JP4230836B2 - Sorting system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sorting system, and is particularly suitable for a sorting system that sorts a large number of types of objects to be sorted into a large number of shipping destinations.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional sorting method, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-233416 (Patent Document 1), when sorting a transported object put on a transport line based on a set condition, the set condition is set. Return all non-conforming items to the upstream of the transfer line and circulate on the transfer line. If the set condition is met during this circulation, the transfer is sent to the downstream side of the transfer line, so that There is a method for sorting all items based on setting conditions.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-233416
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the sorting method of Patent Document 1, since all the conveyed items that do not meet the set conditions are returned to the upstream of the convey line and circulated on the convey line, a large amount of conveyed items that do not meet the set conditions circulate. As a result, the supply amount of the conveyed product is reduced and the sorting efficiency is lowered correspondingly, and the conveying line becomes very long, which increases the space occupied by the sorting system.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system that can reduce a system occupation space while allowing a large number of types of sorting objects to be sorted into a large number of shipping destinations, and has a good sorting efficiency.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a storage device that stores a plurality of containers that store a plurality of sorting objects of the same type according to the type of the sorting object, and the storage device that stores the storage device. a conveying means for supplying the containers to the sorting device, said a migration device connected to the conveying means, and sorting and transport to many shipping destination to be sorted object of numerous types taken from the supply containers to the chute said sorting device you integrated into each chute, and a control means for controlling to sort by dividing the object sorting object ship number to the plurality of batches, said control means, ship and the chute Based on the number of batches, the batches of the sorting target to be shipped are divided, and the type of the sorting target to be shipped and the total shipment quantity in each created batch are calculated. A function to control the allocation of the chute to the sorting target to be shipped in H, and the sorting target necessary for the batch in the batch sorting operation of the plurality of batches A function to control the delivery of the corresponding container by delivering the container that has entered, and the container to be sorted out to be taken out in the immediately following batch is stored in the container from which the sorting target is taken out the Rutotomoni is retracted to the migration apparatus, the function of controlling so as to return the container to the storage device when the object to be sorted object to retrieve a batch immediately after the container was taken out to be sorted object is not accommodated When performs allocation of the container of the sorting objects required in the batch during the sorting operation in the immediately following batch, from the migration unit Container cycling, merging is not certain that was configured to include a function of controlling to supply it.
[0008]
More preferably, a barcode is affixed to the container as an individual identification label, and when the container is stored in the storage device, the barcode is read and automatically stored in the storage device. When the taken-out container is conveyed, the bar code is read to control whether the container is temporarily stored in the excursion device or returned to the storage device by the control means.
[0009]
More preferably, the control means has a function of performing batch processing division of the number of planned shipping data in accordance with the number of chutes of the sorting device.
[0010]
More preferably, a collection area for collecting objects to be sorted that cannot be sorted by the sorting device is connected to the downstream side of the sorting device.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the sorting system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0012]
The entire sorting system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting system 1 includes a storage device 2, a transport unit 3, a migratory device 4, a sorting device 5, and a control unit 6. In addition, an arrival area 7 is provided in front of the storage device 2, and an additional collection area 8 is provided after the sorting device 5.
[0013]
The storage device 2 is for storing a large number of storage containers 10 storing a plurality of sorting objects of the same type according to the type of sorting objects. The conveying means 3 is for supplying the storage container 10 stored in the storage device 2 to the sorting device 5. The excursion device 4 is connected to the transport means 3 and is used for temporarily storing the storage container 10 when the storage container 10 from which the object to be sorted is taken out is used in the next batch or later. The sorting device 5 is for sorting a large number of types of sorting objects taken out from the supplied storage container 10 to a large number of shipping destinations, and is a sorter that sorts the sorting objects in pieces or balls. It is configured. The control means 6 is for controlling the storage device 2, the transport means 3, the migratory device 4, and the sorting device 5, and has a function of controlling the sorting objects to be sorted in a plurality of batch units.
[0014]
The control means 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control means in the sorting system of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the control means 6 includes a host computer 6a, a server device 6b, an arrival terminal 6c, an arrival server 6d, an access point 6e, a handy terminal 6f, a material handling server 6g, a conveyor control panel 6h, and a sorter. Control device 6i, sorter control panel 6i ₁ , storage device control device 6j, storage device control panel 6j ₁ , migratory device control device 6k, migratory device control panel 6k ₁ , auto labeler 6l, shipping terminal 6m, The printer 6n is provided.
[0015]
The server device 6b stores a database such as arrival / shipment schedule data and article master data of objects to be sorted, performs batch organization and chute allocation, and transmits instruction data to the material handling device. The arrival terminal 6c and the handy terminal 6f perform arrival registration at the arrival work place. The arrival registration from the handy terminal 6f is performed to the arrival server 6d through the access point 6e. The material handling server 6g transmits a work instruction of the server device 6b to the material handling control devices 6h to 6k. The control devices 6i, 6j and 6k and the control panels 6h, 6i ₁ , 6j ₁ and 6k ₁ control each device according to work instructions from the material handling server 6g. The auto-labeler 23 is for attaching a shipping label to the shipping container.
