JPH09297619A - Conveyance controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the imbalance of congestion and distribution on a carrier path. SOLUTION: It is checked through a LAN 14 whether an object to be conveyed can be accepted in advance or not between a dispensation side station controller 15(OT) and a reception side station controller 15(IN) and only when it is discriminated that the acceptance is enabled, the object to be conveyed is conveyed from a dispensation side station 12(OT) to a reception side station 12(IN) by a carrier truck 13 so that smooth conveyance is enabled by preventing congestion in the middle of conveyance.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic vehicle dispatching control system for a plurality of transport vehicles and a transport control device for controlling the automatic transport.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a part of office automation and factory automation, a carrier system is widely used in which a carrier vehicle is put into service between a plurality of points in a building to carry slips, documents, workpieces, parts and the like. .

An example of such a transport system is Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Although those described in JP-A-3-148803 and JP-A-63-157602 are known, in the conventional transfer system, various necessary items are required for loading / unloading and temporarily storing the transferred objects. A station installed in the place,
The transport vehicle is configured to transport an object to be transported, and a transport control device that controls traveling of the transport vehicle and controls allocation of the transport vehicle to a transport request from each station. Then, when a transport request for the transported object is issued from a certain station, the transport control device sequentially assigns the transport of the transported object to the waiting carrier vehicles, and the transport request is issued to the station (delivery side station). Another station (reception side station) that has been designated to receive the transported objects by allocating the transport vehicles and loading the transported objects at that station
The transfer processing is performed so that the transfer object is transferred to the receiving side station and the transfer object is unloaded at the receiving side station. The traveling control of the carrier vehicle includes a tracked method in which a track is laid on a carrier path and the carrier vehicle travels on the track, and a trackless method that does not require a track.

FIG. 11 shows a general structure of such a transfer control device having a track system, and a plurality of transfer vehicles 3, 3, are provided on a track 2 connecting a plurality of stations 1a, 1b, .... ... is placed. Then, in order to carry out the control of loading the objects to be transported existing in a certain station into an appropriate transportation vehicle and carrying them to another certain station, a transportation control controller 4 is installed in the center, and each station 1a, 1b, 1c, ... Station controller 5
, a, 5b, 5c, ... Are installed, and these transfer control controller 4 and each station controller 5a, 5b, 5 are installed.
.. are connected by a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 6 as shown in FIG.

Each station 1 (hereinafter, a plurality of stations 1a, 1b, ... Will be referred to as a station 1, and individual stations will be referred to as stations 1a, 1b ,. The same applies to a station controller), a station controller 5, a terminal device 7 for displaying input operations and various information, and a bar code reader (B for reading a bar code attached to an object to be conveyed.
CR) 8, a storage rack 9 for storing the transported object, and this storage rack 9
A transfer mechanism 10 is provided for transferring the transferred object between the transfer vehicle 3 and the transfer vehicle 3.

The station controller 5 is LA
It communicates with the transfer control controller 4 through N6, outputs a transfer request signal of the transfer target from its own station to another station, takes out the transfer target from the storage rack 9 by the transfer mechanism 10, and loads it onto the transfer vehicle 3. , Or vice versa,
Upon receiving a request to receive the transported object from the transport controller 4, the transfer mechanism 10 lowers the transported object from the transport vehicle 3 and stores it in the storage rack 9.

In such a conventional transfer control device, a transfer request is issued from a certain payout side station 1 (here, the left side station in FIG. 12) to a specific receiving side station 1 (also the right side station). If you have the following steps:

When the operator operates the terminal device 7 or causes the bar code reader 8 to identify the object to be conveyed and issues a conveyance request S1 to the station controller 5, the payout side station controller 5 sends the request through the LAN 6. A transport request S2 is transmitted to the transport overall controller 4.

When the transport controller 4 receives the transport request S2 from the payout side station controller 5, the transport overall controller 4 determines the transport destination of the transported object and sends the transport controller S5 a request to the station controller 5 of the receiving side station 1 related to the transport request. The loading / unloading command S3 such as loading / unloading and temporary storage of the transported goods is given, and the destination is directed to the optimal transportation vehicle.
Gives transportation instructions. When the transport vehicle 3 is dispatched to the position of the payout side station 1, the payout side station controller 5 causes the transfer mechanism 10 to load the transported objects in the storage rack 9 onto the transport vehicle 3 and the receiving side station 1
Receiving station controller 5 if stopped at position
Operates so that the transfer mechanism 10 lowers the transported object of the transport vehicle 3 and stores it in the storage rack 9.

[0010]

However, such a conventional transfer control device has the following problems. Since the state of the receiving side station is not known from the payout side station controller, the storage shelf 9 of the receiving side station may be full or the transfer mechanism of the receiving side station may be necessary for temporary storage of the receiving side station. There is a case where 10 is out of order and it is physically impossible to receive the transported object. In such a case, the transport vehicle that has transported the transported object to the position of the receiving side station may be stopped at that location. However, there is a problem that congestion may occur in the transport path.

Further, since the state of the receiving side station is not grasped from the payout side station controller, even if the receiving side station is physically normal in factory automation such as machining or semiconductor manufacturing, the receiving side station is physically normal. There is also a problem in that an object to be conveyed exceeding the processing capacity of the process is temporarily stored, which may cause an imbalance of physical distribution between the processes.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of traffic jams in transport and the imbalance of physical distribution between processes, and to maintain smooth transport. An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer control device.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport an object to be transported, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, A payout-side station controller that controls a payout-side station that pays out a transported object, a receiving-side station controller that controls a receiving-side station that receives a transported object, the transport vehicle, a general controller, a payout-side station controller, and a receiving side In a carrier control device including a transmission path that is in charge of signal transmission between the side station controllers, the general controller collects and manages carrier information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles. Management means and the receiving side stay from the payout side station based on the information of the carrier. The delivery side station controller is provided with a vehicle allocation calculating means for indexing a delivery vehicle optimal for carrying the delivery of the transported object to the delivery vehicle and giving a delivery command to the delivery vehicle. Acceptance request means for transmitting an acceptance request signal to the controller,
And a transfer request means for transmitting a transfer request signal to the overall controller when receiving a reception permission signal transmitted from the reception side station controller, wherein the reception side station controller is an object to be conveyed of the reception side station. Based on the received goods information management means for managing the situation and the status of the transported object managed by the received goods information management means, it is judged whether acceptance is possible or not for the acceptance request signal from the payout side station, and the acceptance is accepted. And a acceptance determining means for transmitting an acceptance permission signal to the payout side station controller when it is determined that the acceptance is possible.

In the transfer control device according to the invention of claim 1,
If the payout side station controller transmits a reception request signal to the reception side station controller, and the reception side station controller receives this reception request signal, is it possible to receive it by checking the storage status of the transported object at the own station? If it can be accepted, the acceptance permission signal is transmitted to the payout side station controller. Therefore, when the payout side station controller receives this acceptance permission signal, it sends a conveyance request signal to the overall controller. When the overall controller receives this transport request signal, it issues a vehicle dispatch command to transport the transported object from the payout side station that has transmitted the transportation request signal by designating the optimal transport vehicle, and then transfers the transported object to the receiving station. Let the goods be transported.

