JP3879585B2 - Automatic workpiece supply system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an automatic workpiece supply system and a transfer unit.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  In general, when mass-producing industrial products, management data or CAD data is generated from data on orders received from customers, and based on these management data or CAD data, product materials are ordered or delivered. It is required to manage the inventory of materials.
[0003]
  In particular, with regard to inventory management of materials, it is necessary to carry out warehousing processing and warehousing processing so that the material is properly supplied to the processing station where the material is processed, so that there is no waiting time due to incorrect product number or out of supply. .
[0004]
  On the other hand, as represented by wire harnesses, many industrial products are automatically produced by combining a plurality of different types of parts. In such automatic production, it is demanded to carry out high-mix low-volume production by complexly combining parts with different specifications even for the same type of parts.
[0005]
  By the way, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-133420 discloses a component supply apparatus that can manage the total number of materials based on a production plan. This component supply apparatus has multi-stage stock shelves, and includes a stock unit that accommodates workpieces in each stock shelf and a lift-type carry-in / out unit that carries workpieces in and out of each stock shelf. The type of workpiece is set for each stock shelf. The number of workpieces stocked on the stock shelf is managed by linking with production management data.
[0006]
  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-143112 discloses an automatic warehouse for storing various types of workpieces in three dimensions. In this automatic warehouse, a plurality of stock shelves are provided for each type of work, and the part number of the work is read by a bar code reader or the like on the upstream side of the stock shelves and sorted into the corresponding stock shelves.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in each of the above prior arts, in managing the type of workpiece, since the workpiece is managed with the product number set for each stock shelf, a specific workpiece is preferentially selected from the group of workpieces arranged in a row. It was not possible to perform individual management of work, such as leaving the factory. For example, when the work is an electric wire accommodated in a container, the same stock shelf includes a container in which a new electric wire is accommodated and a partially consumed electric wire (hereinafter referred to as an “end length electric wire”). The contained container will be mixed. In that case, in the prior art mentioned above, there existed a problem that it was not possible to preferentially consume the container in which the end length electric wire was accommodated.
[0008]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to individually select specific workpieces from a group of workpieces arranged in a row, and thus to provide an efficient workpiece. The problem is to provide an automatic supply system.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventionMultiple containers with different types of wiresworkAsA stock shelf having an accommodation space for accommodating along one direction, a storage unit for receiving workpieces from the upstream side in the one direction with respect to the stock shelf, and a downstream side in the one direction with respect to the stock shelf. In an automatic supply system comprising a delivery unit that exits from a unit, a unit control unit that controls the operation of both units, and a main control unit that includes an operation program of the unit control unit, the unit is provided between the storage unit and the delivery unit. , A transaction processing unit for providing a temporary stock path for returning the work from the one-way downstream side to the upstream side, and processing the work in / out transaction for the stock shelf based on the production plan in the main control unit.And a database storing work inventory information including information for determining whether or not the electric wires accommodated in the stock shelf have a track record of useThe transaction processing unit returns the work stocked on the downstream side of the work having the output request to the temporary stock path by the output unit until the work having the output request moves to the most downstream end in the one direction. To control the unit controllerIn addition, referring to the above database, if it is determined that there is an end-cable that is the same type of wire that is requested to be shipped and that is partially consumed, on the stock shelf, the work related to the end-cable The unit control unit is controlled so as to give priority to the work related to new wires.This is an automatic supply system.
[0010]
  According to this invention, a work can be taken into the stock shelf using the warehousing unit, and the work stocked on the stock shelf can be taken out by the warehousing unit. At this time, when a work with a delivery request is in the middle of a line in one direction of the stock shelf, the work unit at the downstream side of the line is returned to the temporary stock path, and the work with a delivery request is taken out. be able to.
[0011]
Furthermore, according to this invention, since it is made to take out preferentially from an end length electric wire, it becomes possible to consume an old electric wire first, and it becomes less likely to have a long-term stock.
[0012]
Specifically, the stock shelf has a plurality of storage spaces arranged in parallel in two directions intersecting the one direction, and each storage space has a three-dimensional coordinate in the one direction and the two directions. Is set, and the database stores the address of each work housed in the stock shelf and information related to the weight of each work in association with each other. A request accepting unit that accepts a delivery request, an address assignment unit that assigns an address of a work having a delivery request with reference to the database, and outputs a delivery instruction to the unit control unit based on the address assigned by the address assignment unit An instruction output unit, and the address allocating unit has an end-type electric wire of the same type as an electric wire requested to be delivered based on information on the weight of each workpiece. It is determined whether or not it exists in the stock shelf, and when it is determined that it exists, the address of the work related to the end length electric wire is output to the instruction output unit, while it is determined that the end length electric wire does not exist in the stock shelf. In this case, the work address related to the new electric wire can be output to the instruction output unit.
[0013]
  In a preferred aspect, the transaction processing unit controls the unit control unit so that the warehousing unit returns the work returned to the temporary stock path to the original stock shelf. In this mode, the warehousing unit can be driven in parallel with the warehousing unit to manage the stock of the work accommodated in the stock shelf, so even when warehousing transactions are frequently performed, quick warehousing and warehousing processing It can be performed.
[0014]
  In a further preferred aspect, the stock shelf includes a plurality of stock units arranged in parallel in a direction crossing the one direction, and a group of drives provided for each stock unit and capable of feeding a work along one direction. A roller group and a drive-side power input member and a load-side power input member that are provided corresponding to the storage unit and the output unit for each drive roller group and that input a driving force to the drive roller group. The warehousing unit and the warehousing unit have a power output mechanism that outputs a driving force to a corresponding power input member of each stock part, and the temporary stock path is a specific stock part selected from the stock part. It is constituted by.
[0015]
  In this aspect, since the driving force can be output from the warehousing unit and the warehousing unit to the power input member provided in the same driving roller group, the work for returning the work to the temporary stock path and the normal warehousing and warehousing transaction Can be performed with the same hardware configuration. In addition, since the temporary stock route is composed of a specific stock part selected from the stock part, even if the work delivery conditions and safety stock fluctuate, only by changing the setting conditions set in the software, It becomes possible to respond flexibly to specification changes.
[0016]
  In yet another aspect, a plurality of sets of stock shelves, warehousing units, and warehousing units are provided, provided for each warehousing unit of each set, and provided with a plurality of warehousing conveyors for unloading workpieces evacuated from the warehousing units, Priority order specifying means for selectively delivering the workpieces delivered from the delivery conveyor to the processing station is provided.
[0017]
  In this aspect, even if a large-scale warehouse system having a plurality of stock shelves is constructed and the work is set to be carried out in parallel from each delivery unit, the work that has been carried out has priority order specifying means as a window. It is possible to configure a queue to perform, and to issue a desired workpiece preferentially by the priority specifying means. As a result, the workpieces requested at the processing station can be discharged in order from the urgent one, and it is possible to perform a discharge process that is more suitable for the production of many kinds and small quantities.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container C that houses an electric wire W as a work according to the present embodiment.
[0020]
  With reference to the figure, the illustrated electric wire W is a bundle of covered electric wires used as a material for manufacturing a wire harness in a roll shape.
[0021]
  The illustrated container C includes a rectangular tube-shaped main body 11 and a multipurpose flange 12 extending on the upper edge of the main body 11. The main body 11 and the multipurpose flange 12 are integrally formed of resin.
[0022]
  The main body 11 has a bottom portion 13 reinforced by a plurality of ribs 11 a, and an integrally formed core 14 is erected at the center of the bottom portion 13. The core 14 has a hollow cylindrical shape without a bottom, and is divided into four in the circumferential direction by slits 14b provided at a constant pitch. Moreover, the tip part 14a of the core is curved so as to converge into a spherical shape. The core 14 is inserted into the center portion of a bundle of wire rods (in the figure, electric wires W) wound in an annular shape as shown in FIG.
[0023]
  The bottom portion 13 is formed in an octagon in which four long sides 13a and four short sides 13b are alternately connected by chamfering the four corners of a square, and a side wall 15 is connected to each of the sides 13a and 13b. . The side wall 15 is inclined in the upwardly extending direction, and the multipurpose flange 12 is connected to the upper end of the side wall. Reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1 denotes a partition member (elastic spacer) configured by curving an acrylic sheet, and the partition members 18 are provided at four corners in the main body 11, and electric wires carried on the core 14 by the partition members. The collapse of the bundle of wires W is prevented from occurring until the outer peripheral surface of the bundle of W is elastically received and reaches the end of the feeding.
[0024]
  The multi-purpose flange 12 is a so-called outer flange and is formed in a flat plate shape. Further, a reinforcing hollow rib 16 is erected at a portion corresponding to the long side portion of the flange, that is, each long side 13a of the bottom portion, and the multi-purpose flange 12 and the side wall 15 are machined by the hollow rib 16. Thus, the multi-purpose flange 12 can be used as a handle when transporting the wire bundle storage container. Further, the rib 16 forms a receiving port, and the multipurpose flange 12 serves as a support seat so that empty containers C can be stacked up and down.
[0025]
  As the name suggests, the multi-purpose flange 12 is a structure having a function for achieving a plurality of purposes, and can also provide a guide function when transported by a conveyor. As a carrying member for carrying a temporary fixing part 20 for temporarily fixing the feeding end W1 of the electric wire W, or as a member for defining an opening (pictogram insertion / extraction opening) of a pictogram storage portion 30 provided at a corner portion of the side wall 15 Also works.
[0026]
  The pictorial mark storage unit 30 is used to store the pictorial mark C2 on which the barcode C1 is printed from the slit 12a formed at one corner of the multipurpose flange 12 so that it can be inserted and removed. The bar code C <b> 1 is obtained by encoding data such as the line type and length of the electric wire W accommodated in the main body 11.
[0027]
  FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a layout of a factory F for processing the electric wires W accommodated in the container C, and FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a main part of the factory.
[0028]
  Referring to these drawings, on the site of factory F, a receiving station ST1 for receiving a wire W to be processed (see FIG. 1), a processing station ST2 for processing an electric wire received from this receiving station ST1, A recovery processing station ST3 for recovering used wires and the like at the processing station ST2 is set, and the automatic supply system 100 according to the present embodiment can automatically feed workpieces between these stations ST1 to ST3. It is configured as follows.
[0029]
  Referring to FIG. 3, the automatic supply system 100 includes a plurality of stock shelves 200 connected between the receiving station ST <b> 1 and the processing station ST <b> 2, and each stock shelf 200 is provided with a corresponding stock shelf 200. On the other hand, a receiving unit 300 for receiving the electric wire W, a delivery unit 400 provided on each stock shelf 200 for delivering workpieces from the corresponding stock shelf 200, each station ST1 to ST3, and each unit 200. ˜400, and a conveyor unit 500 for conveying the electric wire W.
[0030]
  The conveyor unit 500 basically transports a workpiece by connecting a number of transport rollers supported by a frame with a belt and driving the drive unit with a drive motor, and according to paths PH1 to PH3 described later. A multi-stage transport path that is arranged vertically and has different transport directions is configured.
[0031]
  The conveyor unit 500 is arranged at the nodes in the paths PH1 to PH3, and switches the direction switching unit 510 that switches the conveyance direction of the container C, the warehousing and conveying unit 520 that conveys the workpiece from the warehousing station ST1 to each warehousing unit 300, The queue processing unit 530 for processing the queue of the workpieces transferred to the warehousing / conveying unit 520, the unloading / conveying unit 540 for conveying the workpieces unloaded from each of the unloading units 400, and the unloading / conveying units 540 Elevating / lowering transfer device 550 for delivering a workpiece that is being delivered, and the work that has been delivered from elevating / lowering transfer device 550 being fed to processing station ST2, and the work to be recovered from processing station ST2 to recovery processing station ST3 And a circulation unit 560 capable of feeding. By these parts 520 to 560, the conveyor unit 500 configures a supply path PH1 for supplying a workpiece from the warehousing station ST1 to the processing station ST2, and a recovery path PH2 for returning the workpiece from the processing station ST2 to the recovery processing station ST3. Yes. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a switching point (branch point) is provided between the recovery paths PH2, and the stock return path for returning the container C, which is branched from the switching point and contains the electric wires W, to the stock shelf 200. PH3 is formed.
[0032]
  Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the detail of the stock shelf 200 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. For example, 5 units of the stock shelf 200 are continuously provided along one side wall of the factory F (see FIG. 2). In the following description, the continuous direction of the stock shelves is the X direction, the vertical direction is the Y direction, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X direction is the Z direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the warehousing unit 300 is installed on one end side in the Z direction, and the warehousing unit 400 is installed on the other end side (see FIG. 4).
[0033]
  FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the stock portion according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a part of the stock shelf 200 employed in the stock portion of FIG.
[0034]
  Referring to these drawings, a stock shelf 200 is an outer frame 210 configured as a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, and a plurality of guide frames 220 assembled to the outer frame 210 to form a three-dimensional accommodation space SP as a whole. 230, a driving roller unit 240 provided on the guide frame 230, and a stopper unit 250 that regulates the ejection of the container C driven by the driving roller unit 240.
