JP3367084B2 - Passage lock automatic release device for electric moving shelf - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has a structure in which a plurality of movable shelves are arranged in a dense state while leaving a spare space corresponding to a work passage, and the shelves are moved to form a work passage when goods are delivered and received. In the mobile rack, especially, in the electric mobile rack that stores books, documents, small articles, medical chart files, etc., and stores and takes them out manually by the cashier, improvement of the operation method of the rack related to cashier work, The present invention relates to automation of operations of mobile shelves that improve work efficiency, such as speeding up cashier work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional electric mobile rack, a plurality of movable racks are densely arranged while leaving a spare space corresponding to a working passage. A working passage is formed between the shelves to be worked. Further, in a mobile rack device in which location management is performed by a computer, passages are automatically selected and work passages are formed. Thus, in order to ensure the safety of the worker during the balance work, the formed passage is
The aisle is automatically locked so that the aisle is not closed, and the shelf is not moved unless the aisle is unlocked. And at the end of the cashier work,
In order to unlock the passage, a reset operation is performed by a passage switch or the like, the passage lock is released, and the next passage forming operation is performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned electric movable rack, there is a trouble that the cashier has to perform a reset operation every time he / she performs cashier work. In addition, in a work state in which the removed article is held in both hands, the reset operation cannot be performed immediately.Therefore, the removed article may be temporarily placed and then reset, or it may be left for a long time without performing the reset operation. However, there was a problem of delaying the cashier work.

Further, if the reset operation is forgotten after the completion of the cashing operation, the passage illumination lamp that is turned on when the passage is formed is left on, which consumes unnecessary power and prevents the next operation from being performed promptly. there were. Furthermore, in the moving rack device that automatically opens and closes the aisle in conjunction with the computer, the aisle is automatically selected in order and the aisles are opened in synchronization with the reset operation. If you forget or forget it, there is a problem that the receipt and delivery work does not proceed without waiting for the next takeout instruction.

Further, as a problem in the arrangement of the shelves, the shelves are arranged in the center of a large space and can be used from both the front and the back of the shelves, and a passage entry detector (photoelectric sensor or the like) is provided at the entrance / exit of the passage. The shelving system is used as an aisle through which an open aisle can pass through in addition to entering the aisle during cashier work. Therefore, when a person enters the aisle, the aisle entrance detector operates and the aisle is locked. There was a problem that the reset operation had to be performed every time the vehicle passed through.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and detects whether a person has entered the passage or left the passage, and detects the number of entrances and exits. Count, and when the number of entries and the number of exits match,
Automatically unlock the aisle, and set the upper limit of the entry count depending on the usage pattern or application of the shelf, etc. to accurately detect the entry of the cashier and ensure safety in the aisle. At the same time, the troublesome reset operation every time when carrying out the cashier work or passing through the aisle is eliminated, so that the cashier's operation load is reduced and the operability is improved without forgetting to reset the cashier work. It is an object of the present invention to provide an aisle automatic lock release device for an electric type moving rack that speeds up work and improves work efficiency.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a plurality of movable shelves each having a reversible motor for traveling are provided in a compartment divided by a fixed shelf or a side wall, leaving a margin space corresponding to a working passage. The movable shelves are individually arranged and moved by the passage selection signal of the passage selecting means to form the passages between the shelves where the articles are to be delivered and received, and the passages are automatically locked so that the passages are not closed. In the electric movable rack that is configured to release the passage lock at the end of the receipt / payment work, it is provided for each passage, and the receipt / payment worker enters into the passage at the entrance / exit of each passage. It is equipped with a plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged in parallel and horizontally or with a certain level difference with an appropriate interval for detecting whether or not the passenger has exited from the passage, and can enter and exit each of the passages. Discrimination And an entrance / exit detection means for inputting an aisle selection signal to the moving rack control circuit, and a count storage means for counting the number of entrance / exit detections for each aisle, The approach
When the exit count numbers match, a reset signal output means for inputting a reset signal to the movable rack control circuit and an upper limit of the entry count number of the count storage means are set,
And a passage count of the passage selection means for carrying out the accounting operation, the passage count setting means configured so that the passage lock is not automatically released when the number of detections of the passage exceeds the set count number. Select the passage by the selection signal
And move the shelves to form the aisle, or
When the entry is detected, the passage selection signal is sent to the moving rack control circuit.
Is entered to form a passage, the cashier enters the passage, later exits from the passage, and when the number of detections of the entry does not exceed the upper limit of the set count number, By adopting means for automatically releasing the passage lock by the reset signal,
The above problem was solved.

