JPH06278811A - Remote control device of mobile rack system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide possibility of setting and alteration, freely on the user side, of the position information for specifying each passage for works by allocating passage information separately from the position information for the work passage, and storing in memory the passage information in correspondence to the position information. CONSTITUTION:In each remote control operating part 23-25, it is possible to allocate other numbers to each passage for works than the mobile rack block numbers 01-03 and work passage numbers 01-04. After allocation, the passage number is set in the remote control operating parts 23-25, and thereby the desired passage for works can be established. If, for example, the operator enters the passage number 05 into the remote control operating part 23, an MPU 48 searches the stored contents of the memory 47 and judges that the passage number 05 specifies the mobile rack block number 02 and the work passage number 01, and a signal is emitted for forming a work passage to be specified by these numbers, and thus the desired work passage can be established.

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. In such a moving rack system, it is common to manually drive each of the racks to form a work passage corresponding to the work surface of the target rack. 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 set to be movable along a specified rail, and a passage selecting switch provided on an arbitrary shelf A. Each of the shelves is moved by the motor so that the work passage a corresponding to the shelf A is formed by operating the.

A work passage a corresponding to the above shelf A
After the ridge is formed, the work passage a is automatically interlocked so as to be retained. This interlock state is maintained until, for example, when a worker leaves the work passage a, the reset switch installed on the shelf A 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, in order to form a desired work passage by remote control, it is necessary to set the position information for designating the work passage to be formed in the remote control operation unit and then execute passage formation. The work passages and the position information for designating them are fixedly associated with each other when the mobile shelf system is designed. For this reason, the user side of the mobile rack system cannot freely set or change the position information for designating each work passage, which is convenient for the user. There is a problem that it is not suitable for practical use.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional remote operation means introduced into the mobile shelf system, the work passage and the position information for designating the work passage are fixedly associated with each other. Therefore, the user cannot freely set or change the position information for designating the work passage, which is inconvenient and unsuitable for practical use. .

Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and the position information for designating each work passage can be freely set / changed by the user, which is convenient and practical. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control device for a moving rack system which is extremely good.

[0009]

A remote control device for a movable shelf system according to the present invention is formed between a plurality of shelves movably supported along specified rails and between the plurality of shelves. A remote control means for selectively forming a work passage between arbitrary shelves by inputting position information fixedly set for the work passage is provided. Then, the passage information for designating the work passage is allocated to the work passage separately from the position information, and the storage means for storing the assigned passage information in association with the position information and the passage information are input. By this, a search means for searching the storage means for the position information corresponding to the input path information is provided, and the working path corresponding to the position information searched by the search means is formed.

[0010]

According to the above-mentioned structure, the passage information different from the position information fixedly set for the working passage can be allocated, and after the allocation, the passage information is input. Since the desired work passage can be formed, the position information for designating the work passage can be freely set / changed on the user side, and the convenience and convenience can be improved. .

[0011]

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 shelves 12 and the movable shelves 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 is composed of 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 shelf 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.

Incidentally, 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.

On the rear surface side of the remote control operating section 23, as shown in FIG. 2B, 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 unit 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.

Here, by using the remote control operation section 23, an arbitrary work passage 0 is set in 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 section 45 and the aisle data display section 46 and determines whether the input mobile shelf block number and the 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 determines in step S6 " 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. After that, the worker, in step S12,
It is determined whether or not another working path needs to be formed in the same movable rack block 01, and if there is (YES), the process returns to step S3. If it is not necessary to form another work passage in the same moving shelf block 01 (NO), the worker forms a work passage for the other moving shelf block 02 or 03 in step S13. If it is determined and formed (YES), step S5
If the work passage is not formed with respect to the other movable rack block 02 or 03 (NO), the process is returned to the process of step S2 through step S14.

In the basic operation described above, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the number of the input moving shelf block is OK. If it is OK (YES), the work passage of the work path input in the next step is determined. 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.
That is, in the above-described basic operation, the numbers 01, 02, 03 of the moving shelf blocks and the numbers 01, 02, 0 of the work passages are used.
By setting the numbers 3, 04 in the remote control operating unit 23, the work passage to be formed is designated. Then, each work passage and the number 01 of the moving shelf block, which is position information for designating them,
02,03 and work passage numbers 01,02,03,0
The number 4 is fixedly associated with the mobile shelf system when it is designed. In this embodiment, the numbers 01, 02, 03 of the movable shelf blocks and the numbers 01, 02, 03, 04 of the work passages are assigned to the respective work passages for each remote control operation unit 23, 24, 25. Can be assigned a different number (hereinafter referred to as "passage number"), and after the assignment, by setting this passage number in the remote control operating units 23, 24, 25, a desired work passage can be formed. I have to.

