JP7088859B2 - Logistics management equipment, logistics management method and logistics management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a physical distribution management device, a physical distribution management method, and a physical distribution management program.

A distribution center exists as one of the infrastructure facilities for promptly delivering the ordered goods to the customer. The distribution center receives goods from manufacturers and temporarily stores the received goods. When an order is subsequently placed, the distribution center takes out the goods related to the order, packs them, and ships them to the customer.

Recently, "automated warehouses" that improve the storage efficiency of goods have become widespread. The automated warehouse stores a plurality of containers for storing goods in three dimensions. When an order is generated, a cargo handling robot such as a stacker crane takes out a container for storing the goods related to the order and transports it to a predetermined delivery position.

The parts supply system of Patent Document 1 includes an automated warehouse and an automatic guided vehicle system. Specifically, the stacker crane removes the bucket from the rack of the automated warehouse and hands the bucket to the tracked trolley. The tracked trolley transports the bucket to the picking station. The automatic guided vehicle transports the bucket from the picking station to a plurality of cells. In each cell, the worker assembles the parts taken out from the bucket into a product.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-137406

The parts supply system of Patent Document 1 is specialized for an assembly factory that adopts a cell production method. The tracked trolley receives the bucket from the automated warehouse at only one location. When the number of products assembled in such a factory is about several tens per day, the number of receiving positions does not become a bottleneck. On the other hand, the goods stored by the distribution center are often consumer goods, and the number of goods to be shipped is much larger than that of factories and the like. When the parts supply system of Patent Document 1 is applied to such a distribution center, a bottleneck occurs and the distribution becomes stagnant.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the delivery efficiency of goods.

The distribution management device of the present invention is a distribution management device of a distribution center including an automated warehouse for storing containers for storing articles in a plurality of rows in a vertical direction and a plurality of rows in a horizontal direction, and a transfer device for lifting and transporting the containers. An instruction to transport the container to the outside of the automated warehouse from any of a plurality of contact points which are the lowest positions in the automated warehouse and are positions where the transport device can access and lift the container. The transport instruction unit is provided with a transport instruction unit for transmitting the above-mentioned items to the transfer device and an article management unit for calculating the delivery frequency of the articles. When transporting the container from the first connection point where the container to be transported is arranged, from the first preparation point which is a position adjacent to the first connection point and where no other automated warehouse exists. To the transport device so as to move to the first connection point, lift the container, retreat to the first preparation point with the container lifted, and transport the container to the outside of the automated warehouse. When a transport instruction is sent and a container for storing a first item whose delivery frequency is higher than a predetermined standard is delivered, an instruction to transport to any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row is sent to the automated warehouse. Further, an instruction to transport the container for storing the first article is transmitted from any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row to the transport device, and after the first article is delivered, the first article is delivered. 1 An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the goods is sent to the transport device, and after the second goods having a delivery frequency less than a predetermined standard is delivered, the rest of the second goods is stored. Upon returning the container to the automated warehouse, an instruction is sent to the transport device to transport the container for storing the rest of the second article from the delivery area to any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row, and the above. A container for storing the rest of the second article from any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row to a storage position of a container for storing the rest of the second article in any of the plurality of positions other than the bottom row. It is characterized in that an instruction to transport the goods is sent to the automated warehouse .
Other means will be described in the embodiment for carrying out the invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the delivery efficiency of articles.

It is a plan view of the layout of an existing distribution center. It is a figure explaining an existing automated warehouse. It is a top view of the layout of the distribution center of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the automated warehouse of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the physical distribution management apparatus. This is an example of article information. This is an example of order information. This is an example of instruction information. This is an example of shipping area information. It is a flowchart of a processing procedure.

Hereinafter, an existing example and a mode for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to figures and the like. This embodiment is an example in which a distribution center receives goods from a manufacturer or the like and delivers the goods in response to an order. However, the present invention can also be applied, for example, when a manufacturer or the like stores and manages parts in-house. In addition, the "article" of this embodiment is a concept including a product to be traded, other products, parts and the like.

(Layout of existing distribution center)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the layout of an existing distribution center. The distribution center has a warehousing area 41, a warehousing area 42, a processing area 43, a flat laying area 44, an automated warehouse 45, a transport area 46, a temporary warehousing area 47, and a production equipment area 48. The warehousing area 41 is an area for receiving goods from a manufacturer or the like. The delivery area 42 is an area for shipping the goods related to the order, and in many cases, there are a plurality of delivery areas 42. In the delivery area 42, a worker or a work robot performs a work of taking out an article from the container 3. Therefore, the delivery area 42 is also referred to as a picking area.

The processing area 43 is an area for performing arbitrary processing on the article (for example, distribution processing or assembly on the article). The flat area 44 is an area in which an article is laid on the floor in a single layer for the purpose of inspecting the article. The automated warehouse 45 is a set of shelves for three-dimensionally storing goods (details will be described later). The temporary storage area 47 is an area for temporarily storing articles. The transport area 46 is an area that is in contact with the automated warehouse 45 and other areas, and serves as a passage for the transport vehicle 2 (details described later) that transports goods between them. A track (rail) on which the transport vehicle 2 travels may be laid in the transport area 46. The production equipment area 48 is an area having a production line for producing goods.

(Basic flow of goods in distribution center)
The basic flow of goods is as follows.
-The goods loaded on the truck or the like arrive at the warehousing area 41.
-In the warehousing area 41, the worker or the working robot stores the article in the container 3. The article may arrive already stored in the container 3. The article may be loaded on a pallet (not shown). In the following embodiment, the case where the article is stored in the container 3 will be described as an example.
The transport vehicle 2 transports the container 3 from the warehousing area 41 to the automated warehouse 45.
-The automated warehouse 45 stores the container 3 in which the goods are stored.
When an order for an article is generated, the transport vehicle 2 transports the container 3 containing the article related to the order from the automated warehouse 45 to the delivery area 42.
-In the delivery area 42, the worker or the work robot picks the article.
-For trucks and the like, the goods related to the order are transported from the delivery area 42 to the customer.

