JP5328312B2 - Picking system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picking system, in which work efficiency is enhanced. <P>SOLUTION: The picking system 1 includes: a storage shelf 3 provided with a plurality of storage parts 2; and storage-side indicating means 15 for indicating the storage part 2 where an article to be taken out is stored. When one storage-side indicating means 15 among the plurality of storage-side indicating means 15 displays a takeout display 15a that indicates the storage part 2 where the article to be taken out is stored, the other storage-side indicating means 15 surrounding the one storage-side indicating means 15 display guidance displays 15b different from the takeout display 15a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking system capable of improving work efficiency.

Conventionally, for example, a picking system described in Patent Document 1 below is known. In this conventional picking system, a storage shelf such as a parts shelf having a plurality of storage units in which articles such as parts are stored, and articles that are located corresponding to each storage unit and are to be taken out to an operator are stored. There are provided a plurality of instruction display means such as a plurality of work instruction LEDs for instructing the storage section, and a control means such as an external control device for controlling the instruction display means.
JP 2002-43922 A

  However, in the above-described conventional picking system, when the storage unit in which the article to be taken out is stored is instructed to the worker, only the instruction display means corresponding to the storage unit is turned on. It takes time to find the display for removal by the instruction display means, and the work efficiency may be deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a picking system capable of improving work efficiency.

The picking system according to claim 1, wherein the storage shelves having a plurality of storage units for storing articles, and the storage that is positioned corresponding to each of the storage units and stores articles to be taken out for an operator. and a plurality of instruction display means for instructing section, among the plurality of instruction display means, one instruction display means corresponding to one of the storage portion the article to be taken out is stored, but its relative operator When displaying a display for taking out the one storage unit in which the article to be taken out is stored, other instruction display means located around the one instruction display unit and corresponding to the other storage unit A display for guidance different from the display for extraction is displayed.

The picking system according to claim 2 corresponds to a storage shelf having a plurality of storage units in which articles are stored, a plurality of collection containers into which articles taken out from the storage units are input, and the respective collection containers And a plurality of instruction display means for instructing the collection container to which the article to be taken out is to be placed with respect to the worker, and one of the plurality of instruction display means to which the taken out article is to be placed. one instruction display means corresponding to the current product container, when displaying the charged display for instructing the one collecting goods container to be charged with the retrieved article to workers, one instruction display that Other instruction display means located around the means and corresponding to other collection containers display a guidance display different from the input display.

4. The picking system according to claim 3, wherein the collection container is configured to accommodate a plurality of collection containers in which articles are accommodated, and the collection containers that are positioned corresponding to the respective collection containers and to be taken out for an operator. and a plurality of instruction display means for instructing, among the plurality of instruction display means, one instruction display means corresponding to one of the collecting goods container article to be taken out is accommodated, the relative operator When displaying the display for taking out the one collection container in which the article to be taken out is stored, the other instruction display corresponding to the other collection container located around the one instruction display means The means displays a guidance display different from the extraction display.

The picking system according to claim 4 corresponds to each of the storage units including a plurality of collection containers in which articles are stored, a storage shelf having a plurality of storage units into which articles taken out from the collection containers are placed. A plurality of instruction display means for instructing the storage unit to which the article to be taken out is to be placed with respect to the operator, and one storage among the plurality of instruction display means to which the article to be taken out is to be placed. when one instruction display means corresponding to the section displays the charged display for instructing said one storage unit to be turned on the retrieved article to workers, around the one instruction display means Other instruction display means located and corresponding to the other storage unit display a guidance display different from the input display.

The picking system according to claim 5 is the picking system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein each instruction display means has a display unit capable of selectively displaying a display for extraction and a display for guidance, and the display for extraction is the color of the color display, the guiding display, the the take-out display colors are those which are different from color of a color display.

The picking system according to claim 6 is the picking system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein each instruction display means has a display unit capable of selectively displaying a display for input and a display for guidance, and the display for input is the color of the color display, the guiding display, said a closing display colors are those which are different from color of a color display.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when one instruction display unit displays a display for taking out that indicates a storage unit in which an article to be taken out is stored for an operator, the one instruction display unit Since other instruction display means in the vicinity display a guidance display that is different from the display for extraction, the operator can easily find the display for extraction by guidance based on the guidance display, thereby improving work efficiency. Can do.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when one instruction display means displays an input display for instructing a collection container into which an article taken out is to be input to an operator, the instruction display means Since other instruction display means in the vicinity display a display for guidance different from the display for input, the operator can easily find the display for input by guidance based on the guidance display, thereby improving work efficiency. Can do.

  According to the invention according to claim 3, when one instruction display means displays a display for taking out a collection container in which an article to be taken out is stored for an operator, the one instruction display means Since other instruction display means around the display display a guide display different from the display for extraction, the operator can easily find the display for extraction by guidance based on the guide display, thereby improving work efficiency. be able to.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when one instruction display means displays an input display for indicating a storage unit to which an article taken out is to be input to an operator, the area around the one instruction display means Since the other instruction display means displays a guidance display different from the guidance display, the operator can easily find the guidance display by guidance based on the guidance display, thereby improving work efficiency. it can.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the display for extraction is a single color display, and the display for guidance is a color display of one color different from the color of the display for extraction, the operator can further display the display for extraction. Can be easily found.

