JPS62259902A - Article assorting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform an efficiency work of supplying articles to a shelf by means of a less labor, by a method wherein a conveyance line for articles supplied to a shelf is installed to the back of the shelf, and a means is provided for distributing and feeding the articles conveyed by means of the conveyance line. CONSTITUTION:In an article assorting work place B, two rows of shelves 5, containing plural kinds of articles Xa are situated in a state that the backs are positioned facing in opposite directions, and conveyors 6 for conveying a container, conveying a container Z for containing articles, are installed respectively on the front side of the shelves 5. A distributing feeding means K is formed such that an extruding tool 20, extruding and feeding the articles to the shelf side, is mounted to each of a pair of upper and lower car bodies 19, being movable in the conveyance direction of an article conveyance line 1. A distributing feeding means K moves the car body 19 to a spot positioned facing an article containing zone N, and under such state, the article Xa is fed to the shelf 5 through the working of the extruding tool 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is characterized in that a shelf having a plurality of article storage zones in the width direction is provided, and a container conveyance line for conveying containers for article storage is connected to the tank. The article sorting apparatus is provided with an instruction means provided on the front side of the tank for instructing information on taking out articles from the tank.

[Conventional technology]

For such article sorting, equipment is capable of storing multiple types of articles in containers destined for the same shipping destination by storing the articles taken out by workers based on an article removal instruction into containers conveyed along the container conveyance line. It is designed to be stored.

Incidentally, in general, the tank is divided into a plurality of shelf parts along the transport direction of the container transport line, that is, along the width direction, and each of the partitioned parts is divided into 1111 parts, each of which has a different type of shelf part. Articles are stored, and instructions for retrieving articles are given to each shelf section separately.In other words,
A worker is assigned to each of the shelf sections, and while containers are being transported from the shelf section on the upper side of transport to the shelf section on the lower side of transport, articles are removed from the shelf section for which each worker is in charge. By taking out the items and storing them in the container, it is possible to store a wide variety of items in the container 23 for the same shipping destination, while reducing the responsibilities of one worker.

Note that if only one type of article is stored in each shelf section, it is only necessary to instruct the amount of articles to be taken out, but if multiple types of articles are stored in one shelf section, , the type of article and the amount to be taken out will be instructed.

By the way, in such article sorting equipment, it is necessary to replenish the shelves with articles whose remaining quantity has decreased as the articles are taken out.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of article replenishment bundles (101) for storing various kinds of articles in different states are provided on the back side of a shelf (100), and a replenishment worker collects the article replenishment bundles. Articles taken out from (101) were supplied to shelf (100). Incidentally, when the replenishment bundle (101) becomes empty, the replenishment worker creates a new replenishment bundle (101).
Work will also be done to replace it.

However, in the illustrated example, two rows of shelves (100) are provided with their backs facing each other, and the article replenishment bundle (101) is arranged between these shelves (100). Also, in the figure (102
) is a container conveyance line.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

According to the above-mentioned conventional means, replenishment of goods to the shelves is carried out by replenishment workers supporting the goods. Not only does this have the disadvantage of requiring a great deal of labor, but it also has the disadvantage of not being able to work efficiently, and in some cases, there is a risk that the replenishment of goods may be delayed and the sorting operation may have to be interrupted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to enable efficient work of replenishing shelves with articles with little effort.

[Means for solving problems]

A characteristic configuration of the article sorting equipment according to the present invention is that an article conveyance line for conveying articles to be replenished on the shelves is provided at a location on the back side of the shelves, and articles conveyed by the article conveyance line are transported to the The present invention is characterized in that a distributing and supplying means for distributing and supplying to each article storage zone is provided, and its functions and effects are as follows.

[Function] In other words, the goods conveyed on the goods conveyance line,
The shelves are restocked by distributing and supplying items to each storage zone on the shelf, and the replenishment worker:
All that is required is to supply the replenishment articles to the article conveyance line. The work of supplying the replenishment articles to the article conveyance line can be carried out efficiently with little effort, since it is sufficient to simply supply the replenishment articles onto the article conveyance line.

In other words, for example, when performing article replenishment work by arranging article replenishment bundles of imaginary value along the conveyance direction of the article conveyance line, the article taken out from each article replenishment bundle is placed near the article replenishment bundle. This eliminates the need to carry replenishment items over a large area, such as by simply supplying them to a conveyance line, and the replenishment work can be performed efficiently with less effort.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, it becomes possible to replenish shelves with items efficiently with little effort, and sorting can be done more efficiently without causing troubles where work has to be interrupted due to delays in replenishing items. Now you can have them perform sorting work.

〔Example〕

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

As shown in Fig. 1, the equipment for sorting goods consists of a goods replenishment workspace (8) and a workspace for goods sorting (B), and a pair of proboscis feed lines (1) are installed in both worksites. (A) , (
B) 1u is distributed over the period.

