JPH08175628A - Storage condition displaying method in automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide storage conditions displaying method in an automatic warehouse in which storage conditions, conveying conditions, and the like of a warehouse installation in an automatic warehouse are displayed by diagram information by a graphic and the like and character information on a screen of a display device while correction can be carried out in real time on the basis of the display on the display device. CONSTITUTION: In an automatic warehouse, in which plural shelves having parts storage spaces are provided in plural warehouse installations individually while a screen display means for stock control information for these shelves and storage/delivery control means controlling individual information such as an item number and an item name for each of stock parts and its storage/ delivery are provided, graphic information consists of a picture display serving as graphic information, and the screen display means selectively produces different picture displays according to the stock control condition so as to arrange them in plural shelves displayed on the screen in order, and then, display for the stock control condition is carried out.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic warehouse equipped with conveyor equipment used for loading and unloading of inventory parts, and cargo handling equipment such as self-propelled transport vehicles. The present invention relates to an inventory status display method in an automated warehouse, which manages the entry and exit of goods and displays the management status.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automated warehouse having a parts management function for supplying various parts to a production line in a vehicle production factory, when various kinds of various kinds of large and small parts are organized and put in and out efficiently, Inventory parts can be automatically transported and stored in empty shelves, and when warehousing, inventory parts can be automatically transported and taken out of the stored shelves, and this warehousing / moving work can be performed accurately and smoothly. Is an important point. In addition, the parts that need to be in stock to assemble a vehicle range from minute ones to large ones such as bumpers, and the specifications reflect a recent increase in demand and are spread over many models including RVs. There are various colors that can be classified in various ways, such as subtle paint colors and global destinations that have various safety standards in each country. Furthermore, in such an automated warehouse, the operator monitors the inventory status with respect to the inventory management status, and since the instructions for loading and unloading inventory parts are issued one after another, the inventory status can be promptly linked with this instruction. The management method to be corrected is also an important point.

The management status of inventory parts in the conventional automated warehouse equipment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a layout diagram for explaining the layout of a conventional automated warehouse. In the automated warehouse, a warehouse facility 1 having a plurality of inventory parts storage spaces is provided.
1, ..., 1 and self-propelled along this warehouse equipment 1, 1, ..., 1 and equipped with cargo handling equipment for delivery of stock parts such as forklifts. Car 11
The self-propelled carrier 11 and the loading / unloading facilities 2a and 2b for automatically operating when loading / unloading to / from the automated warehouse, and the loading / unloading facility 2
The storage / delivery control unit 3 for controlling the automatic operation of a and 2b is provided. The warehousing facility 2a is on the upper floor, and the warehousing facility 2 for warehousing is provided.
b is installed downstairs.

Each of the stock parts is placed on a pallet that serves as a pedestal, and is carried into the stocking equipment 2a from a storage entrance 2c on the floor, and a warehouse equipment 1 having a stock parts storage space to which a stocking instruction is given by an operator. , 1, ..., 1 and is taken out from a warehouse facility 1, 1, ..., 1 having a stock part storage space based on a later issue instruction, and a delivery port 2d of a delivery facility 2b downstairs. It is structured so that it can be carried out to. Reference numeral 4 is a lift facility for connecting the exit 2d and the entrance 2c.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view for concretely explaining the facility of the automatic warehouse in FIG. In FIG. 8, the equipment of the automated warehouse has a self-propelled carrier 11 for carrying inventory parts,
A single warehouse facility is formed by arranging a plurality of parts storage spaces 12, 12, ..., 12 in which the stock parts 13, 13, ... One warehouse equipment is selected from the warehouse equipments 1, 1, ..., 1 having a space, and the bays Xa to Xn (horizontal arrows) in the horizontal direction in this warehouse equipment and the level Y in the vertical direction are selected.
By setting a to Yn (vertical arrows), a specific parts shelf can be selected. Each parts storage space 12, 12, ..., 12
Is managed by a mechanism that latches and supports the pallet and a circuit that detects the operation of this latch mechanism by a so-called contact switch such as a microswitch or a relay and notifies the parts management function of the automatic warehouse.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram for schematically explaining control of various devices of the automatic warehouse shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As for the control of various devices, a sequence control unit 31 that controls the overall sequence relating to loading and unloading, a loading and unloading control unit 32 that controls the loading and unloading facilities 2a and 2b, and monitoring of the progress of loading and unloading While giving various instructions, the instruction device 33, the sequence control unit 31, and the instruction device 33
It is configured by a support system SYS1 (not shown) for supporting the.

