JPS62249813A - Article sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operating efficiency, by actuating container transportation means of respective portions based on information of a number of containers in the next zone, in the respective zones of a transportation line. CONSTITUTION:A host controller 6 issues a purchase sheet 7 based on an order sheet 5 for purchasing articles and makes operation data to be output to memory means 8. The operation data is input to an operation controller 9 to enable it to make an article taking-out information instruction D and a container transportation processing E. At the time, the information of a number of containers in the next zone is read out in the container transportation processing E for confirming whether there is a room for receiving containers. When there is the room, a stopper 4 is opened for transporting the containers to the next zone. With this arrangement, operating efficiency can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to article sorting equipment used to sort multiple types of articles according to shipping destinations, and more specifically, relates to article sorting equipment used to sort multiple types of articles according to shipping destinations. A conveyance line for conveying is divided into a plurality of zones with a length that allows a plurality of containers to be lined up in the conveyance direction, and includes a plurality of shelf portions located corresponding to each of the plurality of zones. Shelves are provided, instruction means for instructing information on taking out articles is provided corresponding to each of the shelf portions, and the conveyance line separately conveys each line portion corresponding to the plurality of zones. The article sorting equipment is configured to be switchable between a state and a stopped state.

[Conventional technology]

For such article sorting, the equipment stores the articles taken out by a worker based on an article removal instruction into a container that is conveyed along the conveyance line, thereby storing multiple types of articles in a container destined for the same shipping destination. It was designed to let you do so.

In other words, generally, different types of articles are stored in each shelf section, and a worker is assigned to each shelf section separately, and from the shelf section on the upper side of transportation to the shelf section on the lower side of transportation. By having each worker take out the items from the shelves they are responsible for and store them in the containers while the containers are being transported over the period of time, each worker is able to reduce the number of tasks that each worker is responsible for. This allows containers to store a wide variety of items.

In addition, by making it possible to carry out container conveyance while switching each line section corresponding to a plurality of zones between the conveying state and the stopped state individually, in each zone,
By switching the corresponding line part to a stopped state, it is possible to perform storage work while the received containers are stopped, making the storage work more efficient than when storing containers that keep moving. Moreover, it can be performed well without any errors.

By the way, conventionally, containers were transported so that one container was located in each of the plurality of divided zones. That is, for example, containers located in each of a plurality of zones are transported to the next zone when there are no more containers in the next zone after storing the articles. (
(For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-55005) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the above conventional structure, one container is located in each zone, so the time required for the article storage operation is reduced. If this differs in each zone, the worker in charge of the zone that completed the storage work quickly will have to wait for work, which has the disadvantage of lowering overall work efficiency.

Incidentally, various items are distributed to each shelf so that the time required to store items is approximately the same in each zone, but the amount of shipments of the same item is different for each shipping destination. It is inevitable that workers will have to wait for work due to differences between the two companies.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to take advantage of the advantage of being able to store goods while the containers are stopped, while at the same time minimizing the need to wait for work in each zone. The purpose is to avoid this and improve work efficiency.

[Means for solving problems]

The characteristic configuration of the article sorting equipment according to the present invention is that containers located on the downstream side of conveyance in each of the plurality of zones are conveyed to the next zone as the article storage is completed when the next zone has room to accept the containers. Thus, there is provided a container conveying means for operating each of the line parts based on the information on the number of containers in the next zone, and its functions and effects are as follows.

[For production]

In other words, containers that have been stored in each zone are preferentially transported to the next zone when there is space to accept the containers, and as many containers as possible are placed in each zone. That's what I do. When the workers in each zone finish the storage work for the container located on the downstream side of transport, they can continue the storage work on the next container. Even if a container on the other side is not transported, the storage work can be continued without waiting for work.Also, when performing storage work on any container in the zone, that container must be stopped. This allows storage work to be carried out in good condition.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, by making it possible to perform the storage work while the container is stopped, it is possible to improve work efficiency and prevent incorrect work, while avoiding waiting times in each zone as much as possible. Overall, we have obtained equipment for article sorting that can improve work efficiency and prevent incorrect work.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated article sorting equipment includes a shelf (1) for storing multiple types of articles (X);
, a conveyance line (A) that conveys containers for storing goods (Z)
It is equipped with The conveyance line (A) has a length that allows a plurality of (three in the following examples) containers (Z) to be lined up in the conveyance direction, and a plurality of zones (a+), (a)
, (a10), and the shelf (1) has a plurality of shelf parts (1a) located corresponding to each of the plurality of zones (a, ), (a), (aha), respectively. We are prepared.

The shelf (1) is formed in a so-called gravity rack type in which the loading direction is slanted about 1 so that the front side is at the bottom. It can be moved to the side.

