JPH03143802A - Picking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform picking to sorting speedily and correctly by displaying an article containing point, reading the identification code of a picked article, and displaying its destination and quantity at a sorting point based on article information preliminarily memorized based on a picking command. CONSTITUTION:The code, quantity, destination, etc., are inputted by an input device 12 of a computer 10 based on an order. The information are memorized in a memorizing device, the short and containing point for the inputted article identification code are read among preliminarily memorized information, and the sort of the article and the containing point are displayed in a display device 11. An operator moves a picking device for picking an article based on display, and reads the article identification code by a bar code reader 14. A light emitter 7 at an aperture part 6 for the destination by the read code is lighted. The article is therefore contained in the aperture part 6. The articles can thus be picked and sorted speedily and accurately.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a picking device, and in particular, to a picking device that allows an operator to pick out multiple types of items in response to an order, etc. from a wide variety of items stored on shelves in a warehouse or the like. When carrying out the product, it has the function of instructing the worker about the storage location of the articles to be carried out and presenting information for automatically sorting the articles to be carried out, as well as the ability to move with the worker as necessary. The present invention relates to a picking device having the following features.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when carrying out multiple types of items from the warehouse by referring to instruction slips such as purchase orders from among the many types of items stored on shelves in warehouses, workers have to store the items as instructed while looking at the slips. The location of each item was confirmed, the items were moved to that location and picked up (picking), placed on a transport vehicle, and transported.

This conventional method places a heavy burden on workers, and has the disadvantage that, especially when the number of types of items to be transported increases, errors are likely to occur due to human factors when it comes to finding storage locations and sorting them. .

Therefore, a rotary shelf, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 16904/1982, has been proposed as a picking device intended to mechanize the work of taking out a wide variety of articles (hereinafter also referred to as picking work). . This rotating shelf has multiple movable shelves on an endless rail.
These shelves are configured to move forward and backward to form a rotating shelf, and a workbench is provided at an appropriate outside position, and a weighing device, a bagging machine, and a shelf control device are installed on this workbench. configured to provide With this configuration, when order data is given, the ordered items are picked under the control of the shelf control device, and the required amount of items are packed into bags.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, according to the configuration of the above-mentioned rotary shelf, when taking out the desired item, the shelf containing the item must be moved to the workbench, so if there are many types of items to be taken out, it is difficult to remove the item. , it takes a long time to rotate the shelves, and it takes a very long time to complete the work. Furthermore, there is no special mechanism for sorting the articles taken out from the shelves, for example, by destination, and therefore the sorting operation must be performed manually, which is a very troublesome task.

An object of the present invention is to enable a worker to easily know the storage locations of various types of articles to be carried out from a warehouse, etc., and to partially sort the various types of articles taken out from the shelves by delivery destination. To provide a small and lightweight picking device which can be automated and facilitated to perform quick and accurate picking, and which can be easily handled by a worker and can be moved freely with the worker.

[Means to solve the problem]

The picking device according to the present invention includes a picking instruction manual means for receiving a picking instruction for each type of article, which includes an article identification code, the number of articles to be taken out, and a sorting information for a plurality of types of articles to be picked up, and at least an article identification code and a storage position. Storage means for storing article storage information including article storage information in advance for each type of article, and storing article identification code, number of items to be taken out, sorting destination, and storage position in association with each other based on a picking command inputted to the picking command input means. Based on the input operations of the code reading means for reading the article identification code attached to the article and the picking command input means,
A sorting machine that is equipped with a display means that shows the worker at least storage position information of the articles to be taken out, and a plurality of article insertion openings for sorting, and a sorting location indicator is provided at a location corresponding to each opening. According to the input information in the picking command input device, the article identification code and the number of items to be taken out are determined for each of the boxes according to the input information in the picking command input device. Sorting is performed by storing the destination and storage position in association with each other, causing the display means to display the storage position of each article scheduled to be taken out, and when the code reading device reads the article identification code of the article, the sorting is performed by associating the article with the storage position in the frame. and a control means for causing a teaching operation of a location teaching device for the corresponding sorting.

In the above configuration, the picking device according to the present invention is configured to include a moving mechanism that can move together with a worker who performs picking work.

