JP5482334B2 - Picking equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a picking display device that indicates a picking container to be picked, which is used in a picking facility, particularly a picking facility.

Collection and sorting of designated articles are performed at distribution centers and warehouses for various articles in logistics. For example, in a distribution center, a so-called picking operation is performed in which an article according to a customer order is picked and stored in a container which is a collection container.
A basic form of such picking work is to divide a collection container transport means such as a belt conveyor into a plurality of work zones along the moving direction of the transport means, and each work zone has another work zone. In addition to arranging storage shelves that store different types of articles, workers dedicated to each work zone are arranged, and each worker is instructed from the storage shelves of his work zone based on the picking instruction The operation of picking an article and storing it in a collection container conveyed by a belt conveyor is performed.

  However, in the basic picking work as described above, troubles such as an operator making a mistake in the collection container or the article, or the collection container being transported before the article is stored may occur. Therefore, various picking facilities have been proposed and used so far in order to eliminate such inconveniences such as wrong storage of articles.

The picking equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be briefly described.
The picking equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a picking display device that can effectively prevent an error in a collection container into which articles are put. This picking display device is disposed in each zone and includes a belt conveyor (collection device). Zone which is composed of two rows of order indicators provided with a plurality of guide lamps arranged at predetermined intervals along the article container transporting means) and is in charge of the picking target collection container by the first row of order indicators When passing through the (work zone), the guide lamps are turned on sequentially in synchronization with the movement (conveyance) of the collection container to allow the operator to recognize the collection container to be picked, and the order indicator in the second row Therefore, it is configured to allow the worker in the downstream zone to recognize that the collection container to be picked passes through the upstream zone by lighting the guide lamp. .
In addition, each zone has a bay indicator. When the bay indicator is lit, the operator is informed that picking work is necessary in his / her zone, and an item display is provided at each front of the storage shelf. A container is provided to instruct an operator of an article to be picked by blinking a lamp or the like.

An outline of the operation of the picking work using the picking display device provided in the picking facility will be described.
First, the bay indicators provided in each zone are lit, notifying the workers located in the zone that picking work is necessary in this zone, and at the same time, the item indicators provided for each article. The item to be picked is indicated by blinking the lamp and the quantity is displayed.
On the other hand, the order indicator in the first row corresponds to the length of the collection container (length in the conveyance direction) of the guide lamp when the collection container to be picked is conveyed to the arranged zone. The light is sequentially turned on and notified to the worker in units of the number and following the movement (conveyance) of the collection container. Further, the order indicator in the second row, when the collection container to be picked in the downstream zone is transported to the arranged zone, the container length of the collection container in the guide lamp (length in the transport direction). The light is sequentially turned on in accordance with the movement (conveyance) of the collection container in units of the number corresponding to the above, and the downstream zone operator is notified.

  The worker recognizes the collection container to be picked in the assigned zone by the order indicator on the first row, and picks the article from the storage shelf in the zone according to the display on the item indicator and stores it in the collection container. To do. If the order indicator in the first column is not displayed and the order indicator in the second column upstream is displayed, the collection container displayed by the order indicator in the second column is in charge. Pick and store articles picked in the zone. By adopting the lamp tracking type picking method in this way, picking mistakes such as misidentification of collection containers and mistakes in the type and quantity of articles are prevented, and articles picked up in collection containers being transported in the upstream zone So-called advance picking can be performed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-017610

However, in the conventional picking equipment, the picking-up collection container is recognized only when the picking-up collection container is in the responsible zone or in the zone one upstream from the responsible zone. If the collection container to be picked is in two or more upstream zones, it is possible to recognize in advance which zone the collection container to be picked is currently in. could not.
Further, when there are currently two or more collection containers to be picked in the zone upstream of the user's own zone, the worker cannot perform any work and a waiting time has occurred.

  In view of the above, the present invention can grasp the position or range in which the collection container currently picked is transported in any zone, can carry out the work of loading articles, and can be used by the operator. An object of the present invention is to provide a picking facility that can reduce waiting time and improve the efficiency of picking work.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is configured such that a plurality of collection containers each assigned a sorting destination are transported by a transporting means, and according to the article request information of the sorting destination. And picking equipment for picking up the articles taken out from the article storage unit into the collection container, and an identification means to which identification codes for identifying the collection containers are attached together with the collection container Position or range in which the collection container is transported by the transport means, the picking display device that displays the collection container into which the article is put in the plurality of collection containers to be transported. provided for each, the picking display device, a current product container performs picking operations, and the identification-on display unit provided with the identification code display unit for displaying the sign, the closing display section The Following collecting goods container displayed by the identification code of the current product container to: picking operation, and a preceding display unit provided with the identification code display unit for displaying by said identification code, the closing display unit and The preceding display unit is characterized in that the identification code is displayed in correspondence with the position or range in which the collection container conveyed by the conveying means is currently conveyed .

According to the above configuration, the identification code of the collection container that currently performs the picking operation is displayed on the input display unit. Thereby, the worker who performs the picking work can grasp the collection container that is currently performing the picking work by the identification code, and can estimate the position or range where the collection container is transported based on the identification code. It becomes.
Further, the identification code of the collection container that performs the next picking operation is displayed on the preceding display section following the collection container displayed by the identification code on the input display section. As a result, the operator can grasp the next collection container to be subsequently picked, and can estimate the position or range being conveyed.
In addition, the operator can specify the collection container for performing the picking work by using the identification code without making a mistake, and a reduction in picking work errors is expected.

  The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, characterized in that the display of the input display unit is configured to be larger than the display of the preceding display unit. .