[0035]
  The outer frame 210 is a member that constitutes the outline of the stock shelf 200, and is formed by forming a steel material into a rectangular parallelepiped box as a whole.
[0036]
  The guide frames 220 and 230 are configured to equally divide the inside of the stock shelf 200 in which the outline is configured in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively, and to form a three-dimensional accommodation space SP inside the stock shelf 200 as a whole. It is.
[0037]
  The guide frame 220 is a columnar member extending in the Y direction. By arranging the guide frame 220 equally inside the outer frame 210, the inside of the outer frame 210 is equally divided in the X direction.
[0038]
  The guide frame 230 is an angle member that extends substantially along the Z direction, is equally distributed along the Y direction, and is fixed to the outer frame 210 or the guide frame 220. By the guide frame 230, the inside of the outer frame 210 is equally divided in the Y direction. As a result, the outer frame 210 and the guide frames 220 and 230 constitute a three-dimensional accommodation space SP that can be specified in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction as a whole.
[0039]
  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of addresses assigned to the stock shelf 200.
[0040]
  Referring to FIG. 6, the three-dimensional accommodation space SP partitioned by the outer frame 210 and the guide frames 220 and 230 has an address S._NIs set. Specifically, this address S_NIs the line number X that identifies the address in the X direction_n(N is a real number from 0 to 9), column number Y specifying the address in the Y direction_n(N is a real number from 1 to F), entry / exit number Z that identifies the address in the Z direction_nThe address of a three-dimensional variable (n is a real number from 0 to 5)
S_N= (X_n, Y_n, Z_n)
It consists of In the illustrated embodiment, since a plurality of stock shelves 200 are employed, the unit number N is represented by an address suffix. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the unit number N is a single variable. Address of dimension variable
S = (N_n, X_n, Y_n, Z_n)
  May be adopted.
[0041]
  In the unloading process described later, in order to take out the container C having an arbitrary address in the Z direction, a space defined by any one of the guide frames 230 is set as the return shelf 230R (see FIG. 5). Although not specifically shown, a container detection sensor is provided in the return shelf 230R, and it is detected that the container C has been transported to the return shelf 230R, and is stored in accordance with the procedure described later. The unit 300 can be driven and controlled.
[0042]
  FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged side view showing a part of the main part of the stock shelf 200 according to the present embodiment.
[0043]
  Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, the drive roller unit 240 is attached to the inner side surface of each guide frame 230 in a pair, so that the container C is placed between the guide frames 230. It is a mechanism that can be transported.
[0044]
  Each drive roller unit 240 has a drive roller 241 disposed along the longitudinal direction of the guide frame 230 and an endless belt 242 wound around the drive roller 241.
[0045]
  The driving roller 241 is in rolling contact with the lower surface of the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C and feeds the container C along the Z direction. The driving roller 241 is arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the guide frame 230. Yes. At the same time, a tension adjusting roller 241 a that is shifted downward from the row of the driving rollers 241 is provided at an appropriate position of the guide frame 230. Then, by rolling the endless belt 242 around the outer periphery of the tension adjusting roller 241a, the endless belt 242 is undulated with the driving rollers 241 disposed on both sides of the tension adjusting roller 241a. The power transmission force increases with the endless belt 242.
[0046]
  Further, input gears 243 are concentrically provided on the drive rollers 241 disposed at both ends of the drive roller unit 240 (see FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, a rotational driving force is input to the input gear 243 from a storage unit 300 or a shipping unit 400 described later, and the rotational driving force is transmitted to the rollers 241 and 241a via the endless belt 242, thereby C can be driven by the driving roller 241. By adopting such a mechanism, in the illustrated embodiment, slippage is unlikely to occur between the drive roller 241 and the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C, and the container C can be driven with high accuracy. .
[0047]
  Each guide frame 230 is fixed in a posture in which the exit side is slightly inclined downward in the Z direction. Thereby, the container C introduced from the warehousing side is easily moved to the warehousing side by its own weight (see FIG. 4). For this reason, two sets of stopper units 250 are provided on the delivery side of the outer frame 210 corresponding to each guide frame 230.
[0048]
  FIG. 8 shows a part on the exit side of the stock shelf 200 according to the present embodiment, wherein (A) is a schematic front view and (B) is a schematic plan view.
[0049]
  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the stopper unit 250 is fixed to the outer frame 210 or the guide frame 230 and extends in the Z direction, and is fixed to the exit side end surface of the stay 251. A guide stopper 252 and a slide stopper 253 attached to the guide stopper 252 are provided. The slide stopper 253 has a long piece portion 253a that is guided by the guide stopper 252 so as to be displaceable in the X direction, and an operation piece portion 253b that is bent from the end of the long piece portion 253a toward the unloading side in the Z direction. It is a plate-like member having a substantially L shape in plan view. Then, as will be described later, by grasping the operation piece portion 253b and sliding the long piece portion 253a, the long piece portion 253a faces the container C on the warehousing side and restricts the container C from jumping to the unloading side. The long position part 253a can be displaced between the opening position that allows the container C to move toward the exit side.
[0050]
  In the illustrated embodiment, in the guide frames 230 arranged in pairs, the stopper units 250 are also arranged in pairs such that the free ends of the long piece portions 253a face each other.
[0051]
  Next, with reference to FIG. 9 and subsequent figures, the warehousing unit 300 and the warehousing unit 400 that take in and out the containers C from the stock shelf 200 will be described in detail.
[0052]
  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the entire stock portion showing the stock shelf 200, the warehousing unit 300, and the warehousing unit 400 according to the present embodiment.
[0053]
  Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, each stock shelf 200 is equipped with a warehousing unit 300 disposed on the warehousing side and a warehousing unit 400 disposed on the warehousing side. Each of the units 300 and 400 can be reciprocated along the X direction on the warehousing side rail 301 and the leaving side rail 401 laid on the warehousing side of the stock shelf 200 along the X direction. The slide towers 302 and 402 are arranged.
[0054]
  Each of the slide towers 302 and 402 is a bowl-shaped structure extending over the entire height of the stock shelf 200, and is configured to reciprocate along the X direction by driving a servo motor (not shown) provided at the bottom thereof. ing. Each of the slide towers 302 and 402 incorporates a warehousing / conveying unit 310 and a warehousing / conveying unit 410 (see FIG. 4), and moves along the rails 301 and 401 so that the corresponding conveyance unit 310 is moved. , 410 can be driven in the X direction, and by driving the transport units 310, 410 up and down within itself, the corresponding transport units 310, 410 are guided in the Y direction, respectively. Equipped as possible.
[0055]
  As schematically shown in FIG. 4, a pair of sprockets 303a, 303b, 403a, and 403b facing each other in the X direction are disposed on the top and bottom of each slide tower 302 and 402. Chains 304 and 404 are hung on 403b. Corresponding transport units 310 and 410 are attached to one end of the chains 304 and 404, respectively, and weights 305 and 405 are attached to the other end, and the weights 305 and 405 and the transport unit 310, The transport units 310 and 410 can be driven in the Y direction by balancing 410 and moving it up and down relatively. Of the sprockets 303a to 403b, those provided at the tops of the slide towers 301 and 401 are each provided with a servo motor (not shown). It is possible to drive it.
[0056]
  10 is a perspective view showing a main part of the warehousing unit 300 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a frame part of the transport unit 310 adopted in the warehousing unit 300, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the driving unit 350, FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a usage state of the transport unit 310, and FIGS.
[0057]
  With reference to these drawings, a transport unit 310 employed in the warehousing unit 300 includes a frame unit 320 (see FIG. 11) as a structure and a drive unit 350 (see FIG. 12) assembled to the frame unit 320. ).
[0058]
  The frame unit 320 includes an elevating frame 330 coupled to the slide tower 301 and a slide frame 340 assembled to the elevating frame 330 so as to be relatively displaceable in the Z direction.
[0059]
  The elevating frame 330 has an elevating connection part 331 that is opposed to the X direction and is connected to the slide tower 301 and elevates up and down, and an elevating table 332 fixed to the elevating connection part 331. .
[0060]
  The elevating connecting portion 331 has a substantially trapezoidal shape that is fixed in a substantially perpendicular posture in plan view inside the guide roller group 331a paired up and down, a mounting plate 331b that carries the guide roller group 331a, and the mounting plate 331b. And a fixed plate 331c.
[0061]
  Each guide roller group 331a of each elevating connecting portion 331 moves the entire conveying unit 310 up and down by making rolling contact while sandwiching guide rails (not shown) standing on both sides in the X direction of the slide tower 301 in the X direction. It is for guiding up and down. The end of the chain 304 described above is connected to the lift connecting portion 331, and the transport unit 310 is moved up and down via the chain 304.
[0062]
  Referring to FIG. 11, the elevating table 332 includes a pair of bottom plates 332a facing in the Z direction, and a pair of side plates 332b provided on both sides of both the bottom plates 332a and extending in the Z direction. Of the pair of bottom plates 332a and 332a, the one on the warehousing side is fixed with a bearing 332c, and a slide frame 340 described later is connected via a pin (not shown) held by the bearing 332c. It is like that. In addition, a pair of slide holding portions 332d is disposed on the upper side of each side plate 332b, and the slide frame 340 is guided through the slide holding portions 332d so as to be relatively displaceable in the Z direction. It has become.
[0063]
  The slide frame 340 includes a bottom plate 341 and side plates 342 provided on both sides of the bottom plate 341.
[0064]
  An air cylinder 343 for displacing the slide frame 340 in the Z direction is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate 341, and the rod 343a is directed toward the warehousing side. A connecting member 343b connected to a bearing 332c provided on the lifting frame 330 is provided at the end of the rod 343a. The connecting member 343b is connected to the bearing 332c with a pin (not shown).
[0065]
  A guide rail 344 is fixed to the outer side of the side plate 342. The guide rail 344 extends horizontally along the Z direction, and is connected to a slide holding portion 332 d fixed to the side plate 332 b of the elevating frame 330. Therefore, in this embodiment, the slide frame 340 is connected to the elevating frame 330 so as to be relatively displaceable in the Z direction. The power transmission posture in which 340 protrudes and the slide frame 340 can be displaced between the retraction frame that retreats on the elevating frame 330.
[0066]
  Referring to FIG. 12, drive unit 350 is a mechanism that is assembled to slide frame 340 and transports container C.
[0067]
  First, the drive unit 350 includes a motor 351 fixed to the bottom surface of the bottom plate 341 of the slide frame 340. The output shaft 351a of the motor 351 is disposed along the X direction. An output gear 352 is fixed to the output shaft 351 a of the motor 351. A relay gear 353 is engaged with the output gear 352. The relay gear 353 is attached below the bottom plate 341 of the slide frame 340 via a stay (not shown). An output shaft 354 is fixed to the relay gear 353. The output shaft 354 extends in the X direction, and both end portions thereof face upward through notches 341 a formed on both side portions of the bottom plate 341 of the slide frame 340. Output rollers 355 are fixed to both ends of the output shaft 354. The output roller 355 is for transmitting power via a timing belt 357 to a roller group 356 attached to the inside of the side plate 342 of the slide frame 340. The roller group 356 is arranged so that the upper peripheral surface thereof is aligned along the upper edge of the side plate 342. Accordingly, the timing belt 357 wound around the roller group 356 can drive the lower surface of the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C (see FIG. 13). The motor 351 can drive the output gear 352 in the forward and reverse directions under the control of a sequencer described later. Therefore, the transport direction of the container C transported by the timing belt 357 can be switched between the two directions.
[0068]
  Next, the roller group 356 that is closest to the stock shelf 200 protrudes outward in the Z direction of the side plate 342 via the stay 358. A drive gear 360 that receives the rotational driving force of the roller group 356 and an output gear 361 that meshes with the drive gear 360 are attached to the stay 358. The output gear 361 is disposed at a position where it can mesh with the input gear 243 of the stock shelf 200. As a result, when the slide frame 340 takes the power transmission posture shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 from the retracted posture shown in FIG. 14, the output gear 361 meshes with the input gear 243 of the stock shelf 200, and the container C with respect to the stock shelf 200. Can be carried out.
[0069]
  Next, with reference to FIG. 17 and subsequent figures, the delivery-side transport unit 410 will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the delivery-side transport unit 410 according to the present embodiment.
[0070]
  Referring to the figure, the delivery-side transport unit 410 basically has the same specifications as the entry-side transport unit 310, and a pair of stopper release units that drive the stopper unit 250 of the stock shelf 200. The only difference is that 420 is provided. In the following description, the same components as those of the transport unit 310 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0071]
  18 is an enlarged perspective view showing the stopper release unit 420 employed in the transport unit 410 of FIG. 17, FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the operation procedure of the stopper release unit 420, and FIG. Previously, (B) shows when engaged, and (C) shows when driven.
[0072]
  Referring to these drawings, each stopper release unit 420 is attached to the attachment plate 421 attached to the bottom plate 332a of the transport unit 410, the stay 422 fixed to the end surface of the attachment plate 421, and the stay 422. Thus, an air cylinder 423 whose axis is aligned in the X direction, a drive block 424 that reciprocates along the X direction by a rod 423a of the air cylinder 423, and a pair of release claws 425 fixed to the drive block 424. And have.
