JP5245703B2 - Picking system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking system that sorts items according to order information to be shipped from among a plurality of types of items.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a picking system based on a total picking method as a picking system that sorts orders of articles of a product type and quantity determined for each shipping destination by shipping destination. This total picking method is a method in which orders of a plurality of shipping destinations are totaled for each product type, and the total number of products for each product type is picked from the storage unit in which the products are stored (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

According to this total picking method, since articles are stored for each same product type in the storage unit, orders from a plurality of shipping destinations can be picked together for each same product type, and efficient picking can be performed. Then, articles picked together for the same product type are sorted and shipped by destination.
JP 2007-39181 A

  However, the conventional picking system based on the total picking method has a problem that waiting time occurs in picking and sorting work, and work efficiency is lowered.

  That is, in a conventional picking system based on the total picking method, articles picked together by orders from a plurality of shipping destinations are sorted by a plurality of shipping destinations. However, if there is no vacant space for sorting by shipment destination, the container in which the picked article is stored stays or overflows, and there is no place for the container. For this reason, unless all the sorting operations are completed, the sorting operations for the next plurality of shipping destinations cannot be started. That is, the picking for the next plurality of shipping destinations cannot be started, and a waiting time for waiting for the start of the picking and sorting operations occurs.

  For this reason, the conventional picking system based on the total picking method has a problem that waiting time is generated in picking and sorting operations, and work efficiency is lowered.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a picking system capable of reducing waiting time in picking and sorting work and improving work efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above object, a picking system according to the present invention is a picking system that sorts items according to order information to be shipped from among a plurality of types of items, and stores a plurality of items for each same type. A plurality of order information, a plurality of order information collectively, a plurality of first storage containers for storing articles picked from the storage unit, and an article stored in the transported first storage container A sorting unit that sorts the first storage container according to the order information, an empty capacity of the transport unit that can arrange the first storage container in the transport unit, and the second storage container in the sorting unit. An acquisition unit that acquires at least one of the free capacities of the sorting unit, and a pickin that includes information on the type and quantity of articles picked from the storage unit into the first storage container The varieties and quantities of information, the varied in the obtained varieties and quantities corresponding to the free space has, and a picking information transmitter that transmits the picking information.

  According to this, picking information corresponding to the free capacity of the transport unit or the sorting unit is transmitted. That is, even if the free space is small, the picking operation can be started by reducing the amount of articles to be picked. For example, if the free space is small, picking information is transmitted so that the amount of articles to be picked is small. As a result, the picking work can be performed without waiting for the completion of the previous sorting work, thereby reducing the waiting time for the picking work. If many articles are picked and arranged in the transport unit, the next sorting operation can be started immediately after the previous sorting operation is completed. Thus, the waiting time in picking and sorting work can be reduced, and work efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the sorting unit includes an arrangement unit in which a predetermined number of the second storage containers can be arranged, and the acquisition unit is the number of the second storage containers that have been sorted and shipped from the arrangement unit. A sorting completion number acquisition unit that acquires a sorting completion number smaller than the predetermined number as a free space of the sorting unit, and the picking information transmission unit acquires the type and quantity of the picking information. The picking information may be transmitted by changing the type and quantity according to the available capacity of the sorting unit.

  According to this, it is possible to perform the picking work without waiting for the sorting of all the second storage containers arranged in the sorting unit to be completed. Conventionally, for example, when 100 second storage containers can be arranged in the sorting unit, the sorting is completed until all 100 second storage containers are sorted, and 100 second storage containers are empty. Was waiting for the start of picking work. However, according to this, for example, since the sorting of 50 second storage containers is completed and the empty space of 50 second storage containers is generated, the picking work can be started. Latency is reduced. Therefore, working efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the transport unit includes an intermediate warehouse that holds the first storage container in the middle of transport, and the acquisition unit includes a free capacity acquisition unit that acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse as the free capacity of the transport unit. The picking information transmission unit may transmit the picking information by changing the type and quantity of the picking information to a type and quantity corresponding to the acquired free space.

