JP2961641B2 - Picking support device for automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a picking support device for an automatic warehouse, which assists in efficient picking work for taking out and sorting out articles from an automatic warehouse.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional automatic warehouse is capable of automatically discharging stored articles to a delivery port as specified (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-48616).
Reference).

[0003]

However, in the conventional automatic warehouse, when a variety of delivery requests from a plurality of delivery request sources come in one after another, they are included in one delivery request of one delivery request destination. Enter the type and quantity of the outgoing goods to be taken out, automatically take out the outgoing goods to the exit, take them out, pack them all together, and after completing them, Outgoing goods included in one outgoing request,
In the same manner as described above, they were sequentially taken out and packed in a box, and such operations had to be repeated.

[0004] Therefore, within a certain period of time, the same goods to be delivered must be taken out many times, even if the destinations are different or the destinations are the same, which takes much time and labor. And wasted.

[0005] Further, in the case where items to be ejected which are included in common in a retrieval request from a plurality of destinations are collectively taken out, they must be sorted for each destination while looking at a slip or the like for each destination. However, there is a problem that the work is complicated and uses nerves.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has been made to efficiently and nervously perform picking work of outgoing articles in response to various outgoing requests from a plurality of outgoing destinations. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic warehouse picking support device that can be performed in a short period of time.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned problem is solved as follows. (1) Outgoing request input means for inputting outgoing requests including information on the outgoing destination, outgoing goods and quantity, a cycle determining circuit for integrating a plurality of outgoing requests and determining the work load of one cycle, and an automatic warehouse An inventory memory for storing information on the stored outgoing items and their quantity, and the storage position where the outgoing items are stored, and an automatic storage of each outgoing item included in one cycle determined by the cycle determination circuit. The information on the storage position is taken out from the inventory memory, and the information included in one cycle is rearranged for each product in accordance with the arrangement order of the storage positions in the automatic warehouse for each product. Outgoing data creation circuit that gives information about the destination and quantity as supplementary information,
An automatic exit control circuit that controls the automatic warehouse so as to sequentially convey the articles stored in the automatic warehouse to the exits in accordance with the arrangement order, based on the exit data created by the exit data creation circuit; And a display device for displaying incidental information of the outgoing item that has arrived at the outlet, and a display device that is disposed near the outlet and operated after picking of the outgoing item that has arrived at the outlet. Picking finished picking data is deleted from the picking control circuit.
A picking completion switch for instructing the automatic exit control circuit to convey the next article to the exit, and an automatic exit control circuit for
A cycle management circuit for replenishing new outgoing data by the empty memory capacity after the outgoing data is erased is provided.

(2) The automatic warehouse is composed of a plurality of rotary racks,
Each rotary rack is provided with an outlet, and each outlet is provided.
Picking in the rotary rack near the mouth
A pick to input that the work of the minimum unit of work has been completed
Complete switch and one cycle picking operation
Cycle completion confirmation switch for inputting confirmation of completion
Is provided, a delivery request input means for inputting a delivery request including information on a delivery destination, a product to be delivered, and a quantity, and a cycle determination circuit for integrating a plurality of delivery requests and determining a work amount in one cycle. And an outgoing article stored in the automatic warehouse and the quantity thereof, an inventory memory for storing information on a storage position at which the outgoing article is stored, and each outgoing article included in one cycle determined by the cycle determination circuit. The information on the storage positions of the articles in the automatic warehouse is taken out of the inventory memory, and the information included in one cycle is rearranged for each of the outgoing articles according to the arrangement order of the storing positions of the outgoing articles in the automatic warehouse. An outgoing data creation circuit that provides information on the outgoing destination and quantity as accompanying information for each outgoing item, and an outgoing data created by the outgoing data creating circuit. On the basis of the automatic warehouse control circuit for controlling the automatic warehouse so as to sequentially convey outgoing goods stored in the automatic warehouse to the warehouse in accordance with the arrangement order, and disposed near the warehouse, and in the warehouse A display device that displays supplementary information of the arriving goods and the minimum unit of picking work
By operation after completion picking as outgoing chamber opening to reach the unloading products work, goods issue data picking has been completed from the automatic unloading control circuit and a said Picchi <br/> ranging completion switch that are erased Further, a control mode is adopted in which the picking operation in all the rotary racks is completed, and thereafter, the cycle completion confirmation switch of one of the rotary racks is pressed, whereby the picking operation for one cycle is completed. in this case, when the cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed, also 1 cycle
When the cycle completion confirmation switch of the last rotary rack is pressed, the cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed for each rotary rack for which the picking operation for the
In the case of adopting a control mode in which the picking work for the cycle is completed, when the switch for confirming the completion of the cycle of the last rotary rack is pressed, each of the rotary racks is provided with an automatic storage control circuit. The first part of the retrieval data of the second cycle is simultaneously transmitted by the amount of the memory, and the remaining retrieval data is erased after the minimum unit picking operation is completed, and the retrieval data is erased, and is sent to the automatic retrieval control circuit. And a cycle management circuit for replenishing new outgoing data within the empty memory capacity from which the outgoing data has been erased.