The sequence control section 31 is, in addition to a section for controlling the sequence itself, communication for performing communication processing between an input / output interface 31a for performing input / output processing and a support system SYS1 (not shown) for supporting the automatic warehouse system. It is composed of an interface 31b and a management unit 31c which manages the input / output and communication interfaces 31a and 31b in a centralized manner, introduces and recognizes the state of the automatic warehouse, forms control data, and sends the control data. Transport control unit 3
2 controls the warehousing and unloading facilities 2a and 2b, and the self-propelled guided vehicles 11, 11 ,.
Induction of 1. The instruction device 33 includes the sequence controller 3
Management unit 31 via the first input / output interface 31a
It is connected to c and is operated by automatic warehouse management software that monitors the sequence control of warehousing and warehousing, instructs the warehousing and warehousing, and manages the inventory.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure relating to the instruction of loading and unloading of the automatic warehouse in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the control of the automatic warehouse classifies management items of various kinds by the instruction device 33 and manages them. 31a, a management item setting step S1 set in advance, a stocking / stocking start instruction step S2 for designating an inventory part to be stocked / stocked by the designating device 33 to start the operation of the stocking / managing, and management according to the stocking / stocking instruction. The control section S3 controls the sequence related to the items, and the shelf data update step S4 causes the management unit 32c to update the management items based on the control result of this sequence. Inventory control is performed while operating the.

However, this large-scale mechanism detects a large number of limit switches associated with the movement of the automated guided vehicle 11 and the transport equipments 2a and 2b shown in FIG. In some cases, the movement state of the display may differ from the movement display on the pointing device 33. In addition, when sequence control precedes this detection error, the accumulation of detection errors per se is not limited to a simple difference in the actual movement state, and the operator manually transfers the inventory parts itself to the automated guided vehicle 11 or the transportation. In some cases, there is no choice but to move on the facilities 2a and 2b. Further, when the difference frequently occurs, the automated guided vehicle 11 or the transport facility 2 which is presumed to be the cause of the failure
It is also necessary to replace a and 2b with spare equipment, which is also different from the moving display, and in that case, these differences must be corrected by instructing them on the instructing device 33 to match them. Give rise to a case.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional correction method for correcting the stock state shown in FIG. 10. In the conventional correction method shown in FIG. 10, the management items shown in FIG. 10 are set. During performance of step S1, or
During the interruption of the control step S3 of the sequence, it is determined whether or not the correction mode in which a job for correcting the transport state can be started, and if it cannot be started, a stock correction mode determination step S11 in which another job can be executed, Pointing device 3
Step S12 of instructing the contents of inventory correction to be corrected by 3.
And a stock management item resetting step S13 for resetting the transportation state of the stock management item as required. Note that S10 is a step for starting a job for inventory correction, and S19 is a step for executing another job.

[0011]

The display on the screen of the instruction device 33 shown in FIG. 9 in the processing method of the stock state and the transportation state, which is configured as described above, is displayed on the support system S (not shown).
It is performed by pressing keys such as letters, numbers, and symbols on the YS1 keyboard. However, it takes time for the operator to perform input processing considering the input content, and it is not easy to get used to the input operation. It was often accompanied by input.