In this way, the delivery side station controller and the receiving side station controller make a preliminary examination as to whether or not the object to be conveyed can be received. By transporting to the receiving station, smooth transport is realized without congestion during transport.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transport object, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a delivery of the transport object. Signals between the payout side station controller that controls the payout side station, the receiving side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the transported object, and the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller In the carrier control device including a transmission path that is in charge of transmission, the general controller collects and manages carrier vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles, and the receiving controller. A receiving station status management means for managing the status of the transported object at the receiving station, In response to the transfer request signal from the payout side station controller, it is determined whether or not the transfer is possible based on the status of the transported object of the reception side station managed by the reception side station status management means, and when it is determined that the reception is possible, The payout determination means for transmitting a transfer permission signal to the payout side station controller, and when the payout determination means determines the transfer permission, based on the transport vehicle information managed by the transport vehicle information management means, from the delivery side station A delivery vehicle calculating means for indexing a transport vehicle optimal for transporting the transported object to the receiving side station and giving a transport command to the corresponding transport vehicle, wherein the payout side station controller is the general controller To the receiving side station controller. Managing the status of the transported object of Shon, and has a receiving article information management means for transmitting to the overall controller.

In the transfer control device according to the invention of claim 2,
If the general controller manages the status of the transported object at the receiving station and the transfer request signal is transmitted from the payout station controller, the overall controller can accept the transported object at the receiving station by receiving it. If it is judged whether or not it can be accepted, it transmits the transport permission signal to the payout side station, and it is most suitable for carrying the transported object from the payout side station that requested the transport to the corresponding receiving side station. The transport vehicle is indexed, a transport command is given, and the transported object is transported from the payout side station corresponding to the transport vehicle to the receiving side station.

In this way, the general controller side grasps the storage state of the transported object in the receiving side station, and if there is a transport request from the payout side station controller, the corresponding receiving side station controller receives the transported object in its own station. It is determined in advance whether or not it can be carried, and only when it is judged that it can be received, the object to be transferred is transferred from the payout side station to the receiving side station, so that there is no congestion during the transfer and smooth transfer is realized. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transport object, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and deliver the transport object. Signals between the payout side station controller that controls the payout side station, the receiving side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the transported object, and the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller In the carrier control device including a transmission path that is in charge of transmission, the general controller collects and manages carrier information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the plurality of carriers, and a carrier information management unit that manages the carrier information. Transported from the payout side station to the receiving side station based on vehicle information And a vehicle allocation calculating means for applying a transport command to transport vehicle in question indexing optimum transport vehicle to charge of the conveyance, the dispensing side station controller,
The receiving side station controller has a carrying requesting means for sending a carrying request signal to the general controller when receiving a paying request signal transmitted from the receiving side station controller, and the receiving side station controller pays out to the paying out side station controller. It has a payout requesting means for transmitting a request signal.

In the transfer control device according to the invention of claim 3,
When the receiving station controller determines that the number of objects to be conveyed stored in its own station is small or empty and it is necessary to receive the objects to be conveyed, a payout request signal is sent to the corresponding payout station controller. To transmit. When the payout side station controller receives this payout request signal, it sends a transfer request signal to the general controller, and if the general controller receives this transfer request signal, it sends the transfer request signal by designating the optimal transfer vehicle. A dispatch command for transporting the transported object is issued from the payout side station to the corresponding receiving side station to transport the transported object.

In this way, when the receiving-side station controller directly requests the payout-side station controller to issue an object to be conveyed to its own station, the object-side station controller conveys the object to be conveyed to its own station. Achieve smooth transportation by avoiding traffic jams and physical imbalances during transportation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transport object, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and deliver the transport object. Signals between the payout side station controller that controls the payout side station, the receiving side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the transported object, and the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller In the carrier control device including a transmission path that is in charge of transmission, the general controller collects and manages carrier vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles, and the receiving controller. In response to the payout request signal from the station controller on the When a payout command means for transmitting a payout command to the controller and a transfer request signal from the payout side station controller are received, the payout side station receives the transfer request signal from the payout side station based on the transfer vehicle information managed by the transfer vehicle information management means. The delivery side station controller includes a vehicle allocation calculating means for indexing a delivery vehicle that is most suitable for delivery of an object to be delivered to the receiving side station and giving a delivery instruction to the delivery vehicle. A payout item information management unit that manages the status of the transported object at the station, and a payout disallowance based on the status of the transported object managed by the payout item information management unit when a payout command signal from the general controller is received. And a payout determination means for transmitting a transport request signal to the overall controller when it is determined that the payout is possible, Activation controller is one having a dispensing request means for transmitting a payout request signal to the overall controller.

In the transfer control device according to the invention of claim 4,
When the general controller receives the payout request signal from the receiving side station, it transmits a transfer command to the corresponding payout side station controller. When the payout side station controller receives the transfer command, it looks at the status of the transferred objects stored in its own station, and if it is possible to send out, it sends a transfer request signal to the general controller, and the general controller sends this transfer request signal. Upon reception, the optimal delivery vehicle for delivering the object to be delivered from the corresponding payout side station to the receiving side station is indexed and a transfer instruction is given, and the delivery vehicle from the corresponding payout side station to the receiving side station is delivered. Transport the item.

In this way, the receiving station controller transmits a payout request signal to the general controller when the own station needs to receive the conveyed object, and when the general controller makes a payout request, the payout station of the corresponding paying station is sent. If payout is possible, the payout side station transfers the goods to the receiving side station so that there will be no congestion or unbalanced physical distribution during the transfer. Achieves excellent transport.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transport object, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and deliver the transport object. Signals between the payout side station controller that controls the payout side station, the receiving side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the transported object, and the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller In the carrier control device including a transmission path that is in charge of transmission, the general controller collects and manages carrier information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the plurality of carriers, and a carrier information management unit that manages the carrier information. Transported from the payout side station to the receiving side station based on vehicle information And a vehicle allocation calculating means for applying a transport command to transport vehicle in question indexing optimum transport vehicle to charge of the conveyance, the dispensing side station controller,
A reception request means for transmitting a reception request signal to the reception side station controller, and a conveyance request signal to the general controller when receiving a reception permission signal or a payout request signal transmitted from the reception side station controller. The receiving-side station controller has a transfer request means, and the receiving-side station controller manages the status of the received article information managing means for managing the status of the transported object of the receiving-side station and the status of the transported object managed by the received-item information management means. Based on the acceptance request signal from the payout side station controller, acceptability is determined, and acceptance determination means for transmitting an acceptance permission signal to the payout station controller when the acceptance is determined, Disbursement request means for transmitting a disbursement request signal to the disbursement side station controller And it has a.

In the transfer control device according to the invention of claim 5,
The delivery-side station controller and the receiving-side station controller consult with each other in advance to check whether or not the transferred object can be received.When it is determined that the transferred object can be received, the transferred object is transferred from the discharging-side station to the receiving-side station.
When the receiving-side station controller directly requests the delivery-side station controller to receive the transported object when the receiving-side station controller needs to receive the transported object, the receiving-side station controller transports the transported object to the own-station, thereby It realizes smooth transportation by avoiding traffic jams and unbalanced distribution.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transport object, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and deliver the transport object. Signals between the payout side station controller that controls the payout side station, the receiving side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the transported object, and the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller In the carrier control device including a transmission path that is in charge of transmission, the general controller collects and manages carrier vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the plurality of carrier vehicles, and the receiving controller. A receiving station status management means for managing the status of the transported object at the receiving station, In response to the transfer request signal from the payout side station controller, it is determined whether or not the transfer is possible based on the status of the transported object of the reception side station managed by the reception side station status management means, and when it is determined that the reception is possible, A payout determination means for transmitting a transportation permission signal to the payout side station controller; a payout command means for receiving a payout request signal from the receiving side station controller and transmitting a payout command to the payout side station controller; When the determination means determines that the transportation is permitted, or when the transportation request signal from the payout side station controller is received, the payout side station receives from the payout side station based on the transportation vehicle information managed by the transportation vehicle information management means. Indexing the optimal transport vehicle to handle the transport of the transported object to the station The delivery side station controller has a vehicle allocation calculating means for giving a delivery instruction to a corresponding delivery vehicle, and the delivery side station controller transmits a delivery request signal to the overall controller, and a delivery object status of the delivery side station. The payable article information managing means to be managed, and when the payout command signal from the general controller is received, it is determined that the payout is not possible based on the status of the transported object managed by the payout article information managing means, and the payout is possible. And a payout determination means for transmitting a transportation request signal to the overall controller, wherein the receiving station controller manages the status of the transported object in the receiving station and transmits the received article information management to the overall controller. And a payout request means for transmitting a payout request signal to the overall controller.

