JPH08175629A - Controlling method for using condition of part shelf in automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To shrink a ladder logic by controlling condition information developed by a bit while setting each using conditions of a parts storage space in each shelf as condition memory. CONSTITUTION: Using conditions of all the shelves of an automatic warehouse are monitored by means of monitors 36a, 36b, 36c, and a storage/delivery control unit 32 comprises following controlling functions for a using condition of each parts storage space in each shelf: retrieval, identification, acquisition, setting, updation, correction, and display. These 7 types of function are formed into shelf condition information so that each using condition corresponds to one bit. The seven condition informations formed as the shelf using conditions are stored in a condition memory inside a sequence control unit 35 so as to be developed by a bit. In this way, a ladder logic can be shrunk, and a memory usage capacity inside the sequence control unit 35 can be reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to loading and unloading of parts in an automatic warehouse equipped with automatic cargo handling equipment such as a self-propelled carrier.
The present invention relates to a method for managing the usage status of shelves in an automated warehouse, which has storage / reception control means for displaying the usage status of each shelf by graphic information and character information by pictorial display.

[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 leaving the warehouse, inventory components can be automatically transported and taken out of the stored shelves, and this loading / unloading 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, since the operator monitors the shelf usage status with respect to the inventory management status, and is instructed to load and unload inventory parts in sequence, the shelf usage is linked to this instruction. A management function that promptly corrects the condition is required.

FIG. 5 is a layout diagram for explaining the layout of each facility in a conventional automated warehouse. In the automated warehouse, a warehouse facility 1 having a plurality of stock parts storage spaces 1 ,.
., 1 and self-propelled carrier 11 that is self-propelled along this warehouse facility 1, ..., 1 and is equipped with cargo handling equipment for delivery of stock parts such as forklifts, and self-propelled carrier 11 Storage / removal equipment 2a that automatically operates when loading / unloading a warehouse
2b and a warehousing / leaving control unit 3 for controlling the automatic operation of the warehousing / leaving facilities 2a, 2b. The storage facility 2a is installed on the upper floor, and the storage facility 2b for shipping is installed on the lower floor.

Each of the stocked parts is placed on a pallet that serves as a pedestal, and a storage facility 2a is provided from a storage entrance 2c on the upper floor.
1 is carried in to a warehouse facility 1 having a storage space for stocked parts for which the operator has received a storage instruction, and the warehouses 1, 1, ...
-Outgoing port 2 of the outgoing facility 2b taken down from 1
It is configured to be carried out to d. Note that reference numeral 4
Is a lift facility that connects the exit 2d and the entrance 2c.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for concretely explaining the facility of the automatic warehouse in FIG. In FIG. 6, the equipment of the automated warehouse has a self-propelled carrier 11 for carrying inventory parts,
A plurality of component storage spaces 12, ..., 12 in which the stock components 13, ...
One warehouse facility is selected from the warehouse facilities 1, ..., 1 having the stock parts storage space, and a horizontal bay Xa in this warehouse facility is formed.
~ Xn (horizontal arrow) and vertical levels Ya to Yn (vertical arrow) are set to enable selection of a specific parts shelf. Each of the parts storage spaces 12, ..., 12 has a mechanism for latching and supporting the pallet, and the operation of this latch mechanism is detected by a so-called contact switch such as a microswitch or a relay and notified to the parts management function of the automatic warehouse. The management is done by the circuit.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram for schematically explaining the control of each device of the automatic warehouse shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 7, the control of each device is a sequence control unit 31 that controls the overall sequence relating to loading and unloading,
A warehousing / leaving control unit 32 for controlling the warehousing / leaving facilities 2a, 2b
And an instruction device 33 that gives various instructions while monitoring the progress of loading and unloading, and a sequence control unit 31 and an unillustrated support system SYS1 that supports the instruction device 33.

