JPS6392506A - Article collecting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently perform work of taking out an article and its storing work, by transmitting information of taking out the article from a moving vehicle to a rack side and actuating an article indicating device, set to a condition respectively corresponding to each article, in the rack side. CONSTITUTION:An equipment comprises a moving vehicle V, equipped with a plurality of article storage parts S, and a rack 1 storing articles Xa of plural kinds. Information of taking out the article is transmitted from a communication device 9A, provided in both side surface parts of the moving vehicle V, to a communication device 9B of the rack 1, and the lighting action of an indicator lamp 10, serving for an article indicating device set to a side of the rack 1, is controlled. Accordingly, a worker, after he places a storage frame 13 to be loaded in a transfer loading station, drives the moving vehicle V running to a predetermined rack part 1A, and work is automatically performed for taking out the article, on the basis of the information of taking out the article from said rack 1A, and for storing the taken out article in a vessel Z on the basis of information of storing the article.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a moving vehicle having an article storage section, storing a plurality of kinds of articles in different categories, and a traveling path of the moving vehicle. storage means for storing work data for collecting articles from the shelves is provided on the moving vehicle side, and storage means for storing work data for collecting articles from the shelves is provided on the moving vehicle side, The present invention relates to an article collection facility provided with an article retrieval information indicating means for instructing information on article retrieval from a shelf.

[Conventional technology]

The work of such article collection equipment is performed by driving a mobile vehicle to a shelf section storing articles to be taken out, and storing the articles taken out from the shelf in an article storage section based on the instructed article retrieval information. It turns out.

By the way, in order to run a moving vehicle, the moving vehicle is equipped with a destination information means that indicates destination information based on the information in the storage means, and the operator drives the vehicle based on the instructed destination information. There are two types: a driving type, and a so-called automatic driving type, which is equipped with a driving control means for automatically driving the mobile vehicle based on information in the storage means.

By the way, the article retrieval information indicating means has conventionally been configured such that the moving vehicle is equipped with a display panel indicating the article retrieval position, and the display panel is operated based on information in the storage means.

(For example, the patent application No. 61-181 proposed earlier by the present applicant)
(Publication No. 603) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the conventional means, the article to be taken out is confirmed based on the article takeout information displayed at a position different from the shelf, and the article is taken out based on the result. Since the article removal work is performed while searching for the location of the article to be removed, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to improve work efficiency, and there is a risk that work errors are likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to enable accurate and quick identification of target articles to be taken out.

[Means for solving problems]

A characteristic configuration of the article collecting equipment according to the present invention is such that an article retrieval information instructing means for instructing information on retrieving articles from a shelf based on information from a storage means for storing work data of article collection is configured based on information in the storage means. a communication means on the mobile vehicle side for transmitting article retrieval information to the shelf side;
a communication means on the shelf side that receives information from the communication means on the moving vehicle side; and a communication means on the shelf side, the classifications being installed on the shelf side in a state corresponding to each article to be stored, and the communication means on the shelf side. The functions and effects are as follows.

[For production]

That is, the device transmits article retrieval information from the moving vehicle to the shelf side, and operates the article indicating device on the shelf side, which is installed in a state corresponding to each article, to indicate the article to be taken out. By operating the article pointing device, it can be quickly and accurately determined that the corresponding article is the article to be taken out.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, since the item to be taken out from the shelf can be instructed quickly and accurately, the series of operations of taking out the desired item from the shelf and storing the taken out item in the item storage section can be carried out efficiently and without mistakes. As a result, we have achieved an article collection facility that can improve work efficiency and reduce work errors.

〔Example〕

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

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the equipment for article sorting includes:
A mobile vehicle (V) having a plurality of article storage sections (S), storing a plurality of types of articles (Xa) in different categories, and
A plurality of shelves (1) are provided that are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the traveling path of the mobile vehicle (V).

Each column (1) is divided into a plurality of sections along its longitudinal direction, and each partitioned shelf section (1A) is provided with four upper and lower loading sections. , horizontally 3
The type of article (Xa) is stored.