As shown in Fig. 6, the article replenishment work area (8) has a plurality of article replenishment vehicles (3) that store multiple types of articles (X) packed in boxes separated by type, and The state of the article (Xa) is classified by type, and
A storage stand (4) for storing the items in a stacked state is provided.

Therefore, the goods replenishment worker located in the goods replenishment work area (8) unpacks the goods (X) on the goods replenishment vehicle (3) and supplies them to the storage table (4), based on the replenishment command described later. , supplying the goods (Xa) stored in the storage table (4) to the goods transport line (1), and replacing the empty goods replenishment car (3) with a new goods replenishment car (3). You will be required to perform the following tasks.

However, (2) in the figure is a main indicator light, which will be described later.

In the work area (B) for the article sorting, as shown in Fig. 2, two rows of shelves (5) for storing multiple types of articles (Xa) are arranged with their backs facing each other. A container transport conveyor (6) serving as a container transport line for transporting containers (Z) for use is provided at the front side of each column (5), and the article transport line (1) ) are respectively provided on the back side of the article conveyance line (1
A distributing and supplying means (K) is provided for distributing and distributing the articles (Xa) that are transported by the shelves (5) to the article storage zones (N) lined up in the horizontal direction of the shelves (5).

As shown in FIG. 3, the shelf (5) has an idle roller (R
) is formed in a so-called gravity rack type in which the front side is tilted so that the loading section is at the bottom. It is now possible to move it.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the shelf (5) is divided into a plurality of sections along the feeding direction of the container conveyor (6), that is, along the width direction. Shelf part (5A
) are each provided with upper and lower two-stage loading sections (5a),
In addition, each loading section (5a) is provided with three article storage zones (N) along the lateral direction.

Therefore, a plurality of article retrieval workers are arranged on the front side of the shelf (5), one for each shelf section (5A), and the article retrieval workers handle the items described below. Place the removed items in the container (
You will have to do the work of storing it in Z).

The article conveyance line (1) includes a pair of upper and lower belt conveyors (
18) and (18), and a branch conveyor (IB) that can freely swing up and down using a hydraulic cylinder etc. is installed at the conveyance start end of the belt conveyor (IA) and (IA).
(liff).Therefore, the branch conveyor (ill
), the article can be conveyed while switching between a state in which the article is conveyed to the upper belt conveyor (IA) and a condition in which the article is conveyed to the lower belt conveyor (IA).

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the distribution supply means (K) is a belt conveyor (K) in the article conveyance line (1).
A pair of upper and lower car bodies (19) that are movable in the transport direction of 1^)
A pushing tool (20) that pushes out and supplies the article to the shelf side, respectively.
It is constructed by attaching.

The vehicle body (19) runs along a guide rail (21) having a U-shaped cross section, and is powered by an electric motor (
Propulsion wheel (23) and idle wheel (2) driven by
4) at the front and rear, as well as steady rest rollers (25
). Moreover, the guide rail (21
) is provided with a current collection unit (27) that comes into contact with a power supply rail unit (26) attached to the power supply rail unit (26).

The extrusion tool (20) includes a pair of front and rear chains (28).
As the pair of chains (28) are driven at the same time, the cover (I9) of the vehicle body (I9) is
By moving the article (X, 1) in parallel to the shelf side while protruding to the front side of the cover (19A), the article (X, 1) is pushed out and supplied to the shelf side, and the article (X, 1) is retracted to the inner pH of the cover (19A). By moving parallel to the side away from the shelf (5), it returns to the initial position. In addition, a pair of extrusion tools (20) are attached to a pair of chains (28).

Each of the pair of chains (28) includes an input gear (30) that rotates integrally with its drive sprocket (29), a relay gear (31) that meshes with the input gear (30), and a relay gear (31) that rotates integrally with the relay gear (31). a bevel gear (32) that engages with the bevel gear (32), and an electric motor (33) that engages with the bevel gear (32);
) is interlocked and connected to the electric motor (33) by a gear transmission mechanism consisting of a bevel gear (34) driven and rotated by the electric motor (33). 11I drive.

Therefore, the distribution supply means (K) moves the vehicle body (19) to a location corresponding to the desired article storage zone (N), and in that state, operates the pushing tool (20) to remove the article (Xa). is supplied to the shelf (5).

Next, an instruction means (I3) for instructing information fD for taking out articles from the shelf (5), and a remaining article management means (E) for managing the amount of articles remaining on the shelf (5) in accordance with the type of article.
, based on the information of the remaining article management means (E), the article replenishment command notification means (F) for instructing the replenishment of articles with a small remaining amount (or less), and the container transport conveyor (6) are driven. a container conveying means (G) for conveying the container (Z), as well as the article conveying line (1) and the distributing and supplying means (
Each of the article replenishing means (L) for replenishing the shelf (5) with articles (Xa) by driving the article replenishing means (L) will be explained.