In the transfer control device according to the invention of claim 6,
The general controller side grasps the storage status of the transported object in the receiving station, and if there is a transport request from the payout station controller, it judges in advance whether the corresponding receiving station can accept the transported object. When it is determined that the object can be received, the object to be transferred is transferred from the payout side station to the receiving side station, and when the receiving side station needs to receive the object to be transferred to its own station, a payout request signal is transmitted to the general controller. ,
If the general controller can issue the corresponding payout side station even when this payout request is made, by causing the object to be transferred from the payout side station to the receiving side station, congestion or physical distribution may occur during the transfer. A smooth transfer is realized without causing imbalance.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a transfer control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which includes a transfer control controller 11 that controls the transfer system as a whole, a plurality of stations 12, and a plurality of transfer vehicles. 13 and a LAN 14 which is in charge of signal transmission among these transport control controller 11, station 12 and transport vehicle 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer control controller 1
1 is composed of a computer that controls the entire transport system. As a function related to the present invention, the current position of each transport vehicle 13 and the current working status, for example, from which station 12 to which station 12 Information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a that collects and manages information on whether the transport is being performed and which station 12 is stopped, and information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a when a transport request signal is received from a certain station. On the basis of the above, a vehicle dispatching arithmetic processing unit 11b that selects a waiting vehicle 13 at an optimum position and responds to the transportation request, and a LAN transmission control unit 11c that controls transmission to the LAN 14 are provided.

In each station 12, a station controller 15, a terminal device 16 for displaying input operations and various information, a bar code reader (BCR) 17 for reading a bar code attached to an object to be conveyed, and a target object. A storage shelf 18 for storing the transported object, and a transfer mechanism 19 for performing a transfer operation of the transported object between the storage shelf 18 and the transport vehicle 13 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the station controller 15 of each station 12 controls the input / output of signals to / from the terminal device 16, the bar code reader 17, and the transfer mechanism 19 which are connected to the controller. The IO control unit 15a that performs the above, the inventory management unit 15b that manages the stock state of the transported objects on the storage shelf 18, and the destination station that carries out the transported objects stored on the storage shelf 18, that is, the receiving station. Based on the information of the inventory management unit 15b, the delivery destination designation processing unit 15c that designates 12 and whether or not it is possible to receive the transported object in the storage shelf 18 of the own station when receiving the acceptance request signal from another station. Acceptability determination unit 15d, which is determined by
It has a LAN transmission control unit 15e that controls transmission to the LAN.

Next, the operation of the transfer control device having the above configuration will be described. In the transport vehicle information management unit 11a, the transport general controller 11 connects each transport vehicle 13 to the LAN 14
It manages the information sent through, the current position of each transport vehicle 13 and the current position of each transport vehicle such as which transport vehicle is running at which position and which station is stopped. Know the working status.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 provides the inventory management section 1 with inventory information on how many objects are stored in the storage shelves 18 of its own station.
You know in 5b.

Now, at any one of the stations, here the station 12 on the left side in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, the operator operates the terminal device 16,
Alternatively, the bar code reader 17 can be used to
When the transport request S11 is input to the station controller 15 by reading the image by using the station controller 15 (at this time, the station controller 15 becomes the payout side station controller 15 (OT)),
The destination designation processing unit 15c indexes the destination station, and transmits an acceptance request signal S12 to the station controller (here, the station controller 15 of the right station 12) through the LAN 14.

The station controller 15 that has received the acceptance request signal S12 becomes the receiving station controller 15 (IN), and in the acceptability determination unit 15d, the inventory status managed by the inventory management unit 15b is referred to and a new object is received. It is judged whether or not it is possible to receive the conveyed item. If it can be accepted, the acceptance permission signal S13 is transmitted to the payout side station controller 15 (OT) through the LAN 14.

Discharge side station controller 15 (O
When T) receives the acceptance permission signal S13, the receiving station 12 (I
N) is designated as the transport destination, and the transport request signal S14 for the transported object.
Is transmitted.

Upon receipt of the transport request signal S14, the transport control controller 11 determines the optimum transport vehicle 13 based on the information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a in the vehicle dispatch calculation processing unit 11b, and the corresponding transport vehicle 13 is determined. To the payout side station 12 (OT), the transfer mechanism 19 receives the object to be transferred from the storage rack 18, transfers it to the receiving side station 12 (IN), and when it arrives, transfers it by the transfer mechanism 19. The vehicle 13 is transferred to the storage shelf 18.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the receiving side station 12 (IN) directly designates the receiving side station 12 (IN) to make an acceptance request, and the receiving side station 12 (IN) carries the object to be conveyed. If it is ready for acceptance, the acceptance permission is issued to the payout side station 12 (OT).
To the payout station 12 (OT)
Since the object to be conveyed is conveyed from the receiving side station 12 (IN) to the receiving side station 12 (IN).
N) When the receiving system is not ready, the transported object is conveyed from the payout side station 12 (OT) and the transport vehicle remains stopped at the receiving side station 12 (IN) to cause congestion. Smooth automatic transport is possible without causing any problems.

In the first embodiment, the payout side station controller 15 (OT) and the payout side station controller 15 (IN) are distinguished for convenience of description, and depending on the case, the payout side station 12 ( Since the OT) may receive the transported object from another station 12, it becomes the receiving side station 12 (IN) at that time, and the receiving side station 12 (I
When N) carries out the transported object to another station 12, it becomes the payout side station 12 (OT).

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The characteristic of the transfer control device according to the second embodiment is that the transfer control controller 11
And the internal processing function of each station controller 15, and the hardware configuration is the first one shown in FIGS.
Since it is the same as the embodiment, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer control controller 1
1 is a transport vehicle information management unit 11a that collects and manages the current position of each transport vehicle 13 and the current service status, a station status management unit 11d that manages acceptance / rejection information of each station, and a certain payout. Side station 12 (OT)
When the transport request signal is received from the station, the designated destination station (reception side station 12 (IN)) based on the information of the station status management unit 11d.
And a payout determination unit 11e that determines whether or not the payout can be accepted, and if the payment is acceptable, a payout determination unit 11e that performs payout permission determination.
When the e determines the payout permission, the vehicle allocation calculation for selecting the waiting vehicle 13 at the optimum position based on the information of the vehicle information management unit 11a and responding to the transfer request from the payout side station 12 (OT) It has a processing unit 11b and a LAN transmission control unit 11c that controls transmission to the LAN 14.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 stores an IO controller 15a for controlling input / output of signals to / from the terminal device 16, the bar code reader 17, and the transfer mechanism 19 connected to the controller. An inventory management unit 15b that manages the inventory status of the transported objects on the shelf 18.
And a transfer destination station for carrying out the transferred object stored in the storage shelf 18, that is, the receiving side station 12
Transport destination designation processing unit 15c that designates (IN), and LAN
It has a LAN transmission control unit 15e that controls transmission to the LAN.

Next, the operation of the transport control device having the above configuration will be described. The carrier general controller 11 grasps the current position and current working status of each carrier 13 in the carrier information management unit 11a. In addition, each station controller 15 in the station status management unit 11d
Information S20 indicating that acceptance is not possible transmitted from the station controller (this information S20 is created in each station controller 15 based on the inventory status of the station 12 and the operating status of the station, and is periodically sent to the transfer control controller 11. Are collected and managed.