  According to the above configuration, the display of the input display unit is larger than the display of the preceding display unit. Thus, the operator can easily identify the identification code of the collection container that is currently the target of the picking work from among the identification codes displayed on the input display unit and the preceding display unit. .

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input display part and the preceding display part are each displayed on the identification code display part by the identification code. A position display unit for displaying the position or range of the collection container being conveyed by the conveyance unit is provided, and the collection container indicated by the identification code is conveyed by the conveyance unit. It is characterized by comprising display means whose color or brightness changes according to the position or range.

  According to the above configuration, the position or range in which the collection container that currently performs the picking work is transported by the transport means is displayed on the input display section, and the collection container that performs the next picking work is displayed on the preceding display section. The position or range being conveyed by the conveying means is displayed. Thereby, the operator can grasp | ascertain the position or range currently conveyed regardless of where the collection container is conveyed by the conveyance means. The color or brightness of the display means constituting the position display unit varies depending on the position or range where the collection container is transported by the transport means. Thereby, the operator can grasp the position or range of the collection container sensuously.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, wherein the display means of the position display unit has the same color or brightness when the position or range of the collection containers to be conveyed is the same. It is characterized by being displayed.

  According to the said structure, when the position or range of the collection container conveyed is the same, the display means of a position display part is displayed by the same color or brightness. Thereby, the operator can grasp | ascertain the collection container currently conveyed in the same position or range sensuously.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the picking display device is configured such that when the transport means is composed of a plurality of transport lines. The preceding display section is provided for each of the transport lines.

  According to the said structure, when a conveyance means is comprised by the some conveyance line, a prior | preceding display part is provided for every conveyance line. Thereby, the operator can grasp the collection container that is the target of the next picking work following the current picking work for each carrying line, and can grasp the position or range being carried.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, characterized in that the preceding display section is arranged in the up-down direction or the left-right direction for each of the transport lines. It is.

  According to the above configuration, the preceding display units are arranged together for each conveyance line, and the identification code of the collection container to be picked next and information on the position or range thereof are displayed together for each conveyance line. Thus, the operator can easily determine the positional relationship or range relationship of the collection container scheduled for the next picking operation for each conveyance line based on the information on the position or range of the collection container displayed on the preceding display section. Can grasp.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the picking display device stores articles to be put into a collection container to be picked. The take-out display unit for displaying the position of the article storage unit is provided on the same unit as the input display unit and the preceding display unit.

  According to the above configuration, the position of the storage unit that stores the articles to be input into the collection container that is the target of the picking operation is displayed by the take-out display unit provided on the same unit as the input display unit and the preceding display unit. Thereby, the worker can easily grasp the article storage unit in which the article to be taken out is stored.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the input display unit and the preceding display unit have a function of displaying the identification code, A dual-purpose display unit having the function of displaying the position or range is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the input display unit and the preceding display unit each include a dual-purpose display unit, so that the size can be reduced as compared with the case where the identification code display unit and the position display unit are separately provided, and picking display The apparatus itself can be reduced in size.

  The picking equipment of the present invention is provided with a picking display device that can display the collection container that is currently the object of picking work, and the identification code of the picked-up container that is the next object of picking work. The user can grasp the collection container that is the target of the picking work, can estimate the position or range being transported, and can expect improvement in the efficiency of the picking work, and the collection container and the identification code move together. As a result, the collection container can be reliably identified, the work load on the operator can be reduced, work efficiency can be improved, and work errors can be reduced.

It is a schematic perspective view of the picking equipment in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic plan view of the picking equipment. It is a side view of the picking equipment. It is a perspective view of the picking display apparatus with which the picking equipment is equipped. It is a block diagram of the picking display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the data transmitted from the picking installation to the picking apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display of the same picking display apparatus, (a) is an initial state, (b) is a figure which shows the change of the display at the time of a picking operation | work. It is another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view of a picking display device provided with a preceding display portion for only one line, (b) is a picking display device provided with a lamp corresponding to a bay display. FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a picking display device in which two configurations shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of a picking display device in which color code display units are arranged vertically for two lines, and (b) is a picking in which color code display units are provided for only one line. The perspective view of a display apparatus, (c) is the picking display apparatus which has arrange | positioned the structure shown to (b) up and down. FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view of a picking display device in which transition display units are arranged up and down by two lines, and (b) is a picking display device in which transition display units are provided for only one line. FIG. It is a figure which shows the change of the display in the structure shown to (a) of [FIG. 10].

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The picking equipment of the present invention is given a number (an example of an identification code) for identifying a plurality of collection containers respectively assigned to individual pre-registered users (an example of a sorting destination). While moving (conveying) along a plate (an example of an identification unit) along a conveyance line (an example of a conveyance unit), according to a user's order (an example of an article request information of a sorting destination) A picking facility for performing a picking operation of putting the article taken out from the example) into a collection container.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the picking facility includes a storage line A in which collected articles 11 are stored, and a collection line including containers that store the picked articles 11 for each order from the user. A collection line B (an example of a conveyance means) that continuously conveys the product container 10 is configured, and the storage line A and the collection line B are set with a plurality of zones Z for performing a picking operation. In Z, an operator who is configured to perform a picking operation for picking the articles 11 stored in the storage line A for each collection container 10 continuously conveyed by the collection line B, and performs the picking operation One H is arranged in each zone Z.
Hereinafter, the zone Z in which the worker H is arranged and picks the article 11 is referred to as the own zone Z.