[0008]

1 is a front view of an electric movable rack equipped with the passage lock automatic release device of the present invention, in which fixed racks A and E are arranged at both ends of a rail R laid on the floor. And the movable shelves B and C between the fixed shelves A and E.
-D is arranged on the rail R so as to be movable in the left-right direction via traveling wheels W.

The fixed shelves A and E and the movable shelves B, C and D
Among them, the fixed shelves A and E are arranged if necessary, but they may be wall surfaces. In the embodiment of the present invention, fixed shelves A and E will be described for convenience of explanation.

Between the shelves A, B, C, D, and E, passages 1, 2, 3, and 4 can be formed between the shelves adjacent to each other.
Then, the movable shelves B and C are moved to the left side to be densely packed, and the movable shelves D are moved to the right side so that the passage 3
The part is opened as wide as possible to make a receipt / payment work passage so that the accounting work can be performed smoothly.

Reversible motors M1, M2, and M3 for self-propelling are attached to the lower portions of the movable shelves B, C, and D, respectively, and are mounted on the bottoms of the movable shelves B, C, and D, respectively. The driven traveling wheel W is rotated to travel on the rail R.

On the front side of each of the movable shelves B, C, D, passage switches (passage selection means) S1, S2, S2 ', S3, S3', S for forming a work passage between desired shelves.
4 and movable rack control devices CU1, CU2, CU3 for controlling the movement of the movable shelves B, C, D, respectively, are installed, and the movable shelves B, C, D are stored on the lower side of the storage surface.
Separation / contact detection switch LS1 for detecting separation / contact between adjacent shelves
・ LS2, LS3, LS4 are attached respectively.

The passage switches S1, S2, S2 ', S
3, S3 'and S4 are switches for selecting passages between the shelves, of which S1 and S2 are attached to both ends in front of the movable shelf B, and S1 is between the fixed shelf A and the movable shelf B. The passage 1 and S2 are switches for selecting the passage 2 between the movable shelves B and C, and S2 'and S2.
3 is attached to both ends of the front of the movable shelf C, S2 'is a switch for selecting the passage 2 between the movable shelves B and C, and S3 is a switch for selecting the passage 3 between the movable shelves C and D.

Further, S3 'and S4 are attached to both ends on the front of the movable shelf D, S3' is a passage 3 between the movable shelves C and D, and S4 is a passage between the movable shelf D and the fixed shelf E. 4 is a switch for selecting each.

The contact / separation detection switches LS1, LS2, L
S3 and LS4 are detection switches that detect whether the shelves adjacent to each other are separated or in contact with each other,
Of these, LS1 and LS2 are attached to the lower parts of both side surfaces of the movable shelf B, and the connection / disconnection detection switch LS on one side is attached.
Reference numeral 1 is a detection switch for detecting separation / contact of the fixed shelf A and movable shelf B, and separation / contact detection switch LS2 on the other side is a detection switch for detecting separation / contact of the movable shelves B and C.

The separation / contact detection switch LS3 is a movable shelf C.
Is a detection switch which is attached to the lower part of the side surface on the other side and detects the contact and separation of the movable shelves C and D. Similarly, the separation / contact detection switch LS4 is attached to the lower part of the other side surface of the movable shelf D to detect separation / contact between the movable shelf D and the fixed shelf E.

Above the top plate of each of the movable shelves B, C and D, a passage illumination lamp FL1 for illuminating each of the passages 1 to 4 is provided.
FL2, FL3, and FL4 are provided. The aisle illumination lights FL1 and FL2 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the top plate of the movable shelf B. When the aisle 1 is formed by the selection of the aisle switch S1, the aisle illumination light FL1 is turned on to turn on the aisle 1. When the passage 2 is formed by illuminating and selecting the passage switch S2, the passage illumination lamp FL2 is turned on to illuminate the passage 2.