(Articles and containers)
Container 3 is a cubic box and all types of articles shall be stored in container 3 of the same size and shape. The container 3 is represented in FIG. 1 as a square of reference numeral 3. The number of types of articles stored in one container 3 is arbitrary. The maximum quantity of articles stored in one container varies from article to article.

(Additional flow of goods)
In addition to the basic flow described above, there are the following additional flows.
When the transport vehicle 2 needs to inspect the goods, the transport vehicle 2 transports the goods from the automated warehouse 45 or another area to the flat area 44, and after the inspection or the like is completed, the goods are transported to the automated warehouse 45 or another area. Return to. The "other area" does not include the transport area 46, which is the path of the transport vehicle 2 (same below).
When the transport vehicle 2 needs to process the article, the transport vehicle 2 transports the article from the automated warehouse 45 or another area to the processing area 43, and after the processing is completed, returns the article to the automated warehouse 45 or another area.
The transport vehicle 2 transports goods from the automated warehouse 45 or another area to the temporary storage area 47 for various purposes. For example, the transport vehicle 2 transports the goods from the automated warehouse 45 to the delivery area 42, and then transports the goods to the temporary storage area 47 without returning the goods to the automated warehouse 45 (details will be described later). The temporary storage area 47 may be located so as to be surrounded by the transport area 46.

(Automated warehouse)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an existing automated warehouse. The shelf 51a shown in FIG. 2 is a side view of the shelf 51a viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis in FIG. 1 in the positive direction. The structure of the existing automated warehouse will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 1 at the same time. The automated warehouse 45 has two shelves 51a and 51b, rails 52a and 52b, and a lift 53 (FIG. 1). The shelf 51a has 20 container storage positions (spaces). The container storage positions are arranged in 5 columns in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) and 4 rows in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) (FIG. 2). “1,1,4” and the like in FIG. 2 are three-dimensional coordinate values (X, Y, Z) of the position. The same applies to the shelf 51b. The shelves 51a and 51b face each other in parallel with the rails 52a and 52b sandwiched between them. The shelves 51a and 51b are open on the rail side (FIG. 1).

The lift 53 has a space inside which can store the container 3. As shown in the alternate long and short dash line 61 of FIG. 2, the elevating platform 53 can move in the Z-axis direction in a rectangular parallelepiped defined by four rails 55a to 55d having a longitudinal direction in the Z-axis direction. Further, the rectangular parallelepiped can be guided in the rails 52a to 52d and moved in the X-axis direction.

The two surfaces of the lift 53 in the Y-axis direction are open, and the container 3 can enter and exit from the two surfaces. A mating point 54 exists on the floor surface at the end of the shelf 51a (FIGS. 1 and 2). The engagement point 54 has a trapezoidal structure and conveyor, and can move the container 3 onto itself from the lift 53 at the position of X = 6 and Z = 1. The “combination point” is a position where both the lift 53 and the transport vehicle 2 can access. Eventually, the automated warehouse 45 can transport the container 3 from any container storage position on the shelves 51a and 51b to any other container storage position or engagement point 54 by means of a lift 53 and / or a conveyor.

(Transport vehicle)
The transport vehicle 2 once arrives at the preparation point 56 (FIG. 1) adjacent to the automated warehouse 45, sneaks from the preparation point 56 under the table at the connection point 54, and lifts the container 3. Then, the transport vehicle 2 retreats as it is and returns to the preparation point 56. After that, the transport vehicle 2 can transport the container 3 to an arbitrary position in the transport area 46.

(Layout of distribution center of this embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the layout of the distribution center of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view of the automated warehouse of the present embodiment. The shelf 51a shown in FIG. 4 is a side view of the shelf 51a viewed from the negative direction of the Y axis to the positive direction. This embodiment shows the same configuration as the existing examples of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the same numbers. The flow of articles in this embodiment is the same as in the existing example. The "outside of the automated warehouse" in the claims corresponds to the access positions (details described later) of the warehousing area 41, the warehousing area 42, the processing area 43, the flat laying area 44, and the temporary laying area 47 in FIG.

The differences between the present embodiments (FIGS. 3 and 4) and the existing examples (FIGS. 1 and 2) are as follows.
-In the present embodiment, the transport area 46 surrounds the automated warehouse 45 (FIG. 3).
-In the present embodiment, there are 10 preparation points 56 in contact with the shelves 51a and 51b of the automated warehouse 45 (FIG. 3). The preparation points are arranged in series in the X-axis direction by the number of container storage positions. In the existing example, there is only one preparation point 56 (FIG. 1).

-In the present embodiment, the transport vehicle 2 sneaks into the lower part of the shelf 51a or 51b (between the floor surface and the bottommost container storage position) from each of the ten preparation points 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4). .. Then, when the container 3 is lifted, the transport vehicle 2 retreats in the same state and returns to the preparation point 56.
-In the present embodiment, the automated warehouse 45 does not need to have the engagement point 54 at the same position as in FIGS. 1 and 2 (FIG. 3).
In the end, the five container storage positions in the bottom row of the shelf 51a and the five container storage positions in the bottom row of the shelf 51b are the connection points (dashed line 57 in FIG. 4).
In the present embodiment, the surfaces of the shelves 51a and 51b in contact with the preparation points 56 are open at least at the position of Z = 1.

(Number of points of competition and capacity of automated warehouse)
As explained in the existing example, if the number of points of contact provided in the automated warehouse is limited, this becomes a bottleneck and the capacity of the automated warehouse reaches a plateau. When the number of points of engagement is sufficiently large as in the present embodiment, the bottleneck is eliminated and the capacity of the automated warehouse is improved by increasing the number of transport vehicles.