Each of the shelf portions (1a) has two upper and lower stages of cargo @ storage section (1a).
b), and three types of articles (X) are stored in each of the cargo R storage sections (1b) in the lateral direction.

The article (X) is stored in a box, and a belt conveyor (2) for transporting empty boxes is provided beside the conveyance line (A).

Therefore, one worker is assigned to each of the shelf portions (1a), and the work is to store the items taken out in the container (Z) based on instructions from the item removal information described below. The task is to feed empty boxes to the belt conveyor (2).

The conveyance line (A) is connected to the plurality of zones (a,).
, (a), and (a+o), each of which can be freely switched between a conveying state and a stopped state, and specifically, rollers that move integrally over the entire length of the line. It consists of a conveyor (3) and a container receiving stopper (4) for switching each of the plurality of line sections between a conveying state and a stopped state. This stopper (4) is operated up and down using electromagnetic force.

In addition, the plurality of zones (a,), (a), (a1
A container supply zone (b) is provided on the upper side of the conveyance than the container supply zone (b), and a stopper (4a) having the same structure as the stopper (4) is also provided in this zone (b).

An instruction means (D) for instructing information for taking out articles from each of the shelf portions (1a), and the stopper (4).

The container transport means (r,) that transports the container (Z) by moving the container (4a) in and out will be explained.

First, to explain briefly based on FIGS. 3 and 4, when the contents of an order form (5) issued by a customer etc. are input to the host controller (6), Purchase order form (7) according to the contents of order form (5)
is created, and the goods are purchased according to the contents of the purchase order (7).

Further, the host controller (6) creates work data based on the contents of the order form (5) manually entered in advance, and uses a work data storage means (to store the work data in a storage medium such as a floppy disk). 8).

A work controller (9) including a work data reading means (9a) and an arithmetic processing unit (9b) is provided beside the transport start end of the transport line (A). , work data is input using the storage medium.

In addition, a management worker is deployed to manage the work controller (9), and this management worker performs tasks such as inputting work data into the work controller (9) and managing the transport line (
The operation of supplying an empty container (Z) to the starting end of A) will be performed.

A starting part sensor (S) (see FIG. 1) consisting of a photoelectric switch is provided at the starting end of the conveyance line (A) to detect that an empty container (Z) is supplied, and
After inputting work data into the work controller (9) and completing work preparation, when an empty container (Z) is supplied to the starting end of the transport line (A), the starting part sensor (S
) detects the container (Z), and accordingly, the work controller (9) executes processing for each of the means (D) and (E).

The container conveying means (E) includes each of the stoppers (4).
, (4a) Container detection sensor (4a) consisting of a photoelectric switch located on the downstream side of the conveyance and detecting passage of the container (Z)
Sa), (Sb), and an indicator (IN) described later
(See Fig. 8) A work controller (9) operates the stoppers (4) and (4a) to move in and out based on information from a reset switch (10) provided therein.
Basically, in each zone (a) for storing goods,
With the container (Z) received by the stopper (4), the article retrieval worker stores the article into the container (Z), and the completion of the article storage operation is achieved by operating the reset switch (10). When the information is determined, the stopper (
4) is retired to send the container (Z) to the lower side of the conveyance, and as the container detection sensor (Sa) detects the presence of a container once and then detects the absence of a container again, the stopper (4) is made to protrude. However, the starting zone (al) and the intermediate zone (a) located in the middle in the conveyance direction and the final zone (at.) have different processing. This will be explained below.

However, the stopper operation in the container supply zone (b) is also handled as container transport processing. Further, the closing operation of the stopper (4) is performed by interrupt processing, as shown in FIG. That is, when the container detection sensors (Sa) and (Sb) detect the absence of a container again as described above, an interrupt is applied to accurately close the stoppers (4) and (4a),
Thereafter, the processing after the interruption will be executed.

As shown in Fig. 5, in the container supply zone (b), the number of containers in the next zone, that is, the starting zone (aυ) is checked, and there is not enough space in the next zone to receive containers. When there is, the stopper (4a) is opened to transport the container (Z).

In the first zone (al), the storage work in the container (Z) on the lowest transport side has been completed, the storage work in other containers (Z) in that zone (al) is not in progress, and the next zone Only when the following three conditions are met: the number of containers in (a) is not 3 and there is room to accept containers in the next zone, the stopper (4) is opened and the container (Z) is transported. I will let you do it.

In other words, although the container (Z) on the farthest transport side is transported to the next zone (a) as much as possible after the storage work is completed, if there is no space to receive the container (Z) in the next zone (a), , the container (Z) continues to be held in that zone (al) in order to perform the storage operation into the next container (Z).

