JPH11180516A - Picking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picking device capable of efficiently performing picking without providing an upper host computer. SOLUTION: Using a bar code reader 3 and a touch panel 17, a product code, codes of parts required for constituting the product, necessary quantities of the parts, and the numbers on a display unit 4 corresponding to the storing positions of the parts are pre-input into a picking device 1. At the time of picking, the product code is input from the bar code reader 3 or touch panel 17 into the picking device 1 so that the picking device flashes an indication lamp 7 located at the display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position of the parts necessary for constituting the product and to display the necessary quantity on the display part 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a method for taking out a required quantity of necessary products efficiently at a goods collection / delivery center or the like based on a delivery request, or a work instruction in a product assembling process. The present invention relates to a picking device suitable for efficiently taking out a required number of necessary parts based on the picking device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a collection and distribution center for goods and goods stores a wide variety of goods and parts. In such a collection and distribution center, many storage shelves are installed for storing goods and parts. In each storage shelf, partitions are provided according to the size of the goods and parts, and the work of sorting the goods and parts to the destination is performed as necessary. Called.

Conventionally, in order to efficiently perform such a picking operation, there is, for example, a “picking device” proposed by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-84918 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-244920).

In the picking apparatus of the above application, the host computer stores and manages order information including an article code for each delivery destination, sorts the order information for each zone, and lowers the article removal information of each zone. The picking controller of each zone displays the storage position and the required quantity of the goods on the display unit of the corresponding storage shelf based on the article removal information, so that the worker can efficiently pick up the goods. I can take it out.

[0005]

In such a conventional picking device, a delivery request for each delivery destination is temporarily input to a host computer at a higher order, and is sent to a lower order as article removal information in accordance with an article code stored in the host computer. And a host computer is indispensable.

For this reason, cost and maintenance are increased,
In a small system, it is difficult to introduce, and every time the layout of storage shelves is changed, the wiring between the upper host computer and the lower picking controller must be changed, which is troublesome. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a picking device capable of efficiently performing picking without providing a host computer.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured as follows.

That is, the present invention according to claim 1 is a picking device for outputting picking-out information for picking up an article necessary for composing a completed article from a plurality of kinds of articles stored in corresponding storage positions. A storage means for storing a storage position of articles required for constituting the completed part for each completed article and a takeout information indicating a required quantity of the articles, and a code of the inputted finished article based on Output means for reading out and outputting the corresponding extraction information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of types of articles are stored in corresponding storage positions of a storage shelf, respectively, and are stored in predetermined storage units of the storage shelf. A plurality of arranged display devices are connected to the picking device, and the removal information is output and displayed on a display device corresponding to a storage position of a required article.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an indicator light for indicating that a necessary article is stored in response to the removal information, And an operation switch that is operated when the removal of the article is completed and outputs a removal completion signal to the picking device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, a bar code reader for inputting the code of the completed article and the code of the article is connected, and at least A touch panel for inputting a required quantity in advance is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, there is provided a connecting portion to which a two-dimensional barcode reader is connected, and a code of the completed article is provided via the two-dimensional barcode reader. At the same time, at least a part of the removal information corresponding to the completed article is input.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, take-out information indicating a storage position of articles required for composing the completed article and a required quantity of the completed articles for each pre-input completed article is stored and inputted. Since the extraction information corresponding to the part code is read and output, the extraction information corresponding to the completed part code can be obtained by inputting the code of the completed part without providing a host computer as in the related art.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of display devices arranged in a predetermined storage unit of a storage shelf in which a plurality of types of articles are stored are connected to the picking device to store necessary articles. Since the removal information is output and displayed on the display device corresponding to the position, the operator can perform a picking operation of a necessary article according to the display on the display device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the display device includes a display lamp for indicating that a required article is stored, and a pick-up completion signal which is operated when the necessary article is completely taken out. Since the operator is provided with an operation switch for outputting to the device, the operator takes out the necessary article according to the indication of the indicator light, and operates the operation switch every time the removal is completed, thereby operating other indications being displayed. While proceeding to the apparatus and proceeding to the picking operation of the next article, the picking apparatus recognizes the completion of the picking operation and can proceed to output of the removal information of the next completed article.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, a bar code reader for inputting the code of the completed article and the code of the article is connected, and At least a touch panel for inputting the required quantity is provided, so when inputting the extraction information in advance and extracting the necessary extraction information, the bar code reader can easily input the code of the completed article and the article. The required quantity can be easily input by the touch panel.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the information on the completed article is input together with the code of the completed article via the two-dimensional barcode reader. Thus, the extraction information that needs to be stored in the storage means can be reduced.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system using a picking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this system, parts of various types of articles are stored in a plurality of storage shelves. This is a system for allowing an operator to efficiently take out parts that are stored and that are necessary for composing a finished product.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a picking device according to the present invention, to which a tool personal computer 2 or the like can be connected as required to set operating conditions and registered data. At the same time, the barcode reader 3 is connected to input a barcode of a product and a barcode of a part. Also, display units 4 as a plurality of display devices are connected, and each of these display units 4 is, as shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined storage unit of a storage shelf 5 storing components (not shown). 5a, and different types of components are stored and arranged in each storage unit 5a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 4 has a display unit 6 capable of displaying the required number of parts by, for example, three digits, and a function as an operation switch operated when the removal of the parts is completed. And a display lamp 7 as a display lamp for blinking to indicate that it is a storage position of necessary parts, and a cancel switch 8 operated when parts are insufficient. These display units 4
The display lamp 7 of the display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position of the parts necessary for composing the product is blinked and controlled by the picking device 1 as described later, and the required number of parts is displayed on the display unit. 6 to give an instruction of picking to the operator.