Further, since the stock position and stock status on the screen of the indicating device 33 are displayed by character information consisting of characters and numbers, the operator grasps the actual situation after reading and judging the character information. It took time to get there. Further, even when the inventory status or the transportation status is corrected, there is a problem that the replacement destination cannot be specified smoothly because the information is a series of character strings.

Due to these problems, it has not been possible to flexibly cope with the supply of parts, which is the most important issue in a vehicle production factory, according to the operating status of the production line. In view of these problems, the invention of the present application displays, on the screen of the instructing device 33, graphic information such as a graphic and character information such as a stock state and a transport state of warehouse equipment in an automated warehouse, and on the screen of the instructing device 33. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying inventory status in an automated warehouse, which can be corrected in real time from the display of.

[0014]

As a first feature of the means for solving these problems, the present invention is provided with a plurality of shelves having a component storage space in each of a plurality of warehouse facilities, and manages the inventory of these shelves. In an automatic warehouse having an information screen display means and a stocking / unloading control means for managing individual information of stocked parts such as a product number or a product name, and controlling the stocking / unloading of the stocked parts, the graphic information is a pictorial display. The screen display means is configured to selectively generate different pictorial displays depending on the stock management status and arrange them in order on a plurality of shelves displayed on the screen to display the stock management status.

As a second feature, the screen display means divides the screen display area into screens, and the inventory management status of each shelf is used as graphic information in each display area, and the individual information of inventory parts is character information. Is to be displayed as.

Further, as a third feature, the screen display means displays a stocking / unloading instruction of inventory parts in the screen display area, specifies the display area, and selects a specific warehouse facility. It is configured to correct the inventory management status and individual information of inventory parts in the warehouse equipment.

[0017]

[Operation] Put a shelf etc. with a parts storage space in stock,
Graphic information such as a graphic symbolically representing the stock status set in the graphic information and character information are visually displayed in a screen display area divided into screens of the display device. For graphic information such as graphic information based on the X and Y coordinates of the display area, the graphic information is moved to an arbitrary position of the X and Y coordinates by a display means stored in a sequencer or the like, and each shelf is displayed. The usage status is specifically displayed in the screen display area of the display device.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The reference numerals used in the embodiments are the same as those in the prior art shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart schematically explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a shelf position and a picture display setting step S121 for setting a corresponding kind of picture display for each shelf position from the information about the stock state, and a graphic corresponding to the set picture display type. A step S122 of selecting graphic information for selecting information and a step S123 of displaying graphic information for displaying the selected graphic information are sequentially provided, and these steps S121, S122, S123 are sequentially repeated for all shelf positions. It has become like. still,
S120 is a stage in which the information regarding the stock status is fetched and the process of the embodiment is started, and S129 is a stage in which this process is ended.

The shelf position and picture display setting step S121 is provided in a common main program, and for each bank number representing each warehouse facility, an array variable is formed by each bay number indicating each shelf position and each level number. Then, the inventory status information in each warehouse facility is acquired in the order of each shelf position, the type of pictorial display is obtained in order from this inventory status information, and this pictorial display type is set in correspondence with the array variable. On the other hand, in the selection and display steps S123 and S122 of the graphic information, each is formed into a group of sub-programs, and the selection and the display of the picture display are completed for all the shelf positions set in the main program. Subprograms are executed repeatedly in sequence. Therefore, if the graphic information of the selected pictorial display is output in sequence to each area that is pre-divided for each array variable indicating each shelf position on the display screen, simply corresponding to this array variable. Well, it is possible to simplify the design of the main program and shorten the execution time.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing an apparatus using the method of the present invention. In FIG. 2, this apparatus has a second sequence control device 35 having information on the stock status and a fixed storage device. A display device 37 having a display unit 38 for displaying and correcting various information from the second sequence control device 35, and a monitor 36a which is a second instruction device group for giving an instruction to the second sequence control device 35. , 36b,
36c, the other components are the same as those in the conventional example shown in FIG.

