JP3819802B2 - Conveyor system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a conveyor system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The penetration rate of purchasing systems that perform shopping via fax and the Internet is increasing year by year. In this case, the side receiving the product order functions as a FAX-OCR server or a web server, and constructs an order database.
[0003]
In other words, an order for a plurality of items or a single item received via fax or the Internet is immediately transmitted as data to the distribution center on the order receiving side by the computer system. The computer of the distribution center automatically assigns a number to each individual product, flows the product on the conveyor for each order item, and delivers it after packing.
[0004]
Briefly explaining the flow until the product is packed, the computer issues a form such as an order list, a delivery note, an invoice or a tag. These issued documents are placed in a transport box that flows over the conveyor. Workers are arranged along the conveyor, and the workers take out a plurality or one of the ordered products from the commodity shelf according to the order list placed in the transport box flowing through the conveyor and put it in the transport box. When all the ordered products are placed in the transport box, the transport box is transferred to the packing work execution area (hereinafter referred to as the packing work place), where the products are refilled into cardboard cases, etc., and packing is completed. Carried to.
[0005]
In this specification, the start point in such a conveyor system for conveying goods is referred to as an order start point (hereinafter referred to as “OS”). The final point of loading on the delivery company's truck after completion of packing in the packing work place is called a shipping place. Furthermore, picking up the ordered product from the product shelf by the operator and placing it in the transport box is called picking for convenience.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Until now, conveyors have been installed in a straight line, and various product shelves have been arranged along the conveyor. Then, when the ordered product has a plurality of different types, the worker puts the product into the transport box from the corresponding various product shelves.
[0007]
The arrangement and occupied area of the merchandise shelf are determined by the number of all the merchandise ordered so far and other factors. Statistically, the most appropriate product shelf arrangement and occupied area are determined from previous experience, but they are not always as planned.
[0008]
For example, the number of goods flowing on a conveyor may be high in the morning but low in the afternoon. The same phenomenon occurs with different days of the week and seasons. If the number of ordered products is larger than the planned quantity, the transport box will be congested on the conveyor, preventing the smooth flow of the products.
[0009]
Therefore, as means for avoiding the traffic jam, the applicant of the present application proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-239528 a system that directly introduces a conveyor line to an area where product shelves are arranged.
[0010]
This conveyor system has a plurality of sub-conveyer lines (hereinafter referred to as “sub-transport lines”) that branch off from the main transport line (hereinafter referred to as “main transport line”), and a product shelf is placed around the sub-transport lines. It is to arrange. A zone including the sub-conveying line and surrounding product shelves is regarded as an island (hereinafter referred to as “island”), and the conveyor system having the island is referred to as an island-type conveyor system (unless otherwise specified). This conveyor system is called “island method”.
[0011]
In the island method, when a transport box having the order list flows on the main transport line to an island where the products listed in the order list placed in the transport box are placed on the product shelf, the transport box is transferred to the main transport line. Turn from the line toward the island's sub-transport line and then enter the island.
[0012]
On the island, a product picked from the product shelf is placed in a transport box.
[0013]
Moreover, the sub conveyance line branched from the main conveyance line joins the main conveyance line in an annular form on the downstream side. Then, picking is performed by an operator in the sub-conveyance line while the transport box flows through the sub-conveyance line. Therefore, the sub transport line is hereinafter referred to as a picking line. The transport box eventually returns to the main transport line, and is finally subjected to the packing and delivery work as before on the main transport line. In the main transport line, an intermediate part between the OS and the packing workshop is referred to as an intermediate area. Each island is called a picking zone for convenience.
[0014]
According to such a conveyor system employing the island method, the number of transport boxes flowing through the main transport line is reduced by that amount while the transport boxes are drawn into the picking zone. That is, the transport box stops at the picking zone where the products listed in its own order list are placed, and does not stop at the picking zone unrelated to the products listed in its own order list.
[0015]
Therefore, out of a plurality of transport boxes flowing on the main transport line, another transport box positioned in front of a certain transport box stops at the picking zone related to the list based on the order list placed therein. For example, a space corresponding to the absence of the separate transport box is created in front of the transport box located behind the transport box, so that it is easy to avoid the congestion of the transport box in the main transport line.
[0016]
By the way, even if there is a picking zone, if there are orders that cannot be processed in the existing picking zone, there is still a possibility that a traffic jam will occur.
[0017]
Even if the transport box is pulled into the picking zone, the picking line is joined to the main transport line, so that the transport box returns to the main transport line after the picking is completed. This is because packing and shipping operations are performed on the main transfer line. In other words, the avoidance of traffic congestion due to the use of the picking zone is only temporary, and the load on the main transport line is not reduced when viewed as a whole conveyor system.
