JPH06278810A - Remote control device of mobile rack system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a remote control device for mobile rack system with which the safety of operator(s) is secured by structuring so that a rack facing the passage for works formed through manipulation of a specified remote control operation part will not move even though other rate control operation part is manipulated. CONSTITUTION:A remote control device for a mobile rack system stores in memory the information by which remote operating means 23-25 the applicable passage for works is formed when such passage is formed by manipulation of any of the remote operating means 23-25, and when operational information to disengaging the interlock of racks 15-22 facing the formed work passage is generated by the remote operating means 23-25 and judgement is such that the interlock is not due to the remote operating means 23-25 which has sent the operational information on the basis of the data which has been stored in the memory, the interlock of the racks 15-22 is maintained while no reception is made of the operational information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a moving rack system for controlling the movement of a plurality of shelves so as to optionally form working passages between the shelves, and more particularly to a remote shelving system. The present invention relates to improvement of a remote control device that is controlled to move by operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in a shelving system for storing a large number of articles and files, a moving shelving system such as the one mentioned above is often used in order to improve space efficiency. And, in such a moving shelf system, it is common to manually drive each of the shelves to form a work passage corresponding to the work surface of the intended shelf. It becomes difficult to move it manually if it becomes large or the number of shelves is large.

Therefore, conventionally, each shelf is automatically moved by operating a passage selection switch corresponding to the work passage to be formed by providing a self-propelled mechanism on each shelf. Various self-propelled mobile rack systems have been developed in which a passage for use is formed. That is, in this type of moving shelf system, a motor and a passage selecting switch are installed on each of a plurality of shelves that are set to be movable along a specified rail, and a passage selecting switch provided on an arbitrary shelf I. By operating, each of the shelves is moved by the motor so that the work passage i corresponding to the shelf I is formed.

Then, a work passage i corresponding to the above shelf I
After the ridge is formed, the work passage i is automatically interlocked so as to be retained. This interlock state is maintained until, for example, when a worker leaves the work passage i, the reset switch installed on the shelf I is operated.

By the way, in the self-propelled mobile rack system as described above, recently, remote operation means by a wireless remote control system has been introduced.
By introducing this remote operation means, the worker operates the remote control operation unit from a place away from the shelves while riding on, for example, a forklift to form a work passage between arbitrary shelves. Therefore, it is not necessary for the worker to go to operate the aisle selection switch on the shelf every time the work aisle is formed, and the workability can be improved.

However, the remote control means introduced into such a moving rack system is still in the stage of development, and there is room for improvement in various points. For example, when a plurality of remote control operating units are installed for one mobile rack system and different remote control operating units are carried by different workers, the mobile rack system can Instead of unconditionally accepting all the operation requests sent from the remote control operation unit, it is necessary to accept all the operation requests in a form that can ensure the safety of workers and without causing operational inconsistencies.

For example, when two workers A and B carry two remote control operating parts a and b respectively to perform work, the work formed by the worker A operating the remote control operating part a. While working in the aisle a '
When the worker B operates the remote control operation part b to form another work passage b ', the mobile shelf system unconditionally accepts the operation request from the remote control operation part b, and the work passage a If the shelves facing ′ are moved, it will be a dangerous state for the worker A.

[0008]

As described above, the conventional remote operation means introduced into the mobile rack system does not unconditionally accept all the operation requests sent from the plurality of remote control operation parts and moves. There is a strong demand for the shelf system to receive the work in a form that can ensure the safety of workers and that is consistent in operation.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a shelf facing a work passage formed by operating a predetermined remote control operation unit can operate another remote control operation unit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an extremely good remote control device for a movable rack system which can ensure the safety of workers by preventing it from being moved.

[0010]

A remote control device for a movable rack system according to the present invention includes a plurality of racks that are movably supported along specified rails and work to be formed on the plurality of racks. By setting the position information of the work passage, a work passage is selectively formed between arbitrary shelves,
The object is to provide a plurality of remote operation means for interlocking a shelf facing the formed work passage. And, when the working passage is formed by the remote operation means, a storage means for storing which remote operation means the working passage was formed on the basis of,
A shelf facing the formed work passage based on the stored content of the storage means in a state where operation information for releasing the interlock of the shelf facing the formed work passage is generated by the remote operation means. The interlock of the shelf facing the formed work passage is provided with a determination means for determining whether or not the interlock of the shelf is applied by the remote operation means that has transmitted the operation information. If it is not the one that was sent by the remote control means that sent the message, the operation information is not accepted and the shelf interlock is held.

