JPS6347203A - Supply managing device for picking system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To aim at enhancing the efficiency of picking work, by delivering data of lack of articles in such a condition that the number of articles is insufficient for a take-out number instructed by a managing means, and by indicating a substantial amount of lack of articles in accordance with the number of taken-out articles to precisely cope with the matters. CONSTITUTION:An indicating and controlling sections 14 are located at positions corresponding to storage racks for cases of various kinds of articles. Each indicating and controlling section 14 is provided therein with a digital display part, an article lack switch and a reset switch. The instruction of a number delivered from a computer 19 is indicated on the digital display part of the corresponding indicating and controlling section 14, and therefore, a worker picks articles in accordance with the number. When the worker judges that there is a lack of articles, the manipulates the article lack switch so that data of lack of articles are delivered to a control panel 18 which therefore delivers the data of lack of articles to the computer 19 after the reset switch is manipulated, so that the data of lack of articles are printed out by a printer 20. After completion of the picking work, the worker makes up the lack of articles and supplies articles to the rack.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a picking system that takes out articles in response to a request for picking up articles from the outside, and particularly when there is a shortage of the requested article. The present invention relates to a supply management device that displays a shortage when a shortage occurs.

(Prior Art) As is well known, for example, a plurality of inclined shelves are arranged side by side, and the shelves facing the front are used as storage positions for separate articles, and the inclination of the shelves is used to store the articles in front. Fluid shelving systems have become popular, with a structure in which when a case is removed, a new case from the rear comes to the front. Such illumination shelving systems are often installed in large numbers at article storage areas, such as 6-storey warehouses, and are often used in so-called order picking systems, in which workers take out a predetermined number of articles of a predetermined type one after another based on an order list. It is used.

By the way, in the conventional picking operation in this type of pinking system, the worker has a list (slip) of the items to be picked and takes out the specified items based on the list, which takes a long time. This causes problems such as a decrease in work efficiency.

Therefore, in recent years, quantity indicators have been installed at each article storage position on each floating shelf, and a computer-based central control system is used to automatically display the position and quantity of articles to be taken out. Subsequently, a picking system was developed in which, by operating a reset switch installed in parallel with the quantity display, a computer is notified of the completion of the work, and the next pick-up position and quantity are displayed. ing.

However, the technology that attempts to improve the efficiency of picking operations by centrally managing the picking system using a computer is still in the development stage, and there is still room for development in various aspects. . For example, in the past, when it came to replenishing items on the shelves, managers would periodically go around and replenish them, which meant that during the picking process, the items that had been requested to be picked would often run out. An undesirable situation occurs.

In such cases, conventionally, the picking worker takes note of the items that are in short supply and their number ω, and then replenishes the missing items later.
This makes picking work complicated and reduces work efficiency. In addition, picking workers may sometimes write down incorrect quantities, which also causes problems.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, even in the conventional picking system in which a computer-based centralized management system has been introduced, no measures are taken to deal with the shortage of goods, leading to a decrease in work efficiency. I have a problem.

Therefore, this invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is an extremely effective method that allows picking workers to take prompt and accurate measures when there is a shortage of items to be taken out, thereby improving the efficiency of picking operations. The purpose of this invention is to provide a supply management device for a picking system.

[Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving Problems) In other words, the supply management device for a picking system according to the present invention is capable of controlling the quantity of articles stored in a shelf by taking out items instructed by a computer-based central management system. In addition to providing an operating means for transmitting out-of-stock information in order to make the computer recognize the situation in which the out-of-stock condition has occurred, the number of out-of-stock items taken out is provided while the out-of-stock information is being sent out by this operating means. An operating means for inputting the information into the computer is provided. And the computer
Based on the input quantity, the actual shortage of the items requested to be taken out is displayed, for example, on a printout.

(Function) According to the above configuration, when there is a shortage of goods, the picking worker simply inputs the missing quantity into the computer by operating the two operating means described above.
An accurate list of the number of missing items can be created, allowing picking workers to take prompt and accurate measures, and improving the efficiency of picking work.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 11, 11, . . . are a plurality of shelves (three in the illustrated case) each installed so as to be inclined forward. On the front surfaces of these shelves 11', 11... are placed articles 13, 13, .

Moreover, behind each case 12.12..., cases 12.12... of the same articles 13.13... are arranged.

Here, the above article 13.13 river is Wlli, ii.
It is taken out from the front of..., but one case 1
2 becomes empty, when that case 12 is removed, the rear case 12 will come forward due to the inclination, and the next case 12 will be taken out from there. Also,
Replenishment of goods 13.13... is carried out at l111.11...
This is done by placing a new case 12 at the rear of the case.

Here, the shelf 11.11... has the vA1
Display and operation units 14, 14, . . . are located at positions corresponding to the cases 12, 12, .
is installed. As shown in FIG. 2, the display/operation sections 14, 14, . It is something. Of these, the reset switch 16 and the out-of-stock switch 17 are provided with display sections 16a and 17a, respectively, at their central portions.