The storage line A is composed of a flow rack (article storage shelf) 12, and each flow rack 12 has a frontage 14 (article) in which one type of {11 items (or a storage box for storing articles)} is stored. A plurality of storage units) are provided, and the zone Z is formed for each of the plurality of front doors 14 (15 in this embodiment, 3 stages × 5 rows). In addition, on the front surface of each frontage 14, a frontage indicator 15 comprising a quantity indicator 15A for displaying the quantity of articles 11 to be taken out and a completion push button switch 15B having a lamp portion is provided. A bay display device 50 is provided which has a lamp for displaying the level of the frontage 14 in which the articles 11 to be picked in the zone Z are stored.
The worker H specifies the number of steps of the frontage 14 in which the article 11 to be picked is stored based on the display on the bay display 50 and picks the article 11 from the frontage 14 according to the display on each frontage display 15 to collect the goods. Put into the container 10.

  The collection line B is arranged on the flow rack 12 side, and is parallel to the first conveyance line 22 (the conveyance line on the near side near the worker H) that continuously conveys the collection container 10 and the first conveyance line 22. And it is arrange | positioned in the back | inner side from the flow rack 12, and is comprised from the 2nd conveyance line 23 (conveyance line of the back side far from the worker H) which conveys the collection container 10 continuously. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport surface of the second transport line 23 is configured to be higher than the transport surface of the first transport line 22.

  The first transport line 22 includes a first transport conveyor 24 formed of a belt conveyor device, and a first plate transport unit 26 driven in synchronization with the first transport conveyor 24, and similarly the second transport line. The line 23 includes a second transport conveyor 25 that includes a belt conveyor device, and a second plate transport unit 28 that is driven in synchronization with the second transport conveyor 25.

The first plate transport unit 26 is arranged on the side surface of the first transport conveyor 24 on the flow rack side, and the second plate transport unit 28 is on the upper back side (the side far from the flow rack) of the second transport conveyor 25. In place (see FIG. 2).
The first plate transport unit 26 and the second plate transport unit 28 are endless chains (an example of an endless rotating body) 31 that are driven in the transport direction of the collection container 10 by the conveyors in synchronization with the transport conveyors 24 and 25, respectively. , 32 (the rotation surfaces of the endless chains 31, 32 are different. It is also possible to make them the same), and the endless chains 31, 32 have a plate P (an example of an identification means) at regular intervals. It is composed of

Each plate P of the first plate transport unit 26 is printed (displayed) with a number (for example, a serial number from “1” to “49”; an example of an identification code) that identifies the collection container 10. These plates P are arranged so that consecutive numbers “1” to “49” are arranged in order of numbers from the downstream to the upstream (the numbers “1” are arranged at the head), and the second plate Each plate P of the transport unit 28 is printed (displayed) with a number (for example, a serial number from “51” to “99”; an example of an identification code) that identifies the collection container 10. Are arranged such that consecutive numbers “51” to “99” are arranged in order of numbers from downstream to upstream.
And the collection containers 10 are thrown into the conveyors 24 and 25 according to the plates P that move at regular intervals. At this time, the collection container 10 to which the user is assigned is assigned to the number of each plate P.

In the collection line B, the picking display device 41, the tape switch 17, the temporary storage shelf 34, the first tracking display unit 52, the second tracking display unit 53, and the zone controller 58 are provided for each zone Z. Is provided.
The tape switch 17 is provided on the outer side (flow rack side) of the first plate conveyance unit 26 along the first conveyance line 22.

  Further, the temporary storage shelf 34 precedes the articles 11 to be input (collected) into the collection container 10 conveyed from the upstream in the conveyance lines 22 and 23, and temporarily removes the articles 11 from the front ports 14 of the flow rack 12 and temporarily stores them. 1 to 3, the four temporary placement tables 35 are arranged along the second transfer line 23 at a position above the second transfer line 23, as shown in FIGS. The support members 37 are arranged so as to be lined up. One end of the support member 37 is fixed to the floor surface, and the temporary shelf 34 is fixed to the other end of the support member 37 so that the operator H can put the article 11 into the temporary table 35. In addition, you may make it fix the end of the supporting member 37 to the outer side surface of the 2nd conveyance conveyor 25 which forms the 2nd conveyance line 23. FIG.

Each temporary table 35 is provided with a temporary indicator 36 toward the flow rack 12, that is, visible to the operator H.
Each temporary display 36 includes a number display 36A for displaying the number of the plate P and a push button switch 36B with a lamp. Further, as the lamp of the push button switch 36B, a lamp that can be turned on by changing colors to red, orange, and green is used. The color of the push button switch 36B lamp of the temporary display 36 is red when the picking target collection container 10 is moving in its own zone Z, and the picking target picking container 10 is one or two upstream. The color is changed to orange when moving in the zone Z, and to green when the collection container 10 to be picked is moving three or more upstream zones Z. When the temporary table 35 is not used, “---” is displayed on the number display 36A, and the lamp of the push button switch 36B is turned off.

  The first tracking display unit 52 is a display unit that displays the collection container 10 that is the target of the picking work among the collection containers 10 conveyed by the first conveyance line 22. The second tracking display unit 53 is provided between the tape switch 17 and the second tracking display unit 53 to display the collection container 10 to be picked among the collection containers 10 conveyed by the second conveyance line 23. It is a display unit that is provided at a position above the second plate transport unit 28 toward the front. Each of the tracking display units 52 and 53 is configured by a plurality of guide lamps, and the collection container 10 to be picked (object to be loaded) among the collection containers 10 sequentially carried into the zone Z is conveyed. Then, the guide lamps are sequentially turned on following the movement (conveyance) of the collection container 10 by the number corresponding to the collection container length (length in the conveyance direction) of the collection container 10 among the guide lamps. The operator H is notified.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the zone controller 58 includes 15 frontage indicators 15, a bay indicator 50, a tape switch 17, four temporary indicators 36, and a picking display device 41 in the corresponding zone Z. The first tracking display section 52 and the second tracking display section 53 are connected, and the number of the plate P allocated to each collection container 10 and each collection container 10 allocated by the user are transport lines 22, 23. , The current position of each plate P (number), and the data (picking data) of the article 11 taken out from each frontage 14 of the own zone Z in accordance with the order of each user are input.