FIG. 5 shows the remote control operating section 23.
7 is a flowchart for explaining a passage number assigning operation for the. The operation of assigning passage numbers to the other remote control operating units 24 and 25 is also performed in the same manner as the remote control operating unit 23, and therefore its description is omitted. First, when started (step S15), the worker operates the operation mode setting unit 34 of the remote control operation unit 23 in step S16,
The remote control operating unit 23 is set to the passage table mode for assigning passage numbers.

Next, in step S17, the worker operates the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operating section 23 to specify the number (for example, 01) of the moving shelf block to which the passage number is to be assigned. input. Then, the number of the moving shelf block input in the block data display unit 45 is displayed. Then, in step S18, "START"
When the key is operated, the entered mobile shelf block number disappears, the reset operation display portion 39 blinks, and the passage table setting preparation for the mobile shelf block 01 is completed here.
After that, in step S19, the worker operates the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operation unit 23 to input the number of the work passage to which the passage number is to be assigned (for example, 01). The number of the work passage entered is displayed on the data display unit 45.

Then, in step S20, the worker operates the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operation unit 23 to input the previously entered work passage (moving shelf block number 01, work shelf block). Enter the passage number (eg, MN) to be assigned to the passage number 01). The entered passage number MN is displayed on the passage data display unit 46 of the liquid crystal display unit 26. Therefore, in step S21, the worker determines whether or not the correspondence between the work passage number 01 and the passage number MN displayed on the block data display unit 45 and the passage data display unit 46 is OK. In this case, OK
If not (NO), the worker clears the display of the work passage number 01 and the passage number MN by operating the "CLR" key of the remote control operation unit 23 in step S22, and then the process of step S19. Returned to.

If the correspondence between the work passage number 01 and the passage number MN displayed on the block data display portion 45 and the passage data display portion 46 is OK (Y
ES), the worker operates the "MEMORY" key of the remote control operation unit 23 in step S23.
Then, the MPU 48 of the remote control operating unit 23
In step S24, the work passage number 01 and the passage number MN displayed in the block data display unit 45 and the passage data display unit 46 are associated with each other, and the memory 47 together with the moving rack block number 01 is associated with each other. Remember.

Next, in step S25, the worker determines whether or not there are other work passages 02, 03, 04 for which passage numbers are to be assigned in the moving shelf block with the same number 01. If (YES), the process returns to step S19. Further, another work passage 02 to which a passage number is to be assigned in the moving shelf block of the same number 01,
If there is no 03, 04 (NO), the worker does step S
By operating the "+" or "-" key of the remote control operation unit 23 at 26, the liquid crystal display of the correspondence of the number of the moving shelf block and the number of the work passage and the passage number stored in the memory 47 is displayed. It is sequentially displayed on the unit 26 and it is determined whether or not each is OK.

In this case, the remote control operation unit 2
When the “+” key of No. 3 is operated, the correspondence between the work passage number and the passage number displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 26 is newly stored from the one stored in the memory 47. When the “-” key of the remote control operation unit 23 is operated, the correspondence between the work passage number displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 26 and the passage number is changed.
The memory 47 is controlled so as to sequentially switch from the most recently stored one to the previously stored one.

Then, if there is a correspondence between the number of the moving shelf block which is not OK and the number of the work passage and the passage number (NO), the worker, in step S27, selects "" from the remote control operating unit 23. "SHIFT", "CL
By operating the “R” key, the correspondence between the number of the moving shelf block which is not OK and the correspondence between the number of the working passage and the passage number is deleted from the memory 47, and then the process returns to step S19.

If all the correspondences between the numbers of the movable rack blocks and the numbers of the work passages and the passage numbers stored in the memory 47 are OK (YES), the worker determines another number in step S28. If it is determined whether or not the passage number is to be assigned also to the moving shelf blocks 02 and 03 (YES), the operator operates the "RESET" key to return to the process of step S17. And
If the passage number is not assigned to the moving shelf blocks of other numbers 02 and 03 (NO), the worker
In step S29, the operation mode setting unit 34 of the remote control operation unit 23 is operated to release the above-mentioned passage table mode, and the process ends (step S30).

