JPS6327969A - Loading and unloading controller for manned loading and unloading vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transmit loading and unloading operation information forth and back between a loading and unloading controller and a manned loading and unloading vehicle even in a wide loading and unloading operation area and to improve the effi ciency of loading and unloading operation by arranging plural wireless modems dispers edly in the loading and unloading operation area. CONSTITUTION:Forklifts 1-j (j=1-N) are arranged in the loading and unloading area as the manned loading and unloading vehicles which perform the loading and unloading operation. A CPU 2 for control is arranged as the loading and unloading controller in the loading and unloading area. Then, the wireless modems 5-j which transmits the loading and unloading operation information forth and back among the forklifts are arranged dispersed so as to enable a communication with any place. Those modems 5-j and CPU 2 are connected mutually through a communication network which is a local area network. Consequently, the loading and unloading controller and loading and unloading vehicles can transmit and receive the loading operation information even in the wire loading operation area. Thus, the efficiency of the loading and unloading operation can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for managing cargo handling operations by a manned cargo handling vehicle such as a manned forklift.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, manned forklifts have often been used to carry cargo into and from warehouses. That is, the loading/unloading work of cargo using a manned forklift is carried out as follows.

First, when transporting goods, the forklift driver (forkman) receives instructions for transport, either directly or manually, in a control room separate from the warehouse, and then drives the forklift to a designated location within the warehouse according to these instructions. Drive and carry out the loading work. Next, when carrying out the cargo, the forkman receives instructions for carrying out the cargo either directly or manually from the management office, drives the forklift to a designated location in the warehouse in accordance with the instructions, and then unloads the cargo from there. Carry out the unloading work by taking it out. Note that the above-mentioned instructions for loading/unloading may be given orally.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional means of loading/unloading goods using a manned forklift, when loading/unloading goods, a forkman directly or by a liaison person (liaison man) is required. There is a problem in that cargo handling work is poor because written or verbal instructions for loading/unloading are received in the control room via the control room, and cargo handling operations are performed based on these instructions.

Therefore, a management computer is installed in the management room, a recordable display device such as a printer is installed on the forklift, and a wireless signal transmission means using a wireless modem is interposed between the management computer and the forklift. In this case, if the cargo handling area of the forklift is wide or separated into the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. A single wireless modem (typically the range of a wireless modem is around 100m radius) is no longer able to cover the entire cargo handling area, and in such cases, multiple forklifts are usually in operation. , cargo handling management becomes increasingly difficult.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in cases where the cargo handling work area is vast or divided into multiple floors, it is difficult to use the manned cargo handling vehicle in any cargo handling work area. An object of the present invention is to provide a cargo handling management device for a manned cargo handling vehicle, which allows cargo handling information to be exchanged with the manned cargo handling vehicle even if there is a manned cargo handling vehicle.

[Means for Solving the Problems] For this reason, the manned cargo handling vehicle of the present invention is capable of handling cargo Il! l? The control device is equipped with a manned cargo handling vehicle capable of carrying out cargo handling work in a cargo handling work area, and a cargo handling management control device that is located at a location remote from the cargo handling work area and exchanges cargo handling work information with the manned cargo handling vehicle. is provided, and within the cargo handling work area, a plurality of wireless modems for transmitting and receiving cargo handling information to and from the manned cargo handling vehicle are distributed so as to be able to communicate with any location within the same cargo handling work area,
The present invention is characterized in that these wireless modems and the cargo handling management control device are connected via a communication network based on a local area network.

[Function] The above-described cargo handling management device for a manned cargo handling vehicle of the present invention performs cargo handling management control via a communication network based on distributed wireless modems and a local area network when performing cargo handling work using a manned cargo handling vehicle. Cargo handling information is exchanged between the device and the manned cargo handling vehicle.