As shown in FIG. 3, the display and operation sections 14, 14, . . .
9 for centralized management. Further, the computer 19 is configured to control a printer 20.

The operation of the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when started (step 81), the computer 19
Picking data (order list) indicating the types and quantities of the ordered articles 13, 13, . . . are input via the control panel 18.

Then, in step S2, the computer 19 displays the display and operation sections 14, 14, . In contrast, output quantitative data. In this case, the computer 19 outputs only the quantity data for one type of article 13 based on a preset priority order for the plurality of types of articles 13, 13, . . . that have been requested to be taken out.

Then, in step S3, the control operation M1B receives the quantity data output from the computer 19 and outputs it to the corresponding display operation section 14. In step S4, the control operation M1B receives the quantity data output from the computer 19 and outputs it to the corresponding display operation section 14. The quantity is now displayed on the digital display section 15.

After that, the picking worker selects the digital display section 15.
In this case, in step S5, the picking worker displays the quantity of the articles 13 to be picked on the digital display unit 15. It is determined whether or not the number 1 is insufficient.

If there are not enough books (No), the picking worker performs picking work based on the displayed several books in step S6, and when the work is completed, operates the reset switch 16. Then, the computer 19 stops generating data for several days corresponding to the article 13 for which the reset switch 16 was operated, and resets the display.

Thereafter, in step S7, the computer 19 determines whether or not there is picking data to be input next from the control operation panel 18. If there is no picking data (No>), the operation is ended (step S8), and if there is ( YES), the process returns to step S2, and data for the next item 13 to be picked is output in accordance with the above priority order.Then, such operations are repeated, and all items 13. 13... will be picked.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that there is a shortage (YES), the picking worker operates the shortage switch 17 in step S9, which will be described in detail later. Then, in step 810, out-of-stock information is output to the control operation panel 18 when the out-of-stock switch 17 is operated on the display/operation section 14. Thereafter, in step Sit, when the picking worker operates the reset switch 16, the control operation panel 18 sends the missing item information to the computer 19 in step 812.

Then, in step S13, the computer 19 controls the printer 20 to print out the ladder, quantity, etc. of the missing item 13 based on the inputted out-of-stock information, and then proceeds to step S7. Migrate. Then, after all the picking work is completed, the picking worker supplements the missing items 13, 13, etc. based on the results printed out from the printer 20, and also fills in the missing items 13, 13, etc. on the shelf 11.
This is to supply supplies to 11...

Here, a case in which the quantity of the articles 13 to be picked is insufficient for several days displayed on the digital display section 15 will be specifically explained. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
4) In step 815, the quantity is displayed on the digital display unit 15, and in step S16, when the picking worker determines that there is a shortage of the article 13, first, in step 817, the picking worker turns on the missing item switch. 17
Press for a few seconds.

Note that the operation of this out-of-stock switch 17 is effective only when the digital display section 15 is displaying several days.

Then, out-of-stock information indicating that an out-of-stock condition has occurred is output from the display/operation unit 14 to the control/operation panel 18. Then, in step 818, the control operation panel 18 outputs a signal to the display operation section 14 to turn on the display section 17a of the operated out-of-stock switch 17, lights up the display section 17a, and receives the above-mentioned out-of-stock information. indicates that it has been added. Then, in step 319, the picking worker turns on the missing item switch 1.
After confirming that the display section 17a of No. 7 is lit, the pressing operation of the out-of-stock switch 17 is stopped.

Then, in step S20, the picking worker determines that there are no articles 13 to be picked out on lAl1.
In other words, it is determined whether or not there is a shortage of all the items, and if there is a shortage (No), in step S21, the picking worker picks out an appropriate number of items 13 that are present on lAl1. The work is executed, and the out-of-stock switch 17 is operated only for the quantity valve picked at this time.

Then, each time the out-of-stock switch 17 is operated, the digital display i! ! The quantity displayed in 15 will be subtracted one by one.

Note that in step 821, there is no need to perform the picking operation, and in this case, there is no need to operate the out-of-stock switch 17, and the quantity displayed on the digital display section 15 directly serves as out-of-stock information.

Thereafter, in step 822, the picking worker determines whether the number of days displayed on the digital display section 17 is accurate or not, and if it is accurate (YES), he operates the reset switch 16 in step S23. In addition, step 822
If it is determined that it is not accurate (No), for example, if you perform the picking operation in step 821 and accidentally operate the missing item switch 17 more times than the actual quantity taken out, then in step 824 , the picking worker operates the out-of-stock switch 17 until the displayed quantity on the digital display section 17 becomes "O", and then operates the out-of-stock switch 17 again.

Then, the displayed quantity on the digital display section 15 is returned to the state before it was subtracted by operating the out-of-stock switch 17, and in step S21 again, the picking worker presses the out-of-stock switch 17.
can be re-operated.