  According to the invention of claim 6, since the input display is a single color display, and the guidance display is a single color display different from the color of the input display, the operator can further display the input display. Can be easily found.

  An embodiment of a picking system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a picking system that is a collection system. This picking system 1 has a plurality of storage units 2 that are stored in a state where a plurality of articles W that are products are stored in a storage container B. A horizontal storage shelf 3 is provided.

  Further, the picking system 1 stores the collection container A into which the articles W taken out based on the order information from the storage unit 2 by the picking-up work, which is the picking work of the worker X, is stored at the front position of the storage shelf 3. The first collection container transport means (first collection line) 6 that transports in the horizontal direction along the longitudinal direction of the shelf 3 and the worker X disposed in close proximity to the first collection container transport means 6. The second collection container transporting means for transporting the collection container A into which the articles W taken out from the storage unit 2 based on the order information by the take-out operation are input and stored in the horizontal direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage shelf 3 ( The second collection line 7) and the second collection container transport means 7 are disposed above the second collection container transport means 7 in parallel with the second collection container transport means 7 along the longitudinal direction of the storage shelf 3. And a storage container transporting means 8 for transporting in the horizontal direction.

  The collection container A is, for example, a shipping container, which is a cold storage container, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an upper surface opened. The storage container B is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cardboard box or a resin case.

  The storage shelf 3 is configured by a plurality of, for example, 13 zones (picking areas) arranged in the horizontal direction, and each zone is configured by a plurality of storage units 2 having a plurality of rows, for example, four rows and three stages. That is, for example, one zone is constituted by twelve storage units 2 having four rows and three stages. In the worker space 10 between the storage shelf 3 and the first collection container transport means 6, the worker X is arranged corresponding to each zone, and one worker X is in one zone (for example, 4 zones). Responsible for the storage section in the third row.

  The storage shelf 3 is, for example, a fluidized shelf and has a frame 11, and a plurality of storage units 2 that are stored in a state where the articles W are stored in the storage container B are provided in the frame 11. . Each storage unit 2 includes a plurality of free rollers 12 arranged in parallel at an interval so as to incline downward from the rear side to the front side of the storage shelf 3, and a head placed on the free rollers 12. And a stopper 13 that contacts the storage container B.

  Then, when the first storage container B becomes empty, the worker X moves the empty storage container B from the free roller 12 onto the transfer surface 8a of the storage container transfer means 8. When the first empty storage container B is taken out from the free roller 12, the subsequent storage container B moves on the free roller 12 by its own weight until it comes into contact with the stopper 13. The replenishment of the storage container B onto the free roller 12 is performed from the rear side of the storage shelf 3.

  Further, on the front surface of the frame 11 of the storage shelf 3, an article W to be taken out for the worker X based on the order information is stored by displaying a take-out display 15a that is positioned corresponding to each storage unit 2. A plurality of storage-side instruction means 15 are provided for indicating the storage unit 2 that is being stored. That is, a storage-side instruction means 15 that is an instruction display means is provided in the vicinity of each storage section 2 for each storage section 2.

  The first collection container transport means 6 is constituted by a single first conveyor 21 whose longitudinal dimension, which is the dimension in the transport direction, for example, is substantially the same as the longitudinal dimension of the storage shelf 3. The first conveyor 21 has a conveyor frame 22, and a plurality of transport rollers 23 are rotatably provided on the conveyor frame 22. Further, the first conveyor 21 has a single drive source 24 such as a motor, for example, and a plurality of transport rollers 23 are synchronously driven and rotated at the same time by the power from the single drive source 24, thereby a plurality of collection containers. Transport A. The plurality of transport rollers 23 form a horizontal transport surface 6a.

  Further, on the surface of the conveyor frame 22 of the first conveyor 21 that faces the front side of the storage shelf 3, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, on the transfer surface 6 a of the first collection container transfer means 6. Each of the collection containers A, that is, corresponding to each collection container A on the transport roller 23 of the first conveyor 21 when the first conveyor 21 is stopped, is displayed on the basis of the order information by displaying a loading display 26a. A plurality of first collection container side instruction means 26 are provided for instructing the collection container A in which the article W taken out from the storage unit 2 is to be input and stored for the worker X. That is, for each collection container A on the transport surface 6a, the first collection container side instruction means 26 as instruction display means is provided in the vicinity of each collection container A.

  The second collection container transport means 7 is arranged in a state close to a portion of the first collection container transport means 6 on the side opposite to the side facing the storage shelf 3. That is, the first collection container transporting means 6 and the second collection container transporting means 7 are disposed in parallel and close to each other. The second collection container transport means 7 has a transport surface 7a that is inclined downward toward the first collection container transport means 6 side, and a product on the transport surface 7a that is positioned orthogonal to the transport surface 7a. A supporting surface 7b for supporting the side surface of the container A and transporting the collection container A is provided. The lower end along the longitudinal direction, which is one end in the width direction of the transport surface 7a, is positioned at substantially the same height as the transport surface 6a.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second collection container transfer means 7 may be configured not to have the auxiliary transfer surface 7 b.