  According to this, the conveyance part is provided with the intermediate warehouse, and the picking information according to the free space of the intermediate warehouse is transmitted. For this reason, many articles can be picked and many first storage containers can be arranged in the intermediate warehouse. Then, as soon as the previous sorting operation is completed in the sorting unit, the first storage container can be transported from the intermediate warehouse to the sorting unit. Further, by acquiring only the information on the free space in the intermediate warehouse, it is possible to easily grasp the free space in the transport unit. In this way, it is possible to reduce the waiting time in picking and sorting work and improve work efficiency while easily grasping the free space.

  In addition, a plurality of sorting units including a placement unit in which the second storage container is disposed are provided, and the transport unit holds the first storage container in the middle of transport, and stores the first storage container in each of the sorting units. A plurality of intermediate warehouses arranged so as to be able to transport containers are provided, and the acquisition unit has the number of the second storage containers that have been sorted and shipped from the arrangement unit for each of the plurality of sorting units. A sorting completion number acquisition unit that acquires a certain completion number as a free capacity of the sorting unit; and a free capacity acquisition unit that acquires a free capacity of the intermediate warehouse as a free capacity of the transport unit for each of the plurality of intermediate warehouses; The picking system further includes a predetermined number of completions of any one of the plurality of sorting parts obtained in each of the obtained sorting parts. When it becomes above, the conveyance information transmission which transmits the information of the conveyance start of the said 1st storage container arrange | positioned in these intermediate | middle warehouse to the sorting part in which the said completion completion number became more than the said predetermined value And the picking information transmitting unit may change the type and quantity of the picking information to a type and quantity corresponding to the acquired free space of the intermediate warehouse, and transmit the picking information. .

  According to this, since the plurality of intermediate warehouses can convey the article to any sorting unit, the articles can be sequentially conveyed to the sorting unit for which sorting has been completed. For this reason, the 1st storage container arrange | positioned at all the intermediate warehouses can be conveyed to the said sorting part, and articles | goods can be conveyed smoothly. In this way, by further smoothly transporting the articles, it is possible to reduce waiting time in picking and sorting operations and improve work efficiency.

  In addition, the present invention can be realized not only as such a picking system but also as a method using the processing units constituting the system as steps. Furthermore, the present invention can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute these steps, or can be realized as a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which the program is recorded, or information, data, or a signal indicating the program. It can also be realized. These programs, information, data, and signals may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

  According to the present invention, in the picking system based on the total picking method, it is possible to reduce waiting time in picking and sorting work and improve work efficiency.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a picking system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The picking system 10 is a system that sorts articles according to order information. Here, the order information is information on the kind and quantity of an article determined to be shipped from among a plurality of kinds of articles. As shown in the figure, the picking system 10 includes a controller 100, a picking unit 200, a transport unit 300, and three sorting units 400.

  The controller 100 is a device that controls the picking unit 200, the transport unit 300, and the sorting unit 400, reduces waiting time in picking and sorting operations, and improves work efficiency.

  The picking unit 200 picks an article. The picking unit 200 includes a storage unit 210 and a picking information management terminal 220.

  The storage unit 210 is a shelf that stores a plurality of articles for each same product type. For example, as shown in the figure, the storage unit 210 includes a shelf A that stores articles of a product type a, a shelf B that stores products of a product type b, and the like.

  The picking information management terminal 220 receives picking information from the controller 100. Then, picking is performed based on the received picking information. Here, the picking information is information including information on the type and quantity of an article in which the article is picked from the storage unit 210 to the first storage container. The first storage container is a container for storing articles picked from the storage unit 210 collectively with a plurality of order information, and the articles are stored in the plurality of first storage containers. Specifically, the first storage container is a box-shaped oricon having a volume of 60 liters. The volume of the first storage container is not limited to 60 liters, and the shape of the first storage container is not limited to a box shape, and may be any volume and shape.

  For example, as shown in the figure, when the picking information management terminal 220 receives the picking information so as to pick 10 items of the kind a, 5 items of the kind b, and 3 items of the kind f, the picking information is stored. Articles of the type and quantity are picked from the shelf A, the shelf B, and the shelf F of the unit 210 and stored in the first storage container P1.