[0073]
  The mounting plate 421 extends along the X direction, and is attached to the bottom plate 332a of the transport unit 410 with a bolt 421b via a spacer 421a so as to be relatively displaceable in the Z direction. Although not specifically shown, the mounting plate 421 can be reciprocated in the Z direction by an unillustrated air cylinder.
[0074]
  The stay 422 is a cantilever member extending in the Z direction from the end of the mounting plate 421 toward the stock shelf 200. The stay 422 is provided with a pair of guide bars 422a arranged on both sides of the cylinder 423 along the Z direction so as to protrude outward in the X direction, and the guides are in a state where the end portions penetrate the drive block 424. is doing.
[0075]
  The air cylinder 423 moves the slide block 253 of the stopper unit 250 between the restriction position and the open position by driving the drive block 424 in the X direction within the stroke range in which the drive block 424 is guided by the guide bar 422a. It can be driven by.
[0076]
  Each release claw 425 is for driving the operation piece portion 253b provided on the slide stopper 253. Each of the release claws 425 rises vertically from the drive block 423, and from the top of the stand portion 425a to the stock shelf 200. And a horizontal portion 425b extending in the Z direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the operation piece 253b is engaged between the horizontal portions 425b of the pair of release claws 425 and 425. Therefore, the portions facing each other are chamfered in the horizontal portions 425b, and the stock shelf 200 is moved to the stock shelf 200. A tapered surface 425c is formed which opens toward the end as it goes.
[0077]
  20-22 is a side view which shows the operation | movement procedure of the conveyance unit 410 by the side of leaving.
[0078]
  First, referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 19 (A), when the position in the X direction and the Y direction of the delivery unit 410 on the delivery side is determined, first, the mounting plate 421 is an air cylinder (not shown) and the stock shelf 200 is moved. It is driven in the direction close to. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 20, the release claw 425 engages with the operation piece portion 253 b of the stopper unit 250 before the output gear 361 meshes with the input gear 243 provided on the exit side of the stock shelf 200.
[0079]
  Next, as shown in FIG. 19B, the air cylinder 423 of each stopper release unit 420 extends the rod 423a, so that the release claws 425 are separated from each other in the X direction via the drive block 424. Driven by. As a result of this driving operation, the operation piece 253b engaged with the release claw 425 is driven in the direction away from each other in the X direction, so that the slide stopper 253 moves from the restriction position to the release position (FIG. 19C )reference).
[0080]
  Next, referring to FIG. 21, after the slide stopper 253 moves to the open position, the transport unit 410 drives the slide frame 320 toward the stock shelf 200. As a result, the output gear 361 meshes with the input gear 243 provided on the exit side of the stock shelf 200, and the drive roller unit 240 that receives power from the input gear 243 drives the container C to the exit side. As a result, the container C at the most downstream end on the unloading side is unloaded from the stock shelf 200 and delivered to the unloading-side transport unit 410 (see FIG. 22). When this transport operation is completed, first, each stopper release unit 420 returns the stopper unit 250 to the restriction position, and then the power by the output gear 361 is cut off.
[0081]
  In this embodiment, when the container C is loaded into or unloaded from the stock shelf 200 by the transport units 310 and 410, the driving force by the motor 351 as a drive source provided in the transport units 310 and 410 is output as a power output member. Since it can be input to the input gear 243 (power input member) of the stock shelf 200 via the gear 352, the container C can be fed to an arbitrary position in the Z direction of the accommodation space, or the container C can be transferred from an arbitrary position. It can be pulled out.
[0082]
  The above-described control of the warehousing unit 300 and the warehousing unit 400 is connected to a main control unit 800 that controls the entire automatic supply system 100 and the main control unit 800 so as to be communicable, as will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This is performed by the unit controller 850 (see FIGS. 2 and 59).
[0083]
  Next, details of the conveyor apparatus 500 that conveys the containers C that are loaded into and unloaded from the stock shelf 200 will be described.
[0084]
  FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a main part of the conveyor apparatus 500 according to the present embodiment.
[0085]
  3 and 23, as described above, the conveyor device 500 includes the direction switching unit 510, the warehousing / conveying unit 520, the matrix processing unit 530, the warehousing / conveying unit 540, the lifting / lowering transfer device 550, and the circulation unit. 560.
[0086]
  24A and 24B are side views showing the operation of the direction switching unit 510, where FIG. 24A shows before the direction switching, FIG. 24B shows the direction switching, and FIG. 24C shows the direction switching.
[0087]
  As shown in the figure, the direction switching unit 510 is disposed at each node of the conveyor device 500, and is for switching the feeding direction of the container C to be transported by 90 ° at the node. Is configured to change the conveyance roller group that receives the container C by the lifting operation described in FIGS. 35 to 38, which will be described later, and to switch the conveyance direction.
[0088]
  However, the direction switching unit 510 provided in the middle of the warehousing / conveying unit 520 in FIG. 24 is on a T-junction where the supply path PH1 from the warehousing station ST1 and the stock return path PH3 from the circulation unit 560 merge. The container C transported from both the paths PH1 and PH3 can be transported toward the warehousing unit 300. More specifically, the direction switching unit 510 provided in the middle part of the warehousing / conveying unit 520 is provided on the frame 501 constituting the structure of the conveyor device 500 and the frame 501 so that the center of rotation is on the vertical line. 24 has a motor 511 along which it is disposed, a turntable 512 that rotates bidirectionally within a range of 90 ° by the motor 511, and a transport roller group 514 provided on the turntable 512. As shown in (A), the container C transported from one direction is received by the transport roller group 514 on the turntable 512, and then the turntable 512 is driven 90 ° by the motor 511 as shown in (B). The container C can be fed in another direction orthogonal to the one direction.
[0089]
  FIG. 25 is a schematic side view illustrating a schematic configuration of the warehousing / conveying unit 520.
[0090]
  Referring to FIGS. 23 and 25, warehousing / conveying section 520 is a conveyor unit extending in the Z direction, one end of which faces warehousing station ST1, and the other end is another direction switching section 510. And is connected to the downstream end of the circulation part 560. As a result, as will be described in detail later, the container C returned by the return conveyor 730 (see FIG. 46) provided in the lower layer of the circulation unit 560 is transferred from the other end of the warehousing / conveying unit 520 to the warehousing / conveying unit 520. It is possible to circulate toward the warehousing unit 200 via a direction switching unit 510 provided in the middle part.
[0091]
  The warehousing / conveying unit 520 includes a frame 521 constituting the structure of the conveyor device 500, and a warehousing / conveying device that is provided in the frame 521 and feeds the container C from the warehousing station ST1 to the direction switching unit 510 at the downstream end. 522 and a drive motor 523 for driving the warehousing supply conveyor 522. The warehousing and feeding conveyor 522 is configured such that a conveyance roller group 522b is provided on a frame 522a, and the conveyance roller group 522b is driven by a drive motor 523 via an endless belt (not shown). A container presence / absence sensor 522c is provided at the upstream end of the warehousing / conveying device 522, and an operator working at the warehousing station ST1 conveys the container C to the warehousing / conveying device 522. The sensor 522c detects the container C, the drive motor 523 is driven based on the detection, and the container C is supplied to the direction switching unit 510. At this time, the worker accommodates the electric wire W received in the warehousing station ST1 in the container C, and the container to which the pictorial symbol C2 on which the barcode C1 in which the data of the electric wire W is encoded is written is conveyed. It is stored in the C pictogram storage unit 30. A bar code reader unit 524 is provided in the warehousing / conveying unit 520 in order to read the bar code C1 written on the picture mark C2.
[0092]
  FIG. 26 is a side view of the barcode reader unit 524 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the bar code reader unit 524 includes a reading unit 524a and a bar code reader lifting / lowering unit 524b that can move the reading unit 524a in the vertical direction. By driving the part 524b, the reading part 524a is configured to be displaceable between a retreat position that allows passage of the container C and a reading position that reads the barcode C1 of the container C. Here, the data read by the reading unit 524a of the barcode reader unit 254 is output as new bundle data to a main control unit 800 described later via a communication module (not shown).
[0093]
  Referring to FIG. 25, in order to position the container C on the barcode reader unit 524, a pair of sensors 522d and 522e are moved in and out of the barcode reader unit 524 in the supply path PH1 of the container C. Provided on the feed conveyor 522, when both sensors 522d and 522e sequentially detect the container C, a stopper (not shown) is activated to temporarily stop the container C and mark it on the pictogram C2 of the container C. The bar code C1 can be positioned on the reading unit 524a of the bar code reader unit 524.
[0094]
  Further, the warehousing / conveying unit 520 has a display lamp 525 for notifying whether or not the electric wire W read by the barcode reader unit 524 can be stored, and a reset button 526 for allowing the operator to cancel the warehousing operation based on the display on the display lamp 525. As will be described later, when the main control unit 800 performs an error process (step A35 in FIG. 62), these indicator lamps 525 are activated to perform a predetermined process for the operator to perform a reset button. 526 is informed to be operated.
[0095]
  27 and 28 are side views of the warehousing / conveying unit 520. FIG.
[0096]
  Referring to the figure, direction switching unit 510 provided in the middle of warehousing / conveying unit 520 changes supply path PH1 by 90 ° to the back of warehousing unit 200 (on the opposite side to warehousing unit 400 in the Z direction). The container C is set to be carried out (see FIG. 3). In addition, the warehousing / conveying unit 520 includes a lifter 527 that is disposed on the downstream side of the direction switching unit 510 and delivers the container C unloaded from the direction switching unit 510 to the matrix processing unit 530.
[0097]
  The lifter 527 includes a frame 527a that constitutes the structure of the conveyor device 500, an air cylinder 528 that is attached to the top of the frame 527a along the vertical direction, and a pair of arms 529 that move up and down by the air cylinder 528. (Only one is shown in FIGS. 27 and 28).
[0098]
  The frame 527a is set to be slightly higher than the frame 522a of the warehousing / conveying conveyor 522 constituting the warehousing / conveying section 520, and is disposed above the warehousing / conveying conveyor 522. The container C can be delivered to 570.
[0099]
  The air cylinder 528 includes a cylinder main body 528a and a rod 528b that is moved up and down by the cylinder main body 528a. The main control unit 800 moves the pair of arms 529 up and down.
[0100]
  The arm 529 includes an arm main body 529a formed in a channel shape whose front face opens downward, a container tray 529b provided on the inner wall of the arm main body 529a, and a transport roller group 529c provided on the container tray 529b. And a drive motor 529d provided on the container tray 529b so as to drive each conveyance roller group 529c with an endless belt (not shown), and the lower surface of the container C is received by the conveyance roller group 529c. The container C received by the driving force of the drive motor 529d can be carried out to the matrix processing unit 530 disposed on the downstream side.
[0101]
  FIG. 29 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the matrix processing unit 530 according to the present embodiment.
[0102]
  Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3, the matrix processing unit 530 includes a base frame 531 facing all the storage units 300 along the X direction, a top frame 532 extending in parallel above the base frame 531, and both frames 531. And a pillar frame 533 provided between 532 and 532. These frames 531 to 533 are outer members constituting the structure of the conveyor device 500, and constitute a container supply mechanism for the plurality of storage units 300 as a whole.
[0103]
  Furthermore, these frames 531 to 533 are set for each warehousing unit 300, and include a container intake port 534 for taking in the container C and a container delivery port 535 for sending the taken container C to the corresponding warehousing unit 300. It prescribes.
[0104]
  Next, in the matrix processing unit 530, the upper and lower two-stage supply conveyors 570 and 580 constituting the supply path PH1 and the containers C that are disposed below the supply conveyors 570 and 580 and overflow from the supply conveyors 570 and 580 are disposed. And a retreat conveyor 590 for retreating temporarily.
[0105]
  The supply conveyors 570 and 580 constituting the supply path PH <b> 1 are arranged in pairs for each warehousing unit 300. One supply conveyor 570 arranged facing the most upstream storage unit 300 in the X direction has an upstream end facing the carry-out port of the lifter 527 (see FIG. 33), and a downstream end at the container intake port 534. It faces. The other supply conveyor 580 is disposed above the one supply conveyor 570, and has an upstream end facing the container intake 534 and a downstream end facing the container delivery port 535. Further, the retreat conveyor 590 is disposed below the one supply conveyor 570 along the X direction, and the upstream end thereof faces the container intake 534 of the storage unit 300 disposed on the most downstream side (see FIG. 32) and the downstream end faces the lifter 527 so as to be able to deliver the container C (see FIG. 33). For the downstream supply conveyors 570 and 580, the above pattern is repeated with the upstream end of the downstream supply conveyor 570 facing the upstream container intake port 534.
[0106]
  A sensor 580a as an empty space detecting means for detecting whether or not the supply conveyor 580 is full is disposed at the most upstream portion of the supply conveyor 580. The sensor 580a is disposed at a position where the container C that can be placed on the uppermost stream of the supply conveyor 580 can be detected. When the sensor 580a detects the container C, the unit controller 850 described below Determine that there is no more empty space.
