JP7247435B2 - Logistics system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention comprises a storage section, a storage section, and transfer means, and stores, arranges, or sorts articles or storage containers for articles (hereinafter referred to as "articles, etc.") in the storage section. The present invention relates to a physical distribution system attached to a multi-level automated warehouse capable of efficiently shipping articles and the like to order destinations.

Modernization and rationalization in logistics lagged behind those in production and sales.
In recent years, not only the industrial world but also general consumers have a strong desire to obtain the goods they need when they need them. For this reason, palletization, unit loading systems by containerization, and automation of multilevel warehouses are being promoted.

In particular, various control systems efficiently interlock conveyors, lifts, peripheral devices, etc., to organize and store goods, etc. Automated multi-level warehouses capable of sorting are attracting attention from the viewpoint of overall logistics efficiency, such as storage capacity, space utilization efficiency, personnel reduction, and work environment improvement, and are progressing day and night.

Such a three-dimensional automated warehouse generally consists of a loading/unloading section, a storage section, and transfer means, and various transfer means enable free reciprocation of articles, etc. in the storage section and the loading/unloading section. , articles and the like are brought into the storage unit, stored, organized, sorted, and carried out.

Freely reciprocating movement of articles, etc. in the storage section is performed by various mechanisms such as cranes and traveling carts equipped with extensible arms, etc., capable of transferring articles, etc. In addition, the free reciprocating movement of articles, etc. in the loading and unloading section is mainly carried out by conveyors, etc., and the conveyors, etc. have functions such as direction change, temporary storage (accumulation), speed control, forward and reverse transport, and stop. Various mechanisms are provided as required. Reciprocating movement of articles between the loading/unloading section and the storage section is also performed via these transfer means, but new transfer means may be provided in some cases.

In the storage unit, storage shelves partitioned in a grid pattern form a set of storage shelves that are adjacent to each other on the opposite side of the storage surface (in which articles can be put in and taken out), and the set of storage shelves is the storage surface. Storage facilities that are placed side by side with a specified space in between, and a specified number of storage facilities in which transfer means for goods, etc. are arranged in the space are used as a structural unit, and the use efficiency of the space is generally high. but not limited to. For example, storage racks partitioned in a grid pattern are arranged side by side with a predetermined space on the storage surface, and a predetermined number of storage facilities in which means for transferring goods, etc., are arranged in the space as a structural unit. There is also a case in which only one is arranged (Patent Document 3). In addition, the storage unit is not necessarily limited to the storage shelves partitioned in a grid pattern, and the conveyors, lifts, peripheral devices, etc., can be efficiently interlocked to organize, store, and sort the articles. It is sufficient if it has a structure that allows

Various multi-level automated warehouses have been developed according to the differences in the transfer means. For example, in the multi-story automatic warehouse shown in FIG. 1, the transfer means (1) 4 is a stacker crane, and rails 45 and 46 arranged in the space 3 and a crane truck equipped with a crane mast 41 traveling thereon. 42, and an article placing table 43 equipped with an extendable arm 44 attached to the crane mast 41 and capable of taking in and out articles, etc., and a set of storage racks adjacent to each other on the opposite side of the storage surface is provided in a predetermined space 3. are arranged in storage units 1 arranged side by side (Patent Document 1). The transfer means (1) 4 enables free reciprocation of articles in the horizontal (X-axis) and vertical (Y-axis) directions of the storage shelf.

In the automatic multi-story warehouse shown in FIG. 2, the transfer means (2) 5 is provided with running rails 52 provided at each stage in the Y-axis direction, and can take in and out articles reciprocating thereon (see FIG. 2). (not shown), a traveling carriage 51 having an extendable arm, an elevator 53 having an article placement conveyor 54 on which articles can be transferred so as to move up and down, and a temporary storage rack attached to a storage rack near the elevator 53. It is composed of a stand 55 and arranged in the storage section 1 similar to that in FIG. 1 (Patent Document 2). In this case, the traveling carriage 51 freely reciprocates the articles, etc. in the X-axis direction of the storage rack, and the elevator 53 attached with the article-placing conveyor 54 freely reciprocates the articles, etc. in the Y-axis direction. A temporary placement carrier 55 is interposed between the traveling carriage 51 and the article placement carrier 54 to enable free reciprocation of the articles in the XY axis direction.

A multi-level automated warehouse is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. A variety of configurations are in operation that are physically interlocked to organize, store, and sort articles and the like.

In particular, the multi-level automated warehouse shown in Fig. 2 compares with other multi-level automated warehouses in terms of overall logistics efficiency, including storage capacity, logistics efficiency, space utilization efficiency, equipment cost, personnel reduction, and work environment improvement. Further improvements are being made due to its superiority in For example, in order to increase the amount of storage while suppressing equipment costs and installation space, a tandem-type multi-story warehouse (Patent Document 4) in which storage shelves are arranged in series with the lifting mechanism as the center of symmetry, or on the opposite side of the storage surface A three-dimensional automated warehouse (Patent Document 5), which employs a cross-transport system, has been proposed, which enables the transfer of articles in the crosswise (Z-axis) direction between adjacent storage racks.