[0018]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to provide a conveyor system that can further reduce congestion and reduce the load on the main conveyance line. is there.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention employs the following means.
[0020]
In other words, the conveyor system of the present invention packs and ships products in a transport box that has already been picked prior to products in other transport boxes that have not been picked, and as a result, the number of transport boxes that flow through the main transport line. Is intended to decrease.
[0021]
As a specific means for that purpose, a bypass line connecting the packing work place where packing is performed in the main transport line and the picking zone is provided, picking to the transport box in the specific picking zone is completed, and the picking is performed to the transport box. In the case of the last input of goods, the product is moved at a stroke toward the packing work place in the main transport line through the bypass line, that is, without passing the transport box through the main transport line.
[0022]
That is, in the present invention, a passage for discharging the transport box directly to the packing work place is provided in each picking zone. Therefore, when the picking to the transport box is final in the picking zone, the transport box warps as if in the packing work place without passing through the intermediate area in the main transport line.
[0023]
  To describe the present invention in more detail, a main transport line that transports a transport box into which goods are charged in a ring in one direction, and a transport box supply unit that supplies the transport box to the main transport line via a supply path; A plurality of sub-conveying lines that branch off and return to the main conveying line, a merchandise shelf placed along the sub-conveying line and loaded with merchandise to be put into the carrying box, and merchandise is thrown from the merchandise shelf The transporting box is transferred via an unloading path branched from the main transport line, and the packing means for packing the product in the transferred transport box, the packing means and the sub-transport line directly Means for determining whether or not a product packed in a transport box in the sub-transport line is a final product to be put into the transport box based on product ordering information; As a result, if it is determined that the last product has been thrown in, the transport box in which the last product has been thrown in does not return to the main transport line from the sub transport line via the bypass line. It can be said that it is a conveyor system having direct conveyance control means for controlling to convey directly to the packing means.
[0024]
  The conveyor system according to the present invention includes a rearrangement unit that rearranges the order information of the products in a predetermined priority, and a transport to the main transport line based on the order information of the products rearranged by the rearrangement unit. A delivery instruction unit for instructing the supply of boxes, and the delivery instruction unit instructs the supply of the transport box to the main transport line based on the ordering information of the rearranged products..
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the conveyor system of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0027]
The conveyor system 2 which is embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the conveyor system 2.
[0028]
The conveyor system 2 includes a conveyor device 10 and a conveyor control system 20 that is a control device thereof.
[0029]
The conveyor device 10 includes an annular main transport line 104, a plurality of picking lines 101a, 102a, and 103a that branch and return to the main transport line 104, and various types of devices disposed along the picking lines 101a, 102a, and 103a. Product shelves (101b, 101c, 102b, 102c, 103b, 103c). When a product placed on the various product shelves is picked in a transport box (not shown) flowing on the main transport line 104, the product is returned from the picking lines 101a, 102a, 103a to the main transport line 104, and the main transport line The product in the transport box is packed in the packing work place 106b which is a packing means for transferring the product in the transport box in 104 to a cardboard box and performing the packing operation.
[0030]
Moreover, the packing work place 106b and each picking line 101a, 102a, 103a are connected by the bypass line 300, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, only a bypass line 300 that connects the picking line 102a and the packing work place 106b is shown for convenience.
[0031]
The bypass line 300 passes through the bypass line 300 when the packing of the product into the transport box in each of the picking lines 101a, 102a, 103a is completed, and the packing is the final product input into the transport box. The transport box in which the final product is put into the packing work place 106b is transported directly from the sub transport line to the packing work place 106b without returning to the main transport line 104.
[0032]
The system will be described in detail below.
[0033]
The conveyor apparatus 10 has a plurality of picking zones around a main conveyance line 104 that cyclically conveys a conveyance box into which goods are placed in one direction. In this embodiment, an example in which the A zone 101, the B zone 102, and the C zone 103 are provided from the upstream side in the conveyance direction (counterclockwise) of the main conveyance line 104 is illustrated.
[0034]
In the A zone 101, product shelves 101b and 101c for storing products classified by type are arranged, and a picking line 101a is arranged so as to go around the product shelves 101b and 101c.
[0035]
Similarly, the B zone 102 is provided with product shelves 102b and 102c and a picking line 102a, and the C zone 103 is provided with product shelves 103b and 103c and a picking line 103a.
