including the stock status. , So that the entry instruction, the exit instruction and the correction operation of the stock state can be performed independently.
[0027]
One or two devices may be used as long as each device is shared, and four or more devices may be additionally used for a combined use.
Specifically, it is realized by a known touch panel or touch screen having a CRT or LCD display, in which a plurality of screens are initialized, an arbitrary graphic is designed, and assigned to a specific portion of the graphic. When the operator presses each of the divided areas, the system generates an instruction corresponding to the divided area and sends it out. It is only necessary to touch a part of the command and instruct the automatic warehouse system.
[0028]
The second sequence controller 35 includes a second input / output interface 35a that receives an instruction for a warehouse operation from a plurality of second instruction devices 36a, 36b, and 36c and notifies a control state of the automatic warehouse, and a storage device 37. A second communication interface 35b that provides various types of information to be stored while communicating with the second communication unit, and a second management unit 35c that comprehensively manages the second input / output and communication interfaces 35a and 35b. In addition, the same functions as those of the first sequence control device 31 described above can be executed.
Specifically, this is realized by a known sequence controller, sequencer, or the like, but other means may be used as long as they have a programmable control unit.
[0029]
The storage device 37 includes software such as a monitor program developed for use in the second sequence control device 35 and the second instruction devices 36a, 36b, and 36c. There is no difference from the system.
The second input / output interface 35a has an input / output buffer for each of the second instruction devices 36a, 36b, and 36c that accepts an operator's instruction while specifying the type of the display screen, and specifies these types. , And each input / output buffer is connected to the second management unit 35c via a multiplexer that collects instruction reception from each.
[0030]
The second management unit 35c includes an application program that manages entry / exit and inventory, and the application program monitors an operation state by an entry / exit setting unit that sets sequence control according to an entry / exit instruction. And a state monitoring unit that adjusts the sequence control, and is connected to the second communication interface 35b via a common memory.
The status monitoring unit, when a transfer error or inventory error occurs, instructs an interrupt process in the entry / exit setting unit to start correcting the transfer error or inventory error, and also monitors time in each process of sequence control. And time management.
In addition, each correction can be performed by an operator as required, and the entry / exit setting unit can independently perform the correction.
[0031]
FIG. 4 specifically shows a part of the apparatus in FIG.
In FIG. 4, the second communication interface 35b communicates with the storage device 37 while cooperating with the sequence management unit 35c, and issues a save / restore command communication unit 351 for instructing save / restore. In accordance with the command, the stock status is received from the sequence management unit 35c, information to be stored is formed and sent to the storage device 37, and information to be obtained from the storage device 37 is received in accordance with the command to form information to be restored. And a save / recovery information transfer unit 352 for sending the data to the sequence management unit 35c.
[0032]
The sequence management unit 35c includes a common storage unit 353 that stores the stock status and the transport status, and shares the common storage unit 353 with the second communication interface 35b, the second input / output interface 35a, and the like. The common storage unit 353 mediates between the second communication interface 35b and the second input / output interface 35a, and the stock status and the transport status are used as common information.
The storage trigger or the recovery trigger described above may be generated and notified by the second communication interface 35b or the sequence management unit 35c, or may be generated and notified by the storage device 37.
[0033]
The storage device 37 receives and stores information to be stored in accordance with a command from the storage and acquisition command communication unit 371, and a storage and acquisition command communication unit 371 that communicates with the storage and recovery command communication unit 351 to instruct storage and acquisition. The information to be formed is stored in the fixed storage device 38, and the information to be obtained is also received from the fixed storage device 38 in accordance with the command, and the information to be recovered is formed and transmitted to the storage / recovery information transfer unit 352. It includes a transfer unit 372 and a storage acquisition management unit 373 that manages the storage acquisition command communication unit 371 and the storage acquisition information transfer unit 372 as a whole.
[0034]
When the information to be stored is formed, the last stored inventory state group is read from the fixed storage device 38, and only the updated inventory state group is replaced thereafter to form the information to be stored this time. Good.
The history selection file and the history information file formed in the fixed storage device 38 are arranged so as to delete a predetermined number or more of the stock status from the latest one in order.
Here, the screen displayed on the second instruction device 35 in FIG. 2 will be described in detail with reference to each stage in FIG.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a stock history screen at the selective storage stage in FIG.
In FIG. 5, the stock history screen shows the current date and time, a stock history restoration declaration column F1 indicating the stock status restoration operation, and an actual stock status for selecting the stock status to be restored. A history content field F2 for displaying the content of the history and an operation guidance field F3 for guiding various key operation methods and the like on this screen and indicating various notes are provided.
The history content column F2 shows items related to the opportunity for restoring the stock status, and also displays a stock history table F20 specifically showing the stock history.
[0036]
The stock history table F20 arranges a predetermined number of storage date and time areas F21, F22, and F23 indicating the date and time of each stock status stored in order from the latest one. An instruction prompting area F29 for prompting the input of the next instruction in the state restoration work is additionally formed, so that any one of them can be designated while moving the column cursor F24 to each of the storage date / time areas F21, F22, and F23. Has become.
Further, the storage date / time areas F21, F21 or F22, F22,..., F22 of the same date are put together into one group, and each group is alternately emphasized to make it easy to distinguish.
