JPH085528B2 - Goods sorting equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention provides a plurality of article storage units for storing a plurality of types of articles in a divided state and a container for storing articles via each of the article storage sections. The present invention relates to an article sorting facility provided with a carrying line for carrying and carrying articles, and an instruction means for instructing article taking-out information taken out from the article storage section and stored in the container.

[Conventional technology]

The article sorting facility of this type is for carrying out the article sorting work by storing the articles of the same destination in the containers of the same destination in each of the plurality of article storage units, and the instructing means Information on taking out the article from the article storage section is instructed.

If you explain about the instruction means, you can attach an inspection slip that describes the information of the goods to be stored in each container and instruct the product to be taken out based on the information of the inspection slip. Each of the parts is provided with an indicator for displaying the information of the article to be taken out from the article storage part, and the article to be taken out in each of the article storage parts based on the supply order of the containers and the position information on the transport line of the container. It is often the case that the information of is displayed on the corresponding display.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

When the transport line breaks down or an abnormality occurs, the container on the transport line will be temporarily removed for restoration work.When returning the removed container to the transport line, the position of the container on the transport line There is a risk of making a mistake.

For example, in the case of instructing the article take-out information by using the inspection slip, the article take-out operation from the article storage section at the original position is incomplete, but it is more than that of the article storage section whose work is not completed. When the container is returned to the lower transfer side, the container is transferred in a state where the work is not completed.
Further, if the article is returned to the article storage section on the side of the delivery side where the article take-out work has been completed, the same article may be taken out twice.

Further, in the configuration in which the display device is used to indicate the information for taking out the articles in each article storage unit based on the supply order of the vessels and the position information on the conveyance line, when there are a plurality of vessels on the conveyance line. In addition, if the order of arranging the containers is incorrect, the articles stored in the respective containers may be replaced with those for other containers.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
The first purpose is to prevent an error in the position of the container on the transfer line. A second object is to simplify the control structure by making use of the configuration for achieving the first object and instructing the article removal information in each article storage section.

[Means for solving the problem]

The article sorting facility according to the present invention includes a plurality of article storage units that store a plurality of types of articles in a sorted state, a transport line that transports a container for storing articles through each of the article storage units, and the articles. An instruction means for instructing information on taking out the article taken out from the storage section and stored in the container is provided, and the first characteristic configuration is that the container passes through each of the article storage sections. Storage means for storing passage information as to whether or not the storage means is provided, and a reading means for reading the storage information of the storage means and a writing means for the storage means are provided in association with each of the article storage units. Determination means for determining whether or not the container has passed through all of the article storage portions located on the transport side of the present article storage portion based on the information read by the reading means. When the container has passed through all the article storage parts on the transporting side of the current position, the determination means is provided with passage information corresponding to the article storage parts currently located with respect to the storage means. Is configured to operate the writing means so as to write, and to operate the safety means when the container does not pass through the article storage portion on the transport upper side than the current position. .

Further, in the second characteristic configuration, in addition to the first characteristic configuration, each of the article storage units is provided with a display unit for displaying information of taking out the article with respect to the container, and the storage unit is configured to store the article. The reading means is also configured to store the article take-out information in each of the storage units.
The article take-out information stored in the storage means is also configured to be readable, and the instructing means operates the display means based on the read information of the reading means to instruct the article take-out information. It is in the point that is configured.

Incidentally, as the above-mentioned safety means, it is possible to use means for issuing an alarm or stopping the transportation line.

[Work]

In the first characteristic configuration, in each of the article storage units,
By reading the passage information stored in the storage means provided in the container, it is determined whether or not all of the article storage units on the transporting side of the currently stored article storage unit have passed, and all the When passing, the passing information corresponding to the currently stored article storage section is written so that whether or not there is an article storage section in which the container has not passed is checked, and all the articles are not passed. In this case, it is judged that there is a possibility that the current position of the container may be wrong, and the safety means is activated.

Further, in the second characteristic configuration, the storage means provided in the container is also used to store the article withdrawal information for the container, and the article withdrawal information is also read in each of the article storage units, and the container is withdrawn. The item information to be stored is displayed.

〔The invention's effect〕

Therefore, in the first characteristic configuration described above, for example, when the container is temporarily removed from the transfer line due to a failure of the transfer line or the like, and then the container is returned to the transfer line, the work is restarted with the container position being wrong. You can avoid doing it. That is, it is possible to accurately prevent an error in the articles stored in the container due to an error in the container position on the transfer line or the transfer order of the containers.