[0036]
The picking lines 101a, 102a, and 103a receive a transport box from the main transport line 104 by a transfer device such as a branch roller or a pusher (not shown). Then, the transport box is transported in each picking zone, and picking is performed between them. If picking in another zone needs to be performed even after picking in that zone is completed, the transport box is flowed to another zone via the main transport line 104. If the picking in the zone is the final picking, the transport box is flowed to the packing work place 106b via the bypass line 300.
[0037]
A transport box supply unit 105 that supplies an empty transport box (not shown) is connected to the upstream side of the A zone 101 via a supply path 105a. Product ordering information including product ordering instructions is associated with the empty transport box supplied from the transport box supply unit 105. As an associating method, it is conceivable that paper printed out as a list of product ordering information is put into a transport box, or a barcode is pasted on the outer surface of the transport box. In this embodiment, the transport box supply unit 105 is positioned as the OS described above. In the main transport line, an intermediate portion between the OS as the start end and the packing work place 106b as the end is referred to as an intermediate area.
[0038]
The transport box supply unit 105 is electrically connected to the conveyor control system 20 via signal lines 110 and 111. In response to a delivery instruction from the conveyor control system 20, the empty transport box is delivered to the supply path 105a. When an empty transport box is sent out by the transport box supply unit 105, a message to that effect is transmitted to the conveyor control system 20 (details will be described later).
[0039]
A product carry-out section 106 is connected to the main carry line 104 via a carry-out path 106a on the downstream side of the C zone 103. The picking box after picking is transferred to the carry-out path 106 a by the transfer device and sent to the product carry-out unit 106.
[0040]
The product carry-out unit 106 includes the packing work place 106b and a sorter (not shown) for sorting the goods packed in the packing work place 106b according to delivery destinations.
[0041]
When the products are sorted by the sorter, the products are discharged to a shooter (not shown) for each delivery destination. The place where this shooter is located is called the shipping area. After that, it is loaded into a delivery truck waiting at the shipping place for each delivery destination and sent to a delivery center in each place.
[0042]
The main transport line 104 includes a transport box collection unit 107 that collects transport boxes that have not been picked. The transport box collection unit 107 is connected to the main transport line 104 via a transport box collection path 107a. Then, after passing through the transport box collection path 107a, the transport box is recovered by the transfer device. When the transport box is collected, the contents of the transport box are inspected by an operator, and the shortage items that have not been picked are replenished. Thereafter, the products in the transport box are packed in a cardboard box and sent to the sorter of the product carry-out unit 106.
[0043]
The main conveyance line 104, the picking lines 101a to 103a, the supply path 105a, and the carry-out path 106a are roller conveyors on which a plurality of drive rollers (not shown) are arranged to form a conveyance surface. The drive roller is always driven during the operation of the conveyor system 2 and conveys the transport box placed on the transport surface in one direction.
[0044]
Carrying box counters 108a, 108b, and 108c are installed at branch portions from the main conveying line 104 to the picking lines 101a to 103a, respectively. The transport box counters 108a to 108c count the number of transport boxes that move from the main transport line 104 to the picking lines 101a to 103a.
[0045]
In addition, transport box counters 108d, 108e, and 108f are installed at the junction from the picking lines 101a to 103a to the main transport line 104. The transport box counters 108d to 108f count the number of transport boxes that move from the picking lines 101a to 103a to the main transport line 104.
[0046]
These transport box counters 108 a to 108 f are electrically connected to the conveyor control system 20 through a signal line 109. The number of transport boxes counted by the transport box counters 108a to 108f is transmitted to the conveyor control system 20 via the signal line 109 (details will be described later). Examples of the transport box counters 108a to 108f include photoelectric sensors.
[0047]
Carrying box counters 112 and 114 are installed at branches from the main conveying line 104 to the carry-out path 106a and the collection path 107a, respectively. The transport box counters 112 and 114 count the number of transport boxes that move to the carry-out path 106a and the recovery path 107a.
[0048]
Further, the transport box counters 112 and 114 are electrically connected to the conveyor control system 20 via signal lines 113 and 115, respectively, and the counted number of transport boxes is conveyed via the signal lines 113 and 115 to the conveyor control system 20. (Details will be described later). As the transport box counters 112 and 114, photoelectric sensors can be exemplified.
[0049]
The conveyor control system 20 will be described.
[0050]
The conveyor control system 20 is physically a computer system (eg, workstation, personal computer) equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, a display device such as a display, and a storage device such as a hard disk. Computer). The conveyor control system 20 exchanges information with a terminal 30 such as an ordering personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “ordering terminal”) 30 via a communication line 40 such as a wide area network. The conveyor control system 20 is electrically connected to the conveyor device 10 as described above, and can exchange information.