The sequence control unit 31 performs communication processing between an input / output interface 31a that performs input / output processing and a support system SYS1 (not shown) that supports the automatic warehouse system, in addition to a part that controls the sequence itself. While comprehensively managing the communication interface 31b and the input / output and communication interfaces 31a and 31b,
It is composed of a management unit 31c that introduces and recognizes the state of the automatic warehouse, forms control data, and sends the control data. The sequence control unit 31 controls the loading and unloading 2a and 2b via the transport control unit 32, and guides the self-propelled transport vehicles 11, 11, ..., 11 via the guidance control device 14. The instruction device 33 is connected to the management unit 31c via the input / output interface 31a of the sequence control unit 31, and instructs the warehousing and warehousing while monitoring the sequence control of warehousing and warehousing, and the automatic warehouse management software for inventory management. It is operated by.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a concrete use state of a shelf having a parts storage space of an automatic warehouse. In FIG. 8, reference numeral (a) shows an actual shelf in which stocked parts are actually in stock. , Reference numeral (b) indicates an empty shelf, reference numeral (c) indicates a reserved shelf for which a warehousing instruction has already been made, and reference numeral (d) indicates an unusable shelf that is unusable due to a mechanical failure. , (E) indicates an empty pallet shelf in which only pallets are placed in the shelf space without placing inventory parts, and reference numeral (f) indicates an unusable shelf where no shelf is provided due to structural restrictions in warehouse equipment. The code (g) is displayed on the screen display means by the graphic information by the pictorial display such as the double carry-in shelf in which the duplicate entry instruction setting is erroneously performed on the shelf in the situation of the code (a).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a general procedure for controlling an automatic warehouse. In FIG. 9, control of the automatic warehouse is performed by setting management items S1 for classifying various management items and setting them in advance, and step S2 for entering and exiting by designating production parts to be put in and out and instructing loading and unloading. And a control step S3 of a sequence for controlling a sequence relating to management items according to the instruction of loading and unloading, and a correction step S4 of management items for correcting the management items based on the result of the sequence control. It is designed to manage inventory while operating. The management items are specification information indicating the specifications relating to the form of the production parts, each parts shelf 12, ...
.., 12 includes the stock status, which is information indicating the usage status.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the general procedure for monitoring an automated warehouse. In FIG. 10, the monitoring of the automated warehouse includes a monitoring item instruction step S5 for selecting and instructing an arbitrary monitoring item from the management items and a monitoring item displaying step for displaying the latest information on the instructed monitoring item. It is composed of S6 and a monitoring item correction step S7 for correcting the displayed monitoring items based on the instruction, and the operator checks the above-mentioned management items and corrects them if necessary.

[0011]

For example, in the case of a shelf having 9 horizontal bays and 6 vertical levels in the warehouse equipment 1 shown in FIG. 7, the usage situation of one component storage space 12 is as follows. Seven options from (a) to (g) shown in 6 occur. That is, there are 54 parts storage spaces 12 in one shelf, and there are 7 options for each of them, so that 37 in the sequencer 31.
The need for eight contact switches arises. Therefore, the ladder logic for opening and closing the contact switch inside the sequencer 31 shown in FIG. 8 becomes enormous, and there is a drawback that the processing capacity of the sequencer itself is large.

[0012] In the management function of the warehouse equipment having the component storage space configured as described above, which is capable of promptly processing each usage state, efficient use of ladder logic in each usage state is required. Therefore, there was a need to reduce the huge ladder logic. In view of these problems, the invention of the present application monitors the usage status of all shelves in an automated warehouse, and reduces the ladder logic by expanding the usage status of each shelf component storage space by 1 bit as a status memory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of managing the usage state of shelves in an automated warehouse designed as described above.

[0013]

As a first feature of the means for solving these problems, the present invention is provided with a shelf having a plurality of component storage spaces, and a screen for displaying inventory management information of this shelf. In an automatic warehouse having a display means and a storage / receipt control means for controlling individual information of inventory parts and controlling storage / receipt based on work data, the said storage / receipt control means is used for indicating the use state of all shelves of the automatic warehouse. The management function consists of a search function, which is a function of managing the usage status of each component storage space of each shelf, an identification function, an acquisition function, a setting function, an update function, a correction function, and a display function. Is a configuration that manages the status information for bit expansion using the individual usage status of the component storage space of each shelf as a status memory.

Further, as a second feature, the status information has a stock status acquisition step, and when reading specific status information, a selection step of selecting an address and a bit position of the corresponding status information, According to the selected result value, an address operation is performed on a storage position of specific bit information, and a read step of reading a specific bit based on the operation result.

Further, as a third feature, the state information is read repeatedly by the unit length with the number of shelf use states as a unit length, and the use state of the same type on the shelf can be grasped. It is to be formed.