[0107]
  30 and 31 are partially enlarged schematic views showing main parts of the supply conveyors 570 and 580, and FIG. 32 is an enlarged partial schematic view showing the end portion of the matrix processing unit 530 shown in FIG. 29 in an enlarged manner. 33 and 34 are enlarged partial schematic views showing the upstream end of the matrix processing unit 530 shown in FIG. 29 in an enlarged manner.
[0108]
  Referring to these drawings, each conveyor 570-590 is provided for each of frames 571, 581, 591, a plurality of transport rollers 572, 582, 592 mounted on frames 571-591, and frames 571-591, respectively. And endless belts 573, 583, and 593 that transmit power to the conveying rollers 572 to 592 of the corresponding frames 571 to 591, and a drive motor that is provided for each of the frames 571 to 591 and outputs a driving force to the endless belts 573 to 593. 574, 584, 594.
[0109]
  Output rollers 574a, 584a, and 594a are provided on the drive shafts of the drive motors 574 to 594 provided on the conveyors 570 to 590, respectively. The power of these output rollers 574a to 594a is transmitted to the respective drive rollers 572 to 592 via the endless belts 573 to 593, and the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C is placed on these drive rollers 572 to 592, The container C can be transported downstream.
[0110]
  Output rollers 575, 585, and 595 are provided at the downstream ends of the supply conveyor 570 and the retracting conveyor 590 and the upstream end of the supply conveyor 580. Output gears 577, 587, and 597 are concentrically connected to the rotation shafts of these output rollers 575 to 595, respectively.
[0111]
  On the other hand, each container intake port 534 is provided with a switching unit 780.
[0112]
  29 and 32, the switching unit 780 transfers the containers C fed to the one supply conveyor 570 to the subsequent supply conveyor 570 or to the other supply conveyor 580. belongs to.
[0113]
  The switching unit 780 includes an air cylinder 781. The cylinder 781 includes a cylinder body 781a and a rod 781b that can be relatively displaced with respect to the cylinder body 781a. A lifting frame 782 is fixed to the lower end of the rod 781b. The elevating frame 782 is formed in a U-shape that opens downward as viewed in the direction of travel of the supply path PH1, and its top portion is fixed to the rod 781b so that it can be raised and lowered by the air cylinder 781. . A container hanger 783 is fixed to the lift frame 782. The container hanger 783 includes a pair of frames 783a and both frames 783a provided with a transport roller group 783b. A gear 783d is provided concentrically at the upstream end of the supply path PH1 of each conveyance roller group 783b. An input gear 783e disposed on the further upstream side of the gear 783d is engaged with the gear 783d. The input gear 783e is attached to the frame 783a by a stay (not shown) and protrudes upstream of the frame 783a. Then, through the input gear 783e, it is possible to selectively mesh with the output gears 577 and 587 provided on the supply conveyors 570 and 580 or the output gear 597 provided on the retracting conveyor 590 by a lifting operation described later. ing. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 30, 31 and 32, when the drive motor 574 (or 584 or 594) of the conveyor 570 (or 580 or 590) on the side where the input gear 783e is engaged rotates, As a result of the power being transmitted to the gear 783d via the input gear 783e, the rotational driving force in the supply conveyor 570 (or the supply conveyor 580 or the retracting conveyor 590) is transmitted to the transport roller group 783b of the switching unit 780. Therefore, when the input gear 783e meshes with the output gear 577 of the supply conveyor 570, the container C conveyed to the supply conveyor 570 is delivered to the conveyance roller group 783b.
[0114]
  When the received container C is carried out to the container delivery port 535, the air cylinder 781 is driven to shift upward, the input gear 783e is engaged with the output gear 587 of the supply conveyor 580, and the container C is transferred to the supply conveyor 580. Take it out.
[0115]
  On the other hand, when there is no empty space in the stock shelf 200 corresponding to the switching unit 780 or when the stock shelf 200 is to be accommodated in another stock shelf 200, the switching unit 780 remains connected to the supply conveyor 570. Is maintained. As a result, the container C delivered to the conveyance roller group 783b is directly carried out to the downstream conveyor 570. In the illustrated embodiment, an address for each container C is set in the storage space of each stock shelf 200, and various types of containers C can be stored on the same guide frame 230 (see FIG. 4). In addition, it is possible to flexibly cope with fluctuations in the empty space due to the usage frequency of the containers C and inventory fluctuations, and it is possible to accommodate various types of containers C in the stock shelf 200 without providing useless accommodation spaces.
[0116]
  Further, when the container C cannot be carried out to the supply conveyor 580 in the most downstream switching unit 780, the switching unit 780 lowers the container hanger 783 and carries the container C to the retracting conveyor 590.
[0117]
  33 and 34 are cross-sectional views of the warehousing / conveying unit 520 when performing the evacuation process.
[0118]
  With reference to these drawings, the container C carried out to the evacuation conveyor 590 returns to the uppermost stream of the matrix processing unit 530 and is returned to the lifter 527. The container C returned to the lifter 527 is carried out to the arm 529 of the lifter 527 in preference to the container C from the warehousing station ST1, and is returned again to the uppermost supply conveyor 570. As described above, in the illustrated embodiment, even when a queue is generated on the supply conveyor 580 provided corresponding to each stock shelf 200, the retreating path 590 of the container C is configured by the evacuation conveyor 590. Therefore, task processing can be performed flexibly. Therefore, while the operating rate of the warehousing unit 300 provided in each stock shelf 200 can be increased, the possibility that the worker is waiting at the warehousing station ST1 is reduced as much as possible.
[0119]
  Next, the carrying-in apparatus 588 arrange | positioned at the container delivery port 535 of the supply conveyor 580 is explained in full detail.
[0120]
  FIG. 35 is a schematic plan view of a part of the carry-in device 588 provided on the supply conveyor 580. FIG. 36 shows a schematic configuration of the carry-in device 588. (A) is a front view before the operation of the lifting table 588a, and (B) is a front view after the operation of the lifting table 588a. FIG. 37 is a side view showing the operation of the carry-in device 588, where (A) shows a state in the retracted position and (B) shows a state in the delivery position. Further, FIG. 38 is a schematic side view showing the operation of the carry-in device 588.
[0121]
  With reference to each figure, the carrying-in apparatus 588 is provided with the raising / lowering table 588a for switching the direction of the container C. FIG.
[0122]
  The lifting table 588a of the carry-in device 588 is provided with a transport roller group 588b arranged along the Z direction for feeding the container C toward the storage unit 300, and these transport roller groups are provided by an endless belt 588c. Power is transmitted to 588b. Further, a power transmission gear 588e is provided at the downstream end of the conveyance roller group 588b in the Z direction, and the conveyance roller group 588b can be driven via the power transmission gear 588e. Further, the elevating table 588a is configured to be movable up and down by an air cylinder 588f. By this lifting operation, the lifting table 588a is provided at the retraction position (see FIGS. 36 (A) and 37 (A)) retracted immediately below the container C conveyed to the container delivery port 535, and the frame 581. The container C is floated from the driving roller 582 and can be moved up and down between delivery positions (see FIGS. 36B and 37B) where the container C is conveyed.
[0123]
  Furthermore, in order to support the container C transported to the container delivery port 535, a support roller group 588g that faces the lifting table 588a in the Z direction and is aligned in the X direction is disposed at the container delivery port 535. . When the lift table 588a is in the retracted position, the support roller group 588g receives the bottom of the container C fed to the container delivery port 535, so that the container C is directly above the lift table 588a in the retracted position. When the lift table 588a is displaced to the delivery position, the container C is delivered to the transport roller group 588b of the lift table 588a, and the container C is moved in the Z direction. It is arranged at a position that allows it to be carried out (see FIG. 37B). Further, a notch 588h for avoiding interference with the support roller group 588g is formed on the side wall of the lifting table 588a (see FIGS. 37A and 37B).
[0124]
  In order to carry the container C from the lifting table 588a into the transport unit 310 of the warehousing unit 300, the carry-in device 588 is provided with a relay roller group 588i provided in the matrix processing unit 530. The relay roller group 588i is disposed at a position for receiving the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C displaced to the delivery position. The downstream end of the relay roller group 588i protrudes from the matrix processing unit 530 along the Z direction to a position where it can face the rear surface of the warehousing unit 300 (the surface opposite to the warehousing unit 400 in the Z direction).
[0125]
  A driving unit 588j is provided between the relay roller group 588i and the lifting table 588a. The drive unit 588j includes a motor 588k and an output gear 588m driven by the motor 588k. The output gear 588m is disposed at a position where it can be connected in the Y direction to the power transmission gear 588e of the lifting table 588a. Thus, when the lifting table 588a is in the retracted position, both gears 588e and 588m are separated, and when the lifting table 588a is displaced to the delivery position, both gears 588e and 588m are engaged and the lifting table 588a. The conveyance roller group 588b is driven, and the container C receiving the bottom surface of the conveyance roller group 588b can be fed to the warehousing unit 300 side in the Z direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 38, when the transport unit 310 of the warehousing unit 300 faces the downstream end of the relay roller group 588i, and the lifting table 588a is displaced to the delivery position, the container carried by the carry-in device 588. C is sent into the transport unit 310 of the warehousing unit 300 via the relay roller group 588i. In the illustrated embodiment, a gear 588n that meshes with the gear 588m is provided, and power is also driven from a driving roller coaxial with the gear 588n to the relay roller group 588i via an endless belt 588P.
[0126]
  The delivered container C is stored in the storage space of the stock shelf 200 by the storage unit 300.
[0127]
  Next, the unloading conveyance part 540 and the raising / lowering transfer apparatus 550 of the conveyor apparatus 500 are demonstrated.
[0128]
  FIG. 39 is a schematic side view showing the delivery side of the conveyor device 500.
[0129]
  Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3, the delivery / conveying unit 540 includes a frame body 540a constituting the outline thereof and delivery conveyors 541 to 545 constructed in the frame body 540a. The frame body 540a is a frame-like structure formed in a multi-stage shape in which the downstream side (the left side in FIG. 39) becomes higher for each stock shelf 200. The delivery conveyors 541 to 545 are provided for each stock shelf 200, the upstream end thereof faces the substantially central portion in the X direction of the corresponding stock shelf 200, and the downstream end is X of the most downstream stock shelf 200. Facing the end of the direction. About the mechanism of each delivery conveyor 541-545, since it is equivalent to the conveyance conveyor 570 of the matrix process part 530 mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted for the detail.
[0130]
  At the upstream end of each of the delivery conveyors 541 to 545, a carry-out device 546 is provided (only one place is shown in FIG. 39).
[0131]
  FIG. 40 is a plan view of the carry-out device 546 provided on the delivery conveyors 541 to 545.
[0132]
  As shown in the figure, the unloading device 546 unloads the containers C sent from the transport unit 410 of the unloading unit 400 to the corresponding unloading conveyors 541 to 545, and supplies the containers C to the processing station ST2. Basically, it is configured by a mechanism equivalent to the carry-in device 588 described above, and therefore, in the following description, members corresponding to the carry-in device 588 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0133]
  FIGS. 41 to 45 are schematic side views showing the downstream end portion of the conveyor device 500 on the exit side.
[0134]
  Referring to each figure and FIG. 39, each of the delivery conveyors 541 to 545 is arranged horizontally along the X direction with the downstream ends thereof aligned on the same vertical line. And the container C delivered from each delivery unit 400 passes to the supply path PH1 of the circulation part 560 continuing to the processing station ST1 via the lifting / lowering transfer device 550 arranged on the downstream side of each delivery conveyor 541-545. It is configured to transport.
[0135]
  The lifting / lowering transfer device 550 includes a frame-shaped frame body 551, a container transport conveyor 552 provided on the frame body 551, a lifting conveyor 553 disposed above the container transport conveyor 552, and a lifting conveyor 553. And an elevating drive mechanism 554.
[0136]
  The frame body 551 is a frame body that is generally constructed in a tower shape, and its overall length is set somewhat higher than the overall length of the delivery / conveyance unit 540. As a result, the delivery operation of the containers C can be performed between the container conveyor 552 and the elevator conveyor 553 described below from the output conveyor 541 arranged at the lowermost stage to the output conveyor 545 arranged at the uppermost stage. Yes.
[0137]
  The container transfer conveyor 552 includes a table 552a configured inside the frame body 551, and a pair of transfer frames 552b provided on the table 552a, facing the Z direction and extending in the X direction (only one in FIG. 41). And a conveyance roller group 552c provided on the conveyance frame 552b, and a drive motor (not shown) for driving the conveyance roller group 552c. The bottom surface of the container C is received by the conveyance roller group 552c, By driving the transport roller group 552c and sending the container C to the direction switching part 510 provided in the downstream circulation part 560, the container C can be carried out to the supply path PH1 provided in the circulation part 560. It has become.
[0138]
  The elevating conveyor 553 includes a pair of arms 553a facing in the Z direction and extending in the X direction, a pair of frames 553b provided in each arm 553a, and a pair provided in each frame 553b. A transport roller group 553c for transporting the container C, a drive motor 553d for driving each transport roller group 553c, and a channel that supports the drive motor 553d and opens downward as viewed in the X direction. And a carrier 553e that integrally supports the arms 553a at the lower ends thereof. A pair of air cylinders 553f are attached to the arm 553a along the Z direction, and each frame 553b is close to each other along the Z direction and receives the lower surface of the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C and each frame. 553b is separated from each other in the Z direction so that it can be displaced between the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C and the separation position where each of the transport roller groups 553c is separated.
[0139]
  And when receiving the container C from each delivery conveyor 541-545, the container carried out from each delivery conveyor 541-545 by driving the drive motor 553d in the state which displaced each frame 553b to the container holding position. After the multipurpose flange 12 of C is received by the transport roller group 553c and the container C held by the elevating drive mechanism 554 described below is seated on the transport roller group 552c of the container transport conveyor 552, each frame 553b is set to the release position. By displacing, the container C can be delivered to the container transport conveyor 552.
[0140]
  The lifting drive mechanism 554 is paired with a servo motor 554a provided at the top of the frame body 551 so as to face the Z direction, and a pair of sprockets 554b driven by the servo motor 554a (only one is shown in FIG. 41). ), A chain 554c connected to the sprocket 554b and having one end fixed to the elevating conveyor 553, and a balance weight 554d attached to the other end of the chain 554c. By driving 554c, the elevating conveyor 553 faces the downstream end of any delivery conveyor 541 to 545, and the container C can be taken out by the above-described procedure.
[0141]
  In order to perform the drive control of the above-described delivery / conveyance unit 540 and the lifting / lowering transfer device 550, the exit / conveyance unit 540 is provided with a delivery control unit 555.
[0142]
  The delivery control unit 555 is for controlling the drive motor of the container conveyor 552, the drive motor 553d and the air cylinder 553f of the lift conveyor 553, and the servo motor 554a of the lift drive mechanism 554. It is embodied in a sequencer having the electrical components. Here, in the present embodiment, each shipping unit 400 performs a shipping operation in parallel according to a shipping instruction from a main control unit 800 described later. As a result, the containers C carried out to the respective delivery conveyors 541 to 545 are also carried out toward the lifting / lowering transfer device 550 at random. In order to perform the control for making the delivery order of the plurality of containers C correspond to the delivery request order at the processing station ST2, the delivery control unit 555 is provided in pairs at the downstream end of each delivery conveyor 541-545. The sensors 541a to 545a are connected. In addition, in order to control the discharging operation of the containers C by the respective delivery conveyors 541 to 545 based on the output results of these sensors 541a to 545a, the sequencer 555 includes drive motors 541b to 545b for the respective delivery conveyors 541 to 545. It is connected.
[0143]
  Next, with reference to FIG. 46, the switching unit 700 provided in the circulation unit 560 and the circulation unit 560 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0144]
  FIG. 46 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the circulation unit 560 according to the present embodiment.
[0145]
  Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3, the circulation unit 560 of the conveyor unit 500 according to the present embodiment forms a two-stage return conveyor 730 and a recovery conveyor 740 on the downstream side of the switching point. One of them (return conveyor 730 in the illustrated example) constitutes the stock return path PH3, and the other (recovery conveyor 740 in the illustrated example) constitutes the downstream side of the recovery path PH2. . Each of these conveyors 730 and 740 is basically composed of a mechanism equivalent to the supply conveyors 570 and 580 described in FIGS. 30 and 31 and only sets the transport direction to the opposite direction. Therefore, the corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0146]
  The switching device 700 according to the present embodiment is realized by constructing the sorting device 710 and the laminating device 720 with the switching point of the circulation unit 560 as a base point. The return conveyor 730 and the recovery conveyor A sorting device 710 that is arranged at a branch point with respect to 740 and switches the feeding route of the container C, and a stack that stacks the empty container C fed to the recovery route PH2 by the sorting device 710 on the upstream side of the stacking conveyor 750. Device 720.
[0147]
  47 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the sorting device 710 in FIG. 46 with a part omitted, FIG. 48 is a schematic front view showing the weighing operation of the sorting device 710 in FIG. 47, and FIG. The previous state, (B), shows the state being determined.
[0148]
  47 and 48, the sorting device 710 includes a base 711. The base 711 is a plate-like member that is formed of metal or the like and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. Further, a weight sensor 711a as a discriminating means is fixed at a substantially center position of the base 711 when viewed from above. In the illustrated embodiment, a load cell that can be measured in units of 0.01 kg is employed as the weight sensor 711a. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible not only to determine whether or not the electric wire W remains in the container C, but also to measure the length of the electric wire W remaining in the container C.
[0149]
  The weight sensor 711a is provided with a lead wire 711b, and the lead wire 711b is connected to a communication module (not shown) that can communicate with a main control unit 800 described later. Thereby, the measured value of the weight sensor 711a is output to the main control unit 800.
[0150]
  An inspection table 712 is provided on the upper surface of the weight sensor 711a. The inspection table 712 includes a table body 712a made of metal or the like. The base body 712 a has substantially the same width as the base 711 and a longitudinal dimension slightly shorter than the base 711. In addition, mounting plates 712b extend in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base body 712a. A pressing cylinder 712c is provided at each end (four locations) of the mounting plate 712b. These pressing cylinders 712c include a cylinder body 712e and a rod 712d driven by the cylinder body 712e. The cylinder body 712e is fixed to the mounting plate 712b with the rod 712d protruding upward from the mounting plate 712b.
[0151]
  FIG. 49 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the display panel 711c of the sorting device 710 of FIG.
[0152]
  Referring to FIG. 49, the measured value of the weight sensor 711a is displayed on the display panel 711c. The display panel 711c is fixed to the frame 563 of the switching device 700 so that the operator can confirm the measured value of the container C by the weight sensor 711a (see FIG. 46).
[0153]
  Returning to FIG. 47, one end of a pair of slide bars 713 is fixed upward at both ends of the base 711 in the longitudinal direction. The other ends of these slide bars 713 are fixed to both end portions of a support frame 713 a fixed to the circulation portion 560. The support frame 713a is a member that is formed of metal or the like and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above. In addition, an elevating cylinder 714 is provided at a substantially central portion of the support frame 713a as viewed from above. The elevating cylinder 714 includes a vertically disposed cylinder body 714a and a rod 714b that is driven by the cylinder body 714a immediately below the cylinder body 714a. The cylinder body 714a is fixed to the support frame 713a in a state where the rod 714b is inserted through the support frame 713a downward.
[0154]
  The lower end of the rod 714b is fixed to a top plate 715 having substantially the same dimensions as the support frame 713a. The slide bar 713 is inserted through both ends of the top plate 715. A pair of side plates 715a are fixed to both ends of the top plate 715 so as to face each other. These side plates 715a are formed of metal or the like, and are plate-like members that are substantially rectangular in side view. The slide bar 713 passes through the side plate 715a in the longitudinal direction. Further, a pair of elevating hangers 716 are provided on the opposite side surfaces of each side plate 715a in a state of facing each other. These elevating hangers 716 are rod-shaped members that are made of metal or the like and have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side, and are fixed to the side plate 715a with the longitudinal direction thereof oriented in the horizontal direction. Each lifting hanger 716 has a conveyance roller group 716a similar to that used in each of the conveyors 730 and 740 of the circulation unit 560 described above, and the collection path PH2 is provided by the conveyance roller group 716a. The container C can be transported from the upstream side to the downstream side. An input roller 717 disposed at the downstream end of the collection path PH2 is wound around the endless belt 716b wound around each of the transport roller groups 716a. The input roller 717 is further engaged with a connecting gear 717b disposed on the downstream side of the input roller 717, and an output gear 577 provided in each conveyor 730, 740 by a lifting operation described later via the connecting gear 717b. Alternatively, it can be selectively meshed with 587. As a result, similarly to the matrix processing unit 530, the container C carried on the transport roller group 716a of the elevating hanger 716 advances to the downstream side of the collection path PH2 or the stock return path PH3.
[0155]
  In the present embodiment, the lifting cylinder 714 and the lifting hanger 716 described above constitute switching means for switching the transport path of the container C.
[0156]
  Further, the sorting device 710 includes a weighing unit sensor 718 for detecting the container C that has reached the switching point. The weighing unit sensor 718 is provided at a position where the container C is detected in a state before the container C passes the switching point on the inspection table 712.
[0157]
  In order to specify the type of electric wire in the container C conveyed to the lifting hanger 716, a barcode reader unit 719 as a type reading unit is provided in the vicinity of the switching point. This barcode reader unit 719 is basically of the same specification as the barcode reader unit 524 described in FIG. 26, and is configured to read the barcode C1 provided in the container C by moving up and down. ing.
[0158]
  48A and 48B, when the container C is transported to a predetermined position on the lifting hanger 716, the transport is stopped above the inspection table 712 by the detection of the measuring unit sensor 718. 48 (A). In this state, the pressing cylinder 712c is not in contact with the lower surface of the container C. Then, each rod 712d of the pressing cylinder 712c starts pressing upward, and is in the state shown in FIG.
[0159]
  In FIG. 48B, each pressing cylinder 712d extends the rod 712d, so that the container C is levitated from the lifting hanger 716 by each pressing cylinder 12d. For this reason, since the load of the container C acts on the weight sensor 711 as indicated by the arrow Y via the pressing cylinder 712d, the weight sensor 711 measures the load generated on the inspection table 712, and shows the measured value. The information is displayed on the display panel 711c indicated by 49 and output to the main control unit 800.
[0160]
  For the container C in which it is determined that the electric wire W remains by the above determination, the position of the reading unit 719a of the barcode reader unit 719 is appropriately adjusted by the barcode reader lifting / lowering unit 719b, and the barcode C1 of the container C is changed. It is supposed to read. The container C into which the barcode C1 is read is conveyed from the hanger elevating hanger 716 to the return conveyor 730 (see FIG. 46). On the other hand, the container C determined that the electric wire W does not remain (that is, is empty) is conveyed to the recovery conveyor 740. The container C transported to the recovery conveyor 740 is transported to the stacking device 720.
[0161]
  Next, the lamination apparatus 720 will be described.
[0162]
  FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the laminating apparatus 720 in FIG. 46 with a part omitted, where (A) shows a state before the container C is laminated, and (B) shows a state after the container C is laminated. Show.
[0163]
  46 and 50A, a laminating apparatus 720 as a laminating means is constructed at the upstream end of the laminating conveyor 750 described above. The stacking device 720 includes a lift cylinder 721. The lift cylinder 721 includes a cylinder body 721a and a rod 721b that can be displaced relative to the cylinder body 721a. With the rod 721b facing downward, the cylinder body 721a is fixed to a frame 563 located immediately above the upstream end of the stacking conveyor 750. Further, one end of the rod 721b is fixed at a substantially central position of the drive plate 722 when viewed from the top. The drive plate 722 is a rectangular member made of metal or the like, and is fixed to the rod 721b so that its longitudinal direction is horizontal. A pair of lift arms 722a are cantilevered at both ends of the drive plate 722 toward one side in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the drive plate 722. Each of these lift arms 722a includes a pair of support portions 723 in the vertical direction. The support portions 723 are provided with claw portions 723a in the opposing directions. These claw portions 723a are supported by the shaft 723b with respect to the support portion 723, respectively. With the shaft 723b, each claw portion 723a can be rotated upward (that is, the lift arm 722a side) with respect to the horizontal direction, and cannot be rotated downward (that is, the vertical direction). Each shaft 723 is a rod-shaped member made of metal or the like, and is provided in parallel with each lift arm 722a. Further, the laminating apparatus 720 is provided with a lift sensor 724 that reacts in a state where the container C is transported to a predetermined position on the above-described laminating conveyor 750.
[0164]
  The stacking device 720 configured as described above supports the multipurpose flange 12 of the lowermost container C in the group of containers C stacked as shown in FIG. 50 (B) by the respective claw portions 723a. . When another container C is stacked, the lifted cylinder 721 raises the stacked container C group and waits for the container C conveyed from the collection conveyor 740.
[0165]
  51 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the operation of the claw portion 723a of the laminating apparatus 720 in FIG. 50, (A) is a state immediately after the lift cylinder 721 is lowered, and (B) is a state where the lift cylinder 721 is being lowered. , (C) show the state after the lift cylinder 721 is lowered.
[0166]
  Referring to FIG. 51 (A), the transport of the container C transported along the recovery conveyor 740 is stopped on the stacking conveyor 750 by the lift sensor 724 (see FIG. 46). That is, the container C stops at a position below the stacking device 720 (or below the stacking container C group). In this state, the lift cylinder 721 of the laminating apparatus 720 starts to descend.
[0167]
  Referring to FIG. 51 (B), when the lift cylinder 721 is lowered, the upper surface of each claw portion 723a is separated from the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C, and the lower surface of each claw portion 723a is the multipurpose flange of the lower container C. 12 abuts. When the lift cylinder 721 is further lowered, each claw portion 723a starts to rotate upward about the shaft 723b.
[0168]
  Referring to FIG. 51C, when the lift cylinder 721 is further lowered, the claw portions 723a are moved to a position below the multipurpose flange 12 of the lower container C. And each nail | claw part 723a rotates below centering on the axis | shaft 723b until the state of the said FIG. 51 (A), ie, the state which the upper surface contact | abuts to the lower surface of the flange C1.
[0169]
  In order to control each part of the switching device 700 described above, the automatic supply system 100 is provided with a switching control unit 777 (see FIG. 46). This switching control unit 777 is embodied by a sequencer configured to be communicable with a main control unit 800 described later.
[0170]
  52 to 56 are side views showing the operation procedure of the switching device 700. FIG. As shown in these drawings, the switching device 700 performs sorting of the containers C by the sorting device 710 under the control of the switching control unit 777 and the main control unit 800, and the stacking device 720 can stack the empty containers C. It can be done.
[0171]
  Next, the control mechanism of the automatic supply system 100 described above will be described.
[0172]
  FIG. 57 is a block diagram of the entire automatic supply system 100 according to the present embodiment.
[0173]
  With reference to the figure, the automatic supply system 100 is provided with a main control unit 800 as a control device embodied by a sequencer. The main control unit 800 includes a microprocessor and other electrical components, and can exchange signals with each unit via a communication module connected via a serial port such as RS232C. As a result, the main control unit 800 includes a direction switching unit 510, a warehousing / conveying unit 520, a matrix processing unit 530, a warehousing / conveying unit 540, a sequencer 555 of the lifting / lowering transfer device 550, and a switching device 700. In addition to being able to communicate control signals with the switching control unit 777 and each unit control unit 850 that controls the warehousing unit 300 and the unloading unit 400, the barcode reader of each processing apparatus 1 disposed at the processing station ST1. Information read by the unit 2 can also be received as an instruction to leave. In the illustrated embodiment, a monitor personal computer 830 is connected to the main control unit 800, and a monitor personal computer 860 for monitoring the control state of the all unit control unit 850 is connected to the all unit control unit 850. It is connected.
[0174]
  The main control unit 800 includes a transaction processing unit 810 for performing transaction processing for the stock shelf 200 (incoming processing of a new electric wire W, outgoing processing of an electric wire W that has been requested to exit), and the transaction processing unit 810. A database 820 for performing transaction processing is included.
[0175]
  FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transaction processing unit 810 provided in the main control unit 800 of FIG.
[0176]
  Referring to the figure, transaction processing unit 810 is assigned by request receiving unit 811 that receives a warehousing request or a shipping request, address allocating unit 812 that allocates the address of container C related to the received request, and address allocating unit 812. An instruction output unit 815 that outputs a warehousing instruction or a warehousing instruction based on the received address, and a data update unit 816 that updates the database 820 based on the address information allocated by the address allocation unit 812 and the processing result information from the unit control unit. And have.
[0177]
  The request receiving unit 811 includes a warehousing request receiving unit 811a that receives a warehousing request and a warehousing request receiving unit 811b that receives a warehousing request. The warehousing request reception unit 811a transmits the transmission data of the barcode reader unit 524 provided in the warehousing / conveying unit 510, the transmission data of the barcode reader unit 719 provided in the sorting device 710, and the weight sensor 711a provided in the sorting device 710. The transmission data can be received. The warehousing request reception unit 811a can specify the transmission source of the transmission data from the header information of the packet included in the transmission data from each barcode reader unit 524, 719, and from the data portion of the transmitted packet, The product number and length of the electric wire W accommodated in the container C that is requested to enter (the length registered in the barcode C1 in the case of a new electric wire W. In the case of an end length electric wire, a weight sensor. It is possible to calculate the length based on the weight measured by 711a.
[0178]
  Further, the exit request receiving unit 811b is for receiving the read data read by the barcode reader unit 2 of the processing apparatus 1 as an exit request. Also in the delivery request receiving unit 811b, the processing device 1 that has made the delivery request can be specified from the header information of the transmitted packet, and the wire to be delivered from the data portion of the transmitted packet. It is possible to calculate the length of W.
[0179]
  Based on the transmission data received by the request receiving unit 811, the address assigning unit 812 specifies the address of the container C to be stored / shipped based on the procedure described later, and the processing result is output to the instruction output unit 815 and the data update unit 816. It is configured to output to.
[0180]
  The instruction output unit 815 includes a warehousing instruction output unit 815a that outputs a warehousing instruction and a warehousing instruction output unit 815b that outputs a warehousing instruction. Any of the output units 815a and 815b outputs the processing result of the address allocation unit 812 to any of the unit control units 850 via the communication module, and drives the warehousing unit 300 or the warehousing unit 400, or both units 300 and 400. Thus, the warehousing process or the warehousing process can be performed. In the illustrated embodiment, in the queue using the above-described lifting / lowering transfer device 550 as a window, a shipping instruction is also output to the shipping control unit 555 in order to specify the priority of shipping in a step described later. Has been.
[0181]
  The database 820 stores various data necessary for inventory management of the stock shelf 200. The data included in the database 820 includes the address S of the stock shelf 200._N, Inventory information of the container C stored in the stock shelf 200, ID information of the processing apparatus 1, ID information of the stock shelf 200, and the like are included.
[0182]
  The automatic supply system 100 described above is controlled based on a conceptual diagram and a flowchart described below.
[0183]
  FIG. 59 is a flowchart of the main control unit of the automatic supply system according to the present embodiment.
[0184]
  With reference to the figure, the transaction control unit 810 of the automatic supply system 100 waits for reception of a warehousing request or a warehousing request (step A1).
[0185]
  If the transmission data is received from any of the barcode reader units 2, 524, 719 described above, the request receiving unit 811 sorts the entry request and the exit request based on the header information (step A2).
[0186]
  If a warehousing request is received, the address assignment unit 812 and the warehousing instruction output unit 815a of the transaction processing unit 810 perform warehousing request processing (step A3).
[0187]
  On the other hand, when the received transmission data is a delivery request, the address assignment unit 812 and the delivery instruction output unit 815b of the transaction processing unit 810 perform a delivery request process (step A4).
[0188]
  When these request processes are completed, the data update unit 816 of the transaction processing unit 810 performs the data update process (step A5). This completes the processing of the received transmission data.
[0189]
  FIG. 60 is a flowchart of the unit controller of the automatic supply system according to this embodiment.
[0190]
  Referring to the figure, unit control unit 850 waits for a control command from main control unit 800 (step U1).
[0191]
  When the warehousing instruction is issued from the main control unit 800, the unit control unit 850 executes the warehousing process program and performs the warehousing process (step U2).
[0192]
  On the other hand, when a shipping instruction is issued from the main control unit 800, the unit control unit 850 executes a shipping process program and performs a shipping process (step U3).
[0193]
  When each process ends, the unit control unit 850 transmits the processing result to the main control unit 800 and ends the process (step U4).
[0194]
  61 is a conceptual diagram showing a warehousing process flow when a new electric wire W is warehousing, FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing a warehousing request processing subroutine in the main control unit 800, and FIG. 63 is a warehousing process in the unit control unit 850. It is a flowchart which shows a subroutine.
[0195]
  First, referring to FIG. 61, in the warehousing operation, when the electric wire W is ordered based on the production plan and the ordered electric wire W is received in the factory F, the worker at the warehousing station ST1 empties the electric wire W. It accommodates in the container C, accommodates the pictorial symbol C2 of the accommodated electric wire W in the pictorial symbol accommodating section 30, and mounts it on the warehousing and conveying section 520. The warehousing / conveying unit 520 reads the barcode C1 of the picture symbol C2 by the barcode reader unit 524, and transmits the read workpiece information as the warehousing request data to the main control unit 800. Based on this transmission data, the main control unit 800 outputs a warehousing command to the unit control unit 850, and the corresponding address S of the corresponding stock shelf 200._NThe container C is accommodated in the container.
[0196]
  Referring to FIG. 62, when the warehousing request process (step A3) in FIG. 59 is executed, address allocation unit 812 expands the data in database 820 and reads the inventory data (step A31). Next, the address assigning unit 812 uses the read inventory data to obtain an empty address S._NIs searched (step A32).
[0197]
  By this search, the address assignment unit 812 causes the free address S_N, And the identified free address S_NIs transmitted to the unit control unit 850 of the corresponding stock shelf 200 (step A34). Temporary address S_NIs not found, the address assignment unit 812 performs error processing and ends the warehousing request processing (step A35). In this error processing, for example, a message such as “There is no free space. Please contact the reader to respond” is output to the personal computer 820 for monitoring, or the indicator lamp 525 provided in the warehousing and transporting unit 520 is turned on. Work to notify the worker. In the present embodiment, the storage space of the stock shelf 200 is configured in three dimensions, and the three-dimensional coordinates are managed using addresses that can be specified, and the same guide frame 230 (see FIG. 4). ) Since it is configured to accommodate various types of containers C on the top, an empty address S_NThere is an advantage that it is easy to secure.
[0198]
  Referring to FIG. 63, when receiving a storage request from main control unit 800, unit control unit 850 drives storage unit 300, and transports transport unit 310 of storage unit 300 to the container feeding unit of corresponding matrix processing unit 530. It faces the exit 535 (see FIG. 35) (step U21). In this state, the warehousing unit 300 waits for the container C to be conveyed to the container delivery port 535 (step U22). When the container C arrives, the unit controller 530 drives the loading device 588 provided at the container delivery port 535 to load the container C into the transport unit 310. In this carrying-in operation, first, as shown in FIGS. 36A and 37A, the air cylinder 588f of the carrying-in device 588 in the retracted position lifts the lifting table 588a and displaces it to the delivery position. 36 (B) and FIG. 37 (B), the container C is received by the transport roller group 588b and floated from the transport roller group 582. Next, by driving the motor 588k and displacing it to the delivery position, as shown in FIG. 38, the driving force of the motor 588k is transmitted from the gear 588m to the gear 588e, and the transport roller group 588b is driven to transport the container C. The sheet is fed onto the timing belt 357 of the transport roller group 356 of the unit 310. As shown in FIGS. 14-16, the conveyance unit 310 which carried the container C drives the input gear 243 of the stock shelf 200 in the above-described procedure (step U25), and introduces the container C into the stock shelf 200 (step S25). Step U26).
[0199]
  The unit control unit 850 monitors whether or not the above procedure has been completed normally by sensors not shown provided at appropriate positions of the warehousing and transporting unit 520, the matrix processing unit 530, the stock shelf 200, and the warehousing unit 300, When an abnormality occurs, the processing is stopped at that time and error processing is performed. If all the processing ends normally, the unit control unit 850 returns to the original routine and ends the processing (step S27). On the other hand, if an error occurs, error processing is performed and then the original routine is restored (step U28). This error processing includes processing for displaying the error content on the personal computer 860 for monitoring, and processing for adding an error log to the data part in processing result transmission in the main routine of FIG.
[0200]
  Next, processing of the end length electric wire W remaining in the container C returned from the processing station ST2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0201]
  FIG. 64 is a conceptual diagram showing the warehousing process flow when returning the container C, FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the warehousing process, and FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing a sub-set of the unset container process in the switching device 700. It is.
[0202]
  First, referring to FIG. 64, in processing station ST2, empty container C in which electric wire W has been removed or container C in which electric wire W that has become unnecessary is accommodated is appropriately disposed in collection path PH2 of circulation unit 560. It is sent out and reaches the switching point where the switching device 700 described in FIG. 3 is installed. These containers C are sorted into an empty container and a container C in which the end length electric wires W are accommodated by a weight sensor 711a provided in the sorting device 710 of the switching device 700. Next, for the container C in which the end length electric wire W is accommodated, the barcode C1 is read by the barcode reader unit 719 and transmitted to the main control unit 800 together with the measured value of the weight sensor 711a. The transaction processing unit 810 of the main control unit 800 issues a warehousing command based on the outputs of the weight sensor 711a and the barcode reader unit 719. In the switching device 700, the switching control unit 777 performs the following procedures in each part of the switching device 700. To control.
[0203]
  Referring to FIG. 65, switching control unit 777 waits for container C transported from circulation unit 560 by weighing unit sensor 718 (step S1). When the arrival of the container C is detected and the container C reaches the transport roller group 716a provided on the lifting hanger 716, the pressing cylinder 712c is driven, and the reached container C is weighed (see FIG. 48), and is applied to the panel 711c. Is displayed (see FIG. 49).
[0204]
  Based on this measured value, the switching control unit 777 determines whether or not the mass of the container C is greater than 1.32 kg (step S2). This 1.32 kg corresponds to the mass when the container C of the present embodiment is empty. That is, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the electric wire W remains in the container C. Next, when it is determined in this step S2 that the mass M of the container C is 1.32 kg or less (that is, the empty container C), the switching control unit 777 includes the lifting cylinder 714 of the sorting device 710 and the stacking layer. The lift cylinder 721 of the apparatus 720 is driven, the container C is lifted via the lifting hanger 716, and the empty containers C stacked on the stacking conveyor 750 are lifted via the lift arm 722a (step S3).