The display of the display lamp 7 is not limited to a blinking display, but may be a simple lighting display. The display unit 6 is not limited to three digits, but may have any number of digits. Furthermore, when the display lamp 7 is turned on, one component is taken out, the display lamp 7 is turned off by operating the display lamp 7, and one component is taken out when the display lamp 7 is turned on again. By displaying a component one by one each time, the display of the quantity by the display unit 6 may be omitted.

Since each display unit 4 is arranged for each predetermined storage unit 5a partitioned by the storage shelf 5, in the blinking display of only the display unit 4, a large number of storage shelves 5 are arranged in a row. In the arranged state, it may not be easy to recognize which row of the display unit 4 is blinking. In this embodiment, the storage unit 5 is divided into zones for each of a plurality of rows, and each zone is divided into zones. 1 are connected to the picking device 1 as shown in FIG. 1, and turn on the indicator lights 9 corresponding to the zones in which necessary parts are stored. I have.

As shown in FIG. 4, this picking device 1 is an RS-232 for connecting a tool personal computer 2 or the like.
C-connecting unit 10 and RS-connecting barcode reader 3
232C connection section 11, an RS-485 connection section 12 for connecting the display unit 4, an output side or input side terminal 13 for connecting the zone indicator light 9 and the like, and a DC and AC power supply terminal 14, 15 and a power switch 16, and a touch panel 17 is provided on the front as a setting display unit for displaying a menu screen and various settings.

The terminal 13 on the input side is currently turned on in order to cope with an emergency interruption operation, for example, an operation which must be executed even if the current operation is interrupted, such as handling a trouble. Display units 4
Can be connected to turn off the lights at once.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the picking device 1. As shown in FIG.

The picking apparatus 1 includes storage means 18 for storing, for each code of a product, extraction information indicating a storage position of a component necessary for composing the product and a required quantity of the component. A data processing unit 2 serving as an output unit that reads out extraction information corresponding to the product code based on the product code to be output and outputs it to an output device 19 such as the display unit 4 and the zone indicator light 9.
0, an I / O control unit 21 and a display unit control unit 22.

In the storage means 18 of this embodiment, a local master table 23 indicating the parts configuration of the product and a location table 2 indicating the storage positions of the parts in the storage shelf 5 are stored.
4 and a status table 25 indicating a state where the picking device 1 is currently executing.

As shown in Table 1 below, the local master table 23 stores a product code corresponding to each of record numbers 1 to n, codes of a plurality of parts necessary to configure the product, and It consists of the required quantity of each part.

[0031]

[Table 1]

The location table 24 is shown in Table 2 below.
As shown in the figure, the code of the part corresponding to each of the record numbers 1 to n, the number of the display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position of the part, and the zone indicator light 9 arranged in the zone to which the display unit 4 belongs. And output data indicating an output terminal for turning on.

[0033]

[Table 2]

As shown in Table 3 below, the status table 25 includes a product status flag corresponding to each product code, a code of each component constituting the product, and a status flag of each component. The product status flag indicates whether or not the picking operation is being performed on the product, and the status flag of each component indicates whether or not the picking of the component has been completed.