The picking device according to the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, and is configured such that the sorting containers can be moved in and out of the cart portion of the picking device.

[Effect]

In the above-mentioned picking device, based on the operation of the control means, the article identification code, number of items to be taken out, and sorting for multiple types of articles to be taken out from the warehouse etc. are input by the worker using the input means as a picking command using the above information. Storage position information etc. are retrieved for each item based on the item identification code and information stored in the storage means, and the display device displays at least the type and storage position of the item to be taken out to provide information to the worker, and the delivery The sorting system uses optical information for sorting, and uses a location indicator for the sorting provided on the frame.The system forms a sorting system that uses the identification code of each item that the worker takes out from the shelf during picking work. When the code is read by the code reading means, the system automatically instructs the sorting location, and when the picked-up articles are placed into the designated opening according to the instruction, the sorting is executed.

In a picking device having a moving mechanism, an operator can freely move the item to a storage position by manual operation using the moving function.

Furthermore, for sorting, it is convenient to configure containers so that they can be taken in and out of the trolley of the picking device, as they can be used for both picking and delivery operations.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a picking device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the device, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the device. . The picking device according to this embodiment includes wheels as a moving mechanism.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, 1 is a plate-shaped lower support base;
For example, four wheels 2 are mounted on the bottom and side surfaces of the lower support base 1.
A frame 3 having a frame 3 is fixed thereto, and has the function as a truck as a whole. A portion of the four wheels 2 (the wheel on the right side in FIG. 2) has a structure that allows the traveling direction to be changed. The frame 3 is fixed to the lower support 1 by using both side surfaces (the front and back surfaces in FIG. 2) and the front and rear lower portions (second left and right portions) of the lower support 1. This frame 3 has its lower part fixed to the lower support 1, and has side frame parts extending upward at both side surfaces of the lower support 1, and is arranged in an almost horizontal state at the upper position. A rectangular frame 3A is provided.

A part of this frame 3A is used as a handle to be held by the operator.

4 is the frame body, and the frame body 4 is the frame body 3.
It is fixedly installed on the side frame portion of and the frame frame 3A.

For sorting, the frame body 4 is disposed above the frame 3, and is disposed horizontally near the frame frame 3A. For this reason,
A space surrounded by two side frame parts located on both sides of the frame 3 is formed between the lower support base 1 and the sorting frame 4. In this space, for example, two box-shaped sorting containers 5 as described later are arranged side by side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in particular, a plurality of openings 6 for sorting are formed in two rows along the long sides on the upper surface of the frame 4. The openings 6 for sorting have a rectangular shape, for example, and a slit-shaped hole, for example, penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface of the frame 5 is formed corresponding to each of the plurality of openings 6. has been done. Further, for sorting, a light emitting device 7 such as an LED is disposed on the upper surface of the frame 4 in correspondence with each opening 6. The light emitting device 7 uses its light emitting operation to provide sorting information to the worker during picking work, and the worker simply puts the items taken out from the shelf into the corresponding opening 6 according to the light emitted from the light emitting device. Can be sorted.

A computer stand 9 attached to a column 8 is disposed above one end of the sorting frame 4, and a computer 10 having an information processing function is disposed on the computer stand 9. This computer 10 is a commercially available personal computer, has a portable and compact form, and is equipped with a display device 11 such as a liquid crystal panel and an input device 12 such as a keyboard. Further, a controller box 13A containing a controller 13, which will be described later, is fixed to the lower side of the computer stand 9. Furthermore, for sorting, a barcode reader 14 is disposed on the upper surface of the other end of the frame 4. This barcode reader 14 is used to read a barcode attached to an article to identify the article.

FIG. 6 shows a control system that executes information processing and control centered on the computer 10 and controller 13.

In FIG. 6, the input device 12 attached to the computer 10 and the storage device 15 such as a floppy disk disposed inside the computer 10 are shown as blocks. 11 is the display device described above, and 10A is the computer 1.
1 shows an information processing unit configured by a CPU included in 0.

The display device 11, input device 12, and storage device 15 are connected to the information processing section 10A of the computer 10.