(3) The automatic warehouse is composed of a plurality of rotary racks.
Each rotary rack is provided with an outlet, and each outlet is provided.
Picking in the rotary rack near the mouth
A pick to input that the work of the minimum unit of work has been completed
Complete switch and one cycle picking operation
Cycle completion confirmation switch for inputting confirmation of completion
Is provided, a delivery request input means for inputting a delivery request including information on a delivery destination, a product to be delivered, and a quantity, and a cycle determination circuit for integrating a plurality of delivery requests and determining a work amount in one cycle. And an outgoing article stored in the automatic warehouse and the quantity thereof, an inventory memory for storing information on a storage position at which the outgoing article is stored, and each outgoing article included in one cycle determined by the cycle determination circuit. The information on the storage positions of the articles in the automatic warehouse is taken out of the inventory memory, and the information included in one cycle is rearranged for each of the outgoing articles according to the arrangement order of the storing positions of the outgoing articles in the automatic warehouse. An outgoing data creation circuit that provides information on the outgoing destination and quantity as accompanying information for each outgoing item, and an outgoing data created by the outgoing data creating circuit. On the basis of the automatic warehouse control circuit for controlling the automatic warehouse so as to sequentially convey outgoing goods stored in the automatic warehouse to the warehouse in accordance with the arrangement order, and disposed near the warehouse, and in the warehouse A display device that displays supplementary information of the arriving goods and the minimum unit of picking work
By operating as after picking completion of unloading goods reaching the unloading opening of the work, goods issue data picked terminated from the automatic unloading control circuit comprises the Pikkin <br/> grayed completion switch to be erased, further 1 cycle A cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed for each rotary rack in which the picking operation for one minute has been completed, and the picking operation for one cycle is completed when the cycle completion confirmation switch for the last rotary rack is pressed. In this case, every time the cycle completion confirmation switch of each rotary rack is pressed, the output data of the second cycle relating to the rotary rack is deleted by the automatic output control circuit of the rotary rack, and the output data is deleted. And a cycle management circuit for replenishing the memory capacity of the memory.

(4) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the outgoing articles included in one cycle determined by the cycle determining circuit and the quantity thereof, and the outgoing articles stored in the inventory memory and the A comparison circuit is provided for comparing the quantity and, when there is a shortage, outputting a retrieval impossible signal and stopping the input to the retrieval data creation circuit.

(5) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the information on the outgoing articles and their quantities included in one cycle determined by the cycle determining circuit is sorted for each outgoing destination, and the information is sorted. Provide a printer circuit to make the printer print.

(6) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), an outgoing goods arrival display for displaying that the outgoing goods specified by the automatic outgoing control circuit has reached the outgoing outlet near the outgoing outlet. Equipment is provided.

(7) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), a cycle completion display device for indicating that one cycle of unloading work has been completed is provided near the unloading port.

(8) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the supplementary information for each outgoing article may include the information including the position information in one container moving in the automatic warehouse. Display it on the display device.

[0015]

By inputting various outgoing requests from a plurality of outgoing destinations to the outgoing request input means each time, an appropriate number of outgoing requests are integrated as a one-cycle work amount by a cycle determination circuit, and Based on the information stored in the inventory memory, all outgoing product information included in one cycle is arranged in accordance with the arrangement order of each outgoing product in the automatic warehouse, and each outgoing product is sequentially transported to the outlet in that order. You.

[0016] The display device displays supplementary information such as the delivery destination and quantity of the delivery item that has reached the delivery exit, so that the worker can efficiently perform one cycle of picking work and use his nerves. It can be performed in a short time without any need.

[0017]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an automatic warehouse incorporating a picking support device according to the present invention. In this example, the horizontal rotation type rotary rack (1) is an automatic warehouse of one unit, and a plurality of them are combined.

Each rotary rack (1) has a large number of containers.
(2) is divided into upper and lower stages (which may be three or more stages), and these can be automatically rotated independently of each other along a locus in plan view.