In particular, in a multi-level automated warehouse that uses a horizontal transport method, items can be sorted, sorted, and stored in an extremely short route within the storage unit, making it possible to deliver items in the order set in advance. Promote automation of work. For example, in FIG. 2, unless an obstacle such as a step is provided between the storage shelf _Ln and the adjacent storage shelf Rn _-1 , the traveling carriage _51n traveling in the passage 3n Horizontal movement in the Z-axis direction of an article or the like from PL _n to PR _n-1 using telescopic arms is possible. Using this action, the articles, etc. that have moved to the position of PR _n- 1 on the storage shelf R _n-1 are moved through the telescopic arm of the traveling carriage 51 _n-1 that travels in the left passage 3 _n-1 , is moved to the position of PL _{n-1 of storage shelf L n-1} on the opposite side of that aisle 3 _n-1 , and PL _n of storage shelf L _n is moved to the position of PL n _{- 1 of storage shelf L n- 1} Placement can be changed. This means that an article or the like can be freely moved in the XZ axis direction without using the transfer means (2) 5 other than the traveling carriage 51. For example, an article at the position _PLn can be moved In the case of ordering and shipping, the goods can be moved from the position of PL _n to the position of PL _n-1 in advance, so it is easy to perform the work of consolidating the ordered shipping of goods in the predetermined order. be.

If it becomes possible to perform such consolidation work in a multi-level automated warehouse, the sequential delivery function will be used to deliver goods in the order set in advance, eliminating the need for conveyors for sorting and time adjustment when delivering goods to the customer. As a result, the shipping processing capacity is greatly improved. Therefore, as ancillary equipment of the automatic multi-level warehouse, sorting work such as sorting by type of goods, by destination, by customer, etc. There is a need for a system capable of efficiently performing processing operations such as rearrangement, tidying up, disposal, and the like.

As such a system, workers or robots (hereinafter referred to as "workers") can efficiently sort and process articles supplied to the delivery section without substantially moving. A possible example is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, a storage container presenting conveyor 23 is installed in the loading/unloading section 2, which is composed of a transport conveyor 24 for loading/unloading articles into/from a storage section (not shown), a storage conveyor 21, and a storage delivery conveyor 22. At the same time, an empty collection container carrying-in section 8 consisting of an empty collection container conveying conveyor 81 and an empty collection container supply conveyor 82 and an empty collection container carry-out section 10 consisting of a collection container carry-out conveyor 101 and a collection container conveyance conveyor 102 are separated. In this system, an empty collection container presenting section 9 is installed between them, and an operator 11 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the storage container presenting conveyor 23 and the empty collection container presenting section 9 . With this system, the articles and the like contained in the storage containers 61 conveyed from the delivery conveyor 22 to the storage container presenting conveyor 23 are sorted into the empty collection containers 7 without the worker 11 moving. can be delivered from the product collection container carry-out unit 10. On the other hand, the storage container 61 is rearranged in the storage section via the incoming conveyor 21 when articles, etc. remain, and is moved to the incoming conveyor 21 and (not shown) when no articles, etc. remain. Articles and the like are disposed of via a transport conveyor 24 for loading and unloading articles into and out of the storage section.

Further, this system will be specifically described with reference to a plan view shown in FIG. 4 and a cross-sectional view cut perpendicular to the plane of the paper along the cutting line I in FIG. 4 shown in FIG. Articles and the like received from the conveying conveyor 24 for incoming and outgoing articles are stored in the storage racks L and R in the storage unit 1 . When an order is received, it is arranged in a specified location on the storage shelf Rn _{+ 1} , for example, so that it can be delivered in a predetermined order. A storage container 61 _{n +1} containing an article or the like is conveyed from the delivery conveyor 22 _{n+ 1} to the storage container presenting conveyor 23 n+1 via an article placement conveyor 54 _n+1 attached to the elevator 53 _n+1. be. At the same time, the empty collection container 7n ₊₁ is conveyed from the empty collection container transport conveyor 81 to the empty collection container presentation unit 9n _{+1 via the empty collection container supply conveyor 82n+1 ,} where the operator _11n+1 The article E in the storage container 61n ₊₁ is transferred to the empty article collection container 7n ₊₁ . Then, the article collection container 71 _n+1 containing the article E is carried out by the article collection container transfer conveyor 102 via the article collection container carry-out conveyor 101 _n+1 . On the other hand, the empty storage container 6n ₊₁ , which has been emptied after the goods E have been transferred to the empty goods collection container 7n ₊₁ , is carried out via the transport conveyor 24 for incoming and outgoing goods, etc. Container 61 _n+1 is relocated to storage via incoming conveyor 21 _n+1 . In FIG. 5, since the conveyors, articles, etc. related to the n row and the n+1 row are overlapped, what is performed in the above-mentioned empty-collected container presenting unit 9n ₊₁ is drawn as the empty-collected container presenting unit _9n . However, by comparing it with FIG. 4, it is possible to understand the physical distribution three-dimensionally.

