JPH0348084Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an article handling device that can efficiently and quickly take out articles from a storage facility having a plurality of storage sections.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when an article is taken out from a storage facility having a storage section divided into a plurality of sections for storing articles, a technique for displaying the storage section in which the article to be taken out is stored is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 57-145704, Tokukai Akira
There are those described in JP-A-59-118601 and JP-A-59-128104.

The article handling devices described in JP-A-57-145704 and JP-A-59-128104 each include an indicator for each storage section that displays the storage section in which the article to be taken out is stored. One display is provided for each of the plurality of storage sections to display the quantity of articles to be taken out.

Furthermore, the article handling device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-118601 has a display that displays the storage section in which the article to be taken out is stored and a display that displays the quantity of the article to be taken out. A storage unit is provided near each storage unit.

Furthermore, the article handling device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-128104 has a display device near each storage section that displays the storage section in which the article to be taken out is stored, and a plurality of An indicator is provided at a single position corresponding to the set of storage units to indicate that an article should be removed from one of the storage units constituting the set of storage units.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, the above-mentioned conventional Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-145704 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-118601 or
In the case of the article handling device described in Publication No. 59-128104, the worker takes out the article from the storage section indicated by the display indicating the storage section where the article to be taken out is stored. Articles must be taken out while monitoring all indicators provided in each storage section. Therefore, all the displays must be watched at all times, which is an extremely heavy burden. Furthermore, the user often overlooks the instructions on the display provided near his feet, making it impossible to obtain the desired picking ability.

On the other hand, in the case of the article handling device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 59-128104, the worker initially selects the first take-out indicator provided near each of all the storage sections. There is no need to watch from the beginning, and it is sufficient to initially watch only the second takeout indicator, which is centrally installed at a single location corresponding to the set of storage units. Then, only when the display corresponding to the set of storage sections indicates whether or not picking is necessary, picking from the designated storage section can be started by relying on the display provided for each storage section.

However, in the article handling device described in JP-A No. 59-128104, the display corresponding to a set of storage units is displayed for all storage units constituting the corresponding set of storage units. It only has a single display function that indicates whether or not picking is required in all storage areas using a single indicator light.
Therefore, before the operator learns of the need for picking from the display corresponding to the set of storage units, the operator can only know that picking is required in any of the storage units in the storage facility. However, it is not possible to determine where the noteworthy storage section is located in the set of storage sections defined in the storage facility, and it is difficult to quickly pick from the specified storage section. cannot be started.

In addition, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-32103 discloses a first pick-up indicator that is installed near each of a plurality of storage sections in an article handling device and displays whether or not picking is required for each storage section. and installed at a single location corresponding to a set of storage units consisting of a plurality of storage units,
It has been proposed to include a second take-out indicator that displays whether or not picking is necessary for each group of storage units in which the set of storage units is divided into groups. According to this, there is no need for the worker to keep an eye on the first retrieval indicator installed near each of all the storage units from the beginning, and the operator is able to concentrate the display at a single location corresponding to the set of storage units. It is sufficient to initially focus only on the installed second ejection indicator. Then, only when the second take-out indicator indicates whether or not picking is necessary, picking from the designated storage section can be started based on the first take-out indicator. The second take-out indicator has a display function for each group of storage sections which are arranged in a single location as described above and are subdivided from the corresponding set of storage sections. Therefore, when the operator learns of the need for picking from the second unloading display, he or she can also know in which group of storage units within the storage equipment the need for picking occurs, and in turn, the operator can draw attention to the need for picking. It is determined where the first pick-up indicator to be removed is located, and picking from the designated storage section is started.

However, in the article handling device described in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-32103, the second pick-up indicator indicates the need for picking for each group of storage sections. It merely has a function to display the presence or absence of the product. Therefore, the operator cannot tell from the second pick-up indicator which storage section in the storage equipment requires picking, and the operator cannot tell from the second pick-up indicator which storage section in the storage facility is in need of picking. It is not possible to immediately recognize where the item is located in a set of predetermined storage units, and it is not possible to quickly start picking from the specified storage unit.