[0051]
The conveyor control system 20 includes, as its functional components, a reception unit 201, a rearrangement unit 202, a measurement unit 203, a transmission instruction unit 204, an order information storage unit 205, a rank information storage unit 206, and a transmission. An information storage unit 207 and a position information storage unit 208 are provided. Next, each of these components will be described.
[0052]
The receiving unit 201 receives product ordering information from the ordering terminal 30 via the communication line 40. An example of the received product ordering information is shown in FIG. The product order information includes information such as the orderer, delivery destination, and order date, as well as the name and quantity of the ordered product. See FIG. 2 for specific examples of such information.
[0053]
The receiving unit 201 sends the received product ordering information to the ordering information storage unit 205. In this embodiment, the product ordering information is received via the communication line 40. However, even if the operator inputs the product ordering information received by, for example, a fax to the conveyor control system 20 using an input device such as a keyboard. Good.
[0054]
The order information storage unit 205 stores the product order information received from the receiving unit 201 in a list format. An example of the product order information stored in the order information storage unit 205 is shown in FIG.
[0055]
The product ordering information corresponds to the order numbers given in the order of receiving the product ordering information. Each order number includes a product name and the number thereof, service contents, a delivery destination, a delivery company, regional information 1, and regional information 2.
[0056]
“Service content” indicates a mode of delivering a product. In this embodiment, “service delivery” and “winning” are shown. “Immediate delivery” is a delivery mode in which shipment is made promptly after an order is received, and “Delivery” is a delivery mode in which delivery is completed on the day of the order. In addition, there is a form such as “next distribution” in which delivery is completed the next day when an order is received, or “redistribution” in which redistribution is performed for some reason.
[0057]
“Regional information 1” is a region code assigned to each delivery company, and is individually determined according to the size and business type of the delivery company.
[0058]
“Regional information 2” is a regional code assigned regardless of the delivery company, and may be a postal code, for example.
[0059]
The order information storage unit 206 stores priority order information when the product order information stored in the order information storage unit 205 is rearranged. An example of priority information stored in the rank information storage unit 206 is shown in FIG. The priority information includes “service contents” shown in FIG. 4A, “region information 1” shown in FIG. 4B, “delivery company” shown in FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D. There is information such as “Regional information 2”. These priority orders can be rewritten arbitrarily.
[0060]
The rearrangement unit 202 rearranges the product order information stored in the order information storage unit 205 based on the priority order information stored in the order information storage unit 206, and displays the rearranged result as the transmission information storage unit 207. It is a part to send to.
[0061]
The rearrangement unit 202 rearranges the product order information stored in the order information storage unit 205 by using any one or a plurality of priority order information stored in the order information storage unit 206. An example of the ordering information rearranged by the rearrangement unit 202 is shown in FIG. When “delivery trader” is selected as the priority order information, the product ordering information is rearranged in the order of the order numbers 002, 001, 003 as shown in FIG. Further, when “region information 2” is selected as the priority order information, the product ordering information is rearranged in the order of the order numbers 002, 003, and 001, as shown in FIG.
[0062]
The transmission information storage unit 207 is a part that stores the rearranged product ordering information received from the rearrangement unit 202. An example of the product ordering information stored in the sending information storage unit 207 is the same as the product ordering information shown in FIG.
[0063]
The position information storage unit 208 is a part that stores position information indicating which product is located in which zone of the conveyor device 10 and information on the number of transport boxes that can be received by each conveyor line of the conveyor device 10. An example of information stored in the position information storage unit 208 is shown in FIG.
[0064]
FIG. 6A is an example of position information. The first alphabet of information stored in the position field of FIG. 6A indicates the zone of the conveyor device 10. For example, “eraser” indicates that it is in the B zone 102.
[0065]
The numbers after the alphabet indicate the position in the zone.
[0066]
Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the commodity shelf 101b as an example in order to explain the position in the zone.
[0067]
The commodity shelf 101b includes a first column 150 and a second column 151. The first row 150 and the second row 151 are further divided into the front direction and the vertical direction, the front direction is divided into the first series 160 to the sixth series 165, and the vertical direction is divided into the first stage 180 to the third stage 182. Yes. The frontage direction is further divided into a first face 170 and a second face 171.
[0068]
The position in the zone is specified by a matrix display using these “row”, “ream”, “stage”, and “face”. For example, since the position 190 is “A zone-first row-fourth series-first stage-second face”, it can be expressed as “A-01-04-01-02”. Therefore, according to FIG. 6 (a), the eraser is located in "B zone-first row-second series-third stage-first face", so that "A-01-02-03-" 01 ".