With such a distribution system, in a multi-level automatic warehouse, shipping work that involves sorting such as sorting by product type, destination area, customer, etc., as well as rearranging, organizing and tidying up items in the storage unit , disposal, etc., can be performed efficiently. In particular, although it has the feature of being able to quickly carry out unloading work, there is also a new inherent problem. As shown in FIG. 6, goods delivered from the picking station GTP, which consists of a storage container presenting conveyor 23 and a collection empty container presenting unit 9, are sorted by type, destination, customer, and the like. Since it is not possible to perform all shipping processing work at the same time, packing and shipping must be performed after sorting work called cargo matching. Since it concentrates and stays in the joining part 13, it may become a rate-limiting step in physical distribution.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, empty shipping containers 12 for each destination area are supplied from an empty shipping container conveying conveyor 131 to an empty shipping container presenting unit 133. An operation in which the item collection containers 71 containing the items A to J classified by type are delivered to the shipping container presenting unit 133 in order via the item collection container conveying conveyor 102, and the items are grouped by destination area. This is because the process is difficult to automate. After that, the shipping container 121 in which the articles and the like are aggregated is shipped by the shipping container conveying conveyor 142 via the packing unit 143 and then by the shipping conveyor 144. This packing and shipping process is the rate-limiting step of the physical distribution system. no.

On the other hand, a system using an automatic loading device 134 as shown in FIG. 8 has begun to be studied. For example, the shipping empty container 12 is supplied to the automatic input device 134n _-3 by the shipping empty container conveying conveyor 131, and at the same time, the article collection container 71 containing the articles A to C classified by type is transferred to the conveying conveyor 102. from the shipping container conveyer 141 _n-3 to the automatic loading device 134 n-3, the articles A to C are automatically aggregated for each destination, and sent from the shipping container discharge conveyor 141 _n-3 to the packing unit 143 via the shipping container transport conveyor 142. After being moved, the system is shipped by the shipping conveyor 144 .

The cargo matching using this automatic loading device 134 is an automated physical distribution system that does not require an operator. Therefore, there is a problem that usable articles and the like are limited. In addition, it is difficult to realize the shock absorbing mechanism and efficient storage mechanism required for the automatic loading device 134. Even if such a mechanism is provided in the automatic loading device 134, the automatic loading device itself is The problem is that it is complex, large and expensive.

Furthermore, as a physical distribution system that does not require shipment matching, as shown in FIG. A system has also been devised, in which the articles are aggregated according to destination, and the shipping containers are sequentially carried out to the packing/shipping process. In this physical distribution system, as shown in the plan views of FIGS. 10 and 11 in the case of using the traveling carriage 51 as the transfer means, the goods C are sorted after the shipping container 121 in which the goods A and B are sorted. The shipping containers 121 that have been sorted, the shipping containers 121 in which the articles D and E have been sorted, etc. must be transported in order. Therefore, although a substantially automated physical distribution system can be constructed, there is a problem that the shipping processing capacity may drop sharply.

In this way, in a three-dimensional automated warehouse, delivery work involving sorting such as sorting by product type, destination, customer, etc., and furthermore, rearranging, organizing and tidying up, disposing of items, etc. in the storage unit Although it has become possible to efficiently perform the processing work, it has not yet reached the point of constructing an efficient distribution system that extends to the final shipping work with a simple mechanism.

JP 2012-236683 A International publication 2010/026633 JP 2015-168573 A JP 2011-178549 A Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-524374

As described above, in a multi-level automated warehouse, shipping work that involves sorting items by type, destination, customer, etc., as well as rearranging, organizing, arranging, and disposing of items in the storage unit. Although it has become possible to efficiently perform such processing operations, it has not yet reached the point of constructing an efficient physical distribution system that includes the final shipping operation with a simple mechanism. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient physical distribution system, including from delivery to shipment, with a simple mechanism in a multi-level automated warehouse.

The inventors of the present invention have found that storage racks for storing articles, etc., arranged in a grid pattern are arranged to face each other with a predetermined space in which a transfer means is arranged, and reciprocating movement is performed in the horizontal longitudinal direction in the space. A traveling trolley capable of transferring items to and from the storage shelf is provided at each stage, and an item placement conveyor is provided on which items can be reciprocated in the vertical direction. In a multi-story automated warehouse equipped with a lifting means equipped with a loading and unloading unit for goods, etc., a storage container presentation mechanism for goods, etc. is connected to the loading/unloading unit, and shipping work and collection work are performed in parallel. As a result, the inventors have found that the sorting, shipping, packing, and shipping operations can be made more efficient, and have completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention includes a storage unit composed of storage racks arranged in a grid pattern in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a storage surface capable of taking in and out items from the storage rack. A transfer means for freely taking in and out articles, etc., a running space in which the transfer means can reciprocate on the storage surface, and an article placing and conveying means for reciprocating the articles, etc. in the vertical direction are attached. In a three-dimensional automated warehouse including lifting means, temporary placement transport means for intermediating article loading/transporting means and transfer means, and a loading/unloading section for goods, etc., the loading/unloading section for loading/unloading goods, etc. means and an article storage container presentation mechanism connected thereto, and a container presentation mechanism serving as a shipping container presentation mechanism and a collection container presentation mechanism is provided so as to be connected to the article storage container presentation mechanism to present the article storage container. A shipping container transport mechanism installed in each mechanism is provided, and a shipping container and collection container carrying-in mechanism and a collection container carrying-out mechanism are connected to the shipping container transport mechanism for each article or article storage container presentation mechanism. It is a distribution system characterized by

Further, the shipping container conveying mechanism incorporates the container presenting mechanism, and is the same conveying mechanism serving as a shipping container loading mechanism, a collection container loading mechanism, and a shipping container carrying out mechanism. A carry-out mechanism may be connected to each container presentation mechanism.