In the intermediate zone (a), the same processing as in the starting zone (aυ) is performed, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In the final zone (a, ,), it is checked whether the storage work is completed or not, and upon completion of the work, the container (Z) is immediately transported.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indicating means (D) includes a main indicator light (11) disposed at the top of each shelf section (1a), and a main indicator light (11) located above and below each shelf section (1a). Two-tier loading area (
A pair of upper and lower auxiliary indicator lights (1b) are provided corresponding to
2), and an indicator (E) provided corresponding to each different type of article stored in each shelf section (1a), and when the main indicator light (11) is turned on, the shelf section (1a) is displayed.
) indicates that there is an item to be taken out, and the auxiliary indicator light (
12) lights up, the upper and lower loading sections (lb), (
lb) on which side of the loading section (1b) there is an article to be taken out, and furthermore, a display (11) indicates the article to be taken out and the amount to be taken out. The display (E) includes a lamp (13) that indicates the article to be taken out, and a numerical display section (14) that indicates the item to be taken out.
, and the above-mentioned set switch (10).

In addition, as shown in Figure 1, each zone (al
), (a), (aIo) three containers (Z) stopped
Three container indicator lamps (1
5), and by lighting the lamp (15), the container (Z) to be stored is indicated.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, the container is not being transported or being stored, and the zone (aI) is (a).

Only when the following four conditions are met: (aIo) has a capacity 2H (Z) and there is a request for storage work in the container in the zone, each zone (a=), (a), (aI .)
Out of the containers (Z) in the container (Z) before storage operation, the article retrieval information for the container (Z) located on the farthest side of transport is
Instructs by operating the main indicator light (11), auxiliary indicator light (12), and indicator (Z), and lights up the container indicator lamp (15) corresponding to the container (Z) to perform the article storage work. Also, based on the operation information of the reset switch (10), the main indicator light (11) and the auxiliary indicator light (
12), the container indicator lamp (15) and the indicator (E) will be stopped.

However, if there are multiple containers for the same shipping destination within the three container indicator lamps (IF''' zone), all of the corresponding lamps (15) will be lit.

In addition, the lamp (13) provided on each display ()l) is as follows:
Reset switch (1o) provided on the display (]1)
The auxiliary indicator light (12
) will be turned off as all articles have been taken out from the corresponding loading section (1b), and the main indicator light (11) will be turned off when all articles have been taken out from the corresponding shelf section (1a). As a result, the lights will be turned off.

[Another example]

As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the conveyance line (A) is provided with conveyor portions (3a) corresponding to each of the plurality of zones (a) and capable of being driven and stopped individually.
Various changes can be made, such as switching each line section between a conveying state and a stopped state.

The number of containers (Z) arranged in each zone (a, L (a), (a,,) can be changed in various ways, such as 2 containers, 4 containers or more.

The specific configuration of the shelf (1) and the specific configuration of the instruction means (D) can be changed in various ways depending on the intended use.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the article sorting equipment according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the article sorting equipment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing shelves, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the control configuration, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the container conveyance process, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the interrupt processing operation, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the article retrieval information output processing operation, and FIG. 8 is the display. FIG. 9 is a plan view of another embodiment. (1)...shelf, (1a)...shelf part,
(3)...Conveyor, (3a)...Conveyor part, (4)...Stopper, (A
)...Transportation line, (aI), (a),
(a10)...Zone, (IE)...
Container conveyance means, (Z)...Container. Figure 6 Figure 8 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] A conveyance line (
A) has a plurality of zones (a_1), (a), (a
_1_0), and the plurality of zones (a_1)
, (a), (a_1_0) are provided with a shelf (1) comprising a plurality of shelf parts (1a) located correspondingly to each other, and an instruction means (D) for instructing article retrieval information is provided for each of the above-mentioned parts. The conveyance line (A) is provided corresponding to each of the shelf portions (1a), and the conveyance line (A) is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of zones (a_1), (a).
, (a_1_0), the article sorting equipment is configured such that each line portion corresponding to the plurality of zones (a_1),
(a) Container number information in the next zone is set so that containers (Z) located on the downstream side of transport are transported to the next zone when the storage of goods is completed when the next zone has room to accept containers. Article sorting equipment is provided with a container conveying means (E) for operating each of said line parts based on said article sorting equipment. [2] The conveyor line (A) includes a conveyor (3) that moves integrally along the entire length of the line, and a stopper for receiving containers for switching each of the plurality of line sections between a conveying state and a stopped state ( 4) Claim No. 4 consisting of
Article sorting equipment described in item 1]. [3] The conveyance line (A) is connected to the plurality of zones (
a_1), (a), and (a_1_0), and a plurality of conveyor parts (3a) that can be stopped individually.
The article sorting equipment according to claim 1, comprising: