JPH05108146A - Self-travelling truck - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a self-travelling truck which can reduce the burden of the classification work of a worker, to perform easily and quickly the classification and to perform efficiently the classification. CONSTITUTION:The truck is a self-travelling truck 1 to transport a classified product P such as bread at the high speed travelling and perform the speed control in correspondence to a requesting signal such as an infrared ray to require the distribution of the classified product P transmitted from a requesting signal generating means composed of an infrared ray light emitting lamp 11 provided for the classification destination, and equipped with a signal detecting means composed of sensors 91-94 to detect the presence of the requesting signal from the requesting signal generating means and a speed control means such as a driving control means to switch the self-travelling truck 1 from the high speed travelling to the slow speed travelling when the requesting signal is detected by the signal detecting means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a self-propelled carriage used in a sorting line for sorting sorted products such as bread to a large number of sorting destinations such as retail stores.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when sorting products such as bread into a large number of sorting destinations such as retail stores, as shown in FIG. 6, a sorting line in which a plurality of bread containers 3 sorted for each retail store are arranged. While configuring L, the worker M searches the shipping (sorting) slip (not shown) for the name of the retail store to which the bread is to be distributed, and pushes the hand cart 14 on which the bread is placed up to the bread container 3 of the retail store to carry out the above shipping. The number of breads described in the slip is put in the bread container 3.

[0003]

However, in the above sorting work, since the worker M has to push the hand cart 14 to reach the bread container 3 of the retail store to be distributed, the worker M is burdened. large. In particular, when there are many sorting destinations, the worker M may be tired, and there is a risk of mistakes in distribution or forgetting to distribute. Further, since it is necessary to confirm the sorting destination of the bread container 3 and to reach the bread container 3 of the retail store to be distributed, it takes time to finish the distribution.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator for the sorting work and to perform the sorting easily and quickly, and to improve the efficiency of the sorting work. The purpose is to provide a self-propelled carriage that can

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to claim 1 of the present invention, assorted articles are conveyed at high speed, and sorted by request signal generating means provided for each sorting destination. A self-propelled vehicle that controls the speed in response to a request signal for requesting the distribution of the signal, and a signal detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the request signal from the request signal generating means,
And a speed control means for switching the self-propelled carriage from high speed traveling to slow driving when the request signal is detected by the signal detecting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the request signal generating means comprises reflection control means for reflecting a signal from the self-propelled carriage toward the self-propelled carriage when requesting distribution of the sorted products, and the self-propelled carriage is the above-mentioned. The signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the request signal generating means is provided, and the signal detecting means detects the reflection signal from the request signal generating means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the signal detecting means comprises a front signal detecting means provided at a front portion of the self-propelled carriage and a rear signal detecting means provided at a rear portion of the self-propelled carriage, and the speed control means is When the request signal from the request signal generating means is detected by the front signal detecting means, the self-propelled vehicle is switched from high speed traveling to slow running, and the rear signal detecting means detects the request signal from the request signal generating means. If so, the self-propelled carriage is stopped.

[0008]

According to the self-propelled carriage of the above-mentioned claim 1, when requesting the distribution of the sorted products to the sorting destinations, the request signal generating means issues a request signal requesting the distribution of the sorted products. And
The presence or absence of the request signal from the request signal generating means is detected by the signal detecting means, and when the request signal is detected, the self-propelled carriage decelerates from high speed traveling and switches to slow speed. As a result, it is possible to easily distribute the sorted items from the self-propelled cart to the sorting destinations.

According to the self-propelled carriage of claim 2,
When a signal is transmitted from the self-propelled carriage to the request signal generation means and the distribution of the sorted products is requested, the request signal generation means reflects the signal from the self-propelled carriage toward the self-propelled carriage. Then, the presence or absence of the reflection signal from the request signal generating means is detected by the signal detecting means, and when the reflection signal is detected, the self-propelled carriage is switched from high speed traveling to slow driving.

Further, according to the self-propelled carriage of claim 3, when the front signal detecting means detects the request signal from the request signal generating means, the self-propelled carriage is switched from high speed traveling to slow traveling and the rear signal is transmitted. The self-propelled carriage stops when the request signal from the request signal generating means is detected by the detecting means.
This prevents the self-propelled carriage from passing through the sorting destination before the distribution work is completed.