[Embodiments of the Invention] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cargo handling management device for a manned cargo handling vehicle as an embodiment of the present invention, and 1-1.1 in FIG.
-2. ..., 1-N (N is a natural number) are manned forklifts (manned cargo handling vehicles), and these forklifts 1-1.1-2. ..., ■-N are Folkman 4-1.4-2, respectively. ..., 4-N can board and perform cargo handling work at various locations within the frozen warehouse (for example, the first floor, second floor, etc. of the warehouse). Reference numeral 2 denotes a management computer serving as a control device for cargo handling management, and this management computer 2 is located outside the frozen warehouse in a management room separated from the frozen warehouse. ..., 1-N control device with recordable display device 3-1.3-2.・
. . , 3-N exchanges cargo handling information.

Further, antennas 7-1, 7-2. ...7-M
(M is a natural number) wireless modem 5-1.5-
2°..., 5-M are arranged. Here, each wireless modem 5-1.5-2. ..., 5-Old Each of the above-mentioned floors and compartments has sufficient performance to communicate with any location on that floor or in that compartment. Normally, the communication range of a wireless modem is about the radius Loom, so in this case, each floor and each compartment should be smaller than the circular area of the radius Loom.

That is, M wireless modems 5-1.5-2.・・・
....

5-M are distributed within the frozen warehouse so that they can communicate with any location within the frozen warehouse.

In addition, each forklift 1-1.1-2. ..., 1
-N also has antennas 8-1, 8-2,..., 8
- Wireless modem with N 6-1.6-2. ...
・, 6-N is equipped, each wireless modem 6-N is equipped with
1.6-2. ..., 6-N is the on-board control device 3-1
．． 3-2. ..., connected to 3-N.

As shown in FIG. 2, the on-board control device 3-1 includes a control section 9-1. Operation unit 10-1 that exchanges signals with this control unit 9-1
．． It is configured to include a printer (recordable display device) 11-1 and the like that receive signals from a control section 9-1.

In addition, as shown in FIG. ) and lamps 10f-1 to 10h-1 are provided. Here, 10a-1 is a "work request" button for requesting work instructions, 10b-1 is a "work in progress" button to press when starting cargo handling work,
10cm1 is an "unexecutable" button that is pressed when the instructed cargo handling work cannot be carried out, and 10d-1 is a button that is pressed when the forkman 4-1 performs work other than the one instructed by the management computer 2 or cancels the cargo handling work. 10e-1 is the "resend request" button that you press when you want cargo handling information to be resent. 10f-1 lights up when the management computer 2 is in operation. log-1 is a "work instruction" lamp that lights up when the management computer 2 sends a work instruction.

10h-1 is a "communicating" lamp that lights up when the wireless modem is communicating normally.6 In addition, other forklifts 1-2. The on-vehicle control bag [13-2, . . . , 3-N] mounted on .

By the way, wireless modem 5-1.5-2. −・・・
, 5-M and the management computer 2 are connected to a communication network based on a local area network (hereinafter simply "LA").
NJ). That is, each wireless modem 5-1.5-2. ..., 5-M has slave nodes 14-1.14-2. ..., 14-
is connected to each slave node 14-1.14
-2. ..., 14-M1 are connected to the master node 12 via a communication line 13 consisting of a coaxial cable, an optical fiber, or the like. The master node 12 is connected to the management computer 2.

Here, as is well known, communication lines using LAN are capable of high-speed data transmission.

Note that the management computer 2 includes a CRT for display.
In addition to a computer and a printer, a keyboard is also provided for inputting data and operation instructions for cargo handling operations. Here, an example of a CRT screen is shown in FIG. In this Fig. 5, the execution management system name (for example, cold storage management system), 1 time information (for example, 861
04/11 14:09:00), forklift operating status (for example, operating car 2 communication status, operating position, etc.).

The execution screen and reservation screen are displayed.

Further, cargo handling instructions from the management computer 2 are printed on the printer 11-1 attached to the on-board control device 3-1, an example of which is shown in FIG. In this Figure 4, you can see what number this forklift is (in this case, No. 1), work number (for example, 156), work date and time (for example, 19).
86,04,11).

Work command time (e.g. 14.09), product number (e.g. AB
C-123-8765), quantity (e.g. 20), 9 weight (
For example, 500 kg) is printed out.

Of course, other forklifts 1-2. ...,
]-Printer installed in N 11-2. ...11-N
A slip with almost the same specifications as above is also printed out.