Now, at any one of the stations, here the station 12 (OT) on the left side in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operator operates the terminal device 16 or the bar code reader 17 reads the bar code of the transported object. The transport request S21 is issued by the station controller 15 by reading the
When input to (OT), the transport destination designation processing unit 15c indexes the transport destination station and designates that station as the receiving station 12 (IN).
Is transmitted to the transport integrated controller 11 through the LAN 14.

In the transport integrated controller 11 that has received the transport request signal S22, the payout determination section 11e
Based on the information of the station status management unit 11d, it is determined whether or not the designated receiving station 12 (IN) can receive the transported object, and if it is acceptable, the payout station controller 15 (OT) is paid out. At the same time as transmitting the permission signal S23, the vehicle allocation calculation processing unit 11b determines an optimum carrier vehicle 13 that can go to the payout side station 12 (OT) on the basis of the information of the carrier vehicle information management unit 11a. The transfer command is transmitted to the LAN 14 through the LAN 14.

If the payout determination unit 11e of the transport control controller 11 determines that the receiving station 12 (IN) cannot be received, the payout prohibition signal S23 is transmitted to the payout station controller 15 (OT). Become.

Dispensing side station controller 15 (O
Upon receipt of the payout permission signal S23, T) causes the transfer mechanism 19 to load the objects to be transferred onto the transport vehicle 13 that has been dispatched to the payout side station 12 (OT).

When this loading is completed, the carrier 13 moves to the receiving side station 12 (IN) and stops.
Therefore, the receiving station controller 15 (IN)
The transfer mechanism 19 transfers an object to be transferred from the transfer vehicle 13 to the storage rack 18.

Thus, according to the second embodiment,
When the receiving station 12 (IN) is specified from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the transfer controlling controller 11 and a transfer request is issued, the receiving station 12 (IN) specified by the transfer controlling controller 11 causes the transfer target object to be transferred. If it is in the accepting state, it is determined that the accepting is possible and the payout permission is given to the payout side station 12 (OT), whereby the object to be conveyed is transferred from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the receive side station 12 (IN). Since the object is conveyed, when the receiving station 12 (IN) is not ready to receive the object, the object to be conveyed has the object of delivery 12
It is possible to smoothly carry out the automatic transportation without causing a situation in which the transportation vehicle that has been transported from (OT) remains stopped at the receiving side station 12 (IN) to cause traffic congestion.

Note that, also in the second embodiment, the payout side station controller 15 (OT) and the receiving side station controller 15 (IN) will be described for convenience of explanation.
In some cases, the payout side station 12 (OT) may receive the transported object from another station 12, so at that time it becomes the receiving side station 12 (IN), and also the receiving side station 12
When (IN) carries out an object to be transported to another station 12, it may become the payout side station 12 (OT).

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The characteristic of the transfer control device of the third embodiment resides in the internal processing functions of the transfer control controller 11 and each station controller 15, and the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Since the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 6, the transfer control controller 1
Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, 1 is a carrier information management unit 11a that collects and manages information on the current position of each carrier 13 and the current service status, and a payout station. When there is a transportation request from the controller 15 (OT), the vehicle allocation calculation processing unit 11b that selects the waiting transportation vehicle 13 at the optimum position based on the information of the transportation vehicle information management unit 11a and responds to the transportation request. And a LAN transmission control unit 11c that controls transmission to the LAN 14.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 stores an IO controller 15a for controlling input / output of signals to / from the terminal device 16, the bar code reader 17, and the transfer mechanism 19 connected to the controller. An inventory management unit 15b that manages the inventory status of the transported objects on the shelf 18.
Then, when the operator inputs an acceptance command from the terminal device 16, the delivery source designation processing unit 15f that designates the payout side station 12 (OT) and sends a payout request signal, and the payout from a certain reception side station 12 (IN) When the request is received, it is determined whether or not the payout is possible based on the information of the inventory management unit 15b. If the payout is not possible, the terminal device 16 has a shortage of the transported object, and a display requesting the supplementary transportation is displayed. A payout availability determination unit 15g that transmits a transport request to the transport controller 11 when a replenishment request is issued to warn the user and it is determined that the transport is possible, and a LAN transmission control unit 15e that controls transmission to the LAN 14.

Next, the operation of the transport control device having the above configuration will be described. The carrier general controller 11 grasps the current position and current working status of each carrier 13 in the carrier information management unit 11a.

Now, at any one of the stations, here, at the station 12 (IN) on the right side in each of FIGS. 5 and 6, the operator operates the terminal device 16 to issue a command S31 for receiving the object to be conveyed to the station controller 15 ( IN), the station controller 15 (IN) specifies the transfer source station (that is, specifies the payout side station 12 (OT)) in the transfer source designation processing unit 15f, and then the station controller 15 (OT) Withdrawal request signal S32 to LAN
14 to transmit. In addition, here, the left station is assumed to be designated as the payout side station 12 (OT).

In the payout side station controller 15 (OT) which has received the payout request signal S32, the payout permission / inhibition determination section 15g stores the storage rack 1 based on the information of the inventory management section 15b.
If the goods to be conveyed are sufficiently stocked, it is determined that the goods can be delivered, and the receiving station 12 (I
The transport request signal S33 designating N) is transmitted to the transport overall controller 11 through the LAN 14.

In the transport integrated controller 11 that has received the transport request signal S33, the vehicle dispatching arithmetic processing unit 11b can reach the payout side station 12 (OT) based on the information from the transport vehicle information management unit 11a. 13 is indexed and a transport command is transmitted to the transport vehicle 13 through the LAN 14.

The transport vehicle 13 that has received the transport command goes to the designated delivery side station 12 (OT), where it receives the objects to be transported and receives the designated receiving side station 12
It is conveyed to (IN), and the conveyed object is transferred to the storage shelf 18 there.

The payout side station controller 1
When the payout availability determination unit 15g of 5 (OT) determines that the inventory of the storage shelves 18 is insufficient and it is necessary to replenish the conveyed items, the terminal device 16 of the payout side station 12 (OT) is notified. Display a message requesting replenishment transportation of the transported goods,
In addition, a replenishment request signal S34 for giving an alarm with a buzzer is transmitted. Then, the operator looks at the display of the terminal device 16 and finds the corresponding object to be transferred to the payout side station 12 (O
The other specific station is designated as the payout side station and the acceptance command is input so as to replenish and convey to T).

As a result, the payout side station 12 (OT), which has been used up to that point, is now the receiving side station 12 (I).
In step N), another station that has received the payout request becomes the payout side station 12 (OT), and the same mutual transmission process as described above is performed to perform the replenishment transfer work of the transferred object.

The original payout side station 12 (O
If the transported object is sufficiently replenished in the storage shelf 18 of T), the transported object is transported from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the first receiving side station 12 (IN). .