  And the 2nd collection container conveyance means 7 is comprised by the one 2nd conveyor 31 whose longitudinal direction dimension which is a conveyance direction dimension is substantially the same as the longitudinal direction dimension of the storage shelf 3, for example. The second conveyor 31 has a conveyor frame 32, and a plurality of transport rollers 33 are rotatably provided on the conveyor frame 32. Further, the second conveyor 31 has a single drive source 34 such as a motor, for example, and a plurality of transport rollers 33 are synchronously driven and rotated at the same time by the power from the single drive source 34. A is transported together with the auxiliary transport surface 7b. The plurality of transport rollers 33 constitute an inclined transport surface 7a. The auxiliary transport surface 7b is constituted by, for example, a free roller (not shown) rotatably provided on a protruding frame 35 protruding upward from the conveyor frame 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a single drive source 24 of the first conveyor 21 as the first collection container transport means 6 and a single drive source of the second conveyor 31 as the second collection container transport means 7 34 is electrically connected to the control means 36, and the first conveyor 21 and the second conveyor 31 are individually controlled by the control means 36. That is, the driving and stopping of the first conveyor 21 and the driving and stopping of the second conveyor 31 are individually controlled.

  The storage container transport means 8 is configured by a conveyor 41 whose longitudinal dimension, which is the dimension in the transport direction, is longer than the longitudinal dimension of the storage shelf 3, for example. The conveyor 41 has a conveyor frame 42, and a plurality of transport rollers 43 that transport empty storage containers B are rotatably provided on the conveyor frame 42. The plurality of transport rollers 43 form a horizontal transport surface 8a.

  Further, on the surface of the conveyor frame 42 on the side facing the storage shelf 3, each collection container A on the conveyance surface 7 a of the second collection container conveyance means 7, that is, when the second conveyor 31 is stopped. The articles W picked up from the storage unit 2 to the worker X based on the order information are displayed by displaying the input display 46a by corresponding to the collection containers A on the transport rollers 33 of the second conveyor 31. A plurality of second collection container side instruction means 46 for indicating the collection container A to be charged and accommodated are provided. That is, the second collection container side instruction means 46 which is an instruction display means is provided in the vicinity of each collection container A for each collection container A on the transport surfaces 7a and 7b. The second collection container side instructing means 46 is located immediately above the collection container A on the transport surfaces 7a and 7b and is located near the height of the line of sight of the worker X.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the picking system 1 includes container supply transport means 51 for transporting an empty collection container (collection box) A. A conveyance start end portion of the first branch conveyance means 53 and a conveyance start end portion of the second branch conveyance means 54 are connected to the conveyance end portion of the container supply conveyance means 51, and an empty collection container A is connected to this connection portion. Distribution means (not shown) for distributing the items is provided. The transfer termination end of the first branch transfer means 53 is connected to the transfer start end of the first collection container transfer means 6, and the transfer end of the second branch transfer means 54 is the transfer start end of the second collection container transfer means 7. It is connected to the.

  Further, in the middle of each of the first branch transport means 53 and the second branch transport means 54, an automatic bagging machine 56 that hangs an inner bag on the collection container A, a plurality of units that attach labels to the collection container A, For example, two auto labelers 57, a manual labeler (not shown) for manually attaching a label to the collection container A, and a barcode reader 58 for reading the barcode of the label attached to the collection container A Etc. are provided.

  Of the two auto labelers 57, one auto labeler 57 attaches both a label having shipping destination information and a label having order information (product order information), and the other auto labeler 57 is Only a label having order information is attached. The barcode reader 58 is for checking whether or not the label is attached to the collection container A.

  Furthermore, the conveyance start end portion of the first conveyance means 61 that conveys the collection container A containing the articles W toward the next process is connected to the conveyance termination portion of the first collection container conveyance means 6. The conveyance start end portion of the second conveyance means 62 that conveys the collection container A containing the articles W toward the next process is connected to the conveyance termination portion of the second collection container conveyance means 7.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the control means 36 which is an information processing device includes instruction means 15, 26 and 46 which are instruction display means, notification means 71 and 72 such as an alarm device, a laser beam generator and the like. The optical sensor means 73 and 74 and the host computer 75 are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the storage-side optical sensor means 73 that is an optical sensor means is attached to, for example, the front end portion of the mounting frame 76 that protrudes forward from the upper front surface of the frame 11 of the storage shelf 3. It has been. The storage-side light sensor means 73 is disposed corresponding to each zone, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the storage-side light sensor means 73 has a predetermined angular range of 2 in the vicinity of the front position (extraction-side vicinity position) of a plurality of (for example, 12) storage units 2 in a matrix of the storage shelves 3. A light projecting unit 81 for projecting detection light (for example, laser light or infrared LED light) toward a three-dimensional region, that is, a substantially semicircular two-dimensional region centered on the reference point P, for example. A light receiving unit 82 that receives the reflected light reflected by the hand (including the arm) of the worker X inserted into the two-dimensional region on the side, and when the light receiving unit 82 receives the reflected light, it is inserted into the two-dimensional region. Position information based on the distance information (distance information of L in the figure) to the position of the hand of the worker X and the angle information (angle information of θ in the figure) corresponding to the position is obtained and the obtained position information And a position information acquisition unit 83 that transmits to the control means 36.