[0011]

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a self-propelled carriage according to the present invention. The self-propelled carriage 1 travels along a guide wire (not shown) arranged on the floor between the display rails 2 and 2 (FIG. 3). Further, the self-propelled carriage 1 is provided with a mounting table 6 on which an assortment P such as a pan is mounted, a platform 7 on which a worker M rides, a traveling start switch and a release switch (not shown) on the rear part. And a control panel 8 provided with a stop switch and the like. The traveling start switch is for starting high-speed traveling of the self-propelled carriage 1, the release switch is for canceling the temporarily stopped state of the self-propelled carriage 1, and the stop switch is for stopping the operation of the self-propelled carriage 1. ..

Then, the worker M places the sorting items P on the mounting table 6.
When the traveling start switch of the operation panel 8 is operated after riding on the platform 7, the self-propelled carriage 1 travels at high speed between the display rails 2 and 2 along a guide line or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the self-propelled carriage 1 has
Front sensors 91 and 92 are provided on the left and right sides of the front portion, and rear sensors 93 and 94 are provided on the left and right sides of the rear portion, respectively. The sensor 91
Reference numerals 94 to 94 are infrared detection sensors, and detect infrared rays from an infrared light emitting lamp 11 of the display 10 described later. The front sensors 91 and 92 are the two-dot chain line A in FIG.
As shown in B, they are oriented diagonally forward of the self-propelled carriage 1. Further, the rear sensors 93 and 94 are respectively oriented in the lateral direction of the self-propelled carriage 1, as indicated by the chain double-dashed lines C and D in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display rail 2 comprises a plurality of indicators 10 arranged in front of the bread container 3, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, each display 10 is composed of an infrared light emitting lamp 11 as a request signal generating means, a number display unit 12, and a distribution confirmation foot switch 13, and is arranged at an appropriate position on the sorting line L. The display is performed based on the display signal from the controller.

The infrared light emitting lamp 11 emits infrared light as a request signal for requesting distribution of the sorted products P based on the display signal from the controller. Further, the infrared light emitting lamp 11 emits a red light or the like together with the infrared light, thereby notifying the worker M that the product P is a retail store to which the item P should be distributed. The number display unit 12 displays the number of sorted products P to be distributed based on the display signal from the controller. When the distribution confirmation foot switch 13 is turned on, the infrared light emitting lamp 11 is turned off. The controller receives the data such as the retail store name and the number of products sorted to the retail store, which are input by a bar code reader, keyboard, or floppy disk device, and displays the products P on the display 10 of the retail store to which the product P should be distributed. It outputs a signal.

Next, the block configuration of the control system of the self-propelled carriage 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This control system is CP
It comprises a U, a ROM, a RAM and the like, and is provided with a drive control means 4, a drive means 5 and the like. The drive control means 4 determines whether to drive at high speed, slow down, or temporarily stop based on the detection signals from the sensors 91 to 94 and the switch operation of the operation panel 8, and based on this determination result. The control signal is output to the driving means 5.

That is, the drive control means 4 includes the front sensor 9
When at least one of 1 and 92 detects the infrared ray from the display device 10, it judges that it has arrived at the retail store to be distributed, decelerates the self-propelled carriage 1 and sends a control signal to the drive means 5 so that the self-propelled carriage 1 is slowed down for a predetermined time. I am trying to output. Further, when at least one of the rear sensors 93, 94 detects the infrared ray from the display device 10, the drive control means 4 determines that the distribution of the sorted products P is not completed and suspends the self-propelled carriage 1. A control signal is output to the driving means 5.

The drive means 5 is composed of a motor, a drive mechanism and the like, and drives the self-propelled carriage 1 based on a control signal from the drive control means 4.

Next, an example of the operation of the self-propelled carriage 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that the worker M turns on the foot switch 13 in order to move to the next sorting destination (retail store) after the distribution of the sorted products (bread) P to the bread container 3 is completed. When the distribution of the sorted products P to all the sorting destinations is completed, the self-propelled carriage 1 automatically travels toward a preset location.

When the name of the retail store and the number of items to be sorted into the retail store are input to the controller, the infrared light emitting lamp 11 of the display 10 arranged in front of the bread container 3 of the corresponding retail store emits light, and The number of sorted products is displayed on the number display unit 12. Then, when the worker M operates the traveling start switch of the operation panel 8 or the controller after placing the sorts (pans) P on the mounting table 6, the self-propelled carriage 1 travels at high speed along a guide line or the like. Is started (step S1).

