JP4021112B2 - Moving shelf equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a movable shelf apparatus in which a plurality of shelves arranged in parallel along the side of the main passage can be moved to each other along the arrangement direction, and a work passage can be formed between arbitrary shelves. More specifically, the present invention relates to a movable shelf apparatus including a display device for guiding a predetermined shelf where goods are taken in and out so that the article can be reached quickly and accurately.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of movable shelf apparatus, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 47-9727 discloses an article storage box in which a plurality of shelves arranged in parallel are arranged in a plurality of rows. A first indicator light such as a light bulb is attached to the top surface of the shelf in the front row facing the entrance of the doorway, and a second indicator light is provided on the side surface (side surface facing the main passage) of each shelf group in each shelf row. In addition, a third indicator lamp is attached to each shelf in each shelf, and the first indicator lamp in the predetermined shelf row, the second indicator lamp on the side of the predetermined shelf, and the predetermined shelf when loading and unloading the articles It is disclosed that the third indicator lamps of the stage are both turned on.
[0003]
According to this configuration, when the operator searches for the lit indicator lamp and sequentially traces from the lit first indicator lamp to the third indicator lamp, the worker can surely reach the place where the article should be put in and out. It can be done.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in this type of shelf row, in order to increase the accommodation efficiency, usually a large number of shelf groups in one shelf row can be moved along the rail in the direction along the shelf row, and the gap between adjacent shelves Since the shelf is moved so as to form a work path between the shelves to be worked as necessary, the second indicator lamp is lit in the conventional configuration. Even if the worker reaches the shelf location, the drive switch for moving the shelf must be pressed to form a work path between the adjacent shelves. However, there is a problem that the work place is inefficient because the predetermined place cannot be reached.
[0005]
In addition, since the worker usually goes around the passage while pulling or pushing the cart to put the article, it is natural that the operator's line of sight is on the side lower than the height, whereas the first is When lights, the second indicator of is attached to the top plate or on the upper side surface of the shelf, the operator regardless Do to look face up, check (visually) hardly and tired as easily issue was there.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a movable shelf apparatus that can quickly and easily reach a predetermined place where articles should be taken in and out. It is.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the movable shelf apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention moves a plurality of shelves arranged in parallel along the side of the main passage along the arrangement direction by driving the shelf driving means. A working passage communicating with the main passage is formed at a desired position between the shelves, and a display device is disposed on the road surface of the main passage at appropriate intervals along the passage direction. On the basis of information on loading / unloading of articles with respect to a predetermined position of the shelf, the display devices are turned on in a row so as to be guided to the corresponding shelf, and the shelf driving means is controlled to form the corresponding work path. A moving shelf apparatus comprising a control means , wherein each display device has a triangular triangular display surface formed on an upper surface thereof divided into four square or rectangular diagonal lines, On the bottom side of each display surface Each of the display devices is arranged such that a light fixture is provided, and the one diagonal line is parallel to a direction in which the main passage extends, and two display devices are arranged on the left and right sides of the one diagonal line. Each display device is controlled by the control means so as to guide the progress of the worker in the main passage by turning on the two display surfaces on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the diagonal line perpendicular to the traveling direction. To do .
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the moving shelf device according to the first aspect, the display device disposed at the intersection of the main passage is branched with respect to the traveling direction of the main passage. Thus, control is performed to guide the worker's progress by turning on or blinking in the shape of an arrow on the two display surfaces on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the diagonal line in the perpendicular direction .
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the movable shelf device according to the second aspect, wherein the display device disposed in a portion of the main path that is different from a normal forward direction beyond the intersection is a normal one. The two display surfaces are lit in the shape of arrows so that the arrows are directed in the direction opposite to the traveling direction.
Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the moving shelf apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the work is performed in the display device arranged near the entrance from the main passage to the predetermined work passage. The two display surfaces are turned on or blinked so as to be arrows pointing in the direction of the passage.
[0010]
【The invention's effect】
According to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, it is easy to distinguish between lighting and extinguishing of the display device with an obliquely downward line of sight of an operator who moves on and off the main passage when an article is taken in and out, and fatigue of the operator In addition, there is an effect that the work path is automatically formed even if the worker does not issue a work path formation command at the corresponding shelf location, so that the work can be performed extremely quickly.