[0016]
The server device 6b receives a receipt / shipment schedule from the host computer 6a through the communication line 30 , and performs batch division processing on the number of planned shipment data based on the number of shoots (number of processing orders in one batch) of the sorting device 5. Next, the server device 6b calculates the type of the sorting target object and the total of the shipping quantity required for the shipping schedule data in each created batch. Further, the server device 6b determines the allocation of the chute of the sorting device 5 to the shipping schedule data in each batch. The number of batches thus obtained, the type / quantity of the objects to be sorted, and the shoot allocation are collected data, which are automatically created before sorting is started.
[0017]
The arrival area 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an arrival area in the sorting system of FIG. The procedure for storing the objects to be sorted in the storage device 2 is as follows.
[0018]
The objects to be sorted that have arrived at the distribution center are subjected to processing for receiving receipts such as quantity inspection. The result of the receipt reception process is input from the arrival terminal 6c . For storing the objects to be sorted in the storage device 2 , a storage container 10 such as a bucket with a barcode 11 as an individual identifier label is used. The incoming worker performs an operation of transferring the processed sorting target object to the empty storage container 10 after performing the incoming receipt process. The empty storage container 10 is delivered on the delivery conveyor 7b connected to the storage device 2 , and the operator carries out the transfer operation to the empty storage container 10 by taking out the necessary number.
[0019]
At the time of transfer, the operator reads the barcode 11 and the transfer article code with the handy terminal 6f . This input data is automatically transmitted from the handy terminal 6f to the server device 6b. The server device 6b holds arrival schedule data regarding the objects to be sorted arriving at the center, collates the transmitted input data, assigns a storage address in the storage device 2, and stores it as a transport instruction. A conveyance instruction is transmitted to the apparatus control device 6j.
[0020]
When the storage container 10 is put on the warehousing conveyor 7a by the arrival worker, the storage device 2 is identified by the barcode reader 7c provided on the warehousing conveyor 7a and stored in the storage device 2 based on the previously transmitted conveyance instruction. Automatically transport and store addresses. As the storage device 2, a known automatic warehouse, rotating rack, or the like may be used. Further, when the storage is completed, a storage completion signal is transmitted from the storage device control device 6j to the server device 6b, so that the server device 6b records the inventory data. Similarly, the above-described warehousing operation is repeatedly performed on all the objects to be sorted.
[0021]
The procedure of the sorting operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an induction area in the sorting system of FIG.
[0022]
Before starting the collection work, each control device (the sorter control device 6i, the storage device control device 6j and the migratory device control device 6k) receives the batch collection data from the server device 6b and the material handling server 6g. Receive multiple batches. Based on this, the storage device control device 6j automatically allocates the storage container 10 containing the objects to be sorted required in n batches, for example, when starting n batch sorting operations, and the corresponding storage container 10 automatic shipping.
[0023]
The storage container 10 delivered from the storage device 2 is automatically conveyed by the replenishment carry-out conveyor 12 to the so-called section 12a. A work instruction (picking instruction) is displayed on the induction work display device 13 at the timing when the storage container 10 reaches the sorter section 12a. The induction worker performs picking with respect to the transported storage container 10 according to the display content of the induction work display device 13, and manually puts it into the sorting device 5 in units of pieces or balls. The worker repeats the necessary number of picking and manual loading into the sorter when performing a plurality of loading operations. As the display contents of the induction work display device 13, the article name, the input unit (piece or ball), and the input number are displayed. As the sorting device 5, a known bread type sorting device or the like is used.
[0024]
The storage container 10 for which n batches have been picked is automatically conveyed by a conveyor, and the barcode 11 of the storage container 10 is automatically read by the barcode reader 14 provided in the middle of the conveyance. The read barcode data is transmitted to the control device 6k for the migratory device. The control device 6k for the migratory device automatically collates the (n + 1) batch data of the batch collection data transmitted from the server device 6b with the barcode data read after picking n batches. It is determined whether or not an object to be sorted used in (n + 1) batch (next batch) is included.
[0025]
As a result of the determination, if the sorting target used in (n + 1) batch is included, the storage container 10 is automatically branched to the buffer conveyor 16 and temporarily stored on the buffer conveyor 16. If the sorting object used in the (n + 1) batch is not included in the previous determination result, the storage container 10 is transferred to the re-entry conveyor 15 and returned to the storage device 2 for transfer. When returning and transporting, the barcode data read by the barcode reader 14 described above is transmitted to the storage device control device 6j, and automatic storage is performed by the storage device control device 6j.