  The transport unit 300 transports a plurality of first storage containers. The transport unit 300 includes a transport conveyor 310 and three intermediate warehouses 320.

  The transport conveyor 310 transports a plurality of first storage containers in which articles picked from the storage unit 210 are stored.

  Each of the three intermediate warehouses 320 holds the first storage container during transportation. That is, in each of the three intermediate warehouses 320, a plurality of first storage containers (for example, the first storage container P2 shown in the figure) are arranged. Here, the intermediate warehouse 320 may be a warehouse having a simple structure, and may be a warehouse in which the carrying-out order of the first storage containers carried in cannot be determined freely. That is, since the articles stored in the first storage container are sorted by the sorting unit 400 regardless of the order in which the first storage container is carried out from the intermediate warehouse 320, the intermediate warehouse 320 has an inexpensive warehouse with a simple structure. Can be used. The intermediate warehouse 320 may be a high-speed sorting device such as a high-speed bucket crane that can freely carry out the loaded first storage container.

  Each of the three sorting units 400 sorts the articles stored in the first storage container transported by the transport unit 300 into second storage containers linked to the order information according to the order information. For example, as shown in the figure, the sorting unit 400 sorts the articles stored in the first storage container P3 transferred to the transfer unit 300.

  Here, the three intermediate warehouses 320 are arranged so that the first storage containers can be transported to the three sorting units 400.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining that the sorting unit 400 sorts articles.
The sorting unit 400 includes arrangement units 410 and 420 in which a predetermined number of second storage containers (for example, the second storage container Q1 shown in the figure) can be arranged.

  The sorting unit 400 sorts the articles stored in the first storage container P3 transported to the transport unit 300 into the second storage container. For example, when an item of type a is requested in the order information corresponding to the second storage container Q1, the item of type a stored in the first storage container P3 is stored in the second storage as shown in FIG. Sorted into container Q1. Similarly, when an item of type b is requested in the order information corresponding to the second storage container Q2, the item of type b is sorted into the second storage container Q2.

  Then, the second storage container whose sorting is completed is carried out for shipment. For example, as shown in the figure, when the sorting into the second storage container Q3 is completed, the second storage container Q3 is carried out.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the controller 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The controller 100 includes a picking information transmission unit 110, an acquisition unit 120, a conveyance information transmission unit 130, a data storage unit 150, an input unit 160, and a display unit 170. The controller 100 is realized by being executed by a general-purpose computer system such as a personal computer.

  The acquisition unit 120 has at least one of a free capacity of the transport unit 300 in which the first storage container can be disposed in the transport unit 300 and a free capacity of the sorting unit 400 in which the second storage container can be disposed in the sorting unit 400. To get. Here, the acquisition unit 120 includes a free capacity acquisition unit 121 and a sorting completion number acquisition unit 122.

  The free capacity acquisition unit 121 acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320 as the free capacity of the transport unit 300. That is, the free space acquisition unit 121 acquires free space for each of the three intermediate warehouses 320. Specifically, the free capacity acquisition unit 121 acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320 from each of the three intermediate warehouses 320.

  The sorting completion number acquisition unit 122 acquires the sorting completion number, which is the number of second storage containers that have been sorted and shipped from the placement units 410 and 420, as the free capacity of the sorting unit 400. That is, the sorting completion number acquisition unit 122 acquires the sorting completion number from each of the three sorting units 400. Here, the sorting completion number is a number smaller than a predetermined number in which the second storage containers can be arranged in the arrangement units 410 and 420.

  The picking information transmission unit 110 changes the type and quantity, which are information included in the picking information, to the type and quantity corresponding to the free space acquired by the acquisition unit 120, and transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal 220. To do. That is, the picking information transmission unit 110 changes the kind and quantity of the picking information to a kind and quantity corresponding to at least one of the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320 and the sorting completion number that is the free capacity of the sorting part 400, and Send picking information.