In other words, the present invention is an advantage of the physical distribution system shown in FIG. 13, and the automation of packing at the picking station GTP, which is an advantage of the physical distribution system shown in FIG. An efficient physical distribution system was constructed by combining automation in which the sorted goods shipped from R are aggregated by destination, and the shipping containers are sequentially carried out to the packing and shipping process.

In other words, the technical idea of the physical distribution system of the present invention is to use both a physical distribution system that quickly sorts and ships goods and an automated physical distribution system that integrates sorting, shipping, and cargo matching. By using this together, it is possible to eliminate the stagnation of goods, etc. in the former, and to solve the sudden drop in shipping processing capacity, which must be accompanied by the orderly transportation of shipping containers in which goods, etc. are sorted. Become.

Next, each mechanism constituting the physical distribution system of the present invention will be described. The goods storage container presenting mechanism is formed by connecting a conveying means for unloading goods from a storage shelf and a conveying means for storing goods to a storage shelf in the loading/unloading section. Each of these conveying means is preferably a conveyor, and various direction changing mechanisms for changing the conveying direction are provided at places where the conveyors intersect or are connected and where it is necessary to execute branching and merging of articles, etc. . For example, as a device equipped with a direction changing mechanism, a device equipped with functional parts for changing the direction of the conveyor such as elevating and/or rotating rollers, belts, and wheels, and a functional part that rotates the conveyor itself. A device, a device having a functional part for changing the direction of an article or the like on the side of a conveyor, or the like is applied, but it is possible to use all general devices capable of branching and joining transportation with a conveying device. In particular, conveying devices that can branch and merge at right angles are preferred.

In addition, the conveying means forms a part of the loading and unloading section, and processes articles, etc., for example, sorting articles, etc. by type, destination, customer, etc., and recycling articles, etc. in storage. Since it is a transportation means for placement, arrangement, disposal, etc., a temporary storage mechanism (accumulation conveyor), speed control mechanism, forward/reverse transportation mechanism, branch transportation mechanism, merging transportation mechanism, and stop mechanism, if necessary. Preferably, it consists of a conveyor having at least one or more mechanisms.

The shipping container conveying mechanism of the present invention, which incorporates the container presenting mechanism serving as both the shipping container presenting mechanism and the collection container presenting mechanism, is conveying means arranged so as to be connected to the goods storage container presenting mechanism, The continuous arrangement means that the worker takes out the articles, etc. supplied to the article storage container presentation mechanism, and the taken-out articles, etc. It means that it is arranged in a position where it is possible to put it in a product container or process it. The shipping container conveying mechanism is a shipping container carrying-out means for shipping the shipping container having the container presenting mechanism built therein, and is equipped with the carrying-in means for supplying the shipping container and the collection container for each container presenting mechanism. It is connected to a carrying-out means for moving the pick-up container in tandem.

In addition, such a shipping container conveying mechanism is the same conveying means serving both as the means for carrying in the shipping container and the collection container with the container presenting mechanism installed therein and as the means for carrying out the shipping container. It is also possible to connect the carrying-out means of the product collection containers and combine the carrying-out means to transport the product collection containers for shipment.

In any physical distribution system, it is preferable that these carry-out means and carry-in means consist of conveyors, and are used for processing of goods, etc., supply of shipping containers or collection containers, distribution of carry-out to shipment or cargo matching, etc. To do so, as described above, a direction changing mechanism, a temporary storage mechanism, a speed control mechanism, a forward/reverse conveying mechanism, a branch conveying mechanism, a merging conveying mechanism, and a stop mechanism are provided as required.

Further, in the shipping container transport mechanism of the present invention, for example, a guide lamp and a digital display are arranged in the container presentation mechanism in order to transfer the articles from the article storage container presentation mechanism to the container presentation mechanism. A digital display that repeats a series of operations, such as inserting the number of items, etc. supplied to the item storage container presentation mechanism into the shipping container at the position where the lamp is lit, as indicated by the digital display, and pressing the input completion button. A picking system is preferred.

Here, the distribution of goods, etc. to shipping containers and collection containers is controlled by a central information system that holds a huge amount of incoming, shipping, and inventory data aggregated by computer. This is done so as not to reduce the processing capacity of shipping containers that are transported together.