[0026]
The same processing is performed for the other storage containers 10 that have been automatically assigned in n batches and the loading operation is completed, and are used in (n + 1) batches until the buffer on the buffer conveyor 16 runs short (becomes full). The storage container 10 containing the objects to be sorted is temporarily stored on the buffer conveyor 16. The buffer conveyor 16 is composed of multiple stages in the vertical direction so as to reduce the installation area.
[0027]
When all the input operations for n batches are completed and (n + 1) batches are started, the storage device controller 6j automatically allocates the storage containers 10 containing the objects to be sorted required in (n + 1) batches. The storage container 10 to be automatically discharged. At this time, the storage containers 10 that have been temporarily stored on the buffer conveyor 16 are reintroduced and joined to the replenishment delivery conveyor 12, and are automatically conveyed to the sortin section 12a.
[0028]
Even in the (n + 1) batch, the induction worker performs picking according to the display contents of the induction work display device 13, and repeats the necessary number of picking and manual insertion into the sorter. The storage containers 10 for which (n + 1) batches have been picked are automatically conveyed by a conveyor, and the barcode 11 is automatically read by the barcode reader 14. It is determined whether or not the read barcode data includes an object to be sorted used in (n + 2) batch (next batch).
[0029]
As a result of the determination, if the sorting target used in (n + 2) batch is included, the storage container 10 is automatically branched to the buffer conveyor 16 and temporarily stored on the buffer conveyor 16. If the sorting object used in the (n + 2) batch is not included in the previous determination result, the storage container 10 is transported to the re-entry conveyor 15 and returned to the storage device 2 for transport. When returning and transporting, the storage device 2 is automatically stored in the storage device 2 by the storage device control device 6j as in the case of the n batches described above.
[0030]
The same processing is performed for other storage containers 10 that have been automatically assigned in (n + 1) batches and have been charged, and are used in (n + 2) batches until the buffer on the buffer conveyor 16 becomes insufficient (is full). The storage container 10 containing the objects to be sorted is temporarily stored on the buffer conveyor 16.
[0031]
Thereafter, the same processing is repeated for each batch until the sorting process scheduled for shipment is completed.
[0032]
The procedure of the transfer operation to the shipping container will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a chute area in the sorting system of FIG. 1, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a schematic sectional view.
[0033]
The shipping container 18 is conveyed from the storage location to the chute by the empty container conveying conveyor 17. The chute operator takes an arbitrary empty shipping container 18 from the empty container transport conveyor 17 onto the work table 19 and stores the articles to be sorted automatically by the chute 21 in the shipping container 18.
[0034]
The objects to be sorted input in pieces or balls from the induction unit 12 a are conveyed to the chute 21 by the sorting device 5 and sorted, and are collected on the corresponding chute 21. The chutes 21 that have finished sorting for the batch are displayed as sorted by the display device 22 provided in the chute unit. Based on the display device 22, the chute operator moves the objects to be sorted collected in the chute to the shipping container 18, and the shipping container 18 that has been transferred is pushed into the shipping conveyor 20. The display device 22 is provided with a transfer completion button. After the shipping container 18 is pushed in, the chute operator presses the transfer completion button. The chute operator performs the same operation on all the chutes 21.
[0035]
When all the transfer operations for n batches are completed in the chute (that is, when the transfer completion button of the display device 22 is already pressed on all the chutes 21), the sorter control device 6i instructs the shipping conveyor 20 to start conveyance. Send. The shipping containers 18 on the shipping conveyor 20 are arranged in a chute and are arranged. The shipping destination of the shipping containers 18 is determined according to the above-mentioned chute assignment, and the shipping label is automatically attached to the shipping containers 18 by the auto labeler 23 provided on the shipping conveyor 20. To do. The shipping container 18 to which the shipping label is affixed is transported to a shipping waiting place by a shipping conveyor 20 and shipped from the center.
[0036]
Further, an additional collection area 8 for additional collection and input into the shipping container 18 is added downstream of the shipping conveyor 20. The additional collection area 8 will be described below.
[0037]
The server device 6b has a function of holding the collection object of the sorting device 5 and the collection object in the additional collection area 8 as master data, and instructing the material handling device to collect it based on this master data. Have. A barcode reader is installed on the shipping conveyor 20 in front of the additional collection area 8, and the shipping label affixed to the shipping container 18 is automatically read. Based on the read data, the corresponding shelf is turned on and the picking quantity is displayed on the display device provided in the flow rack storing the articles to be additionally collected. Based on this display, additional collection and input into a shipping container are performed. A known digital picking system or the like may be used as a system for performing additional collection.