An object of the present invention is to enable a worker to quickly and easily determine from which storage section an article should be taken out of a plurality of storage sections.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides an article handling device that includes a storage facility having a storage section divided into a plurality of sections for storing articles, and a take-out indicator that displays whether or not it is necessary to pick the articles stored in each of the storage sections. , the above-mentioned take-out indicator is installed in the vicinity of each of the above-mentioned storage units, and includes a first take-out indicator that displays whether or not picking is necessary for each storage unit, and a first take-out indicator that displays whether or not picking is necessary for each storage unit, and a first take-out indicator that displays whether picking is necessary for each storage unit, and A second take-out indicator is installed at a single position corresponding to a set and displays whether or not picking is required for each storage unit constituting the set of storage units.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

Workers do not need to pay close attention to the first retrieval indicators installed near each storage unit from the beginning, and the first retrieval indicator installed in a single location corresponding to a set of storage units does not require the operator to pay close attention to the first retrieval indicators installed near each storage unit. It is sufficient to initially keep an eye on only the unloading indicator No. 2. And the second
Only when the pick-up display indicates whether or not picking is necessary, picking from the designated storage section can be started by relying on the first pick-up display.

In the above, the second pick-up indicator displays, with a single indicator light, whether or not picking is necessary for all the storage units that make up the corresponding set of storage units. It does not have the only display function, nor does it have the function of displaying whether or not picking is necessary for each group of storage units in which the set of storage units is divided into groups. That is, the second takeout indicator has a display function for each storage unit that constitutes the corresponding set of storage units, while being centrally installed at a single location as described above. Therefore, the worker is the second
When determining the need for picking from the unloading indicator, it is also possible to know in which storage section of the storage equipment the need for picking occurs, and by extension, where the first unloading indicator that should be noted is located. It is possible to immediately recognize whether the item is in the designated storage area, and to quickly start picking from the designated storage area.

As a result of the above, the worker can quickly and easily determine from which of the plurality of storage sections the article should be taken out.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 are a plan view and a right side view, respectively, schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 1 is storage equipment, 2 is a takeout indicator,
3 is a conveyance device, and 4 is a storage display.

Storage equipment 1 stores articles 5 (usually cardboard boxes,
An article take-out surface 12 is formed on one side of a storage section 11 divided into multiple stages and rows for storing articles in containers such as plastic containers, and the take-out surface 12
In the example, three zones A,
It is divided into B and C. The storage equipment 1 is a so-called fluid shelf in which articles 5 can be placed and stored on an inclined roller conveyor 13, and the stored articles 5 can be moved toward the take-out surface 12 by their own weight. There is. Each storage section 11 has a retrieval section 15.
are provided, and the articles 5 moved from the supply ports of each storage section 11 are stopped by stoppers 14 and 16, respectively.
will be stopped by In addition, in this example,
Zones A, B, and C are each set to take out the articles 5 from 16 take-out ports (4 rows x 4 stages).

The takeout indicator 2 is a first takeout indicator 20 and a second takeout indicator 2.
and an extraction indicator 25.

The first take-out indicator 20 is arranged at an easily visible position on the front for each take-out port of each storage section 11, and more specifically for each zone A, B, and C, and more specifically for each storage section 11.
Each outlet is provided with an extraction indicator lamp 23 that indicates whether or not picking is necessary based on a picking command from a control device (not shown). When there is a picking command, that is, when it is necessary to take out the article 5 from the take-out surface 12, the pick-up indicator lamp 23 is blinked to notify the worker. In addition, each first take-out display 20 also includes a display 21 that displays the number of articles to be taken out.
and a completion button 22 for clearing the display.

The second retrieval indicator 25 indicates each of the zones A, B, and C in the storage facility 1.
It is placed in an easy-to-see position near the upper left end of B and C,
The storage section 1 in each zone A, B, and C is equipped with a take-out indicator lamp 26 that indicates whether or not picking is required for each take-out port of each storage section 11 in each zone A, B, and C.
It has the same number as 1. In addition, the ejection indicator lamp 26
are arranged in a substantially similar manner to the arrangement of the outlets of the storage section 11 in each zone A, B, and C.

Note that the indicator 21 of the first removal indicator 20
Alternatively, the completion button 22 may be one for each zone A, B, and C, or may be integrated into one location.

The conveyance device 3 is disposed along the take-out surface 12 of the storage facility 1, and is arranged along the take-out surface 12 of the storage facility 1.
A storage box 6 for storing the article 5 taken out from the
transport. To explain in more detail, the conveyance device 3 is
Three belt conveyors 3a, 3 that can be conveyed independently of each other so that the plurality of storage boxes 6 can be conveyed or stopped corresponding to each of the zones A, B, and C.
b and 3c are connected in series. That is, the three belt conveyors 3a, 3b, and 3c are located corresponding to each zone A, B, and C, respectively, and the belt conveyors 3a, 3b, and 3c provided correspondingly to each zone A, B, and C, respectively. A plurality of storage boxes (three in the case of the embodiment) 6 that fit within the length of the storage boxes 3b and 3c are used as a transport unit (group), and each transport unit is transported and stopped independently. Further, on the discharge side of each belt conveyor 3a, 3b, 3c, there is a detector 31 for detecting the head of the conveyance unit.
(A detector for the belt conveyor 3c is not shown) is installed.