The predetermined number can be set arbitrarily, but for example, about 10 is easy to distinguish.
[0037]
Next, in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, a procedure in which the operator selects and restores the stock history will be described in detail in comparison with a procedure for correcting the stock state.
First, when the sequence is interrupted, the storage device 37 blinks the pattern located at the warehouse facility where the mechanical failure has occurred on the screen for displaying the entire automatic warehouse in a plan view.
The operator visually grasps the situation in the actual automated warehouse, investigates the warehouse equipment that has actually failed, and checks the stock status of this warehouse equipment, and if necessary, the specifications of the production parts in the storage shelf. Correct the information.
[0038]
At this time, if the interruption of this sequence is caused by a stock error, the stock history screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed in the notification step S371 of the recovery requirement in FIG.
Next, the operator moves the column cursor on the screen while operating the cursor keys, selects and specifies an arbitrary stock state from the stock history table, and presses the execution key for displaying on a new screen. And observe the stock status.
When the execution key is pressed, the specified stock status is transferred from the storage device 37 to the common memory of the second management unit 35c via the second communication interface 35b. Can be provided.
[0039]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the configuration of each area in the inventory history screen of FIG. 5, various modes are allowed based on actual inventory management of inventory status. Alternatively, the columns and regions displayed therein may be colored, enlarged, or emphasized by graphics or animation.
In addition, even if the sequence is not interrupted due to an inventory error or a transfer error, the sequence may be interrupted and corrected by a manual instruction of an operator. During the interruption, various items may be selected from among the past histories in the transport state or the stock state so that the optimum one may be automatically replaced. Of course, changes can be made.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the stock status is saved by online processing while the stock management work is being performed, the storage can be repeated frequently without interrupting the work being performed.
(2) Since there is no need for the operator to manually instruct storage, even in busy inventory management that must be linked with the production line, there is no fear of forgetting to save, and the efficiency required for operation work can be improved. .
(3) It is determined whether or not the stock status has been updated, and only the updated one is selectively transferred and stored, so that the processing time required for the transfer is reduced.
[0041]
(4) Since the data is stored in the fixed storage device and stored automatically, no extra labor and burden is imposed on the operator, and even in the event of an out-of-stock condition, confusion during repair does not occur and an operation error occurs. There is no worry.
(5) Since there are a plurality of stored stock statuses immediately before the occurrence of the stock status deviation, the stock status can be always repaired by using the latest one, and the repair work is easy and short.
(6) It is possible to clearly see when the stored inventory status was saved and determine the latest one when a failure occurs.
As described above, according to (1) to (6), the stock status can be easily and reliably stored, and it is possible to sufficiently respond to the urgent request of the production line, which is one of the most important goals of the production factory. The inventory status in an automated warehouse can be easily restored in the event of a failure while efficiently storing the inventory status.How to save and restoreCan be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment according to a storing method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment according to a restoration method of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing an apparatus using the method of the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 specifically shows a part of the apparatus in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a screen of a stock history in a selective storage stage of FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a general automatic warehouse system that manages a stock state while controlling conventional warehouse equipment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram specifically explaining the warehouse equipment in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating control of the automatic warehouse in FIG. 7;
9 is a flowchart showing a general procedure for controlling the automatic warehouse in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart specifically illustrating control steps of the sequence in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart specifically illustrating a stock state saving step in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional method for restoring the stock status in the interruption step of the sequence of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ···· Warehouse facilities 2a, 2b · · · Warehousing facilities
11 ····························
15: Guidance control device 32: Transport control device
35 ... sequence control device 36a, 36b, 36c ... second indicating device
S50, S370: Starting stage S51: Notification stage of storage trigger
S52: cumulative storage stage S53: storage status confirmation stage
S59, S379 ... Ending stage S371 ... Recovery requirement notification stage
S372: selective storage stage S373: storage status confirmation stage

Claims (1)

When managing the inventory of the production parts in the warehouse equipment of the automatic warehouse that supplies the production parts to the production line under the control of the sequence controller, it is possible to automatically restore the stock state saved at a specific point in time, In the method of preserving and restoring the inventory status in the warehouse,
When the count value for counting the change in the event reaches a predetermined number, a notification step of a storage trigger for notifying a trigger for storing the inventory state ,
When the trigger is notified, a cumulative storage step in which time information is added to the stock state to form storage information and history information formed by storing the storage information and stored in a fixed storage device,
Notifying the requirement to be able to recover, from the history corresponding to each inventory status stored in the fixed storage device, a notification step of a recovery requirement indicating a plurality of histories satisfying this requirement,
Selecting any one of the stock states based on the history , and restoring the stock state in which the selected stock state is transferred from the fixed storage device to the memory of the sequence control device. How to save and restore inventory status in automated warehouses.

Images