[0016]

The seven types of usage states of the shelves having the parts storage space in the automatic warehouse are formed as the shelf state information so that each usage state corresponds to one bit. Then, the seven status information formed as the shelf usage status are stored in the status memory in the sequencer and expanded into bits. Each of the seven usage states is used as an offset value, the number of component storage spaces of each shelf is multiplied by 7, which is the number of forms of the shelf usage state, and the offset value of each usage state is added. The quotient obtained by dividing this numerical value by 8 which is the number of bits is set to the byte address, and the remainder is set to the bit address of the corresponding used state at the byte address. Then, the usage state is read from the corresponding storage position based on these set values. By repeatedly performing the above address calculation, setting and reading processes, the bits of the byte memory can be used without waste. Note that this iterative process of address calculation, setting, and reading is performed until the selection of seven types of shelf state information is completed.

[0017]

1 is an explanatory view for schematically explaining an embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart concretely showing an acquisition stage of an inventory state according to FIG. In FIG. 1, the main part of this embodiment is an acquisition range setting step S41 for presetting a range of information to be acquired, and a shelf having a parts storage space of an automatic warehouse until the set acquisition range is reached. The step S42 of acquiring the stock status for acquiring the stock status is sequentially provided in the integrated management unit 35c. In addition, following these setting and acquisition steps S41 and S42, either an inventory status update step S43 for updating the acquired inventory status or an inventory status determination step S44 for determining the acquired inventory status. Is additionally provided. Note that S40 is a stage to start, S49 is a stage to end the processing in each stage when the set range is reached, and if the set range is not reached yet, an inventory state acquisition stage S42 is performed. Then, subsequently, any one of the updating and determining steps S43 and S44 is performed.

The inventory status update step S43 is used in the management item correction step S4 in FIG. 9, and the inventory status is updated based on the result of the sequence control. The inventory state determination step S44 is shown in FIG.
It is used in the step S6 of displaying monitoring items in step S6, and when the instructed monitoring items are in stock, the current stock status is displayed by each figure in FIG. Here, each of the seven types of usage states described in FIG. 8 in the stock state corresponds to one bit information, and thus a bit group having a length of 7 bits is formed as a whole,
The on / off state of each bit information indicates the presence / absence of a specific use state, and each step S4 of the update and determination described above.
In S3 and S44, the corresponding bit information is updated or determined for a specific use state in the stock state. At that time, if there are 8 types of these usage states, this bit information group forms 1 byte, and access to the memory is relatively easy. Is the above 7
This is a type, and one bit is left over in byte access processing, and even a small amount of memory capacity is a precious waste. The present invention exerts further effects in such a case.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart specifically showing the step of acquiring the stock state in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 (a) is for reading specific bit information corresponding to a specific state.
(B) is to read a series of bit information groups corresponding to each state. In FIG. 2A, when the specific bit information is read, a selection step S421 of a specific state for selecting an offset value of a bit position corresponding to a specific usage state to be updated or determined, and the selected offset value. An address operation performing step S422 for performing an address operation for a storage position in a specific state and a specific bit reading step S423 for reading a specific bit based on the result of the operation are sequentially provided. In FIG. 2B, when a series of bit information groups is read, the offset value of the leading bit of the bit information group corresponding to each usage state to be updated or determined, that is, zero is selected in each state selection step S4.
24, and step S422 of performing the address calculation described above,
A bit group reading step S425 for sequentially reading a series of bit groups based on the result of the operation is provided.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 35 is a second sequence control section, and reference numerals 36a, 36b and 36c are instructions to the second sequence control section. It is a monitor that displays the inventory status, the transportation status, and the like, and is supported by a second support system (not shown). Monitors 36a, 36b, 36c for instructing the second sequence control unit 35 and displaying the stock status, the transportation status, etc.
Displays, in a preset format, data such as graphics relating to specifications of stock parts and control status of the automated warehouse stored in the second support system SYS2. This display is input to the sequence control device 35 regarding the position of a specific stocked part in the automated warehouse and the function of management work, and the operator confirms the control state of each function to monitor the operation related to the entry and exit of the stocked part 36a, The correction is performed by pressing the figures on 36b and 36c.