[0069]
FIG. 6B is an example of information stored in the position information storage unit 208, and shows the number of transport boxes that can be received by each conveyor line of the conveyor device 10. In this example, the main transfer line 104 of the conveyor apparatus 10 has 100 transfer boxes, the picking line 101a has 30 transfer boxes, the picking line 102a has 45 transfer boxes, and the picking line 103a has 23 transfers. Indicates that each box is acceptable. These numbers are appropriately determined according to the physical length and the conveying speed of each conveyor line. In the case of the present embodiment, the number is set to 60% to 70% when the conveyor box is full in each conveyor line.
[0070]
The measuring unit 203 measures the number of transport boxes in the main transport line 104 and the picking lines 101 a to 103 a of the conveyor device 10.
[0071]
That is, the measuring unit 203 is electrically connected to each of the transport box supply unit 105, the transport box counters 108a to 108f, and the transport box counters 112 and 114, and receives the electrical signals from the transport box supply unit 105 and each of the counters. By receiving, the number of transport boxes in the main transport line 104 and the picking lines 101a to 103a is measured.
[0072]
Further, when the measuring unit 203 receives the number of transport boxes supplied from the transport box supply unit 105 to the main transport line 104, the measuring unit 203 adds the supply number to the number of transport boxes staying in the main transport line 104 (Fm). Perform the operation.
[0073]
Further, when the measuring unit 203 receives the number of transport boxes counted from the transport box counters 108a to 108c and the transport box counters 112 and 114, the measuring unit 203 calculates the number of transport boxes staying in the main transport line 104 (Fm). The number corresponding to the reception number is subtracted.
[0074]
In addition, the measurement unit 203 adds the number of transport boxes received from the transport box counters 108a to 108c to the number of stays (Fpa to Fpc) of the transport boxes of the corresponding picking lines 101a to 103a.
[0075]
Furthermore, when the measuring unit 203 receives the number of transport boxes counted by the transport box counters 108d to 108f, the number of reception of each counter from the number of transport box stays (Fpa to Fpc) of the corresponding picking lines 101a to 103a. And is added to the staying number (Fm) of the transport box of the main transport line 104.
[0076]
In this way, the measuring unit 203 measures the staying numbers (Fm, Fpa to Fpc) of the respective transport boxes of the main transport line 104 and the picking lines 101a to 103a, and sends them to the sending instruction unit 204.
[0077]
The sending instruction unit 204 is stored in the sending information storage unit 207 and the staying numbers (Fm, Fpa to Fpc) of the respective transport boxes of the main transport line 104 and the picking lines 101 a to 103 a received from the measuring unit 203. Based on the merchandise ordering information and the position information stored in the position information storage unit 208, the conveyance box supply unit 105 of the conveyor apparatus 10 is instructed to supply the transfer box.
[0078]
The sending instruction unit 204 reads the product ordering information located at the head of the product ordering information stored in the sending information storage unit 207. In the case of FIG. 5A, the product ordering information specified by the order number 002.
[0079]
The sending instruction unit 204 reads position information corresponding to the ordered product included in the read product ordering information from the position information storage unit 208. If the order number is 002, the product is “tea” and the position information is “C-02-01-03-01”.
[0080]
Further, the sending instruction unit 204 determines whether or not the picking line 103a corresponding to the position information “C-02-01-03-01” can accept the transport box. As an example of the determination method, the staying number (Fpc) of the picking line 103a in the picking line 103a measured by the measuring unit 203 and the number of picking boxes that can be accepted by the picking line 103a stored in the position information storage unit 208 ( Cpc) and if Fpc <Cpc, it is determined that the picking line 103a can further accept the transport box.
[0081]
The sending instruction unit 204 determines whether or not the main transport line 104 can accept the transport box. If it can be accepted, the transport box supply unit 105 of the conveyor apparatus 10 is instructed to supply the transport box associated with the order number 002.
[0082]
In addition, the sending instruction unit 204 determines whether or not all the product ordering information stored in the sending information storage unit 207 has been processed. This determination is a criterion for determining whether or not the packing into the transport box in each of the picking lines 101a to 103a is the final product input.
[0083]
As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the last picking to the transport box, after de facto packing of goods in each picking line, via the bypass line 300, that is, the main transport line 104 The transfer box automatically and directly moves to the packing work place 106b without shifting.
[0084]
Whether or not the product has actually been packed is determined based on the weight check system known in the art and the known weight checker system that checks whether there is no error between the product listed in the order list and the contents of the box packing. This is realized by inspection work using a code checker.
[0085]
Therefore, the delivery instruction unit 204, the weight checker system, and the bar code checker can be said to be means for determining whether or not the packing into the transport box in the picking lines 101a to 103a is the last product input into the transport box. .