The zone controller 58 picks up the article 11 from the front end 14 of the assigned zone Z to the temporary storage table 35 of the collection container 10 and the temporary storage shelf 34 being transported by the transport lines 22 and 23. Control your work. That is, according to the current position of each collection container 10, the most downstream collection container 10 that needs to be picked in its own zone Z is determined as the collection container to be picked, and the collection container 10 In accordance with the picking data, the frontage display 15 displays the frontage 14 from which the article 11 is taken out and the quantity of the article 11 to be taken out, and the picking display device 41 displays the number corresponding to the determined collection container 10 and its current position, and The number of shelves 13 on which the front door 14 for taking out the article 11 is provided is notified.
Then, the operation of the completion push button switch 15B of the frontage indicator 15 confirms the removal of the article 11 from the frontage 14, and the operation of the tape switch 17 confirms the completion of the picking operation to the selected collection container 10. .

  When the determined collection container 10 is transporting the zone Z upstream from the own zone Z and the temporary placement table 35 is used for temporary placement of the article 11, the article 11 is operated by operating the push button switch 36B of the temporary placement indicator 36. And the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 is displayed on the number display 36A, and the color of the lamp of the push button switch 36B of the temporary display 36 is changed to the collection container. Based on the current 10 position, red when moving in its own zone Z, orange when moving within one or two upstream zones Z, when moving three or more upstream zones Z The color is changed to green. When the push button switch 36B of the temporary placement indicator 36 of the temporary placement table 35 used for temporarily placing the article 11 is operated, it is determined that the temporarily placed article 11 has been put into the collection container 10, The display on the temporary display 36 is erased.

  Further, when the determined collection container 10 is being transported in the own zone Z, the collection container 10 is moved while displaying the guide lamp of the tracking display section 52 or 53 as the movement (conveyance) is performed. To let you know. In addition, the collection container 10 that performs the next picking work (the next collection container 10 located downstream) is determined for each of the transport lines 22 and 23 after the collection container 10 that is currently performing the picking work. Thus, the picking display device 41 is notified of the number corresponding to the determined collection container 10 and its current position.

Hereinafter, the picking display device 41 arranged for each zone Z will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the picking display device 41.
The picking display device 41 includes a thin box-shaped device main body 43 and one input display unit that is provided on the front surface of the device main body 43 and displays information on the collection container 10 that is currently picked by the number of the plate P. 44, the preceding display units 46A to 49A for displaying the information of the collection container 10 on the first conveyance line 22 to be picked next by the number of the plate P, and the collection container on the second conveyance line 23 The information is composed of preceding display units 46B to 49B for displaying 10 information by the number of the plate P, and a display controller 60 (see FIG. 5) provided inside the apparatus main body 43.

The display of the input display unit 44 is configured to be larger than the displays of the preceding display units 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B, and the preceding display units 46A to 49A of the first transport line 22 on the near side are on the right side of the front surface. The preceding display portions 46B to 49B of the second transport line 23 are arranged together in the vertical direction in the left area on the front surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the insertion display section 44 is “0”, the preceding display sections 46A to 49A are “1A”, “2A”, “3A”, “4A”, and the preceding display sections 46B to 49B. Are denoted by the symbols “1B”, “2B”, “3B”, and “4B” (numbers that identify each display unit). The preceding display portions 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B are arranged in the vertical direction, but can be arranged in the horizontal direction for each of the transport lines 22 and 23.
2 and 3, the picking display device 41 is supported by a support member 43 </ b> A having one end fixed to the floor surface, and is disposed toward the worker H on the upstream side of each zone Z. .

  The loading display section 44, the first preceding loading display sections 46A and 46B, the second preceding loading display sections 47A and 47B, the third preceding loading display sections 48A and 48B, and the fourth preceding loading display sections 49A and 49B are respectively plates P. Number display part 41A (an example of an identification code display part) and a lamp part 41B. The lamp section 41B displays a zone Z (an example of a position or range) in which the collection container 10 indicated by the number of the plate P is moved (conveyed) by the conveyance lines 22 and 23 on the number display section 41A. The display unit is configured to change the display step by step according to the zone Z in which the collection container 10 is transported. In the present embodiment, when the collection container 10 is located in the own zone Z, the display is red. A lamp that displays orange when it is located in one or two upstream zones Z adjacent to its own zone Z, and green when it is located in one or two upstream zones Z that are adjacent to its own zone Z. For example). Further, the lamp part 41B of the loading display part 44 blinks.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display controller 60 includes the insertion display unit 44, first preceding insertion display units 46A and 46B, second preceding insertion display units 47A and 47B, third preceding insertion display units 48A and 48B, 4 is connected to each number display section 41A and lamp section 41B of the preceding input display sections 49A and 49B and the zone controller 58, and the display data shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the display data includes the signs “0”, “1A”, “2A”, “3A”, “4A”, “4” assigned to the respective display units 44, 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B. Color data specifying the number of the plate P and the color of the lamp part 41B for each of “1B”, “2B”, “3B”, and “4B” (“0” in the case of the own zone, one or two upstream zones Z is “1” for Z, and “2” for zone Z that is more upstream than Z), and the display controller 60 sets the plate P on each number display section 41A based on the input display data. The lamp number 41B is displayed in red when the color data is “0”, orange when the color data is “1”, and green when the color data is “2” (the lamp is lit). In particular, the lamp portion 41B of the loading display portion 44 is displayed in a blinking manner. To have. FIG. 7A shows an example of display based on the initial state, and FIG. 7B shows a display example based on the display data shown in FIG. When the picking operation of the collection container 10 of the number “073” on the plate P is executed, it is displayed that the picking operation of the collection container 10 of “025” located at the most downstream side is executed next.

