JP7287160B2 - picking equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a picking work unit in which a worker picks out a target article out of the goods stored in a storage unit and puts it into a container, a conveying device for conveying the container for which the picking work is completed, and the and a control device for controlling a transport device.

As such a picking facility, for example, one described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2012-162376 (Patent Document 1) is known. In the following description of the background art, the symbols or names in parentheses are the symbols or names in the prior art documents. In the picking facility described in Patent Document 1, the control device (management means F) controls the transport device (first transport device 2) so as to transport the container (article storage container U) to the picking operation section (article storage section A). ) and controls the work instruction device (work list issuer 18) so as to indicate the target articles for the picking work. In the picking work section, a worker takes out the target article from the storage section (article storage shelf 1) and puts it into a container based on the instruction (issued work list) of the work instruction device. Then, the control device controls the conveying device so that the container for which the picking work has been completed in the picking work section is conveyed to a prescribed area (first automated warehouse B).

JP 2012-162376 A

In the above-described picking equipment, articles are stored in the storage section, and when a picking operation is performed, the articles stored in the storage section are taken out from the storage section as target articles. However, there are cases where the articles stored in the storage section are taken out of the storage section and carried out in a manner other than picking work. For example, when multiple types of articles are handled by the picking operation section, the type of article handled by the picking operation section has changed, and the type of article that is not the target of the picking operation is carried out from the storage section. , When the number of days until the expiration date (e.g. best-before date) of the goods stored in the storage part is getting shorter, the goods are taken out from the storage part, or when the goods stored in the storage part For example, when carrying out from the storage unit for storage in the storage unit. In such a case, it is conceivable that the articles stored in the storage section are taken out from the storage section as articles to be carried out, and the articles to be carried out are manually carried out by a trolley, a transport vehicle, or the like. However, it is difficult to simplify the carrying-out work, and the number of man-hours tends to increase, because it is necessary to avoid the storage unit and the conveying device when carrying out such a carrying-out article.

Therefore, it is desired to realize a picking facility capable of simplifying the work of carrying out articles to be carried out from the storage section.

In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of the picking equipment includes a picking work unit in which a worker picks out a target item from among the items stored in the storage unit and puts it into a container, and the container where the picking operation is completed. and a control device for controlling the transport device,
The conveying device is configured to be capable of conveying an article that is not in the container, and it is necessary to carry out an article that is not the target article among the articles that are accommodated in the accommodating section and that is carried out from the accommodating section. The picking unit includes a work instructing device for instructing the operator about the target item and the item to be carried out among the items stored in the storage unit, and the control device can switch the operation mode between a picking operation mode and a carry-out mode, and in the picking operation mode, the control device controls the transport device so as to transport the container to the picking operation unit; , controlling the work instruction device to indicate the target article, and further controlling the conveying device to convey the container for which the picking work has been completed from the picking work unit to a prescribed first area; In the carry-out mode, the control device controls the work instructing device so as to indicate the article to be carried out, and the article to be carried out picked up from the storage section by the picking section and placed on the conveying device. The point is to control the conveying device so as to convey from the picking operation unit to a prescribed second area.

According to this characteristic configuration, when the operation mode of the control device is the picking operation mode, the container is conveyed to the picking operation section by the conveying device, and the target article is indicated to the worker by the work instructing device. Therefore, based on the instructions of the work instruction device, the worker can appropriately perform the picking work of putting the target article into the container conveyed to the picking work section. Then, the container containing the target article by the picking operation is transported to the first area by the transport device. Further, when the operation mode of the control device is the carry-out mode, the work instruction device instructs the worker to carry-out articles. Therefore, the worker can take out the article to be carried out from the storage section and place the article to be carried out on the conveying device based on the instruction of the work instruction device. Then, the article to be carried out placed on the conveying device is conveyed to the second area by the conveying device.

As described above, according to this configuration, when the article to be carried out needs to be taken out of the storage section and carried out separately from the picking operation, the operation mode of the control device is set to the carry-out mode, and the worker can move the article to be carried out to the conveying device. By simply placing the article, the article to be carried out can be conveyed to the second area using the conveying device used for the picking operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually carry out the articles to be carried out, avoiding the conveying device, and the work of carrying out the articles to be taken out from the storage section can be simplified.

