WO2016103752A1

WO2016103752A1 - Storage system and storage method

Info

Publication number: WO2016103752A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/063280
Authority: WO
Inventors: 広太郎海野
Original assignee: 広太郎海野
Priority date: 2014-12-24
Filing date: 2015-05-08
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: JP5736629B1; JP2016120981A

Abstract

The purpose of the invention is to allow tableware that corresponds to a prepared dish to be removed automatically from a storage shelf, thereby improving convenience. A storage system (100) that stores a plurality of tableware items (5) comprises: a storage management database (28) that associates and stores the type and storage location on a storage shelf (16) of each tableware item (5); a cuisine information database (29) that associates and stores cuisine information containing information pertaining to a type of prepared dish, the types of prepared dishes, and the types of tableware items (5); a tableware selecting unit (21) that determines the required types and quantities of tableware items (5) by referencing the cuisine information database (29) on the basis of cuisine information input with an input interface (14a); an operation controlling unit (22) that identifies the storage location of the tableware items (5) to be removed from the storage shelf (16) by referencing the storage management database (28) on the basis of the determination by the tableware selecting unit (21); and a transporting unit (15) that removes the tableware items (5) stored on the storage shelf (16) on the basis of the control by the operation controlling unit (22).

Description

Storage system and storage method

The present invention relates to a storage system and a storage method for storing a large number of tableware.

In schools and hospitals that use a large amount of tableware such as dishes and trays, there are many types and amounts of tableware to be used. Is required to reduce the labor of workers.

In order to cope with such a problem, a cleaning system for automatically cleaning tableware has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). The technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a tableware dipping device that stores used tableware, a tableware / tableware automatic separation and transfer device, and a tableware / tableware basket automatic transfer device that sends and receives tableware in a tableware basket receiving device, It consists of a device that separates and sends received tableware one by one, a cleaning device equipped with a conveyor for separating tableware and a conveyor for transporting tableware, and an automatic tableware organizing device that arranges the cleaned tableware in a stacked state. The By such a technique, the operation | work which wash | cleans used tableware can be fully automated which does not require a manual labor.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-216094

However, even if the dishes are washed and arranged by the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the work of taking out the washed dishes stored in the storage shelf is performed manually by an employee or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that the work to take out is complicated, and if it is possible to automatically take out the tableware in accordance with the menu, it is possible to further save labor. Therefore, development of such a system is desired.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems, and provides a storage system that can automatically remove tableware according to a menu from a storage shelf, improve convenience, and save labor. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a storage system for storing a large number of tableware, a storage shelf for stacking and storing a large number of tableware, the type of each tableware, and the storage position of each tableware in the storage shelf Storage management database device that stores information related to the menu, menu information that includes information related to the type of dish, menu information database device that stores the type of tableware in association with each other, an input interface that accepts input of menu information, and an input Based on the menu information input by the interface, the menu information database device is referred to, the tableware selection means for determining the type and quantity of the required tableware, and the storage management database device is referred to based on the determination by the tableware selection means. The operation control means for specifying the storage position of the tableware to be taken out from the storage shelf, and the control by the operation control means There are, and a conveying means for taking out the dishes accommodated in the storage rack.

Another invention is a storage method for storing a large number of tableware,
(1) a storage step of stacking a large number of tableware and storing them in a storage shelf;
(2) Each tableware type is stored in the storage management database device in association with the storage position of each tableware storage shelf, and menu information including information on the type of dish is associated with the tableware type. A storage step of storing in the information database device;
(3) A tableware selection step in which tableware selection means accepts input of menu information through an input interface, refers to the menu information database device based on the input menu information, and determines the type and quantity of necessary tableware;
(4) The operation control means refers to the storage management database device based on the determination by the tableware selection means, and specifies the storage position of the tableware to be taken out from the storage shelf;
(5) The conveying means includes a conveying step of taking out the tableware stored in the storage shelf based on the control by the operation control means.

According to the present invention, the types of tableware are stored in association with each other, and then the necessary types and quantities of the tableware are determined based on the input menu information, and the conveying means is stored in the storage shelf. Since the tableware taken out is automatically taken out, the trouble of taking out the tableware can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

In the above invention, the apparatus further comprises a detection device for detecting the type of tableware before being stored in the storage shelf, and a storage position determining means for determining the storage position based on the type of each tableware detected by the detection device, The means stores the tableware in a predetermined storage position according to the determination by the storage position determination means, and the storage management database device stores the storage position where the transport means transported the tableware and the type of stored tableware in association with each other. It is preferable.