  Thus, on the picking display device 41, the number corresponding to the collection container 10 that currently performs the picking work and the zone Z that is moving (conveyed) are displayed on the input display unit 44, and subsequently. Numbers corresponding to the four collection containers 10 that perform the next picking operation for each of the transport lines 22 and 23 are displayed on the preceding display portions 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B.

  When the picking work is finished and there is no collection container 10 to perform the picking work subsequently, or in the initial state, “---” is displayed on the number display part 41A, and the lamp part 41B is turned off. .

"Action"
The picking work of the worker H arranged in the zone Z will be described.
The worker H arranged in the zone Z displays the picking display device 41, the bay display 50, the frontage display 15, the temporary display 36, and the first tracking display. Based on the display of the unit 52 and the display of the second tracking display unit 53, the picking operation of the article 11 is performed between the frontage 14 of the flow rack 12 in the zone Z and the collection container 10.

  That is, the display of the picking display device 41 is confirmed, and the number of the plate P of the number display section 41A of the input display section 44 where the lamp section 41B is blinking and the color of the lamp of the lamp section 41B are confirmed. It is confirmed that the picking operation is performed on the collection container 10 corresponding to the confirmed plate P number, and the current position of the collection container 10 to be picked is confirmed by the color of the lamp portion 41B. When it is red, it is located in its own zone Z, when it is orange, it can be judged that it is located in the adjacent one or two upstream zones Z, and when it is green, it can be judged that it is located in three or more adjacent upstream zones Z. In order to perform the picking operation based on the display of the number of the plate P displayed on the input display unit 44 of the picking display device 41, the article 11 is input to the collection container 10 regardless of the transport position of the collection container 10. It is possible to do.

  Further, the number of the plate P of the collection container 10 to be picked later and its position (zone Z) for each of the transport lines 22 and 23 by the display of the preceding display portions 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B of the picking display device 41. ) Can be confirmed, and the allocation of work time can be determined.

  Then, depending on the current position of the collection container 10 to be picked displayed on the loading display unit 44, the article 11 by picking work is thrown into the collection container 10 being transported by the transport line 22 or 23, or temporarily. It is determined whether to place temporarily on the shelf 34 (the worker H can arbitrarily select).

  When the product is directly put into the collection container 10 without using the temporary shelf 34, the article 11 to be put into the collection container 10 based on the display of the bay display 50 and the display of each frontage display 15. Each time it is taken out, the completion push button switch 15B of the frontage indicator 15 is pushed, the display on the frontage indicator 15 is confirmed to be turned off, and it is put into the confirmed collection container 10. When all the articles 11 have been charged, the tape switch 17 is pressed, and the picking operation for the target collection container 10 is completed.

  When the temporary storage shelf 34 is used, similarly, when the article 11 to be put into the collection container 10 is taken out based on the display of each frontage indicator 15, an empty temporary storage device 35 is used. The table 35 is selected. In addition, when there are a plurality of empty temporary tables 35, any temporary table 35 can be selected. Then, the picked-up article 11 is put into the selected empty temporary table 35, and when the loading of all the articles 11 is completed, the push button switch 36B of the temporary display 36 of the input temporary table 35 is operated. As a result, the number P of the plate P (the number specifying the collection container 10) is displayed on the number display 36A of the temporary display 36, and the position of the zone Z of the collection container 10 into which the article 11 being temporarily placed is put. Is displayed in “color” by the lamp of the push button switch 36B.

  When it is determined that the collection container 10 into which the temporarily placed article 11 is loaded has been conveyed to the vicinity of the responsible zone Z by the color of the lamp of the push button switch 36B, it is transferred to the collection container 10 (loading). ), The push button switch 36B of the temporary placement indicator 36 of the temporary placement table 35 to start the transfer is operated, and the temporarily placed article 11 of the plate P being displayed on the number indicator 36A When it is put into the collection container 10 that can be specified by the number and all the articles 11 have been put in, the tape switch 17 is pushed, and the picking work (transfer work) for the target collection container 10 is finished. As a result, the display on the temporary display 36 is erased and the temporary table 35 can be used. Note that the order of the operation of the push button switch 36B of the temporary display 36 and the operation of putting the temporarily placed article 11 into the collection container 10 may be reversed.