Here, FIG. 6 shows an example in which passage numbers are assigned to the respective working passages of the mobile rack system shown in FIG. Note that, in FIG. 6, the numbers in parentheses indicate the numbers of the work passages fixedly set for the respective work passages. That is, passage numbers 01, 02, 0 consecutive from the work passage on the left side to the work passage on the right side in the figure
3, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 are allocated. In other words, the passage numbers for the work passages with the numbers 01, 02, 03, 04 in the moving shelf block with the number 01 and the work passages with the numbers 01, 02, 03, 04 in the moving shelf block with the number 02, respectively. 01, 02, 0
3,04,05,06,07,08 are allocated.

The operation of forming the work passage of passage number 05 in the state where the passage numbers are assigned to the respective work passages as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. First, when the operation is started (step S31), the worker operates the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operation unit 23 to input the passage number 05 in step S32, and then in step S33, the remote The "START" key of the control operation unit 23 is operated. Then, the MPU 48 of the remote control operating unit 23
In step S34, the stored contents of the memory 47 are searched, and it is determined that the aisle number 05 designates the moving shelf block number 02 and the work aisle number 01. After that, the MPU 48 of the remote control operation unit 23
In step S35, a signal for forming the work passage designated by the moving shelf block number 02 and the work passage number 01 is transmitted, and the process ends (step S36).

Further, FIG. 8 shows a mobile shelf block number 02.
7A and 7B show an operation example of the remote control operation part 23 when forming the work passage of the work passage number 01, that is, the work passage of the passage number 05. First, FIG.
(A) shows an operation example when the passage number is not assigned. That is, by operating the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operation unit 23, the number 02 of the movable shelf block and the number 01 of the work passage are input and set. At this time, the input moving rack block number 02 and work path number 01 are the same as the block data display unit 45.
And is displayed on the passage data display unit 46. And "S
By operating the "TART" key, a signal for forming a work passage designated by the number 02 of the movable rack block and the number 01 of the work passage is transmitted.

On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows an operation example when the passage numbers are assigned. That is, the passage number 05 is input and set by operating the “0” to “9” keys of the remote control operation unit 23. At this time, the entered passage number 05 is displayed on the passage data display unit 46. And by operating the "START" key,
A signal for forming the work passage designated by the passage number 05 is transmitted.

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, it is possible to assign a passage number different from the moving shelf block number and the work passage number to each work passage, and after the assignment, Since the desired work passage can be formed by operating and setting this passage number on the remote control operation unit 23, the position information for designating each work passage can be freely set / changed on the user side. It is possible to improve convenience and convenience.

Next, FIG. 9 shows another example of assigning passage numbers to the respective working passages of the mobile rack system shown in FIG. The fixed shelf 12 is divided into two shelf rows. That is, consecutive column numbers 01, 02, ..., 15 are attached from the left side shelf line to the right side shelf line, and the column numbers 01, 02 ,. It is the one. In this case, for example, number 02
With respect to the work passage having the number 01 in the moving shelf block, the column number 0 of the shelf row located on both sides of the work passage
Either 9 or 10 may be set as the passage number in the remote control operation unit 23 for operation.

Therefore, as an operation example, FIG.
As shown in, after operating the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operating section 23 to input and set the passage number 09, the procedure of operating the "START" key, or
As shown in FIG. 10 (b), whichever of the procedures is used to operate the "START" key after operating the "0" to "9" keys of the remote control operation unit 23 to input and set the passage number 10 Also, it is possible to form the work passage designated by the number 02 of the movable shelf block and the number 01 of the work passage. 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.

[0042]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
The user can freely set and change the position information for designating each work passage, and it is possible to provide a remote control device for an extremely good moving shelf system that is convenient and practical. .

[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 flowchart for explaining a basic operation of forming a passage in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a characteristic operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an example of passage number allocation in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a characteristic operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an operation example for executing a characteristic operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of assigning passage numbers in the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation example for executing a characteristic operation in the other example.

[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 ... Sending circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Position information fixedly set for a plurality of shelves movably supported along specified rails and a work passage formed between the plurality of shelves is input. Thus, in a remote control device of a mobile shelf system including a remote operation means for selectively forming a work passage between arbitrary shelves, in the work passage, separately from the position information, Storage means for allocating aisle information for designating a work aisle, storing the allocated aisle information in association with the position information, and a position corresponding to the input aisle information by inputting the aisle information. Remote control of a mobile rack system, comprising: a search means for searching information from the storage means, and configured to form a work passage corresponding to the position information searched by the search means. apparatus.