  The conveyance information transmission unit 130 is a sorting completion number in which the sorting completion number of any one sorting unit is a predetermined value among the sorting completion numbers for each of the three sorting units 400 acquired by the sorting completion number acquisition unit 122. When the threshold value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, information about the start of conveyance to the sorting unit 400 in which the number of completed sorting of the first storage containers disposed in the three intermediate warehouses 320 is equal to or greater than the threshold value for the completed sorting number Send.

  The data storage unit 150 is a hard disk or the like that stores setting data 151 or the like that is data set for sorting by the picking system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting data 151.
The setting data 151 includes setting items and setting data. The setting item is an item of data to be set, and is, for example, “sort completion number threshold value” or “order information”. The setting data is data for each setting item.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the input unit 160 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and the display unit 170 is a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like. Used for. Here, the setting data 151 is input to the input unit 160 and the setting data is displayed on the display unit 170.

  The picking system 10 includes a communication I / F (interface) unit (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter used for communication between the controller 100 and the picking unit 200, the transport unit 300, and the sorting unit 400. ).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the picking system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, sorting is started for all the second storage containers placed in the placement units 410 and 420 of the sorting unit 400 (S102).

  Next, the picking information transmission unit 110 acquires a sorting completion number threshold value from the setting data 151 (S104).

  Then, the picking information transmission unit 110 transmits the picking information based on the order information corresponding to the number of sorting completion number thresholds to the picking information management terminal 220 (S106). Here, the picking information transmission unit 110 acquires the picking information from the setting data 151.

  Then, the free capacity acquisition unit 121 acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320 from the intermediate warehouse 320 (S108).

  Next, the picking information transmission unit 110 changes the picking information according to the free space of the intermediate warehouse 320 and transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal 220.

  Specifically, the picking information transmission unit 110 determines whether or not there is free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 (S110).

  If the picking information transmitting unit 110 determines that there is free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 (YES in S110), the picking information transmitting unit 110 transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal 220 so as to pick up articles for the free capacity (S112). .

  When the picking information transmitting unit 110 determines that there is no free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 (NO in S110), the picking information transmitting unit 110 transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal 220 so as to stop the picking, and the sorting completion number acquiring unit 122 Acquires the number of completed sorting from each of the three sorting units 400 (S114).

  Then, the conveyance information transmitting unit 130 determines whether or not the sorting completion number acquired by the sorting completion number acquiring unit 122 is equal to or greater than the sorting completion number threshold (S116).

  When the conveyance information transmission unit 130 determines that the number of completed sorting is less than the sorting completed number threshold (NO in S116), the articles stored in the second storage container in which sorting is completed are shipped (S118).

  When the conveyance information transmission unit 130 determines that any one of the sorted completion numbers is equal to or greater than the sorted completion number threshold value (YES in S116), the first storage disposed in the three intermediate warehouses 320 Information on the start of conveyance of the container to the sorting unit 400 whose sorting completion number is equal to or greater than the sorting completion number threshold is transmitted to the transporting unit 300 (S120).

Then, the conveyance information transmission unit 130 determines whether the sorting is completed (S122).
When it is determined that the sorting is not completed (NO in S122), the conveyance information transmission unit 130 continues to transmit the conveyance start information to the conveyance unit 300 (S120).

  When the conveyance information transmitting unit 130 determines that the sorting is completed (YES in S122), the articles stored in the second storage container in which the sorting is completed are shipped (S124).

Next, the operation in which the picking system 10 sorts articles will be specifically described.
6 and 7 are diagrams for specifically explaining an example of the operation of the picking system 10.

  First, sorting is started for all the second storage containers placed in the placement units 410 and 420 of the sorting unit 400 (S102 in FIG. 5). Here, it is assumed that 100 second storage containers are arranged in each sorting unit 400.

  Next, the picking information transmission unit 110 acquires a sorting completion number threshold value from the setting data 151 (S104 in FIG. 5). Then, the picking information transmission unit 110 transmits the picking information based on the order information corresponding to the number of sorting completion number thresholds to the picking information management terminal 220 (S106 in FIG. 5).