[0011]

According to the above construction, when the working passage is formed by the remote operating means, it is stored which operation of the remote operating means the working passage was formed on. Based on this stored content, when operation information for releasing the interlock of the shelf facing the work passage formed is generated by the remote operation means, the interlock of the shelf sends the operation information remotely. It is determined whether or not the shelf is interlocked by the operation means, and if the interlock of the shelf is not the one by the remote operation means that has transmitted the operation information, the operation information is not accepted and the shelf interlock is held. That is, the shelf facing the work passage formed by the predetermined remote control means is prevented from being moved by the operation of the other remote control means. It is possible to sufficiently secure the members of safety.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the moving shelf system described in this embodiment. In this case, four fixed shelves 11 and 1 arranged side by side at predetermined intervals.
Moving rack block 0 is provided between 2, 13, and 14 respectively.
1,02,03 are installed. Of these, the movable shelf block 01 installed between the fixed shelves 11 and 12 has first to third movable shelves 15, 16 and 17.

Then, the movable shelves 15, 16 and 17 are moved rightward or leftward in the figure, so that the fixed shelf 11 is moved.
And the movable rack 15, between the movable racks 15 and 16, between the movable racks 16 and 17, and between the movable rack 17 and the fixed rack 12, work paths 01, 02, 03, 04 are respectively provided. It can be optionally formed. In addition, the moving shelf 15
Is equipped with a main control panel M1 that controls and manages the movement and stop of all the movable shelves 15, 16, 17 including self, and the other movable shelves 16, 17 are connected to the main control panel M1. Sub-control boards S1 and S2 for controlling / managing their own movements and stops based on the above command are installed.

Further, the movable shelf block 02 installed between the fixed shelves 12 and 13 includes the first to third movable shelves 1.
It has 8, 19, 20. And each mobile shelf 18,
19 and 20 are moved rightward or leftward in the drawing, so that the movable shelves 18 and 1 are moved between the fixed shelf 12 and the movable shelf 18.
9 and between the movable shelves 19 and 20 and between the movable shelves 20 and the fixed shelves 13, work passages 01, 02, 0, respectively.
3,04 can be optionally formed. Then, all the moving shelves 1 including self are included in the moving shelves 18.
A main control panel M1 that controls and manages the movement and stop of 8, 19, and 20 is installed, and the other moving shelves 19 and 20 can be moved and stopped by themselves based on commands from the main control panel M1. Sub-control boards S1 and S2 for controlling and managing are installed respectively.

The movable shelf block 03 installed between the fixed shelves 13 and 14 includes the first and second movable shelves 2.
It has 1 and 22. The movable shelves 21 and 22 are moved rightward or leftward in the figure, so that the fixed shelves 13 and the movable shelves 21, the movable shelves 21 and 22, and the movable shelves 22 and the fixed shelves 14 are moved. Working passages 01, 02, 03 respectively can be optionally formed between and. A main control panel M1 that controls and manages the movement and stop of all the movable shelves 21 and 22 including self is installed on the movable shelf 21, and the main control panel M1 is installed on the other movable shelves 22. Controls its own movement and stop based on commands from M1.
A sub-control panel S1 for managing is installed.

Here, each of the movable rack blocks 01, 0
2, 03, by operating any one of the three remote control operating units 23, 24, 25 of the wireless system, the respective movable shelves 15-17, 18-20, 2 are moved.
The movement of 1 and 22 is controlled. That is, after the operation information transmitted from any one of the remote control operation units 23, 24, 25 is received by the receiver RC installed on the mobile rack 15, 18, 21 and decoded by the main control panel M1. By being transmitted to the sub-control boards S1 and S2, the operations of the movable shelves 15 to 17, 18 to 20, 21 and 22 are controlled.

