JPH03166102A - Sorting facility - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the sorting efficiency by arranging a plurality of accommodation racks dispersedly along the transport line while divided into a plurality of assortment zones, furnishing a mobile dolly in each zone, and indicating the takeout information and accommodation information to each zone operator. CONSTITUTION:A ground controller, not illustrated, actuates a stopper 5 and holds a vessel 1, which is transported by a transport line L, when the vessel is transported to a certain sorting part A1 is object accommodation works on the basis of information about the vessel 1 transporting sequence etc. On the other hand, operator for each zone takes out object to a mobile dolly B and transfers to the vessel 1 in conformity to the takeout information indicated at each rack 2. When a transfer process complete button 8 is pushed, the stopper 5 is disengaged, and the vessel 1 is sent to the next sorting part A1 or No.2 sorting part A2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to article sorting equipment used to sort multiple types of articles according to shipping destinations.

[Conventional technology]

When sorting goods according to shipping destination, generally,
This is often done by storing multiple types of items on multiple shelves, and then sequentially removing the items from the shelves and storing them in containers that will be shipped to the same destination.

However, depending on the destination, the shipment may be in small quantities and in a wide variety of products.When sorting such small quantities and in a wide variety of products, for example, it is necessary to sort the products taken from the shelf by each destination. The use of multiple mobile vehicles that can be stored is practiced.

Conventionally, each moving vehicle was driven to all the shelves, and each moving vehicle was made to store all types of articles ordered by each sorting destination.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

As mentioned above, if each mobile vehicle was assigned the responsibility of sorting all types of goods, there was a risk that each work vehicle would be concentrated in one place to store the same type of goods, resulting in work delays. . Also, for example, when a worker drives a mobile vehicle to a shelf where target items are stored based on a work slip and performs sorting work, it is necessary to carry out sorting work until the worker fully understands the arrangement of the shelves, etc. This makes it difficult to perform work efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a first object thereof is to efficiently sort a large number of products in small quantities.

A second purpose is to make it possible to efficiently sort large quantities and small numbers of articles by utilizing the structure for achieving the first purpose.

[Means to solve the problem]

A first feature of the article sorting equipment according to the present invention is that a conveyance line for sequentially conveying containers determined to one of the plurality of sorting destinations is provided, and a plurality of shelves for storing the plurality of types of articles are provided. are provided in a dispersed manner in the conveying direction of the conveying line, and the plurality of shelves are divided into a plurality of sorting zones along the conveying direction of the conveying line, and each of the sorting zones has one shelf. A mobile vehicle is arranged that can sort and store the articles taken out from the shelves into each sorting destination, and the workers in each of the sorting zones are instructed which articles of each sorting destination should be taken out from the shelves to the mobile vehicle. Retrieval information instructing means is provided, and storage information instructing means instructs a worker in each of the sorting zones which containers on the transport line are to store the articles for each sorting destination stored in the mobile vehicle. It is at the point where it is set up.

A second feature structure is that a plurality of shelf portions for storing a plurality of types of articles are arranged along the container conveyance direction, corresponding to a line portion of the conveyance line that is different from a line portion where the plurality of shelves are located. and a take-out information indicating means for instructing articles to be taken out from each shelf portion to a container on the conveyance line.

[For production]

In the first characteristic configuration, the shelves each mobile vehicle is responsible for, that is,
By classifying the types of goods that one worker is responsible for,
This allows work vehicles to avoid concentrating on one place to store the same type of items. Furthermore, by classifying the types of articles that one worker is responsible for, the worker can quickly understand the arrangement of shelves, etc., and can perform the sorting work efficiently.

In the second characteristic configuration, articles may be taken out from a shelf section that stores multiple types of articles and stored in containers on the conveyance line in a line section that is different from the line section where the plurality of shelves are located on the conveyance line. By making it possible to
This makes it possible to sort large quantities and small quantities of goods.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, with the first characteristic configuration, it has become possible to efficiently sort a large number of products in small quantities.

In addition, with the second characteristic configuration, by simple modification using the first characteristic configuration, it has become possible to successfully sort large quantities and small numbers of articles.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

As shown in Figure 1, there are a plurality of first article sorting units (A1) for storing a small amount and a wide variety of articles (X) in article storage containers (1) in a state corresponding to each sorting destination. is provided along the container conveyance direction of a conveyance line (L) that conveys the containers (1) determined to be one of a plurality of sorting destinations, and the plurality of articles on the conveyance line (L). Corresponding to a line section (Ll) different from the line section where the sorting section (A1) is located, articles of large quantity and small variety are stored in the article storage container (1>) in a state corresponding to each sorting destination. In other words, the second article sorting section (A2) is provided for sorting articles into containers (1) to be shipped to the same shipping destination, depending on whether the goods are to be sorted into containers (1) for the same shipping destination: small quantities and many types of goods, and large quantities and few types of goods. We are trying to accommodate both.