Further, in the second characteristic configuration, since the storage means provided in the container can be used to accurately display the product takeout information for the container in each product storage unit, as in the conventional case, the position of the container on the transfer line can be determined. It is no longer necessary to transmit the product takeout information to each display means while managing
The control configuration can be simplified.

〔Example〕

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of types of articles (Xa)
(1) for storing the containers (Z) in a divided state, a conveyor (2) for using a constantly driven roller conveyor as a conveyor line for conveying the containers (Z) for storing articles, and a conveyor (2) for the conveyor. ) Is provided with a container supply means (K) for supplying the container (Z) to the container (Z) so that various articles (Xa) stored in the shelf (1) can be stored in the container (Z).
An article sorting facility for sorting each item is configured.

The shelf (1) is provided with a plurality of shelf parts (1A) serving as a plurality of article storage units arranged along the transfer direction of the transfer conveyor (2), and each of the shelf parts (1A) is provided. Is provided with upper and lower two-stage article placement sections (B), and each of the article placement sections (B) has three types of articles (X
a) are stored side by side. Further, a display unit (H) constituting a display means (D) for displaying article withdrawal information such as the withdrawal amount with respect to each stored article is provided in association with each article storage position in each article placement section (B). It is provided.

Then, on the front side of the shelf (1), each of the shelf portions (1
A) a plurality of workers are provided in a state of being assigned to each one of A), and each worker is supplied by the container supply means (K) and the transfer conveyor (2).
Among the plurality of containers (Z) that are transported by, the items taken out based on the instructed item taking-out information are placed in the container (Z) located in front of the shelf part (1A) in charge. By carrying out the storing operation, a plurality of types of articles can be stored in the container (Z) of the same destination.

That is, in each container (Z) transported by the transport conveyor (2), articles at the same destination are stored in front of the respective shelf portions (1A) based on the article removal information. As a result, the articles of the same destination are sorted in each container (Z).

Next, from each of the shelf portions (1A), the container (Z)
Instructing means (100) for instructing the article information to be stored in the container, display means (D) for displaying the article removal information based on the instructing information of the instructing means (100), and the container (Z) for each of the shelf portions (1A). ), The container conveying means (G) for controlling to sequentially convey on the conveyer conveyor (2) corresponding to the progress of the article taking out work, the container supplying means (K), and each of these means. Various means necessary for the above will be described.

First, a schematic description will be given based on the block diagram shown in FIG. 3. When the contents of the order form (3) issued by a customer or the like is input to the host controller (4), the host controller ( In 4), the purchase order (5) corresponding to the contents of the order form (3) is created, and the article is purchased according to the contents of the purchase order (5). The host controller (4) creates work data for sorting articles based on the contents of the order form (3) input in advance, and the work data is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk. It will be output to the work data storage means (6).

The work data is formed in a state where the destination information and the article information are associated with each other so that the article information for each destination of the container (Z) can be discriminated. Based on the destination information, each container (Z ) Can be instructed about the information of the articles to be stored. Then, one container (Z) is used for one destination.

A work controller (7) provided with a work data reading means (7A), an arithmetic processing section (7B), and a memory (7C) for storing the read work data is provided corresponding to the shelf (1), In this work controller (7),
The work data is input using the storage medium. However, a management worker who manages the work controller (7) will be provided, and this management worker will input work data to the work controller (7) and perform the container supply means (K ) Is supplied with an empty container (Z).

Incidentally, in FIG. 3, (8) is a printer for creating an inspection slip in which the information of the articles to be stored in each container (Z) is described, and the printer is based on a command from the work controller (7). An inspection slip will be created. By the way, the created inspection slip is put in the empty container (Z) in a predetermined order by the management worker.

However, on the lateral side of each of the containers (Z), passage information indicating whether or not the container (Z) has passed through each of the shelves (1A), and an article in each of the shelves (1A). An ID card (m) as a storage means for storing the taken-out information is attached. In addition, this ID card (m)
Although not described in detail, is configured to freely read and write stored information in a non-contact state using electromagnetic waves.