Top view of picking equipment in picking work mode Plan view showing a part of the picking operation part Side view showing part of the picking work unit Top view of picking equipment in unloading mode Control block diagram Conveyance control flow chart Explanatory drawing showing the operation of conveying an article in the picking operation mode. Explanatory diagram showing an article conveying operation in the first carry-out process Explanatory diagram showing an article conveying operation in the second carry-out process

1. Embodiment An embodiment of a picking facility equipped with a conveying facility will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the picking equipment takes out a target article 2T (see FIGS. 2 and 3) from among the articles 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) stored in the storage section 21 and puts it into the container 1. It has a picking unit 3 that performs the work, an automated warehouse 4 that stores the container 1, and a transport device 6 that transports the container 1.

In this embodiment, the articles 2 include normal-temperature articles that need to be managed at room temperature and low-temperature articles that need to be managed at a temperature lower than room temperature. In this embodiment, as an example, normal temperature is set to 10.degree. C. to 30.degree. Also, the low temperature is set to 5° C. or lower. As low-temperature goods, refrigerated goods need to be managed at temperatures for refrigeration (e.g. -5°C to 5°C) and goods for freezing need to be managed at temperatures (e.g. -10°C or below). Both or only one of a certain frozen product may be handled. Also, the article 2 is transported and stored in an area managed at a corresponding temperature. It may be transported or stored outside the temperature controlled area.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 includes a normal temperature container 1A for containing normal temperature goods and a low temperature container 1B for containing low temperature goods. As shown in FIG. 1, the picking operation unit 3 includes a normal temperature picking operation unit 3A for performing a picking operation of putting the normal temperature articles into the normal temperature container 1A, and a picking operation of putting the low temperature articles into the low temperature container 1B. A low-temperature picking operation section 3B is included. The automated warehouse 4 includes a normal temperature automated warehouse 4A that stores the normal temperature containers 1A and a low temperature automated warehouse 4B that stores the low temperature containers 1B.

The conveying device 6 includes a main conveying section 10, and a first sub-conveying section 11, a second sub-conveying section 12, a third sub-conveying section 13, a fourth sub-conveying section 14, and a third sub-conveying section 13 connected to the main conveying section 10. 5 sub-conveyance section 15 and sixth sub-conveyance section 16 are provided. The main transport unit 10 is a transport unit that transports the normal temperature container 1A and the low temperature container 1B toward the shipping operation unit 5 . The first sub-conveying section 11 is a conveying section that branches from the main conveying section 10 and conveys the room-temperature containers 1A so as to join the main conveying section 10 after passing through the room-temperature picking section 3A. The second sub-conveying section 12 is a conveying section that branches from the main conveying section 10 and conveys the low-temperature containers 1B so as to join the main conveying section 10 after passing through the low-temperature picking section 3B. The third sub-conveying section 13 is a conveying section that branches off from the main conveying section 10 and conveys the normal temperature container 1A toward the normal temperature automatic warehouse 4A. The fourth sub-conveying section 14 is a conveying section that conveys the normal-temperature containers 1A discharged from the automatic warehouse 4A for normal temperature so as to join the main conveying section 10 . The fifth sub-conveying section 15 is a conveying section that branches off from the main conveying section 10 and conveys the low-temperature container 1B toward the low-temperature automated warehouse 4B. The sixth sub-conveying section 16 is a conveying section that conveys the low-temperature containers 1B discharged from the automatic low-temperature warehouse 4B so as to join the main conveying section 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the conveying device 6 is configured to be capable of conveying not only the container 1 but also the articles 2 that are not in the container 1 . In the present embodiment, the article 2 that is not the target article 2T among the articles 2 stored in the storage section 21 and that needs to be carried out from the storage section 21 is defined as the article 2U to be carried out, and the conveying device 6 , the article 2U that is not in the container 1 can be conveyed. When the conveying device 6 conveys the article to be carried out 2U, the article to be carried out 2U may be carried singly or may be carried in a box 25 described later. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows a state in which the articles 2U that are transported in a box 25 and the articles 2U that are transported individually are mixed and transported. there is The box 25 in this embodiment is an example of a transport container that is different from the picking container 1 used in the picking operation. In this embodiment, the conveying device 6 is configured by a conveyor such as a slat conveyor.

The transport device 6 also includes a first work transport section 17 , a second work transport section 18 , and a third work transport section 19 . The first work transport section 17 , the second work transport section 18 , and the third work transport section 19 are connected to the downstream end of the main transport section 10 . The container 1 transported by the main transport section 10 is transported to the shipping work section 5 by the first work transport section 17 . The article 2U transported by the main transport section 10 is transported to the first carry-out work section 7 by the second work transport section 18, or transported to the second carry-out work section 8 by the third work transport section 19. be done.