First, to briefly explain based on FIGS. 3 and 9, the contents of order D(7) issued by a customer etc. are host con!・When the roller (8) receives manual input, the host controller (8) executes the order form (9) according to the contents of the order form (7).
) is created, and the goods are purchased according to the contents of the purchase order (9).

Further, the host controller (8) creates work data based on the contents of the order form (7) entered in advance, and uses a work data storage means (to store the work data in a storage medium such as a floppy disk). 10).

A work controller (11) including a work data reading means (116) and an arithmetic processing unit (11B) is provided corresponding to each of the columns (5), and the work controller (11) has the memory Work data is input using a medium. However, a management worker is assigned to manage the work controller (11), and this management worker is responsible for inputting work data into the work controller (■1) and loading empty containers onto the container transport conveyor (6). The work of supplying the container (Z) will be performed.

When the work data is input to the work controller (11) and the work preparation is completed, the starting light (12) (see Figure 1) is turned on, and based on this lighting, the management worker starts the vacancy as described above. Container (Z) is transferred to the container conveyor (6)
+3'i+ work controller (11) supplies each means (D).

This occurs every time the processes corresponding to (E), (F), (G), and (L) are executed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container conveying means (G) carries containers (
Electromagnetic operated entrance/exit switch that receives Z) (13)
The container 23 (Z) is located at a location on the downstream side of each stopper (13) to control container transport.
The work controller (11) detects the passage of the stopper based on information from a photo ink ladle type container step sensor (S) and a display (11) to be described later or a set switch (14). (13) is designed to be used for entry/exit operations.

That is, with the container (Z) received by the stopper (13), an article retrieval worker performs the article storage operation into the container (Z), and upon completion of the article storage operation, the reset switch (14) is opened. ) is created a, the stone bar (
13) is retired and sends the container (Z) to the lower conveyor (jj+l), and as the container detection sensor (S) once detects the presence of a container and then detects the absence of a container again, the stopper (
13) will be projected to receive the following container (Z).

The container conveyor (6) is constructed using a roller conveyor that is constantly driven, and the stopper (13) is moved in and out through a space between adjacent rollers. Also, (13a) in the figure shows the shelf side, that is,
It is an electromagnetic maintenance-type egress/exit switch I/bar that controls the conveyance of containers (Z) to the work zone side, and it displays container presence/absence information on the shelf section (5A) on the uppermost conveyance side and its The work controller (11
) will perform entry/exit operations.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the indicating means (D) includes a main indicator light (15) disposed one at the top of each shelf section (5A), and a main indicator light (15) located above and below each shelf section (5A). Two-tier loading area (
A pair of upper and lower auxiliary indicator lights (1) are provided corresponding to 5a).
6), and an indicator (11) provided corresponding to each of the different types of articles stored in the storage zone (N) of each shelf section (5A), and a display device (11) provided corresponding to each of the different types of articles stored in the storage zone (N) of each shelf section (5A), , indicates that there is an article to be taken out on the shelf part (5A), and by lighting up the auxiliary indicator light (1G), the loading area (5a) on either side of the upper or lower loading area (5a) is indicated. 5a) indicates whether there is an article to be taken out, and the display 1() indicates the article to be taken out and the amount to be taken out.

In other words, the display device (11), as shown in FIG.
It is equipped with a lamp (17) indicating the article to be taken out, a numerical display section (18) indicating the amount of article to be taken out, and the above-mentioned cent switch (14).

In addition, the main and auxiliary indicator lights (15), (16),
Further, the display device (11) is operated by the work controller (11). In other words, the work controller (November) manages the positions of the containers (Z) that are sequentially transported, and controls the shelf section where each container (Z) is located (
5A) Main and auxiliary indicator lights (15), (1
6) and the display (H) will be operated based on the work data.

The lamp (17) provided on each indicator (H) will be turned off when the reset inch (14) provided in that indicator (11) is operated, and the auxiliary indicator light (16) will be turned off.
The main indicator light (
15) will be turned off as the removal of all articles from the corresponding shelf section (5A) is completed.

The remaining article management means (E) calculates the difference between the amount of each article stored in advance on the shelf (5) and the amount taken out of each article from the shelf (5) by calculating the difference for each article. It is to be managed while doing so. In other words, the amount of articles to be stored on the shelf (5) is input in advance to the work controller (11) for each article, and the work controller (11)
However, the difference between the pre-input storage amount and the removal amount consumed during the work is calculated for each item.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the notification means (E) includes a main indicator light (2) provided in the article replenishment work area (A) and a plurality of types of articles stored in the storage stand (4). The display device (Ila) is provided with an indicator (Ila) provided in correspondence with the number of units, and the indicator (Ila) is provided with an indicator (Ila) attached to the shelf (5).
11).