In this case, since the storage position is determined based on the type of tableware detected by the detection device, and the tableware is stored in the predetermined storage position by the transport means, the process of storing the cleaned tableware is also automatic. It is possible to improve the convenience.

At this time, since the storage management database device stores the storage position where the transport means transports the tableware and the type of the stored tableware in association with each other, the storage position of the automatically stored tableware can be specified. Therefore, the process which takes out tableware automatically by a conveyance means after that can be performed, and a storage process and a removal process can be performed continuously.

In the above-mentioned invention, it is preferable to further comprise a dishwasher for washing the tableware, and a tableware carrying-in means for conveying the tableware from the dishwasher to the tableware acquisition position by the conveyance means.

In this case, a dishwasher for washing the dishes is provided, and the dishes can be transported from the dishwasher to the tableware acquisition position by the transport means. Therefore, the used tableware washing process, the washed tableware storing process The whole process of taking out the tableware used for the next dish can be performed fully automatically, and the convenience can be further improved.

In the above invention, it is preferable that a plurality of tableware can be stacked and stored in the storage shelf, and the transport means can selectively take out the tableware positioned at an arbitrary height from among the stacked tableware.

In this case, since the conveying means can selectively take out the tableware positioned at an arbitrary height from among the stacked tableware, different types of tableware can be stacked and stored. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of storing for each type of tableware and to save space for the storage shelf.

In the above invention, the transport means includes an upper lift means for vertically lifting the dishes stacked above an arbitrary height, and the upper lift means lifts the upper tableware in the state where the upper lift means lifts the upper dishes. It is preferable to include a lower lift means that is inserted further and grips from the side.

In this case, the upper lift means vertically lifts the tableware loaded upward, and then the lower lift means is inserted into the tableware from the side to grip the tableware from the side. The tableware positioned at an arbitrary height can be selectively removed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the tableware corresponding to the dish can be automatically taken out from the storage shelf, and the convenience can be improved.

It is the schematic which shows the whole structure of the storage system which concerns on embodiment. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is side part sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the conveying apparatus and storage shelf which concern on embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conveyance part which concerns on embodiment. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the conveyance part which concerns on embodiment. (A) And (b) is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the conveyance part which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional module of the control part which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the tableware storage method which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the tableware removal method which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a storage system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the storage system according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 2A to 2C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the configuration of the detection device 17. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the internal configuration of the storage shelf.

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage system 100 of the present embodiment is a system that stores a large number of dishes 5, and a dishwasher 2 that cleans the dishes 5 and a storage device that stacks and stores a large number of dishes 5. 1 and the tableware carrying-in apparatus 3 which conveys the tableware 5 wash | cleaned with the dishwasher 2 to the storage apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

The dishwasher 2 is a device for washing used tableware, and a known dishwasher can be applied. The dishwasher 2 is a regular dishwasher 2 equipped with a dipping machine for dipping the tableware 5, a washing machine for washing the tableware 5 carried out of the dipping machine, a drier for drying the tableware 5, and the like. It may be a household dishwasher. In the dishwasher 2 of the present embodiment, an outlet 2a for taking out the tableware basket 4 loaded with the dishes 5 is formed on the side surface on the storage device 1 side, and the tableware carry-in device 3 is provided at the outlet 2a. ing.

In the present embodiment, the tableware basket 4 in which the tableware 5 after washing is stored is carried onto the tableware carrying-in device 3 by connection means (not shown). In addition, the tableware basket 4 is comprised with a wire, and stores a predetermined number of tableware in an upright posture in the horizontal direction in a stacked state.

The tableware carry-in device 3 is means for transporting the tableware 5 stored in the tableware basket 4 to the storage device 1, and uses, for example, a conveyor formed of a belt wound endlessly on a pair of rollers. Can do. The tableware carry-in device 3 is formed from the outlet 2a of the dishwasher 2 to the side inlet 12 of the storage device 1 described later.