The first work transport section 17 is a transport section that transports the container 1 to the shipping work section 5 . The second work transport section 18 is a transport section that transports the article to be carried out 2U to the first carry-out work section 7 . The third work transport section 19 is a transport section that transports the article to be unloaded 2U to the second unload work section 8 . The shipping work section 5 is provided in the first area A1, and the first carry-out work section 7 and the second carry-out work section 8 are provided in the second area A2. The automated warehouse 4 (normal temperature automated warehouse 4A and low temperature automated warehouse 4B) is provided in the first area A1. The second area A2 includes a first article area A3 and a second article area A4. is provided in the second article area A4. That is, in the present embodiment, the second area A2 is an area different from the first area A1, the container 1 is transported to the first area A1 by the transport device 6, and the article to be shipped 2U is transported by the transport device 6 to the first area A1. It is conveyed to 2 area A2 (first article area A3 or second article area A4).

The transport device 6 transports the container 1 to the picking operation section 3 . In this embodiment, the conveying device 6 conveys the normal temperature container 1A to the normal temperature picking section 3A, and conveys the low temperature container 1B to the low temperature picking section 3B. The picking operation unit 3 carries out an operation of putting one or more target articles 2T (see FIGS. 2 and 3) indicated in the order information D1 into the container 1 according to the order information D1 to be shipped to one shipping destination. In other words, the normal temperature picking operation section 3A carries out an operation of putting the normal temperature goods among the target goods 2T indicated in the order information D1 into the normal temperature container 1A. The low-temperature picking operation unit 3B carries out an operation of putting the low-temperature goods among the target goods 2T indicated in the order information D1 into the low-temperature container 1B.

Then, the transport device 6 transports the container 1 containing the target article 2T in the picking operation unit 3 to the automated warehouse 4 . In this embodiment, the conveying device 6 conveys the normal temperature container 1A containing the normal temperature goods in the normal temperature picking operation part 3A to the normal temperature automatic warehouse 4A, and the low temperature picking work part 3B contains the low temperature goods. The low temperature container 1B thus obtained is transported to the low temperature automated warehouse 4B.

Then, the normal temperature automated warehouse 4A and the low temperature automated warehouse 4B unload the containers 1 in order of shipment based on the plurality of pieces of order information D1. As a result, the containers 1 are conveyed to the first work conveying unit 17 provided in the shipping unit 5 in order of shipment such that the containers 1 that are earlier in the order of shipment are located on the downstream side of the conveying route. Then, in the shipping operation section 5, the low-temperature goods stored in the low-temperature container 1B are replaced with a heat-retaining container (not shown), and the normal-temperature goods 2 contained in the same order information D1 are stored. A shipping operation and the like are carried out in which the storage container 1A and the heat-retaining container are placed on the same first cart 26.例文帳に追加

Next, the picking work unit 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the picking operation unit 3 is an operation unit that performs a picking operation of taking out the target article 2T from among the articles 2 stored in the storage section 21 and putting it into the container 1 . The picking unit 3 is divided into a plurality of sections A along the transport path of the transport device 6 . More specifically, the picking unit 3 is divided into a plurality of sections A along the transport route of the first sub-transport unit 11 and the transport route of the second sub-transport unit 12 in the transport device 6 . In this embodiment, the picking unit 3 is provided with a floating shelf as the storage unit 21 . A picking work location 22 where the worker M performs picking work is formed between the storage section 21 and the first sub-transportation section 11 or the second sub-transportation section 12 . Hereinafter, the picking operation unit 3 will be described by taking the first sub-conveyance unit 11 as an example. The direction orthogonal to is described as the Y direction.

The accommodation portion 21 includes a plurality of accommodation locations 23 . Different types of articles 2 are stored in each of the plurality of storage locations 23 . In the present embodiment, the storage portion 21 has a plurality of shelf boards 24 arranged in the first direction X and the vertical direction Z, and a storage location 23 is formed above each of the plurality of shelf boards 24. there is In this example, the articles 2 stored in the storage location 23 are placed in a box 25 such as a cardboard box having an open top for each article type.

In this embodiment, the picking unit 3 is provided with a first display 31 . In the illustrated example, a first indicator 31 is provided at the tip of each of the shelf boards 24 (the end on the side where the picking work location 22 exists in the second direction Y). That is, the first indicators 31 are provided in each of the plurality of sections A, corresponding to each of the plurality of accommodation locations 23 . As shown in FIG. 2, the first display 31 includes a first display section 32 that displays the number of articles 2 to be taken out, a first lighting section 33 that can be turned on and off, and a first display that can be operated by the worker M by pressing. 1 switch section 34 . In the present embodiment, the first lighting section 33 is configured to be push-operable, and the first lighting section 33 also functions as the first switch section 34 .