[0086]
Next, the control method of the conveyor apparatus 10 is demonstrated using the conveyor control system 20 which is this embodiment.
[0087]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart thereof. Each step in this flowchart is expressed as S01 if, for example, step 01 using the abbreviation S.
[0088]
In S01, the receiving unit 201 of the conveyor control system 20 is in a standby state for receiving product ordering information. If a positive determination is made in S01, the process proceeds to S02. If a negative determination is made, this step is repeated until a positive determination is made.
[0089]
In S02, when the receiving unit 201 receives the product ordering information, the product ordering information is stored in the ordering information storage unit 205.
[0090]
In S03, the rearrangement unit 202 stores the order information storage unit 205 in the order information storage unit 205 based on the priority information stored in the order information storage unit 206 at a timing when the reception unit 201 receives the product order information or a timing determined separately. Sort stored product ordering information.
[0091]
In S04, the ordering information sorted by the sorting unit 202 is sent to the sending information storage unit 207, and the sending information storage unit 207 stores the received ordering information in the sorted order.
[0092]
In S <b> 05, the measuring unit 203 measures the number of stays in the transport box of the main transport line 104 based on the information received from the conveyor device 10. The measured number of stays in the transport box of the main transport line 104 is sent to the delivery instruction unit 204.
[0093]
In S06, together with the information stored in the position information storage unit 208, the sending instruction unit 204 determines whether or not the main transport line 104 can further accept a transport box. Here, if the main transport line 104 cannot accept the transport box, the main transport line 104 waits until the main transport line 104 can accept the transport box. If a positive determination is made in S06, the process proceeds to S07, and if a negative determination is made, this step is repeated until a positive determination is made.
[0094]
In S07, when it is determined that the main transport line 104 can further accept a transport box, the measurement unit 203 measures the number of stays in the transport box of the picking lines 101a to 103a based on the information received from the conveyor device 10.
[0095]
In S12, it is determined whether or not the last product is put into the transport box. If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to S13, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S08.
In S13, the transfer box containing the goods is transferred to the packing work place 106b via the bypass line 300.
[0096]
In S08, which proceeds when a negative determination is made in S12, the staying number of the transport boxes of the picking lines 101a to 103a measured in S07 is sent to the sending instruction unit 204. Then, based on the information stored in the position information storage unit 208 and the information stored in the transmission information storage unit 207, it is determined whether or not it is possible to accept further transport boxes of the picking lines 101a to 103a. This is done by the unit 204. If an affirmative determination is made in S08, the process proceeds to S09, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to S10.
[0097]
In S09, if the picking lines 101a to 103a can accept the transport box, the transport box supply unit 105 of the conveyor apparatus 10 is instructed to supply the transport box associated with the top product ordering information.
[0098]
If the picking lines 101a to 103a are not capable of accepting the transport box in S10, which is the case where a negative determination is made in S08, the sending instruction unit 204 determines the next product ordering information stored in the sending information storage unit 207. Similar processing is performed to determine whether or not the corresponding picking lines 101a to 103a can accept the transport box. If a positive determination is made in S10, the process proceeds to S11. If a negative determination is made, this step is repeated until a positive determination is made.
[0099]
In S11, if the corresponding picking lines 101a to 103a can accept the transport box, an instruction is transmitted to the transport box supply unit 105 of the conveyor apparatus 10 so as to supply the transport box associated with the next sending information.
[0100]
On the other hand, if the corresponding picking lines 101a to 103a cannot accept the transport box, the same processing is performed for the next product ordering information. The sending instruction unit 204 repeats step S07 and subsequent steps until all the product ordering information stored in the sending information storage unit 207 is processed.
[0101]
Next, a conveyor control program 92 for causing a computer to function as the conveyor control system 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention and a computer-readable recording medium 9 on which the program is recorded will be described.
[0102]
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the recording medium 9 on which the conveyor control program 92 is recorded. Examples of the recording medium 9 include a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, and a memory built in the computer.
[0103]
As shown in FIG. 9, the recording medium 9 includes a program area 91 for recording a program and a data area 93 for recording data. The data area 93 includes an order information database 931 similar to the order information storage unit 205 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, and rank information similar to the order information storage unit 206 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. A database 932, a transmission information database 933 similar to the transmission information storage unit 207 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, and a position similar to the position information storage unit 208 described with reference to FIGS. An information database 934 is stored.