The storage device 1 is a device that receives the tableware 5 conveyed by the tableware carry-in device 3, stores the tableware 5 in the storage shelf 16, and takes out any tableware 5 from the storage shelf 16 when in use. In this embodiment, the storage device 1 stores a storage shelf 16 in which a large number of tableware 5 is stacked and stored, and the tableware 5 conveyed from the dishwasher 2 in the storage shelf 16, and the tableware stored in the storage shelf 16. And a conveying device 10 for taking out 5. In the present embodiment, the storage shelf 16 and the transfer device 10 are installed adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage shelf 16 is a rack in which a surface facing the transfer device 10 is opened and a shelf plate 161 on which a plurality of dishes 5 are stacked and stacked is formed. The number and size (width, depth, etc.) of the shelf plates 161 in the storage shelf 16 can be selected according to the tableware 5 to be stored.

The transport device 10 is a housing disposed on an extension line of the tableware carry-in device 3 extending from the dishwasher 2, and includes a detection device 17, a transport unit 15, an operation panel 14, and a control unit. 20.

The casing is formed on the side facing the dishwasher 2 and includes a side inlet 12 for taking in the dish basket 4 conveyed by the tableware carry-in device 3, and tableware 5 conveyed from the side inlet 12. Are moved to the storage shelf 16, and an outlet 11 is formed on the front surface of the housing for taking out the tableware 5 conveyed from the storage shelf 16.

Further, a table 13 on which the tableware 5 is temporarily placed is provided in a space formed by the side inlet 12 and the outlet 11. This tabletop 13 is a tableware acquisition position where the transport unit 15 that holds the tableware 5 starts to lift the tableware 5 after cleaning. In the present embodiment, the tableware carry-in device 3 conveys the tableware 5 from the dishwasher 2 to the table table 13 through the detection device 17.

The tableware carry-in device 3 is also provided with a mechanism for arranging the upright tableware 5 housed in the tableware basket 4 one by one on the tableware table 13 by a drive function (not shown). . The table 13 is also a table supply position where the table 5 stored in the storage shelf 16 is temporarily placed when the table 15 is taken out by the transport unit 15.

The detection device 17 is a device that detects the type of the tableware 5 before being stored in the storage shelf 16, and is installed in the side inlet 12 of the transport device 10. In the present embodiment, the detecting device 17 can measure the shape of the tableware 5 by a non-contact type shape measuring device using a laser or the like. As the detection device 17, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,

various sensors

171, 172 arranged in the transport direction are arranged, and the front and rear sensors are orthogonal to each other. You may use the thing of the structure arrange | positioned. And the tableware passes each sensor sequentially.

Further, as the detection device 17, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C, each sensor 171a extends in an oblique direction and each sensor is arranged in the vertical direction, and is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the sensor 171a. The sensors 172a arranged in the direction may be arranged, and the tableware may pass between the

sensors

171a and 172a. In addition, the structure of the detection apparatus 17 is not limited to said structure, What is necessary is just to specify the shape of the tableware 5, and various selection is possible.

The detection signal measured by the detection device 17 is transmitted to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 specifies the type of the tableware 5 based on the detection signal related to the shape. In the present embodiment, the detection device 17 uses a device that measures the shape of the tableware 5. For example, an IC tag or the like is attached to the tableware 5, and identification information for identifying the tableware 5 is read from the IC tag. It may be a reader device.

The operation panel 14 displays various images and information, and is used by the user to input information and instructions. The operation panel 14 is provided on the entire casing of the transport apparatus 10. The operation panel 14 includes an input interface 14a for accepting a user operation and an output interface 14b such as a display screen or a speaker. The input interface 14a enables menu information to be input, and the display screen of the output interface Menu information and information on tableware 5 used for the menu are output.

The control unit 20 is an arithmetic operation constituted by a processor such as a CPU or DSP (Digital Signal Processor), memory, hardware such as other electronic circuits, software such as a program having the function, or a combination thereof. A module that controls the operation of each part. Specifically, the driving of the tableware carry-in device 3 and the movement of the transport unit 15 are controlled.

The transport unit 15 is means for storing the tableware 5 transported from the dishwasher 2 in the storage shelf 16 and taking out the tableware 5 stored in the storage shelf 16 based on the control by the control unit 20.

(Conveyor configuration)
A specific configuration of the transport unit 15 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the transport unit 15, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the transport unit 15 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport unit 15 is suspended from a drive mechanism 159 disposed on the top of the transport device 10 via suspension means 158, and the drive mechanism 159 moves the transport device interior 10 a up, down, left, and right. It is movable and rotatable.