Thus, according to the third embodiment,
The receiving side station 12 (IN) requests the payout side station 12 (OT) to pay out the transported object, and the payout side station 12 (OT) transfers the transported object to the receiving side station 12 (IN). Since the receiving side station 12 (IN) is not ready for receiving, the object to be conveyed is set to the payout side station 12 (IN).
(Automatic transport) is possible without any situation in which the transport vehicle is transported from (OT) and remains stopped at the receiving side station 12 (IN) to cause traffic congestion. If there is a shortage of required parts, the station can immediately send a request for the delivery of the deficient item to the corresponding delivery side station and receive it. It is possible to carry the goods and prevent the occurrence of physical imbalance.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The characteristic of the transfer control device of the fourth embodiment is the internal processing function of the transfer control controller 11 and each station controller 15, and the hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Since the configuration is the same as that of the embodiment, the common parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 8, the transfer control controller 1
1 is a transport vehicle information management unit 11a that collects and manages the current position of each transport vehicle 13 and information on the current working status, and a transport vehicle when a delivery request is made from a payout side station controller 15 (OT). Based on the information of the information management unit 11a, the dispatch vehicle processing unit 11b that selects the waiting vehicle 13 at the optimum position and responds to the transportation request, and some receiving stations 12 (IN) are sent. A payout request management unit 11f that collects and manages the information of payout requests that come in,
With respect to the payout request information of the payout request management unit 11f,
Judging from the operating status of the transport vehicle 13 based on the priority and information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a, the payout side station corresponding to each payout request is determined and the payout command is given to the payout side station controller 15 (OT). It has a payout station determination unit 11g for transmitting and a LAN transmission control unit 11c for controlling transmission to the LAN 14.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 stores an IO controller 15a for controlling input / output of signals to / from the terminal device 16, the bar code reader 17, and the transfer mechanism 19 which are connected to the controller. An inventory management unit 15b that manages the inventory status of the transported objects on the shelf 18.
When a payout command is received from the transfer control controller 11, it is determined whether or not the payout is possible based on the information of the inventory management unit 15b. The operator inputs a receipt command from the payout availability determination unit 15g that transmits the transport request to the transport overall controller 11 when a replenishment request that causes the buzzer to make a warning is issued and when it is determined that the payout is possible, and the terminal device 16 At this time, it has a payout request processing unit 15h for sending out a payout request signal designating the payout side station 12 (OT) to the transport integrated controller 11, and a LAN transmission control unit 15e for controlling transmission to the LAN 14.

Next, the operation of the transport control device having the above configuration will be described. The carrier general controller 11 grasps the current position and current working status of each carrier 13 in the carrier information management unit 11a.

In some stations 12 (here, the stations on the right side in FIGS. 7 and 8 are represented, but other stations are also included), the operator operates the terminal device 16 to transfer the object. Acceptance command S41 of the station controller 15 (IN)
Input to the station controller 15 (IN)
Specifies the carrier station in the payout request processing unit 15h (that is, the payout side station 12 (OT)).
Is specified), and a payout request signal S42 is transmitted to the transfer control controller 11 through the LAN 14. It should be noted that such a payout request signal S42 is also transmitted from another receiving side station.

Upon receipt of the payout request signal S42, the transport supervising controller 11 collects several received payout request signals together with information of the request source, that is, the receiving side station 12 (IN), and saves them in the payout request management section 11f. To do.
Then, the payout station determination unit 11g, with respect to the payout request information stored in the payout request management unit 11f, the priority between the receiving side stations, and the guided vehicle information management unit 1
The payout command S43 is assigned to the corresponding payout side station controller 15 (OT) in each of the LANs 14 in order from the payout request that should be prioritized with reference to the operating state of the carrier vehicle according to 1a.
To transmit through.

In the payout side station controller 15 (OT) which has received the payout command S43, the payout permission / inhibition decision section 15g determines the storage shelf 18 based on the information of the stock management section 15b.
The stock status of the transported object is checked, and if the transported object is sufficiently in stock, it is determined that the delivery is possible, and the receiving side station 12 (I
The transport request signal S44 designating N) is transmitted to the transport overall controller 11 through the LAN 14.

In the transport integrated controller 11 which has received the transport request signal S44, the vehicle allocation arithmetic processing unit 11b can reach the payout station 12 (OT) based on the information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a. 13 is indexed and a transport command is transmitted to the transport vehicle 13 through the LAN 14.

Upon receipt of the transport instruction, the transport vehicle 13 goes to the designated payout side station 12 (OT), receives the object to be transported there, and then transports it to the designated receiving side station 12 (IN). Therefore, the transported object is transferred to the storage rack 18.

The payout side station controller 1
When the payout availability determination unit 15g of 5 (OT) determines that the inventory of the storage shelves 18 is insufficient and it is necessary to replenish the conveyed items, the terminal device 16 of the payout side station 12 (OT) is notified. Display a message requesting replenishment transportation of the transported goods,
In addition, a replenishment request signal S45 for issuing an alarm with a buzzer is transmitted. Then, the operator looks at the display of the terminal device 16 and finds the corresponding object to be transferred to the payout side station 12 (O
When the receiving instruction S41 is input by designating another specific station as the payout side station so as to replenish and convey to T), the payout request processing unit 15h designates the payout side station to the transfer integrated controller 11. It will be newly transmitted as the payout request signal S42.

As a result, the payout side station 12 (OT) that has been used up to this point is now the receiving side station 12 (I).
In step N), another station that has received the payout request becomes the payout side station 12 (OT), and the same mutual transmission process as described above is performed to perform the replenishment transfer work of the transferred object.

Then, the original payout station 12 (O
If the transported object is sufficiently replenished in the storage shelf 18 of T), the transported object is transported from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the first receiving side station 12 (IN). .

Thus, according to the fourth embodiment,
The receiving side station 12 (IN) specifies the payout side station 12 (OT) to the transfer control controller 11 to issue a transfer request for the transferred object, and thus the transfer control station 11 specifies the payout side station 12 (OT).
Since the receiving station 12 (IN) that has issued the payout request is instructed to carry the object to be conveyed, the object to be conveyed is received when the receiving station 12 (IN) is not ready to receive the object. Is the payout side station 12 (O
T) Carrying the car from the receiving station 1
It will be possible to carry out smooth automatic transportation without stopping traffic at 2 (IN) and causing traffic jams. Also, if there are insufficient parts needed for a certain process, from that station Immediately sending a request for the delivery of the missing item to the relevant delivery side station to receive the delivery, and it is possible to deliver the delivered object by the signboard method or just-in method for each station, which causes an imbalance in physical distribution. Can be prevented in advance.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The feature of the fifth embodiment is that it has the functions of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the functions of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. is there. Figure 1 shows the hardware configuration.
This is common to those shown in FIG. The functional configurations of the transport controller 11 and the station controller 15 of each station 12 are shown in FIG.

The transport control controller 11 controls each transport vehicle 1
3, the current position, the current working status, for example, a vehicle information management unit that collects and manages information about which station 12 is transporting from which station 12 and which station 12 is stopped. 11a and a vehicle allocation processing unit 11b that selects a waiting vehicle 13 at an optimum position based on the information of the vehicle information management unit 11a when a transportation request signal is received from the station and makes the vehicle 13 respond to the transportation request. And a LAN transmission control unit 11c for controlling transmission to the LAN 14.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 stores an IO controller 15a for controlling input / output of signals to / from the terminal device 16, the bar code reader 17, and the transfer mechanism 19 which are connected to the controller. An inventory management unit 15b that manages the inventory status of the transported objects on the shelf 18.
And a transfer destination station for carrying out the transferred object stored in the storage shelf 18, that is, the receiving side station 12
Based on the information of the inventory management unit 15b, whether or not it is possible to receive the transported object in the storage rack 18 of the own station when receiving the acceptance request signal from the other station. It has an acceptability determination unit 15d for determining and a LAN transmission control unit 15e for controlling transmission to the LAN 14.

The station controller 15 further includes
When the operator inputs the acceptance command from the terminal device 16, the delivery source designation processing unit 15f that designates the payout side station 12 (OT) and sends a payout request signal, and the payout request from a certain receiving side station 12 (IN). When it is received, it is determined whether or not the payout is possible based on the information of the inventory management unit 15b. If the payout is not possible, the terminal device 16 is made to display that there is a shortage of the transported object, and a supplementary transportation is requested, and a buzzer alarms. When a replenishment request is made and it is determined that the payout is possible, a payout possible / impossible determination unit 15g for transmitting the carry request to the carry general controller 11 is provided.