The barcode reader 14 is connected to the information processing section 10. A and transmits the read identification data of the article to the computer 10. Further, the controller 13 is connected to the computer 10.
It is connected to the information processing unit 10A so as to be able to receive instructions for sorting, and based on the instructions, generates a light emission signal for control that enables sorting, and selects which of the plurality of light emitters 7. It is connected to each of the light emitters 7 so that it can be supplied with light. With such a connection configuration, the information processing unit 10A of the computer 10 generally creates required data based on information input from the input device 12 or barcode reader 14 and information stored in advance in the storage device 15. The display device 11 displays information necessary for the operator, or the sorting function has a function of causing one of the plurality of light emitting devices 7 arranged on the top surface of the frame 4 to emit light as teaching information for sorting. have Detailed operations for the picking work will be described later.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the sorting container 5 arranged in the space between the frame body 4 and the lower support base 1. As shown in FIG. The sorting container 5 has a box-like shape with an open top surface, and a plurality of partition plates 5a are arranged inside. This partition plate 5a
A plurality of article storage sections 16 are formed by this. Each of the article storage sections 16 is sorted in correspondence with each of the openings 6 formed in the frame 4. In the sorting container 5 placed in the space, the articles inputted from any of the openings 6 pass through the hole corresponding to the opening in the frame 4, and are further sorted into the corresponding article storage section. Enter 16. In this way, it is possible to sort the articles according to their delivery destination, etc. during the picking operation. For sorting, containers 5 are placed on the lower support stand 1
It is placed on a trolley, and can be freely placed on or taken out from this trolley. In addition, 17 is a grip part for taking out and putting in containers.

Next, a description will be given of the picking operation using the picking device having the above configuration and the operation of the picking device.

First, as a premise for using this picking device, a code for identifying the various articles stored on shelves in a warehouse or the like is attached to each article in the form of a bar code.

The worker uses the input device 12 of the computer 10 to enter the codes (or types, as the case may be) of the multiple types of items to be removed, the number of items to be removed, and the delivery of the items, in accordance with the order slip for the items to be removed. Enter the destination etc. Data related to the article to be taken out, which is input by the operator through the input device 12, is stored in the storage device 15 by the information processing operation of the information processing section 10A. On the other hand, the storage device 15 stores the type of the article and storage position information in the warehouse, such as a shelf position number, in association with the code for identifying the article. Therefore,
When the identification code of an article to be taken out is inputted via the input device 15, the information processing section 10A reads out the type and storage position information of the article corresponding to the identification code of the article from the storage device 15. Then, the information processing section 10A causes the display device 11 to display the type, number, and storage position information of each article to be taken out in association with each other. On the other hand, it is required that the inputted plural types of articles be sorted, for example, by delivery destination. Therefore, the information processing unit 10A sends the light emitting device 7 to each of the plurality of delivery destinations input corresponding to each of the articles to be taken out.
correspond.

That is, one of the light emitters 7 and the corresponding opening 6 are assigned to each delivery destination. This allocation information is also stored in the storage device 15.

Next, while viewing the storage position information about the article to be taken out displayed on the display device 11, the operator grasps the frame portion 3A and pushes the entire picking device to locate the storage location in the warehouse of the first article to be taken out. Move up to.