As shown in FIG. 4, the transport unit 15 includes an upper lift unit 151 that lifts the tableware 5 stacked above an arbitrary height vertically, and the upper lift unit 151 lifts the upper tableware 5. The table 5 at an arbitrary height is inserted from the side, and the lower lift part 152, the upper lift part 151, and the lower lift part 152 that hold from the side are held slidably in the horizontal direction. Part 153.

The holding portion 153 is a bar-like member extending in the horizontal direction. An upper lift portion 151 is attached to the upper portion of the holding portion 153, and a rail is formed on the lower surface of the holding portion 153. A lower lift portion 152 is attached to the slide portion slidably. The holding portion 153 has a suspension means 158 connected to the rear end thereof, and can be moved up and down and left and right via the suspension means 158 and can be rotated about the suspension means 158 as an axis. ing.

The upper lift portion 151 includes a rail member 151a that is fixed to the front end of the holding portion 153, a vertical movement portion 151b that is coupled to the rail member 151a and that is slidable along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the rail member 151a. The pair of

gripping portions

151d and 151d are fixed to both ends of the vertical movement portion 151b and protrude in the horizontal direction.

The rail member 151a is a rail member that has a lower end attached to the holding portion 153 and is erected in the vertical direction. A rail is formed on the front side surface of the rail member 151a, and a vertical moving portion 151b is attached to the rail member 151a.

The vertically moving portion 151b is a rod-like member that is attached to the rail member 151a at a substantially central portion and extends in the horizontal direction, and extends on the rail of the rail member 151a along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the rail member 151a. The slide movement is possible. At both ends of the vertical movement portion 151b, a pair of expansion /

contraction portions

151c and 151c that can expand and contract along the longitudinal direction of the vertical movement portion 151b are provided, and the expansion and

contraction portions

151c and 151c are respectively provided with gripping portions 151d. , 151d are fixed.

The pair of

gripping portions

151d and 151d are rod-shaped members having a substantially circular cross section, and their rear ends are fixed to the stretchable portion 151c and project forward. The distance between the pair of

gripping portions

151d and 151d can be changed by the expansion and contraction of each expansion / contraction portion 151c with respect to the vertical movement portion 151b.

On the other hand, the lower lift part 152 is connected to the lower surface of the holding part 153, and the front-rear direction moving part 152a is slidably movable on the rail of the holding part 153 along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the holding part 153. The vertical movement unit 152b is connected to the direction movement unit 152a and is slidable along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the front / rear direction movement unit 152a. The vertical movement unit 152b is fixed to both ends of the vertical movement unit 152b and extends in the horizontal direction. And a pair of

gripping portions

152d and 152d.

The front-rear direction moving part 152a is a rail member that has an upper end attached to the holding part 153 and is erected in the vertical direction, and slides on the rail of the holding part 153 along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the holding part 153. It is movable.

The up-down direction moving part 152b is a rod-like member that is attached to the front-rear direction moving part 152a at a substantially central portion and extends in the horizontal direction, and the longitudinal direction of the front-rear direction moving part 152a extends on the rail of the front-rear direction moving part 152a. It can slide along the direction (vertical direction). A pair of

extendable parts

152c and 152c that can be extended and contracted along the longitudinal direction of the up and down direction moving part 152b are provided at both ends of the up and down direction moving part 152b. The

extendable parts

152c and 152c are respectively provided with gripping parts 152d. , 152d are fixed.

The pair of

gripping portions

152d and 152d are rod-shaped members having a substantially circular cross section, and the rear ends are fixed to the stretchable portion 152c and project forward. The distance between the pair of

gripping parts

152d and 152d can be changed by the expansion / contraction part 152c extending / contracting with respect to the up / down direction moving part 152b.

By using such a transport unit 15, it is possible to take out any tableware 5 from the stacked tableware 5 and store the tableware 5 at an arbitrary position of the stacked tableware 5.

The operation when removing any tableware 5 from the stacked tableware 5 will be described. First, as shown to Fig.5 (a), the conveyance part 15 whole is moved to the vicinity of the stacked tableware 5. FIG. Then, the vertical movement unit 152b is moved to place the pair of

gripping units

152d and 152d at the height of the tableware 5a to be taken out. Further, the vertical movement unit 151b is moved, and the pair of

gripping parts

151d and 151d are arranged at the height of the tableware 5b arranged on the tableware 5a to be taken out. Further, the pair of

extendable parts

151c and 151c are extended to the maximum, and the distance between the pair of

gripping parts

151d and 151d is maximized.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the front-rear direction moving part 152a is slid to the rear end side of the holding part 153, and the pair of