To explain the first article sorting section (A1), there is a shelf (2) that stores the article (X), and a shelf (2) that runs along the longitudinal direction of the shelf (2) to take out the article (X) from the shelf (2). A mobile vehicle (
B), a retrieval information indicating means (CI) for instructing the articles of each sorting destination to be taken out from the shelf (2) to the moving vehicle (B), and an article for each sorting destination on the moving vehicle (B); Container (1) on the conveyance line (L) where (X) is to be stored
).

In other words, a plurality of shelves (2
) are provided so as to be dispersed in the transport direction of the transport line (L), and the plurality of shelves (2) are arranged so as to correspond to each of the plurality of first article sorting sections (A1). The mobile vehicle (B) is arranged in each sorting zone (Z). and,
The extraction information instruction means (C1) and the storage information instruction means (
D) is displayed to the workers in each sorting zone (Z).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the shelves (2) are spaced apart from each other by the traveling vehicle (B), and their elongated direction is in the container conveyance direction of the conveyance line (L). They are arranged as a pair with the article retrieval sides facing each other and facing in a direction that intersects with the . Each of the shelves (2) is divided into a plurality of shelf parts (2A) along its longitudinal direction, and each shelf part (2A) has a loading section (2B) divided into a plurality of stages in the vertical direction. ) is provided, and a plurality of types of articles (X) are stored in the horizontal direction in a state in which the articles (X) are sorted into the same type in each loading section (2B). Although not described in detail, each of the loading parts (2B)
A label or the like that displays article information such as an article name and number for identifying the stored article (X) is affixed to the front side of the container.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mobile vehicle (B) is
It is configured as a so-called hand-held trolley,
There are two upper and lower storage sections (3) for storing the articles (X) taken out from the shelf (2), and each storage section (3) has a plurality of containers (IA) corresponding to each of the sorting destinations. They can be stored side by side in the front and rear directions of the vehicle.

The retrieval information instruction means (C+) for instructing the retrieval of articles from the shelf (2) to the mobile vehicle (B) sends a list of stored articles for each container (1A) mounted on the mobile vehicle (B). It is issued in the form of a written work slip. Note that the issue of this work slip will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the articles (X ) is provided to the container (1) on the conveyance line (L). 1 When there is a work to store the articles (X) stored in the moving vehicle (B) in the article sorting section (A1), the corresponding containers (1) are transferred to the conveyor line (L).
), a stopper (5) that stops and holds the container (1), an indicator light (6) that indicates that there is an article storage operation for the container (1) that is stopped and held by the stopper (5), and a stopper (5) that stops and holds the container (1) above the stopper (5). An article (
Indicator (7) for instructing whether to transfer X)
and a work completion switch (8) for inputting the completion of the article transfer work.
The above-mentioned work slip (C
A work number etc. assigned in advance will be displayed corresponding to each sorting destination described in 1). That is, the indicator light (6) and the indicator (7) are connected to the containers (1) on the transport line (L) in which the articles (X) for each sorting destination on the moving vehicle (B) are to be stored. storage information instruction means (
This corresponds to D).

One worker is assigned to each of the first article sorting sections (A1), receives the work slip (C1), and receives the first article sorting section (A1) in charge of the moving vehicle (B). A1) is moved between the shelves (2), the goods are taken out based on the received work slip (Cr), and the goods are placed in the corresponding container (IA) mounted on the moving vehicle (B) at the sorting destination. A plurality of types of articles (X) are sorted and stored at each time. When all the work is completed, the moving vehicle travels to the article transfer section (4), compares the article storage information displayed on the display (6) with the work slip (C1), and transfers the designated moving vehicle. Articles (X) stored in the container (IA) on the (B) side
) will be transferred to the container (1) on the transport line (L). Note that the containers (1) for which the sorting work in each of the first article sorting sections (A1) has been completed are transferred to the conveyance line (L).
) The second article sorting section (A2) installed at the lower side of the
will be transported to.

To explain the second article sorting section (A2), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, it is different from the line portion in the conveyance line (L) where the plurality of article sorting sections (A1) are located. At a lateral side of the line portion (L1), the lth
Similar to the shelf (2) in the article sorting section (A1), the shelf (9A) is divided into a plurality of shelf parts (9A) along the longitudinal direction.
) are placed.