Further, if it is determined in step S20 that all the items are insufficient (YES), there is no article 13 on the front 11 to be taken out, so the process moves directly to step 823 and the reset switch 16 is operated. There is.

Then, in step 823 above, the reset switch 16
is operated, in step 825, the out-of-stock switch 17 is activated.
The operated display operation section 14 and the digital display section 15
Out-of-stock information indicating that there is a shortage for the few days displayed is sent to the control panel 18. At this time, the display of several days on the digital display section 15 is stopped, but
The display section 17a of the out-of-stock switch 17 remains lit.

Thereafter, in step S26, the control panel 18 sends the inputted out-of-stock information to the computer 19.

Then, the computer controls the printer 20 to print out the type, quantity, etc. of the missing item 13 based on the inputted out-of-stock information, and the series of operations ends (step 527). It is.

Therefore, after all the picking work is completed, the picking worker replenishes the items 13, 13, etc. based on the printed results, and also lights up the display section 17a of the out-of-stock switch 17. Part shelf 11.1
Items 13, 13, and so on can be replenished on top of the item 1.

When the articles 13, 13, . . . are replenished in this manner, the pinking worker turns off the display section 17a of the out-of-stock switch 17 to cancel the out-of-stock state.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for canceling this out-of-stock condition. First, when the picking operation is started (step 528), in step S29, the picking tool presses the lit out-of-stock switch 17 on the display section 17a for several seconds.

Then, the display/operation section 14 displays a notice of missing items! The release information is output to the control panel 18. Then, in step S30,
The control operation panel 18 outputs a signal to the display operation section 14 to turn off the display section 17a of the operated out-of-stock switch 17,
The display section 17a is turned off. At this time, the control operation panel 18
also generates an out-of-stock release signal to the computer 19, causing the computer 19 to exit out-of-stock mode. Then, in step S31, the picking worker turns on the out-of-stock switch 17.
After confirming that the display section 17a has turned off, stop pressing the out-of-stock switch 17, and the out-of-stock condition is now released (
Step 532).

Next, in the above-mentioned out-of-stock state, when the out-of-stock switch 17 is operated to subtract the number displayed on the digital display section 15, if the items 13, 13, etc. are replenished, the 7
It operates as shown in the flowchart shown in the figure. That is, when the process is started (step 533), in step S34, the picking worker presses the lit out-of-stock switch 17 on the display section 17a for several seconds to release the out-of-stock state.

Then, in step 335, the display section 17a of the out-of-stock switch 17 is turned off, and the displayed quantity on the digital display section 15 is returned to the value before the subtraction. Then, in step 836, the picking worker stops operating the out-of-stock switch 17, and in step 337, the picking worker stops operating the out-of-stock switch 17.
13..., the picking operation is executed and ends in step 838).

Therefore, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the article 1
When there is a shortage of 3.13..., the picking worker does not have to write down the type and number of days of the item 13.13... each time, unlike in the past. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of picking operations.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

C. Effects of the Invention Therefore, as detailed above, according to the present invention, when there is a shortage of articles to be taken out, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the picking operation by having the pinking worker take prompt and accurate action. It is possible to provide a supply management device for an extremely good picking system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the supply management device for a picking system according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view showing details of the display operation section of the embodiment, and Fig. 3 is an electrical FIGS. 4 to 7 are block diagrams showing the general control system, and flowcharts for explaining the operation of the embodiment. 11... Shelf, 12... Case, 13... Article, 1
4...Display operation section, 15...Digital display section, 16
...Reset switch, 17...Missing switch, 1
8... Control operation panel, 19... Computer, 20.
...Printer. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 1 Figure 2 Inq. 3rd Prisoner's Procedure Ne... Ordinary Book 5 1986 0.1 Seal JP. Mr. Kunio Ogawa, Commissioner of the Patent Office
. 1. Display the incident! ! 4B361-189584M
'2. Name of invention Supply management device for picking system
3. Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment VI permit applicant
. Nihon Filing Co., Ltd. 4, Agent: USE Building γ, 3-7-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo;
Contents of the amendment (1) In the 14th line of page 13 of the specification and the 15th line of the same page, the phrase “It is a thing.” has been replaced with “It is a thing. In some cases, the picking operation will not be performed when the out-of-stock switch 17 is rewritten.''('2J Akirall 1, page 15, line 13, "Display β17a is turned off." is replaced with "Display part 17a
to be deleted. ” he corrected. (3) Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings will be corrected as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a picking system that includes a management means for instructing the position and quantity of the article to be taken out in response to a request to take out an article from the outside, the management means is installed corresponding to the article and indicates the quantity of the article requested to be taken out. out-of-stock information sending means for sending out-of-stock information in a state where the out-of-stock quantity is insufficient for the quantity to be taken out instructed by the above-mentioned out-of-stock information sending means; a quantity input means for inputting the quantity taken out;
A supply management device for a picking system, comprising display means for displaying a substantial shortage of the articles requested to be taken out based on the quantity input by the quantity input means.