The automated warehouse 45 of the present embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 4) has a sufficiently high space between the floor surface and the bottommost container storage position. Reference numeral 58 in FIG. 4 is a plan view of the container storage position of “4, 1, 1” as viewed from the positive direction of the Z axis (the same applies to other positions). As is clear from the plan view 58, there is no obstacle when the transport vehicle 2 slips on the floor surface from the negative side of the Y axis (the front side of the paper surface in FIG. 4) directly under the container 3. As a matter of course, when the transport vehicle 2 tries to slip the floor surface from the positive side of the Y axis (the other side of the paper surface in FIG. 4) directly under the container 3, the rails 52a and 52b (FIG. 3) become obstacles. .. These things make it possible for the transport vehicle 2 of the present embodiment, which has a flat shape and a small height, to sneak into the space below the shelves 51a or 51b from one side of the shelves 51a or 51b and lift the container 3. ..

As shown in FIG. 1, the existing automated warehouse only has a contact point 54 on the floor surface at the end of the shelf 51a, and the side surface of the shelf is not effectively utilized. The transport vehicle 2 of the present embodiment may be a tracked transport vehicle traveling on a track, or may be a trackless transport vehicle that does not require a track. In addition, the transport vehicle 2 here corresponds to the "conveyor device" in the claim. Wheels, caterpillars, etc. may be used as means for moving the transport device. The structure and shape of the container 3 of the present embodiment are arbitrary, and are referred to by various names such as "pallet", "tank", "box", and "bucket" depending on the structure and shape.

(Logistics management equipment)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the physical distribution management device 1. The distribution management device 1 is a general computer and includes a central control device 11, an input device 12 such as a keyboard, an output device 13 such as a display, a main storage device 14, an auxiliary storage device 15, and a communication device 16. These devices are connected to each other via a network. The auxiliary storage device 15 stores the article information 31, the order information 32, the instruction information 33, and the delivery area information 34 (details will be described later).

The article management unit 21 and the transport instruction unit 22 in the main storage device 14 are programs. In the following, when the operating subject is described as "○○ part is", it is the function (details) of each program after the central control device 11 reads each program from the auxiliary storage device 15 and loads it into the main storage device 14. It means to realize (described later). The auxiliary storage device 15 of the distribution management device 1 may have a configuration independent of the distribution management device 1. The distribution management device 1 is communicably connected to one or more transport vehicles 2 and an automated warehouse 45 via a wired or wireless network 4 (including a leased line on the premises).

(Goods information)
FIG. 6 is an example of article information 31. In the article information 31, the article ID is in the article ID column 102, the article name is in the article name column 103, and the quantity is in the quantity column 104 in relation to the container storage position stored in the container storage position column 101. The attribute is stored in the attribute column 105.

As described above, the container storage position in the container storage position column 101 is a three-dimensional coordinate value of the space in which the container for storing the article is stored on the shelf. Since the rails 52a and 52b exist at the position of Y = 2 (FIG. 1), the Y coordinate value of the container storage position is “1” or “3”.
The article ID in the article ID column 102 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the type of the article.
The article name in the article name column 103 is the name of the article.
The quantity in the quantity column 104 is the quantity of goods.
The attribute of the attribute column 105 is a character string that simply indicates the characteristics, properties, and the like of the article.
Each record in FIG. 6 corresponds to each container storage position, and the shelves are different when straddling the double line. There may be records in which the container is not stored (columns 102 to 105 are blank).

(Order information)
FIG. 7 is an example of order information 32. In the order information 32, the order destination name is in the order destination name column 112, the article ID is in the article ID column 113, and the quantity is in the quantity column 114 in relation to the order ID stored in the order ID column 111. The time is stored in the time column 115, the status is stored in the status column 116, and the order destination attribute is stored in the order destination attribute column 117.

The order ID in the order ID column 111 is an identifier that uniquely identifies an order from the ordering party. An order is an application to purchase an article.
The ordering party name in the ordering party name column 112 is the name of the ordering party.
The article ID in the article ID column 113 is the same as the article ID in FIG.
The quantity in the quantity column 114 is the quantity of the goods related to the order.
The time in the time column 115 is the year, month, day, hour, minute, and second when the distribution management device 1 receives the order.

The status of the status column 116 is either "instructed", "not instructed", or "expected". “Instructed” indicates that the order has actually been generated and the instruction for issuing the goods related to the order has already been transmitted to the automated warehouse 45 and the transport vehicle 2. “Uninstructed” indicates that the order has actually been generated, but the instruction for issuing the goods related to the order has not yet been sent to the automated warehouse 45 and the transport vehicle 2. “Forecast” indicates that the order has not yet been placed. In other words, the data stored in the columns 112 to 115 and 117 of the record whose status is "forecast" is an expectation (future delivery plan) by the user. The user creates such a record based on past experience, sales promotion campaign plans, delivery forecasts using artificial intelligence, and the like.

The order destination attribute in the order destination attribute column 117 is arbitrary information regarding the order destination. The ordering destination here is the name of the prefecture in which the ordering party resides. In addition to this, the ordering party may be the name of the ordering party, the type of business, or the like.

As is clear from FIG. 7, one order is intended for one or more types of goods consisting of one or more quantities. Each time an order is placed, a new record of order information 32 is created. The distribution management device 1 receives such a record from, for example, a server of an operator of a goods sales site, and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 15 as order information 32. In addition, a new record of order information 32 is created each time the user creates a future delivery plan.

(Instruction information)
FIG. 8 is an example of instruction information 33. In the instruction information 33, in association with the instruction ID stored in the instruction ID column 121, the instruction category is in the instruction category column 122, the elevating table ID is in the elevating table ID column 123, and the elevating table ID is conveyed in the transport vehicle ID column 124. The stand ID, the article ID in the article ID column 125, the starting point in the starting point column 126, the ending point in the ending point column 127, the shipping frequency in the shipping frequency column 128, and the storage position in the storage position change pattern column 129. The change pattern is remembered.