  The distance information is information regarding the distance L between the reference point P and the position of the hand of the worker X. The angle information is information on an angle (step angle) θ formed by a horizontal reference line a passing through the reference point P and a line b connecting the reference point P and the position of the hand of the worker X. As shown in FIG. 2, the inclination angle s of the detection light with respect to the vertical direction, that is, the inclination angle s of a predetermined two-dimensional region scanned with the detection light is approximately 15 degrees, for example.

  In addition, the control unit 36 includes a storage unit 84 that stores detection area information set in advance for each storage unit 2 in consideration of the storage unit 2 and the size of the article W, and the position of the storage-side light sensor unit 73. The position information acquired by the information acquisition unit 83 is included in the detection area information corresponding to the storage unit 2 indicated by the storage side instruction means 15 among the plurality of detection area information stored in the storage unit 84. And a determination unit 85 for determining whether or not it is a thing.

  The worker X accesses the storage unit 2 instructed by the storage-side instruction means 15 in the light projecting unit 81, the light receiving unit 82, the position information acquisition unit 83, the storage unit 84, and the determination unit 85. Whether or not, that is, whether or not the operation of taking out the article W has been performed is configured to be a take-out access check means 86 that is a check means. It should be noted that the scan angle α of the detection light of the take-out access confirmation means 86 can be arbitrarily set within a range of 360 degrees or less, for example, approximately 130 degrees.

  In addition, the storage-side notification means 71 that is a notification means includes in the detection area information corresponding to the storage unit 2 in which the position information acquired by the determination unit 85 in the position information acquisition unit 83 is indicated by the storage-side instruction means 15. If it is determined that the alarm lamp is not, for example, an alarm lamp is turned on. The storage side notification means 71 is arranged corresponding to each zone, for example.

  On the other hand, the collection container side optical sensor means 74 which is an optical sensor means is attached to the lower surface of the conveyor frame 42 of the storage container transport means 8, for example, as shown in FIGS. The collection container side optical sensor means 74 is arranged corresponding to each zone, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the collection container side optical sensor means 74 has a plurality of matrix-like light sensor means 74 arranged in the conveying direction on the plurality of conveyors 21 and 31 (for example, 10 ) Detection light (e.g., toward a two-dimensional region within a predetermined angular range of a position near the upper side of the collection container A (position near the loading side), i.e., a substantially semicircular two-dimensional region centered on the reference point P. At least one of a light projecting unit 91 that projects laser light or infrared LED light) by scanning, an article W inserted in a two-dimensional area on the input side, and a hand (including an arm) of the worker X That is, for example, a light receiving unit 92 that receives the reflected light reflected by the hand (including the arm) of the worker X, and the worker X inserted in the two-dimensional region when the light receiving unit 92 receives the reflected light. Distance information to hand position (distance information of L in the figure) and its position And an angle information acquiring position information based on the (angular information in FIG theta) position information acquisition unit 93 that transmits the acquired position information to the control unit 36 corresponding to.

  In addition to the detection area information for each storage unit 2, the storage unit 84 of the control means 36 takes into account the size of the collection container A and the article W in advance, and collects the collection containers A on the conveyors 21 and 31 in advance. The detection area information set for each is stored. Further, the determination unit 85 of the control means 36 adds the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 93 of the collection container side optical sensor means 74 to the storage unit 84 in addition to the function of confirmation of take-out access (confirmation of take-out operation). The input confirmation of whether or not it is within the detection area information corresponding to the collection container A instructed by the collection container side instruction means 26, 46 among the plurality of detection area information stored It also has functions.

  The light projecting unit 91, the light receiving unit 92, the position information acquiring unit 93, the storage unit 84, and the determining unit 85 work on the collection container A designated by the collection container side instruction means 26 and 46. The loading access confirmation means 96 is configured as confirmation means for confirming whether or not the person X has accessed, that is, whether or not the article W has been loaded. Note that the scan angle α of the detection light of the input access confirmation unit 96 can be arbitrarily set within a range of 360 degrees or less, and is approximately 140 degrees, for example.

  Further, the collection container side notifying means 72 as the notification means is the collection container A in which the position information acquired by the determination unit 85 by the position information acquiring unit 93 is indicated by the collection container side indicating means 26, 46. For example, when it is determined that it is not within the detection area information corresponding to, an alarm lamp is turned on. The collection container side notification means 72 is arranged corresponding to each zone, for example.