The passage illumination lights FL3 and FL4 are provided on the upper right side surfaces of the top plates of the movable shelves C and D, respectively, and when the passage 3 is formed by selecting the passage switch S3, the passage illumination lights FL3 and FL3 are formed. Lights up and illuminates the passage 3, and when the passage switch S4 is selected to form the passage 4, the passage illumination lamp FL4 lights up and illuminates the passage 4.

Photoelectric sensors RA1, LA1, RB1, LB1 through RA4, L are provided at the entrances and exits of the passages 1 through 4 shown in FIG.
A4, RB4 and LB4 are provided on the shelves on both sides of each passage. The photoelectric sensors RA1, LA1, RB1, L
B1 to RA4.LA4 and RB4.LB4 will be described with reference to the perspective views of the main parts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 1, the numbers attached to the end of the reference numerals of the photoelectric sensors are the reference numerals 1 to 4 of the corresponding passages. Although not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the photoelectric sensor in each passage has the same structure, and whether the cashier enters the passage or exits the passage, A plurality of (two in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) photoelectric sensors RA • L forming an entrance / exit detection unit for detecting the order of light interception or light entrance of the optical signals BA, BB.
In FIG. 6, A, RB and LB are end edges (side plates,
Pillars, etc., with an appropriate interval and arranged in parallel and horizontally, and in FIG. 7, the edge of the passage entrance / exit (side plate, pillar, etc.) with an appropriate interval, arranged in parallel and with some steps. , The upper half of the human body is located at a height where it can be detected as a single object.

Two photoelectric sensors RA, LA, RB
・ LB is an optical signal BA for entry / exit of a cashier,
In order to accurately determine the order of light blocking or light entering of BB, it is not particularly limited, but preferably 3 to 5 cm.
They are provided in parallel and horizontally side by side with appropriate intervals. In addition, as another embodiment, although not particularly limited, it is preferably provided with an appropriate interval of about 3 to 5 cm in parallel and with a slight step in height, whereby the installation interval is widened, Interference between photoelectric sensors can be prevented.

The photoelectric sensors RA.LA and RB.LB used in the present invention are arranged such that the light emitting / receiving devices RA and RB are located on one side and the reflectors are located on the other side facing each other across each passage. LA and LB are provided, and the optical signal B between the emitter / receiver and the reflector
A method of detecting entrance / exit depending on the order of light blocking or light entering of A and BB may be used.
Alternatively, a method may be used in which RB and light emitters LA and LB are provided on the other direction side, and the entry / exit is detected by the order of light blocking or light entry of the optical signals BA and BB between the light receiver and the light emitter. The code in the latter method is R in the figure in the former method.
A and RB are read as a light receiver, and LA and LB are read as a light projector.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the construction of a shelf in which a cashier enters and exits the aisle from the front side in the electric mobile shelf equipped with the automatic aisle lock releasing device of the present invention. On the back side, the passage opening is often blocked by a wall or the like, and the cashier worker goes in and out from the front side. Each passage 1 of each shelf A-E
At the edge facing the entrance / exit section of 4,
4 to 4, or a plurality of photoelectric sensors RA1 LA1 and RB1 LB1 to RA4 forming an entry / exit detection unit for detecting whether the entry has exited from the passages 1 to 4.
-LA4, RB4 and LB4 are provided in parallel with an appropriate interval.

Referring to FIG. 2, the photoelectric sensor will be described. At the entrance / exit of the movable shelf B on the side of the passage 1 with an appropriate interval, an emitter / receiver or an optical receiver RA1 is provided on the outside and an emitter / receiver is provided on the inside. Alternatively, a light receiver RB1 is attached, and a reflector or projectors LA1 and LB1 are provided at the entrance / exit of the fixed shelf A on the side of the passage 1 so as to face the RA1 and RB1. Further, at the entrance / exit of the movable shelf B on the side of the passage 2 as well as the above, an emitter / receiver or light receiver RA2 is provided outside and an emitter / receiver or light receiver RB2 is provided inside.
Is attached to the movable shelf C, facing the RA2 and RB2 at the entrance / exit portion of the movable shelf C on the side of the passage 2, and is provided with a reflector or a projector L.
A2 and LB2 are provided.