The instruction ID in the instruction ID column 121 is an ID that uniquely identifies an instruction to the lift 53 or the transport vehicle 2. The instruction is an instruction to the lift or carrier to transport the container from a certain position (starting point) to another position (ending point).
The instruction category in the instruction category column 122 is one of "delivery", "delivery return", "delivery only", "temporary storage", "delivery preparation", "receipt", and "movement". These details will be described later. The term "delivery" means delivering goods from the distribution center and does not mean delivering goods from the shelves of an automated warehouse to an area within the distribution center. The same applies to "warehousing".

The elevating table ID in the elevating table ID column 123 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the elevating table that receives an instruction. However, in the present embodiment, since there is only one elevating table 53, all the elevating table IDs here are "D1". Depending on the structure of the automated warehouse, there may be a plurality of lifts 53.
The carrier ID in the carrier ID column 124 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the carrier that receives the instruction.
The article ID in the article ID column 125 is the same as the article ID in FIG.

The starting point of the starting point column 126 is the coordinate value of the starting point at which the container is transported.
The end point of the end point column 127 is the coordinate value of the arrival point at which the container is transported.
Of the starting point and ending point, "[#, #, #]" is the coordinate value of the container storage position of the automated warehouse. In addition, "#" indicates a different value abbreviated (the same applies to FIG. 9). The "[[]]" in "[[#, #, #]]" means that the position is the point of engagement in the automated warehouse. In the present embodiment, the connection point is the container storage position in the lowest row (Z = 1). “<#, #, #>” Is a location outside the automated warehouse. The three-dimensional coordinate system of the automated warehouse is also applied to the outside of the automated warehouse.

The subscript "OUT" indicates the access position of the delivery area 42. The access position is a position where the transport vehicle 2 delivers the container 3 to and from an area other than the transport area 46. The access position exists at a position in the transport area 46 in contact with another area (for example, reference numeral 59 in FIG. 3). The subscript "IN" indicates the access position of the warehousing area 41.

The subscript "WAIT" indicates an access position in contact with the temporary storage area 47, or a predetermined position in the temporary storage area 47 (which can be left with the shelves down). The subscript "FLAT" indicates the access position of the flat area 44. The subscript "MANU" indicates the access position of the processing area 43.

The issue frequency in the issue frequency column 128 is the number of shipments of goods in a predetermined period (corresponding to all statuses including forecasts) and the like. Details of the delivery frequency will be described later. For the sake of clarity, the delivery frequency in FIG. 8 is either “large” or “small”.
The storage position change pattern of the storage position change pattern column 129 is a pattern for reviewing the container storage position. Details of the storage position change pattern will be described later. The storage position change pattern may be simply called a "pattern".

Looking at FIG. 8 for each pattern, for example, the following can be seen.
<Pattern 1 (top → top): Records 131a-131d>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C001 in order to deliver the article A101 having a delivery frequency of "small" from the shelf of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C001 includes records 131a and 131b for "delivery" and records 131c and 131d for "return".
-The logistics management device 1 transmits the records 131a and 131d to the lift D1 and transmits the records 131b and 131c to the transport vehicle E01.

-According to the record 131a, the elevating table D1 conveys the container for storing the article A101 from the container storage position [4,1,4] to the connection point [[4,1,1]].
-According to the record 131b, the transport vehicle E01 transports the container from the connection point [[4,1,1]] to the access position <#, #, #> _OUT in the delivery area.
-After the delivery is completed, according to the record 131c, the transport vehicle E01 is a container for storing the rest of the article A101 from the access position <#, #, #> _OUT to the connection point [[4,1,1]]. Is being transported.
-According to the record 131d, the elevating table D1 conveys the container from the connection point [[4,1,1]] to the container storage position [4,1,4].

In pattern 1, the container for storing the article A101, which has a low delivery frequency, starts from the container storage position (Z = 4) other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1), and the container storage position other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1). It has returned to (Z = 4). That is, the goods with a low delivery frequency continue to secure the bottom line (Z = 1) for the goods with a high delivery frequency.

<Pattern 2 (bottom → top): Records 132a-132c>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C002 in order to deliver the article A102 having a delivery frequency of "small" from the shelf of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C002 includes records 132a for "delivery" and records 132b and 132c for "return".
The physical distribution management device 1 transmits the records 132a and 132b to the transport vehicle E02, and transmits the records 132c to the lift D1.

-According to the record 132a, the transport vehicle E02 transports the container for storing the article A102 from the connection point [[3,1,1]] to the access position <#, #, #> _OUT of the delivery area. ..
-After the delivery is completed, the transport vehicle E02 is a container for storing the rest of the article A102 from the access position <#, #, #> _OUT to the connection point [[3,1,1]] according to the record 132b. Is being transported.
-According to the record 132c, the elevating table D1 conveys the container from the connection point [[3,1,1]] to the container storage position [3,1,4].

In pattern 2, the container for storing the article A102, which has a low delivery frequency, starts from the bottom row (Z = 1) connection position and returns to the container storage position (Z = 4) other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1). ing. That is, the goods with a low delivery frequency give the lowest line (Z = 1) to the goods with a high delivery frequency.

<Pattern 3 (top → bottom): Records 133a to 133c>
-The distribution management device 1 sends the instruction C003 in order to take out the goods A103 having a "high" delivery frequency from the shelves of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C003 consists of records 133a and 133b for "delivery" and records 133c for "return".
The physical distribution management device 1 transmits the record 133a to the lift D1 and transmits the records 133b and 133c to the transport vehicle E03.

-According to the record 133a, the elevating table D1 conveys the container for storing the article A103 from the container storage position [2,1,2] to the connection point [[2,1,1]].
-According to the record 133b, the transport vehicle E03 transports the container from the connection point [[2,1,1]] to the access position <#, #, #> _OUT in the delivery area.
-After the delivery is completed, according to the record 133c, the transport vehicle E03 is a container for storing the rest of the article A103 from the access position <#, #, #> _OUT to the connection point [[2,1,1]]. Is being transported.

In pattern 3, the container for storing the article A103, which has a high delivery frequency, starts from the container storage position (Z = 2) other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1) and returns to the bottom row (Z = 1) connection point. ing. In other words, goods with a high frequency of delivery will wait for delivery at the bottom line (Z = 1).