[0011]
Further, according to the configuration of the invention of claim 1, intended to be turned in rows as the ones of the plurality of display devices arranged at appropriate intervals in the main passage, it is guided on a shelf locations worker falls there are, each display device has a plane view triangular shaped display surface formed on the upper surface is divided into four in both diagonals of a square or rectangle, it said on its lower surface for each display surface Illumination tools are provided, each of the display devices is arranged such that the one diagonal line is parallel to a direction in which the main passage extends, and two display devices are arranged on the left and right sides of the one diagonal line. Each display device is controlled by the control means so as to guide the progress of the worker in the main passage by turning on the two display surfaces on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the diagonal line perpendicular to the traveling direction. To do . Therefore, if moving path along the lighted display, you can approach the shelf portion to be work quickly, and, the main path plurality Attari, and the like there corner are numerous in plan view, work Even if a person is easily lost, there is an effect that the worker can be surely guided to the corresponding shelf location.
[0012]
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a movable shelf device, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the floor structure of the storage has a block-like floor body (base unit) 1 such as a square shape in plan view on the upper surface of a foundation floor 1A made of concrete or the like. Panel 6 may be laid), and is composed of a double floor, part of which is a main passage 3, 3 in a straight line in plan view extending in the X direction as shown in FIGS. A plurality of (three in the embodiment) a pair of rails 2 are laid in parallel to the sides of the main passages 3 and 3, and in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. A predetermined number of shelves 4 in each unit are arranged in parallel so as to extend in a direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the rail 2 in plan view. Although not shown, each shelf 4 is provided with a driven wheel and a drive wheel that are mounted on the rail 2 and rolled, and a drive motor M that can be rotated forward and backward is mounted on the lower portion of each shelf 4 (see FIG. 4). Thus, each shelf 4 is configured to be movable along the rail 2 independently (however, only the frontmost shelf in one unit may be fixed in position).
[0014]
Accordingly, any number of shelves 4 are bundled and moved together in a predetermined direction, thereby communicating with the main passage 3 between the moved shelves 4 and other shelves 4 in the Y direction. The working path 5 is configured to be extended.
[0015]
Each shelf 4 is provided with a plurality of shelves in the Y direction, and each shelf 4 is formed with a plurality of shelves in the vertical direction (Z direction). The article storage portion is formed in an upper and lower matrix shape. In addition, the dimension X1 of each shelf 4 in the depth direction (X direction) is increased, and the article storage portion is set to 2 in the depth direction of the shelf so that articles (for example, video tape cassettes) can be taken in and out from the front and back sides of the shelf 4. One may be formed. The width dimension X2 of the working channel 5, the relationship between the arrangement interval of the display device 10 described later, it is preferably an integer multiple and to Turkey the depth X1 of the rack 4.
[0016]
The display device 10 is arranged on the road surface of the main passage 3 at appropriate intervals. In the case of arranging the display device 10 at the same intervals as the depth dimension X1 of the rack 4 may be located a display device 10 in the middle substantially the width of the working channel 5 open.
[0017]
In the first reference example of the display device 10, as shown in FIG. 3, a translucent plate 12 is arranged on the upper surface side of the block body 11 having the same size as the block-shaped floor body 1 so as not to leak water. Below the light plate 12 (block body 11), a light emitting body 13 such as an LED, a surface light emission (electroluminescence plate (EL plate)), an MIM type liquid crystal panel, a TFT type liquid crystal panel, and a drive circuit 14 are arranged. To do.
[0018]
Further, on the side panel body 15 of each shelf 4, an operation panel 16 provided with a shelf drive switch, a stop switch, a power switch, etc. used in an emergency is arranged on the side facing the main passage 3, For each of the plurality of shelves and steps of the shelf 4, a continuous display device 19 that is lit in order to display the article storage location in a limited manner is also provided on the side facing the work path 5. Although not shown, the side panel body 15 facing the work passage is provided with an entrance / exit detection sensor such as a light-shielding type sensor for detecting the entry / exit of an operator or the like and the number of the entry / exit. ing.
[0019]
A reference numeral 17 shown in FIG. 1 is a wagon car for putting articles and the like to be used for putting in and out articles on the shelf 4, and the operator can pass through the main path 3 and the work path 5 while pushing (or pulling) by hand. It can be done.