Further, in this embodiment, the picking operation unit 3 is provided with a second switch unit 36 . In the illustrated example, each section A is provided with a second switch section 36 . The second switch section 36 is supported by the frame of the first sub-conveyance section 11 . The second switch section 36 is a switch operated by the operator M when all the target articles 2T to be accommodated in one container 1 are accommodated in each section A of the picking operation section 3 . In this example, the second switch section 36 is composed of a tape switch elongated in the second direction Y. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sub-conveyor 11 has a second display 41 at a position corresponding to the container 1 to be conveyed. Here, the first sub-conveying section 11 moves the second indicator 41 integrally with the container 1 conveyed by the first sub-conveying section 11 . The second display 41 has a second lighting section 42 that can be turned on and off, and a second display section 43 that displays an order ID, which is identification information for identifying the order information D1. The second display 41 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with a control device H, which will be described later. The second sub-conveyance section 12 has a second display 41 like the first sub-conveyance section 11 .

At the picking work location 22, based on the display of the first display unit 32 and the display of the second display unit 43, the target article 2T designated by the order information D1 is picked out from the storage unit 21 and put into the container 1. is performed by the worker M. At each of the plurality of picking work locations 22, such picking work is performed once or multiple times for one piece of order information D1.

In the picking work location 22, in addition to the picking work, based on the display of the first display 31, the goods to be carried out 2U, which are the goods 2 of the type and quantity designated by the carry-out information D2, are taken out from the storage part 21. An operator M carries out the unloading work of loading the sheet onto the conveying device 6 . In the unloading operation, the unloaded article 2U is taken out from the box 25 of the storage section 21 and directly placed on the transport device 6, or the box 25 containing the unloaded article 2U is taken out of the storage section 21 and placed in the box. In some cases, the articles to be carried out 2U are placed on the conveying device 6 while being accommodated in 25 . The carry-out work is performed at a different time from the picking work, and is performed in the picking work section 3 while the container 1 is not being transported by the transport device 6 .

When the worker M performs the picking operation, the first lighting portion 33 of the first indicator 31 corresponding to the accommodation location 23 where the target article 2T is accommodated is lit, and the first display of the first indicator 31 is turned on. The number of target articles 2T is displayed in the section 32 . Further, when the worker M carries out the unloading work, the work instruction device 45 lights the first lighting portion 33 of the first indicator 31 corresponding to the storage location 23 where the unloading article 2U is stored and The number of articles to be carried out 2U is displayed on the first display portion 32 of the 1 display 31 . In this way, when the picking operation is performed, the target article 2T among the articles 2 accommodated in the accommodation section 21 is indicated to the worker M by the first display 31. FIG. When carrying out the unloading work, the first display 31 indicates to the worker M the unloaded item 2U among the items 2 stored in the storage unit 21 . In other words, the first display 31 corresponds to the work instruction device 45 that instructs the worker M on the target article 2T and the carry-out article 2U among the articles 2 stored in the storage section 21 . The first display device 31 is configured to be able to display in a plurality of different forms, and the form of display when indicating the target article 2T and the form of display when indicating the article to be carried out 2U are different. can be different. For example, the first lighting unit 33 is configured to be capable of lighting in a plurality of colors, and the first lighting unit 33 is lit in a color when instructing the target article 2T, and the first lighting unit 33 is lit when instructing the article 2U to be carried out. 33 may be lit in different colors.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the picking facility includes a control device H that controls the automated warehouse 4 , the transfer device 6 , and the work instruction device 45 . The control device H is composed of, for example, a computer having an arithmetic processing section and a storage section. The control device H is configured to be able to switch the operation mode between a picking mode and a carry-out mode. The control device H switches the operation mode to the picking work mode when a switching to the picking work mode is commanded by a management device (not shown), and when the switching to the unloading mode is commanded by the management device, Switch the operation mode to unload mode. The management device is operated by a manager or the like of the picking facility. When the management device commands the control device H to switch to the picking work mode, the management device transmits the order information D1 to the control device H after transmitting this command information. When the management device instructs the control device H to switch to the carry-out mode, the management device sends the carry-out information D2 to the control device H after sending this command information. The order information D1 includes order ID information indicating an order ID, type information indicating the type of the target article 2T to be shipped to the sorting destination, and quantity information indicating the number of each type of the target article 2T. . In addition, the carry-out information D2 includes carry-out ID information indicating the carry-out ID, type information indicating the type of the carry-out article 2U to be carried out, number information indicating the number of each type of the carry-out article 2U, and the carrying source of the carry-out article 2U. It includes transport source information indicating the picking operation unit 3 that is to be carried out, and transport destination information that indicates the carry-out operation unit to which the article 2U is to be transported.