Further, the entrance / exit of the movable shelf C on the side of the passage 3 is also provided with an appropriate interval, and an emitter / receiver or light receiver RA3 is provided outside and an emitter / receiver or light receiver RB3 is provided inside.
Is attached to the movable shelf D, facing the RA3, RB3 at the entrance / exit of the movable shelf D on the side of the passage 3, and a reflector or a projector L
A3 and LB3 are provided. In addition, the passage 3 is in an open state, and the photoelectric sensors RA3 / LA3 and RB3 / L are
Optical signals BA3 and BB3 are in a light entering state between B3 respectively, and when the optical signals BA3 and BB3 are sequentially shielded or received from the outside, the entrance IN is detected, and when the optical signals BA3 and BB3 are shielded or received from the inside in order, exit It is configured to detect OUT.

Furthermore, the light emitting / receiving device or the light receiving device RA4 is provided on the outside and the light emitting / receiving device or the light receiving device RB4 is provided on the inner side of the movable shelf D at the entrance / exit portion on the side of the passage 4 with an appropriate interval.
Is attached to the fixed shelf E and faces the RA4 and RB4 at the entrance / exit portion of the fixed shelf E on the side of the passage 4, and is provided with a reflector or a projector L.
A4 and LB4 are provided.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a moving rack control device in an electric moving rack equipped with the passage lock automatic release device of the present invention. The control unit CU1 of the movable shelf B has a function of selectively forming the passages 1 and 2 by the passage selection signals of the passage switches S1 and S2, and controls the operation of the reversible motor M1 by the detection signals of the separation / contact detection switches LS1 and LS2. , A function of moving the movable shelf B and lighting the passage illumination lights FL1 and FL2 facing the passages 1 and 2 to be formed, and further, outer photoelectric sensors RA1 and LA1 and inner photoelectric sensors RB1 and LB1.
When the entry / exit of the entry / exit to / from the entry / exit operator is detected by, the number of detections of the entry / exit is counted, and when the entry / exit counts match, a reset signal is issued to release the entry lock. While having the function to perform, outside photoelectric sensor RA2 ・ LA2, inside photoelectric sensor RB2 ・ LB
When the entry / exit of the entry / exit to / from the passage 2 is detected by 2, the number of detections of the entry / exit is counted, and when the entry / exit counts match, a reset signal is issued to lock the passage. It has a function to cancel.

Further, the control unit CU2 of the movable shelf C has a function of selectively forming the passages 2 and 3 by the passage selection signals of the passage switches S2 'and S3, and the reversible motor M2 by the detection signal of the separation / connection detection switch LS3. And a function of driving the movable shelf C and turning on the passage illumination lamp FL3 facing the passage 3 to be formed.
3. When the entry / exit of the entry / exit operator to / from the passage 3 is detected by the LA3 and the inner photoelectric sensors RB3 / LB3, the number of detections of the entry / exit is counted and the entry / exit counts match. , Has the function of issuing a reset signal to unlock the passage.

Further, the control unit CU3 of the movable shelf D has a function of selectively forming the passages 3 and 4 by the passage selection signals of the passage switches S3 'and S4, and the reversible motor M3 by the detection signal of the separation / connection detection switch LS4. Is provided, the movable shelf D is moved, and the passage illumination lamp FL4 facing the passage 4 to be formed is turned on.
4. When the entry / exit of the entry / exit operator to / from the passage 4 is detected by the LA4 and the inner photoelectric sensors RB4 / LB4, the detection number of the entry / exit is counted, and the entry / exit counts match. , Has the function of issuing a reset signal to unlock the passage.