The storage container presenting mechanism for goods, the shipping container conveying mechanism having the container presenting mechanism, and the collection container conveying mechanism connected to the shipping container conveying mechanism are used to store goods received from the conveying means such as incoming and outgoing goods. By attaching to a three-dimensional automated warehouse that is arranged on the storage shelf of the storage unit so that it can be shipped in a predetermined order, it is possible to sort by type of goods, by destination, by customer, etc. There are two types of flow: distribution that integrates sorting, shipping, and combination of goods, such as classification, and distribution that further sorts the classified goods, etc. by combining goods. It will be possible to make the physical distribution possible.

On the other hand, in the article storage container presentation mechanism of the present invention, when the articles, etc. in the storage container are taken out and the articles, etc. remain in the storage container, the storage container is rearranged or arranged in the storage unit. It is also possible to efficiently perform processing operations such as re-stocking or taking out of the storage unit to dispose of the storage container. Of course, when the storage container runs out of articles, etc., the storage container can be taken out of the storage unit for disposal.

It should be noted that, as already mentioned, such logistics are controlled by various control systems based on conventional common methods, i.e. a central information system holding a large amount of incoming, outgoing and inventory data, A series of operations of conveyors, elevators, picking, peripheral devices, etc. are performed in conjunction with each other.

According to the present invention, by further sorting the sorted goods supplied from the multi-level automatic warehouse arranged on the storage racks of the storage part so that they can be shipped in a predetermined order, shipping and matching are performed. By combining an automated logistics system that integrates and ships and a high-speed logistics system that further sorts and ships the shipped and classified goods, etc., a simple mechanism enables the final shipment It is possible to construct an efficient physical distribution system including work, and at the same time, it is possible to efficiently perform processing work such as rearranging, organizing and tidying up and disposing of articles in the storage section.

1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional multi-story automated warehouse in which stacker cranes are arranged as means for transferring articles and the like; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional multi-story automated warehouse in which traveling carts and elevators are arranged as means for transferring articles and the like; FIG. An empty collection container presentation unit connected to the carrying-in/out unit of the collection container is arranged near the storage container presentation unit attached to the loading/unloading unit of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a distribution system in which workers are arranged adjacent to a container presenting section; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view for explaining the flow of articles and the like in the physical distribution system shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line I in FIG. 4 perpendicular to the paper surface and used to three-dimensionally describe the flow of articles and the like. An empty collection container presenting unit connected to the collection container loading/unloading unit is arranged near the storage container presenting unit attached to the loading/unloading unit of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of processes up to shipment in a physical distribution system in which workers are arranged adjacent to an empty container presenting section; 7 is a schematic diagram of the packing and packing/shipping process shown in FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a case where an automatic loading device is introduced into the cargo matching process in the cargo matching and packing/shipping process shown in FIG. 6 ; In a physical distribution system in which a storage container presenting conveyor and a shipping container conveying conveyor provided with an empty shipping container presenting unit are arranged so as to be connected to the storage container presenting unit in the entering/leaving unit of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. It is a process outline figure until shipment. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view using a traveling trolley as transfer means for explaining the flow of articles and the like in the physical distribution system shown in FIG. 9 ; FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the physical distribution system taken along the cutting line II of FIG. 10 perpendicularly to the paper surface; 1 is a schematic diagram of processes from warehousing to warehousing and shipping, showing the features of the physical distribution system of the present invention; FIG. A storage container presenting conveyor and a container presenting unit serving as both a shipping empty container presenting unit and a picking empty container presenting unit are connected to the conveyer for presenting storage containers in the loading/unloading unit of the multi-level automatic warehouse shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, a shipping container transport conveyor that connects the transport/supply conveyor for shipping empty containers and collection empty containers and the collection container carry-out/transport conveyor for each storage container presentation conveyor. It is a plane schematic diagram for demonstrating a flow. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the physical distribution system cut perpendicularly to the paper surface along cutting line III in FIG. 13 ; According to one embodiment of the present invention, a storage container presenting conveyor and a container presenting unit serving as both a shipping container presenting unit and a collection container presenting unit are installed so as to be continuous with the storage container presenting conveyor in the loading/unloading unit of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. A shipping container that is installed internally and serves as a conveyor for shipping empty containers and empty collection containers and a shipping container conveyor, and is connected to a collection container discharge conveyor connected to the collection container conveyor for each storage container presentation conveyor. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view for explaining the flow of articles and the like in a physical distribution system provided with a transport conveyor. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the physical distribution system cut along the cutting line IV of FIG. 15 perpendicularly to the paper surface;

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail using one embodiment shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is possible to implement it and is limited only by the technical concept described in the claims.

FIG. 12 is a process schematic diagram showing the flow of goods, etc. from warehousing to warehousing and shipping drawn to explain the features of the physical distribution system of the present invention. It is controlled by various control systems based on a central information system that holds inventory data, and is embodied by an automated system in which a series of operations such as conveyors, elevators, picking, and peripheral devices are linked. The transfer means is a stacker crane type transfer means 4 as shown in FIG. 1 or a traveling truck type as shown in FIG. Any of the transfer means 5 can be applied, and in the case of the stacker crane type transfer means 4, the elevator 53 is unnecessary.