Each moving shelf block 01, 02, 03
The mobile shelves 15, 18, 21 of the mobile shelf block 0
Main operation panels MS for controlling 1, 02, 03 are installed respectively, and all the moving shelves 15-17, 18-20, 21, 22 including the moving shelves 15, 18, 21 are respectively provided. Sub-operation panel S for individually controlling each operation
Each S is installed.

Next, FIG. 2 shows the external appearance of the remote control operating section 23. Since the other remote control operating units 24 and 25 have the same configuration as the remote control operating unit 23, the description thereof will be omitted. First, on the front surface side of the remote control operation unit 23, as shown in FIG. 2A, a liquid crystal display unit 26 and a key operation unit 27 are installed. Further, an antenna connector 28 is installed at the upper end in FIG. 2A, and a serial communication connector 29 and an external power supply jack 30 are installed at the lower end in FIG. 2A. Of these, the key operation unit 27
"+", "-", "LIGHT", "NEX
"T", "SHIFT", "EVEN", "STAR"
"T", "RESET", "0" to "9", "MEMOR"
Various keys such as "Y", "CLR", "STOP" and "POWER" are installed.

As shown in FIG. 2B, on the rear surface side of the remote control operation section 23, a transmission frequency switching section 31, a serial transmission display section 32, a serial reception display section 33, an operation mode setting section (DS1). ) 34, serial communication setting unit (DS2) 35, and battery storage unit 36 are installed.

Further, the liquid crystal display section 26 has a structure shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the input mode display unit 37, the start display unit 38, the reset operation display unit 39, the power supply display unit 4
0, operation mode switch setting display section 41, memory display section 42, transmitting display section 43, shift display section 44, block data display section 45, passage data display section 46 and the like are installed.

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the remote control operating section 23. That is, the remote control operating unit 23 is an MPU having the memory 47 built therein.
(Microprocessor unit) 48, and this MP
A display unit 49 such as the liquid crystal display unit 26, the serial transmission display unit 32, and the serial reception display unit 33 described above in U48;
Key operation unit 27, transmission frequency switching unit 31, operation mode setting unit (DS1) 34, and serial communication setting unit (DS2)
An operation unit 50 such as 35 is connected. Then, the operation information of the key operation unit 27 is transmitted from the MPU 48 to the outside via the transmission circuit 51.

Further, FIG. 4 shows the movable shelves 15, 18,
21 shows the internal configuration of the receiver RC installed at 21.
That is, the remote control operation units 23, 2
The operation information sent from 4, 25 is received by the receiving circuit 52, and is output to the main control panel M1 via the MPU 54 having the memory 53 built therein and the communication circuit 55.

Here, by using the remote control operation unit 23, an arbitrary work passage 0 is added to the movable shelf block 01.
The basic operation of forming 1, 02, 03, 04 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the operation is started (step S1), the worker, in step S2, starts from "0" of the remote control operation unit 23.
By operating the "9" key, the number 01 of the moving shelf block is input. Next, in step S3, the worker operates the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operation unit 23,
No. 01, 02, 03 or 0 of work passage to be formed
Enter 4. The number of the moving shelf block and the number of the work passage that have been input are displayed on the block data display unit 45 and the passage data display unit 46, respectively.

Therefore, in step S4, the worker looks at the display contents of the block data display unit 45 and the aisle data display unit 46 and determines whether the input mobile shelf block number and work aisle number are OK. To determine. In this case, OK
If not (NO), the worker selects "C" in step S5.
After operating the "LR" key twice to clear the display contents of the block data display unit 45 and the passage data display unit 46, the process returns to step S2. In this case, the work passage number displayed on the passage data display section 46 is cleared by the first operation of the "CLR" key, and displayed on the block data display section 45 by the second operation of the "CLR" key. The mobile shelf block number will be cleared.

Further, if the number of the moving shelf block and the number of the work passage displayed on the block data display portion 45 and the passage data display portion 46 are OK (YES), the worker decides " Operate the "START" key. Then, each mobile shelf 1 that constitutes the mobile shelf block 01
5, 16 and 17 main control panels M1 and sub control panels S1 and S2
In step S7, the movement control is performed on each of the movable shelves 15, 16 and 17 so as to form the work passage displayed on the block data display portion 45 and the passage data display portion 46,
Here, a desired work passage set by the remote control operation unit 23 is formed.