  Here, a specific example of the detection method by the take-out access confirmation means 86 will be described. The detection method by the entry access confirmation means 96 is the same as that of the removal access confirmation means 86.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the detection area is a quadrangle, the take-out access confirmation unit 86 determines the detection area by converting it into XY coordinates based on the angle and the distance.

  That is, the storage unit 84 sets the detection area information corresponding to each storage unit 2 to XY coordinate information corresponding to the square detection area (for example, the X coordinate is in the range of A to B and the Y coordinate is C to D. Range). Then, the determination unit 85 converts the position information (distance information and angle information) sent from the position information acquisition unit 83 into XY coordinate information, and the coordinate position of the converted XY coordinate information is an extraction instruction. It is determined whether or not the coordinate position is in the pre-stored XY coordinate information corresponding to the storage unit 2 according to the above.

  Note that the position information acquisition unit 83 is not limited to transmitting the acquired position information (distance information and angle information) to the control means 36 as it is, and for example, converting the X-Y coordinate information into the converted X-Y. Y coordinate information may be transmitted as position information.

  Further, since the detection area can be set to an arbitrary shape, it may be an irregular shape other than a quadrangle, that is, for example, a circular shape centered on the front view center portion of the storage unit (frontage) 2. In this case, FIG. And as shown to (b), the extraction access confirmation means 86 determines a detection area directly with an angle and distance, without converting into an XY coordinate.

  That is, the storage unit 84 stores the detection area information corresponding to each storage unit 2 as angle information and distance information corresponding to the circular detection area. That is, for example, the storage unit 84 stores an angle at which the detection area is touched and a distance within the detection area (for example, when the angle is A, the distance ranges from A to B). Then, the determination unit 85 has the distance and angle of the position information (distance information and angle information) sent from the position information acquisition unit 83 within the detection area stored in advance corresponding to the storage unit 2 related to the take-out instruction. It is determined whether or not. For example, although not shown, when the detection area is irregular, it is also possible to use both of the above detection methods by dividing the detection area into a rectangular area and its peripheral area.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows an example of storage-side instruction means 15 that is a display. The storage-side instruction means 15 is detachably attached to the front surface portion 11a of the frame 11 of the storage shelf 3 by a magnet 101. A main body part 102 supported from below by the support part 11b, and a substantially rectangular surface-like display part 103 provided on the main body part 102 and capable of selectively displaying an extraction display 15a and a guidance display 15b. doing.

  The display unit 103 is a light guide such as a green light emitting diode that is a light source that emits green light, a red light emitting diode that is a light source that emits red light, and a substantially rectangular plate-like reflector that emits light from each light emitting diode. It is composed of a body 104 and the like.

  The storage-side instruction means 15 is controlled by the control means 36 based on the order information, and is stored in one of the plurality of storage-side instruction means 15 arranged in a matrix in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction corresponding to each zone. When the side indication means 15 is lit and the display 15a for taking out the storage unit storing the article W to be taken out is displayed for the worker X, the area around the one storage side indication means 15 is displayed. In addition, a plurality of other storage-side instruction means 15 located adjacent to the one storage-side instruction means 15 are turned on to display a guidance display 15b different from the extraction display 15a (see FIG. 4). The other storage-side instruction means 15 that are not adjacent to the one storage-side instruction means 15 remain off.

  The extraction display 15a is a single color display, that is, a green display in which, for example, a green light emitting diode is turned on and the entire display unit 103 is lit in green. The guidance display 15b is a color display of one color different from the color of the extraction display 15a, that is, a red display in which, for example, a red light emitting diode is turned on and the entire display unit 103 shines red.

  For example, when the storage-side instruction means 15 at the intermediate position of the upper, lower, left, and right displays the green display 15a, the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and two oblique directions perpendicular to the storage-side instruction means 15 Eight storage-side instruction means 15 adjacent to each other display a red guidance display 15b. For example, when the storage-side instruction means 15 at the corner position displays the green take-out display 15a, the three storage-side instruction means 15 adjacent to the storage-side instruction means 15 display the red guidance display 15b. . That is, a maximum of eight guidance displays 15b are displayed and a minimum of three guidance displays 15b are displayed for one extraction display 15a.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the storage-side instruction means 15 is attached to the front surface portion 11a and the support surface 11b of the frame 11 of the storage shelf 3 so as to be detachably attached by magnets 106 and 107. It may be arranged in parallel with the frame 108. A wiring insertion hole 109 is formed in the mounting frame 108, and a wiring 110 for connecting the storage side instruction means 15 and the control means 36 is inserted. Also, the collection container side instruction means 26 and 46 are both stored. The display device has the same basic configuration as the side instruction means 15. In each zone, the first collection container side instruction means 26 and the second collection container side instruction means 46 do not operate simultaneously, and both instruction means 26 and 46 are individually controlled by the control means 36 corresponding to each zone. Be controlled.