Each of the belt conveyors 3a, 3b, 3c receives a picking command from the control device (the picking command for the articles 5 to the storage box 6).
When there is a command to store the
1, when the leading end of the conveying unit on the belt conveyor is detected, the conveying unit is stopped, and
If there is no picking command or if picking is completed, the conveyance is continued or started and the conveyance units are conveyed to the downstream conveyor, and all the conveyance units are conveyed to the downstream conveyor and the detector 31
stops after entering the light-receiving state, but if the next conveyance unit is being received from the upstream conveyor at the same time, the detector 31 detects the leading part of the conveyor (however, when a picking command is issued) Therefore, if there is no picking command, the robot is controlled to stop after all transport units have been unloaded. For example, to summarize this control mode in the case of the belt conveyor 3b, the conditions for starting or continuing conveyance are that the upstream belt conveyor 3a is in the starting state, or that the picking for the belt conveyor 3b is completed and that the downstream side The belt conveyor 3c is not in the process of picking, and the stop condition is that a picking command is given to the belt conveyor 3b, or that the downstream belt conveyor 3c is in the process of picking.

Further, the conveyance device 3 is inclined with its conveyance surface facing the take-out surface 12 side, and this inclination makes it easy to store (inserte) the articles 5 into the storage box 6 on the conveyance device 3, In addition, the stored articles 5 are made to lean against the inner wall of the storage box to prevent the cargo from collapsing due to acceleration and deceleration associated with starting and stopping of the conveyance device 3. Further, 32 is a drive motor for the belt conveyor that constitutes the conveyance device 3, and 33 is a guide wheel that guides the storage box. Note that the conveyance device 3 includes three belt conveyors 3a, as described above.
Instead of consisting of 3b and 3c, it may be composed of a single roller conveyor spanning zones A, B, and C, and a stopper may be arranged for each zone A, B, and C, and this stopper may be controlled to turn on or off. .

The storage display 4 displays each zone A, as described above.
The plurality of storage boxes 6 that stop corresponding to B and C
It displays in which storage box 6 the article 5 should be stored, and along the transport device 3, each zone A,
They are arranged every third corresponding to B and C. In the case of the embodiment, the three storage indicators 4 in each zone A, B, and C are configured as illuminated push buttons that also function as a completion button, and the above-mentioned removal display in the corresponding zone is configured as an illuminated push button. In response to the blinking of the eject indicator lamp 23 of the container 2 and the lighting of the eject indicator lamp 26, one of them lights up and the eject surface 1
In addition to displaying which storage box 6 out of the three storage boxes 6 the article 5 taken out from the storage box 2 is to be stored, when all the articles 5 have been picked for the corresponding storage box 6 in the corresponding zone, By pressing the button, this lighting is cleared and preparation is made for picking the next storage box 6 in the corresponding zone, and even if the button is pressed before all the items 5 in the corresponding zone have been picked by mistake (no light in the corresponding zone will be cleared). Either the eject indicator lamp 23 blinks or any eject indicator lamp 26
), and the storage box 6 in which the item 5 is to be stored while the storage display 4 remains lit.
continues to be displayed. Note that the storage display 4 may not be provided with such a completion button function, but may be provided with a separate completion button for clearing the display as in the case of the ejecting display 2, and in that case, the completion button may be Each zone may be integrated in one place.

Note that the first eject indicator 20 may not include the eject indicator lamp 23; in that case, the indicator 2
1 may be blinking, or picking may be carried out based on the presence or absence of the number display without blinking the display 21. In addition, 41 is the number of the storage box 6 to be stored, arranged for each zone A, B, C (each storage box 6
This is a display that displays a number label (with a number label affixed to the top), and is linked to the storage display 4, and is also used to confirm backup in case a picking command (data) is missed.

Further, 7 is a transport unit forming conveyor for transporting the storage boxes 6 as transport units as described above to the transport device 3, and 8 is a cutting conveyor for cutting out and transporting the storage boxes 6 to the transport unit forming conveyor 7.