[0038]
In this way, by connecting the collection area 8 that collects the objects to be sorted that cannot be sorted by the sorting apparatus 5 to the downstream side of the sorting apparatus 5, articles that are not sorted are also in the same line downstream of the shipping conveyor 20. Assortment collection becomes possible.
[0039]
According to the present embodiment, when the remaining objects to be sorted in the storage container 10 from which the objects to be sorted have been taken out are used in the next batch and thereafter, the storage container 10 is caused to migrate to the migrating device 4 and the batch In addition, since the control means 6 controls the storage container 10 to be supplied from the migrating device 4 to the sorting device, it is possible to increase the supply capability of the sorting target object, thereby shipping a large number of sort target items. It is possible to provide a sorting system capable of reducing the space occupied by the system and having good sorting efficiency while enabling sorting first.
[0040]
Furthermore, when the sorting target object to be taken out in the immediately following batch is stored in the storage container 10 from which the sorting target object has been taken out, the storage container 10 is retracted to the migrating device 4, and in the immediately following batch. The storage container 10 is controlled so as to be supplied from the migratory device 4, and the storage container 10 is removed when the separation target object to be extracted in the immediately following batch is not stored in the storage container 10 from which the separation target object has been extracted. Since it is controlled by the control means 6 so as to return to the storage device 2, it is possible to achieve both space saving of the storage device 2 and space saving of the migrating device 4.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the description of the above embodiments, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the system occupation space while allowing a large number of types of objects to be sorted to be sorted to a large number of shipping destinations, and the sorting efficiency is good. A sorting system can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of control means in the sorting system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of an arrival area in the sorting system of FIG. 1;
4 is a configuration diagram of an induction area in the sorting system of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a configuration diagram of a chute area in the sorting system of FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting system, 2 ... Storage apparatus, 3 ... Conveyance means, 4 ... Migration apparatus, 5 ... Sorting apparatus, 6 ... Control means, 6a ... Host computer, 6b ... Server apparatus, 6c ... Arrival terminal, 6d ... Server for arrival , 6e ... access point, 6f ... handy terminal, 6g ... material handling server, 6h ... conveyor control panel, 6i ... sorter control device, 6i ₁ ... sorter control panel, 6j ... storage device control device, 6j ₁ ... Control panel for storage device, 6k ... control device for migratory device, 6k ₁ ... control panel for migratory device, 6l ... auto labeler, 6m ... shipping terminal, 6n ... printer, 7 ... arrival area, 7a ... warehousing conveyor, 7b ... Unloading conveyor, 7c ... Bar code reader, 8 ... Additional collection area, 10 ... Storage container, 11 ... Bar code, 12 ... Replenishing and unloading conveyor, 12a ... Saw tink 13 ... induction work display device, 14 ... bar code reader, 15 ... re-entry conveyor, 16 buffer conveyor, 17 ... empty container transport conveyor, 18 ... shipping container, 19 ... work table, 20 ... shipping conveyor, 21 ... Chute, 22 ... display device, 23 ... auto labeler.

Claims (4)

A storage device for storing a number of containers containing a plurality of sorting objects of the same type according to the type of the sorting objects;
Conveying means for supplying the container stored in the storage device to a sorting device;
A migratory device connected to the conveying means;
It said sorting device you integrated in the respective chute sorting to numerous shipping destination to convey the sorting objects of a number retrieved from the supply containers type to a plurality of chutes,
A control means for controlling to divide and classify the number of objects to be sorted into a plurality of batch units,
The control means includes
Based on the shipping schedule and the number of chutes, the batch dividing process of the sorting object to be shipped is performed, and the type of the sorting object to be shipped and the total of the shipping quantity in each created batch are calculated, A function to control the allocation of the chute to the sorting target to be shipped in a batch;
A function of performing the batching operation of a batch in the plurality of batches, assigning the containers containing the objects to be sorted required in the batches, and controlling the containers to be delivered;
Rutotomoni retracting the vessel the migration apparatus if the sorting object to retrieve a batch immediately after the vessel was taken out to be sorted objects are stored, after the container was taken out the object to be sorted object A function of controlling the containers to be returned to the storage device when the objects to be sorted to be taken out in a batch are not stored;
A function of performing the sorting operation in the batch immediately after the batch , assigning the containers containing the objects to be sorted required in the batch, and controlling the containers to be re-injected and merged and supplied from the migratory device ; Sorting system with The container in which a barcode is attached as an individual identification label to the container, and when the container is stored in the storage device, the barcode is read and automatically stored in the storage device, and the objects to be sorted are taken out 2. The sorting system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls whether the container is temporarily stored in the migratory device or returned to the storage device when the bar code is read. Sorting system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said control means comprises a function of performing batch processing division of scheduled shipping number data in response to the shoot number of the sorting device. The sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a collection area for collecting objects to be sorted that are not sorted by the sorting device is connected to a downstream side of the sorting device.

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