  When the target collection container 10 is located in its own zone Z, according to the movement (conveyance) of the collection container 10, the transfer line 22 or 23 that moves (conveys) the target collection container 10. Since the guide lamp group blinks while moving, the collection container 10 to be picked can be reliably confirmed by this guide lamp group.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the picking display device 41 displays the collection container 10 that performs the picking operation by the input display unit 44 that displays the number of the plate P and the number of the plate P. The collection container 10 that performs the next picking operation following the collection container 10 is provided with the preceding display units 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B that display the numbers of the plates P, and the loading display unit 44 and the preceding display units 46A to 49A. , 46B to 49B are each provided with a number display portion 41A for displaying the number of the plate P, so that the worker H can pick a work to be picked according to the number of the plate P displayed on the number display portion 41A of the loading display portion 44. The zone Z in which the collection container 10 can be grasped and the collection container 10 is conveyed by the number of the plate P It is possible to guess. Further, the collection container 10 to be picked next can be grasped by the number of the plate P displayed on the number display portions 41A of the preceding display portions 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B, and this collection by the number of the plate P. The zone Z in which the container 10 is transported can be estimated, and improvement in the efficiency of picking work can be expected. In addition, the operator H can specify the collection container 10 that performs the picking work without mistake by the number displayed on the plate P, and can expect reduction of picking work mistakes.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the display of the input display unit 44 is configured to be larger than the displays of the preceding display units 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B, so that the worker H can input the input display unit 44. In addition, it is possible to easily identify the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 currently being picked from the numbers of the plates P displayed on the preceding display units 46 to 49. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the lamp unit 41B of the loading display unit 44 is located at the position where the collection container 10 currently performing the picking operation is moved (conveyed) by the first transport line 22 or the second transport line 23, or By changing the color to red, orange, or green according to the range (zone Z), the worker H is present where the collection container 10 currently performing the picking work is being transported by the transport lines 22 and 23. In addition, the position or range (zone Z) being conveyed can be grasped, and the collection container 10 to be picked next is the first conveyance line 22 in the lamp units 41B of the preceding display units 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B. Alternatively, according to the position or range (zone Z) being moved (conveyed) by the second conveyance line 23, the color changes to red, orange, and green, so that the worker H Be condensed product container 10 for Kkingu work has been conveyed to where by each conveying line 22 can grasp the position or range being conveyed (the zone Z). Furthermore, the lamp part 41B of the loading display part 44 and the lamp parts 41B of the preceding display parts 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B are described above according to the position or range (zone Z) in which the collection container 10 is moved (conveyed). By changing the color as described above, the position or range (zone Z) of the collection container 10 can be grasped sensuously.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the position or range (zone Z) of the collection container 10 to be conveyed is the same, the lamp unit 41B is displayed in the same color, so that the operator H can sense In particular, it is possible to grasp the collection container 10 being transported in the same position or range (zone Z).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the collection line B is constituted by the first transport line 22 and the second transport line 23, and the preceding display portions 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B corresponding to the respective transport lines 22 and 23 are provided. As a result, the worker H can grasp the collection container 10 that is the next target of the picking work following the current picking work for each of the transport lines 22 and 23 and is moving (transported). The position of zone Z can be grasped.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the preceding display portions 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B are arranged together in the vertical direction for each of the transport lines 22 and 23, so that the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 is arranged. The number and the position of the zone Z that is moved (conveyed) are collectively displayed for each of the conveying lines 22 and 23, and the worker H displays the collection container displayed on the preceding display portions 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B. From the information of the number of the plate P corresponding to 10 and the position of the zone Z, the positional relationship with the zone Z of the collection container 10 scheduled for the next picking operation can be easily grasped for each of the transport lines 22 and 23.

  In the present embodiment, the picking display device 41 is provided for each zone Z. However, it is not always necessary to provide the picking display device 41 for each zone Z. For example, only one picking display device is provided for the entire picking facility. Therefore, the worker H can perform the picking work.

  In the present embodiment, the picking display device 41 indicates the position or range of the collection container 10 by the zone Z. However, the picking display device 41 is not limited to the zone Z, and the range from the upstream end of the transport lines 22 and 23 is not limited. The position or range of the collection container 10 that is moving (conveyed) may be further subdivided from the zone Z. At this time, the lamp color of the lamp unit 41B is configured to change corresponding to the subdivided position or range.

  In the present embodiment, the collection line B is composed of the first conveyance line 22 and the second conveyance line 23. However, the collection line B is composed of only the first conveyance line 22 (only one conveyance line). It can also be configured. In this way, when the collection line B is configured by only the first transport line 22, as shown in FIG. 8A, the picking display device 41 ′ has only one row of the preceding display portions 46 to 49. . Further, such a picking display device 41 ′ can be provided in each of the transport lines 22 and 23 as shown in FIG. At this time, the loading display unit 44 of each of the transfer lines 22 and 23 blinks only the lamp of the lamp unit 41B of one loading display unit 44 that actually performs the picking operation, and the other loading display unit 44 The lamp of the lamp part 41B is configured to simply light up.

Further, when the flow rack 12, the first transfer line 22, and the worker H are arranged in this order, as shown in FIG. 8B, the picking display device 41 ′ includes a lamp 50 ′ of the bay display 50. A picking display device 41 ″ to which (an example of an extraction display unit) is added can also be used.
As described above, the picking display device 41 ″ includes the lamp 50 ′ of the bay display 50 on the same portion as the input display unit 44 and the preceding display units 46A to 49B, and thus is input into the collection container 10 to be picked. The height position (the number of steps) of the frontage 14 storing the article 11 to be picked up can be displayed by the lamp 50 'of the bay display 50, and the operator H can set the frontage 14 in which the article 11 to be picked is stored. The number of steps can be easily grasped.

Needless to say, the support member 43A that supports the picking display device 41, the picking display device 41 ′, and the picking display device 41 ″ can be freely provided according to the arrangement of the device main body 43.

  In the present embodiment, the color of the lamp portion 41B is changed to transmit the information on the zone Z of the collection container 10 to the worker H. However, the worker H can recognize the zone information. Any method may be used, and the method may be a method in which the light is transmitted by the intensity of the light of the lamp, or the number of the zone Z itself may be displayed instead of the lamp.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the preceding display units 46 to 49 of the picking display devices 41, 41 ′, 41 ″ display the number and zone information of the plate P of the collection container 10 to be picked next four times. Of course, the number is displayed, but the number is not limited to four, and the number may be one, two, three, or five or more.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the picking display device 41 is composed of the input display unit 44 and the preceding display units 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B, and the number display unit 41A and the lamp unit 41B are provided separately. However, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, the function of the number display unit (identification code display unit) 41A and the function of the lamp unit (position display unit) 41B. A color code display unit (an example of a dual-purpose display unit) 45 having both of the above may be provided.