Next, the operation will be explained using FIG. 7. First, when the management computer 2 issues a work instruction in response to a work request from the forklift 1-1, the LAN master node 12 instructs the slave node 14-1 to issue a work instruction to the forklift 1-1.
-1 and polling (step a
l, a2). Upon receiving this, the slave node 14-1 polls the forklift 1-1 via the wireless modem 5-1 (step a3). For example, the forklift 1-1 responds and transmits the presence or absence of a work request (steps a4 and a5). If there is a work request, that fact is transmitted from the slave node 14-1 to the master node 12, and is input into the management computer 2 (step a6).

Next, a work instruction is input to the management computer 2, and this work instruction is sent to the master node 12. Slave node 14-
The data is transmitted from the wireless modem 5-1 to the forklift 1-1 in the selecting mode via the wireless modem 5-1 (step a7).

Note that in step a4, if the forklift 1-1 does not respond, it is determined that the forklift 1-1 is within the communication range of other wireless modems, and the master node 12 decides to poll the slave node 14-2. Give command (step a8゜a9+a2
) e Using the above method, communicate by sequentially updating the slave nodes until the corresponding forklift 1-1 responds to polling (steps a2, a3, a4, a8, a).
9).

When the polling for the forklift 1-1 is completed in this way, signals are sent and received to the forklift 1-2 in the same manner using the polling/selecting method (from steps alo, all, a12 to step a again).
(See the process from 2 to a9).

At this time, the corresponding forklift 1-j (j =
1 +2..., N), the management computer 2 performs transmission and reception in a time-sharing manner so that the transmission radio waves of each wireless modem 5-i (i = 1.2..., M) are not confused. It is controlled so that

The operating method of this device is described below for reference.

(1) Initial operation (1) Turn on the computer.

(2) Insert the frozen warehouse forklift management floppy disk into drive 1. (This displays the opening screen on the CRT of the management computer 2.) (3) To move from the opening screen to the execution screen, press the return key. (It is output to the CRT.) (4) When creating an error log, enter data in the fields. (The slip screen is output to the CRT.) (II) Normal operation (1) If the forklift side is in operation, "Communicating" is displayed in the communication column of the forklift operation status on the display screen as shown in Figure 5. ON from management computer 2 -
Send a LINE instruction.

(2) When a work request is issued by a forkman, a slip can be entered on the reservation screen.

(At this time, the work request is displayed in the status column of the forklift operating status.) (3) Then, by pressing the required key on the keyboard, input to the reservation screen becomes possible.

(4) When you have finished entering the slip, press the "Send" key.
Send the slip to the forklift.

(5) When a working message is sent from Folkman.

The voucher on the reservation screen moves to the execution screen, and the voucher on the reservation screen moves to the execution screen.
Be erased.

Also, at this time, the management computer 2 prints the slip on the printer.

(6) After this, input processing to the reservation screen in (3) becomes possible. (At this time, "Work in progress" is displayed in the status column of the forklift operation status.) If you perform the reservation process in this way, when the forkman requests work, you can immediately send the slip. be able to.

(III) Abnormal operation (1) When the forkman tells you that execution is not possible, press the "Cancel" key to cancel the slip. At this time, the execution screen column will flash "Not possible." ) (2) When the forkman issues a pause, the management computer 2 waits for a work request.

(3) When the folkman issues a retransmission request, the management computer 2 automatically sends the slip.

(4) When there is no communication between the management computer 2 and the forklift, "Interruption" is displayed in the communication column of the forklift operating status.

(IV) Termination operation (1) To create error logging, press the error log key. The management computer 2 then outputs to the screen and printer. However, communication with Folkman has already ended.

(2) To end communication with Folkman without creating error logging, press the "End" key.

In this way, according to this device, by appropriately distributing wireless modems and connecting these wireless modems and the management computer 2 via LAN, communication that cannot be performed with a single wireless modem can be achieved. It can fully handle large cargo handling areas.
In addition to being able to dramatically improve cargo handling efficiency, the centralization of cargo handling management enables highly efficient and highly reliable cargo handling management (including warehousing/output management and inventory management). .

Further, since a LAN is used, even if one work area is to be expanded, it is only necessary to add a slave node and a wireless modem, making it easy to expand the system.