Next, it is judged whether or not at least one of the front sensors 91, 92 has detected infrared rays from the display 10 (step S2), and if neither of the front sensors 91, 92 has detected infrared rays (step S2). NO), subsequently, infrared rays are detected in step S2. On the other hand, when at least one of the front sensors 91 and 92 detects the infrared ray from the display device 10 (YES in step S2), the self-propelled cart 1 determines that the bread container 3 of the retail store to be distributed has arrived, and the high speed is achieved. Switch from traveling to slow driving (step S
3). Then, after this switching, the worker M puts the assorted items P displayed in the number display section 12 into the bread container 3.

When a certain time has elapsed after the slow-moving operation was started, it is determined whether or not at least one of the rear sensors 93 and 94 has detected the infrared ray from the display 10 (step S4). If neither of the rear sensors 93 and 94 detects infrared rays (NO in step S4),
The self-propelled trolley 1 is used to sort the goods P into the bread container 3 of the retail store.
Distribution is completed, the foot switch 13 is turned on and the infrared light emitting lamp 11 is turned off, and it is determined whether at least one of the front sensors 91 and 92 detects the infrared light from the display unit 10. (Step S
5).

At this time, if at least one of the front sensors 91, 92 detects infrared rays from the display device 10 (YES in step S5), the self-propelled carriage 1 will move to the above-mentioned sorted product P.
Next to the bread container 3 that distributed the (the traveling direction side of the self-propelled carriage 1)
It is determined that the infrared light emitting lamp 11 of the display 10 of the retail store is turned on, and the process returns to step S3 and the driving is continued. On the other hand, if none of the front sensors 91 and 92 detect infrared rays in step S5 (N in step S5)
O), the self-propelled cart 1 determines that there is a distance from the bread container 3 to which the sorted product P is distributed to the bread container 3 of the retail store to be distributed next, and returns to step S1 to switch from slow driving to high speed traveling.

On the other hand, in step S4, the rear sensors 93, 94
If at least one of them detects the infrared ray from the display 10 (YES in step S4), the self-propelled carriage 1 has not yet completed the distribution of the assortment P to the bread container 3 of the retail store,
It is determined that the infrared light emitting lamp 11 is still lit, and the traveling is temporarily stopped (step S6).

Next, it is determined whether or not the worker M turns on the distribution confirmation foot switch 13 of the display device 10 to turn off (turn off) the infrared light emitting lamp 11 detected by the rear sensors 93 and 94. When the determination is made (step S7) and the infrared light emitting lamp 11 is turned off (extinguished) (YES in step S7), the process proceeds to step S5.
On the other hand, if the infrared light emitting lamp 11 remains lit in step S7 (NO in step S7), it is determined whether or not the worker M has turned on the stop switch of the operation panel 8 (step S8), and the stop switch is turned on. If it is not turned on (NO in step S8), the process returns to step S6 to continue the paused state. On the other hand, when the stop switch is turned on in step S8 (YES in step S8),
The self-propelled carriage 1 suspends its operation (step S9).

As described above, when at least one of the front sensors 91 and 92 detects the infrared ray from the display 10, the self-propelled carriage 1 automatically slows down (decelerates), so that the worker M can The sorted items P can be distributed to the bread container 3. Further, even if the distribution of the sorted product P is not completed within the above-mentioned fixed time, the self-propelled carriage 1 automatically stops without passing, so even if the distribution work is time-consuming, the sorted product can be surely sorted to the sorting destination. P can be distributed.

Next, a second embodiment of the self-propelled carriage 1 and the display 10 will be described. In the second embodiment, the self-propelled carriage 1 includes an infrared light emitting lamp (oscillator) that irradiates the display 10 with infrared light in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment described above. In addition, the indicator 10 is the above-mentioned first
Instead of the infrared light emitting lamp 11 of the embodiment, a reflector for reflecting infrared rays emitted from the self-propelled carriage 1 toward the self-propelled carriage 1 and a lid or the like for the reflector based on a display signal from the controller. A reflection control unit including a control unit that controls whether or not to block the light is provided.

Then, the display 10 reflects infrared rays from the self-propelled carriage 1 toward the self-propelled carriage 1 by the reflector of the display 10 of the retail store to which the sorted goods P should be distributed, and The reflectors of the display 10 other than the retail store to be distributed are shielded. On the other hand, in the self-propelled carriage 1, when the infrared rays radiated toward the display 10 are reflected by the reflector of the display 10 and the reflected light is detected by the front sensors 91, 92, the first embodiment described above is used. Similarly, the retail store of the display device 10 determines that the sorted product P is to be distributed and switches from high-speed traveling to slow traveling.