Next, the operation of the transfer control device having the above configuration will be described. In the transport vehicle information management unit 11a, the transport general controller 11 connects each transport vehicle 13 to the LAN 14
It manages the information sent through, and the current position of each carrier 13 and the current position such as which carrier is traveling to which position, which station is traveling, and which carrier is stopped at which station. Know the working status of.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 provides the inventory management section 1 with inventory information on how many articles are to be stored in the storage shelves 18 of its own station.
You know in 5b.

Now, at any one of the stations, here the station 12 on the left side in each of FIGS. 1 and 9, the operator operates the terminal device 16 or causes the bar code reader 17 to read the bar code of the transported object. The transport request S11 is issued to identify the transported object and the payout side station controller 15 (O
When inputting to T), the destination designation processing unit 15c indexes the destination station, that is, the receiving station 12 (IN), and transmits the acceptance request signal S12 to the station controller 15 (IN).

The receiving station controller 15 (IN) having received the acceptance request signal S12 refers to the stock status managed by the stock management unit 15b in the acceptance availability determination unit 15d, and accepts a new transported object. Determine whether is possible. If the acceptance is possible, the acceptance permission signal S1
3 is transmitted to the payout side station controller 15 (OT).

Delivery side station controller 15 (O
When T) receives the acceptance permission signal S13, the receiving station 12 (I
N) is designated as the transport destination, and the transport request signal S14 for the transported object.
Is transmitted.

Upon receipt of this transportation request signal S14, the transportation control controller 11 indexes the optimal transportation vehicle 13 based on the information of the transportation vehicle information management unit 11a in the vehicle allocation calculation processing unit 11b, and the payout side station 12 ( A transfer command is given from the OT) to the receiving station 12 (IN) to transfer the transfer target.

On the contrary, the receiving station 12 (I
In N), the operator operates the terminal device 16 to issue a command S31 for receiving the object to be conveyed to the station controller 1.
When input to 5 (IN), the transfer source designation processing unit 15f
At, the transfer source station, that is, the payout side station 12 (OT) is specified, and the payout request signal S32 is transmitted to the station controller 15 (OT).

In the payout side station controller 15 (OT) which has received the payout request signal S32, the payout permission / inhibition determination section 15g stores the storage shelf 1 based on the information of the stock management section 15b.
If the goods to be conveyed are sufficiently stocked, it is determined that the goods can be delivered, and the receiving station 12 (I
A transport request signal S33 designating N) is transmitted to the transport overall controller 11.

In the transport integrated controller 11 that has received the transport request signal S33, the vehicle allocation arithmetic processing unit 11b can go to the payout side station 12 (OT) based on the information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a. 13 is indexed, and a transfer command is given from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the receiving side station 12 (IN) to transfer the transfer target object.

The payout side station controller 1
When the payout availability determination unit 15g of 5 (OT) determines that the inventory of the storage shelves 18 is insufficient and it is necessary to replenish the conveyed items, the terminal device 16 of the payout side station 12 (OT) is notified. Display a message requesting replenishment transportation of the transported goods,
In addition, a replenishment request signal S34 for giving an alarm with a buzzer is transmitted. Then, the operator looks at the display of the terminal device 16 and finds the corresponding object to be transferred to the payout side station 12 (O
The other specific station is designated as the payout side station and the acceptance command is input so as to replenish and convey to T).

As a result, the payout side station 12 (OT) that has been used up to now is now the receiving side station 12 (I).
In step N), another station that has received the payout request becomes the payout side station 12 (OT), and the same mutual transmission process as described above is performed to perform the replenishment transfer work of the transferred object.

The original payout side station 12 (O
If the transported object is sufficiently replenished in the storage shelf 18 of T), the transported object is transported from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the first receiving side station 12 (IN). .

In this way, according to this embodiment, the receiving side station 12 (IN) directly designates the receiving side station 12 (IN) to make an acceptance request, and the receiving side station 12 (IN) carries the object to be conveyed. If it is ready for acceptance, the acceptance permission is issued to the payout side station 12 (OT).
To the payout station 12 (OT)
From the receiving side station 12 (IN) to the receiving side station 12 (IN), and directly from the receiving side station 12 (IN) to the payout side station 12 (OT). Discharging station 12
Receiving station 12 that has issued a payout request from (OT)
Since the conveyed object is conveyed to (IN), when the receiving station 12 (IN) is not ready for receiving, the conveyed object is conveyed to the payout station 12 (O).
T) Carrying the car from the receiving station 1
It will be possible to carry out smooth automatic transportation without stopping traffic at 2 (IN) and causing traffic jams. Also, if there are insufficient parts needed for a certain process, from that station Immediately sending a request for the delivery of the missing item to the relevant delivery side station to receive the delivery, and it is possible to deliver the delivered object by the signboard method or just-in method for each station, which causes an imbalance in physical distribution. Can be prevented in advance.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The feature of the sixth embodiment is that it has the functions of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the functions of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. is there. The hardware configuration is the same as that shown in each of FIG. 3 and FIG. 7. The functional configurations of the transport controller 11 and the station controller 15 of each station 12 are shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the transport controller 11 collects and manages the current position of each transport vehicle 13 and the current service status, and a transport vehicle information management section 11a and acceptance / non-acceptance information of each station. Station status management unit 11d that manages
When the transport request signal from T) is received, the designated transport destination station, that is, the receiving station 12 based on the information of the station status management unit 11d.
It has a payout determination unit 11e that determines whether or not (IN) is acceptable, and makes a payout permission determination if it is acceptable.

The transfer control controller 11 further collects and manages information on payout requests sent from some of the receiving stations 12 (IN).
Then, with respect to the information of the payout request of the payout request management unit 11f, it is judged from the operation status of the carrier vehicle 13 based on the priority and the information of the carrier vehicle information management unit 11a, and the payout side station corresponding to each payout request is determined. When the payout station determination unit 11g that determines and sends the payout command to the corresponding payout side station controller 15 (OT) and the payout determination unit 11e make a payout permission determination, the payout station determination unit 11 again.
When g outputs the payout command, the guided vehicle information management unit 11a
Based on the information of the vehicle allocation processing unit 11b which selects the waiting vehicle 13 at the optimum position and responds to the transportation request from the payout side station 12 (OT), and the LAN 14
And a LAN transmission control unit 11c for performing transmission control for.

The station controller 15 of each station 12 stores an IO controller 15a for controlling input / output of signals to / from the terminal device 16, the bar code reader 17, and the transfer mechanism 19 which are connected to the controller. An inventory management unit 15b that manages the inventory status of the transported objects on the shelf 18.
When a payout command is received from the transfer control controller 11, it is determined whether or not the payout is possible based on the information of the inventory management unit 15b. Is displayed, and a buzzer issues a replenishment request to give an alarm. When it is determined that the payout is possible, the payout availability determination unit 15g that transmits the transport request to the transport overall controller 11, and the operator accepts the acceptance command from the terminal device 16. When you enter, the transfer controller 1
1, a payout request processing unit 15h for sending out a payout request signal designating the payout side station 12 (OT), and a LAN 14
It has a LAN transmission control unit 15e for performing transmission control for.

Next, the operation of the transport control device having the above configuration will be described. The carrier general controller 11 grasps the current position and current working status of each carrier 13 in the carrier information management unit 11a. In addition, each station controller 15 in the station status management unit 11d.
Information S20 indicating that acceptance is not possible transmitted from the station controller (this information S20 is created in each station controller 15 based on the inventory status of the station 12 and the operating status of the station, and is periodically sent to the transfer control controller 11. Are collected and managed.