extendable parts

152c, 152c are extended to the maximum to form a pair of gripping parts 152d, The interval between 152d is maximized. Next, the entire transport unit 15 is moved in the horizontal direction, the pair of

gripping parts

151d and 151d are arranged beside the tableware 5b, and the pair of expansion and

contraction units

151c and 151c are contracted to the outside of the body or waist of the tableware 5b. Make contact. In this state, as shown in FIG.5 (c), the vertical direction moving part 151b is moved to upper part along the rail member 151a, and the stacked tableware 5b is lifted.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6A, the front-rear direction moving part 152a is slid to the front end side of the holding part 153, and the pair of

gripping parts

152d and 152d are arranged beside the tableware 5a. And a pair of expansion-

contraction parts

152c and 152c are contracted so that the outer side of the trunk | drum of the tableware 5a or the waist may be touched. And the up-down direction moving part 152b is moved to the upper part along the front-back direction moving part 152a, the tableware 5a is lifted, and it moves to the position where the tableware 5a and the tableware located under the tableware 5a do not overlap with a perpendicular direction.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the front / rear direction moving part 152a is slid to the rear end side of the holding part 153, and the tableware 5a is taken out. If the tableware 5a is taken out, the up-down direction moving part 151b is moved to the lower part along the rail member 151a, and the raised tableware 5b is stacked on the tableware. Thereafter, the pair of

extendable portions

151c and 151c are extended to the maximum to release the holding state of the tableware 5b, and as shown in FIG. The tableware 5a is gripped by the

parts

152d and 152d and conveyed to the tableware table 13.

Next, the operation of storing the tableware 5 in an arbitrary position of the stacked tableware 5 will be described. First, the tableware 5 after cleaning disposed on the tabletop 13 is gripped by the pair of

gripping portions

152d and 152d. At this time, a distance is provided between the gripping portion 151d and the gripping portion 152d so as to be equal to or higher than the height of the tableware 5 to be lifted. Thereafter, the entire transport unit 15 is moved and transported to a predetermined storage shelf 16.

When the transport unit 15 is transported to the storage position, the front / rear direction moving unit 152a is slid to the rear end side of the holding unit 153 and the vertical direction moving unit 151b is moved so that a pair of grips are held at the height of the tableware 5 to be lifted. The

parts

151d and 151d are arranged. Further, the pair of

extendable portions

151c and 151c are extended to the maximum, and the space between the pair of

gripping portions

151d and 151d is maximized.

In this state, the entire transport unit 15 is moved in the horizontal direction, the pair of

gripping parts

151d and 151d are arranged beside the tableware 5 and the pair of expansion and

contraction parts

151c and 151c are contracted, so that the outside of the body or waist of the tableware 5 Abut. In that state, the vertically moving portion 151b is moved upward along the rail member 151a to lift the stacked tableware 5.

Next, the vertical movement unit 152b is moved upward along the front / rear direction movement unit 152a, and the front / rear direction movement unit 152a is slid to the front end side of the holding unit 153 so that the gripped dishes are stacked between the stacked dishes. insert. After the insertion, the vertical movement unit 152b is moved downward along the front / rear direction movement unit 152a, and the gripped tableware is stacked on the tableware located below. Thereafter, the pair of

extendable parts

152c, 152c are extended to the maximum, and the holding state of the tableware 5 is released.

After storing the tableware 5 after washing, the vertical movement portion 151b is moved downward along the rail member 151a, and the raised tableware 5 is placed on the stacked tableware, and then a pair of

stretchable portions

151c, 151c is extended to the maximum to release the gripping state of the tableware 5b.

(Internal structure of control unit 20)
The tableware transport operation by the transport unit 15 as described above is performed under the control of the control unit 20 described above. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a module related to the transport mechanism of the control unit 20 and surrounding modules according to the present embodiment. The “module” used in the description refers to a functional unit that is configured by hardware such as an apparatus or a device, software having the function, or a combination thereof, and achieves a predetermined operation. .

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 20 includes various database groups, a tableware selection unit 21, an operation control unit 22, and a storage position determination unit 23. The database group includes a storage management database 28, a menu information database 29, and a tableware information database 27.