In the picking operation mode, the control device H controls the conveying device 6 to convey the container 1 corresponding to the order information D1 to the picking operation unit 3, and instructs the target article 2T indicated by the order information D1. In addition, the conveying device 6 is controlled so as to convey the container 1 for which the picking operation has been completed from the picking unit 3 to the prescribed first area A1. In the present embodiment, in the picking operation mode, the control device H conveys the container 1 for which the picking operation has been completed from the picking unit 3 to the automated warehouse 4 in the first area A1, and then transports the container 1 to the automated warehouse 4 in the first area A1. The conveying device 6 is controlled so as to convey to the shipping operation section 5 .

In the carry-out mode, the control device H controls the work instructing device 45 so as to instruct the carry-out article 2U indicated in the carry-out information D2, and specifies the carry-out article 2U placed on the conveying device 6 from the picking operation section 3. The conveying device 6 is controlled so as to convey to the second area A2 of . Here, when the number of each type of the articles to be carried out 2U indicated in the carry-out information D2 is equal to or greater than the number of the articles to be carried out 2U stored in the boxes 25 in the storage section 21, the articles to be carried out 2U are It is transported by the transport device 6 in a state accommodated in the box 25 . On the other hand, if the number of articles to be carried out 2U for each type indicated in the carry-out information D2 is less than the number of articles to be carried out 2U stored in the box 25 in the storage unit 21, the article to be carried out 2U is a single unit. is conveyed by the conveying device 6 in the state shown in FIG.

Next, the carry-out mode will be explained. In describing the carry-out mode, the carry-out article 2U corresponding to the first set condition, which is a preset condition, will be referred to as the first article, and the second set condition, which is a preset condition but different from the first set condition, will be referred to as the first article. The article 2U to be carried out that satisfies the set conditions is set as the second article.

In the present embodiment, each of the first setting condition and the second setting condition is a condition that defines at least one of the controlled temperature of the article 2U to be carried out, the expiration date, the type of article, and the processing method after carrying out. The conditions for specifying the controlled temperature of the article to be carried out 2U include, for example, whether the controlled temperature is normal temperature or low temperature, and which of a plurality of temperature ranges in which the controlled temperature of the article to be carried out 2U is defined. It is conceivable that In addition, as a condition for defining the expiration date, for example, the period from the set date and time (for example, the current date and time, the date and time when the management device creates the carry-out information D2, etc.) to the expiration date is the set period (for example, one week or one month). ), etc. As the expiration date, the best-before date or the expiration date when the article 2U to be carried out is a food or drink, or the expiration date when the article 2U to be carried out is a medicine can be considered. In addition, as a condition for defining the article type of the article to be carried out 2U, for example, when there are a plurality of types of articles to be carried out 2U, the designated type is applicable, and when the plurality of types of articles 2 are divided into a plurality of categories. It is conceivable that it falls under the category specified in Further, as a condition that defines the processing method after unloading, for example, when the article to be carried out 2U is shipped from a working section other than the shipping working section and there are a plurality of working sections, which working section should be used for shipping. Also, when the article to be carried out 2U is carried out for a specified purpose such as resale, sale at a bargain price, transfer, disposal, etc., it is conceivable to set the purpose as a condition. In addition, as a condition that defines the processing method after unloading, for example, the condition is that the item 2 is not handled by the picking operation due to a change in the type of the item 2 handled by the picking operation unit 3. is also conceivable.

As an example, in the present embodiment, the first set condition corresponds to the article 2 to be discarded. In addition, the second setting condition is that the article 2 is excluded from the objects to be handled in the picking operation. When the article 2U to be discarded is the article 2 (first article) to be discarded, the destination information included in the carry-out information D2 becomes information indicating the first carry-out work section 7 (first article area A3). If the article 2U is an article 2 (second article) not handled in the picking operation, the information indicates the second carry-out operation section 8 (second article area A4). The transport source information included in the carry-out information D2 is information indicating the room temperature picking unit 3A when the carry-out item 2U is a normal temperature item, and is information indicating the low temperature picking unit 3B when the carry-out item 2U is a low temperature item. It is information indicating

In the carry-out mode, the control device H conveys the first article placed on the conveying device 6 from the picking operation unit 3 to the first article area A3, and carries out the picking operation of the second article placed on the conveying device 6. The conveying device 6 is controlled so as to convey from the section 3 to the second article area A4. In the unloading mode, the control device H executes the first unloading process and the second unloading process at different times. Then, in the first carry-out process, the control device H controls the work instructing device 45 so as to instruct the first article, and transfers the first article placed on the conveying device 6 from the picking operation unit 3 to the second area. The conveying device 6 is controlled so as to convey to A2 (here, the first article area A3). In the second carry-out process, the control device H controls the work instructing device 45 so as to instruct the second article, and moves the second article placed on the conveying device 6 from the picking section 3 to the second area A2 ( Here, the conveying device 6 is controlled so as to convey to the second article area A4).