Now, one of the stations, here the station 1 on the left side in FIGS. 3 and 10, respectively.
2 (OT), the operator operates the terminal device 16, or the barcode of the transported object is read by the bar code reader 17 to identify the transported object.
When input to T), the transport destination designation processing unit 15c indexes a transport destination station, that is, the receiving station 12 (IN), and transmits a transport request signal S22 to the station 12 (IN) to the transport overall controller 11.

In the transport integrated controller 11 that has received the transport request signal S22, the payout determination section 11e
Based on the information of the station status management unit 11d, it is determined whether or not the designated receiving station 12 (IN) can receive the transported object, and if it is acceptable, the payout station controller 15 (OT) is paid out. At the same time as transmitting the permission signal S23, the vehicle allocation calculation processing unit 11b determines an optimum carrier vehicle 13 that can go to the payout side station 12 (OT) on the basis of the information of the carrier vehicle information management unit 11a. The transfer command is transmitted to.

If the payout determination unit 11e of the transfer control controller 11 determines that the receiving station 12 (IN) cannot be received, it sends a payout prohibition signal S23 to the payout station controller 15 (OT). Become. And the payout side station controller 15 (O
Upon receipt of the payout permission signal S23, T) causes the transfer mechanism 19 to load the objects to be transferred onto the transport vehicle 13 that has been dispatched to the payout side station 12 (OT). When this loading is completed, the transport vehicle 13 moves to the receiving side station 12 (IN) and stops. Therefore, the receiving station controller 15 (IN)
The transfer mechanism 19 transfers the transported object from the transport vehicle 13 to the storage rack 18.

In some stations 12 (here, the station on the right side in FIG. 10 is representative, but other stations are also included), the operator operates the terminal device 16 to receive an instruction S41 for receiving the transported object. Is input to the station controller 15 (IN), the station controller 15 (IN) causes the payout request processing unit 15h to specify a payout request signal S4 that specifies the carrier station, that is, the payout side station 12 (OT).
2 is transmitted to the transport control controller 11. It should be noted that such a payout request signal S42 is also transmitted from another receiving side station.

Upon receipt of the payout request signal S42, the transport control controller 11 collects some received payout request signals together with information of the request source, that is, the receiving side station 12 (IN), and saves them in the payout request management section 11f. To do.
Then, the payout station determination unit 11g, with respect to the payout request information stored in the payout request management unit 11f, the priority between the receiving side stations, and the guided vehicle information management unit 1
The payout command S43 is transmitted to each of the corresponding payout side station controllers 15 (OT) in order from the payout request that should be prioritized with reference to the operation status of the guided vehicle by 1a.

In the payout side station controller 15 (OT) that has received the payout command S43, the payout permission / inhibition determination unit 15g determines whether the storage shelf 18 is in accordance with the information of the inventory management unit 15b.
The stock status of the transported object is checked, and if the transported object is sufficiently in stock, it is determined that the delivery is possible, and the receiving side station 12 (I
The transport request signal S44 designating N) is transmitted to the transport overall controller 11 through the LAN 14.

In the transport integrated controller 11 that has received the transport request signal S44, the vehicle allocation arithmetic processing unit 11b can go to the payout station 12 (OT) based on the information of the transport vehicle information management unit 11a. 13 is indexed and a transport command is transmitted to the transport vehicle 13 to transport the object to be transported from the designated payout side station 12 (OT) to the designated receiving side station 12 (IN).

The payout side station controller 1
When the payout availability determination unit 15g of 5 (OT) determines that the inventory of the storage shelves 18 is insufficient and it is necessary to replenish the conveyed items, the terminal device 16 of the payout side station 12 (OT) is notified. Display a message requesting replenishment transportation of the transported goods,
In addition, a replenishment request signal S45 for issuing an alarm with a buzzer is transmitted. Then, the operator looks at the display of the terminal device 16 and finds the corresponding object to be transferred to the payout side station 12 (O
When the receiving instruction S41 is input by designating another specific station as the payout side station so as to replenish and convey to T), the payout request processing unit 15h designates the payout side station to the transfer integrated controller 11. It will be newly transmitted as the payout request signal S42.

Thus, according to the sixth embodiment,
When the receiving station 12 (IN) is specified from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the transfer controlling controller 11 and a transfer request is issued, the receiving station 12 (IN) specified by the transfer controlling controller 11 causes the transfer target object to be transferred. If it is in the accepting state, it is determined that the accepting is possible and the payout permission is given to the payout side station 12 (OT), whereby the object to be conveyed is transferred from the payout side station 12 (OT) to the receive side station 12 (IN). Transport and vice versa,
The receiving station 12 (IN) issues a delivery object delivery request specifying the delivery side station 12 (OT) to the delivery general controller 11, whereby the delivery side station 12 designated by the delivery overall controller 11 is issued.
Receiving side station 12 that has issued a payout request to (OT)
Since the conveyed object is conveyed to (IN), when the receiving station 12 (IN) is not ready for receiving, the conveyed object is conveyed to the payout station 12 (O).
T) Carrying the car from the receiving station 1
It will be possible to carry out smooth automatic transportation without stopping traffic at 2 (IN) and causing traffic jams. Also, if there are insufficient parts needed for a certain process, from that station Immediately sending a request for the delivery of the missing item to the relevant delivery side station to receive the delivery, and it is possible to deliver the delivered object by the signboard method or just-in method for each station, which causes an imbalance in physical distribution. Can be prevented in advance.

[0108]

As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,
The delivery-side station controller and the receiving-side station controller consult with each other in advance to check whether or not the transferred object can be received, and transfer the transferred object from the delivery-side station to the receiving-side station only when it is determined that the transferable object can be received. Therefore, smooth transportation can be performed without causing congestion during transportation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the general controller side grasps the storage status of the transferred object in the receiving side station, and if there is a transfer request from the payout side station, the corresponding receiving side station transfers the transferred object. It is decided in advance whether or not it can be accepted, and only when it is judged that it can be accepted, the object to be conveyed is conveyed from the payout side station to the receiving side station, so that there is no congestion during the conveyance Can be carried out smoothly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the receiving side station needs to receive the transported object, it directly requests the dispensing side station to transfer the transported object to its own station. As a result, smooth transportation can be performed without causing traffic jams and unbalanced physical distribution during transportation.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the receiving side station transmits the withdrawal request signal to the general controller when it is necessary to receive the conveyed object, and the general controller receives the withdrawal request, the corresponding withdrawal is made. If the delivery side station is able to deliver, the delivery side station is made to deliver the transported object to the receiving side station, so it may cause traffic jams or imbalance in logistics during the transportation. Smooth transport can be performed without the presence of

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the delivery-side station controller and the receiving-side station controller make a preliminary examination as to whether or not the object can be received, and when it is determined that the object can be received, the object is transferred. Is delivered from the payout side station to the receiving side station, and when the receiving side station needs to receive the transported object, it directly requests the dispensing side station to transfer the transported object to its own station. Since it is possible to carry out smoothly, it is possible to carry out smooth transportation without causing traffic jams and unbalanced distribution during transportation.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the general controller side grasps the storage status of the transported object in the receiving side station, and if there is a transport request from the payout side station, the corresponding receiving side station transfers the transported object. It is judged in advance whether or not it can be accepted, and when it is judged that it can be accepted, the transported object is transported from the delivery side station to the receiving side station, and when the receiving side station needs to receive the transported object, it is delivered. The request signal is transmitted to the general controller, and the general controller is configured to convey the object to be conveyed from the corresponding payout side station to the receiving side station even when this payout request is made, so that congestion occurs during the conveyance, Realize smooth transportation without causing imbalance in physical distribution.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transport controller and a station controller in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transport integrated controller and a station controller in the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transport integrated controller and a station controller in the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transport integrated controller and a station controller in the above embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transport integrated controller and a station controller according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a transfer control controller and a station controller according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional transport system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Transport Control Controller 11a Transport Vehicle Information Management Unit 11b Vehicle Allocation Calculation Processing Unit 11c LAN Transmission Control Unit 11d Station Status Management Unit 11e Discharge Judgment Unit 11f Discharge Request Management Unit 11g Discharge Station Determining Unit 12 Station 12 (OT) Discharge Side Station 12 ( IN) Receiving side station 13 Transport vehicle 14 LAN 15 Station controller 15 (OT) Disbursement side station controller 15 (IN) Receiving side station controller 15a IO control section 15b Inventory management section 15c Delivery destination designation processing section 15d Acceptability determination section 15e LAN transmission control unit 15f Transport source designation processing unit 15g Discharge availability determination unit 15h Discharge request processing unit 16 Terminal device 17 Bar code reader 18 Storage rack 19 Transfer mechanism