As described above, since the infrared light emitting lamp is provided on the side of the self-propelled carriage 1, it is not necessary to provide the infrared light emitting lamp for each display 10 to illuminate as in the first embodiment described above, and power saving is achieved. Can be planned.

In the above description, the sensors 91 to 94 detect the infrared rays emitted from the infrared light emitting lamp 11 and the like of the display device 10, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the display device 10 is sorted. Ultrasonic waves may be emitted as a request signal for requesting distribution of the object (bread) P, and the sensors 91 to 94 may detect the ultrasonic waves. Further, the display 10 may emit radio waves, magnetism, heat or the like, and the sensors 91 to 94 may detect the radio waves or the like.

Further, the display 10 may emit the above infrared rays or ultrasonic waves as a pulse, for example, and the sensors 91 to 94 may detect this pulse. In this case, the influence of external light or the like can be reduced.

Further, in the above-mentioned flow chart, the process proceeds to step S4 after slowing down for a predetermined time in step S3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the front sensor 9 can be used.
Alternatively, the process may proceed to step S4 after gradually decelerating for a certain distance set by the detection range of 1,92 or the rotation speed of the axle of the self-propelled carriage 1.

[0033]

According to the self-propelled trolley of the present invention, since the sorted products are transported to the sorting destinations to which the sorted products need to be distributed, the burden of sorting work on the worker can be reduced. Also, when a request signal from the request signal generating means provided for each sorting destination is detected, the self-propelled carriage automatically decelerates from high-speed traveling and switches to slow speed, so the worker self-propels the sorted goods. It can be distributed from the truck to the sorting destination. Further, since the worker is moving forward (slowing down) even during the distribution work, it is possible to shorten the moving time to the next sorting destination.

Further, when a signal is transmitted from the self-propelled carriage to the reflection control means and the distribution of the sorted products is requested, the signal from the self-propelled carriage is reflected by the reflection control means toward the self-propelled carriage, Since this reflected signal is detected and the self-propelled carriage is switched from high-speed traveling to slow driving, it is not necessary to provide a means for transmitting a request signal such as infrared rays to each sorting destination, and power saving can be achieved.

Furthermore, since the self-propelled carriage stops when the request signal from the request signal generation means is detected by the rear signal detection means, the self-propelled carriage passes the sorting destination before the worker finishes the distribution work. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a control system of a self-propelled carriage according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a self-propelled carriage.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing a sorting line in which the self-propelled carriage of the present invention is arranged.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a display device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the self-propelled carriage of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional sorting line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Self-propelled trolley 2 Display rail 3 Pan container 4 Drive control means (speed control means) 5 Drive means 6 Placement stand 7 Stand 8 Operation panel 10 Indicator 11 Infrared light emitting lamp (request signal generation means) 12 Quantity display 13 Distribution Confirmation foot switch 91,92 Front sensor (front signal detection means) 93,94 Rear sensor (rear signal detection means) L Sorting line M Worker P Sorted product (pan)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A self-propelled trolley for transporting sorted products at high speed and controlling the speed in response to a request signal requesting distribution of sorted products from request signal generating means provided for each sorting destination. A signal detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the request signal from the request signal generating means, and a speed control means for switching the self-propelled carriage from high speed traveling to slow driving when the request signal is detected by the signal detecting means. Self-propelled trolley characterized by having. 2. The request signal generating means comprises reflection control means for reflecting a signal from the self-propelled carriage toward the self-propelled carriage when requesting the distribution of the sorted products, and the self-propelled carriage is provided with the request signal generation means. 2. The self-propelled carriage according to claim 1, further comprising a signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the means, and a signal detecting means for detecting a reflected signal from the request signal generating means. 3. The self-propelled carriage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the signal detection means includes front signal detection means provided at a front portion of the self-propelled carriage and rear signal detection provided at a rear portion of the self-propelled carriage. The speed control means causes the self-propelled carriage to switch from high speed traveling to slow drive when the request signal from the request signal generating means is detected by the front signal detecting means, and the request is detected by the rear signal detecting means. A self-propelled carriage, wherein the self-propelled carriage is stopped when a request signal from the signal generating means is detected.