At the front of each rotary rack (1), there is an outlet.
(3) is formed (sometimes also used as a storage opening), and various display devices (4) are provided around it.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the display device (4) comprises a delivery destination display device (5) provided at the upper center of the delivery port (3) and indicating delivery destinations by numbers 1 to 9; A picking quantity display device (6) provided on the right side of each stage container (2) in (3) to indicate the quantity of goods to be taken out from each stage, and a picking quantity display device (6) also reaching the outlet (3). When the container (2) is further divided into a plurality of sub-locations (booths), the container (2) includes a location display device (7) for indicating a sub-location in which articles to be taken out are stored.

[0021] on the left side of the outgoing display device (5), warehousing lamps to be lit at the time of warehousing work (8), also on the right side of the unloading destination display device (5), so that the lights at the time of unloading work A delivery lamp is provided.

On the right side of each location display device (7),
Container (2) containing the requested outgoing goods is the outlet
An arrival lamp (outgoing item arrival display device) (10) for indicating that the vehicle has reached (3) is provided. By pressing the arrival lamp (10) itself, the display device (5) (6) (7)
And a picking completion switch (11) for inputting that the work of the minimum unit of the picking work indicated by is completed.

An emergency stop button (12) is provided in the middle part in the vertical direction on the right side of the outlet (3), and a cycle completion display lamp (13) below the emergency stop button (13) indicating that one cycle of picking work has been completed. ) Is provided.

A cycle completion confirmation switch for inputting confirmation of completion of one cycle of picking work by pressing itself on the cycle completion indicator lamp (13).
(14) is incorporated.

In front of the adjacent rotary rack (1),
A belt conveyor (15) for placing or moving a number of boxes (16) in the left-right direction corresponding to the number of delivery destinations used for sorting work is provided. Instead of the belt conveyor (15), a roller conveyor may be used.

(17) is a main control device arranged at an appropriate position.
In this example, the main body (17a), a keyboard (also having a function as a retrieval request input means) (17b), and a display device (17c).
And a personal computer comprising:

(18) is a printer connected to the main body (17a) via a signal cable (not shown).

The main body (17a) is connected to an automatic retrieval control circuit (20) built in each rotary rack (1) via a signal cable (19).

The retrieval request input means is provided by the keyboard (17
In addition to the means for directly inputting by b), a storage medium such as a floppy in which a retrieval request is stored by another input means is mounted on the main body (17a), and the stored information is read by the main body (17a). Means and the main body (17a) with a signal cable (not shown)
Or connect online with other input means by telephone line,
There is a means or the like for directly inputting a retrieval request from the outside to the main body (17a).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram in the case where each function of the control device is regarded as one unit of circuit. However, in reality, there is no such specific circuit, and only control software is created so as to perform the same function.

In FIG. 2, reference numerals up to (21) indicate those described above. The main control device (17) is connected to the delivery request accumulation circuit (2
2), cycle determination circuit (cycle determination means) (23), comparison circuit (comparison means) (24), inventory memory (25), outgoing data creation circuit (outgoing data creation means) (26), cycle management circuit (cycle) It includes main circuits such as a management means (27) and a printer circuit (28).

The retrieval request storage circuit (22) includes a keyboard (17
b) This is a circuit for storing the retrieval request input from the retrieval request input means such as the input terminal (21).

The cycle determination circuit (23) integrates a plurality of outgoing requests stored in the outgoing request storing circuit (22) according to a predetermined number of outgoing requests, the number of outgoing destinations, or the number of outgoing items. Is a circuit for determining the amount of work in one cycle.

The comparing circuit (24) compares the outgoing articles and their quantities included in one cycle determined by the cycle determining circuit (23) with the outgoing articles and their quantities stored in the inventory memory (25). If there is a shortage, the circuit outputs a retrieval impossible signal to display that the retrieval is impossible on the display device (17c) and stops the input to the retrieval data creation circuit (26).

The inventory memory (25) contains all rotary racks.
(1) Outgoing goods and their quantity stored in them are stored together with information on the storage position of which unit of which rotary rack (1) and which container of which rotary rack (1) is stored. ing.

The information in the stock memory (25) is stored in an automatic delivery control circuit (20), which will be described later, built in each rotary rack (1).
Is automatically changed based on the outgoing information and the incoming information of an automatic receiving control circuit (not shown).

The retrieval data creation circuit (26) includes a comparison circuit (24)
The information on the storage position of each outgoing item included in one cycle sent from the memory is taken out from the inventory memory (25), and the information included in one cycle is stored for each outgoing item according to the arrangement order of the storing position of each outgoing item. This is a circuit that rearranges and adds information on the delivery destination and quantity as additional information for each delivery item.