Each of the shelf portions (9A) is vertically divided into a plurality of loading sections (9B), and each loading section (9B) has a plurality of types of articles (X) arranged in the horizontal direction. It will be stored.

However, in this second article sorting section (A2), the articles (X) taken out from each of the shelf sections (9A) are directly stored in containers (1) on the line section (L1) following the conveyance line (L). Therefore, each shelf part (9A)
each includes a take-out information indicating means (C,
) is provided.

To explain the take-out information indicating means (C2), a main indicator light (10) is provided at the top of each of the shelf parts (9A) to indicate that there is an article to be taken out. In the section (9B), which loading section (
9B) is provided with an auxiliary indicator light (11) that indicates whether there is an article (X) to be taken out. A display (l2) is provided to display the presence or absence and the amount taken out.

And, in the line part (L,) where each of the shelf parts (9A) is located, there is a stopper for stopping and holding the container (1) to be worked on, similarly to the first article transfer part (A1). (l3) and a work completion switch (l4) for inputting work completion.

That is, in the second article sorting section (A2), one worker is placed corresponding to each of the shelf sections (9A), and one worker is placed in front of the shelf section (9A) where the work is to be performed on the transport line (L).
) is automatically stopped, and the storage of the article (X) to be taken out is indicated by the main indicator light (10), the auxiliary indicator light (1l), and the indicator (l2). The location and amount to be taken out will be specified. Therefore, the worker must check the main indicator light (10), the auxiliary indicator light (
11), and the indicated quantity of the article (X) indicated by the display (l2) is taken out, and the article taken out into the container (1) stopped in front of the shelf section (9A) in charge. is stored, and the work completion switch (l4) is pressed and operated. The work completion switch (l4)
When is pressed, the holding by the stopper (13) is automatically released, and the container (1) is transported to the shelf section (9A) where the next sorting operation is to be performed. Note that the container (1) passes through the shelf section (9A) where there is no work without being stopped.

Next, a control structure for managing the operation and work progress of the article sorting equipment will be explained.

As shown in Figure 5, order forms (l) issued by customers etc.
The contents of 5) are input to the host controller (16),
A purchase order (l6) is issued in accordance with the contents of the order form (l5), and the goods necessary for the sorting work are purchased, and each shelf (2) of the first sorting section (A,) and the Second
Purchased articles are stored in each phase section (9A) of the sorting section (A2) in a state where they are sorted by the same type. However, although not detailed, the first sorting section (A
Purchased items are stored on each shelf (2) of , ) in a state that corresponds to the shipping destination of small quantities and a wide variety of products, and in a state that corresponds to the amount of work in each first sorting section (A1). , each shelf section (9A) of the second sorting section (A2) is in a state corresponding to a destination for shipping a large quantity or a small number of products, and each shelf section (9A) is
The purchased items are stored in a state corresponding to the amount of work in 9A).

The host controller (16) stores the warehousing data (17).
) while managing the inventory of purchased items based on information from
Work data is created based on the contents of the order form (I5) input in advance, and the work data is output to the work controller (I8).

Based on the work data, the work controller (18) creates a shipping list (1,) of the articles (X) to be stored in the container (1) on the transport line (L) and the sorting of each of the first articles. A ground controller (20) that issues work slips (C1) used in the section (A1) and manages the operation of the transport line (L) and the second sorting section (A2).
Picking controller (21) that manages the work operation of
The operation of goods sorting operations will be comprehensively managed while exchanging various information with the company. The ground controller (20) receives information from the work controller (l8) and the work completion switch (8) of each first sorting section (A1).
) The picking controller (21) executes processing for managing the operation of the transport line (L) based on the information from the work controller (l8), and the picking controller (21) controls various displays for which it is responsible based on the information from the work controller (l8). The process of instructing the light and indicator to take out the article information will be executed.

However, the container (1) transported by the transport line (L) has identification information corresponding to the shipping destination of the stored article.
For example, a container number is assigned in advance, and by associating the above-mentioned work data with each container number, each container (
1) Items are now stored.

In other words, the above-mentioned work data is created in a format in which the amount of goods that can be stored in one container (1) is classified as one unit, and shipping destination data is added to the data for each unit. . Then, the work of storing articles in each container (1) is performed with the data of each unit and the container number combined.

Although not shown, the shipping list (19) is output by a printer or the like in the form of a slip or the like in which the contents of the work data corresponding to one unit described above are written. Note that the output shipping list (1,) is based on the container (1) for storing the goods, and the shipping list (19).
) are loaded into the conveyance line (L) in a predetermined order. However, the shipping list (19) is not used during the article sorting work, but is used when performing inspection etc. after the work is completed.