[0205]
  By this lift operation, the connecting gear 717 b provided on the lifting hanger 716 meshes with the input gear 587 of the transport unit 740. As a result, the transport roller group 716a of the lifting hanger 716 rotates, and the container C in which the multipurpose flange 12 is seated on the transport roller 716a moves from the lifting hanger 716 to the transport unit 740 (step S4).
[0206]
  Here, the switching control unit 777 waits for the empty container C to reach the stacking position set in the stacking device 720 by the lift unit sensor 724 (step S5). If the container C reaches the stacking position, the switching control unit 777 drives the lift cylinder 721 and lowers the lift arm 722a (step S6). In the middle of the lowering of the lift arm 722a, the stacked body of the containers C already stacked is placed on the transported container C, and the process shown in FIG. After that, the claw portion 723a is locked to the lower surface of the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C (lowermost stage) conveyed, and the state shown in FIG. 56 is reached.
[0207]
  The number of times of the stacking operation is counted by the switching control unit 777. The switching control unit 777 manages whether or not the cumulative number of stacks reaches a predetermined number of stacks (10 in the illustrated embodiment) (step S7).
[0208]
  If the number of containers C does not reach the number of stacked layers, the process for empty containers C ends. On the other hand, when the number of empty containers C reaches the number of stacks, the switching control unit 777 conveys the 10 stacked containers C to the downstream side of the stacking conveyor 750 (left side in FIG. 46) ( Step S8). Thereafter, the cumulative number of times (quantity of containers C) is reset, and the processing of empty containers C is completed.
[0209]
  Next, when it is determined in step S2 that the mass M of the container C is greater than 1.32 kg, the switching control unit 777 adjusts the position of the reading unit 719a by the bar code reader lifting / lowering unit 719b, and The barcode C1 is read by the barcode reader unit 719 (step S9).
[0210]
  Next, the switching control unit 777 transmits the information of the read barcode C1 to the main control unit 800, and whether or not the electric wire W accommodated in the container C is managed by the main control unit 800. Is inquired (step S10).
[0211]
  If the product number is set to the main control unit 800, the switching control unit 777 unloads the container C to the downstream side of the return path PH3 by the return conveyor 730 and ends the process (FIG. 46). reference). Thereby, the main control part 800 performs the warehousing process of the returned container C based on the said warehousing request | requirement process (step S11).
[0212]
  On the other hand, if the container C inquired in step 10 is not set, the main control unit 800 issues the container C to the collection processing station ST3 from the delivery instruction unit 815b of the transaction processing unit 810. The instruction is output to the switching control unit 777. Thereby, the switching control part 777 shifts to the non-setting container process (step S12).
[0213]
  FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing a subroutine in the error processing of FIG.
[0214]
  Referring to FIG. 66, in the non-set container processing, switching control unit 777 drives lift cylinder 714 of sorting device 710 and lift cylinder 721 of stacking device 720 as in the case of processing empty container C. Then, the container C is lifted via the lifting hanger 716, and the empty containers C stacked by the stacking conveyor 750 are lifted via the lift arm 722a (step S121).
[0215]
  As a result of this lift operation, the container C containing the unconfigured electric wire W moves from the lifting hanger 716 to the transport unit 740 in the same manner as the empty container C (step S122).
[0216]
  Here, the switching control unit 777 waits for the container C to pass the stacking position set in the stacking device 720 by the lift unit sensor 724 (step S123). When the container C passes through the stacking position, the container C is transported to the collection processing station ST3. On the other hand, when the container C passes the stacking position, the switching control unit 777 drives the lift cylinder 721 to lower the lift arm 722a until the stack of empty containers C is seated at the stacking position (step S124). ).
[0217]
  Next, the unloading operation of the automatic supply system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0218]
  FIG. 67 is a conceptual diagram showing a delivery process flow of the container C. FIG.
[0219]
  With reference to the figure, automatic carry-out of the container C is started by reading a barcode 3 a attached to the production plan 3 by the barcode reader unit 2 of the electric wire processing apparatus 1. The bar code 3 a of the production plan 3 is obtained by encoding the outgoing request data such as the line type and length required for production by the electric wire processing apparatus 1. The exit request command including the exit request data is also transmitted to the main control unit 800. Based on the data transmitted from the barcode reader unit 2, the transaction processing unit 810 of the main control unit 800 uses the address S in each stock shelf 200 of the required electric wire W (container C)._NIs sent to the unit control unit 850.
[0220]
  FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine of the exit request process in the main controller 800, and FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine of the exit process in the unit controller 850.
[0221]
  With reference to the figure, when the transaction processing unit 810 receives a shipping request, the shipping request receiving unit 811b calculates the requested total outgoing wire length L (step A41) and outputs it to the address allocation unit 812. .
[0222]
  The address allocation unit 812 accesses the database 820 to read inventory data (step A42), and confirms whether the inventory exists (step A43). If the inventory is insufficient, the address assignment unit 812 outputs an output to that effect to the warehousing instruction output unit 815a, thereby outputting a wire replenishment instruction from the warehousing instruction output unit 815a (step A44). In this electric wire replenishment instruction, the monitor personal computer 820 displays the indications such as “No electric wire inventory”, “The following electric wires requested from the electric wire warehouse: XX did not exist”, “Contact the reader and respond”. And a process of notifying the worker working at the processing station ST2 is included. Thereby, the worker can quickly know that the electric wire W is out of stock and can deal with it.
[0223]
  On the other hand, when the stock of the electric wire W exists in the stock shelf 200, the address allocation unit 812 determines whether or not the end-type electric wire W of the same type of electric wire W exists in the stock shelf 200 (step A45). In step A45, if the end length electric wire W exists in the stock shelf 200, the address allocation unit 812 determines that the corresponding address S_NIs output to the exit instruction output unit 815b, and the address S is output from the exit instruction output unit 815b._NA shipping instruction for the container C stored in the container is output (step A46). On the other hand, when the end length electric wire W does not exist in the stock shelf 200 in step A45, the address assignment unit 812 determines that the corresponding address S of the new electric wire W_NIs output to the exit instruction output unit 815b, and the address S is output from the exit instruction output unit 815b._NThe shipping instruction for the container C stored in the container is output (step A47). As described above, in the present embodiment, since the end electric wires W are delivered preferentially, it is possible to consume the old electric wires W first at the processing station ST2, and the long-term inventory is reduced. .
[0224]
  Next, referring to FIG. 69, unit control unit 850 that has received the shipping instruction, address S output by shipping instruction output unit 815b._NWhen the container C is specified, it is identified whether or not the container C is in the most downstream portion in the Z direction in the guide frame 230 of the stock shelf 200 (steps U31 and U32). This identification is the address of the three-dimensional variable
S_N= (X_n, Y_n, Z_n)
Or the address of a 4D variable
S = (N_n, X_n, Y_n, Z_n)
It can be easily performed by determining whether or not the value in the Z direction set to is the value on the most downstream side. As a result of the determination, if the container C is not located on the most downstream side in the Z direction, the unit control unit 850 performs the priority take-out process in cooperation with the warehousing unit 400 and the warehousing unit 300 (step U33).
[0225]
  On the other hand, when the container C is on the most downstream side, the unit controller 850 drives the delivery unit 400 in the procedure described in FIGS. 19 to 22 (step U34), and opens the stopper unit 250 of the stock shelf 200 (step U35). Thereafter, the drive roller unit 240 of the stock shelf 200 is driven to take out the container C (steps U36 and U37). Also in this shipping process, the unit control unit 850 monitors whether or not the above procedure has been completed normally (see step U38), and when an abnormality occurs, the process is stopped at that point and error processing is performed. (Step U39).
[0226]
  FIG. 70 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the priority extraction process in FIG.
[0227]
  Referring to the figure, when the container C that has a delivery request is not at the most downstream address in the Z direction, first, the unit controller 850 drives the delivery unit 400 (step U321), and the container in the Z direction. The stopper unit 250 corresponding to the container C on the most downstream side of C is driven and opened (step U322), the container C is taken out (step U323), and the taken out container C is returned to the return shelf 230R (see FIG. 5). (Step U324). As a result, the container C that has been requested to leave is moved up in the Z direction. By this carry-up operation, the address of the container C for which a delivery request is made is updated (step U325), and the process returns to step U31 of the original routine. As a result, if the container C moved in the Z direction in this procedure is located on the most downstream side in the Z direction, it is delivered to the delivery conveyors 541 to 545 by the procedure after Step U33 and does not reach the most downstream side. In this case, by repeating this highest priority extraction process again, it becomes possible to move the container C having the output request to the most downstream and carry it out preferentially.
[0228]
  FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing the return control of the warehousing unit 300 in the priority extraction process.
[0229]
  With reference to the figure, when the priority take-out process is performed and the delivery unit 400 returns the container C to the return shelf 230R, the sensor provided on the return shelf 230R detects this (step B1).
[0230]
  If the container C is detected, the unit control unit 850 drives the warehousing unit 300, rotates the motor 351 of the transport unit 310 in the opposite direction to the normal direction, and takes out the container C returned to the return shelf 230R. (Step B3).
[0231]
  Next, the warehousing unit 300 re-stocks the container C to the original stock shelf 200 corresponding to the address where the container C was accommodated (step B4).
[0232]
  By this operation, it is possible to preferentially take out the desired container C without changing the address in which each container C is stored as much as possible.
[0233]
  Even in this process, the unit control unit 850 monitors whether or not the above procedure has been completed normally (see step B5). If an abnormality occurs, the process is stopped at that point and error processing is performed. This is performed (step B6).
[0234]
  Next, a program in the main control unit 800 is set so that the above-described delivery process can be performed in parallel by a plurality of delivery units 400. As a result, a plurality of containers C may be carried out to the unloading / conveying unit 540, and a queue of containers C may be configured with the lifting / lowering transfer device 550 as a window. In this queuing process, the exit instruction output unit 815 of the main control unit 800 causes the transport time of the container C at the most downstream end of each of the exit conveyors 541 to 545 and the electric wire W of the container C to be out of stock at the processing station ST2. The remaining time until the operation is calculated, the priority order is specified based on the calculation result, and a shipping instruction is output. On the other hand, the unloading control unit 555 that controls the unloading conveyors 541 to 545 and the lifting / lowering transfer device 550 carries the containers C from the unloading conveyors 541 to 545 to the circulation unit 560 in the order based on the unloading instruction. This makes it possible to carry out the container C requested at the processing station ST2 very quickly in combination with the above-described preferential removal processing from the stock shelf 200.
[0235]
  FIG. 72 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the data update process in FIG.
[0236]
  Referring to the figure, address assigning unit 812 of transaction processing unit 810 assigns an address required for the warehousing process or the leaving process, and then outputs the address to update processing unit 816 (step A51). On the other hand, since the processing result is transmitted from the unit control unit 850 when the above-described warehousing process or shipping process is completed (see FIG. 60), the update processing unit 816 waits for the processing result (step A52). The update processing unit 816 determines whether or not the processing result is normal from the received processing result information (step A53). Only when the processing is normal, the update processing unit 816 determines whether or not the database 820 is updated based on the update information of the address allocation unit 812. The contents are updated (step A54). Thereby, consistency of inventory information and the like in the plurality of stock shelves 200 can be maintained.
[0237]
  In addition, since the total outgoing wire length L for which the outgoing request is issued in the outgoing processing is updated by this update processing, the processing ends when all the electric wires W requested by the outgoing of the container C are released. If the electric wire W is insufficient, the process returns to step A42 and is repeated.
[0238]
  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be configured as shown in the drawings, for example.
[0239]
  FIG. 73 is a schematic front view showing the weighing operation of the sorting device 760 according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows a state before discrimination and (B) shows a state during discrimination.
[0240]
  73, the sorting device 760 shown in FIG. 73 is the same as the sorting device 710 except that the weight sensor 711a, the inspection table 712, and the pressing cylinder 712c are not installed on the base 711 in the sorting device 710. The configuration is almost the same. Therefore, only the configuration different from the sorting device 710 will be described here. In the sorting device 760, the elevating cylinder 714 serving as a container levitation unit includes a cylinder body 714a and a rod 714b that can be displaced relative to the cylinder body 714a. The cylinder body 714a is fixed to the support frame 713a. One end of the rod 714b is fixed to the upper surface of a weight sensor 761 as a measuring unit through the support frame 713a. The lower surface of the weight sensor 761 is fixed to the upper surface of the top plate 715. The weight sensor 761 is provided with a lead wire 761a connected to the switching control unit 777.
[0241]
  The sorting device 760 configured as described above is transported between the lifting hangers 716 with the multipurpose flange 12 of the container C placed on the endless belt 716b as shown in FIG. 73 (A). At this time, the lower surface of the container C is not in contact with the base 711. And the raising / lowering cylinder 714 raises the raising / lowering hanger 716 with the container C, and will be in the state of (B) of FIG. When the elevating cylinder 714 is raised, a total load of the elevating hanger 716, the transport roller group 716 a, the endless belt 716 b, the input roller 717, the connecting gear 717 b, the side plate 715 a, the top plate 715, and the container C is generated in the weight sensor 761. The total load is transferred to the switching control unit 777 and compared with data of the total load other than the container C preset in the switching control unit 777. Since the load of the container C is calculated by this comparison, the sorting device 760 can determine whether or not the electric wire W remains in the container C.