The cycle management circuit (27) temporarily stores the outgoing data for each rotary rack (1) created by the outgoing data creating circuit (26), and simultaneously stores the corresponding rotary rack (1) (1st unit ( 1A) This is a circuit which is sent to the automatic exit control circuit (20) of the second unit (1B)...) In a timely manner.

The printer circuit (28) is a retrieval data creation circuit.
This is a circuit that sorts the information on outgoing articles and their quantities included in one cycle created in (26) for each outgoing destination and prints the information by the printer (18).

The document printed by the printer (18) can be used as a delivery note for each delivery destination, a sorting slip, or a checklist for checking whether or not picking is correctly performed.

The automatic delivery control circuit (20) built in each rotary rack (1), based on the delivery data provided by the cycle management circuit (27), instructs each rotary rack (1) according to its instruction. This is a circuit for controlling the driving means (not shown) of the rotary rack (1) so that the outgoing articles stored therein are sequentially conveyed to the outgoing opening (3) in the above-mentioned arrangement order.

That is, the container (2) containing the first outgoing article included in the outgoing data is transported to the outgoing opening (3) and stopped, and picking is performed there.
When the operator presses the picking complete switch (11), the container (2) in which the next second outgoing article is stored
Is transported to the exit port (3).

At this time, since each outgoing article included in the outgoing data is called in accordance with the arrangement order of the rotary rack (1), the operation of the rotary rack (1) is not wasteful.
Access time can be minimized. Also, the automatic retrieval control circuit (20) transmits necessary information in the transmitted retrieval data and other information necessary for operation to each display device.
(5) (6) (7) (10) (13) It has a function to display.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart mainly showing the operation related to the main control device (17).

The retrieval request storage circuit (22) of the main controller (17) receives various retrieval requests by direct input from the keyboard (17b), input from the input terminal (21), online input, and the like. It is accumulated one after another (step S1).

One delivery request includes at least three types of information, that is, information on a delivery destination, a delivery product, and a quantity.

It is preferable that the delivery destination information further include a plurality of hierarchical information. For example, in the descending order of the level, the delivery destination course-branch-person-customer-slip, or building-floor-department-person-request-slip, etc.

The outgoing article information is preferably coded for all articles to be handled, and is performed using the code. In addition, it is preferable that a plurality of types of codes, such as a code unique to the company and a JAN code based on Japanese product classification, can be used together or selected.

When a certain amount of outgoing requests are accumulated in the outgoing request accumulating circuit (22), the cycle determining circuit (23) determines the work amount of one cycle (step S2).

This operation can be automatically performed when the number of requests for retrieval, the number of retrieval destinations, the number of retrieval items, etc. reach a predetermined number, or the keyboard (17b)
It is preferable that the operator can perform the operation by using. Further, it is preferable that the set number can be freely reset as needed.

Further, regarding the delivery destination, for example, in the above-described hierarchical example, each delivery destination, each branch, each person in charge,
It is preferable that a desired hierarchical level can be freely set as one delivery destination like each customer or each slip. By doing so, the intensity of picking can be changed according to the situation, and picking can be performed efficiently, and adjustment of the physical quantity, work time, and worker can be performed.

When the work amount of one cycle is determined by the cycle determination circuit (23), information on all the outgoing requests included in the one cycle is sent to the comparing circuit (24), where the outgoing requests are sent. All the outgoing goods and their quantities included are compared with the outgoing goods and their quantities stored in the inventory memory (25) (step S3), and if there is a shortage, a outgoing impossible signal is output (step S4). ).

This unloading signal is sent to the display device (17c) to indicate that the stock is insufficient (step S5), and the input to the outgoing data creation circuit (26) is stopped (step S5).
6).

In the comparison circuit (24), when it is confirmed that all the articles included in the one-cycle exit request are in stock in a required quantity (step S4), the one-cycle exit request is issued. All information is output data creation circuit (26)
Then, the information is sent to the printer circuit (28), where the information is sorted by destination and printed by the printer (18) (step S7).

The output paper of the printer (18) can be used as a delivery note, a sorting slip or a checklist.

In the outgoing data creation circuit (26), information on the storage position of all outgoing items included in the outgoing request for one cycle is taken out from the inventory memory (25).
The items are rearranged in accordance with the arrangement order of the storage positions, and information relating to the delivery destination and the quantity is added as additional information for each delivery item, and the delivery data is created (step S8).