First, when an order is placed, the storage containers into which the articles, etc. received from the storage shelves L, R from the conveying conveyor 24 for goods received and dispatched are put are sorted so that they can be dispatched in a predetermined order. be done. For example, when there are many kinds of articles to be shipped to a certain shipping direction, the containers are taken out from the storage shelves L and R, and sent via the delivery conveyor 22 to the container presenting conveyor 23, and then to the empty collection conveyor. At a picking station GTP, for example, GTP-3, 4, 5, and 6, which consists of a container presenting unit 9 and a shipping empty container presenting unit 133, the required number of items is transferred from the storage container to the empty container to be picked up, and cargo matching is performed. After being aggregated by the unit 13 , they are shipped from the packing/shipping unit 14 . On the other hand, for example, when the number of types of articles to be shipped to a certain shipping direction is small, the containers are taken out from the storage shelves L and R, and sent via the delivery conveyor 22 to the container presentation conveyor 23 and the empty collection conveyor. At the picking station GTP, for example, GTP-1, 2, and 7, which consists of the container presenting unit 9 and the shipping empty container presenting unit 133, the required number of containers is transferred from the storage container to the shipping empty container and shipped as it is.

That is, the physical distribution system of the present invention is characterized by the combined use of a physical distribution system that quickly performs sorting and shipping, and an automated physical distribution system that integrates sorting, shipping, and cargo matching. By using this together, it is possible to eliminate the stagnation of goods, etc. in the former, and to solve the sudden drop in the shipping processing capacity, which must be accompanied by the shipping containers in which the goods, etc. are sorted, must be conveyed in order. As a result, an efficient distribution system can be constructed with a simple mechanism.

One embodiment of the present invention embodying features of the logistics system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 13 shows a storage container presenting conveyor 23 and a container presenting unit serving as a shipping empty container presenting unit 133 and a collection empty container presenting unit 9 so as to be connected to the storage container presenting conveyor 23 in the loading/unloading unit 2 of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. , and transport/supply conveyors 131, 81, 132, and 82 for transporting and collecting empty containers and collecting empty containers and collecting container discharge/transport conveyors 101 and 102 are connected to each storage container presentation conveyor 23. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view for explaining the flow of goods and the like in a physical distribution system provided with a conveyor 142, and depicts the flow of goods and the like in the system.

First, this physical distribution system is configured as follows. Storage shelves L and R partitioned in a grid pattern in the XY axis direction are adjacent to each other on the opposite side of the storage surface to form a set of storage shelves, and the set of storage shelves defines a predetermined space 3 on the storage surface. Elevator equipped with a travel carriage 51 with telescoping arms, a travel rail 52, and an article placement carrier 54, which are arranged side by side and can move articles in and out of the space 3, for example. 53 is arranged as a structural unit, and in a multi-story automated warehouse where a predetermined number of items are connected by a conveying conveyor 24 for incoming and outgoing goods, etc., the incoming conveyor 21 attached to the storage shelf L and the storage shelf R A storage container presenting conveyor 23 formed by connecting an attached delivery conveyor 22 is provided. For each storage container presenting conveyor 23, a collection empty container/shipping container presenting unit 9&133 is installed in the shipping container conveying conveyor 142, and the collection empty container/shipping empty container presenting unit 9&133 It is also connected to the pick-up empty container and shipping empty container supply conveyors 82 & 132 connected to the shipping empty container conveying conveyors 81 & 131 . Furthermore, the collection empty container and shipping empty container presenting units 9 & 133 are connected to the collection container transport conveyor 102 via the collection container discharge conveyor 101, and are connected to the collection unit 13 and the packing/shipping unit 14 (not shown). connected by a conveyor so as to go through