To explain these conveyors in detail, first,
The cutting conveyor 8 is composed of a roller conveyor equipped with a cutting stopper 81 and a cutting detector 82 at its delivery end, and cuts out the storage box 6 to be cut while detecting with the cutting detector 82 that there is a storage box 6 to be cut. By lowering the stopper 81, the storage boxes 6 are accelerated and transported one by one to the carry-in end of the transport unit forming conveyor 7.

In addition, the transport unit forming conveyor 7 mainly consists of a roller conveyor, and also includes a direction changer 71 consisting of a belt conveyor provided between rollers so as to be able to move up and down between rollers, a storage box detector 72, and a storage box passing through. A detector 73 is provided, and a transport unit detector 74 for detecting the leading end of the formed transport unit and a cut-out stopper 75 for cutting out the transport unit from the transport device 3 are provided at the output end thereof. It also controls the cutting conveyor 8.

That is, the storage box 6 cut out from the cutting conveyor 8 is transferred to the direction changer 71, and when the storage box detector 72 detects this, the direction changer 71 descends, and due to this descent. The storage box 6 is conveyed to the unloading side by rollers, and the storage box passage detector 73
When the storage box 6 has passed, the direction changer 71 is raised to prepare for cutting out the next storage box 6. The storage box passage detector 73 stops the cutting conveyor 8 from cutting out when three storage boxes 6 have passed. The three storage boxes 6 that have passed through the storage box passage detector 73 form a transport unit with the leading storage box 6 in contact with the cut-out stopper 75, and when a picking command is issued, the transport device 3 is activated. When the belt conveyor 3a corresponding to the first zone A is activated, the conveyance unit is delivered to the belt conveyor 3a. The cutting stopper 75 has a conveyance unit that is the conveyance unit detector 74.
When it passes through, it rises and prepares for the formation of the next transport unit.

In addition, although the above-mentioned conveyance unit is composed of three storage boxes 6 as mentioned above in the case of the embodiment, the size of the zone, the size of the storage box 6, and the size of the article to be stored in the storage box 6 , number, etc., various selections can be made within the range of the number of storage boxes 6 that can fit into the zone. In addition, when allocating multiple storage boxes 6 to one delivery destination, for example, the third
It is also possible to allocate the first storage box 6 and the first storage box 6 of the next transportation unit.

In addition, the first takeout indicator 20 indicates that in zone a, when the picking in zone A is completed and the storage box 6 on the upstream side of zone A starts moving (transport unit forming conveyor 7 The picking operation is controlled so that the picking operation is performed at the time when picking starts in each transport unit), and in zone b, when the picking in the zone B is completed and the storage box 6 on the upstream side of the zone B starts to move. (When the belt conveyor 3a starts), and in the C zone C, when the picking in the zone C is completed and the storage box 6 on the upstream side of the zone C starts moving (the belt conveyor 3a starts moving). It is controlled so that it is performed when the conveyor 3b is started).

Further, reference numeral 9 denotes a cutting device for taking out the article 5 stopped by the stopper 14 to the taking out section 15, and a lifting platform 92 which is raised and lowered by an air cylinder 91.
By projecting above the stopper 14, the articles 5 are taken out one by one. Further, 93 is a push button for a mechanical valve (not shown) for operating the air cylinder 91.

Next, a picking mode performed by the article handling apparatus according to the above embodiment will be explained.

First, when a picking command is issued for zone A, the belt conveyor 3a corresponding to zone A is
At the same time as the belt conveyor 3a is started, a conveyance unit consisting of three storage boxes 6 is cut out from the conveyance unit forming conveyor 7 as described above, and when the detector 31 detects the leading end of the conveyance unit, the belt conveyor 3a is stopped. The transport unit stops corresponding to zone A. At this point in time, as described above, the take-out indicator lamp 23 in the first take-out indicator 20 provided at each take-out port of the storage equipment 1 blinks based on a command from the control device, and the second take-out indicator The 25 removal indicator lamps 26 and one of the three storage indicators 4 in zone A (preferably sequentially from the one for the storage box 6 on the front side of the transport unit) are activated based on commands from the control device. Light. Further, the display 21 of the first take-out display 20 provided at each take-out port displays the number of articles 5 to be taken out from the corresponding take-out port based on a command from the control device. Therefore, the worker must sequentially check the flashing unloading indicator lamp 23 and the lit unloading indicator lamp 2.
Take out the number of items corresponding to No. 6 from the take-out surface 12 of the storage facility 1 by the number displayed on the display 21, and press the completion button 2.
2 and store it in the storage box 6 corresponding to the lit storage display 4. The worker must check the storage box 6
When all the picking is completed, when the storage indicator (in the case of the embodiment, an illuminated push button) 4 is pressed,
Since the other storage indicators 4 in zone A are lit and the take-out indicator 2 is also lit, the above-mentioned picking operation can be continued according to the instructions of the take-out indicators 2 and the storage indicator 4.