  The collection container side instruction means 26 and 46 are controlled by the control means 36 based on the order information, and a plurality of collection container side instructions arranged in the left and right direction (conveying direction by the conveyors 21 and 31) corresponding to each zone. One of the means 26 and 46, the collection container side instruction means 26 and 46 are turned on, and an input display 26a for instructing the collection container A into which the article W to be taken out is to be input to the worker X. When 46a is displayed, a plurality or one adjacent to the one collection container side instruction means 26, 46 is adjacent to the one collection container side instruction means 26, 46, that is, adjacent to the one collection container side instruction means 26, 46. The other collection container side instruction means 26, 46 are turned on to display guide displays 26b, 46b different from the input displays 26a, 46a (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The other collection container side instruction means 26 and 46 that are not adjacent to the one collection container side instruction means 26 and 46 remain off.

  The input displays 26a and 46a are one-color display, that is, a green display in which, for example, a green light-emitting diode is turned on and the entire display unit shines in green. The guidance displays 26b and 46b are a single color display different from the colors of the input displays 26a and 46a, that is, a red display in which, for example, a red light emitting diode is turned on and the entire display unit shines red.

  For example, when the collection container side instruction means 26, 46 at the intermediate position in the left-right direction displays the green input indications 26a, 46a, the left-right direction with respect to the collection container side instruction means 26, 46 is displayed. Two instruction means 26 and 46 on both sides adjacent to each other display red guidance displays 26b and 46b. Further, for example, when the end position indicating means 26 and 46 display the green input displays 26a and 46a, one storage side indicating means 15 adjacent to the indicating means 26 and 46 is replaced by the indicating means 26 and 46. Red guidance displays 26b and 46b are displayed. That is, there are cases where two guidance displays 26b and 46b are displayed on one side and one guidance display 26b and 46bb is displayed on one side for one input display 26a and 46a.

  Next, the operation and the like of the picking system 1 will be described.

  When an empty collection container A is put into the container supply transport means 51, the collection container A is transported by the container supply transport means 51, and the first branch transport means 53 and the second second transport means are distributed by the sorting means. It is distributed to the branch conveyance means 54.

  An inner bag is hung on the collection container A and a label is attached to the collection container A during each conveyance of the first branch conveyance means 53 and the second branch conveyance means 54.

  Thereafter, the collection containers A are knitted into a plurality of, for example, five, in the vicinity of each conveyance end of the first branch conveyance means 53 and the second branch conveyance means 54, and the collection containers A after knitting are the first collection containers. The first conveyor 21 as the conveying means 6 and the second conveyor 31 as the second collection container conveying means 7 are sequentially conveyed and supplied.

  And among the 1st collection container conveyance means 6 and the 2nd collection container conveyance means 7, while the collection container A arrived at the predetermined position first, for example, regarding the first collection container conveyance means 6, the operator X Starts the operation according to the instructions of the instruction means 15 and 26 (the extraction display 15a and the input display 26a). The position of the collection container A is detected by a photoelectric sensor or an encoder (not shown).

  That is, for example, the worker X in each zone is one of the plurality of storage side instruction means 15 in the zone he / she is in charge of and corresponds to the storage side instruction means 15 that is lit in green and displays the extraction display 15a. Only one article W is taken out from the storage unit 2, and the taken-out one article W is lit green only in the plurality of first collection container side instruction means 26 to display the input display 26a. It is put into one collection container A corresponding to the collection container side instruction means 26.

  At this time, the storage-side instruction means 15 located around the storage-side instruction means 15 that is lit in green light up in red to display the guidance display 15b, and the first collection container side instruction that is lit in green The collection container side indicating means 26 located around the means 26 is lit red to display the guidance display 26b, so that the vicinity of the storage unit 2 and the vicinity of the collection container A to be accessed shine in a wide area. The line of sight of X is guided toward the area direction, and it is possible to easily find out the extraction display 15a and the input display 26a.

  When the article W is thus put into the collection container A, all the indicator means 15 and 26 that have been turned on are turned off, the instruction means 15 and 26 that issue instructions next are turned on, and the worker X repeats the above operation.

  When the picking operation for all the zones is completed with respect to the first collection container transport means 6, the first collection container transport means 6 is driven and the collection container A is transported. While the collection container A is being transported by the first collection container transport means 6, the worker X is instructed by the instruction means 15 and 46 regarding the other second collection container transport means 7 (display for taking out). Similar work is started according to 15a and input display 46a). That is, for example, the control means 36 controls the instruction means 15, 46 to instruct the instruction means 15, 46 when the first collection container transport means 6 is driven. Also at this time, the worker X can easily find out the extraction display 15a and the input display 46a by the guidance by the guidance displays 15b and 46b.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 13, when the storage side instructing means 15 is lit and the collection container side instructing means 26 and 46 are lit (step 1), the worker X displays the takeout display 15a on the storage side. The article W is taken out from the storage unit 2 corresponding to the instruction means 15 (step 2).

  At the time of taking out the article W, the take-out access confirmation means 86 detects that the two-dimensional area within a predetermined angle range in the vicinity of the front of the matrix storage unit group reciprocally rotates around the reference point P with the scan angle α. By scanning with light, the position of the hand of the worker X inserted into the two-dimensional region is detected with a planar detection light, and the storage unit 2 accessed by the detected position is specified, and storage side instruction means It is confirmed whether the worker has accessed (takes out) the storage unit 2 instructed at 15 (step 3). It is not determined whether the article W has actually been taken out by the access.