Next, an example of the flow of goods, etc. in this physical distribution system will be described. Storage containers into which articles received from the transport conveyor 24 such as incoming and outgoing articles are put are stored in the storage racks L and R. When an order is placed for articles A to D, the traveling carriage 51 _n is controlled and operated based on a huge amount of data regarding the article, elevator 53 _n equipped with an article placing carriage 54R _n , and temporary placement carriage 55R _n . etc. are used to sort out and store on the storage racks L and R so that they can be delivered in a predetermined order. For example, if there are many kinds of goods to the destination, and the goods are B to D, when an order is placed for the goods B to D, the goods B to D are placed on the storage shelves R _n−2 to R _n , respectively. After being relocated to the specified location, the same transfer means is used to sequentially deliver them in a predetermined order. That is, the storage containers 61 _n-2 to 61 _n containing the articles B to D are supplied to the storage container presentation conveyors 23 _n-2 to 23 _n via the delivery conveyors 22 _n-2 to 22 _n . The subsequent flow of articles and the like will be described by taking article D as an example. At the same time when the storage container _61n containing the articles D is supplied to the storage container presenting conveyor _23n , the empty collection container _7n is transferred from the empty collection container and shipping container supply conveyor 81 & 131 to the collection empty container and shipping container. Via the empty container supply conveyor 82 _n & 132 _n , the product is supplied to the collection empty container and shipping empty container presentation unit 9 _n & 133 _n , and the worker 11 _n does not move and the container 61 _n The transfer of the article D to the empty article collection container _7n is completed, and the article D is conveyed to the article collection container transport conveyor 102 via the article collection container discharge conveyor 101n as the article collection container 71n. Further, although not shown, they are transported to the packing unit 13 and the packing/shipping unit 14 and shipped. The same is true for items B and C. On the other hand, for example, if the number of types of goods to be sent to the destination is small and the goods are A and E, when orders are placed for goods A and E, goods A and E are placed in storage racks R _n-3 and After being relocated to the designated location of Rn ₊₁ , the same transfer means is used to deliver in order according to the predetermined order. The storage container 61 _n-3 into which the article A is put is supplied to the storage container presentation conveyor 23 _n-3 via the delivery conveyor 22 _n-3 , and at the same time, the collection empty container and shipping empty container supply conveyor 81 & 131. , the shipping empty container 12 is supplied to the collection empty container and shipping empty container presentation unit 9 _{n-3 &} 133 _n-3 via the collection empty container and shipping empty container supply conveyor 82 n-3 & 132 _n-3. Then, the transfer of the article A from the storage container 61 _n-3 to the empty shipping container 12 is completed on the spot without the worker 11 _n-3 moving, and is transported as the shipping container 121 by the shipping container conveying conveyor 142. be transported. Next, since the goods E are shipped to the same destination, the storage container 61 _n+1 into which the goods E have been placed passes through the delivery conveyor 22 _n+1 at the same time as they arrive at the collection empty container and shipping empty container presentation units 9 _n+1 & 133 _n+1. Then, it is supplied to the storage container presenting conveyor 23 _n+1 , and the transfer of the article E from the storage container 61 _n+1 to the shipping container 121 into which the article A has been put is completed on the spot without the worker 11 _n+1 moving. Then, the shipping containers 121 into which the articles A and E are put are conveyed by the shipping container conveying conveyor 142, packed, and then shipped.

On the other hand, for example, the articles D are taken out from _the storage container _61n , and the empty storage container _6n is conveyed out of the automated warehouse from the storage/delivery conveyor 24 via the storage conveyor 21n. When articles D remain in the storage container _61n , they are either rearranged on the storage rack _Rn via the incoming conveyor _21n , arranged on another storage rack, or arranged on another storage rack via the incoming conveyor _21n . Then, it is transported out of the automated warehouse from the loading/unloading conveyor 24 .

This flow is controlled by various control systems based on a central information system that holds a huge amount of incoming, outgoing, and inventory data, and a series of operations such as conveyors, elevators, picking, and peripheral devices are interlocked. Although it is embodied by an automated system, by using both a physical distribution system that quickly sorts and ships goods and an automated physical distribution system that integrates sorting, shipping, and cargo matching, In addition, it is possible to eliminate the stagnation of goods, etc. in the former, and to solve the sudden drop in the shipping processing capacity that the shipping containers in which the goods, etc. have been sorted, must be conveyed in order, thereby improving efficiency. A general distribution system is constructed with a simple mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the physical distribution system cut perpendicularly to the paper surface along the cutting line III of FIG. 13 . As is clear from the figure, in this embodiment, a warehousing conveyor 21 attached to the warehousing/dispatching unit 2 of the present invention, a warehousing conveyor 22, a storage container presentation conveyor 23, collection empty container and shipping empty container conveying conveyors 81 & 131, The pickup empty container and shipping empty container presentation units 9 & 133, the pickup container transport conveyor 102, and the shipping container transport conveyor 142 are provided on the first stage of the storage shelves L and R. Alternatively, the storage shelves L and R may be raised, or may be installed upstairs to be provided immediately below the storage shelves L and R or downstairs.

Another embodiment of the present invention embodying features of the logistics system of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a storage container presenting conveyor 23 and a container presenting unit serving as a shipping container presenting unit 133 and a collection container presenting unit 9 so as to be connected to the storage container presenting conveyor 23 in the loading/unloading unit 2 of the multi-level automated warehouse shown in FIG. In addition, a collection container carrying-out conveyor 101, which is connected to the collection container conveying conveyor 102 and serves as the conveying conveyors 131 and 81 for shipping empty containers and collecting empty containers and the shipping container conveying conveyor 142, is provided together with the storage container presenting conveyor. 1 is a schematic plan view for explaining the flow of goods and the like in a physical distribution system provided with a shipping container conveying conveyor 142 connected to , and depicts the flow of goods and the like in the system. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the physical distribution system cut along the cutting line IV in FIG. 15 perpendicularly to the plane of the paper.

This physical distribution system is characterized in that the pickup empty container and shipping empty container conveying conveyors 81 & 131 and the shipping container conveying conveyor 142 in FIGS. 13 and 14 are connected and integrated. Since there is no significant change in the flow of goods, etc., a detailed explanation will be omitted. However, as can be seen from FIG. It can be realized with a simple mechanism.