A monitor 36a, which is a second group of pointing devices,
36b and 36c display figures relating to the specifications of inventory parts and the control state of the automated warehouse 1 in a preset format,
A specific position and management work in the automated warehouse 1 are input to the second sequence control device 35, and an operator confirms the control state and gives an instruction for loading / unloading inventory parts by pressing a graphic. . One of the monitors 36a, 36b, 36c, which is the second indicating device group, is at the above-mentioned entrance 2c, the other is at the exit 2d, and the remaining one is a comprehensive monitor including the stock status. It is arranged as a service and a spare machine, and it is possible to independently perform the warehousing instruction, the warehousing instruction, and the stock state correction operation.

It should be noted that one or two devices may be used as long as each device is used in common, and four or more devices may be added for combined use. Specifically, it is realized by a well-known touch panel or touch screen having a CRT or LCD display, in which a plurality of screens are initialized and an arbitrary figure is designed and assigned to a specific portion of this figure. It is designed to detect that the operator has pressed each divided area and form and send an instruction command corresponding to this divided area. Anything that can be instructed to the automated warehouse system by touching a part of

The second sequence control device 35 includes monitors 36a, 36b, 36 which are a plurality of second indicating device groups.
a second input / output interface 35a that receives an instruction of a loading / unloading operation from c to notify the control state of the automatic warehouse;
A second communication interface 35b that provides various information to be corrected while communicating with the display device 37, and a second management unit 35c that comprehensively manages the second input / output and communication interfaces 35a and 35b. And is configured to be able to execute the same function as that of the first sequence control device 31 described above. Specifically, it is realized by a known sequence controller, sequencer or the like, but any other means may be used as long as it has a programmable control unit.

The display device 37 includes a second sequence control device 35 and monitors 36a, 36 which are a second instruction device group.
The second input / output interface 35a has the same configuration as that of the conventional support system except that it has software such as a monitor program developed for use in b and 36c. An input / output buffer that receives an operator's instruction while designating a screen type is provided with a monitor 36a, 36b, which is a second instruction device group.
Each of the input / output buffers is connected to the second management unit 35c through a multiplexer which has a designation for each of the 36c, distributes these types of designations to each, and collects the acceptance of the instructions from each.

The second management section 35c includes an application program for managing warehousing / stocking and inventory.
This application program includes a loading / unloading setting section for setting sequence control according to loading / unloading instructions, a status monitoring section for monitoring the operating status and adjusting the sequence control, and the like via a common memory. It is adapted to be connected to the communication interface 35b. The status monitoring unit commands the interrupt processing in the warehousing and setting unit to start the correction of the conveyance deviation and the correction of the inventory abnormality when the conveyance deviation or the inventory abnormality occurs, and the time monitoring in each process of the sequence control. And time management. Further, each correction can be performed by an operator who gives an instruction as needed, and the warehousing / dispatching setting section can independently instruct and execute the correction.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a screen for displaying the operating condition of the warehouse equipment of the second instruction device in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 (a) of this FIG. 3 is a layout diagram showing the layout of the entire warehouse. Yes, FIG. 3 (b) is a partial illustration of the storage path in FIG. 3 (a). In FIG. 3 (a) showing the layout of the entire warehouse, reference symbol S is a partial screen showing the facility for entering the warehouse, reference symbol D is a partial screen for the facility for delivering goods, and reference symbol G is a correction operation for inventory status. This is a partial screen for making it possible to monitor the operating status of the warehouse equipment from both the receiving side and the outgoing side.

The partial screen S displaying the storage facility is R1 for introducing a pallet by the storage conveyor by the storage operation.
And a distribution path R2 for selecting each bank of the warehouse equipment to distribute the pallets, and guide paths R3, R3 ,. ． R3 and a storage path V for storing a pallet by selecting a shelf to be stored by the automated guided vehicle,
V ,. ． It consists of V. The partial screen D that displays the warehouse equipment for leaving the warehouse is such that the warehousing operation is the warehousing operation, the warehousing conveyor is changed to the warehousing conveyor, and the moving direction of the pallet is reversed, and the introduction path R1 is the introduction path and the distribution path R2. To the combined flow path 2, and the guide paths R3, R3 ,. ． R3 as the delivery path,
Storage paths V, V ,. ． There is no difference from the partial screen S described above except that V is replaced with the acquisition path.