Then, a card reader / writer (1) as a reading means (101) for reading the stored information of the ID card (m)
8) is the conveyor for transporting (2) corresponding to each of the lateral portions of the container supply means (K) and the shelf portion (1A)
Is provided at the lateral side of (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). This card reader / writer (18) is
The card (m) is also configured to function as a writing unit (102) for writing the passage information and the article removal information.

In addition, the card reader / writer (18) provided on the lateral side of the container supply means (K) supplies to the container supply means (K) based on a command from the work controller (7). For each of the empty containers (Z) to be stored, the product withdrawal information corresponding to the product information of the inspection slip is sequentially written to each of the ID cards (m), which corresponds to each of the shelves. The card reader / writer (18) provided as above reads the stored information of the ID card (m) as the container (Z) is conveyed to the front side of each shelf portion (1A), As the article take-out work on each shelf portion (1A) is completed, the passage information is written based on the instruction from the work controller (7).

If the passage information to be stored in the ID card (m) is described, the articles are taken out from each shelf portion (1A) corresponding to the order of each shelf portion (1A) to which the container (Z) is transported. It will be written in a form that can determine whether or not the work is completed.

However, based on the position information of the shelf part (1A), it is checked whether or not the work is completed on all shelf parts (1A) on the transfer side of the current position, and it is transferred from the current position. Only when all the work is completed on the good side, it is judged that there is no mistake in the container position, and as the work on the shelf part (1A) where the container (Z) is currently located is completed, The work completion information will be written as the passage information.

That is, address information is given to each of the shelves (1A) in advance, and the passage information is stored in association with the address information.

The work controller (7) is adapted to store the arrangement order of the shelf portions (1A) based on the address information, and the card reader / writer (18).
It is possible to check whether or not there is an error in the current position of the container (Z) on the conveyer conveyor (2) on the basis of the information from the above or information stored in advance.
That is, using the controller (7), the container (Z) is read based on the read information of the reading means (101).
A discriminating means (7) for discriminating whether or not the sheet has passed through all of the shelf portions (1A) located on the hand side of the conveyance with respect to the presently located shelf portion (1A).

Further, by using the ID card (m), the article take-out information corresponding to the shelf portion (1A) where the container (Z) is currently located is read on each of the shelf portions (1A), Based on the read information, the display means (D) is operated to display as described later.

Then, after the work data is input to the work controller (7) and the work preparation is completed, the management worker is informed via the setting panel (9) connected to the work controller (7). As a result, the work start-up command is given, and the work controller (7) causes the various means (100),
Control processing corresponding to (G), (K), etc. will be executed.

Explaining the container transfer means (G), the transfer conveyor (2) has a plurality of electromagnetic operation type withdrawal stoppers (17) corresponding to the intervals of the respective shelf portions (1A). It is provided.

That is, while the transfer conveyor (2) is continuously driven, the stopper (17) is projected onto the transfer conveyor (2) until the article take-out work on each shelf portion (1A) is completed. The unfinished container (Z) can be stored in the next shelf (1
It will be restrained from being transported to A). And
When both the work of taking out the article on the current shelf portion (1A) and the work of taking out the article on the next shelf portion (1A) are completed, the stopper (17) is opened to operate the container (Z). Will be transported to the next shelf part (1A).

However, after the container (Z) is conveyed toward the next shelf portion (1A), the container (7) is replaced by the stopper (17).
The stopper (17) is closed as the set time required to pass through the installation location of (1) is reached, and the container (Z) to be conveyed next is the next unfinished container (Z) and the next shelf (1A).
It will be suppressed to be transported to.

For this reason, work status management means for managing the work progress status of each shelf portion (1A) is configured by using the work controller (7), and each stopper is based on the information of the work status management means. The operation of (17) is suppressed. The work status management means will be described later.

The container supply means (K) is basically an empty container (Z) mounted on a supply conveyor (14) (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which is always driven. ) Is supplied to the start end of the conveyor (2) each time each container (Z) on the conveyor (2) is conveyed to the next shelf portion (1A). There is.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, a stopper (1) provided between the supply conveyor (14) and the transfer conveyor (2) corresponding to each of the shelves (1A).
Electromagnetic operation type stopper (1)
5) is provided, and a plurality of electromagnetic operation type clamping tools (16) for clamping the empty container (Z) on the supply conveyor (14) in the left-right direction are arranged in the supply direction on the supply conveyor (14). It is provided so as to act on the second container from the top of the individual containers (Z).