<Pattern 4 (bottom → bottom): Records 134a and 134b>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C004 in order to take out the article A104 having a "high" delivery frequency from the shelf of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C004 includes a record 134a for "delivery" and a record 134b for "return".
-The logistics management device 1 transmits the records 134a and 134b to the transport vehicle E01.

-According to the record 134a, the transport vehicle E01 transports the container for storing the article A104 from the connection point [[5,1,1]] to the access position <#, #, #> _OUT of the delivery area. ..
-After the delivery is completed, the transport vehicle E01 is a container for storing the rest of the article A104 from the access position <#, #, #> _OUT to the connection point [[5,1,1]] according to the record 134b. Is being transported.

In pattern 4, the container for storing the article A104, which has a high delivery frequency, starts from the bottom line (Z = 1) and returns to the bottom line (Z = 1). That is, the goods with high delivery frequency continue to wait for delivery at the lowest line (Z = 1).

<Pattern 5 (remaining): Records 135a and 135b>
-The physical distribution management device 1 sends the instruction C005 in order to take out the goods A105 having a high delivery frequency from the shelves of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C005 consists of records 135a and 135b for "delivery only".
The physical distribution management device 1 transmits the record 135a to the lift D1 and the record 135b to the transport vehicle E02.

-According to the record 135a, the elevating table D1 conveys the container for storing the article A105 from the container storage position [1,1,2] to the connection point [[1,1,1]].
-According to the record 135b, the transport vehicle E02 transports the container from the connection point [[1,1,1]] to the access position <#, #, #> _OUT of the delivery area, and even after the delivery is completed. The container is left in that position (not returned to the shelf).
In pattern 5, the container for storing the article A105, which is frequently delivered, starts from the shelf of the automated warehouse and stays in the shipping area without returning to the shelf. That is, the goods with a particularly high delivery frequency remain in the delivery area.

<Pattern 6 (temporary placement): Records 136a to 136c>
-The physical distribution management device 1 sends the instruction C006 in order to take out the goods A106 having a high delivery frequency from the shelves of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C006 includes records 136a and 136b for "delivery" and records 136c for "temporary placement".
The logistics management device 1 transmits the record 136a to the lift D1 and transmits the records 136b and 136c to the transport vehicle E03.

-According to the record 136a, the elevating table D1 conveys the container for storing the article A106 from the container storage position [3,1,3] to the connection point [[3,1,1]].
-According to the record 136b, the transport vehicle E03 transports the container from the connection point [[3,1,1]] to the access position <#, #, #> _OUT in the delivery area.
-After the delivery is completed, the transport vehicle E03 transports the container from the access position <#, #, #> _OUT of the delivery area to the access position <#, #, #> _WAIT of the temporary storage area according to the record 136c. is doing.

In pattern 6, the container for storing the article A106, which is frequently delivered, starts from the shelf of the automated warehouse and stays in the temporary storage area without returning to the shelf. That is, the goods with a particularly high delivery frequency remain in the temporary storage area near the delivery area. If the delivery area has a sufficient number of access positions, or if there is sufficient room inside the delivery area, pattern 5 has priority over pattern 6 (details below).

<Pattern 7 (bottom → top): Record 137>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C007 in order to move the article A107 whose delivery frequency is "small" inside the shelves of the automated warehouse.
-Instruction C007 consists of a record 137 for "preparation for delivery".
-The logistics management device 1 transmits the record 137 to the elevator D1.
-According to the record 137, the elevating table D1 conveys the container for storing the article A107 from the connection point [[2,1,1]] to another container storage position [2,1,4].

In pattern 7, the container for storing the article A107, which has a low delivery frequency, is not the lowest line from the bottom line (Z = 1) inside the shelf even if there is no instruction to move to the delivery area. It has moved to the container storage position (Z = 4) of (Z ≠ 1). That is, the goods with a low delivery frequency give up the competition point of the lowest line (Z = 1) for the goods with a high delivery frequency.

<Pattern 8 (top → bottom): Record 138>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C008 in order to move the article A108 having a “high” delivery frequency inside the shelves of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C008 consists of a record 138 about "preparation for delivery".
-The logistics management device 1 transmits the record 138 to the elevator D1.
-According to the record 138, the elevating table D1 conveys the container for storing the article A108 from the container storage position [1,1,3] to the connection point [[1,1,1]].

In pattern 8, the container for storing the article A108, which has a high delivery frequency, can be moved from the container storage position (Z = 3) other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1) even if there is no instruction to move to the delivery area. It has moved to the bottom line (Z = 1). In other words, goods with a high frequency of delivery will wait for delivery at the bottom line (Z = 1).

<Pattern 9 (top): Records 139a and 139b>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C009 in order to store the article A109 having a delivery frequency of "small" on the shelf of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C009 consists of records 139a and 139b for "receipt".
The physical distribution management device 1 transmits the record 139a to the transport vehicle E02 and the record 139b to the lift D1.

-According to the record 139a, the transport vehicle E02 transports the container for storing the article A109 from the access position <#, #, #> _IN of the warehousing area to the connection point [[5,1,1]]. ..
-According to the record 139b, the elevating table D1 conveys the container from the connection point [[5,1,1]] to the container storage position [5,1,4].

In pattern 9, the container storage position (Z ≠ 1) other than the lowest row (Z ≠ 1) from the beginning is used for the articles with low delivery frequency in order to secure the contact point of the lowest row (Z = 1) for the articles with high delivery frequency. = 4). Since the pattern 9 does not change the container storage position, the “storage position change pattern” may be read as the “initial storage pattern” (the same applies to the pattern 10 described later).

<Pattern 10 (bottom): Record 140>
-The distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction C010 in order to store the article A110 having a delivery frequency of "high" on the shelf of the automated warehouse.
The instruction C010 consists of a record 140 for "receipt".
-The logistics management device 1 transmits the record 140 to the transport vehicle E03.

-According to the record 140, the transport vehicle E03 transports the container for storing the article A110 from the access position <#, #, #> _IN of the warehousing area to the connection point [[2,1,1]]. ..
In pattern 10, articles with a high frequency of delivery are stored at the bottom line (Z = 1) from the beginning.

The delivery position column 128 and the storage position change pattern column 129 of the instructions C011 and C012 are blank. This indicates that these instructions are not related to the delivery frequency. Incidentally, according to the instruction C011, the container is transported from the shelf of the automated warehouse to the flat area. According to the instruction C012, the container is transported from the flat area to the processing area.

The destination to which the distribution management device 1 transmits the instruction is the transport vehicle 2 or the lift 53. However, the cargo handling equipment that handles cargo in the automated warehouse is not limited to the lift as shown in FIG. As another example, there are cargo handling equipment such as stacker cranes, winches, and hand-held robots. The statement "sending instructions to the automated warehouse" in the claims has the meaning of transmitting instructions to these cargo handling equipment that is part of the automated warehouse.

(Delivery area information)
FIG. 9 is an example of the delivery area information 34. In the delivery area information 34, the work robot ID is in the work robot ID column 152, the worker ID is in the worker ID column 153, and the work efficiency column is associated with the delivery area ID stored in the delivery area ID column 151. The work efficiency is stored in 154, the work attribute is stored in the work attribute column 155, and the order destination is stored in the order destination column 156.

The delivery area ID in the delivery area ID column 151 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the delivery area 42. As shown in FIG. 1, there are a plurality of delivery areas 42.
The work robot ID in the work robot ID column 152 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the delivery robot that performs the delivery work.
The worker ID in the worker ID column 153 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the worker who performs the delivery work. One delivery robot or one worker shall be assigned to one delivery area.

The work efficiency in the work efficiency column 154 is a numerical value indicating the work efficiency of the work robot or the worker. The work efficiency of the work robot is, for example, a design value or an actual value of the number of processing lines (data amount of work instruction) per unit time. The work efficiency of a worker is, for example, a declared value or an actual value of the number of processed lines per unit time.
The work attribute in the work attribute column 155 is an arbitrary character string indicating the work quality of the work robot or the worker. The work attribute corresponds to the attribute of the article information 31 (column 105 in FIG. 6). The physical distribution management device 1 accepts the user to set the correspondence relationship between the attribute and the work attribute in advance, and stores it in the auxiliary storage device 15.
The order destination in the order destination column 156 is the same as the order destination attribute in FIG. 7.

(Processing procedure)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the processing procedure. As a premise for starting the processing procedure of FIG. 10, it is assumed that the article information 31 (FIG. 6), the order information 32 (FIG. 7), and the delivery area information 34 (FIG. 9) are stored in the auxiliary storage device 15 in the latest state. do.

In step S201, the goods management unit 21 of the distribution management device 1 determines whether or not there is an uninstructed record in the order information 32 (FIG. 7). Specifically, the article management unit 21 refers to the order information 32, and if there is a record whose status is "not instructed" (step S201 "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S202, and in other cases (step). S201 “No”), the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S202, the article management unit 21 acquires an uninstructed record. Specifically, the article management unit 21 acquires the article ID of the record corresponding to the status "not instructed" among the records of the order information 32.

In step S203, the article management unit 21 acquires the position and attribute of the article. Specifically, first, the article management unit 21 searches for article information 31 (FIG. 6) using the article ID acquired in step S202 as a search key, and acquires the container storage position and attributes of the corresponding record.
Secondly, the article management unit 21 applies a predetermined threshold value to the Z coordinate of the container storage position acquired in the “first” of step S203. Then, the article management unit 21 generates "low" as a position flag when the Z coordinate value is equal to or less than the threshold value, and generates "high" as a position flag when the Z coordinate value exceeds the threshold value. The threshold value here is, for example, "1" indicating the lowest row.

In step S204, the article management unit 21 calculates the delivery frequency of the article. Specifically, first, the article management unit 21 accepts the user to input an arbitrary designated period via the input device 12. The designated period here may be a past period or a future period, but is represented by a start point time and an end point time.
Second, the article management unit 21 extracts from the order information 32 a record in which the article ID is the article ID acquired in step S202 and the time is included in the designated period.

Thirdly, the article management unit 21 has the number of records extracted in "second" of step S204 (indicating the number of times the target article has been ordered or expected to be ordered) or the quantity of the extracted records. Calculate the total of.
Fourth, the article management unit 21 acquires the result of dividing the total number or quantity calculated in "third" of step S204 by the length of the designated period as the delivery frequency. The delivery frequency is, for example, the number of deliveries or the quantity of deliveries per day.

Fifth, the article management unit 21 applies a predetermined threshold value to the delivery frequency acquired in the “fourth” of step S204. Then, the article management unit 21 generates "small" as the frequency flag when the delivery frequency is equal to or less than the threshold value, and generates "large" as the frequency flag when the delivery frequency exceeds the threshold value. When the difference between the delivery frequency and the threshold value when the delivery frequency exceeds the threshold value is equal to or higher than another threshold value, the article management unit 21 generates “particularly large” as the frequency flag.

In step S205, the article management unit 21 determines the delivery area. Specifically, the article management unit 21 acquires the delivery area ID of the record having the work attribute corresponding to the attribute acquired in the “first” of step S203 among the records of the delivery area information 34 (FIG. 9). .. As described above, the article management unit 21 can acquire, for example, the work attribute “repackaging” corresponding to the attribute “easily loses its shape”. At this time, the article management unit 21 may acquire the delivery area ID of the record of the delivery area information 34 (FIG. 9) having the order destination attribute of the record acquired in step S202 in the order destination column 156. Then, the process proceeds to step S208.
The article management unit 21 repeats the process in steps S203 to S205 for each article ID acquired in step S202.