In this way, when the working passage is opened to a predetermined width, the main control panel M of each movable rack 15, 16, 17 is opened.
In step S8, the 1 and the sub-control boards S1 and S2 stop the movement of the movable shelves 15, 16 and 17 and interlock the movable shelves facing the formed work passage. Then, in step S9, the worker enters the formed work passage and performs the work, and when the work is completed,
In step S10, the "RESET" key is operated. Then, the main control board M1 and the sub-control boards S1, S2 of the movable shelves 15, 16, 17 release the interlock in step S11.

Thereafter, in step S12, the worker determines whether or not another working path needs to be formed in the same moving shelf block 01, and if there is (YES), the process of step S3 is performed. Will be returned. Further, when it is not necessary to form another work passage in the same moving shelf block 01 (N
O), the worker determines in step S13 whether or not to form a work passage with respect to the other movable shelf block 02 or 03, and when forming it (YES), through step S5 to step S2. When it is returned to the process and the work passage is not formed with respect to the other movable shelf block 02 or 03 (NO), the process ends (step S14).

In the basic operation described above, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the input moving rack block number is OK. If it is OK (YES), the work passage input in the next step is selected. Determine whether the number is OK,
When it is not OK (NO), the process is returned to the process of step S3, and when it is OK (YES), the process proceeds to the process of step S6. You may make it discriminate | determine whether it is OK.

Based on the above basic operation, the characteristic operation of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the remote control operation unit 2
3, the case where the working passage 01 of the movable shelf block 01 shown in FIG. 1 is formed will be described as an example. First, it is started (step S15), and in step S16,
Mobile shelf block 0 from the remote control operation unit 23
The operation information forming the first work passage 01 is sent out, and in step S17, the mobile rack 1 belonging to the mobile rack block 01 is sent.
When the operation information is received by the receiver RC of No. 5, the MPU 54 of the receiver RC receives the moving shelf 15 in step S18.
A command for forming the working passage 01 is output to the main control board M1.

Next, in step S19, the main control panel M1 of the movable rack 15 has each movable rack 1 belonging to the movable rack block 01.
It is determined whether or not 5, 16 and 17 are movable, and if they are not movable (NO), the process returns to step S16. If the movable shelves 15, 16 and 17 are in a movable state (YES), the main control panel M of the movable shelf 15 is moved.
1 outputs a command for forming the work passage 01 to the sub control boards S1 and S2 of the movable shelves 16 and 17 in step S20. Then, the main control board M1 and the sub-control boards S1, S2 of the movable shelves 15, 16, 17 are moved in step S21 so as to form the working passage 01.
7 is controlled to move, and after the working passage 01 is formed, in step S22, the movable rack 15 facing the working passage 01 is interlocked.

After that, the main control board M1 of the movable rack 15 sends data indicating that the movable rack 15 is interlocked to the receiver RC of the movable rack 15 in step S23. Then, the MPU 54 of the receiver RC of the mobile shelf 15
In step S24, it is stored in the memory 53 that the moving rack 15 is interlocked, that is, that the work passage 01 is formed based on the operation information sent from the remote control operation unit 23. Then, a series of operations associated with forming the working passage 01 of the movable shelf block 01 is completed here.

In such a state, step S25
Then, for example, the "RESET" key of the remote control operating unit 24 other than the remote control operating unit 23 is operated, and the mobile shelf 1 is moved from the remote control operating unit 24.
It is assumed that the operation information for releasing the interlock of No. 5 is transmitted and the operation information is received by the receiver RC of the mobile rack 15. Then, in step S26, the MPU 54 of the receiver RC looks at the stored contents of the memory 53 and moves the mobile rack 1
It is determined whether or not it is stored that the interlock applied to 5 is based on the operation information sent from the remote control operation unit 23.

In this case, since it is stored (YE
S), the MPU 54 of the receiver RC, in step S27,
The operation information for releasing the interlock of the moving rack 15 sent from the remote control operation unit 24 is not accepted, and the interlock of the moving rack 15 is ended while being held (step S28). In addition, the interlock hung on the movable rack 15 has the remote control operation unit 23.
If it is not stored in the memory 53 that the information is based on the operation information sent from (NO), the MPU 54 of the receiver RC, in step S29, the interface of the mobile shelf 15 sent from the remote control operation unit 24. The operation information for releasing the lock is received, the interlock of the movable rack 15 is released, and the process ends (step S28).