  When the storage unit 2 different from the storage unit 2 instructed by the storage side instruction unit 15 is accessed, the storage side notification unit 71 is activated and the alarm lamp is turned on (step 4). Let us know your work mistakes.

  In addition, the worker X puts the picked-up article W into the collection container A corresponding to the collection container-side instruction means 26 and 46 displaying the input indications 26a and 46a (step 5).

  When the article W is loaded, the loading access confirmation means 96 reciprocally rotates around the reference point P with a scanning angle α around a two-dimensional area within a predetermined angular range in the vicinity of the upper side of the matrix collection container group. By scanning with the detection light, the position of the hand of the worker X inserted into the two-dimensional area is detected with a planar detection light, and the accessed collection container A is identified based on the detected position, and the collection is performed. It is confirmed whether or not the worker has accessed (loading operation) the collection container A instructed by the container-side instruction means 26 and 46 (step 6). Note that it is not determined whether or not the article W has actually been inserted by the access.

  When the collection container A different from the collection container A instructed by the collection container side instruction means 26, 46 is accessed, the collection container side notification means 72 is activated and the alarm lamp is turned on. (Step 7), the operator X is notified of the operation mistake.

  According to such a picking system 1, the worker X can easily find the take-out display 15a by the guidance by the guidance display 15b, and by the guidance by the guidance displays 26b and 46b, the input display 26a, Since 46a can be easily found, the working efficiency can be improved, and the picking work accuracy can be improved by preventing work mistakes.

  Further, whether or not the storage unit 2 instructed by the instruction means 15 has been accessed by using detection light such as a laser beam projected toward a two-dimensional region in the vicinity of the storage shelf 3 is appropriately determined. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an operation error when taking out the article W, and it is possible to improve picking operation accuracy.

  Further, by using detection light such as laser light projected toward a two-dimensional region in the vicinity of the plurality of collection containers A, the collection containers A designated by the instruction means 26 and 46 are detected. It is possible to appropriately confirm whether or not the access has been made. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a work error when the article W is thrown in and improve the picking work accuracy.

  Further, since the detection light such as laser light scans a substantially semicircular two-dimensional region, it is not necessary to provide the optical sensor means 73 and 74 for each storage unit 2 within the range. It is only necessary to provide one optical sensor means 73 and 74 for each, and the configuration can be simplified as compared with the conventional case, and the wiring work is also simple.

  In addition, the detection areas of the confirmation means 86 and 96 can be arbitrarily set, and the scan angle can be arbitrarily set within a range of 360 degrees or less, so that the width and height of the storage shelf 3 according to the article W are set. And changes in the size of the collection container A, etc., can be easily handled, and the worker X in one zone is not limited to one person, but work by multiple persons in one zone Can be supported.

  In addition, the shape of the storage shelf 3 does not necessarily have to be a square shape. For example, a part of the storage shelf 3 can be used for different purposes for the convenience of work. Even if the cardboard box is used for an application where a part of the cardboard box protrudes forward from the front surface of the shelf, it can be used without erroneous detection.

  Further, for example, even when there is a passage through which people pass between the storage shelves 3 adjacent to each other or when the space between the storage shelves 3 is a luggage storage area, the storage instructed by the take-out access confirmation means 86 is performed. Whether or not the article W has been taken out from the section 2 can be appropriately confirmed.

  On the other hand, since the first collection container transport means 6 and the second collection container transport means 7 are individually controlled and each is operated as a single collection line, for example, the first collection container transport means 6 and Even if either one of the second collection container transport means 7 is in the stop standby state, the work can be performed on the other, and for example, when the collection container A is transported by either one, the work can be performed on the other. Thus, the waiting time for the worker X can be reduced, and thus the work efficiency can be improved.

  The first collection container transport means 6 has a horizontal transport surface 6a, and the second collection container transport means 7 has a downwardly inclined transport surface 7a toward the first collection container transport means 6 side. Since it is the structure which has, the articles | goods W picked out from the storage part 2 can be easily thrown into the collection container A, and the improvement of work efficiency can be aimed at further.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first collection container side instruction means 26 may be provided on the upper surface of the side plate portion 22a of the conveyor frame 22 of the first conveyor 21, and the second collection container side instruction means. 46 may be provided on the upper surface of the side plate portion 32b opposite to the first conveyor 21 side of the side plate portions 32a, 32b of the conveyor frame 32 of the second conveyor 31, and in this case, the first collection container The side instruction means 26 and the second collection container side instruction means 46 are located on substantially the same plane and are easy for the operator X to see.

  On the other hand, the picking system 1 takes out the article W from the storage unit 2 instructed by the storage-side instruction means 15 and collects the taken-out article W in the collection container side instruction means 26, 46 as in the above embodiment. Is not limited to the one put in the collection container A instructed in (1). For example, although not shown, the collection container is a system in which the basic configuration is the same as the above embodiment and the operation of the worker X is reversed. The article W may be taken out from the collection container A instructed by the side instruction means 26, 46, and the taken out article W may be put into the storage unit 2 of the storage shelf 3 instructed by the storage side instruction means 15. .