The mobile vehicle (V) is configured in a so-called handcart type, which includes a pair of left and right idle wheels (2) and a handle part (3) for vertical movement, which are arranged at the front and rear ends respectively. A display panel (DC) setting panel (4), an alarm lamp (5), an alarm buzzer (6), etc. are attached near the handle section (3).

The article storage section (S) is formed by a storage frame (13) mounted on a moving vehicle (V), and is formed by a storage frame (13) mounted on a moving vehicle (V).
3) is provided with four upper and lower shelf sections, and each shelf section is formed with three article storage sections (S) in the horizontal direction. however,
In order to store articles in containers (Z) corresponding to respective shipping destinations, containers (Z) are stored in each of the article storage sections (S).

The storage frame (13) is loaded onto and unloaded from a moving vehicle (V) by a transfer device (K), which will be described later, at a transfer station (ST). A conveyance device (14) for loading and unloading is provided which also serves as a placing section for the frame (13).

Therefore, after loading the storage frame (13) at the transfer station (ST), the worker drives the mobile vehicle (V) to the desired shelf section (1A) based on the destination information, and drives the moving vehicle (V) to the desired shelf section (1A) based on the destination information. 1A) based on the article retrieval information, and place the retrieved article in a desired container (1A) based on the article storage information.
Of course, when all the work is completed, the moving vehicle (V) will return to the transfer station (ST).

The transfer device (K) will be explained. Note that this transfer device (K) is similarly provided at each of the two transfer stations (ST).

That is, an empty container conveyor (15) that transports empty containers (Z) from the shipping work area, a stored container conveyor (16) that transports containers (Z) from the article storage section to the shipping work area, and an empty container conveyor (16) that transports empty containers (Z) from the shipping work area. ) in a storage frame (13), a container storage device (17) that stores empty containers (Z), and a storage frame (13) that stores empty containers (Z).
Supply conveyor (18) that conveys the material to the transfer station side
, storage frame (13) in which the container (Z) of the article storage section is stored.
delivery conveyor (19), storage frame (13)
A container unloading device (20) that takes out the container (Z) stored in the article storage section to the stored container conveyor (16), and a transversely movable relay conveyor (21A) are used to transfer the container (Z) to the moving vehicle (V).
Transfer the storage frame (13) from the supply conveyor (18) to the delivery conveyor (19), and transfer the storage frame (13) from the supply conveyor (18).
) to the moving vehicle (V).
21), and the empty storage frame (13) from the delivery conveyor (19) using the horizontally movable relay conveyor (22A).
) are provided to the supply conveyor (13), and each of these devices is operated based on a command from a work controller (SC) to be described later to transfer the The work of loading the storage frame (13) into the vehicle (V) and the work of unloading the storage frame (13) from the moving vehicle (V) are automatically performed.

Next, an explanation will be given while describing the control configuration.

As shown in Figure 6, order forms (2
When the contents of 3) are input to the host controller (anal), a purchase order form (24) is created in the host controller (IC) according to the contents of the order form (23), and the order form (
24), as well as purchasing goods in accordance with the contents of 24).
Warehousing data (25) of purchased items is also input to the host controller (IC).

The host controller (tic) manages the inventory of various goods, creates work data for collecting goods based on the contents of the order form (23) entered in advance, and sends the work data to the work controller (SC). ). However, the work data is formed in such a way that it can be classified by the amount of work done by the - moving vehicles (V), and it is also possible to determine the type and quantity of items to be stored in each container (Z). .

In addition, (7) is a label issuing machine that creates and issues a barcode label (L) (see Figure 3) to be attached to each container (Z), and (8) is a label issuing machine that is stored in each container (Z). This is a printer that creates goods slips that clarify the destination, type, and quantity of goods. By the way, barcode labels (L) and goods slips are placed in storage slots (13) at the transfer station (ST).
) will be attached and stored in each container (Z) by the worker when loading the goods, and the barcode label (L) will be used to match the container (Z) containing the goods to the shipping destination. This will be used for automatic sorting, and the goods slip will be used for inspection.

The work controller (SC) manages the operation of the transfer device (K), and also exchanges various information such as the work data with the mobile vehicle controller (IC) provided in the mobile vehicle (V). , will comprehensively manage the operation of goods sorting.