On the other hand, an incoming conveyor 21, an outgoing conveyor 22, a storage container presenting conveyor 23, a collection empty container/shipping empty container/shipping container conveying conveyor 81 & 131 & 142, a collection empty container/shipping empty container presenting unit 9&133, and a collection container conveying conveyor 102. The arrangement is exactly the same as in FIG.

Although the present invention has been specifically described by showing one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

In the present invention, a storage container presenting mechanism is provided so as to be connected to a loading/unloading section of a multi-level automated warehouse, and a container presenting mechanism serving as both a collection container presenting mechanism and a shipping container presenting mechanism is provided so as to be connected to the storage container presenting mechanism. In addition to deploying a shipping container transport mechanism with a built-in shipping container transport mechanism, it is possible to provide a physical distribution system in which a collection container transport mechanism is connected to the shipping container transport mechanism. It is a system that can be used systematically, and can also rearrange, organize, and dispose of items in a multi-level warehouse. Therefore, it is not limited to simple goods and goods storage containers, but can be applied to any storage management system such as cars, books, raw materials, parts, work-in-process goods, finished goods, etc. in factories etc. It is a logistics system using

1 storage unit 2 loading/unloading unit 21 loading/unloading conveyor 22 attached to storage shelf L loading/unloading conveyor 23 attached to storage shelf R storage container presenting conveyor 24 attached to storage shelves L and R transportation conveyor 3 for transporting goods in/out Placement space 4 for loading means Transfer means (1)
41 Crane mast 42 constituting the transfer means (1) Crane carriage 43 constituting the transfer means (1) Article mounting table 44 constituting the transfer means (1) Telescopic arm constituting the transfer means (1) 45 Upper traveling rail 46 constituting transfer means (1) Lower traveling rail 5 constituting transfer means (1) Transfer means (2)
51 Traveling carriage 52L constituting transfer means (2) Traveling rails 52R installed in storage rack L and constituting transfer means (2) Traveling rails installed in storage rack R and constituting transfer means (2) 53 Elevator 54L constituting transfer means (2): Attached to storage shelf L side of elevator 53; An article placement conveyor 55L that constitutes the transfer means (2) is connected to the storage shelf L, and a temporary placement conveyor 55R that constitutes the transfer means (2) is connected to the storage shelf R, and the transfer means ( 2) Constructing 2) Temporary placement carrier 6 Empty storage container 61 Storage container 7 containing articles Empty collection container 71 Empty collection container 8 containing articles Empty collection container carrying-in unit 81 Empty collection container transport Conveyor 82 Empty collection container supply conveyor 9 Empty collection container presenting unit 10 Empty collection container carry-out unit 101 Collection container carry-out conveyor 102 Collection container transport conveyor 11 Worker 12 Shipping empty container 121 Shipping container 13 containing articles, etc. Consignment unit 131 Empty shipping container transport conveyor 132 Empty shipping container supply conveyor 133 Empty shipping container presenting unit 134 Automatic loading device 14 Packing/shipping unit 141 Shipping container discharge conveyor 142 Shipping container transport conveyor 143 Packing unit 144 Shipping conveyor A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J Articles L, R Storage shelves PL, PR Articles stored in storage shelves L and R GTP Picking stations I, II, III, IV Below cutting line With n indicates that it relates to the n-th column of the installation space of the transfer means, for example, 3 _n is
Arrangement space for n-th row transfer means

Claims (2)

a storage section composed of storage shelves arranged in a grid pattern in the horizontal and vertical directions;
a traveling carriage capable of freely taking in and out the articles or article storage containers by traveling in the horizontal longitudinal direction of the storage surface on which the articles or the article storage containers can be taken in and out;
a traveling rail on which the traveling carriage travels;
a running space in which the running carriage can reciprocate on the storage surface;
an elevating means provided with an article or article storage container placing and conveying means for reciprocating the article or the article storage container in the vertical direction;
Temporary placing and conveying means that mediates between the article or article storage container placing and conveying means and the traveling carriage ;
a loading/unloading section of the storage section of the article or article storage container;
an unloading transport means for unloading the predetermined article and the article storage container from the storage unit;
a warehousing transport means for warehousing the predetermined article and the article storage container into the storage unit;
an article or article storage container presenting mechanism interposed between the outgoing transport means and the incoming transport means;
A shipping container presenting function for simultaneously sorting and distributing predetermined articles or article storage containers into shipping containers and a collection of predetermined articles or article storage containers, which are installed adjacent to the article or article storage container presentation mechanism. a container presentation mechanism that also serves as a collection container presentation function for sorting into product containers;
a shipping collection container carrying-in mechanism connected to the container presentation mechanism and supplying the shipping container or the collection container to the container presentation mechanism;
a shipping container carry-out mechanism that is connected to the container presenting mechanism and conveys the shipping container to a final shipping process that does not include the sorting;
a collection container carry-out mechanism that is connected to each of the container presentation mechanisms and conveys the collection container to a final shipping process including the cargo sorting;
A distribution system characterized by deploying 2. A physical distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said shipping collection container carrying-in mechanism, said container presenting mechanism, and said shipping container carrying-out mechanism are connected in this order.

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