The control units CU1 to CU3 include
The upper limit of the entry count is set individually or collectively. Usually, the number of cashier workers in one aisle is about 1 to 2, and it does not require a large number of entry counts, but it may be limited in advance or variably set, It also has a function of prohibiting the automatic release of the passage lock when the set count is exceeded.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing detection signals of the entry / exit detection means by which the cashier enters and exits the aisle from the front side shown in FIG. Photoelectric sensors RA1 and LA1 according to FIG.
RB1, LB1 to RA4, LA4, RB4, LB4 are
The light emitting / receiving device and the reflecting plate, or the light receiving device and the light projecting device are provided. The light emitting / receiving device or the light receiving devices RA1 to RA4, RB have an output function by blocking / lighting in an optical signal.
1 to RB4, these are photoelectric sensors RA,
The description will be made using the RB code. The entry / exit detection signal may be detected at any operation / return point in each illustrated area by a combination of output signals of operation / return of the two photoelectric sensors RA and RB on the outer side and the inner side.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the structure of a rack in which the cashier enters and leaves the aisle from both the front and back sides in the electric mobile shelf equipped with the automatic aisle lock releasing device of the present invention. is there. The photoelectric sensor on the front side is the same as the photoelectric sensor which forms the entry / exit detection means provided at the entrance / exit of each of the passages 1 to 4 of each of the shelves A to E that enter and exit from the front side shown in FIG. belongs to. Then, at the end edge of each of the passages 1 to 4 on the back side of each of the shelves A to E, which faces the entrance / exit portion, the cashier has entered the passages 1 to 4, or from the passages 1 to 4. A plurality of photoelectric sensors RC1 · LC1 and RD1 · LD1 to RC for detecting whether or not the vehicle has exited
4. LC4 and RD4 LD4 are provided in parallel with an appropriate interval.

That is, the back side entrances of the passages 1 to 4 of the shelves A to E have appropriate intervals, and the outer side is located at a position corresponding to the outer photoelectric sensors RA1.LA1 to RA4.LA4 on the front side. Photoelectric sensor RD1 ・ LD1 to RD4 ・ LD4
Is attached, and the inside photoelectric sensor RB1 on the front side is attached.
-Inside photoelectric sensors RC1-LC1-RC4-LC4 are attached at positions corresponding to LB1-RB4-LB4. Then, in the open passage 3, the optical signals BD3 and BC3 are in the light entering state between the photoelectric sensors RD3 and LD3 and RC3 and LC3, respectively.
If C3 is shaded or entered in order from the outside, it will enter IN
Is detected, and the exit OUT is detected when the light is shielded or enters in order from the inside.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the detection signals of the entry / exit detection means by which the cashier enters and leaves the aisle from the back side shown in FIG. 4, and like the description of the photoelectric sensor in FIG. 8, the back side is shown. 9 will be described using the reference numerals of the photoelectric sensors RD and RC in FIG. The entry / exit detection signal may be detected at any operation / return point in each illustrated area by a combination of output signals of operation / return of the two photoelectric sensors RD and RC on the outer side and the inner side.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an electric movable rack equipped with the automatic passage lock releasing device of the present invention, which is provided with an entrance / exit detection means and a count storage means for counting the number of detections of the entry / exit. When the upper limit of the approach count number is set and the detected number of approach exceeds the set count number, the approach count number setting means for prohibiting the automatic release of the passage lock and the approach number and the exit number match. At this time, it is a block diagram showing a control unit of an aisle lock automatic release device having a reset signal output means for inputting a reset signal to the movable rack control circuit, and when a cashier enters or leaves the aisle, Whether the photoelectric sensors RA, RB or RD, RC are operated or restored depending on the order of light blocking or light entering of the optical signals BA, BB or BD, BC, and whether they enter or leave Betsushite to detect. Then, when the entry is detected, the passage selection signal is input to the movable rack control circuit to form the passage, and if the entry is made, the count storage means counts up. That is, the progress shown in FIG.
The entry signal detected by the entry / exit determination circuit is a mobile shelf system.
Since it is input to the control circuit as a passage selection signal, passage formation can be performed. Then, when the worker who has entered the passage exits, it is counted down and stored, and if the entry count number is within the count number set by the entry count number setting means, the count-up number and the count-down number match. Then, a reset signal is output from the reset signal output means, the reset signal is input to the control circuit, and the lock of the passage which has been interlocked so that the passage is not closed until now is released. and again,
In order to select the closed passage as the working passage by the operator, by pushing the passage switch forming the desired passage, the passage selection signal is input to the control circuit, the movable shelf is moved, and the desired passage is changed. Can be formed. In the figure,
The photoelectric sensors RD and RC are shown by dotted lines, but FIG.
The device is used only in the case of the shelf arrangement shown in.