  In the picking display device 42 shown in FIG. 9A, an input display unit 44 and two preceding display units 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B for each of the transport lines 22 and 23 are arranged in a horizontal direction to display each display. Each of the parts 44, 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B is composed of the color code display part 45, and is configured to display the number of the plate P by changing the color (number color). The change in color depends on the position of the zone Z in which the collection container 10 is moving (conveyed), like the lamp portion 41B of the picking display devices 41, 41 ′, 41 ″. The display of the input display unit 44 is configured to be larger than the display of the other preceding display units 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B, and the number of the plate P displayed on the input display unit 44 flashes.

  Further, the picking display device 42 ′ shown in FIG. 9B is a picking display device used when the transport line is one row, and the preceding display portion is only one row of the preceding display portions 46A to 49A. The display units 44, 46A to 49A are each composed of the color code display unit 45. Further, the display of the input display unit 44 of the picking display device 42 ′ is larger than the display of the other preceding display units 46 </ b> A to 49 </ b> A.

  Further, the picking display device 42 ″ shown in FIG. 9C has a configuration in which the input display unit 44 including the color code display unit 45 is provided for each conveyance line when the conveyance lines are two rows, that is, The picking display device 42 ′ is stacked in two stages, and at this time, the number of the plate P of one loading display section 44 that actually executes the picking operation is blinked, and the other loading display section 44 The number of the plate P is simply configured to light up.

  In the picking display devices 42, 42 ′, and 42 ″, the input display unit 44 and the preceding display units 46A to 49A and 46B to 49B are arranged in the horizontal direction, but may be arranged in the vertical direction. Needless to say.

  By providing the color code display unit 45 as described above, the input display unit 44 and the preceding display units 46A to 49A (46B to 49B) are compared with the case where the number display unit 41A and the lamp unit 41B are separately provided. The size can be further reduced, and the picking display device itself can be reduced in size. Note that the work of the zone Z may be transmitted by the intensity of light instead of the color change. Further, a bay lamp 50 'of the bay display 50 can be added.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the picking display device 41 displays the number of the plate P of the collection container 10 conveyed in the zone Z for each zone Z, It is good also as a structure which provides the picking display apparatus 51 which a display changes in synchronization with conveyance of the collection container 10 of the conveyance line 22 or the 2nd conveyance line 23. FIG.

  The picking display device 51 shown in FIG. 10A includes a transition display unit 54 that instructs picking work for each of the transport lines 22 and 23. The transition display unit 54 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and the transition display unit 54 includes a collection container that is transported in the adjacent upstream zone Z and the own zone Z for each of the transport lines 22 and 23. The number of the plate P corresponding to 10 is updated and displayed in real time so as to follow the position of the collection container 10 transported by the transport lines 22 and 23. Further, the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 that is the current picking target is displayed blinking larger than the other numbers. Then, the number of the plate P of the collection container 10 that is the current picking object is displayed in red, and the number of the plate P of the collection container 10 that is the next picking object is displayed in green. The number of the plate P that is not the target is displayed in black. In addition, the picking display device 51 is provided with a display that makes it possible to determine whether the number of the plate P is transported in the zone Z or the upstream zone Z.

The picking display device 51 ′ shown in FIG. 10B is a picking display device used when the transport line is one row, and the transition display portion 54 ′ is only for one row of the transport line.
Note that the work of the zone Z may be transmitted by the intensity of light instead of the color change. A bay indicator lamp 50 'can also be added. In addition, the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 that is currently picked is displayed blinking larger than the other numbers, but it is not always necessary to make it larger.

The operation of the picking display device 51 shown in FIG. 10A will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 shows that a collection container 10 whose plate P number is currently “20” is transported through its own zone Z, and the next picking plate P number is “79”. The collection container 10 in which the container 10 is transported in the upstream zone Z and the number of the plate P to be picked next is “26” is transported in the upstream zone Z, and the number of the plate P to be picked in the next time. The display of the transition display unit 54 when the collection container 10 with “83” is transported in the upstream zone Z is shown. In this case, “20”, which is the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 currently being picked, is displayed larger than the other numbers and is further displayed in red. Further, “79”, “26”, and “83”, which are the numbers of the plates P corresponding to the collection containers 10 to be picked after the next, are displayed in green. When the picking operation of the collection container 10 whose plate P number is currently “20” is completed, the display of “20” becomes a normal size black display on the transition display unit 54, and the next picking is performed. “79”, which is the number of the target plate P, is displayed larger than the other numbers, and is further displayed in red. Further, in synchronization with the conveyance of the collection container 10 on each of the conveyance lines 22 and 23, the transition display unit 54 is updated and displayed in real time so that the number of the plate P follows. The above operation is repeated according to the progress status of the picking work.

  In the present embodiment, as means for specifying the collection container 10, plate transport units 26 and 28 driven in synchronization with the transport lines 22 and 23 are provided, and the plate transport units 26 and 28 are respectively provided with the plate transport units 26 and 28. The plate P is installed at equal intervals, the number of the plate P is assigned to the collection container 10, and the number of the plate P is displayed on the picking display device 41 to identify the collection container 10 to be picked. However, any method can be used as long as the collection container 10 can be specified. The plate P is directly provided on the belt portions of the conveyor belts 24 and 25, or a continuous number is printed on the belt portion, and the printing is performed. A method may be used in which the number is assigned to the collection container 10 and displayed on the picking display device 41. At this time, when the collection container 10 is placed on the belt conveyor device, the printed numbers are arranged at positions that are not hidden. A clip label method may be used.