[0035]

[Table 3]

As shown in FIG. 5, the picking device 1 includes a communication control unit 27 for controlling communication with an input device 26 such as a bar code reader 3, and a tool personal computer 2
And a communication control unit 29 for controlling communication with an input device 28 such as the touch panel 17 as a display setting unit.
And an I / O control unit 30.

In this embodiment, for each product, the parts necessary for composing the product, the required quantity of each part, and the storage position of each part are previously input and stored as follows. 18 is stored.

First, the touch panel 17 is set to the registration mode by operating the touch panel 17, the code of the product is input from the bar code reader 3 or the touch panel 17, and then the code of the parts necessary for configuring the product is input to the bar code. Input is made from the code reader 3 or the touch panel 17, the required quantity of the component is input from the touch panel 17, and thereafter, for each required component constituting the product, the component code and the required quantity are sequentially input.

Thereafter, for the next product, similarly, after inputting the code of the product, the component code and the required quantity of each component necessary for composing the product are sequentially input.

Next, the code of the component stored in the storage shelf 5 is input from the bar code reader 3 or the touch panel 17 and the number of the display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position where the component is stored is input to the touch panel 17. , Or by operating the display lamp 7 as an operation switch of the corresponding display unit 4, the number of the display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position of the component is input.

Hereinafter, the codes of the display units 4 corresponding to the codes are sequentially input for all the parts.

With the above-described registration mode setting input, the above-mentioned local master table 23 is stored in the storage means 18.
And the location table 24 are created.

When the picking operation is started after the above data registration is completed, the touch panel 17 is operated to set the picking start mode, and the code of the product is input from the bar code reader 3 or the touch panel 17.

The picking device 1 retrieves the input product code from the local master table 23, refers to the contents of the record number corresponding to the product code, and displays the number of the display unit 4 corresponding to each part and the output data. Is transmitted from the location table 24, to the retrieved display units 4, in accordance with the contents of the local master table 23, a flashing and quantity display command as extraction information is transmitted, and to the output terminal corresponding to the output data. Output.

As a result, each display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position where each part necessary to constitute the input product is stored blinks, and the required quantity of each part is displayed. Illuminated zone indicator lamp 9 is turned on.

The operator enters the zone where the zone indicator light 9 is lit, approaches the blinking display unit 4 and removes the component at the storage position by the quantity indicated on the display unit 4. By operating the display lamp 7 as an operation switch of the display unit 4, the completion of picking of the component is transmitted to the picking device 1.

Based on this completion signal, the above-mentioned status table 25 is updated, and the completion signal is notified from all the display units 4 which have transmitted the command, that is, the picking of all parts of the product is completed. Until the completion signal is received and status table 2
After the updating of 5 has been repeated and the picking of all the display units 4 has been completed, the zone indicator 9 is turned off and the system waits until the next product code is input.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the picking start mode.

First, it is determined whether or not a product code has been input (step n1). When the product code has been input, the local master table 23 and the location table 24 are searched based on the product code to configure the product. The number of each display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position of each article required for each, the output data corresponding to the zone indicator light 9, and the required quantity of each article are read out (step n2), and the corresponding display unit 4 blinks. A command for displaying the quantity is transmitted (step n3), an output is given to an output terminal corresponding to the output data, and the corresponding zone indicator 9 is turned on (step n4).

Next, the operator picks up parts based on the lighting of the zone indicator lamp 9 and the blinking of the display unit 4, and the display unit 4 corresponding to the picked up part is picked up.
It is determined whether or not the display lamp 7 has been operated as an operation switch, that is, whether or not a picking completion signal has been provided (step n5). When the picking completion signal has been provided, the corresponding flag in the status table 25 is determined. Is updated (step n6), and it is determined whether or not the picking completion signal has been given from all the display units 4 that have transmitted the command (step n7). If not, the process returns to step n5. Since the picking operation of all parts of the product has been completed, the output to the output terminal is stopped, the zone indicator light 9 is turned off, and the process returns to step n1 (step n8), and waits for the input of the next product code.

As described above, in this embodiment, the codes of the display unit 4 corresponding to the product code, the code of the parts necessary for constituting the product, the quantity of the required parts and the storage position of the parts are set in advance. By creating the local master table 23 and the location table 24 by inputting them and storing them in the storage means 18, the code of the product is input from the barcode reader 3 or the touch panel 17, thereby forming the product. Since the display unit 4 corresponding to the storage position where the necessary parts are stored blinks and the required quantity is displayed, the operator can efficiently pick the necessary parts according to the display on the display unit 4. Can be.