  Here, the sorting completion number threshold is determined from the number of first storage containers that can be stored in the three intermediate warehouses 320. Here, it is assumed that the sorting completion number threshold is set to 50. That is, the picking information here is information based on order information corresponding to 50 second storage containers. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, picking information is stored in the picking information management terminal 220 so that articles sorted into 50 second storage containers arranged in part A of the sorting unit 400 are picked together. Sent. The plurality of first storage containers storing the articles to be picked together are all stored in the three intermediate warehouses 320.

  Then, according to the picking information transmitted to the picking information management terminal 220, the worker picks the corresponding article from the storage unit 210 and stores it in the first storage container. For example, as shown in the figure, when picking information is transmitted to the picking information management terminal 220 so as to pick 100 kinds of articles of type a, 50 pieces of goods of kind b, and 30 pieces of goods of kind f. The worker picks the article of the type and quantity from the shelf A, the shelf B, and the shelf F of the storage unit 210 and stores them in the plurality of first storage containers P1.

  As described above, even if the free space of the sorting unit 400 is small, the picking operation can be started by reducing the amount of articles to be picked. That is, the picking operation can be performed without waiting for the sorting of all the second storage containers arranged in the sorting unit 400 to be completed. Specifically, unlike the conventional case, there is no waiting for the start of the picking operation until 100 second storage containers are empty, and 50 second storage containers are generated. Picking work can be started. For this reason, waiting time for picking and sorting work is reduced, and work efficiency can be improved.

  Then, the free capacity acquisition unit 121 acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320 from the intermediate warehouse 320 (S108 in FIG. 5). Then, the picking information transmission unit 110 determines whether or not there is free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 (S110 in FIG. 5), and determines that there is free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 (YES in S110 in FIG. 5). Then, the picking information is transmitted to the picking information management terminal 220 so as to pick up the articles for the free capacity (S112 in FIG. 5).

  That is, the picking information here is information according to the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320. As shown in the figure, if there is free space in the intermediate warehouse 320, the first storage container P1 can be transported to the intermediate warehouse 320, so that the worker can continue to pick items from the storage unit 210. Can do. For this reason, the free space acquisition unit 121 transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal 220 so as to pick articles for the free space of the intermediate warehouse 320.

  In this way, if the free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 is large, the picking information is transmitted so that the picking time is earlier or the amount of picked articles is increased. As a result, the operator can perform the picking work without waiting for the sorting work in the sorting unit 400 to be completed, so that the waiting time for the picking work is reduced. In addition, if a large number of articles are picked and placed in the intermediate warehouse 320 at an early time, the next sorting operation may be started immediately after the previous sorting operation in the sorting unit 400 is completed. it can. Moreover, since it is only necessary to acquire information on the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320, the free capacity can be easily grasped. In this way, it is possible to reduce the waiting time in picking and sorting work and improve work efficiency while easily grasping the free space.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 7, the first storage container P1 is transported to the intermediate warehouse 320 and accumulated by performing the picking operation. Here, let the 1st storage container accumulate | stored in the intermediate | middle warehouse 320 be the 1st storage container P2. If the picking information transmitting unit 110 determines that there is no free space in the intermediate warehouse 320 (NO in S110 of FIG. 5), the picking information transmitting unit 110 transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal 220 so as to stop picking, The completed number acquisition unit 122 acquires the number of completed sorting from each of the three sorting units 400 (S114 in FIG. 5).

  Then, the conveyance information transmitting unit 130 determines whether or not the sorting completion number acquired by the sorting completion number acquiring unit 122 is 50 or more which is a sorting completion number threshold (S116 in FIG. 5). When the conveyance information transmitting unit 130 determines that the number of completed sorting is less than 50 (NO in S116 in FIG. 5), the articles stored in the second storage container in which the sorting is completed are shipped (in FIG. 5). S118).