When the destination is reached, the item is taken out from the shelf and the barcode, which is the identification code of the item, is read into the barcode reader 14.
Let me read it. Based on the read article identification code, the information processing section 10A retrieves the data of the light emitting device 7 corresponding to the delivery destination of each article stored in the storage device 15 as described above from the storage device 15, and performs sorting based on this data. creates a command and sends it to the controller 13. Controller 13
When the sorter receives a command, it causes a predetermined light emitting device 7 to emit light based on this command. Therefore, when one of the light emitters 7 in the frame body 4 generates a light emitting action, the operator inserts the picked-up articles into the opening 6 corresponding to that light emitter. Since the number of pieces to be taken out is displayed on the display device 11, the operator can carry out the work to take out while checking the number of pieces. In this way, according to the configuration of the picking device according to the present embodiment, the operator simply follows the light emitting operation of the light emitter 7 and places the article taken out from the shelf into the opening 6 corresponding to the light emitter that emitted the light. Furthermore, the sorting is carried out into a predetermined article storage section 16 of the container 5, thereby allowing automatic sorting. When the first type of item has been removed from the shelf, the worker should:
According to the display contents of the display device 15 again, the picking device moves to the storage position of the next article to be taken out. Display device 1
The display format of the articles to be taken out in step 1 may be such that data regarding all articles are displayed from the beginning, or may be displayed sequentially in accordance with the taking-out operation. In this way, the picking operation continues in the order of the first article, second article, third article, etc. When the picking work for all the articles is completed, the information processing unit 10 of the computer 10
A signal indicating the end of work is output. At the time when the picking work is completed, the computer 10 and controller 13 of the above-mentioned picking device have a function that instructs the operator on the sorting points based on the frame 14, etc.
Sorting of all the articles to be taken out has been completed in the container 5.

After the picking operation is completed, the operator extracts the sorted containers 5 from the picking device, and then performs the delivery operation.

Note that the total number of articles of each type in each column is stored in advance in the storage device 15 of the computer 10, the difference between the total number of articles and the number taken out by the picking operation is calculated, and the number of articles to be replenished is then displayed on the display device 11. You can also do that. Replenishment operations are then performed based on such replenishment data.

In the above embodiment, the picking device was equipped with a moving mechanism using wheels 2, but this moving mechanism is not always necessary.

In addition, as another modified embodiment, instead of the worker inputting information on the articles to be picked using the input device 12 at the start of the picking operation, the operator inputs information on the articles to be picked using the host computer in advance at a predetermined time or periodically. It can also be configured for input.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.

A computer system is used to manage the items to be picked by identifying the items with item identification codes, and the storage location and number of items in the warehouse etc. are provided to the worker on a display device, so the worker can easily pick the items. You can easily obtain the information required during picking operations,
Picking work can be done easily and quickly.

Furthermore, since the sorter equipped with the computer system, controller, and teaching device is configured to have a teaching function through the frame body, the operator can perform the sorter's work simply by following the instructions. It is possible to reduce the burden on the worker and perform picking work more quickly and accurately.

Since it has a configuration including a moving mechanism, it can be moved freely together with the worker, improving ease of handling and increasing workability.

Sorting is convenient because the container itself becomes a unit and can be shared for both picking and delivery operations.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a picking device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the device, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device, Fig. 4 is a side view of the device, and Fig. 5 is a sorting device. A perspective view of the container, Figure 6 shows the structure of the computer system: lower support base, wheels, frame, φ division is the frame, - division is the container, partition plate, opening, light emitting device, computer・・Information processing unit・・Display device・・Input device・・Controller・・Barcode league・・Storage device・・Goods storage unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A picking command input means that receives a picking command consisting of an article identification code, the number of items to be taken out, and a sorting destination for multiple types of articles to be picked up for each type of article; storage means for storing in advance an article identification code, the number of items to be taken out, a sorting destination, and a storage position in association with each other based on the picking command inputted to the picking instruction input means; a code reading means for reading an article identification code; a display means for indicating to a worker at least storage position information of the article to be taken out based on the input operation of the picking command input means; and an opening for inserting articles for sorting. a sorting container having a plurality of sorting frame bodies and having a sorting location indicator at a location corresponding to each opening; a sorting container having a plurality of sorting article storage parts corresponding to each opening of the sorting frame; According to the input information from the picking command input device, the storage means stores the article identification code, the number of items to be taken out, the sorting destination, and the storage position for each of the plurality of types of items scheduled to be taken out in association with each other, and the display means stores each of the plurality of types of goods scheduled to be taken out in association with each other. control means for displaying the storage position of the article and for causing a teaching operation of a sorting location teaching device corresponding to the sorting destination of the article in the sorting frame when the code reading means reads the article identification code of the article; A picking device characterized by: (2) The picking device according to claim 1, further comprising a moving mechanism capable of moving together with a worker who performs picking work. (3) In the picking device according to claim 1 or 2,
A picking device characterized in that the sorting container can be taken in and out of the picking device main body.