In step S206, the article management unit 21 determines an article that has a low delivery frequency and is stored in the lowest row (Z = 1). Specifically, first, the article management unit 21 accepts the user to input an arbitrary designated period via the input device 12.
Second, the article management unit 21 extracts a record whose time is included in the designated period from the order information 32 (FIG. 7).

Third, the article management unit 21 calculates the number of records extracted in "second" of step S206 or the total number of extracted records for each article ID.
Fourth, the article management unit 21 acquires the result of dividing the total number or quantity calculated in "third" of step S206 by the length of the designated period as the delivery frequency for each article ID.

Fifth, the article management unit 21 acquires a predetermined number of article IDs in ascending order of the delivery frequency acquired in the "fourth" of step S206.
Sixth, the article management unit 21 acquires the container storage position of the article specified by the article ID acquired in "fifth" of step S206 with reference to the article information 31 (FIG. 6).
Seventh, the article management unit 21 determines the article ID of the article such that the Z coordinate of the container storage position acquired in "sixth" of step S207 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. The threshold value here is, for example, "1" indicating the lowest row. In this case, the article management unit 21 can determine the articles stored at the connection point (Z = 1).

In step S207, the article management unit 21 determines an article that has a high delivery frequency and is stored in a line other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1). The process of step S207 is a process in which a part of step S206 is replaced. That is, in step S206, the portions "in ascending order", "below a predetermined threshold value" and "for example," 1 "indicating the lowest row" are "in descending order" and "greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value", respectively. "And" For example, read as "2" which is the smallest except the bottom line. Then, the article management unit 21 can determine the article stored in the container storage position other than the bottom row (Z ≠ 1).

In step S208, the transfer instruction unit 22 of the distribution management device 1 determines the storage position change pattern. Specifically, the transport instruction unit 22 determines the pattern according to the following rules.
<Rule 1> If the position flag is "high" and the frequency flag is "small" via step S201 "Yes", pattern 1 is determined.
<Rule 2> If the position flag is "low" and the frequency flag is "small" via step S201 "Yes", the pattern 2 is determined.
<Rule 3> If the position flag is "high" and the frequency flag is "large" via step S201 "Yes", the pattern 3 is determined.
<Rule 4> If the position flag is "low" and the frequency flag is "large" via step S201 "Yes", the pattern 4 is determined.

<Rule 5> If the frequency flag is "especially large" and there is sufficient room in the delivery area via step S201 "Yes", the pattern 5 is determined.
<Rule 6> If the frequency flag is "especially large" and there is not enough room in the delivery area via step S201 "Yes", the pattern 6 is determined.

<Rule 7> When passing through step S201 "No", pattern 7 is determined for the article ID determined in "7th" of step S206.
<Rule 8> When passing through step S201 "No", pattern 8 is determined for the article ID determined in "7th" of step S207.

In step S209, the transport instruction unit 22 creates a record of instruction information 33 (FIG. 8). Specifically, the transport instruction unit 22 creates an instruction corresponding to the pattern determined in step S208. That is, when the pattern n (n = 1, 2, ..., 8) is determined in step S208, the transport instruction unit 22 creates an instruction such as instruction C00n. The transport instruction unit 22 determines the container storage position (combination point) at the end point from the currently vacant container storage positions, and transmits the instruction from the currently waiting transport vehicles. Decide on a car.

In step S210, the transport instruction unit 22 transmits an instruction to the transport vehicle and / or the lift. Specifically, the transport instruction unit 22 transmits the instruction created in step S209 to the transport vehicle and / or the elevator. After that, the processing procedure is terminated.

(Processing at the time of warehousing)
When an article is received, the article management unit 21 receives the article ID and quantity of the article from a terminal device (not shown) carried by a worker in the warehousing area 41. The article management unit 21 applies an arbitrary designated period and the received article ID to the order information 32 (FIG. 7) to calculate the delivery frequency of the article. The article management unit 21 applies a threshold value to the calculated delivery frequency and generates a frequency flag “small” or “large”. The transport instruction unit 22 determines the pattern according to the generated frequency flag. The transport instruction unit 22 creates an instruction corresponding to the determined pattern, and transmits the created instruction to the transport vehicle and / or the elevator. Then, when the frequency flag is "small", the transport instruction unit 22 creates an instruction like the instruction C009 in FIG. 8, and when the frequency flag is "large", the instruction like the instruction C010 in FIG. Will be created.

(Effect of this embodiment)
The effects of the distribution management device of this embodiment are as follows.
(1) The distribution management device can increase the number of points of engagement in the automated warehouse.
(2) The physical distribution management device can transport goods with a high frequency of delivery to a trading point.
(3) The physical distribution management device can prevent the goods having a low delivery frequency from being stored at the joint point.
(4) The physical distribution management device can return the goods to the trading point after the goods having a high delivery frequency are delivered.

(5) The physical distribution management device can return the goods other than the connection point after the goods with a low delivery frequency are delivered.
(6) The distribution management device can select the delivery area according to the attributes of the goods and the like.
(7) The physical distribution management device can place items with a particularly high delivery frequency in the vicinity of the delivery area.
(8) Since the distribution management device uses a trackless transport device, there is little additional capital investment in the existing automated warehouse.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to the one including all the configurations described. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to add / delete / replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

1 Logistics management device 2 Transport vehicle 3 Container 4 Network 11 Central control device 12 Input device 13 Output device 14 Main storage device 15 Auxiliary storage device 16 Communication device 21 Goods management unit 22 Goods management unit 22 Goods information 32 Order information 33 Instruction information 34 Warehousing area information 41 Warehousing area 42 Warehousing area 43 Processing area 44 Flat area 45 Automated warehouse 46 Transport area 47 Temporary warehousing area 48 Production equipment area 51a, 51b Shelf 52a, 52b Rail 53 Lifting platform 54, 57

Claims (6)