[0020]
Next, a control device for loading and unloading articles such as the video tape cassette will be described with reference to the control block diagram of FIG. It should be noted that all the shelves 4 in the storage have their row / run / stage shelf numbers. A unit in which a plurality of rows of shelves 4 are grouped is referred to as a block, and a unit in which a plurality of blocks are grouped is referred to as a unit so that an operator can easily grasp the current position in the storage. In FIG. 4, the data storage device (data storage means) 21 connected to the host computer 20 which is the main controller includes the position data of the shelf, unit, block, row, series, and shelf number of the shelf 4 and its position. Individual identification data (ID data) for each article (video tape cassette) stored in (storage position) is stored. Further, the host computer 20 drives the management controller 22 for managing the loading / unloading work such as reading the articles to be loaded and instructing the articles to be unloaded, and the shelf 4 to be loaded / unloaded. Entry / exit information is stored in a shelf movement management controller 23 for display, a display controller 24 for lighting each display device 10 and each continuous display device 19, and a handy terminal 25 carried by an entry / exit worker. A communication controller 26 and the like for transmission are connected.
[0021]
Individual identification data (ID data) for each article is attached (stored) to the bar code label or IC memory attached to or attached to the surface of each article.
[0022]
The computer body of the management controller 22 is connected to a display device (monitor) such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, an input device such as a keyboard and a barcode reader, and other input / output devices.
[0023]
The handy terminal 25 made of a microcomputer or the like is provided with an operation panel such as an input key, a liquid crystal display (monitor), and the like, and is attached to the bar code reader and / or the article attached to the article. A data reading device such as an IC memory is connected integrally or by infrared communication or the like, and a wireless unit 27 controlled by the communication controller 26 is installed at an appropriate location in the storage, thereby allowing the handy terminal 25 and Entry / exit information is transmitted to and from the host computer 20 via the wireless unit 27 and the communication controller 26.
[0024]
For example, it is assumed that a plurality of video tape cassettes recorded for an appropriate program in a broadcasting station or the like are collectively stored in predetermined storage positions of predetermined shelves / stages of a predetermined shelf 4. The work of leaving and warehousing will be described below.
[0025]
For example, different shelf 4 a plurality of video tape cassettes accommodated in columns (hereinafter, referred VTRC) out to (for goods issue) takes a case, list data VTRC to be outgoing from the management controller 22 to the handy terminal 25 On the display, information such as the title of the VTRC, the number of the shelf 4 in which it is stored, the serial / stage number, the block number, and the unit number are displayed. When the wagon car 17 sequentially moves from a location close to the entrance of the storage and executes a delivery operation, the host computer 20 displays the floor surface display device in the order of taking out the VTRC to be delivered from the shelf 4 near the entrance. 10 is turned on.
[0026]
That is, when an operator presses a switch for executing a delivery operation in the handy terminal 25 at the entrance of the storage, the host computer 20 issues a command to the display management controller 24 and the shelf movement management controller 23 to store the VTRC to be delivered first. The display device 10 on the main passage surface on the side of the shelf 4 is turned on, and the continuous display device 19 near the corresponding storage location on the shelf 4 is also turned on. Further, the four rows of shelves move so as to form a work passage 5 having a width that allows the wagon car 17 to enter the work surface.
[0027]
Therefore, the operator holding down the wagon 17 from the entrance to the repository, and advances the main passage 3, look for the lit of the display device 10, if reached that point, enters the working channel 5 Then, a predetermined series / stage location of the corresponding shelf 4 is searched by the lit continuous display device 19, the target VTRC is taken out at that location, and individual identification data (ID data) of the VTRC is obtained by a bar code reader or the like. ) Is read, the host computer 20 turns off the display device 10. Since there are a plurality of VTRCs to be taken out on the same shelf 4, it is assumed that the number of VTRCs existing on the corresponding shelf 4 is displayed on the display unit (monitor) of the handy terminal 25. Therefore, every time one VTRC is taken out, the display number is subtracted by one. The display device 10 and the continuous display device 19 are not turned off unless the operation of extracting all of a plurality of items to be extracted from the same shelf 4 (reading operation of individual identification data (ID data) of VTRC) is completed. Thereby, an operator's mistake (misconception) can be eliminated reliably.
[0028]
When the host computer 20 detects that the wagon car 17 has exited the predetermined work path 5 by the in / out detection sensor, the host computer 20 displays the next location to guide the operator to the location where the VTRC to be delivered next exists. The display management controller 24 and the shelf movement management controller 23 are instructed to turn on the device 10 and the continuous display device 19 and open the work path 5 of the shelf 4. In this way, since the sequential turn-on / off control of the display device 10 is executed, the operator only has to search for the lighted portion of the display device 10 and move, and the display device 10 is placed on the road surface of the main passage 3. Therefore, it is possible to search while keeping the operator's eye line obliquely downward, and there is an effect that the worker is less fatigued.