The main indicator light (2) is turned on to notify that there are articles to be replenished, and the indicator (Ila) is used to notify the article and the amount to be replenished. In other words, as shown in FIG.
), while determining the remaining amount of articles based on the calculation result by the remaining article management means (1 mi), and when the remaining amount of articles is small, activates the main indicator light (2) and the indicator (Ila). Furthermore, when it is determined that all refills have been completed based on the refill completion information from each display section (lla), the operation of the main indicator light (2) is stopped.

However, in order to activate the notification means (E), one capacity R3 (
The storage work for Z) is treated as one order, and is performed every time a set value order, for example, 100 orders, is completed. Furthermore, when the display (Ha) notifies the articles to be replenished and the amount of replenishment thereof, notification is made to each article storage zone (N) lined up along the conveyance direction of the belt conveyor (IA) in the article conveyance line (1). This is done separately and in order from the article storage zone (N) on the upper side in the conveyance direction to the article storage zone (N) on the lower side in the conveyance direction.

The article replenishing means (L) is connected to the article conveyance line (1).
is operated in fixed amounts at regular intervals to move the vehicle body (I9) in fixed amounts to the lower side of conveyance while performing so-called tact feeding, and at the same time, the pushing tool (20) is operated to store articles on the upper side of conveyance. The articles (Xa) are sequentially distributed and supplied from the zone (N) to the article storage zone (N) on the downstream side of the conveyance, and when the distribution and supply work is completed, the vehicle body (
19) to the upper side of the transport line and return it to the initial position, and the work controller (11) is connected to the transport line (
1), and also gives a start command and a stop command to the work controller (11) using the power supply rail unit (26).
) controls the movement of the vehicle body (19) and the operation of the pushing tool (20).

However, when replenishing goods to the plurality of loading parts (5a) provided on the upper and lower sides of the shelf (5), it is necessary to complete replenishment of goods to the plurality of upper or lower loading parts (5a). The branch conveyor (IB) is oscillated by a command from the work controller (11) so as to replenish the plurality of loading sections (5a) on the other side. Therefore,
The notification means (F) also completes notification processing for the plurality of load placement units (5a) on the upper or lower side, and then performs notification processing for the plurality of load placement units (5a) on the other side. Become.

It should be noted that tact feeding on the article conveyance line (1) is of course performed using information from a sensor that detects the amount of conveyance, a timer that determines the conveyance stop time, etc.
In order to operate the controller in fixed amounts, information from a sensor that detects the amount of movement of the vehicle body (19) or a sensor that detects the position of the vehicle body (19) with respect to the shelf (5) is used. In addition, in order to operate the pushing tool (20), the vehicle body (1
9) may be activated a set time after it has stopped, or may be activated based on detection information from the article presence/absence detection sensor (35) (see FIG. 5).

[Another example]

In carrying out the present invention, the specific configuration of the container conveying means (G),
The specific configuration of the shelf (5), the specific configuration of the notification means (F), the specific configuration of the instruction means (13), etc. can be changed in various ways depending on the purpose of use.

Further, the specific configuration of the article conveyance line (1) can be changed in various ways according to the configuration of the shelves (5), etc., and the distribution supply means (
The configuration of K) can also be modified in various ways, such as by providing a pusher (20) corresponding to each article storage zone (N).

[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 showing the entire article sorting equipment, FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the shelf mounting section, and FIG. 3 is a distribution supply. A schematic rear view of the means, FIG. 4 is a cutaway rear view of the same, FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway plan view of the same, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the article storage state, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the display, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the control configuration, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control operation, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the notification processing operation. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a conventional example. (1)... Goods conveyance line, (5)...
・Shelf, (6)...Container conveyance line, (19)・
...Car body, (20) ...Extrusion tool, (D
)...Instruction means, (K)...Distribution supply means, (N)...Goods storage zone, (Z)...
····container.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A shelf (5) having a plurality of article storage zones (N) in the width direction is provided, and a container conveyance line (6) for conveying articles storage containers (Z) is connected to the shelf (5). An article sorting equipment provided with an instruction means (D) provided on the front side of the shelf (5) for instructing information on taking out articles from the shelf (5), the article conveying articles to be replenished on the shelf (5). A conveyance line (1) is provided on the back side of the shelf (5), and distributes and supplies the articles conveyed by the article conveyance line (1) to each article storage zone (N). Article sorting equipment provided with means (K). (2) The distribution and supply means (K) is configured by attaching a pusher (20) for pushing and supplying the articles to the shelf side to a vehicle body (19) that is movable in the conveyance direction of the article conveyance line (1). Article sorting equipment according to claim (1).