Next, the transport control of the control device H will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. When there is a command to switch to the picking work mode from the management device (S1: Yes), the control device H switches the operation mode to the picking work mode (S2), and when there is a command to switch to the carry-out mode from the management device ( S3: Yes) switches the operation mode to the unloading mode (S4). In the carry-out mode, if the article 2 indicated by the carry-out information D2 is the first article (S5: Yes), the first carry-out process is executed (S6), and the article 2 indicated by the carry-out information D2 is the second article. If there is (S5: No), the second unloading process is executed (S7). If there is no command to switch to the picking work mode from the management device and there is no command to switch to the carry-out mode (S1: No, S3: No), the current work mode is maintained.

In the picking operation mode, the control device H allocates one or a plurality of containers 1 based on the order information D1 and conveys the allocated containers 1 to the picking operation unit 3 . As a result, the picking operation is performed on the container 1 in the picking operation unit 3 . After that, the control device H controls the transfer device 6 and the automated warehouse 4 so that the container 1 containing all the target articles 2T indicated in the order information D1 is stored in the automated warehouse 4. When the item 2 indicated in the order information D1 is a normal temperature item, the controller H conveys the container 1 to the normal temperature picking section 3A as indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow [1] in FIG. After the picking operation, the transfer device 6 and the automatic warehouse 4 are controlled so that the container 1 containing all the normal temperature articles shown in the order information D1 is stored in the normal temperature automatic warehouse 4A. If the article 2 indicated in the order information D1 is a low-temperature article, the control device H moves the container 1 to the low-temperature picking unit 3B as indicated by the two-dot chain line arrow [2] in FIG. After the picking operation, the conveying device 6 and the automatic warehouse 4 are controlled so that the container 1 containing all the low-temperature goods shown in the order information D1 is stored in the low-temperature automatic warehouse 4B. Then, in the picking operation mode, the control device H, based on the order information D1, causes the container 1 to move from the automated warehouse 4 to the shipping operation unit, as indicated by the one-dot chain line arrow [3] and the two-dot chain line arrow [4]. It controls the conveying device 6 and the automatic warehouse 4 so that the goods are conveyed to the warehouse 5. At this time, when a plurality of containers 1 are assigned to one piece of order information D1, the conveying device 6 and the automated warehouse 4 are operated so that the plurality of containers 1 are continuously conveyed to the shipping operation unit 5. Control.

In the first carry-out process in the carry-out mode, the control device H conveys the carry-out article 2U placed on the carrier device 6 of the picking work unit 3 to the first carry-out work unit 7 by carry-out work based on the carry-out information D2. In this embodiment, when the article 2U to be carried out is the first article and the article at room temperature, the control device H controls the , from the room-temperature picking section 3A to the first unloading section 7 . In addition, when the article 2U to be carried out is the first article and the article to be carried out is a low-temperature article, the control device H controls the low-temperature picking operation section 3B as indicated by dashed arrows [6] and [7] in FIG. from to the first unloading work unit 7 .

In the second carry-out processing in the carry-out mode, the control device H conveys the carry-out article 2U placed on the carrier device 6 of the picking work unit 3 to the second carry-out work unit 8 by carry-out work based on the carry-out information D2. In this embodiment, when the article 2U to be carried out is the second article and the article at room temperature, the control device H performs It is transported from the low-temperature picking section 3B to the second unloading section 8 . In addition, when the article 2U to be carried out is the second article and is a low temperature article, the control device H moves the low temperature picking section 3B as indicated by the dashed line arrows [9] and [10] in FIG. from to the second unloading work unit 8 .

When switching from the carry-out mode to the picking work mode, the control device H carries out the carry-out until the carry-out work in the carry-out mode is completed (for example, the carry-out article 2U is not conveyed by the conveying device 6 in the picking work section 3). The mode is maintained, and after the carry-out work in the carry-out mode is completed, the mode is switched to the picking work mode. When the control device H switches from the picking work mode to the unloading mode, the picking work in the picking work mode is completed (for example, the container 1 is not transported by the transport device 6 in the picking work unit 3). The picking work mode is maintained until the picking work mode is completed, and then switched to the carry-out mode after the picking work in the picking work mode is completed. That is, the picking mode and the unloading mode are executed at different times.