These introduction path R1, derivation path, distribution path R2,
Combined channels, taxiways R3, R3 ,. ． R3 and the delivery path are displayed by highlighting the operating state of each carrier device during normal operation, distinguishing it from normal operation, and warning colors such as white or green (yellow, orange, or red) corresponding to colorlessness. Also, it is designed to blink or indicate a word of driving or failure.

In FIG. 3B, the storage paths V, V ,. ．
The V and the acquisition path distinguish between the instruction shelf column V1 indicating the storage shelf instruction by the bay and the level value, and the instruction section indicating the identification number of the corresponding automated guided vehicle by distinguishing whether the setting is a storage instruction or a delivery instruction. V2 is displayed in the center, and a bank in which a loading / unloading instruction is set is numerically displayed. ． V3
Are arranged on both sides, and it is possible to display the storage shelves instructed in each aisle and whether or not there is a storage / instruction instruction in a list by imitating the structural form of the automatic warehouse system. Moreover, each storage path V, V ,. ． By pressing on the figure V, the contents of the storage instruction given to the automatic transport device of the storage path are expanded and displayed on the partial screen G for correcting the stock state.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for schematically explaining the screen for displaying the stock status for use in the method of the embodiment in FIG. In FIG. 4, the screen for displaying the inventory status shows a title column F41 of inventory correction for declaring an inventory state correction operation by indicating the identification number of the corresponding bank and automatic carrier, and the entry / exit instruction corresponding to this identification number. , A stock display field F43 that concretely shows the stock status by a symbolic figure, and an operation guidance field F44 for issuing various operation instructions in this correction work. The instruction content column F42 distinguishes between a warehousing instruction and a warehousing instruction, and
The date of the instruction, the position of the instructed storage column, and the specification content of the corresponding inventory part are displayed.

In the inventory display column F43, the value of the bay is shown in the horizontal direction Xa-Xn, and the value of the level is shown in the vertical direction Ya-.
The position of each storage rack is displayed by forming a display in Yn in a matrix form, and each figure that symbolizes the stock status is assigned to each position so that each stocked part that is actually in stock can be inferred. To do. The operation guidance field F44 displays the meaning of each symbolic figure, each guidance, etc., and switches to the other bank in charge of the same automatic carrier device, a key for designating another automatic carrier device, and a specific key. It has a key to switch to a screen for changing the stock status.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view for explaining each symbolic figure in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral (a) is a shelf where inventory parts are actually in stock, reference numeral (b) is an empty shelf, and reference numeral (c) is a reserved shelf for which a warehousing instruction has already been made. Reference numeral (d) is an unusable shelf due to mechanical failure, reference numeral (e) is a shelf in which only pallets are placed in the shelf space without placing inventory parts, and reference numeral (f)
Indicates a location where no shelves are provided due to structural restrictions in the warehouse equipment, and reference numeral (g) indicates a shelf in which the duplicate storage instruction setting has been erroneously performed on the shelf in the situation of reference numeral (a).