[0242]
  In the sorting apparatuses 710 and 760 of the present invention, whether or not the electric wire W remains is determined based on the mass of the container C, but is not limited to determination based on the mass. For example, an optical discriminating unit such as an infrared sensor may be used, and the remaining of the electric wire W may be confirmed from the imaging data in the container C by an imaging unit such as a line sensor.
[0243]
  Since the switching device 700 configured as described above is provided with the sorting devices 710 and 760, it determines whether or not the electric wire W remains in the processed container C, and determines the container C in which the electric wire W remains. It can be carried out to the return conveyor 730 and stored in each stock shelf 200. On the other hand, since the switching device 700 is provided with the laminating device 720, the containers C determined by the sorting devices 710 and 760 that the electric wires W do not remain can be stacked and transported to the recovery processing station ST3. . Further, when the electric wire W determined to remain in the container C by the sorting devices 710 and 760 is not set in the switching control unit 777, the switching device 700 alone (without stacking) the container C. It can be transported to the collection processing station ST3.
[0244]
  FIG. 74 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of a stock shelf 1200 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0245]
  Referring to FIG. 74, stock shelf 1200 has an outer frame 1210 configured as a rectangular parallelepiped as a whole, and a guide frame 1230 assembled to this outer frame 1210. Other configurations are the same as those of the stock shelf 200 described above, and thus the above-described reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted here.
[0246]
  The outer frame 1210 is a member for configuring the outline of the stock shelf 1200 so as to form a two-dimensional storage space 2DSP that can store the containers C in one row in the Y direction and in a plurality of rows in the Z direction.
[0247]
  The guide frame 1230 has substantially the same configuration as the guide frame 230 described above. By the guide frame 1230, the inside of the outer frame 1210 is equally divided in the Y direction. As a result, the outer frame 1210 and the guide frame 1230 as a whole constitute a two-dimensional accommodation space 2DSP that can be specified in the Y direction and the Z direction. Further, in this embodiment, the lowermost guide frame 1230 is set as the return shelf 1230R in order to take out the container C having an arbitrary address in the Z direction.
[0248]
  In the stock shelf 1200 configured as described above, the container C transported from the storage station ST1 and the processing station ST2 is received by the storage unit 300 as in the above embodiment, and the container C is circulated by the output unit 400. It is conveyed to the conveyor 560. And in the case of a delivery, the stock shelf 1200 is given priority from the container C which accommodates an end length electric wire using the return shelf 1230R by the delivery process (refer FIGS. 69-71) in the main control part 800 mentioned above. Can now be issued.
[0249]
  In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional accommodation space 2DSP is configured in the Y direction and the Z direction, but the two-dimensional accommodation space 2DSP may be configured in the X direction and the Z direction.
[0250]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, even when a work requiring a delivery is in the middle of a row in one direction of the stock shelf, the delivery unit returns the work on the downstream side of the row to the temporary stock path. Since it is possible to take out workpieces for which a shipment request has been made, it is possible to individually select specific workpieces from a group of workpieces arranged in a row, and thus it is possible to realize the provision of efficient workpieces. There is an effect.
[0251]
Furthermore, according to this invention, since it is made to take out preferentially from an end length electric wire, it becomes possible to consume an old electric wire first, and it becomes less likely to have a long-term stock.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container that accommodates an electric wire as a workpiece according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a layout of a factory for processing an electric wire accommodated in the container.
FIG. 3 is a schematic partial plan view showing the main part of the factory.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a stock portion according to the present embodiment.
5 is a schematic front view showing a part of a stock shelf employed in the stock portion of FIG. 4 with a part omitted.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of addresses assigned to the stock shelf.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged side view showing a part of the main part of the stock shelf according to the present embodiment.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show a part on the exit side of the stock shelf according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 8A is a schematic front view and FIG. 8B is a schematic plan view of a plane.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the entire stock portion in which the stock shelf, the warehousing unit, and the warehousing unit according to the present embodiment are overviewed.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of the warehousing unit according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a frame portion of a transport unit employed in the warehousing unit.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a drive unit of the transport unit.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the transport unit.
FIG. 14 is a side view showing a transport operation of the transport unit.
FIG. 15 is a side view showing a transport operation of the transport unit.
FIG. 16 is a side view showing a transport operation of the transport unit.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a delivery-side transport unit according to the present embodiment.
18 is an enlarged perspective view showing a stopper release unit employed in the transport unit of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a plan view showing an operation procedure of the stopper release unit, where (A) shows before engagement, (B) shows when engaged, and (C) shows when driven.
FIG. 20 is a side view showing the operation procedure of the delivery-side transport unit.
FIG. 21 is a side view showing the operation procedure of the delivery-side transport unit.
FIG. 22 is a side view showing the operation procedure of the delivery-side transport unit.
FIG. 23 is a plan view showing a main part of the conveyor apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIGS. 24A and 24B are side views showing the operation of the direction switching unit, where FIG. 24A shows before the direction change, FIG. 24B shows the direction change, and FIG. 24C shows the direction change.
FIG. 25 is a schematic side view showing a schematic configuration of the warehousing and transporting unit.
26 is a side view of the barcode reader unit shown in FIG. 25. FIG.
FIG. 27 is a side view of the warehousing / conveying unit.
FIG. 28 is a side view of the warehousing and transporting unit.
FIG. 29 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a matrix processing unit according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 30 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the main part of the supply conveyor.
FIG. 31 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the main part of the supply conveyor.
32 is an enlarged partial schematic view showing an enlarged end portion of the matrix processing unit shown in FIG. 29;
33 is an enlarged partial schematic view showing, on an enlarged scale, an upstream end of the matrix processing unit shown in FIG. 29. FIG.
34 is an enlarged partial schematic view showing, on an enlarged scale, an upstream side of the matrix processing unit shown in FIG. 29. FIG.
FIG. 35 is a schematic partial plan view of a carry-in device provided on a supply conveyor.
FIG. 36 shows a schematic configuration of the carry-in apparatus, where (A) is a front view before the operation of the lifting table 588a, and (B) is a front view after the operation of the lifting table 588a.
FIGS. 37A and 37B are side views showing the operation of the carry-in apparatus, in which FIG. 37A shows a state in the retracted position, and FIG. 37B shows a state in the delivery position.
FIG. 38 is a schematic side view showing the operation of the carrying-in apparatus.
FIG. 39 is a schematic side view showing a delivery side of the conveyor device.
FIG. 40 is a plan view of a carry-out device provided on the delivery conveyor.
FIG. 41 is a schematic side view showing a downstream end portion that can be placed on the exit side of the conveyor device.
FIG. 42 is a schematic side view showing a downstream end portion on the delivery side of the conveyor device.
FIG. 43 is a schematic side view showing a downstream end portion on the delivery side of the conveyor device.
FIG. 44 is a schematic side view showing a downstream end portion on the delivery side of the conveyor device.
FIG. 45 is a schematic side view showing a downstream end portion on the delivery side of the conveyor device.
FIG. 46 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the circulation section according to the present embodiment.
47 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the sorting apparatus in FIG. 46 with a part thereof omitted. FIG.
48 is a schematic front view showing the weighing operation of the sorting apparatus of FIG. 47, where (A) shows a state before discrimination, and (B) shows a state during discrimination.
49 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing a display panel of the sorting apparatus of FIG. 47. FIG.
FIG. 50 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the laminating apparatus in FIG. 46 with a part omitted, where (A) shows a state before container stacking and (B) shows a state after container stacking. .
51 is a partially enlarged schematic view showing the operation of the claw portion of the laminating apparatus in FIG. 50, where (A) is a state after the lift cylinder is lowered, (B) is a state where the lift cylinder is being lowered, and (C). Indicates the state after the lift cylinder is lowered.
FIG. 52 is a side view showing an operation procedure of the switching device.
FIG. 53 is a side view showing an operation procedure of the switching device.
FIG. 54 is a side view showing an operation procedure of the switching device.
FIG. 55 is a side view showing an operation procedure of the switching device.
FIG. 56 is a side view showing the operation procedure of the switching device.
FIG. 57 is a block diagram of the entire automatic supply system according to the present embodiment.
58 is a block unit showing a schematic configuration of a transaction processing unit provided in the main control unit of FIG. 57. FIG.
FIG. 59 is a flowchart of a main control unit of the automatic supply system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 60 is a flowchart of a unit controller of the automatic supply system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 61 is a conceptual diagram showing a warehousing process flow when a new electric wire is warehousing.
FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for warehousing request processing in the main control unit.
FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a warehousing subroutine in the unit controller.
FIG. 64 is a conceptual diagram showing a warehousing process flow when returning a container.
FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing a procedure of warehousing processing.
FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing a sub-set container processing subroutine in the switching device;
FIG. 67 is a conceptual diagram showing a container exit processing flow.
FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for a delivery request process in the main control unit.
FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine of the leaving process in the unit control unit.
FIG. 70 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of priority extraction processing in FIG. 69;
FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing return control of the warehousing unit in the priority take-out process.
72 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of data update processing in FIG. 59. FIG.
FIG. 73 is a schematic front view showing a weighing operation of a sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) shows a state before discrimination, and (B) shows a state during discrimination.
FIG. 74 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration of a stock shelf according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 automatic supply system
200, 1200 stock shelf
210, 1210 Outer frame
220, 230, 1230 Guide frame
230R, 1230R Return shelf
240 Drive roller unit
241 Driving roller
242 Endless belt
243 Input gear
300 Receipt unit
320 frame
350 Drive unit
351 motor
352 output gear
356 Roller group
357 Timing Belt
400 Issue unit
800 Main controller
810 Transaction processing part
815 Outgoing support output part
850 unit controller

Claims (5)

A stock shelf having a housing space for housing in one direction a plurality of containers wire is accommodated in each type as a work,
A storage unit for receiving workpieces from the upstream side in the one direction with respect to the stock shelf,
An unloading unit for unloading the workpiece from the one-way downstream side with respect to the stock shelf;
A unit controller for controlling the operation of both units;
In an automatic supply system including a main control unit including an operation program of the unit control unit,
A temporary stock path for returning the work from the one-way downstream side to the upstream side is provided between the warehousing unit and the warehousing unit,
In the main control unit, a transaction processing unit for processing a work loading / unloading transaction with respect to a stock shelf based on a production plan, and for determining whether or not the electric wire accommodated in the stock shelf has been used. A database for storing work inventory information including information ,
The transaction processing unit returns the work stocked downstream of the work requiring delivery to the temporary stock path by the delivery unit until the work requiring delivery is moved to the most downstream end in the one direction. all SANYO controls the unit control section, and, by referring to the database, Hajaku wire part a wire and the same type of wire with a goods issue request is consumed is determined to be present in the stock shelf automatic feeding system according to claim der Rukoto controls the unit control section to goods issue with priority work related to the Hajaku wire to the work according to the new electric wire when. The automatic supply system according to claim 1, wherein
  The stock shelf has a plurality of storage spaces arranged in two directions intersecting with the one direction, and each storage space can specify coordinates in three dimensions in the one direction and the two directions. The address is set,
  In the database, the address of each work housed in the stock shelf and the information on the weight of each work are stored in association with each other,
  The transaction processing unit includes a request receiving unit that receives a delivery request, an address assignment unit that assigns an address of a work having a delivery request with reference to the database, and the unit control unit based on an address assigned by the address assignment unit. And an instruction output unit for outputting a delivery instruction to
  The address allocating unit determines whether or not the same type of end-clad wire as the wire requested to be delivered exists in the stock shelf based on the information on the weight of each work, and if it is determined that it exists, While outputting the address of the work related to the electric wire to the instruction output unit, the address of the work related to the new electric wire is output to the instruction output unit when it is determined that the end length electric wire does not exist in the stock shelf. Automatic feeding system. The automatic supply system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The transaction processing unit controls the unit control unit so that the warehousing unit returns the work returned to the temporary stock path to the original stock shelf. The automatic supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The stock shelf includes a stock unit arranged in a direction crossing the one direction, a group of drive rollers provided for each stock unit and capable of feeding a work along one direction, and each drive roller. The group is provided corresponding to the warehousing unit and the warehousing unit, and has a warehousing side power input member and a warehousing side power input member for inputting driving force to the driving roller group,
The automatic supply system, wherein the warehousing unit and the warehousing unit have a power output mechanism that outputs a driving force to a power input member corresponding to each stock unit. The automatic supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
Provide multiple sets of stock shelves, warehousing units, and warehousing units,
Provided for each group of delivery units, provided with a plurality of delivery conveyors for carrying out workpieces delivered from the delivery unit,
An automatic supply system comprising a priority specifying means for selectively delivering workpieces delivered from each delivery conveyor to a processing station.

Images