Further, when executing the first carry-out process and the second carry-out process based on a plurality of carry-out information D2, the control device H executes the carry-out process after the previously executed carry-out process is completed (for example, the carry-out process in the carry-out process). After the articles to be carried out 2U are not transported by the transporting device 6 in the picking operation unit 3, the next transporting process is executed. In other words, the control device H executes a plurality of unloading processes based on the plurality of unloading information D2 at different times.

2. Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the picking facility will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, the first area A1 provided with the shipping operation unit 5 and the second area A2 provided with the first carry-out operation unit 7 and the second carry-out operation unit 8 are different areas. was described as an example. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, a configuration in which the shipping work section 5 and at least one of the first carry-out work section 7 and the second carry-out work section 8 are used as a common work section, and the first area A1 and the second area A2 are the same area. may be

(2) In the above embodiment, the second area A2 is divided into the first article area A3 provided with the first carry-out work unit 7 and the second article area A4 provided with the second carry-out work unit 8. A configuration with two areas has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the second area A2 may be configured to be an area in which one carry-out work unit is provided, or may be configured to be an area in which three or more carry-out work units are provided.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the first unloading process and the second unloading process are performed at different times has been described as an example. However, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when there are both a first article and a second article in the articles to be carried out 2U, both the first article and the second article are placed on the conveying device 6, and the first article and the second article are mixed. The article to be carried out 2U may be transported to the second area A2 in this state. In this case, even if the second area A2 is provided with only one area provided with the unloading work section, the first article and the second article are transported to the same area (the same unloading work section). The second area A2 may be provided with a first article area A3 and a second article area A4 so that the first article is conveyed to the first article area A3 and the second article is conveyed to the second article area A4. may be transported to

(4) It should be noted that the configurations disclosed in the respective embodiments described above can also be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as there is no contradiction. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

3. Outline of the above-described embodiment An outline of the picking facility described above will be described below.

The picking equipment includes a picking work unit in which a worker picks out a target article from among the articles stored in the storage unit and puts it in a container, a conveying device for conveying the container for which the picking work has been completed, and the A control device that controls the transport device,
The conveying device is configured to be capable of conveying an article that is not in the container, and it is necessary to carry out an article that is not the target article among the articles that are accommodated in the accommodating section and that is carried out from the accommodating section. The picking unit includes a work instruction device that instructs the worker about the target item and the item to be carried out among the items stored in the storage unit, and the control The operation mode of the device can be switched between a picking operation mode and an unloading mode, and in the picking operation mode, the control device controls the transport device to transport the container to the picking operation unit. and controlling the work instructing device to indicate the target article, and further controlling the conveying device to convey the container for which the picking work has been completed from the picking work section to a prescribed first area. , in the carry-out mode, the control device controls the work instruction device so as to indicate the articles to be carried out, and the articles to be carried out placed on the conveying device from the picking operation section to a prescribed second area; The transport device is controlled to transport.

According to this configuration, when the operation mode of the control device is the picking operation mode, the container is conveyed to the picking operation section by the conveying device, and the target article is instructed to the worker by the work instructing device. Therefore, based on the instructions of the work instruction device, the worker can appropriately perform the picking work of putting the target article into the container conveyed to the picking work section. Then, the container containing the target article by the picking operation is transported to the first area by the transport device. Further, when the operation mode of the control device is the carry-out mode, the work instruction device instructs the worker to carry-out articles. Therefore, the worker can take out the article to be carried out from the storage section and place the article to be carried out on the conveying device based on the instruction of the work instruction device. Then, the article to be carried out placed on the conveying device is conveyed to the second area by the conveying device.

As described above, according to this configuration, when the article to be carried out needs to be taken out of the storage section and carried out separately from the picking operation, the operation mode of the control device is set to the carry-out mode, and the worker can move the article to be carried out to the conveying device. By simply placing the article, the article to be carried out can be conveyed to the second area using the conveying device used for the picking operation. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually carry out the articles to be carried out, avoiding the conveying device, and the work of carrying out the articles to be taken out from the storage section can be simplified.

Here, the second area includes an area for a first article and an area for a second article. In the carry-out mode, the control device determines that the article to be carried out that meets a second set condition that is a set condition and is different from the first set condition is the second article, and that the article is placed on the conveying device. the picked first item is conveyed from the picking unit to the first item area, and the second item placed on the conveying device is conveyed from the picking unit to the second item area. Secondly, it is preferable to control the conveying device.