[0029]
The delivery order may improve work efficiency by moving the wagon car between the main passage and the work passage in a single-stroke route.
[0030]
When the VTRC is stored (returned to the storage), the individual identification data (ID data) of the VTRC mounted on the wagon 17 is read by a bar code reader connected to the handy terminal 25. Information such as the number of the shelf 4 to be returned, the serial / stage number, the block number, and the unit number is displayed on the display device. This information is sent to the host computer 20 via the communication unit 27 and the communication controller 26, and from the storage data stored in the data storage device 21, a storage location such as a series / stage of the shelf 4 to be originally stored is searched. The display device 10 and the continuous display device 19 on the road surface of the main passage 3 at the location corresponding to the predetermined shelf 4 are turned on, and the four rows of shelves are moved to form the work passage 5. In order to confirm that a predetermined VTRC is stored at a predetermined position, it is preferable to read the individual identification data (ID data) of the VTRC again with a bar code reader connected to the handy terminal 25 and press the storage completion switch. . Such work is sequentially repeated to continue the return work.
[0031]
Even when there are a plurality of VTRCs to be returned in the same four shelves, the display device 10 and the continuous display device 19 should not be turned off until all the articles are returned, as in the work at the time of the delivery. Is preferred. Thereby, an operator's mistake (misconception) can be eliminated reliably.
[0032]
It should be noted that the individual identification data (ID data) of the VTRC to be returned is read or key-inputted by a bar code reader or the like previously connected to the management controller 22 at another location, and the returning worker is stored in the storage. When the warehousing execution switch of the handy terminal 25 is pushed at a location where the entrance of the handset 25 is entered, the display device 10 and the continuous display device 19 are turned on / off and the movement control of the four rows of shelves is the same as the warehousing operation May be executed.
[0033]
When the main passages 3 and 3 exist on both sides of the shelf 4 in one row, it is preferable to provide the display device 10 and the continuous display device 19 on the road surface of each main passage 3.
[0034]
FIG. 5 shows another reference example of the display device that makes it easy for the operator to recognize. On the lower side of the side panel 15 of each shelf 4 facing the main passage 3, LEDs and surface light emission (electroluminescence) are shown. A display device 18 made of a light emitting body such as a luminescence plate (EL plate), an MIM type liquid crystal panel, or a TFT type liquid crystal panel is disposed. If there is an article take-out surface on the front and rear surfaces of one shelf 4, cover devices 18 and 18 are provided on both sides as shown in FIG. If comprised in this way, it will be easy to distinguish lighting / extinguishing of the display device 18 by the operator's slanting downward line of sight when the wagon car is pushed (pulled) at the time of loading / unloading of articles, and the worker's fatigue is reduced. There is an effect.
[0035]
Needless to say, the goods for loading and unloading are not limited to the video tape cassette, but may be various types of products for sale or manufactured parts.
[0036]
6 and 7 show a first embodiment of a display device . In this embodiment, the display device 30 disposed on the road surface of the main passage 3 is rectangular or square in plan view, and the diagonal line is disposed along the traveling direction of the main passage 3 (see FIG. 6).
[0037]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the display surface 31 of the display device 30 is divided into four diagonal lines and is formed on the lower surface side of each display surface 31 as in the first reference example. (Not shown) is provided, and lighting and extinguishing of the plurality of display devices 30 are controlled as described later. In that case, the operation of the handy terminal 25 is the same as in each of the reference examples described above . For example, when the goods are loaded and unloaded, the worker is placed in the corresponding shelf 4 from the state where the wagon car is arranged at the entrance of the storage. The display management controller 24 controls the plurality of (many) display devices 30 to be lit in a row along the main passage 3 so as to ensure that they are guided (without hesitation). In that case, in order to clarify the traveling direction, only the two display surfaces 31 on the left and right sides of the diagonal line along the traveling direction and on the front side of the diagonal line perpendicular to the traveling direction are lit. Thus, the same recognition as the arrow is given to the operator on the two display surfaces 31 having a triangular shape in plan view, and control is performed so as to indicate the traveling direction (the four display surfaces of each display device 30 as shown in FIG. 6). It is assumed that a portion of 31 that is not hatched is lit).