The count storage means may count up the entry / exit counts respectively, and may perform computer control so as to issue a reset signal when the entry / exit numbers match, or use of a shelf. When a tall truck, step, article, etc. may be placed in the aisle due to a change in form or application, the number of entries cannot be accurately detected. Passenger lock is automatically released only when one person enters / exits, and when the number of entry is 2 or more, the reset signal is prohibited and the passage lock is not automatically released. Is secured. Furthermore, passage switches S1 to S4, which are passage selecting means,
S2 'to S3' have both the function of selecting a passage and the function of releasing the passage lock. However, in the case where the passage locks are all automatically released, the passage lock release function of the passage switch may not be required. .

Next, the flow chart will be described. In the flow chart shown below, the reference numeral of the photoelectric sensor is the reference numeral RA1 to RA4, RB1 of the emitter / receiver or the receiver having an output function depending on the operation / return of the photoelectric sensor.
~ RB4, RC1 to RC4, RD1 to RD4 are used, and a case where the upper limit of the approach count number is set to 2 or more will be described. First, according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12, the passage 2 is opened from the state of FIGS.
The operation in the case of carrying out the receipt / payment work in this state is described. When the power is turned on and the passage switch S2 is pushed to form the desired passage shown in FIG. 3 and the passage selecting operation is performed by the passage selecting means (step 11), the passage illumination lamp FL is set.
2 is turned on (step 12), the motor M2 is rotated to the right, the shelf C starts to travel to the right (step 13), and the separation / contact detection switch LS3 comes into contact with the movable shelf D and is turned off (step 14). The motor M2 stops, the movable shelf C stops (step 15), the passage 2 is formed, and the movable shelves B and C are interlocked to lock the passage 2 (step 16). When one worker enters the formed passage 2 (step 17), the optical signal BA2 →
By blocking and entering light in the order of BB2 (Step 1
8), the photoelectric sensor also operates and returns in the order of RA2 → RB2 (step 19), detects the operator's entry into the passage 2, and counts up the count storage means to increase the number of entry to 1
Is stored (step 20).

Then, when another worker enters the passage 2 (step 21), the photoelectric signal is also changed from RA2 to RB2 by blocking and entering light in the order of the optical signal BA2 → BB2 (step 22). By operating / returning in order (step 23), the entry of the second worker into the passage 2 is detected, and the number of entry is 2 by counting up the count storage means.
Is stored (step 24), and the two workers who have entered the aisle 2 carry out the accounting work in the aisle 2 (step 25).

Then, when the receipt / payment work in the passage 2 is completed (step 26) and one worker leaves the passage 2 (step 27), the optical signal BB2 → BA2.
By shielding and entering light in the order of (step 28),
The photoelectric sensor also operates / returns in the order of RB2 → RA2 (step 29), detects the exit of the worker from the outside of the passage 2, and counts down the count storage means so that the remaining entry 1
Is stored (step 30).

Next, when the other worker remaining in the passage 2 exits (step 31), the optical signal BB2
→ By blocking and entering light in the order of BA2 (step 32), the photoelectric sensor also operates and returns in the order of RB2 → RA2 (step 33), and detects the exit of the second worker from the outside of the passage 2. Then, the remaining entry 0 is stored by the count-down of the count storage means (step 34). When the remaining entry 0 is reached, the entry count number and the exit count number match, and a reset signal is output (step 35).
When the interlock between the shelves B and C is released and the aisle 2 is unlocked (step 36), the aisle illumination lamp FL2 that was lit up to now is turned off (step 37), and a series of operations are completed. The next passage selection operation becomes possible. Note that FIG.
1, in the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the upper limit of the entry count number is set to 1, the entry number becomes 2 when another worker enters the passage 2 (step 21), and the passage locks. The automatic release of is prohibited. In this case, a reset operation is performed using a passage switch or the like after completion of the cashing operation.