After all the picking in zone A is completed, the belt conveyor 3a is started by pressing the storage display 4, and at the same time, the belt conveyor 3a is started.
b is also activated, and a transport unit consisting of three storage boxes 6 is transported to zone B. Further, by pressing the storage display 4, a display for the next picking is displayed on the takeout display 2 in zone A.

If a picking command is issued in zone B as well, the transport unit will stop in zone B as in the case described above, so picking can be carried out in the same manner as in the case described above. The timing at which the takeout indicator 2 in zone B is displayed is when the storage box 6 on the belt conveyor 3a starts moving. The same applies when a picking command is issued for zone C. In addition, goods of the same type5 in different zones
However, it goes without saying that the items may be stored in different storage boxes 6 in some cases.

Furthermore, if there is no picking command for zone A, the above-described picking in zone A is not performed and the transport unit passes through zone A and is carried out to zone B. If there is no picking command in zone B, the transport unit is carried out to zone C, and if there is no picking command in zone C, the transport unit is carried out to the next process.

Furthermore, when transport units are assigned to each zone A, B, and C, and picking is performed in each zone A, B, and C, even if the transport units in the downstream zone are not completely unloaded, When the transport unit in the downstream zone starts to move, the transport unit that has finished picking in the upstream zone is transported to the downstream zone. In addition, if the picking work in the downstream zone is not completed,
Since the overall efficiency of the picking operation is reduced, it is preferable that the workers in the upstream zone go to help with the picking operation in the downstream zone. In addition, if the efficiency of picking in the downstream zone is good, the transport unit that has completed picking is carried out and there is no transport unit to be picked in this downstream zone, and in this case as well, the efficiency of the entire picking operation is poor. Therefore, it is preferable that the workers in the downstream zone go to help with the picking work in the upstream zone.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.

The worker selects the first retrieval indicator 20 provided near each of the storage units 11.
There is no need to watch from the beginning, and it is sufficient to initially watch only the second takeout indicator 25, which is centrally installed at a single position corresponding to the set of storage units 11. Then, only when the second take-out display 25 indicates whether or not picking is necessary, picking from the designated storage section 11 can be started by relying on the first take-out display 20.

In the above, the second pick-up indicator 25 indicates whether or not picking is necessary in all the storage units 11 constituting the corresponding set of storage units 11 using a single indicator light. It does not have the sole display function of displaying all of the storage units 11 at once, nor does it have the function of displaying whether or not picking is required for each group of storage units 11 in which the sets of storage units 11 are divided into groups. That is, the second takeout indicator 25 has a display function for each storage section 11 forming a set of corresponding storage sections 11 while being centrally installed at a single location as described above. Therefore, when the worker learns of the need for picking from the second take-out display 25, the worker can also know in which storage section 11 of the storage facility 1 the need for picking occurs, and furthermore, the worker can also know which storage section 11 in the storage facility 1 requires picking. First extraction indicator 20
It is possible to immediately recognize where the item is located, and to quickly start picking from the designated storage section 11.

According to the above, the operator can quickly and easily determine which storage section 11 to take out an article from among the storage sections 11 divided into a plurality of sections.

Further, in implementing the present invention, the storage equipment may be a fixed shelf, a rotating shelf, etc.

[Effect of idea]

As described above, according to the present invention, an operator can quickly and easily determine from which of the plurality of storage sections an article should be taken out.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a right side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a second removal indicator. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Storage equipment, 11...Storage section, 2...Takeout indicator, 20...First takeout indicator, 25...Second takeout indicator.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A storage facility having a plurality of storage sections for storing articles, and a take-out indicator that indicates whether or not it is necessary to pick the articles stored in each of the storage sections. In an article handling device comprising:
The above-mentioned take-out indicator is installed near each of the above-mentioned storage units, and includes a first take-out indicator that displays whether or not picking is required for each storage unit, and a storage unit set consisting of a plurality of storage units. An article handling device characterized by comprising a second pick-up indicator installed at a corresponding single position and displaying whether or not picking is required for each storage unit constituting the set of storage units. (2) The article handling device according to claim 1, wherein the first take-out indicator includes a display for displaying the number of articles to be taken out and a completion button. (3) Utility model registration claim paragraph 1 or 2 in which the storage means is a floating shelf configured in multiple stages and rows.
Equipment for handling the articles listed in Section 1.