It is a distribution management device of a distribution center equipped with an automated warehouse for storing containers for storing articles in a plurality of rows in a vertical direction and a plurality of columns in a horizontal direction, and a transportation device for lifting and transporting the containers.
The instruction to transport the container to the outside of the automated warehouse from any of a plurality of contact points which is the lowest position in the automated warehouse and is a position where the transport device can access and lift the container. The transport instruction unit that sends to the transport device and
It is equipped with an article management unit that calculates the delivery frequency of the article .
The transport instruction unit is
When the transfer device conveys the container from the first exchange point where the container to be conveyed by the transfer device is arranged among the plurality of exchange points, the position is adjacent to the first exchange point. The container is lifted by moving from the first preparation point, which is a position where no other automated warehouse exists, to the first connection point, and the container is lifted and then retracted to the first preparation point, and the automation is performed. A transport instruction is transmitted to the transport device so as to transport the container to the outside of the warehouse.
When leaving a container for storing a first article that has a higher delivery frequency than a predetermined standard, an instruction to transport to one of the plurality of positions in the bottom row is sent to the automated warehouse, and further, the bottom row is sent. An instruction to transport the container for storing the first article is transmitted to the transport device from any of the plurality of positions of the above.
When returning the container for storing the rest of the first article to the automated warehouse after the first article has been delivered, the first article at any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row from the delivery area. An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the first article to the storage position of the container for storing the rest is transmitted to the transport device.
When returning the container for storing the rest of the second article to the automated warehouse after the second article having a frequency of delivery less than a predetermined standard is delivered, any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row from the delivery area. An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the second article is transmitted to the transport device, and from any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row to any of the plurality of positions other than the bottom row. Sending an instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the second article to the storage position of the container for storing the rest of the second article to the automated warehouse .
Logistics management device featuring. The article management department
Acquire the attribute of the article or the attribute of the ordering party of the article,
Determining the shipping area for shipping the first article or the second article based on the acquired attributes.
The logistics management device according to claim 1 . The transport instruction unit is
When shipping the first article,
When there is room in the shipping area, an instruction to leave the container for storing the first article in the shipping area is transmitted to the transport device.
When there is no room in the shipping area, an instruction to temporarily place the container for storing the first article in the temporary storage area located near the shipping area is transmitted to the transport device.
2. The logistics management device according to claim 2 . The transport device is
Being a trackless carrier,
The logistics management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . It is a distribution management method of a distribution management device of a distribution center including an automated warehouse for storing containers for storing articles in a plurality of rows in a vertical direction and a plurality of columns in a horizontal direction, and a transfer device for lifting and transporting the containers.
The goods management unit of the distribution management device
Calculate the delivery frequency of the goods and
The transport instruction unit of the distribution management device is
The instruction to transport the container to the outside of the automated warehouse from any of a plurality of contact points which is the lowest position in the automated warehouse and is a position where the transport device can access and lift the container. Send to the carrier and
When the transfer device conveys the container from the first exchange point where the container to be conveyed by the transfer device is arranged among the plurality of exchange points, the position is adjacent to the first exchange point. The container is lifted by moving from the first preparation point, which is a position where no other automated warehouse exists, to the first connection point, and the container is lifted and then retracted to the first preparation point, and the automation is performed. A transport instruction is transmitted to the transport device so as to transport the container to the outside of the warehouse.
When leaving a container for storing a first article that has a higher delivery frequency than a predetermined standard, an instruction to transport to one of the plurality of positions in the bottom row is sent to the automated warehouse, and further, the bottom row is sent. An instruction to transport the container for storing the first article is transmitted to the transport device from any of the plurality of positions of the above.
When returning the container for storing the rest of the first article to the automated warehouse after the first article has been delivered, the first article at any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row from the delivery area. An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the first article to the storage position of the container for storing the rest is transmitted to the transport device.
When returning the container for storing the rest of the second article to the automated warehouse after the second article having a frequency of delivery less than a predetermined standard is delivered, any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row from the delivery area. An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the second article is transmitted to the transport device, and from any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row to any of the plurality of positions other than the bottom row. Sending an instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the second article to the storage position of the container for storing the rest of the second article to the automated warehouse.
A logistics management method for logistics management equipment characterized by. A logistics management program for operating a computer as a logistics management device of a logistics center equipped with an automated warehouse that stores containers for storing goods in multiple rows vertically and in multiple rows horizontally and a transport device that lifts and transports the containers. And,
For the goods management department of the distribution management device
The process of calculating the delivery frequency of the article is executed, and the process is executed.
To the transport instruction unit of the distribution management device
The instruction to transport the container to the outside of the automated warehouse from any of a plurality of contact points which is the lowest position in the automated warehouse and is a position where the transport device can access and lift the container. Send to the carrier and
When the transfer device conveys the container from the first exchange point where the container to be conveyed by the transfer device is arranged among the plurality of exchange points, the position is adjacent to the first exchange point. The container is lifted by moving from the first preparation point, which is a position where no other automated warehouse exists, to the first connection point, and the container is lifted and then retracted to the first preparation point, and the automation is performed. Send a transport instruction to the transport device to transport the container to the outside of the warehouse.
And
When leaving a container for storing a first article that has a higher delivery frequency than a predetermined standard, an instruction to transport to one of the plurality of positions in the bottom row is sent to the automated warehouse, and further, the bottom row is sent. An instruction to transport the container for storing the first article is transmitted to the transport device from any of the plurality of positions of the above.
When returning the container for storing the rest of the first article to the automated warehouse after the first article has been delivered, the first article at any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row from the delivery area. An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the first article to the storage position of the container for storing the rest is transmitted to the transport device.
When returning the container for storing the rest of the second article to the automated warehouse after the second article having a frequency of delivery less than a predetermined standard is delivered, any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row from the delivery area. An instruction to transport the container for storing the rest of the second article is transmitted to the transport device, and from any of the plurality of positions in the bottom row to any of the plurality of positions other than the bottom row. To execute a process of transmitting an instruction to transport a container for storing the rest of the second article to the automated warehouse to a storage position of a container for storing the rest of the second article .
A logistics management program featuring.

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