The operation when carrying out the cashing operation in the open passage 3 (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a worker enters the open passage 3 (step 41), the optical signal BA3
→ By blocking / lighting in the order of BB3 (step 42), the photoelectric sensor also operates / returns in the order of RA3 → RB3 (step 43), and the entry number 1 is stored by counting up the count storage means (step 43). Along with step 44), the passage 3 is selected (step 45), and the passage illumination lamp F is selected.
L3 is turned on (step 46), the shelves C and D are interlocked to lock the passage 3 (step 47), and the receipt / payment work can be performed in the formed passage 3 (step 48).

Then, when one worker exits from the passage 3 (step 49) after the completion of the accounting work, the optical signal BB3 is generated.
→ By blocking / lighting in the order of BA3 (step 50), the photoelectric sensor also operates / returns in the order of RB3 → RA3 (step 51), and the entry remaining 0 is stored by the countdown of the count storage means (step 51). 52) When the entry remaining count becomes 0, the entry count number and the exit count number match, and a reset signal is output (step 5).
3) When the interlock of the shelves C and D is released and the lock of the aisle 3 is released (step 54), the aisle illumination lamp FL3 which was lit up to now is turned off (step 55), and a series of operations are performed. When completed, the next passage selection operation becomes possible.

The operation in the case where a person enters the open passage 3 from the rear side and passes through and exits to the front side (state in FIG. 4) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a person passing by enters the open passage 3 from the back side (step 61), the photoelectric sensor RD3 → RC3 is provided by blocking and entering light in the order of the optical signal BD3 → BC3 (step 62). In this order, the passage number is set to 1 (step 63) by counting up the count storage means (step 64), the passage 3 is selected (step 65), and the passage illumination lamp FL3 is turned on. (Step 66) The racks C and D are interlocked to lock the passage 3 (step 67).

When one person passing through the passage 3 exits from the front side (step 68), the optical signal BB3 →
By blocking and entering light in the order of BA3 (Step 6
9), the photoelectric sensor also operates / returns in the order of RB3 → RA3 (step 70), the remaining entry 0 is stored by the count-down of the count storage means (step 71), and the entry count becomes the remaining entry 0. And the exit count number match, and a reset signal is output (step 7
2) When the interlock of the shelves C and D is released and the lock of the aisle 3 is released (step 73), the aisle illumination lamp FL3 which has been lit up to now is turned off (step 74), and a series of operations are performed. When completed, the next passage selection operation becomes possible.

[0044]

As described above, the present invention determines whether a person enters or leaves a passage at the entrance / exit of each passage.
A plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged in parallel and horizontally or with a certain level difference at appropriate intervals detect by the order of light interception or light reception of an optical signal, so that accurate detection can be performed, and the number of detected intrusions and When the number of exits matches, a reset signal is input to the mobile shelf control circuit to automatically unlock the aisle, and the upper limit of the entry count can be set depending on the usage pattern or application of the shelf. Accurately detecting the entry and exit of the cashier to ensure safety in the aisle, and it is not necessary to perform a reset operation every time a cashier or a pass through the aisle, and the entrance / exit determination circuit is used. Ingress signal detected
However, since the passage can be formed by inputting it as a passage selection signal to the moving rack control circuit, the operation burden on the cashier can be reduced.
At the same time, it is possible to prevent forgetting to reset, speed up the delivery work, and improve work efficiency. In addition, the computer manages the contents and location, and the shelf device that automates the passage selection automatically opens the desired passage, and the passage lock is automatically released at the end of every cashing operation.
The receipt / payment worker can perform the receipt / payment work without performing any operation on the movable shelf, further improving the work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electric mobile shelf provided with an automatic passage lock releasing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a shelf in which the cashier in the electric mobile shelf moves in and out of the aisle from the front side.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing formation of a passage in the electric movable rack.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a configuration of a shelf in which a cashier worker enters and leaves the aisle from both sides of the front surface and the back surface of the electric mobile shelf.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a mobile rack control device in the electric mobile rack.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of the electric mobile shelf.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an essential part showing another embodiment of the electric mobile shelf.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detection signal of an entrance / exit detection unit on the front side of the electric movable rack.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detection signal of an entrance / exit detection unit on the back side of the electric movable rack.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an entry / exit detection unit and an entry count number setting unit for setting an upper limit of the entry count number in the electric mobile rack, which includes an entry / exit detection unit and a count storage unit for counting the entry / exit detection number; and when the number of exit matches, moved
It is a block diagram which shows the control part of the passage lock automatic release device which has a reset signal output means which inputs a reset signal to a moving rack control circuit .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the aisle lock is released by forming an aisle and carrying out a receipt / payment operation, and then activating the aisle lock automatic unlocking device in the electric mobile shelf.