By the way, in order to transmit the work data to the mobile vehicle (V), it is necessary to transmit the work data corresponding to the next work scheduled by the worker to the mobile vehicle (V). Therefore, the operator uses the setting panel (4) to set the next work in advance based on the contents of the goods slip, and the set contents are transferred to the work controller (IC).
The work data corresponding to the transmitted content is transmitted to the moving vehicle (V) side.

Information exchange between the work controller (SC) and the mobile vehicle controller (IC) is carried out at the transfer station (ST).
), which includes an inventory detection device (26) that detects that the moving vehicle (V) is stopped at the transfer station (ST), and an optical signal transmission/reception unit (27A) on the moving vehicle side.
) is provided in the transfer station (ST).

The mobile vehicle controller (IC) is configured using a microcomputer, and of course includes a memory (R) that functions as a storage means for storing various information such as work data that is sent. . and,
The mobile vehicle controller (IC) stores the stored work data,
And, based on the pre-stored article information stored on the shelf (1), destination information for driving the mobile vehicle (V), and retrieval of articles from the shelf portion (1A) where the mobile vehicle (V) has traveled. information, a container (Z) for storing the retrieved item, and storage information indicating the input amount, and outputs the information, and the destination information is displayed on the display panel (DC).
), and on each side of the upper side of each container (Z) in the storage frame (13), an instruction lamp (28) for indicating storage information and a numerical value displaying the amount of stored items are displayed. A display section (29) is provided. Further, an article retrieval information instruction means (101) for instructing article retrieval information is configured as described below.

The destination information consists of a passage number 1 given in advance between adjacent types (1) and a zone number given in advance to each shelf part (1^). As shown in the figure, a destination passage NO display section (B1) that lights up a section corresponding to each aisle NO, and a zone NO display section (B2) that lights up a section corresponding to a zone number are provided.

The article removal information includes the 1llINo assigned to each storage location of each article (Xa), the shelf position, and the amount of article to be taken out. Then, the article retrieval information instruction means (1
01) has a function of displaying the shelf number and the amount of articles to be taken out using a display panel (DC), and a function of indicating the shelf position using the configuration described below. In addition, the display panel (DC)
As shown in FIG. 4, there are provided a shelf number display section (Ba) for displaying the shelf number and a quantity display section (B4) for displaying the amount of articles to be taken out.

A communication device (9A) serving as a communication means for instructing the shelf position and communicating shelf position information as article removal information to the shelf side using an optical signal is installed on both side surfaces of the moving vehicle (V). A communication device (9B) is provided as a communication means on the shelf side and receives information from the communication device (9A) on the moving vehicle side.
) is divided into each shelf part (1^) in the longitudinal direction of the shelf (1).
), and an indicator lamp (10) as an article indicator installed on the shelf side in a state corresponding to the storage location of each article (Xa) is a lamp controller connected to the communication device (9B). (11) is provided so that the lighting operation is controlled.

In addition, the article retrieval information indicates that the mobile vehicle (V) is at the desired shelf area (
1A), and for this reason, a mark (M) indicating the passage number and zone number is provided on the ceiling side of each passage, and a mark detection sensor (3o) is stored. It is attached to the frame (13). Incidentally, when the mark detection sensor (30) detects that the mobile vehicle (V) has traveled to the shelf area (1A) where work is to be done, the above-mentioned warning lamp (5) and warning buzzer (6) are activated. will be done.

Furthermore, the article retrieval information can be retrieved from one of the multiple types of articles stored on the shelf section ('LA) in one information instruction.
Therefore, when the work completion switch (31) provided in display i (13C) is operated, it is checked whether there are information instructions for other types of goods. If there is, it will continue to instruct the article removal information, and if there is not, the completion lamp (33) provided on the display panel (DC) will be turned on for an appropriate period of time.

The storage frame (13) is equipped with a connector (32B) that connects to a connector (32A) extending from the vehicle controller (IC) when loaded onto the vehicle (V). Through this connection, the indicator lamp (28), numerical display section (29), and mark detection sensor (30) are connected to the mobile vehicle controller (IC).

Therefore, using a mobile vehicle controller (IC), a destination information indicating means (100) for indicating destination information, an article retrieval information indicating means (101) for indicating article retrieval information, and an article storage for indicating article storage information. Information instruction means (10
2) will be configured.