One of the monitors 36a, 36b, 36c is the entrance 2c, and the other is the exit 2.
The other one is located at a location where it functions as a comprehensive monitoring or standby machine, so that it is possible to issue the loading and unloading instructions independently. Has become. Specifically, the monitor 36a,
Reference numerals 36b and 36c are realized by a touch panel having a CRT or LCD display, a touch screen, or the like. Initialization of a plurality of screens is performed on these monitors, and a graphic with an arbitrary graphic design is displayed on the monitor 36a. , 36b, 36c is displayed in each divided area allocated for each specific partial area on the screen, and it is detected that the operator presses this display, and a correction instruction command corresponding to this divided area is formed. Has become.

The second sequence control device 35 has the same function as that of the first sequence control device 31 described above, and controls the automatic warehouse by receiving an instruction of a loading / unloading operation from a plurality of monitors 36a, 36b, 36c. It is provided with a second input / output interface 35a for notifying the state and a second communication interface 35b for receiving the request of the second support system SYS2 and providing the requested information. This is realized by using a sequencer or the like.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view for schematically explaining the screen for displaying the stock status. In FIG. 4, the screen for displaying the inventory status shows a stock compensation title field F41 for declaring the inventory status compensation 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 is configured to display whether the instruction is a warehousing instruction or a warehousing instruction, the date of the instruction, the position of the instructed storage column, and the specification content of the corresponding production part.

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 shelf is displayed by forming a display in Yn in a matrix shape, and each figure that symbolizes the stock status is assigned to this position so that each production part 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.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example, it is naturally effective even if the type of usage state is 7 types or less or 9 types or more.
It goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0026]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Seven types of usage states of shelves having parts storage spaces in an automated warehouse are formed so that each usage state corresponds to one bit as shelf state information, and this shelf usage state 7 is formed. The one state information is stored in the state memory in the sequencer and bit-expanded. This 7
Each of the usage states is used as an offset value, the number of component storage spaces of each shelf is multiplied by 7, which is the number of forms of the shelf usage state, and the offset value of each usage state is added. The quotient obtained by dividing this numerical value by 8 which is the number of bits is set to the byte address, and the remainder is set to the bit address of the corresponding used state at the byte address. Therefore, since a huge number of ladder logics are conventionally formed by multiplying the number of component storage spaces of each shelf by the number of shelf usage states, the byte address and bit address are set. In addition, the ladder logic can be downsized, and the memory usage capacity in the sequencer can be reduced.

[0027]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically explaining an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart specifically showing a stage of acquiring an inventory state in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a screen that displays an inventory status.

FIG. 5 is a layout diagram for explaining the layout of each facility in a conventional automated warehouse.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for specifically explaining the facility of the automated warehouse in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating control of each device of the automatic warehouse in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific usage state of a shelf having a parts storage space of an automated warehouse.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a general procedure for controlling an automated warehouse.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a general procedure for monitoring an automated warehouse.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Warehousing facility 2 Entry / exit facility 11 Self-propelled carrier 13 Inventory parts 14 Guidance control device 31 Sequence control unit 32 Entry / exit control unit 33 Instructing device 35 Second sequence control unit 36 Monitor

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A shelf having a plurality of parts storage spaces is provided, screen display means for displaying inventory management information of this shelf, and management of individual information of inventory parts and storage / delivery are controlled based on work data. In an automatic warehouse having a storage / delivery control means, the storage / receipt control means monitors the usage state of all shelves in the automated warehouse and performs a search function that is a management function of the usage state of each component storage space of each shelf, and an identification function. And the acquisition function, the setting function, the update function, the correction function, and the display function. The management function uses the individual usage status of the parts storage space of each shelf as a status memory to perform bit expansion. A method of managing the usage status of parts shelves in an automated warehouse, characterized by managing information. 2. The status information has an inventory status acquisition step, a selection step of selecting an address and a bit position of the corresponding status information when reading the specific status information, and the selected result value. 2. The parts shelf in an automated warehouse according to claim 1, further comprising a performing step of performing an address operation for a storage position of specific bit information according to and a reading step of reading a specific bit based on the operation result. How to manage the usage status of. 3. The state information is formed so that the number of shelf usage states is used as a unit length and is repeatedly read by this unit length so that the same type of usage state on a shelf can be grasped. The method for managing the usage status of a parts shelf in an automated warehouse according to claim 1.