Note that in the above embodiments, the number of forklifts and the number of slave nodes and thus the number of wireless modems may be the same or different.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, wireless modems 5'-1 and 5'-2 are provided inside and outside the warehouse 15, respectively.

These wireless modems 5'-1, 5'-2 and the management computer 2 in the management room 16 are connected via LAN.
.

The present device can also be applied to a device configured to do so, and in this case as well, the same effects and advantages as in the above-mentioned embodiments can be obtained.

Here, in Figures 8 and 9, 1' is a manned forklift, ? '-1.7'-2 is the antenna connected to wireless modem 5'-1゜5'-2, 8' is the antenna connected to wireless modem 6' with manned forklift 1', 13' is the coaxial cable 14'-1, 14'-2 are slave nodes, 17-
1.17-2 is a slave station, and each slave station 17-1.17-2 has a wireless modem s'-i, an antenna 7'-1, a slave node 14'-1; a wireless modem 5'-2,
It consists of an antenna 7'-2 and a slave node 14'-2.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that this device can also be applied when a single forklift is operated within a wide cargo handling area.

Furthermore, the cargo handling area of a forklift is not limited to a warehouse such as a frozen warehouse.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the cargo handling management device for a manned cargo handling vehicle of the present invention, a manned cargo handling vehicle capable of carrying out cargo handling work in a cargo handling work area is provided, and a manned cargo handling vehicle capable of carrying out cargo handling work is provided in a place remote from the cargo handling work area. A cargo handling management control device is installed to exchange cargo handling information with the manned cargo handling vehicle, so that the manned cargo handling vehicle can communicate with any location within the cargo handling work area. A simple configuration in which a plurality of wireless modems that exchange cargo handling information with cargo handling vehicles are distributed, and these wireless modems and the cargo handling management control device are connected via a communication network based on a local area network. This not only dramatically improves cargo handling efficiency, but also has the advantage of realizing highly reliable cargo handling management.

Moreover, even when expanding the cargo handling work area, it is only necessary to add a slave node and a wireless modem, which makes it easy to expand the system.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show a cargo handling management device for a manned cargo handling vehicle as an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram thereof, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of its on-vehicle control device with a wireless modem.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation panel in the forklift side operation section, Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of printing by the printer, and Figures 5 and 6 are the C of the management convenience store.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining this operation, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display on the RT, and FIGS. FIG. 8 is a detailed diagram showing the state of cargo handling using this device, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of its configuration. In the figure, 1-1.1-2.1-N, 1'-a forklift as a manned cargo handling vehicle, 2-a management computer as a management control device, 3-1.3-2.3-N-on-vehicle Control device, 4-1.4-2.4-N-Folkman,
5-1.5-2.5-M. 5'-1, 5'-2, 6-1, 6-2, 6-N, 6'-
Wireless modem? -1.7-2.7-M, 7'-1
, 7'-2, 8-1, 8-2, 8-N, 8'-antenna, 9-1-control section, 10-1-operation section, 10a-1-r
Work request"Button button, 10b-1-rWorking"Button button, 10cm1-rCannot execute"Button button, 10d-1-rSuspended"Button button, 10e-
1-r retransmission request” button, 10f-1-r O
N-LINEJ lamp, 10g-1-r work instruction lamp, 10h-1-r communicating lamp, 11-1-printer as a recordable display device, 12-master node, 13.13'-communication line , 14-1.14-2.1
4-M, 14'-1, 14'-2-slave node, 1
5-Warehouse, 16-Administration room, 17-1.17-2-Slave station. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A manned cargo handling vehicle capable of carrying out cargo handling work in a cargo handling work area is provided, and a cargo handling management control device is provided which is located at a location remote from the cargo handling work area and exchanges cargo handling work information with the manned cargo handling vehicle. , within the cargo handling work area, multiple wireless modems that exchange cargo handling information with the manned cargo handling vehicle are distributed so as to be able to communicate with any location within the same cargo handling work area, and these wireless modems and A cargo handling management device for a manned cargo handling vehicle, characterized in that the cargo handling management control device is connected via a communication network based on a local area network.