[0104]
In the program area 91, a conveyor control program 92 is recorded. The conveyor control program 92 includes a main module 921 that supervises processing, a reception module 922, a rearrangement module 923, a measurement module 924, and a transmission instruction module 925. Here, the functions realized by operating each of the receiving module 922, the rearranging module 923, the measuring module 924, and the sending instruction module 925 are the receiving unit 201, rearranging unit 202, and measuring unit 203 of the conveyor control system 20. , The functions of the sending instruction unit 204 are the same.
[0105]
The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.
[0106]
The rearrangement unit 202 rearranges the product ordering information according to the time for delivery to the delivery destination specified by the product ordering information and the service content, and the sending instruction unit 204 transfers the transport box based on the rearranged product ordering information. Therefore, the order of processing the merchandise ordering information can be changed according to the length of time for the delivery place and the service content. Therefore, for example, by preferentially processing merchandise ordering information having a long delivery time, the time required from the order receiving to the completion of delivery can be made substantially equal to the merchandise ordering information having a relatively short delivery time. Further, when immediate delivery is required for the service content, the product ordering information can be preferentially processed. Based on the actual number of transport boxes measured by the measuring unit 203, the delivery instructing unit 204 instructs supply of the transport box, so that the transport box can be supplied according to the actual transport state of each conveyor line. 10 to prevent a decrease in efficiency.
[0107]
Based on the predetermined number of transfer boxes that can be accepted, it is determined whether or not each conveyor line can receive more transfer boxes. For example, it is possible to supply transfer boxes exceeding the transfer capacity of each conveyor line. Can be reduced. Furthermore, the conveyance load of a specific conveyor line can be reduced by presetting a number smaller than the maximum number of conveyance boxes that a specific conveyor line can accept.
[0108]
Since the rearrangement unit 202 rearranges the product ordering information based on at least one of the area information, the service content, and the delivery company information, for example, the rearrangement order of the product ordering information according to the area information, the service content, and the delivery company information. Can be rearranged easily.
[0109]
For the product order information preferentially designated in advance, for example, even in the state where the picking lines 101a to 103a corresponding to the product designated by the product order information cannot accept further transport boxes, Further, if the transport box can be received, a transport box associated with the product ordering information may be supplied. For example, depending on the delivery area of the product, it may be necessary to use an air mail that has a fixed arrival / departure time in the middle of the delivery of the product. it can.
[0110]
The transport box of this embodiment preferably uses a foldable small resin container (hereinafter referred to as “Oricon”). In this way, when the oricon is used, it can be folded and stored when not in use.
[0111]
In the present embodiment, the picking zone is provided at three locations of the A zone, the B zone, and the C zone.
[0112]
In addition, the conveyor system 2 packs and ships transport boxes that have already been picked prior to other transport boxes that have not been packed, and as a result, the number of transport boxes that flow through the main transport line 104 is not reduced. Is.
[0113]
As a specific means for that purpose, a bypass line 300 is provided to connect the packing work place 106b where packing is performed in the main transport line 104 and each picking zone, and picking to the transport box in a specific picking zone is completed, and the picking is performed In the case of the last input of goods into the transport box, the packing work place 106b in the main transport line 104 passes through the bypass line 300, that is, without passing the transport box through another picking zone of the main transport line. Move all at once toward.
[0114]
In other words, each picking zone is provided with a bypass line 300 which is a passage for discharging the transport box directly to the packing work place 106b. Therefore, when the picking to the transport box is final in the picking zone, the transport box warps as if it is in the packing work place 106b without passing through the intermediate area in the main transport line 104.
[0115]
Therefore, even if there are a large number of transport boxes in the specific picking zone where the final picking is performed in the specific picking zone, they move all at once to the packing work place immediately before the shipping place, which is the final point of the main transport line 104. The number of transport boxes (transport box density) in the intermediate area in the transport line 104 decreases. Therefore, the transport box does not stay in the specific picking zone, and the transport box flows easily. As a result, the stagnation of the transport box in the main transport line 104 can be extremely effectively prevented.
Furthermore, it is possible to increase the input amount of the transport box while maintaining the transport line having the same capacity, and thus it is possible to process more orders. Also, the load on the transfer line can be reduced.
[0116]
In addition, the packing work place 106b and the shipping place are provided in each picking zone, and each picking zone is connected by the bypass line 300, so that the entire conveyor system 2 functions as if it is organic. In this case, the island that is the picking zone has functions independently from the OS to the shipment. Since a plurality of independent small conveyor systems are organically connected by a bypass line in this way, if the island is regarded as a cell, this method may be called a + cell & bypass method.
[0117]
In addition, the conveyor system of this invention is not limited only to the above-mentioned illustration example, Of course, a various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
[0118]
For example, in addition to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, it is also conceivable to connect the picking zones with the bypass line 300. By doing in this way, the packing order to a conveyance box can be controlled suitably. For example, if the order list is filled with heavy items first, and the lighter items are packed later, the lighter items will be crushed by heavy items when packed in the transport box. It will prevent harmful effects.