  In the clip label system, a clip with a label printed with a number is attached to the collection container 10 at the upstream end of the conveying lines 22 and 23 in the same order as the collection container 10 is put in, and the number of this clip is set. In this method, the number is assigned to the collection container 10 and the number is assigned to the collection container 10 and displayed on the picking display device 41. Also, instead of attaching the label with the number printed to the clip, a method of attaching a sticker with the number printed thereon, a method of simply placing a number tag, a method of inserting the label on the edge of the collection container 10, or a number printed A method of attaching things with pins or the like may be used.

  In the present embodiment, numbers are used as symbols for specifying the collection container 10, but letters such as alphabets, pictograms, images, and the like can also be used. At this time, the order of characters, pictograms, and images is determined, assigned to the collection container 10 in that order, and put into the first transport line 22 and the second transport line 23. It should be noted that continuous numbers are used in the first transport line 22, and characters such as alphabet letters, pictograms, and images are used in the second transport line 23. It is further preferable because the possibility that the person H misidentifies the code between the transport lines can be reduced and the discrimination can be further improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the flow rack 12 is arranged along the conveyance lines 22 and 23. However, the article storage unit may be arranged for each zone Z. May be arranged at right angles.

  In this embodiment, the sorting destination is classified by user. However, the sorting destination is not limited to the user, and may be classified by store, by category or category such as products, by region, by transport truck, or the like.

In the present embodiment, a container is used as the collection container 10. However, the collection container 10 may be anything as long as it can temporarily store the articles 11, such as a cardboard or a pallet. May be. Each zone Z has a configuration in which one worker H is arranged. However, a plurality of (for example, two) workers H may be arranged in each zone Z.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the flow rack 12 is used as an article | item storage shelf, the general shelf to which the article | item 11 or a storage box does not move can also be used.

  In the present embodiment, belt conveyor devices are used as the conveying lines (conveying means) 22 and 23. However, any type may be used as long as the collection container 10 can be continuously conveyed along a fixed path. .

  In the present embodiment, the second plate transport unit 28 is provided on the back side of the second transport line 23, and the second plate transport unit 28 is connected to the first transport line 22 and the second transport line 23. (At this time, when the collection container 10 is being transported by the first transport line 22, it is arranged so that the number of the plate P of the second plate transport section 28 can be seen by the operator H. )

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the 1st conveyance line 22 and the 2nd conveyance line 23 are set as continuous conveyance, instead of setting it as continuous conveyance, a group is formed with the some collection container 10, and it is a group unit, It is good also as what is called a tact conveyance which conveys each zone Z intermittently, and the conveyance surface of the 1st conveyance line 22 and the conveyance surface of the 2nd conveyance line 23 are comprised in the same height, The conveyance surface can be configured to be inclined downward toward the first conveyance line 22 side.

  In the present embodiment, the first conveyor 24 and the first endless chain 31, and the second conveyor 25 and the second endless chain 32 are driven by the same power. The first conveyor 24 and the first endless chain 31, and the second conveyor 25 and the second endless chain 32 may be driven by different powers.

  In this embodiment, the tape switch 17 is used as a means for inputting the completion of the picking work. However, any switch that simply inputs the completion of the picking work may be used, and a simple push button switch may be used.

A storage line B collection line P plate Z zone 10 collection container 11 article 12 flow rack 14 frontage 15 frontage indicator 17 tape switch 22,23 transport line 24,25 transport conveyor 26,28 plate transport section 31,32 endless chain 41, 41 ′, 41 ″, 42, 42 ′, 42 ″, 51, 51 ′ Picking display device 44 Input display unit 45 Color code display unit 46A to 49A, 46B to 49B Preceding display unit 52, 53 Tracking display unit 58 zone Controller 60 Display controller

Claims (8)

A picking operation is performed in which a plurality of collection containers to which sorting destinations are respectively assigned are transported by transport means, and articles taken out from an article storage unit are put into the collection containers in accordance with the article request information of the sorting destinations. A picking facility to perform,
An identification means with identification codes for identifying the collection containers is provided to be movable together with the collection containers,
A picking display device that displays the collection container into which the article is loaded from among the plurality of collection containers to be transported is provided for each position or range in which the collection container is transported by the transport means ,
The picking display device
An input display unit provided with an identification code display unit for displaying a collection container for performing a picking operation by the identification code;
A preceding display unit provided with an identification code display unit for displaying a collection container for performing the next picking operation following the collection container displayed by the identification code on the input display unit, and the identification code ;
The input display unit and the preceding display unit display the identification code in correspondence with a position or a range in which the collection container transported by the transport unit is currently transported. To picking equipment. The picking equipment according to claim 1, wherein the display of the input display unit is configured to be larger than the display of the preceding display unit. Each of the input display unit and the preceding display unit is provided with a position display unit for displaying a position or a range in which the collection container displayed by the identification code on the identification code display unit is transported by the transport unit,
The position display unit is configured by display means whose color or brightness changes according to the position or range in which the collection container indicated by the identification code is being transported by the transport means. The picking equipment according to claim 1 or 2. The picking facility according to claim 3, wherein the display means of the position display unit displays the same color or brightness when the position or range of the collection container to be conveyed is the same. 5. The picking display device includes the preceding display unit for each of the transport lines when the transport unit includes a plurality of transport lines. Picking equipment according to item. 6. The picking facility according to claim 5, wherein the preceding display units are arranged in the up-down direction or the left-right direction for each of the transport lines. The picking display device includes a take-out display unit that displays a position of the article storage unit that stores articles to be put into a collection container to be picked, on the same part as the input display unit and the preceding display unit. The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the picking equipment is provided. The input display part and the preceding display part are :
The picking equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 7 , further comprising a dual-purpose display unit having both a function of displaying the identification code and a function of displaying the position or range .

Images