Further, unlike the conventional picking system, there is no need to provide a host computer at a higher level.
The cost is reduced, and there is no need to perform wiring between the host computer and the picking controller, so that it is possible to easily cope with a layout change or the like.

In particular, in the product assembling process, the parts to be picked are determined for each product. Therefore, once the extraction information is stored in the storage means 18, once the delivery request is changed, the contents of which are changed every day. As described above, it is particularly effective because it is not necessary to change the frequency frequently. The display unit 4 may be provided.

Further, in this embodiment, a two-dimensional bar code reader for reading a two-dimensional bar code 31 as shown in FIG. 7 can be connected, and the product code and the product are constituted. 2D barcode 31 in which the code of the parts required for the device and the required quantity of each part are described can be input to the picking device 1 via the two-dimensional barcode reader. In the case of using 31, the setting operation of the registration mode for storing the local master table 23 in the storage unit 18 in advance is unnecessary.

In this case, the location table 24
The picking instruction similar to the above is issued only by the above.

Therefore, in the case of a delivery request that is changed daily, the delivery destination, the delivered articles of the delivery destination, and the quantity thereof are described in a two-dimensional barcode 31 and read by a two-dimensional barcode reader. For each delivery destination, the storage position and the quantity of the delivered articles are displayed on the display unit 4, so that efficient picking work can be performed. In this case, a collective article constituted by collecting required quantities of articles to be delivered is a completed article.

Further, in this embodiment, by setting the inspection mode, the bar code reader 3 inputs the product code, and then reads out the code of the picked-out parts by the number of times corresponding to the quantity. The touch panel 17 is configured to display whether or not a necessary number of parts required to configure the product have been taken out, that is, whether or not a picking operation has been performed.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the completed parts to be stored are stored in advance and the take-out information indicating the storage positions and the required quantity of the articles required for composing the completed article for each completed article is input. The readout information corresponding to the code is read out and output, so the input information corresponding to the completed article can be obtained by inputting the code of the completed article without the need for a host computer as in the prior art, and a host computer is required. It is possible to reduce the cost as compared with the conventional example described above, to introduce the system into a small-scale system, and it is not necessary to change the wiring to the host computer by changing the layout.

Further, since the removal information is output and displayed on the display device corresponding to the storage position of the required article, the operator can efficiently perform the picking operation of the required article according to the display on the display apparatus. it can.

Further, a bar code reader for inputting the code of the finished product and the code of the product is connected, and a touch panel is provided for inputting at least a required quantity of the take-out information in advance. When inputting or outputting necessary removal information, a bar code reader can easily input a completed article or an article code, and a touch panel can easily input a required quantity.

Further, since it is possible to input at least a part of the extraction information corresponding to the completed article together with the code of the completed article via the two-dimensional bar code reader, the necessary extraction information can be input to the two-dimensional bar code. By describing the information in the code, the extraction information that needs to be input in advance and stored in the storage unit can be reduced, and the burden of the input operation can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system using a picking device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an arrangement of a display unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the picking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the picking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a picking operation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a two-dimensional barcode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Picking device 3 Barcode reader 4 Display unit 5 Storage shelf 6 Display part 7 Display lamp 9 Zone indicator lamp 17 Touch panel 18 Storage means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A picking device for outputting take-out information for taking out a product necessary for composing a completed product from a plurality of types of products stored in corresponding storage positions, wherein the picking device outputs Storage means for storing the storage position of the articles required to constitute the finished part and the necessary information indicating the required quantity of the articles; and reading and outputting the corresponding extraction information based on the input code of the completed article. A picking device comprising: 2. The plurality of types of articles are respectively stored in corresponding storage positions of a storage shelf, and a plurality of display devices arranged for each predetermined storage unit of the storage shelf are connected to the picking device. 2. The picking device according to claim 1, wherein the removal information is output and displayed on a display device corresponding to a storage position of a required article. 3. In response to the removal information, a display lamp for indicating that the required article is stored in the storage position, and an operation completion signal that is operated when the removal of the required article stored in the storage position is completed. The picking device according to claim 2, further comprising: a connection portion to which the display device including an operation switch that outputs to the picking device is connected. 4. A bar code reader for inputting the code of the completed article and the code of the article is connected, and a touch panel is provided for inputting at least a required quantity of the take-out information in advance. The picking device according to any one of the above. 5. A connection part to which a two-dimensional barcode reader is connected, and at least a part of information of the take-out information corresponding to the completed article together with the code of the completed article via the two-dimensional barcode reader. The picking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the input is a user input.