JPH02288737A - Communication equipment for cargo vehicle truck - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To average number of times of operations for each cargo vehicle by storing number of times of transferring a command data to each cargo vehicle by each cargo vehicle, indexing the cargo vehicle with least transfer number of times of the command data based on a stored data and transferring the succeeding command data. CONSTITUTION:When a command data inputted by a personal computer 5 depicts automatic car distribution, a fork lift 3 with the least transfer number of times is specified in the command data based on the preceding stored data stored already in a memory 6a. Then a radio section 7 is operated to transfer the command data to a specified fork lift 3. Then number of times of the command data is incremented by '1' as to the specified fork lift 3. On the other hand, in the case of not being the automatic car distribution, the fork lift 3 to transfer the command data is specified based on the data commanded optionally by the operator of the personal computer 5.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a communication device for cargo handling vehicles that transfers command data for instructing cargo handling operations from a master station to a plurality of cargo handling vehicles that are slave stations. .

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of communication device has been used, for example, in multiple cargo handling vehicles (forklifts, etc.) operating in a factory or warehouse.
(Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 193342/1982) has been proposed in which command data for cargo handling work is transferred.

[Problem B to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional communication device, the operator at the master station appropriately selects to which cargo handling vehicle the next command data is to be transferred. It was just that.

For this reason, the number of times command data is transferred varies depending on the cargo handling vehicle, and there is a risk that the number of times the vehicle is operated becomes extremely high or low, resulting in non-uniformity for each cargo handling vehicle.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to make it possible to average the number of operations of each cargo handling vehicle, to equalize the work load of each cargo handling vehicle, and to perform multiple cargo handling operations. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device for a cargo handling vehicle that can improve the operating efficiency of the entire vehicle.

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides cargo handling vehicle communication for transmitting command data for instructing cargo handling work from a master station to a plurality of cargo handling vehicles that are slave stations. In the device, a command number storage means is provided at the master station and stores the number of times the command data has been transferred to each cargo handling vehicle for each cargo handling vehicle, and a command number storage means is also provided at the master station and is used to transfer the next command data. The cargo handling vehicle specifying means determines and specifies the cargo handling vehicle that has transferred the least number of command data based on the stored data stored in the command number storage means.

[Operation] Therefore, the command number storage means stores the number of times the command data is transferred to each cargo handling vehicle for each cargo handling vehicle, and the cargo handling vehicle specifying means stores the number of times the command data is transferred to each cargo handling vehicle. The cargo handling vehicle that has transferred the least number of command data is determined and specified based on the stored data stored in the storage data. Therefore, there is no imbalance in the number of times the command data is transferred for each cargo handling vehicle.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is embodied in a forklift will be described in detail based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, in an office 1 serving as a master station, there are a plurality of forklifts (only one shown) 3 serving as slave stations working in a warehouse 2 as cargo handling vehicles. A transmitting device 4 for a master station is installed for transmitting messages such as command data for instructing cargo handling operations to the master station.

As shown in FIG. 3, this master station transmitting device 4 is equipped with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "personal computer") 5 that can input and output display matters such as command data to be transmitted to the forklift truck 3. It is comprised of a control section 6 that controls the exchange of signals with the personal computer 5 and inputs/outputs electrical signals, and a wireless section 7 that transmits the electrical signals to and from the control section 6 as radio waves.

Here, the radio section 7 is equipped with an FSX modulation circuit, uses the frequency of an empty television channel, and transmits weak radio waves that are not regulated by the Radio Law.

The control unit 6 also includes a memo I76a as a command number storage means for cumulatively storing for each forklift 3 the number of times the command data has been transferred to each forklift 3, that is, the number of times corresponding to the number of operations of each forklift 3. ing. In addition, in order to transfer the next command data to each forklift 3, the control unit 6 determines and specifies the forklift 3 that has transmitted the command data the least number of times based on the previous stored data stored in the memory 6a. This constitutes cargo handling vehicle identification means. Therefore, the control unit 6 uses the memory 6a.
In order to transfer the command data to the forklift 3 specified based on the stored data, the wireless unit 7 is activated to transmit radio waves of the command data.

Note that the memory 6a of the control unit 6 not only accumulates and stores the number of transfers of command data, but also serves as a memory that temporarily stores command data input by the personal computer 5.

On the other hand, the forklift 3 is equipped with a slave station reception bag Wt8 that receives radio waves transmitted from the master station transmitter 4. This slave station receiving device 8 is a master station transmitting device 4.
a wireless unit 9 for receiving radio waves from the wireless unit 9; a control unit 1O for temporarily storing and controlling signals from the wireless unit 9 and outputting the signals to the output unit; and the output unit for displaying received command data. a liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 as an output unit; a printer 12 as an output unit that also prints command data;
It is composed of a notification buzzer 13 and a revolving light 14. Note that the radio section 9 includes an FSK demodulation circuit corresponding to the radio section 7 of the master station transmitter 4, and receives weak radio waves that are not subject to the regulations of the Radio Law.

As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD 11, printer 12, and buzzer 13 are each arranged on an instrument panel 15. The LCD 11 is capable of displaying 20 digits x 4 lines, and the printer 12 is capable of printing 20 digits on printing paper P.

As shown in FIG. 1, various cargo items B placed on a plurality of pallets 17 are stored in an array on a storage shelf 16 provided in the warehouse 2. Therefore, forklift 3
The worker W selects the cargo B to be handled based on the command data output and displayed on the LCD 11 or the printer 12.
is identified, and the forklift 3 is operated to travel toward the cargo B.