This retrieval data is sent as it is to the cycle management circuit (27), where the retrieval data for one cycle is divided and stored so as to correspond to each rotary rack (1). S9) The sorted retrieval data is sent to the automatic retrieval control circuit (20) of the corresponding rotary rack (1) (step S10).

In each rotary rack (1), driving means and the like are automatically controlled based on the sent out data (step S11). Each rotary rack at that time
The function (1) and the specific picking operation will be described later.

In each rotary rack (1), one cycle
When all the picking work of the given outgoing data for all the racks is completed, and then the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of one of the rotary racks (1) is pressed (or one cycle).
Rotary rack for which picking work for the cycle has been completed
(1) When the operation mode is such that the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is pressed every time, when the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of the last rotary rack (1) is pressed) (step S12), Picking for one cycle is all completed.

For the second and subsequent cycles, through the same steps as the above-described steps S2 to S9, the retrieval data relating to that cycle is stored in the cycle management circuit (27) so as to correspond to each rotary rack (1). It is sorted and stored, and after the end of the previous cycle, is transmitted to the automatic exit control circuit (20) of each corresponding rotary rack (1). As the transmission timing, for example, the following can be adopted.

(A) When the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of the rotary rack (1) is operated. (a-1) When the automatic warehouse consists of only a single rotary rack (1), it is optimal to transmit at this timing.

(A-2) Automatic warehouse has a plurality of rotary racks
(1), and as an operation mode thereof, as described in the paragraph [0059] above (excluding the portion in parentheses), the picking work on all the rotary racks (1) is completed, Thereafter, when the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of one of the rotary racks (1) is pressed, 1
In the case of adopting a control mode in which the picking work for all cycles is completed, when the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is pressed, the retrieval data of the second cycle is divided, Corresponding rotary rack (1)
To send at the same time. In this way, information of another cycle is not given to any of the rotary racks (1) until one cycle is completely completed, so that the risk of picking mistake due to misperception or confusion can be eliminated. .

(A-3) Automatic warehouse has a plurality of rotary racks
(1), and as an operation mode, as described in the parenthesized part of the paragraph [0059], the cycle is completed for each rotary rack (1) for which one cycle of picking work has been completed. Press the confirmation switch (14),
If the control mode in which the picking operation for one cycle is completed when the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of the last rotary rack (1) is pressed, the last rotary rack (1) is used. When the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of the rack (1) is pressed, the output data of the second cycle is divided and the corresponding rotary rack is divided.
Transmit to (1) at the same time. In other words, the operation mode is substantially the same as the case (a-2), except for a slightly different operation mode.

(A-4) In the same case as the above (a-3), that is, the automatic warehouse is composed of a plurality of rotary racks (1), and the operation mode thereof is described in the above paragraph number [005].
As described in the brackets of [9], one cycle
Press the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) for each rotary rack (1) for which the picking operation has been completed. When the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of the last rotary rack (1) is pressed, one cycle of In a case where a control mode in which all picking operations are completed is employed, each time the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) of each rotary rack (1) is pressed, the second cycle for the rotary rack (1) is performed. Is transmitted to the rotary rack (1). In this way, for example, the first unit (1A)
The picking work of the second cycle is completed, and subsequently, while the picking work of the first cycle is performed on the second machine (1B), the second worker performs the second work on the first machine (1A). The advantage is that the picking operation of the cycle can be started.

(B) Data is continuously transmitted to the limit of the memory capacity of the automatic retrieval control circuit (20) of each rotary rack (1). That is, every time the picking operation of the minimum unit is completed and the picking completion switch (11) is pressed, the exit data of the completed operation is erased, and only the memory capacity of the automatic exit control circuit (20) that has become free thereafter is deleted. , So that new delivery data is replenished. In this way, there is no vacant time at the time of sending out the delivery data, and prompt response can be achieved.

(C) In the case where the control mode similar to the above (a-2) is adopted, when the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is pressed, the automatic unloading of each rotary rack (1) is performed. The first part of the outgoing data in the second cycle is simultaneously transmitted by the amount of memory of the control circuit (20), and the remaining outgoing data is erased after the minimum unit picking operation is completed and the outgoing data is erased. Then, new leaving data is replenished by the memory capacity of the automatic leaving control circuit (20) that has become free thereafter. That is, the timing is such that (a-2) and (b) are mixed. Also, as above
The timing may be such that (a-1), (a-3) or (a-4) is mixed with (b).