That is, the work controller (7), based on the information of the work status management means, starts the work or the already supplied container (Z) is transferred to the next shelf portion (1A) by the transfer conveyor (2). When it comes to the supply start timing when it is supplied,
The opening / retracting stopper (15) is opened to supply the empty container (Z) at the beginning to the starting end of the conveyor (2). Then, after the supply is started, as the set time required for the container (Z) to move onto the transporting conveyor (2) elapses, the withdrawal stopper (15) is closed and the clamping operation is performed. When the tool (16) is opened, the set time required for the empty container (Z) held by the holding tool (16) to be received by the exit / retract stopper (15) elapses. After waiting until, the holding tool (16) is closed again so that the next empty container (Z) is held between them.

Explaining the work status management means, work on each of the shelves (1A) based on information of a reset switch (10) for inputting article removal completion information provided on the display (H). It is configured to manage progress.

Therefore, different address information is given to the display unit (H) in advance corresponding to the article stored at the position where the display unit (H) is attached. (H) reset switch (1
Whether 0) has been operated or not is determined based on the address information.

Explaining the article take-out information display means (D), as shown in FIG. 2, the main indicator lamp (11) for indicating that there is an article to be taken out on the shelf portion (1A) by lighting is One is arranged on the upper part of each shelf part (1A), and which side of the upper and lower two-stage article placement parts (B) in each of the shelf parts (1A) has an article to be taken out by lighting. An auxiliary indicator lamp (12) for displaying is provided corresponding to each of the article placing parts (B), and is positioned by the indicator (H) at a position where the indicator (H) is installed. The amount of taken out articles is displayed.

If the display (H) is further explained, as shown in FIG. 4, a numerical value display section (13) for indicating that there is an article to be taken out by lighting and for displaying the taken-out amount.
And the reset switch (10) that is pushed when the take-out work for the article displayed on the display (H) is completed. Further, although not described in detail, the work controller ( 7) and the card reader / writer (18) are exchanged with various information, and the numerical display section (13), the main indicator lamp (11) and the auxiliary indicator lamp (12) are exchanged. It has a controller that controls each of them.

In other words, the product removal information read by the cart reader / writer (18) is the shelf part (1A) on which it is installed.
Of the plurality of display devices (H) in (1) to (3) are transmitted to the respective controllers, and the controllers perform display operation based on the transmitted article take-out information. For this reason,
The item information stored in the ID card (m) is formed in a state in which it can be identified for each address of each display (H). However, the controller of each indicator (H) is based on the command transmitted from the work controller (7) when the work controller (7) determines that the position of each container (Z) is proper. , The display operation is started.

In addition, when the main indicator light (11) is OR-connected to all the indicators (H) provided on the shelf portion (1A) and there is an article to be taken out on the corresponding shelf portion (1A), Each indicator (H) is turned on and turned off when all the articles on the shelf (1A) are taken out.
A lighting instruction or a turning-off instruction is given from the controller of the above, and the auxiliary indicator lamp (12) is OR-connected to the controllers of all the indicators (H) provided in the corresponding article placing section (B). When the corresponding article placement section (B) has an article to be taken out, the light is turned on, and when all the articles are taken out from the article placement section (B), the lights are turned off. A lighting command and a turning-off command are given from the display unit (H).

Therefore, the instruction means (10) for operating the display means (D)
0) will be configured using the work controller (7) and the controller of the display (H).

Next, the operation of the work controller (7) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the control operation is started, the work data reading process is performed, and the control operation of each unit is started when the start command is given by the management worker.

After the start command is given, first, the inspection slip is created by the printer (8) based on the stored work data, and at the same time, the ID card (m) is used to store the article in each shelf portion (1A). A writing process for writing the extraction information will be executed. The creation of the inspection slip and the writing processing of the ID card (m) may be collectively performed before starting the article sorting work.

Next, the container supply means (K) is operated to supply the empty container (Z) with the inspection slip and the ID card (m) attached to the transfer start end of the transfer conveyor (2). Will be done.

As the container (Z) is transported to each of the shelves (1A) and received by the stopper (17), the cart reader / writer (18) stores the stored information of the ID card (m). A card reading process for reading is executed, and based on the read information, it is determined whether or not all the work for picking up articles on the transport upper hand side than the current position is completed, and if all the work is not completed, The conveyance of the container (Z) by the conveyor is stopped and an alarm is activated to inform that the position of the container (Z) is incorrect.