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, it is determined that the interlocking of the movable rack 15 is based on the operation information sent from the remote control operating section 23. 15 is stored in the memory 53 of the receiver RC installed in the mobile terminal 15 and the operation information for releasing the interlock of the mobile shelf 15 is received,
It is determined whether or not the operation information is sent from the remote control operation unit 23, and the remote control operation units 2 other than the remote control operation unit 23 are determined.
In the case of being sent from Nos. 4 and 25, since the interlock of the movable rack 15 is not released, the safety of the worker can be sufficiently ensured.

For example, the remote control operation unit 23
Based on the operation information sent from the mobile shelf block 01
In the state where the work passage 01 is formed and the movable shelf 15 is interlocked, another worker tries to form the work passage 03 of the movable shelf block 01 by operating the remote control operation unit 24. In this case, if the movable rack 15 is not interlocked, the movable rack 15 is naturally moved to form the work passage 03. However, since the movable rack 15 is interlocked, the movable rack 15 is moved.
Is not moved, and the working passage 03 is not formed.

At this time, another worker tries to release the interlock of the movable rack 15 by operating the "RESET" key of the remote control operation unit 24, but the interlock of the movable rack 15 is prevented by the above-mentioned function. Not released. In this case, in order for another worker to release the interlock of the moving shelf 15, a reset button (not shown) installed on the sub operation panel SS of the moving shelf 15 may be operated, but another worker moves. When approaching the movable shelf 15 in order to operate the reset button installed on the sub operation panel SS of the shelf 15, it is confirmed that there is a worker who is working in the work passage 01, and other workers are It is possible to know that the work passage 03 must be formed after the completion of the work of the worker in the work passage 01, and the safety of the worker in the work passage 01 is ensured. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0037]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
The shelf facing the work passage formed by operating the specified remote control operation part should not be moved even if other remote control operation parts are operated, so that the safety of workers can be ensured. It is possible to provide a very good remote control device for the moving rack system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an embodiment of a remote control device of a mobile shelf system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a remote control operation unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of the remote control operation unit.

FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram showing an internal configuration of a receiver RC in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a basic operation of forming a passage in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a characteristic operation in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11-14 ... Fixed shelf, 15-22 ... Moving shelf, 23-25
... remote control operation part, 26 ... liquid crystal display part, 2
7 ... Key operation part, 28 ... Antenna connector, 29 ... Serial communication connector, 30 ... External power supply jack, 31 ... Transmission frequency switching part, 32 ... Serial transmission display part, 33 ... Serial reception display part, 34 ... Operation mode setting part , 35 ... Serial communication setting section, 36 ... Battery storage section, 37 ... Input mode display section, 38 ... Start display section, 39 ... Reset operation display section, 40 ... Power supply display section, 41 ... Operation mode switch setting display section, 42 ... memory display section, 43 ... transmitting display section, 44 ... shift display section, 45 ... block data display section, 46 ... passage data display section, 47 ... memory, 48 ... M
PU, 49 ... Display unit, 50 ... Operation unit, 51 ... Oscillation circuit,
52 ... Receiving circuit, 53 ... Memory, 54 ... MPU, 55 ...
Communication circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of shelves supported movably along specified rails, and positional information of a work passage desired to be formed on the plurality of shelves are set so that any shelves can be connected to each other. A remote control device for a mobile shelf system, comprising: a plurality of remote operation means for selectively forming a work path on a shelf and interlocking a shelf facing the formed work path; Storage means for storing, when the working passage is formed, based on which remote operation means the working passage is formed,
In the state where the operation information for releasing the interlock of the shelf facing the formed work passage is generated by the remote operation means, based on the stored contents of the storage means, The interlock of the facing shelf is provided with a determining means for determining whether or not the interlock of the facing shelf is applied by the remote operation means that has transmitted the operation information, and the shelf facing the work passage formed is When the interlock is not applied by the remote operation means that has sent the operation information, the interlock is configured to be held without receiving the operation information and to hold the interlock of the shelf. Remote control device.