While describing the control operation of the mobile vehicle controller (IC) based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
Add an explanation about the operation.

That is, the mobile vehicle controller (IC) performs transmission and reception processing to receive work data from the work vehicle controller (SC) at the transfer station (ST), and displays the destination path number based on the work data. Perform the processing to do.

When the mobile vehicle (V) enters a desired passage, a process for displaying the zone number in which it should travel is executed.

When the work area is reached, an alarm process that activates the alarm buzzer (6) and alarm lamp (5) is executed, followed by a process to display the shelf position, a process to display the shelf number, and a process to remove the item. Each of the processes for displaying the quantity is executed, and furthermore, the process for outputting storage information by operating the instruction lamp (28) and the numerical display section (29) is executed.

Next, the operating state of the work completion switch (31) is repeatedly checked and the process waits until the article removal work is completed.

When the work is completed, it is checked whether or not to continue the work in that zone. If the work is to be continued, each process from the shelf position display process described above is executed.

'g! If there is no need to continue, the completion lamp (33)
Execute the lighting process to turn on the zone, then check whether there is any remaining work in other zones, and if there is,
Execute each process from the zone number display process.

If there is no remaining work, it is checked whether or not to continue the work, and if the work is to be performed, the above-mentioned processes are executed.

[Other actual flow side]

As the mobile vehicle (■), a mobile vehicle that automatically travels based on destination command information may be used.

In order to instruct information on taking out articles at each shelf section (18), information on articles of the same type may be displayed separately for each container (Z). In that case, the numerical display section (29)
) is no longer needed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the articles are sorted using the containers (Z) is illustrated, but the articles may be sorted while being directly stored in the article storage section (S).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been shown in which the article retrieval information means (101) causes only the shelf position to be specified on the shelf side, but the quantity may also be specified on the shelf side. In addition, as the article indicating device (10), various types of devices can be used, such as using a pointing rod that swings up and down in place of the lamp.

Also, a communication means (9A) for communicating between the moving vehicle side and the shelf side.
, (9B) includes communication devices using optical signals,
For example, a communication device using electromagnetic wave signals is used, a so-called ■D card with a communication function and a storage function is provided on the moving vehicle side, and a read/write device is provided on the shelf side. Various changes can be made.

Further, in order to transmit the work data for article collection to the storage means (R) on the moving vehicle side, in addition to transmitting the work data to the moving vehicle side by communication as in the above embodiment, the created work data may be transmitted to the storage medium (R). - Various modifications can be made, such as storing the information once and transmitting it by sending the storage medium to the moving vehicle.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the article collection equipment according to the present invention, and the first
The figure is a block diagram showing the control configuration, Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the article collection equipment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the moving vehicle located next to the shelf, Figure 4 is a plan view of the display panel, and Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of the article collection equipment. It is a flow chart showing control operation. (1)...shelf, (1A)...shelf part,
(9A), (9B)...Communication means, (10
)... Article indicating device, (100)... Destination information indicating means, (101)... Article removal information indicating means, (R)... Memory Means, (S)...
...Goods storage section, (V) ...Movement vehicle.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] A mobile vehicle (V) is provided with an article storage section (S), and stores a plurality of types of articles in a divided state, and is arranged so that the travel path of the vehicle (V) is A shelf (1) arranged along the longitudinal direction is provided, and a storage means (R) for storing work data for collecting articles from the shelf (1) is provided on the moving vehicle (V) side. In addition, the storage means (R)
The article collection equipment is provided with article retrieval information instruction means (101) for instructing article retrieval information from the shelf (1) based on information on the storage. Communication means (9) on the mobile vehicle side that transmits article retrieval information to the shelf side based on the information of the means (R).
A) and shelf-side communication that is installed in each of the shelf portions (1A) partitioned in the longitudinal direction of the shelf (1) and receives information from the communication means (9A) on the mobile vehicle side. Means (9
B) and communication means (
Article indicator (10) operated based on the information in 9B)
Goods collection equipment consisting of. [2] The moving vehicle (V) includes a destination information indicating means (1) for indicating destination information based on the information in the storage means (R).
00) is provided.