Here, a supplementary explanation will be given for each of the above-mentioned symbolic figures. It will be shown that the shelves in which the in-stock parts are actually in stock are displayed in a monotone-like dark color and are normal without any problem. The shelves are displayed in light or noticeable colors to show that they can be put in, and only pallets are placed in the shelf space without placing inventory parts.Shelves have a pseudo pallet appearance. Has become. In addition, the reservation shelf that has already been instructed to store has the appearance of simulating a keep bottle of Western liquor, indicating that it has been reserved so that anyone can understand, and duplicate storage instruction setting has been made. The shelves indicate that a sequence of corrections is required due to the question mark pattern. In addition, the failure column shows that the wound is rejected due to the plaster or blockage pattern, and the position where the shelf is not provided due to structural restrictions is a penalty point or there is no structurally stored position due to the truss structure pattern It is meant to indicate that.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for explaining a screen for changing the contents of the stock status using the screen for displaying the stock status in FIG. In FIG. 6, the screen for changing the contents of the stock state distinguishes whether the stock state to be changed is due to the receiving instruction or the leaving instruction, and displays the data contents currently set. A title portion F61, data F62 of the model of the vehicle in which the stock parts should be incorporated, a shipping destination portion F63 that displays the shipping destination of the vehicle type, and a masking portion F64 that indicates the type of masking.
And a paint color part F65 showing a paint color and an operation selection part F66 for selecting an operation for changing the contents of the stock state, and various specification contents can be displayed and selected for inventory parts to be stocked. At the same time, it is possible to change while operating while confirming the current specifications.

[0036]

The present invention thus constructed exhibits the following effects. Stock status of shelves with parts storage space
Since the graphic information by the characteristic graphic and the character information consisting of letters and numbers are visually displayed in the divided screen display area of the display means, the operator can promptly judge the situation. Further, the correction processing speed for erroneous input of individual information of stock parts and control of work data is represented by graphic information such as a figure based on Xa-Xn which is the X coordinate of the display area and Ya-Yn which is the Y coordinate. In order to display, the graphic information can be moved to a desired X / Y coordinate position by a display means stored in a sequencer or the like, and it is possible to specifically display the usage status of each shelf in the screen display area. Become. Furthermore, the stock status can be reset by pressing a specific figure with a touch panel or the like, and the operator can perform input processing within a short time. In addition, the display of the movement status on the screen of the pointing device is displayed by replacing the stock status with a figure in a plane, so the operator reads and interprets it in a list, and the difference from the actual automatic warehouse status is shortened. It is possible to make a decision in time, and therefore, when designating the replacement destination to be corrected, it is possible to easily select the destination on the screen of the pointing device,
It is also possible to make the instruction accurate.

[0037]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow chart schematically explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing an apparatus using the method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a screen that displays the operating status of the warehouse equipment of the second instruction device in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for schematically explaining a screen displaying an inventory status for use in the method of the embodiment in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating each symbolic figure in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a screen for changing the contents of the stock status using the screen for displaying the stock status in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a layout diagram illustrating the layout of a conventional automated warehouse.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for specifically explaining the facility of the automated warehouse according to FIG. 7.

9 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating control of various devices of the automatic warehouse according to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure relating to an instruction for loading / unloading according to FIG. 9;

11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a conventional correction method for correcting the stock state according to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Shelf having an inventory storage space 2 Storage / receipt equipment 4 Lift 12 Parts storage space 31 Sequence control unit 32 Storage / unloading control unit 33 Instructing device 34 Supporting device 35 Second sequence control device 36 Second instructing device 37 Display device 38 Fixed Storage device

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of shelves having a parts storage space are provided in each of a plurality of warehouse facilities, and screen display means for inventory management information of these shelves and individual information of inventory parts such as product numbers or product names are managed, In an automated warehouse having a warehousing and unloading control means for controlling the warehousing and unloading, the graphic information includes a pictorial display that is graphic information, and the screen display means selectively generates a pictorial display that differs depending on an inventory management state. A method for displaying inventory status in an automated warehouse, characterized by sequentially arranging on a plurality of shelves displayed on a screen to display the inventory management status. 2. The screen display means divides the screen display area into screens, and displays inventory management status of each shelf as graphic information and individual information of inventory parts as character information in each display area. The inventory status display method in an automated warehouse according to claim 1. 3. The screen display means displays a stocking / unloading instruction of inventory parts in the screen display area, selects the specific warehouse equipment by designating the display area, and manages inventory status in the warehouse equipment. The inventory status display method in an automated warehouse according to claim 1 or 2, wherein individual information of the inventory parts is corrected.