That is, the process of stopping the transportation of the container (Z) and the process of alarming to notify that the container position is incorrect correspond to the safety means (103).

After correcting the error in the container position, or when there is no error in the container position, the product removal information corresponding to the shelf portion (1A) where the container (Z) is currently located is read from the read product removal information. Then, in order to display it on the display means (D) of the shelf portion (1A), the article take-out information instruction process is executed.

After the article take-out information instruction processing is executed, it is determined whether or not the article take-out work in each shelf portion (1A) is completed based on the operation information of the reset switch (10) of each display (H). .

As the work is completed, a card writing process is executed to write work completion information indicating that the article removal work at the current position is completed, that is, passage information of the container (Z), to the ID card (m).

After that, in order to move each of the containers (Z) toward the next shelf portion (1A), the stoppers are held for a set time required for the containers (Z) to pass through the installation location of the stoppers (17). By opening (17), the container carrying process is executed.

However, if the article taking-out work on the next shelf portion (1A) is not completed, the stopper (17) is kept until the article taking-out work on the next shelf portion (1A) is completed.
Is maintained in a closed state, and the transportation of each container (Z) is stopped, and the container is put on standby until the article take-out operation is completed.

Then, based on information such as whether or not all of the stored work data has been output, it is determined whether or not the work is completed, and if the work is not completed, the article removal information of the ID card (m) Each process from the writing process is repeated until the work is completed.

[Another embodiment]

In the above embodiment, the ID card (m) is used as a storage means for storing the passage information of the container (Z) and the take-out information of the article.
However, it is also possible to use rewritable memory contents. For example, an IC card or the like can be used, and the specific configuration of the storage means and the stored information can be read. Various configurations of the reading means (101) and the writing means (102) can be changed. By the way, in addition to the communication of stored information using electromagnetic waves, it is also possible to communicate using light.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the container is automatically supplied is illustrated, but the present invention can be applied to the case where the container (Z) is manually supplied. The specific configuration of each part of the sorting facility can be changed in various ways.

It should be noted that reference numerals are added to the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the structures of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the article sorting facility according to the present invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the article sorting facility, Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the facility configuration, and Fig. 4 is a display. 5 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the work controller. (1A) …… Item storage section, (2) …… Conveyance line, (7)
...... Discrimination means, (m) …… Storage means, (D) …… Display means, (Z) …… Container for storing articles, (100) …… Instruction means, (101) …… Reading means, (102 ) …… Writing means, (103) …… Safety means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of article storage sections (1A) for storing a plurality of types of articles in a divided state and a container (Z) for article storage are conveyed via each of the article storage sections (1A). An article sorting facility provided with a transport line (2) and an instruction means (100) for instructing article take-out information to be taken out from the article storage section (1A) and stored in the container (Z), wherein the container (Z) is provided with storage means (m) for storing passage information as to whether or not each of the article storage sections (1A) has passed, and reads the storage information of the storage means (m). Means (101) and writing means (102) for the storage means (m) are provided corresponding to each of the article storage units (1A), and based on the information read by the reading means (101). Good at transporting the container (Z) than the article storage section (1A) where it is currently located A discriminating means (7) for discriminating whether or not the article storage section (1A) located at a certain position has passed is provided, and the discriminating means (7) conveys the container (Z) from the present position. The storage means (m) is used when passing through all the article storage sections (1A) on the good side.
The writing means (102) is actuated so as to write the passage information corresponding to the article storage section (1A) at the current position, and the container (Z) is on the side closer to the conveyance than the current position. An article sorting facility configured to activate the safety means (103) when not passing through (1A). 2. Each of the article storage units (1A) is provided with a display unit (D) for displaying information of taking out an article from the container (Z), and the storage unit (m) is the article storage unit. (1A) is also configured to store the article take-out information, and the reading means (101) is also configured to be able to read the article take-out information stored in the storage means (m). The article sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein the means (100) is configured to operate the display means (D) based on the read information of the reading means (101) to give an instruction for article take-out information. 3. The article sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein the safety means (103) is an alerting means for alerting an alarm. 4. Article sorting according to claim 1, wherein the safety means (103) is a transportation stop means for stopping the transportation of the container (Z) by the transportation line (2). Facility.