FIG. 12 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of releasing the aisle lock by operating the automatic aisle lock releasing device after carrying out the cashing operation in the open aisle in the electric mobile shelf.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of releasing the passage lock in the electric mobile shelf after a person has passed through an opened passage and the automatic passage lock release device is activated.

[Explanation of symbols]

A / E fixed shelf, B-D movable shelf, R rail, 1-4
Aisle formed between each shelf, FL1 to FL4 aisle lighting, CU1 to CU3 moving shelf control device, S1 to S4.
S2 'to S3' passage switch (passage selecting means), M1
~ M3 reversible motor, LS1 to LS4 separation / contact detection switch, RA1 ・ LA1 to RA4 ・ LA4 photoelectric sensor (front outside), RB1 ・ LB1 to RB4 ・ LB4 photoelectric sensor (front inside), RC1 ・ LC1 to RC4 ・ LC4 photoelectric sensor (Inside the back), RD1 ・ LD1 to RD4 ・ L
D4 Photoelectric sensor (outside of back), RA, RB, RC, R
D photoelectric sensor (corresponding passage number omitted), IN approach direction, OUT exit direction, BA2, BB2, BA3, B
B3, BC3, BD3 optical signal, BA, BB optical signal (corresponding passage number omitted).

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page       (56) Reference JP-A-5-170302 (JP, A)                 JP-A-59-64403 (JP, A)                 JP 51-135078 (JP, A)                 JP-A-5-178419 (JP, A)                 JP 63-255011 (JP, A)                 Actual Kaihei 4-25527 (JP, U)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of movable shelves each provided with a reversible motor for traveling are arranged in a fixed shelf or a compartment divided by side walls, leaving a spare space corresponding to a working passage, and the passages are used at the time of receipt and delivery work. The movable shelves are moved by the passage selection signal of the selection means to form the passages between the shelves where the articles are to be delivered and received, and the passage is automatically locked so that the passages are not closed, and the receipt and delivery work is completed. At times, in an electric type movable rack that is configured to release the passage lock, provided in each of the passages, and at the entrance / exit of each passage,
A plurality of photoelectric sensors are arranged in parallel and horizontally with a proper interval for detecting whether a cashier enters into the passage or exits from the passage. An entrance / exit detection means for inputting and selecting an entrance / exit to / from each of the aisles and inputting an aisle selection signal to the moving rack control circuit when the entrance / exit is detected, and the entrance / exit for each of the aisles. And a reset signal output means for inputting a reset signal to the moving rack control circuit when the entry / exit count numbers match, and an entry count number for the count storage means. And an approach count number setting means configured to prevent the passage lock from being automatically released when an upper limit is set and the approach detection number exceeds the set count number. Aisle selection signal of the aisle selecting means for carrying out the accounting operation
To select the aisle and move the shelf to shape the aisle.
Control or when the entry is detected
The passage selection signal is input to the passage to form the passage, the accounting worker enters the passage, and later exits from the passage, and the number of detections of the entry is the upper limit of the set count number. A passage lock automatic unlocking device for an electric mobile shelf, wherein the passage lock is automatically released by the reset signal when the power is not exceeded. 2. A photoelectric sensor, which constitutes an entrance / exit detection means,
The automatic passage lock releasing device for an electric movable shelf according to claim 1, which is provided at each of the passage entrances and exits on the front side and the back side of the shelf.