  Next, when the conveyance information transmitting unit 130 determines that the number of completed sorting of any one of the sorting units 400 among each of the plurality of sorting units 400 is 50 or more (in S116 of FIG. 5). YES) Information on the start of transfer of the first storage containers arranged in the three intermediate warehouses 320 to the sorting unit 400 in which the number of completed sorting is 50 or more is transmitted to the transfer unit 300 (S120 in FIG. 5). ).

  For example, as shown in the figure, when the number of sorting to the second storage container arranged in part A of one sorting unit 400 out of three sorting units 400 is 50, Information about the transfer start is transmitted to the transfer unit 300 so that the first storage containers P2 arranged in the three intermediate warehouses 320 are transferred to the sorting unit 400. As a result, the first storage containers P <b> 2 arranged in the three intermediate warehouses 320 are transported to the sorting unit 400 by the transport conveyor 310. Here, the first storage container conveyed to the sorting unit 400 is illustrated as a first storage container P3.

  Then, sorting into the second storage container is performed in the sorting unit 400, and the transport information transmitting unit 130 determines whether or not all sorting is completed (S122 in FIG. 5). When it is determined that the sorting is not completed (NO in S122 in FIG. 5), the conveyance information transmission unit 130 continues to send the conveyance start information to the conveyance unit 300 (S120 in FIG. 5). When the conveyance information transmitting unit 130 determines that the sorting is completed (YES in S122 in FIG. 5), the article stored in the second storage container in which the sorting is completed is shipped (S124 in FIG. 5).

  In this way, sorting is performed collectively for each number of order information corresponding to the sorting completion number threshold. Then, for example, by setting the number of pieces of order information to be sorted at a time corresponding to the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320, the first storage container can be transported from the intermediate warehouse 320 to the sorting unit 400 without waiting time. Done. In addition, since the three intermediate warehouses 320 can convey articles to any sorting unit 400, the articles can be sequentially conveyed to the sorting unit 400 that has completed sorting. For this reason, the 1st storage container arrange | positioned in all the intermediate warehouses 320 can be conveyed to the said sorting part 400, and articles | goods can be conveyed smoothly.

  As described above, according to the picking system 10 according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce waiting time in picking and sorting work and improve work efficiency.

  As mentioned above, although the picking system 10 which concerns on this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  That is, the embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the picking system 10 includes the intermediate warehouse 320, and the free capacity acquisition unit 121 acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse 320. However, the picking system 10 may not include the intermediate warehouse 320, and the free capacity acquisition unit 121 may acquire the free capacity of the transfer conveyor 310.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the sorting completion number threshold is determined from the number of first storage containers that can be stored in the three intermediate warehouses 320. However, the sorting completion number threshold may be a value arbitrarily determined by the operator. For example, when the sorting completion number threshold is large and all the first storage containers cannot be stored in the three intermediate warehouses 320, picking may be resumed when any of the intermediate warehouses 320 becomes empty. .

  In the present embodiment, the picking is performed based on the picking information corresponding to the sorting completion number threshold of the sorting unit 400. However, the picking information may be determined according to a capacity obtained by adding a capacity smaller than the threshold or a capacity expected to be freed during picking to the current threshold.

  In the present embodiment, the picking is performed based on the picking information corresponding to the free space in the intermediate warehouse 320. However, the picking information may be determined according to a capacity obtained by adding a capacity smaller than the free capacity or a capacity expected to be freed during picking to the current free capacity. Further, based on picking information corresponding to a predetermined threshold free space, the picking operation may be waited until the free space reaches the threshold. In this case, a little waiting time is generated for the worker, but the waiting time can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

  The present invention is a picking system that sorts items according to order information to be shipped from among a plurality of types of items, in particular, as a picking system that can reduce waiting time in picking and sorting work and improve work efficiency. Can be used.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the picking system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining a sorting part sorting goods. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the controller in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of setting data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the picking system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of operation of a picking system concretely. It is a figure explaining an example of operation of a picking system concretely.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Picking system 100 Controller 110 Picking information transmission part 120 Acquisition part 121 Free capacity acquisition part 122 Sorting completion number acquisition part 130 Transfer information transmission part 150 Data storage part 151 Setting data 160 Input part 170 Display part 200 Picking part 210 Storage part 220 Picking Information management terminal 300 Conveying section 310 Conveying conveyor 320 Intermediate warehouse 400 Sorting section 410, 420 Arrangement section