The tableware information database 27 is a storage device that stores information on the shape of the tableware 5 (height, width, depth, outer diameter, etc.) and the like in the type of tableware 5. The storage management database 28 is a storage device that stores the type of each tableware 5 in association with the storage position of each tableware 5 in the storage shelf 16. In the present embodiment, the storage management database 28 stores the storage position where the transport unit 15 transports the tableware 5 to the storage shelf 16 and the type of the stored tableware 5 in association with each other.

The menu information database 29 is a storage device that stores menu information including information on the types of dishes, the types of dishes, and the types of tableware 5 in association with each other. The association between the menu information and the type of tableware 5 can be accepted through the input interface 14 a of the operation panel 14.

The storage position determination unit 23 is a module that determines the storage position based on the type of each tableware 5 detected by the detection device 17. Specifically, when the storage position determination unit 23 acquires a detection result regarding the shape of the tableware 5 detected by the detection device 17, the storage position determination unit 23 refers to the tableware information database 27 and identifies the type of the tableware 5. Thereafter, the storage position determination unit 23 refers to the storage management database 28 to determine the storage position of the tableware associated with the type of tableware.

The tableware selection unit 21 is a module that refers to the menu information database 29 based on the menu information input by the input interface 14a and determines the necessary type and quantity of the tableware 5.

The operation control unit 22 is a module that controls the entire drive of the transport unit 15 and the tableware loading device 3. In particular, the operation control unit 22 controls the transport unit 15 to execute the operation of storing the tableware 5 carried in from the dishwasher 2 in the storage shelf 16, and the tableware 5 stored in the storage shelf 16 is stored in the tableware. The operation of taking out to the table 13 is executed.

Here, when the tableware 5 is stored in the storage shelf 16, the operation control unit 22 stores the tableware 5 in a predetermined storage position according to the determination by the storage position determination unit 23. Here, the operation control unit 22 does not necessarily need to stack only the same type of tableware 5, and the tableware 5 belonging to a predetermined category is loaded from above the tableware 5 already stored in the storage shelf 16 so as to be stacked. It is supposed to let you.

When removing the tableware 5, the operation control unit 22 refers to the storage management database 28 based on the determination by the tableware selection unit 21, specifies the storage position of the tableware 5 to be extracted from the storage shelf 16, and stores the storage shelf 16. Take out the tableware 5 stored in the box. At this time, the transport unit 15 selectively takes out the tableware 5 positioned at an arbitrary height among the stacked tableware 5.

(Storing method)
The storage method can be implemented by operating the storage system having the above configuration. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method for storing the tableware 5 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method for taking out the stored tableware 5 according to this embodiment. In the present embodiment, information related to the shape of the tableware 5 is stored in the tableware information database 27 in advance, and is stored in the menu information database 29 in association with the type of dish, which is the menu information, and the type of tableware 5. It shall be.

(1) Storage Process First, the operation of the storage process will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, first, a plurality of used dishes 5 are placed in the dishwasher 2 in a state where they are stored in the dish basket 4, and a washing process is performed (S <b> 101). After the cleaning process is completed, the tableware carry-in device 3 transports the tableware basket 4 that stores the tableware 5 to the transport device 10 (S102). At this time, the tableware carry-in device 3 conveys the tableware 5 from the dishwasher 2 through the detection device 17 to the tableware table 13 serving as a tableware acquisition position by the conveyance unit 15.

At this time, when the detection device 17 detects the tableware 5 carried into the side portion inlet 12 (S103), the shape of the tableware 5 is transmitted to the control unit 20 as a detection result. Based on this detection result, the storage position determination unit 23 of the control unit 20 refers to the tableware information database 27 and detects the type of the tableware 5 before being stored in the storage shelf 16 (S104). Since the tableware basket 4 stores a plurality of tableware 5, the detection device 17 detects the shape of each tableware 5, and the storage position determination unit 23 specifies the type of each tableware 5 in the arrangement order. Shall be. Further, the shape of the frame of the tableware basket 4 is registered in advance, and the shape of the tableware 5 is specified by deleting the shape of the frame from the detection result.

When the storage position determination unit 23 acquires information on the type of tableware 5, the storage position determination unit 23 determines a storage position with reference to the storage management database 28 based on the detected type of each tableware 5 (S105). At this time, the storage position determination unit 23 determines the storage positions of all tableware 5.