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation (1) and the specific picking operation will be described. The number of sorting slips printed by the printer (18), that is, the number of boxes (16) corresponding to the number of delivery destinations
Is placed on the belt conveyor (15) in front of the first unit (1A), and a sorting slip is attached to them as necessary.

In this state, when the retrieval data is sent to the automatic retrieval control circuit (20) from step S10, the automatic retrieval control circuit (20) stores the retrieval data at the same time as receiving the retrieval data (step S10). S13). Next, the driving means is operated so that the container (2) containing the earliest outgoing item in the outgoing data reaches the outgoing opening (3) (step S14), and the container (2) is brought out of the outgoing opening (3). (Step S15), the arrival lamp (10) is turned on, the operation of the driving means is stopped (Step S16), and the incidental information of the earliest outgoing article is displayed on the display device (4) (Step S15). S17).

For example, if the total number of delivery destinations is 5 from No. 1 to No. 5,
No. 5 of the first outgoing goods in No. 1 and No. 3
It is instructed to send 20 pieces, and the outgoing goods are located in the third location of the six-partitioned location in Container (2).
When stored in the second place, the delivery destination display device (4)
The numerical value of "1, 3" is displayed on the picking quantity display device (6).
Displays a numerical value of "5", and the location display device (7) displays a numerical value of "3".

In this state, the worker first looks at these displays and firstly reads the container (2) located at the exit (3).
Then, five outgoing articles are taken out from the third sub-location and placed in the No. 1 box (step S18).

Next, when the picking completion switch (11) is pressed, the step (S19), the completed exit data is deleted and the step (S20) is completed, and there is remaining exit data after that (S21). The information on the delivery destination of No. 3 becomes the first, and the display of the picking quantity display device (6) changes to “20”. The display of the location display device (7) remains "3".

Next, according to this display, 20 items to be taken out are taken out from the No. 3 sub-location, placed in the No. 3 box (16), and then the picking complete switch (11) is pressed (step S19). . Then, all the outgoing data related to the first outgoing item is deleted, the next outgoing item in the arrangement order becomes the first, and the container (2) containing the outgoing item is the outlet.
The driving means is operated to reach (3), and thereafter, the picking operation is performed while repeating the above-described steps S14 to S21.

The above operation is for a single-stage container group. However, in the case of a multi-stage container group, the same operation as described above can be performed in parallel for each stage. it can.

Although the above operation is for one rotary rack (1), when one cycle of picking operation is performed using a plurality of rotary racks (1), one operation is performed. The same work can be performed simultaneously and in parallel with other rotary racks (1) by using the idle time of the container (2) of the rotary rack (1) or by a plurality of workers. it can.

After the picking of the last outgoing article for all the rotary racks (1) is completed, the picking complete switch (11) is pressed (step S19), and the processed outgoing outgoing data is erased (step S20). If there is no remaining outgoing data (step S21), the cycle completion display lamp (13)
Lights up (step S22), and in this state, when the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is pressed (step S12) (FIG. 3), the picking operation of the first cycle of the rotary rack (1) is completed.

When the above-mentioned (a-1), (a-2), and (a-3) are used as transmission timings of the outgoing data in the next cycle, the outgoing data in the next cycle is transmitted at this time. It is transmitted to the rotary rack (1).

When the above (a-4) is adopted, the picking operation of the first unit (1A) is completed, and after the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is pressed, the belt conveyor (15) ) To move the entire box (16) to the front of Unit 2 (1B), and perform the same work as that for Unit 1 (1A). When the picking operation of the rotary rack (1) is completed and the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is pressed, all the picking operations of the first cycle are completed.

When the cycle completion confirmation switch (14) is depressed by activating the picking completion switch after the completion of picking of the last retrieval article included in the retrieval data of one cycle, the cycle completion confirmation switch is omitted. The same operation as described above may be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the rotary rack of the horizontal rotation type is used. However, the present invention can be applied to a rotary rack of a vertical rotation type and other types of automatic warehouses.

[0080]

According to the present invention described in claims 1 to 3,
The following effects can be obtained. (a) Rather than inputting and sequentially taking out a large number of outgoing goods each time in response to a outgoing request, a large number of outgoing requests are grouped in an appropriate amount in one cycle, and the outgoing goods contained therein are stored in an automatic warehouse. Since the items are rearranged according to the arrangement order of the storage positions, and the outgoing goods are called and sorted in that order,
It is not necessary to call the same goods out of the store many times, and the picking operation can be performed very efficiently.