Claims (5)

A picking system that sorts items according to order information to be shipped from among multiple types of items,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of articles for each same product type;
A transport unit for transporting a plurality of first storage containers in which articles picked from the storage unit are stored together with a plurality of the order information;
A sorting unit that sorts the articles stored in the transported first storage container into second storage containers according to the order information;
With a controller,
The controller is
The first storage container can be disposed in the transport unit, the empty capacity of the transport unit is acquired from the transport unit , and the second storage container can be disposed in the sorting unit. An acquisition unit that performs at least one of acquiring the free capacity from the sorting unit that is free capacity and is generated by shipping the second storage container from the sorting unit ;
The varieties and quantities of picking information including information on varieties and quantities of the articles to be picked in the first container from said storage unit, and change the varieties and quantities corresponding to the acquired free space, picking information and a picking information transmitting unit that transmits the picking information to the management terminal
Rain Tsu King system. The sorting unit includes an arrangement unit in which a predetermined number of the second storage containers can be arranged,
The acquisition unit is the number of the second storage containers that have been sorted and shipped from the arrangement unit, and acquires from the sorting unit a sorting completion number that is less than the predetermined number as an empty capacity of the sorting unit . It has a sorting completion number acquisition unit,
The picking information transmission unit changes the type and quantity of the picking information to a type and quantity corresponding to the acquired free space of the sorting unit, and transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal The picking system according to claim 1. The transport unit includes an intermediate warehouse that holds the first storage container in the middle of transport,
The acquisition unit includes a free capacity acquisition unit that acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse from the intermediate warehouse as the free capacity of the transport unit,
The picking information transmission unit changes the type and quantity of the picking information to a type and quantity corresponding to the acquired free space, and transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal. The picking system according to claim 2. While including a plurality of the sorting unit including a placement unit in which the second storage container is disposed,
The transport unit includes a plurality of intermediate warehouses arranged to hold the first storage container in the middle of transport and to transport the first storage container to the sorting units.
The acquisition unit
For each of the plurality of sorting units, a sorting completion number acquisition unit that acquires, from the sorting unit , a sorting completion number that is the number of the second storage containers that have been sorted and shipped from the placement unit. When,
For each of the plurality of intermediate warehouses, a free capacity acquisition unit that acquires the free capacity of the intermediate warehouse as the free capacity of the transport unit from the intermediate warehouse ,
The picking system further comprises:
The first storage arranged in the plurality of intermediate warehouses when the sorting completion number of any one sorting unit of the plurality of sorting units obtained for each of the plurality of sorting units becomes a predetermined value or more. A transport information transmitting unit that transmits information on the start of transport to a sorting unit in which the number of completed sorting of the container is equal to or greater than the predetermined value;
The picking information transmission unit changes the kind and quantity of the picking information to a kind and quantity corresponding to the acquired free space of the intermediate warehouse, and transmits the picking information to the picking information management terminal. Item 4. The picking system according to Item 1. A program for controlling a picking system that sorts items according to order information to be shipped from a plurality of types of items,
A storage unit for storing a plurality of articles for each same product type, a transport unit for transporting a plurality of first storage containers in which a plurality of the order information is stored in batches and picked up from the storage unit, and the transport A picking system comprising: a sorting unit that sorts articles stored in the first storage container into second storage containers according to the order information;
The first storage container can be disposed in the transport unit, the empty capacity of the transport unit is acquired from the transport unit , and the second storage container can be disposed in the sorting unit. An acquisition step of performing at least one of acquiring a free capacity from the sorting unit that is a free capacity and is generated when the second storage container is shipped from the sorting unit ;
The varieties and quantities of picking information including information on varieties and quantities of the articles to be picked in the first container from said storage unit, and change the varieties and quantities corresponding to the acquired free space, picking information A program that causes a computer to execute a picking information transmission step of transmitting the picking information to a management terminal .

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