Next, the operation of the master station transmitter 4 will be explained according to the flowchart of FIG. 4. Note that this flowchart shows the processing operation of the control section 6.

First, when communicating matters such as command data for cargo handling work from the office 1 to the worker W of the forklift 3, the personal computer 5 is used to input the matters. The manual method is performed by interacting with the personal computer 5.

Then, in step 101, the command data inputted by the personal computer 5 is manually input and the data is stored in the memory 6.
a, and the process moves to step 102.

In step 102, it is determined whether the input data is data instructing automatic vehicle allocation.

That is, the forklift 3 to which the command data is to be transferred is automatically specified by the control unit 6, or the forklift 3 to which the command data is to be transferred is controlled by the personal computer 5.
It is determined whether the control is arbitrarily instructed by the operator.

Then, in the case of automatic dispatch, the process moves to step 103, and the forklift 3 that has transferred the command data the least number of times is specified based on the previous stored data already stored in the memory 6a.

For example, if the forklift 3 that has transferred the least number of command data is "Vehicle A", that "Vehicle A" is specified.

Next, the process moves to step 104, in which the wireless section 7 is used to transfer command data to the specified forklift 3.
Activate. That is, when the identified forklift 3 is "A vehicle J", the wireless unit 7 is activated in order to transmit command data for cargo handling work to "A vehicle".

Then, the process moves to step 105, and the number of transfers of command data is added by rlJ for the specified forklift 3. That is, the number of transfers of the “A car” is rlOJ
In this case, "11" obtained by adding "1" becomes the cumulative number of transfers. This cumulative number of transfers is for each forklift 3.
It is stored separately for each item.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 102 that the vehicle is not automatically dispatched, the process moves to step 106, and the forklift 3 to which the command data is to be transferred is specified based on data arbitrarily instructed by the operator of the personal computer 5.

Then, in step 104, the command data is transferred to the arbitrarily specified and specified forklift 3 by jumping, and at the same time, the process proceeds to step 105, and the number of transfers of the command data for the specified forklift 3 is calculated r.
Add only lJ.

As described above, the command data is transferred to each forklift 3, that is, the radio wave of the command data is transmitted from the master station transmitter 4, and the radio wave is received by the slave station receiver 8 of the specified forklift 3. Then, the control unit 10 of the slave station receiving device 8 operates the LCD II and the printer 12 in order to display the processed command data to the worker W. Further, the control unit 10 causes the buzzer 13 to sound in order to ventilate the worker W's attention, and also causes the revolving light 14 to sound.
lights up.

Therefore, the operator W of the forklift 3 can read the command data displayed on the LCD 11 or the printing paper P of the printer 12.
In order to carry out cargo handling work according to the command data printed on the
The forklift 3 will be operated.

As described above, in this embodiment, when transferring command data to any one of the plurality of forklifts 3, it is possible to specify the forklift 3 that has transferred the least number of times and transfer the command data.

Therefore, the command data can be averaged and transferred to all the forklifts 3, and it is possible to prevent deviations in the number of times the command data is transferred for each forklift 3. As a result, it is possible to prevent extreme deviations in the number of times each forklift 3 is operated, and it is possible to average the number of times each forklift 3 is operated. The overall operating efficiency of the forklift 3 can be improved.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
The present invention can be implemented as follows by changing a part of the structure as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(1) In the above embodiments, the embodiment is embodied in a manned forklift 3, but it may also be embodied in a manned cargo handling vehicle other than the forklift 3, or in an automatically operated unmanned cargo handling vehicle or an automatic guided vehicle. good.

Further, in the case of the automatic guided vehicle, command data may be transferred to the guided vehicle via a guide line for guiding the guided vehicle.

(2) In the above embodiment, the master station transmitter 4 was installed in the office 1, but the master station transmitter 4 was installed in another forklift 3.
It may be installed in In short, the master station does not need to be the office 1, and may be a mobile object such as the forklift 3.

(3) In the above embodiment, the transmitter 4 for the master station is a unidirectional communication device that only performs transmission, but it may also be implemented as a transmitter/receiver for the master station, which is a bidirectional communication device. good.

(4) In the above embodiment, the frequency of an empty TV channel was used as the radio wave for transmission, and weak radio waves that were not regulated by the Radio Law were used; however, the frequency and output of the radio waves are not limited to these. It is acceptable as long as the use is permitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, it is possible to average the number of operations of each cargo handling vehicle, equalize the work load of each cargo handling vehicle, and reduce the overall operation of multiple cargo handling vehicles. It has the excellent effect of improving efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment embodying the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an instrument panel, and Fig. 3 shows the relationship between a transmitting device for a master station and a receiving device for a slave station. The block diagram shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the master station transmitter. In the figure, l is an office as a master station, 3 is a forklift as a cargo handling vehicle which is a slave station, 6 is a control unit as cargo handling vehicle identification means, and 6a is a memory as a command number storage means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A communication device for cargo handling vehicles that transfers command data for instructing cargo handling work from a master station to a plurality of cargo handling vehicles that are slave stations, comprising: a command number storage means for storing the number of times the command data has been transferred for each of the cargo handling vehicles; and storage data stored in the command number storage means provided in the master station and used to transfer the next command data. A communication device for a cargo handling vehicle, comprising: cargo handling vehicle identifying means for determining and specifying a cargo handling vehicle that has transferred the least number of command data based on the following.