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transported objects, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a payout side station that dispenses the transported objects. A delivery side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the conveyed object, and a transmission that handles signal transmission between the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller. In the transport control device including a road, the general controller collects and manages transport vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the transport vehicles, and based on this transport vehicle information. Responsible for transporting the object to be transported from the payout side station to the receiving side station And a dispatching operation means for indexing the most suitable transport vehicle and giving a transport command to the relevant transport vehicle, wherein the payout side station controller transmits a reception request signal to the receiving side station controller. And a transfer request means for transmitting a transfer request signal to the overall controller when receiving a reception permission signal transmitted from the reception side station controller, wherein the reception side station controller is a receiver of the reception side station. Based on the received article information management unit that manages the status of the transported article and the status of the transported article that is managed by the received article information management unit, it is determined whether acceptance is possible or not in response to the acceptance request signal from the payout side station controller. Then
A conveyance control device, comprising: acceptance determination means for transmitting an acceptance permission signal to the payout side station controller when the acceptance is determined. 2. A plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transported objects, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a payout side station that dispenses the transported objects. A delivery side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the conveyed object, and a transmission that handles signal transmission between the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller. In the transfer control device including a road, the overall controller collects and manages the transfer vehicle information indicating the current position and the current working status of each of the transfer vehicles, and the transfer destination of the receiving side station. Receiving station status management means for managing the status of the goods, and the payout side stay In response to the transport request signal from the controller, the accepting station status managing means determines the acceptability based on the status of the transported object at the accepting station, and when the acceptability is determined, the payout side is determined. A payout determination unit that transmits a transfer permission signal to the station controller, and when the payout determination unit determines that the transfer is permitted, based on the transfer vehicle information managed by the transfer vehicle information management unit, from the delivery side station to the receiving side The delivery side station controller conveys to the integrated controller an indexing vehicle that is most suitable for transporting the transported object to the station and gives a transportation command to the corresponding transportation vehicle. The receiving side station controller has a conveyance requesting means for transmitting a request signal, Conveyance control unit manages the status of the object, characterized by having a receiving article information management means for transmitting to the overall controller. 3. A plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transported objects, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a payout side station that dispenses the transported objects. A delivery side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the conveyed object, and a transmission that handles signal transmission between the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller. In the transport control device including a road, the general controller collects and manages transport vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the transport vehicles, and based on this transport vehicle information. Responsible for transporting the object to be transported from the payout side station to the receiving side station And a vehicle allocation calculating means for indexing the most suitable transport vehicle and giving a transport command to the relevant transport vehicle, wherein the payout side station controller receives the payout request signal transmitted from the receiving side station controller. Transport control means having a transport request means for transmitting a transport request signal to the general controller, and the receiving side station controller has a payout request means for transmitting a payout request signal to the payout side station controller. apparatus. 4. A plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transported objects, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a payout side station that dispenses the transported objects. A delivery side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the conveyed object, and a transmission that handles signal transmission between the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller. In the transport control device comprising a road, the general controller collects and manages transport vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the transport vehicles, and a receiving station controller. Upon receiving the payout request signal, the payout side station controller And a payout command means for transmitting a payout command, and when a payout request signal from the payout side station controller is received, the payout side station receives the payout command from the payout side station based on the transfer vehicle information managed by the transfer vehicle information management means. And a vehicle allocation calculating means for indexing a transportation vehicle optimum for taking charge of the transportation of the transported object to the station and giving a transportation command to the corresponding transportation vehicle. The payable article information management unit that manages the status of the transported object, and when the payout command signal from the general controller is received, it is determined whether the payout is possible or not based on the status of the transported object managed by the paid product information management unit. And a payout determination means for transmitting a transport request signal to the overall controller when it is determined that the payout is possible, and the receiving side station controller Over La, the transfer control device, characterized in that it comprises a dispensing request means for transmitting a payout request signal to the overall controller. 5. A plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transported objects, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a payout side station that dispenses the transported objects. A delivery side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the conveyed object, and a transmission that handles signal transmission between the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller. In the transport control device including a road, the general controller collects and manages transport vehicle information indicating the current position and the current service status of each of the transport vehicles, and based on this transport vehicle information. Responsible for transporting the object to be transported from the payout side station to the receiving side station And a dispatching operation means for indexing the most suitable transport vehicle and giving a transport command to the relevant transport vehicle, wherein the payout side station controller transmits a reception request signal to the receiving side station controller. And a transfer request means for transmitting a transfer request signal to the overall controller when receiving a reception permission signal or a payout request signal transmitted from the reception side station controller, wherein the reception side station controller is Based on the received article information management means for managing the status of the transported object at the side station and the status of the transported object managed by the received article information management means, the acceptance request signal from the payout side station controller is accepted. Judge whether yes or no,
It is characterized by further comprising: acceptance determination means for transmitting an acceptance permission signal to the payout side station controller when the acceptance is determined, and payout request means for transmitting a payout request signal to the payout side station controller. Transport control device. 6. A plurality of transport vehicles that travel on a predetermined transport path to transport the transported objects, a general controller that controls transport of each of the transport vehicles, and a payout side station that dispenses the transported objects. A delivery side station controller that controls the receiving side station that receives the conveyed object, and a transmission that handles signal transmission between the transport vehicle, the overall controller, the payout side station controller, and the receiving side station controller. In the transfer control device including a road, the overall controller collects and manages the transfer vehicle information indicating the current position and the current working status of each of the transfer vehicles, and the transfer destination of the receiving side station. Receiving station status management means for managing the status of the goods, and the payout side stay In response to the transport request signal from the controller, the accepting station status managing means determines the acceptability based on the status of the transported object at the accepting station, and when the acceptability is determined, the payout side is determined. A payout determination means for transmitting a transportation permission signal to the station controller, a payout command means for receiving a payout request signal from the receiving side station controller and transmitting a payout command to the payout side station controller, and the payout determination means. When the transfer permission is determined, or when the transfer request signal from the payout side station controller is received, from the payout side station to the receiving side station based on the transfer vehicle information managed by the transfer vehicle information management means. The optimum transport vehicle to take charge of transporting the transported objects of And a dispatching operation unit for giving a transport command, wherein the payout-side station controller transports a transport request signal to the overall controller, and payout item information for managing the status of the transported object at the payout-side station. Management means, when receiving a payout command signal from the general controller, determines whether or not the payout is possible based on the status of the conveyed object managed by the payout article information management means, and when determining that the payout is possible, the general controller And a payout determination means for transmitting a transport request signal, wherein the receiving station controller manages the status of the transported object at the receiving station and transmits the received article information managing means for transmitting to the overall controller, and the overall control. A delivery control device, comprising: a delivery request means for transmitting a delivery request signal to the controller.