Thereafter, the operation control unit 22 controls the transport unit 15 to store the tableware 5 in a predetermined storage position according to the determination by the storage position determination unit 23 (S106). At this time, the transport unit 15 inserts the lower lift unit 152 from the side with respect to the tableware 5 placed on the table table 13 and lifts the tableware by gripping from the side. And the conveyance part 15 which hold | gripped the tableware 5 is moved, many tableware 5 is stacked, and it accommodates in a predetermined storage position. After the storage, the operation control unit 22 stores in the storage management database 28 the storage position where the transport unit 15 transports the tableware 5 and the type of the stored tableware 5 in association with each other (S107).

The control unit 20 determines whether or not all the tableware 5 that has been loaded is stored in the storage shelf 16 (S108), and if there is any tableware 5 that is not stored ("NO" in S108), step S106. The processes up to step S107 are repeatedly executed. When all the tableware 5 is stored in the storage shelf 16 (“YES” in S108), the process ends.

(2) Extraction process Next, the extraction process of the tableware 5 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the user inputs menu information to the input interface 14a (S201). When the input interface 14a receives the input of the menu information, the menu information is input to the tableware selection unit 21 of the control unit 20.

The tableware selection unit 21 refers to the menu information database 29 based on the input menu information, and determines the necessary type and quantity of the tableware 5 (S202). Information on the determined type and quantity of the tableware 5 is input to the operation control unit 22.

The operation control unit 22 refers to the storage management database 28 based on the determination by the tableware selection unit 21 and specifies the storage position of the tableware 5 to be taken out from the storage shelf 16 (S203). And the operation control part 22 carries out drive control of the conveyance part 15, and conveys and takes out the tableware 5 accommodated in the storage shelf 16 (S204).

Here, when the transport unit 15 lifts the stacked tableware 5, the upper lift unit 151 vertically lifts the tableware 5 stacked above an arbitrary height, and the upper lift unit 151 lifts the upper tableware 5. In the lifted state, the lower lift 152 is inserted from the side with the tableware 5 at an arbitrary height and is gripped from the side. In this way, the gripped tableware 5 is sequentially conveyed to the tableware table 13.

When the operation for removing one tableware 5 is completed, the operation control unit 22 determines whether all the tableware 5 has been extracted (S205). If there is any tableware 5 that has not been extracted ("NO" in S205). ) Repeat the conveying process of step S203 and step S204 until all the tableware 5 is taken out. When all the dishes 5 have been taken out (“YES” in S205), the take-out process is terminated.

(Action / Effect)
According to the present embodiment, the menu information database 29 stores the types of dishes and the types of tableware 5 in association with each other, and then the necessary types of tableware 5 based on the input menu information. And since the conveyance part 15 automatically takes out the tableware 5 accommodated in the storage shelf 16, the effort of taking out the tableware 5 can be reduced, and the convenience can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the storage position is determined based on the type of the tableware 5 detected by the detection device 17, and the tableware 5 is stored in a predetermined storage position by the transport unit 15. The process of storing can also be performed automatically, and the convenience can be further improved.

At this time, since the storage management database 28 stores the storage position where the transport unit 15 transports the tableware 5 and the type of the stored tableware 5 in association with each other, the storage position of the tableware 5 stored automatically is stored. Can be identified. As a result, the process of automatically taking out the tableware 5 by the transport unit 15 can be executed thereafter, and the storing step and the taking out step can be executed continuously.

In the present embodiment, the storage system 100 includes a dishwasher 2 that cleans the tableware 5, and the tableware delivery device 3 moves the tableware 5 from the dishwasher 2 to the tableware table 13 that is the tableware acquisition position by the transport unit 15. Since it can be transported, the process of washing the used tableware 5, the process of storing the washed tableware 5, and the process of taking out the tableware 5 used for the next dish can be performed fully automatically, making it more convenient. Can be improved.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of tableware 5 can be stacked and stored in the storage shelf 16, and the transport unit 15 selectively selects the tableware 5 positioned at an arbitrary height from among the stacked tableware 5. Since it can be taken out, different types of tableware 5 can be stacked and stored. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble of storing each type of tableware 5 and to save the space of the storage shelf 16.

In the present embodiment, the transport unit 15 uses the upper lift unit 151 to vertically lift the tableware 5 stacked above, and then causes the lower lift unit 152 to be inserted into the tableware 5 from the side so that the tableware 5 is located on the side. Since it grips from the direction, the tableware 5 located in arbitrary heights among the stacked tableware 5 can be selectively taken out.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Storage apparatus 2 ... Dishwasher 2a ... Outlet 3 ... Tableware carry-in apparatus 4 ...