[0038]
At the location where the main passage 3 is branched (crossroad, T-junction, etc.), the display device 30 disposed at the intersection is an arrow type that faces the traveling direction on the two display surfaces 31, 31. Lights up. Further, in order to prevent the vehicle from traveling in the wrong main passage direction at the intersection, the two display surfaces 31 and 31 are turned on so that the arrow is directed in the direction opposite to the normal traveling direction. For example, in FIG. 6, in the main passage 3 upward from the bottom of the page, the display device 30 in the main passage 3 above the T-junction intersection is turned on so as to be a downward arrow. In the display device 30 close to the entrance from the predetermined main passage 3 to the predetermined work passage 5, the two display surfaces 31 and 31 are turned on so that the arrows are directed toward the work passage 5.
[0039]
A lighting device having two to three different colors for each of the display surfaces 31 is built in the display device 30, and is different from the display surfaces 31 and 31 in the forward path in the part of the path that is different from the forward direction beyond the intersection. By lighting in color, the operator can be surely recognized that the course is wrong. Further, in the display device 30 at the entrance to the intersection and / or the work passage 5, it is blinked instead of lighting the arrow shape. In this case, all four display surfaces 31 may blink at the crossing point, and may be distinguished by blinking in the shape of an arrow at the entrance to the work passage 5.
[0040]
Further, in the display device 30 at the entrance to the work path 5, in order to recognize which of the two shelves 4 sandwiching the work path 5 corresponds to taking in / out of articles, one (one) display surface of the arrow shape is used. Only 31 may be lit or blinked. In addition, the arrangement | positioning space | interval of the display apparatus 30 in the main channel | path 3 is the width | variety of the open work channel | path 5 when the display apparatus 30 is arrange | positioned by the same space | interval as the depth dimension X1 of the shelf 4 similarly to the said 1st reference example. it is possible to position the display device 30 in the middle approximately.
[0041]
When the article delivery (warehousing) operation on one shelf 4 is completed, the plurality of display devices 30 in the main passage 3 are started from the completed shelf 4 in order to be guided to the next shelf 4 to be operated. The row of lights is executed.
[0042]
According to this embodiment, even if there are a plurality of main passages or complicated by crossing or the like, there is a remarkable effect that the worker can be surely guided to the four shelves to be worked.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a storage case.
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a storage case.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display device.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a control device.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another reference example of the display device.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement state and a lighting state of the display device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view showing a planar view shape of four display surfaces of the display device of the first embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
3 Main passage 4 Shelf 10, 18, 30 Display device 19 Continuous display device 20 Host computer 21 Data storage device 23 Shelf movement management controller 24 Display management controller 25 Handy terminal 26 Communication controller 27 Communication (radio) unit 31 Display surface

Claims (4)

A plurality of shelves arranged in parallel along the side of the main passage are moved along the arrangement direction by driving of the shelf driving means and communicated with the main passage to a desired position between the shelves. A passage is formed , and display devices are arranged on the road surface of the main passage at appropriate intervals along the direction of the passage, and are guided to the corresponding shelf based on information on loading / unloading of articles with respect to a predetermined position of the shelf. The plurality of display devices are lit in a row as described above, and a moving shelf device comprising control means for controlling the shelf driving means to form the corresponding work path ,
Each display device has a triangular triangular display surface formed on the upper surface thereof divided into four square or rectangular diagonal lines,
A lighting device is provided on the lower surface side of each display surface,
The display devices are arranged so that the one diagonal line is parallel to the direction in which the main passage extends,
An operator in the main passage is turned on by lighting up two display surfaces on the left and right sides of the one diagonal line and in front of the diagonal direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the main passage. The moving shelf device is characterized in that the display devices are controlled by the control means so as to guide the progress of the movement. At the location where the main passage is branched, the display device disposed at the intersection lights up in the shape of an arrow on the two display surfaces on the front side in the traveling direction with respect to the diagonal line perpendicular to the traveling direction of the main passage. Alternatively, the moving shelf device according to claim 1, wherein the moving shelf device is controlled to guide the progress of the worker by blinking . In the main passage, the two display screens are formed in an arrow shape so that the arrow is directed in the direction opposite to the normal traveling direction, in the display device disposed in a path different from the normal traveling direction beyond the intersection. The mobile shelf device according to claim 2, wherein the mobile shelf device is lit. The display device arranged near an entrance from the main passage to a predetermined work passage lights or blinks the two display surfaces so as to be arrows directed toward the work passage. The movable shelf apparatus in any one of 1 thru | or 3.

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