According to this configuration, the first item among the items to be carried out that meets the first set condition can be transported to the first item area, and the second item among the items to be carried out that meets the second set condition can be transported. can be conveyed to the second article area. As described above, according to this configuration, the first article and the second article carried out from the storage section can be conveyed to different areas. This makes it easy to handle them differently.

Also, the article to be carried out that meets a first set condition that is a preset condition is defined as a first article, and the article that meets a second set condition that is a preset condition that is different from the first set condition is set as the first article. With the article to be carried out as a second article, in the carry-out mode, the control device executes the first carry-out process and the second carry-out process at different times, and in the first carry-out process, the control device and controlling the work instructing device to indicate the first article, and conveying the first article placed on the conveying device from the picking operation section to the second area. In the second carry-out process, the control device controls the work instruction device to indicate the second article, and controls the second article placed on the conveying device in the picking operation Preferably, the transport device is controlled to transport from the unit to the second area.

According to this configuration, the first article is conveyed to the second area by the control device executing the first carry-out process, and the second article is conveyed to the second area by the control device executing the second carry-out process. can be carried out at different times. In this manner, according to this configuration, the first article and the second article carried out from the storage section can be carried out at different times, so that the first article and the second article that meet different conditions can be carried out. can be handled differently.

Further, it is preferable that each of the first set condition and the second set condition is a condition that defines at least one of a management temperature of the article to be carried out, an expiration date, an article type, and a processing method after carrying out. .

According to this configuration, the articles to be carried out can be divided into the first article and the second article based on the conditions specified for the management temperature, the expiration date, the type of article, or the processing method after the article is carried out. . Therefore, it becomes easy to appropriately handle the first article and the second article carried out to the second area according to the respective conditions.

The technology according to the present disclosure can be used in a picking facility that includes a picking work unit in which a worker performs picking work, a transport device that transports containers, and a control device that controls the transport device.

1: container 2: article 2T: target article 2U: article to be carried out 3: picking operation unit 6: conveying device 21: storage unit 45: work instruction device A1: first area A2: second area A3: first article area A4 : Second article area H: Control device M: Operator

Claims (4)

a picking operation unit in which a worker performs a picking operation of taking out a target item from among the items stored in the storage unit and placing it in a container;
a conveying device that conveys the container for which the picking operation has been completed;
A picking facility comprising a control device that controls the conveying device,
The conveying device is configured to be able to convey an article that is not in the container,
An item that is not the target item among the items stored in the storage unit and that needs to be carried out from the storage unit is defined as an item to be carried out,
The picking operation unit includes a work instruction device that instructs the worker about the target item and the item to be carried out among the items stored in the storage unit,
The control device can switch the operation mode between a picking operation mode and a carry-out mode,
In the picking work mode, the control device controls the transport device to transport the container to the picking work section, controls the work instruction device to indicate the target article, and controlling the transport device so as to transport the container for which the picking operation has been completed from the picking operation unit to a prescribed first area;
In the carry-out mode, the control device controls the work instructing device so as to indicate the article to be carried out, and the article to be carried out picked up from the storage section by the picking section and placed on the conveying device. A picking facility that controls the transport device to transport from the picking station to a prescribed second area. the second area includes a first product area and a second product area;
The article to be carried out that satisfies a first set condition that is a preset condition is defined as a first article, and the article that satisfies a second set condition that is a preset condition and is different from the first set condition is set as a first article. With the item to be shipped as the second item,
In the carry-out mode, the control device conveys the first article placed on the conveying device from the picking operation unit to the first article area, and conveys the second article placed on the conveying device. 2. The picking facility according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is controlled to transport from the picking station to the second article area. The article to be carried out that satisfies a first set condition that is a preset condition is defined as a first article, and the article that satisfies a second set condition that is a preset condition and is different from the first set condition is set as a first article. With the item to be shipped as the second item,
In the carry-out mode, the control device executes the first carry-out process and the second carry-out process at different times,
In the first carry-out process, the control device controls the work instruction device to indicate the first article, and removes the first article placed on the conveying device from the picking operation unit to the first article. Control the transport device to transport to 2 areas,
In the second carry-out process, the control device controls the work instructing device to instruct the second article, and removes the second article placed on the conveying device from the picking operation section to the second article. 3. The picking facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport device is controlled to transport to two areas. 4. Each of said first setting condition and said second setting condition is a condition that defines at least one of a management temperature of said article to be carried out, an expiration date, an article type, and a processing method after carrying out. Picking equipment as described in .

Images