Tableware basket

5,5a, 5b ... Tableware 10 ... Conveyance apparatus 10a ... Internal space 11 ... Outlet 12 ... Side part intake 13 ... Tableware table 14 ... Operation panel 14a ... Input interface 14b ... Output interface 15 ... Conveying unit 16 ... Storage shelf 17 ... Detection device 20 ... Control unit 21 ... Tableware selection unit 22 ... Operation control unit 23 ... Storage position determination unit 27 ... Tableware Information database 28 ... Storage management database 29 ... Menu information database 100 ... Storage system 151 ... Upper lift part 151a ... Rail member 151b ... Vertical movement part 151c ... Expansion / contraction part 151d ... Holding part 152 ... Lower lift means 152 ... Lower lift part 152a ... back and forth direction moving part 152b ... up and down direction moving part 152c ... telescopic part 152d ... Part 153 ... holding unit

Claims

A storage system for storing a large number of tableware,
A storage shelf for stacking and storing the plurality of tableware;
A storage management database device for storing the type of each tableware and the storage position in the storage shelf of each tableware;
A menu information database device for storing menu information including information on the type of dish and the type of tableware in association with each other;
An input interface for receiving input of the menu information;
Tableware selection means for determining the type and quantity of necessary tableware by referring to the menu information database device based on the menu information input by the input interface;
Based on the determination by the tableware selection means, referring to the storage management database device, operation control means for specifying the storage position of the tableware to be taken out from the storage shelf;
A storage system comprising: transport means for taking out the tableware stored in the storage shelf based on the control by the operation control means.
A detection device for detecting the type of tableware before being stored in the storage shelf;
A storage position determination means for determining the storage position based on the type of each tableware detected by the detection device;
Further comprising
The transport means stores the tableware in a predetermined storage position according to the determination by the storage position determination means,
The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the storage management database device stores a storage position where the transport unit transports tableware and a type of stored tableware in association with each other.
A dishwasher for washing dishes,
The storage system according to claim 2, further comprising tableware carry-in means for transferring tableware from the dishwasher to the tableware acquisition position by the transfer means through the detection device.
A plurality of the tableware can be stacked and stored in the storage shelf,
2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the transporting unit can selectively take out the tableware positioned at an arbitrary height from the stacked tableware.
The conveying means is
Upper lifting means for vertically lifting the dishes loaded above the arbitrary height;
In the state where the upper lift means lifts the upper tableware, the lower lift means for inserting the tableware at the arbitrary height position from the side and gripping from the side;
The storage system according to claim 4, further comprising:
A storage method for storing a large number of tableware,
A storage step of stacking the numerous tableware and storing in a storage shelf; and
A menu information database device that associates the type of each tableware with the storage position of each tableware in the storage shelf and stores it in the storage management database device, and associates the menu information including information about the type of dish with the type of tableware. A storage step for storing
A tableware selection step in which the tableware selection means accepts the input of the menu information with an input interface, refers to the menu information database device based on the input menu information, and determines the type and quantity of the required tableware;
An operation control step, wherein the operation control means refers to the storage management database device based on the determination by the tableware selection means, and specifies the storage position of the tableware to be taken out from the storage shelf;
A storage method comprising: a transporting step for transporting the tableware stored in the storage shelf based on control by the operation control unit.
A detecting step for detecting a type of tableware before being stored in the storage shelf;
Based on the type of each tableware detected by the detection step, the storage position determination means determines the storage position, a storage position determination step,
The transport means stores the tableware in a predetermined storage position according to the determination by the storage position determination means, and the storage management database device stores the storage position where the transport means transports the tableware, and the type of stored tableware. The storage method according to claim 6, further comprising: a storage step for storing the information in association with each other.
The storage according to claim 7, wherein the tableware transfer means further includes a tableware transfer step of transferring tableware from the dishwasher for cleaning tableware to the tableware acquisition position by the transfer means via the detection device. Method.
In the storing step, a plurality of the tableware can be stacked and stored in the storage shelf,
The storage method according to claim 6, wherein in the transporting step, the transporting unit selectively takes out the tableware positioned at an arbitrary height from the stacked tableware.
In the transport step, the transport means includes:
The upper lift means vertically lifts the tableware loaded above the arbitrary height,
The state where the upper lift means lifts the upper tableware, and the lower lift means inserts the tableware at the arbitrary height position from the side and grips it from the side. Storage method.