First, the working procedure in the first sorting section (A1) will be explained.

The ground controller (20) is configured to control the transport line (L
), the containers (1) are transferred to the first sorting section (A
1), the stopper (5) is operated to stop and hold the container (1). When the collection of goods by the mobile vehicle (B) is completed and the work completion switch (8> is pressed), the container (
1) is released and the first article sorting section (
The container (1) in which the article storage in A1) has been completed is transferred to the next first article sorting section (A1) or the second article sorting section (
A,).

Next, the working procedure in the second article sorting section (A!) will be explained.

The picking controller (2l) executes management of container positions, output processing of article retrieval information, etc., based on information from the work controller (18), until the work is completed.

The container positions are managed based on the order of the containers (1) to be put into the transport line (L) in accordance with the shipping list, the first article sorting section (A1) and the second article sorting section (A1).
, ), the container position on the transport line (L) is determined based on the information of the work completion switch (l4) in the transport line (L).

As described above, the output processing of the article retrieval information is carried out by the second
A main indicator light (lO), an auxiliary indicator light (11) attached to each shelf part (9A) in the article sorting section (A,), and
The display device (l2) is operated to output information on taking out articles to be stored in the containers (1) stopped and held on each shelf section (9A), and information on the work data and the container position is output. , and the location information of the article (X) stored in each shelf section (9A), while determining whether or not to output the retrieval information and the content of the output when outputting. , will instruct the worker about the information to take out the item.

[Another example]

In the above embodiment, after the first article sorting section (A,) performs the sorting work of small quantities and many types of articles, the second article sorting section (A,) performs the sorting work of large quantities and small numbers of articles. Although the case where this is done is shown as an example, the order may be reversed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the instruction for the article retrieval information in the first article sorting section (A1) is performed using the work slip (C1>), and the instruction for the article retrieval information in the second article sorting section (A!) is performed using the work slip (C1>). The main indicator light (lO), the auxiliary indicator light (1l), and
Although the case where the display device <l2) is used to automatically perform the process is illustrated, the instructions for the article removal information in the first article sorting section (A+) can be sent to the second article sorting section (A,).
The instructions for the article retrieval information in the second article sorting section (A2) can be automatically performed using the same structure as the instructions for the article retrieval information in the first article sorting section (A2).
, ) may be given using a work slip (CI), and the extraction information instruction means (C.), (C2
) can be changed in various ways.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the mobile vehicle (B) is configured as a hand-push type cart, but it may be constructed as a self-propelled type, or it may be provided with communication means etc. for the work controller (l8> etc.). The article retrieval information may be instructed on the moving vehicle (B) side, and the specific structure of each part can be changed in various ways.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the article sorting equipment according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the article sorting equipment, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of shelves and a moving vehicle in the first article sorting section, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the article transfer section, FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the shelf section in the second article sorting section, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control structure. (B)...Moving vehicle, (CI), (CI)...
... Retrieval information indicating means, (D)... Storage information indicating means, (L)... Conveyance line, (L,
)...Different line part, (X)...
Goods, (Z)... Sorting zone, (1)...
... Container, (2) ... Shelf, (9A) ...
・Shelf part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An article sorting facility for sorting multiple types of articles (X) to multiple sorting destinations, which transports sequentially containers (1) determined to any of the multiple sorting destinations. Line (L
) are provided, and a plurality of shelves (2) for storing the plurality of types of articles (X) are provided in a state dispersed in the transport direction of the transport line (L), and the plurality of shelves (2) is divided into a plurality of sorting zones (Z) along the conveying direction of the conveying line (L), and each article (X) taken out from the shelf (2) is placed in each sorting zone (Z). Mobile vehicles (B) that can be stored separately for each sorting destination are arranged, and each sorting zone (Z)
For each worker, from the shelf (2) to the mobile vehicle (
B) is provided with a retrieval information indicating means (C_1) for instructing the articles to be retrieved from each sorting destination, and the retrieval information indicating means (C_1) is provided for instructing the respective workers of each sorting zone (Z) to inform each worker of each sorting destination stored in the mobile vehicle (B). Article sorting equipment is provided with a storage information indicating means (D) for indicating a container (1) on the conveyance line (L) in which each article (X) is to be stored. 2. The article sorting equipment according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of goods are sorted according to a line portion (L_1) different from a line portion where the plurality of shelves (2) in the conveyance line (L) are located. A plurality of shelf portions (9A) for storing articles are arranged along the container conveyance direction, and each of the shelf portions (9A) is arranged along the container conveyance direction.
9A) to the container (1) at each sorting destination on the conveyance line (L).