[0119]
It is also conceivable to provide a packing workshop for each picking line.
[0120]
Further, by providing the conveyor control system 20 with a determination means for determining the number of transfer boxes to the main transfer line 104, when the main transfer line 104 is crowded with transfer boxes, the picking zones are connected to each other. It is also conceivable to move the transport box via a bypass line (not shown) different from the bypass line 300.
[0121]
For example, by using the transport box counters 108a to 108f, when the transport box flowing in the main transport line 104 is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the transport box is returned to the main transport line 104 and then transferred to another picking zone. If the conveyor control system 20 determines that the real time until packing is shorter when the other bypass line is passed from the picking zone to the picking zone, the transport box is returned to the main transport line 104. Do the processing without.
[0122]
In addition, in the packing workshop, in addition to packing and shipping products, they may be placed in an Oricon so-called return box and shipped directly without packing. Therefore, the packing work place which is a packing means can also be called a shipping merchandise processing means.
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to further eliminate the traffic congestion than before, and therefore it is possible to increase the input amount of the transport box while maintaining the transport line having the same capacity. Therefore, more orders can be processed. In addition, the load on the main transfer line can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conveyor system and a conveyor control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of product ordering information received by a receiving unit of the conveyor control device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of product order information stored in an order information storage unit of the conveyor control device of FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram showing an example of priority information stored in a rank information storage unit of the conveyor control device of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of product order information rearranged by the rearrangement unit of the conveyor control device of FIG. 1;
6 is a diagram showing an example of position information stored in a position information storage unit of the conveyor control device of FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a diagram for explaining a product shelf of the conveyor device of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the conveyor device using the conveyor control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conveyor control program according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Conveyor system
9 Recording media
10 Conveyor equipment
20 Conveyor control system
30 Ordering terminal
40 Communication line
91 Program area
92 Conveyor control program
93 Data area
101 Zone A
101a Picking line (Sub transport line)
102a Picking line (Sub transport line)
103a Picking line (Sub transport line)
101b Product shelf
101c Product shelf
102 B zone
103 C zone
102b Product shelf
102c Product shelf
103 C zone
103b Product shelf
103c Product shelf
104 Main transfer line
105 Carrying box supply section
105a Supply path
106 Product unloading section
106a Unloading route
106b Packing workshop (packing work execution area)
107 Carrying box collection section
107a Transport box collection path
108a Transport counter
108b Transport counter
108c Transport box counter
108d Transport box counter
108e Transport box counter
108f Transport box counter
109 signal line
110 Signal line
111 signal line
112 Transport box counter
113 signal line
114 Transport box counter
115 signal line
150 1st column
151 2nd column
160 1st series
165 6th series
170 1st face
171 2nd face
180 1st stage
182 3rd stage
190 position
201 Receiver
202 Sorting part
203 Measuring unit
204 Delivery instruction section (means for determining whether or not the last product has been put into the transport box)
205 Order information storage unit
206 Order information storage
207 Sending information storage unit
208 Location information storage unit
300 Bypass line
921 Main module
922 reception module
923 Sort module
924 Measurement module
925 Sending instruction module
931 Ordering Information Database
932 ranking information database
933 Sending information database
934 Location information database

Claims (2)

A main transport line for transporting a transport box into which goods are thrown in one direction,
A transport box supply section for supplying a transport box to the main transport line via a supply path;
A plurality of sub-transport lines that branch off and return to the main transport line; and
Product shelves on which products placed along the sub-transport line and placed in the transport box are placed,
A transport box into which products are put in from the product shelf is transferred via a carry-out path branched from the main transport line, and packing means for packing the products in the transferred transport box,
A bypass line directly connecting the packing means and the sub-transport line;
The packed Me write Mareta Products transport box in the sub-transport lines, and means for determining whether the last commodity whether to be introduced into the transport box based on the ordering information for the product,
Via the bypass line the result of the determination, if it is determined that the introduction of the last item, the conveying box last product has been introduced, from the sub-conveyor line without back to the main conveyor line And a direct conveyance control means for controlling to convey directly to the packing means. A rearrangement unit for rearranging the order information of the products in a predetermined priority;
Based on the ordering information of the products rearranged by the rearrangement unit, the delivery instruction unit for instructing the supply of the transport box to the main transport line,
2. The conveyor system according to claim 1, wherein the delivery instruction unit instructs supply of a transport box to the main transport line based on ordering information of the rearranged products .

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