(B) There is no waste in the order of taking out the goods at the automatic warehouse, and when the automatic warehouse is a rotary rack or the like, the container group of each stage does not rotate more than one rotation in one cycle of picking work. In addition, the operation time of the driving means of the automatic warehouse can be remarkably reduced, which is economical and can improve the speed of operation.

(C) The operator only has to perform the sorting operation as indicated on the display device, and requires little judgment and memory, so that the operation can be performed easily and fatigue is reduced.

(D) If the comparison circuit as described in claim 4 is provided, it is possible to know the unloading state beforehand, and to take measures before actually performing the picking operation.

(E) If a printed circuit as described in claim 5 is provided, a delivery note, a sorting slip, a checklist, or the like for each delivery destination can be created, thereby contributing to the inspection of erroneous work.

(F) By providing the exit display device as described in claim 6, erroneous work can be prevented.

(G) By providing the cycle completion display device as described in claim 7, it is possible to inform the operator of the completion of one cycle of work without error, thereby preventing erroneous work.

(H) When the display device is provided with the display function as described in claim 8, it is possible to inform the operator of the exact position of the article to be taken out, and to store and pick up fine articles. It becomes suitable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an automatic warehouse incorporating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a main control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation on each rotary rack side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Rotary rack (automated warehouse) (2) Container (3) Outlet (4) Display (5) Destination display (6) Picking quantity display (7) Location display (8) Entry lamp (9) ) Outgoing lamp (10) Arrival lamp (Outgoing item arrival display device) (11) Picking completion switch (12) Emergency stop button (13) Cycle completion display lamp (Cycle completion display device) (14) Cycle completion confirmation switch (15) Belt conveyor (16) Box (17) Main controller (17a) Main body (17b) Keyboard (input means for requesting retrieval) (17c) Display device (18) Printer (19) Signal cable (20) Automatic retrieval control circuit (21) Input terminal (delivery request input means) (22) Storage request storage circuit (23) Cycle determination circuit (cycle determination means) (24) Comparison circuit (comparison means) (25) Inventory memory (26) Release data creation circuit (delivery data (Creation means) (27) Cycle management circuit (Cycle management means) (28) Printer circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-153104 (JP, A) JP-A-61-243701 (JP, A) JP-A-5-39104 (JP, A) JP-A-5-39104 294416 (JP, A) JP-A-62-111806 (JP, A) JP-A-3-88604 (JP, A) JP-A-4-58119 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65G 1/00-1/20