  That is, for example, a plurality of articles W are accommodated in a collection container A which is an article storage container conveyed by the conveyor 21, and the operator X displays the take-out display 26a of the collection container side instruction means 26, 46 based on the order information. , 46a, the article W is taken out from the collection container A, and the taken-out article W is stored in the storage container B, which is the shipping container of the storage unit 2 indicated by the loading display 15a of the storage side instruction means 15. The seed and sowing system that is the picking system to be thrown in can provide the same operational effects as the above-described embodiment. In this configuration, the collection container side instructing means 26 and 46 display the takeout indications 26a and 46a and the indications 26b and 46b for guiding the worker X on the indications 26a and 46a, and the storage side instructing means 15 is input. The display 15a for guidance and the guidance display 15b for guiding the worker X are displayed on the display 15a.

  Further, the display 15a and the loading displays 26a and 46a are displayed in green, and the guidance displays 15b, 26b and 46b are not displayed in red. The displays 15a, 15b, 26a, 26b, 46a and 46b Any color may be used, and it may be lit or flashing. For example, the extraction display 15a and the loading displays 26a and 46a may be lit, and the guidance displays 15b, 26b, and 46b may be flashing.

  Furthermore, the display is not limited to a color display composed of one color, but may be a display composed of characters, figures, symbols, a combination thereof, or a combination of these with a color, in addition to a color display composed of a plurality of colors.

1 is a schematic plan view of a picking system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a partial side view of a picking system same as the above. It is a partial top view of a picking system same as the above. It is a fragmentary perspective view of a picking system same as the above. It is the schematic which shows the collection container side instruction | indication means etc. of a picking system same as the above. It is a partial block diagram of a picking system same as the above. It is the schematic which shows the extraction confirmation means of a picking system same as the above. It is the schematic which shows the input confirmation means of a picking system same as the above. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the detection method by a confirmation means same as the above. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other example of the detection method by a confirmation means same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the storage side instruction | indication means. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the storage side instruction | indication means. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a picking system same as the above. It is a partial side view of other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Picking system 2 Storage section 3 Storage shelf
15 Storage side instruction means as instruction display means
15a Unloading display
15b Guide display
26 First collection container side instruction means as instruction display means
26a Display for loading
26b Guide display
46 Second collection container side instruction means as instruction display means
46a Input display
46b Guide display
103 Display part W Goods A Collection container X Worker

Claims (6)

A storage shelf having a plurality of storage units for storing articles;
A plurality of instruction display means for indicating the storage unit that is located corresponding to each storage unit and stores an article to be taken out for an operator;
Among the plurality of instruction display means, one instruction display means corresponding to one storage unit which the article is stored to be retrieved is the one storage unit which the article to be taken out thereof with respect to the operator are stored When the display for taking out is displayed, other instruction display means corresponding to the other storage unit located around the one instruction display means displays a guide display different from the above-mentioned take-out display. Picking system characterized by that. A storage shelf having a plurality of storage units for storing articles;
A plurality of collection containers into which articles taken out from the storage unit are placed;
A plurality of instruction display means for indicating the collection container to be placed with the taken-out article for an operator, which is positioned corresponding to each collection container;
Wherein among the plurality of instruction display means, retrieved one instruction display means corresponding to one of the collecting goods container to be charged with articles, the one collecting goods container to be charged with the retrieved article to workers When displaying the input display, the other instruction display means corresponding to the other collection container located around the one instruction display means displays the guidance display different from the input display. A picking system characterized by A plurality of collection containers for storing articles;
A plurality of instruction display means for indicating the collection container which is located corresponding to each collection container and contains an article to be taken out for an operator;
Wherein among the plurality of instruction display means, one of the article to be taken out is accommodated one instruction display means corresponding to the current product container, of the one which the article to be picked that is accommodated to workers collecting When displaying a take-out display indicating a product container, a guide display that is different from the take-out display is provided by another instruction display means that is located around the one instruction display means and that corresponds to another collection container. A picking system characterized by displaying. A plurality of collection containers for storing articles;
A storage shelf having a plurality of storage units into which articles taken out from the collection container are placed;
A plurality of instruction display means for instructing the storage unit to be placed with the articles taken out for the operator, corresponding to each storage unit;
Among the plurality of instruction display means, one instruction display means corresponding to one of the storage unit to be turned on an article taken out is instructed to the one storage unit to be turned on the retrieved article to workers When displaying the input display, the other instruction display means corresponding to the other storage unit located around the one instruction display means displays a guidance display different from the input display. A characteristic picking system. Each instruction display means has a display unit capable of selectively displaying a display for extraction and a display for guidance,
The display for extraction is a single color display,
The picking system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the guidance display is a single color display different from the color of the extraction display. Each instruction display means has a display unit capable of selectively displaying a display for input and a display for guidance,
The input display is a single color display,
The picking system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the guidance display is a single color display different from the color of the input display.

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