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An outgoing request input means for inputting an outgoing request including information on an outgoing destination, an outgoing item and a quantity, a cycle determining circuit for integrating a plurality of outgoing requests and determining an amount of work in one cycle, and an automatic warehouse. A stock memory for storing information on the outgoing articles and their quantity stored in the car and information on the storage position in which the outgoing articles are stored, and an automatic warehouse for each outgoing article included in one cycle determined by the cycle determination circuit The information related to the storage position in the storage is taken out from the inventory memory, and the information included in one cycle is rearranged for each output product according to the arrangement order of the storage positions in the automatic warehouse for each of the output products. A delivery data creation circuit that provides information on the delivery destination and quantity as supplementary information, and based on the delivery data created by the delivery data creation circuit, An automatic warehouse control circuit for controlling an automatic warehouse so as to sequentially transport outgoing goods stored in the moving warehouse to the outlets in accordance with the arrangement order, and an outgoing article arranged near the outlet and reaching the outlet. And a display device for displaying the incidental information of the product, disposed near the exit and operated after the picking of the outgoing item that has reached the exit, the picked-up exit data is deleted from the automatic exit control circuit, A picking completion switch for instructing the automatic exit control circuit to convey the next article to the exit, and replenishing the automatic exit control circuit with new exit data for the empty memory capacity after the above exit data has been erased. An automatic warehouse picking support device comprising a cycle management circuit. 2. An automatic warehouse comprising a plurality of rotary racks.
Each rotary rack is provided with an outlet,
In the vicinity of each outlet, the pin on the rotary rack
Enter that the minimum unit of the
Picking complete switch and one cycle picking
Cycle completion confirmation to enter confirmation of completion of work
When a switch is provided, an outgoing request input means for inputting an outgoing request including information on an outgoing destination, an outgoing item, and a quantity, and a cycle determination for integrating a plurality of outgoing requests and determining a work amount in one cycle. A circuit, an outgoing article stored in the automatic warehouse and the quantity thereof, an inventory memory for storing information on a storage position in which the outgoing article is stored, and each of the items included in one cycle determined by the cycle determining circuit. The information on the storage position of the outgoing items in the automatic warehouse is taken out from the inventory memory, and the information included in one cycle is rearranged for each outgoing item according to the arrangement order of the storing positions in the automatic warehouse of each of the outgoing items, For each outgoing item, the outgoing data creation circuit that gives information on the outgoing destination and quantity as additional information, and the outgoing data creating circuit An automatic exit control circuit that controls the automatic warehouse so as to sequentially convey the articles stored in the automatic warehouse to the exit in accordance with the arrangement order, based on the exit data, and disposed near the exit. A display device that displays supplementary information of the outgoing item that has reached the exit, and an operation performed after the picking of the outgoing item that has reached the exit as the minimum unit of picking work ,
The picking completed switch from which the picked data is erased from the automatic picking control circuit is provided with the picking completion switch, and the picking work on all the rotary racks is further completed. If the control mode is adopted such that the pressing operation completes the picking operation for one cycle, the picking operation for one cycle ends when the cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed. When the cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed for each rotary rack, and when the cycle completion confirmation switch for the last rotary rack is pressed, the picking operation for one cycle is completely completed. The last rotary rack cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed At the same time, the first part of the outgoing data of the second cycle is simultaneously transmitted to each rotary rack by the memory capacity of the automatic outgoing control circuit, and the remaining outgoing data is obtained after the minimum unit picking operation is completed. An automatic warehousing control circuit, wherein the warehousing data is deleted and the automatic warehousing control circuit is provided with a cycle management circuit for replenishing new warehousing data only for the empty memory capacity in which the warehousing data is deleted. Picking support device. 3. An automatic warehouse comprising a plurality of rotary racks.
Each rotary rack is provided with an outlet,
In the vicinity of each outlet, the pin on the rotary rack
Enter that the minimum unit of the
Picking complete switch and one cycle picking
Cycle completion confirmation to enter confirmation of completion of work
When a switch is provided, an outgoing request input means for inputting an outgoing request including information on an outgoing destination, an outgoing item, and a quantity, and a cycle determination for integrating a plurality of outgoing requests and determining a work amount in one cycle. A circuit, an outgoing article stored in the automatic warehouse and the quantity thereof, an inventory memory for storing information on a storage position in which the outgoing article is stored, and each of the items included in one cycle determined by the cycle determining circuit. The information on the storage position of the outgoing items in the automatic warehouse is taken out from the inventory memory, and the information included in one cycle is rearranged for each outgoing item according to the arrangement order of the storing positions in the automatic warehouse of each of the outgoing items, For each outgoing item, the outgoing data creation circuit that gives information on the outgoing destination and quantity as additional information, and the outgoing data creating circuit An automatic exit control circuit that controls the automatic warehouse so as to sequentially convey the articles stored in the automatic warehouse to the exit in accordance with the arrangement order, based on the exit data, and disposed near the exit. A display device that displays supplementary information of the outgoing item that has reached the exit, and an operation performed after the picking of the outgoing item that has reached the exit as the minimum unit of picking work ,
The picking completion switch for deleting picking-completed picking data from the automatic picking-up control circuit is provided, and a cycle completion confirmation switch is pressed for each rotary rack for which picking work for one cycle has been completed. When a control mode is adopted in which the picking operation for one cycle is completed when the cycle completion confirmation switch of the last rotary rack is pressed, the cycle completion confirmation switch of each rotary rack is pressed every time. And a cycle management circuit for replenishing the outgoing data of the second cycle relating to the rotary rack in the automatic outgoing control circuit of the rotary rack within the memory capacity in which the outgoing data has been erased. Picking support equipment for automated warehouses. 4. The outgoing article and its quantity included in one cycle determined by the cycle determination circuit are compared with the outgoing article and its quantity stored in the inventory memory. The picking support device for an automatic warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a comparison circuit that outputs the data and stops input to the outgoing data creation circuit. 5. Information relating to outgoing articles and their quantities included in one cycle determined by the cycle determining circuit,
The picking support device for an automatic warehouse according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a printer circuit that sorts by destination and prints the information on a printer. 6. An outgoing goods arrival display device is provided near the outlet so as to indicate that the outgoing goods specified by the automatic outgoing control circuit has reached the outgoing outlet.
The picking support device for an automatic warehouse according to any one of the above. 7. The picking support device for an automatic warehouse according to claim 1, further comprising a cycle completion display device for displaying that one cycle of unloading work has been completed, near the outlet. 8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary information for each outgoing article includes information on a position in one container moving in the automatic warehouse, and the information is also displayed on the display device. The picking support device for an automatic warehouse described in Crab.