JP3637645B2 - Inventory management device for automatic warehouse - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inventory management device for an automatic warehouse.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an inventory management system for managing loads stored in a plurality of automatic warehouses has been proposed. Each automatic warehouse includes a plurality of storage units for storing loads, a stacker crane for transporting loads, and a remote operation panel for controlling loading and unloading operations of the stacker crane. Further, the inventory management system is provided with an inventory management computer for managing the inventory of loads stored in the fully automatic warehouse, and these remote operation panels are connected to the inventory management computer.
[0003]
The inventory management computer generates warehousing or warehousing work instruction data based on warehousing or warehousing request data, and outputs the work instruction data to a remote operation panel instructed by the data, thereby giving a work instruction. .
[0004]
The inventory management computer is configured to perform completion monitoring processing on the remote operation panel that has output the warehousing or warehousing operation instruction data. The completion monitoring process is a process for monitoring whether or not the work instructed by the work is completed by sequentially communicating with the remote operation panel that controls the stacker crane in which the work is instructed. In this case, when a work instruction is given to the remote operation panel, the inventory management computer immediately starts monitoring whether or not the work is completed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, it takes a predetermined time from the time when the work instruction is given to the time when the load is conveyed and stored or taken out, that is, until the work is completed. However, since monitoring is started immediately after the work instruction is issued, monitoring is performed even when the work is clearly not completed, for example, immediately after the work instruction. Therefore, there is a problem that monitoring efficiency is poor and monitoring is not performed efficiently, so that the workability of the automatic warehouse entering or leaving the work is lowered.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management apparatus for an automatic warehouse that can perform monitoring efficiently.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 is provided with a plurality of load storage shelves having a plurality of storage portions for storing loads, and is provided for each load storage shelf, and is received by conveying the loads. Alternatively, in an automatic warehouse equipped with a transfer device that performs an operation for a delivery operation, a transfer control unit that is provided for each transfer device and controls the corresponding transfer device, and work instruction data is sent to the transfer control unit By outputting, a work instruction means for giving a work instruction to the transfer device controlled by the transfer control means, and a completion waiting time from the time when the work instruction is given to the corresponding transfer device provided for each transfer device. Timekeeping means for timing, completion determination means provided for each transfer device, for determining the completion of the operation of the transfer device instructed by the work instruction data, and the completion waiting time measurement by the timekeeping means are terminated. It was sequentially communicate with completion determining means corresponding to the transport device, and its gist that a complete monitoring means for monitoring whether operation of the conveyance device is completed.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the completion waiting time is a time slightly shorter than the shortest operation time among the operations for warehousing or unloading work of the transport device. The gist.
[0009]
The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that, in the invention described in claim 1, the completion determining means determines that the operation is completed when the transport device reaches the home position.
[0010]
Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the work instruction means creates warehousing or warehousing work instruction data based on, for example, data requesting warehousing or warehousing, and outputs the work instruction data to the predetermined transport control means. . The transport control means controls the transport device based on the warehousing or unloading work instruction data, and performs an operation for loading or unloading the load. The time measuring means measures the completion waiting time from the time when the work instruction is given to the corresponding transfer device. On the other hand, the completion determination means determines whether or not the work of the transfer device instructed by the work instruction data is completed.
[0011]
The completion monitoring means sequentially communicates with the completion determining means corresponding to the transfer device that has finished counting the completion waiting time by the time measurement means, and monitors whether the work of the transfer device has been completed.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the completion waiting time is a time slightly shorter than the shortest operation time among the operations for entering or leaving the transfer device. Therefore, it is possible to monitor the transfer device just before completion of the operation for entering or leaving.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the completion determining unit determines that the work is completed when the transport device reaches the home position. Therefore, it is possible to quickly move to an operation for the next warehousing or unloading work as the work is completed.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an inventory management apparatus for managing the inventory of loads stored in an automatic warehouse.
[0015]
A plurality of automatic warehouses (first to third automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3) for storing the loads are provided, and each of the automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3 includes a pair of framed shelves 1a and 1b as load storage shelves. . Each framed shelf 1a, 1b is provided with a plurality of storage units 1 for storing loads. Each automatic warehouse Z1 to Z3 is provided with stacker cranes K1 to K3 as transfer devices. The stacker cranes K <b> 1 to K <b> 3 convey various loads and perform various operations for loading or unloading loads by delivering the loads to and from the storage unit 1. That is, in each of the automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3, the loading operation or the unloading operation is performed by the operation of the stacker cranes K1 to K3. And at the time of completion of warehousing or unloading work, the stacker cranes K1 to K3 are positioned at the home position HP. In the positions corresponding to the home positions HP of the frame shelves 1a and 1b, normally, a load receiving base (not shown) for placing the loaded or unloaded load is formed, and the stacker cranes K1 to K3 are the load receiving stands. The cargo delivery work for entering or leaving is performed between the two.
[0016]
Each stacker crane K1-K3 is provided with crane controllers C1-C3 for controlling the stacker cranes K1-K3. Optical communication devices T1a to T3a are connected to the crane controllers C1 to C3.
[0017]
Each automatic warehouse Z1 to Z3 is provided with remote operation panels R1 to R3. Each of the remote operation panels R1 to R3 includes a CPU or the like, and includes memories M1 to M3 for storing various data. Furthermore, optical communication devices T1b to T3b are provided in the remote operation panels R1 to R3. That is, the remote operation panels R1 to R3 and the crane controllers C1 to C3 can communicate with each other via the optical communication devices T1a to T3a and T1b to T3b. The remote operation panels R1 to R3 are connected in parallel to an RS485 cable (hereinafter simply referred to as “cable”) 10.
[0018]
The cable 10 is connected to an inventory management computer 11 so that the inventory management computer 11 and each of the remote operation panels R1 to R3 can perform multidrop communication.
[0019]
The inventory management computer 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and includes a memory 11a for storing various data. Further, the inventory management computer 11 is provided with timers X1 to X3 corresponding to the respective automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3. In addition, the inventory management computer 11 is provided with a timer X4. The inventory management computer 11 is connected to a keyboard 12 for an operator to input various data and a display 13 for displaying various data.
[0020]
The inventory management computer 11 generates warehousing work instruction data or warehousing work instruction data based on warehousing request data or warehousing request data input from the keyboard 12 based on the operation of the worker. The warehousing or unloading request data is data for requesting the warehousing or unloading of the load, and includes data of the product number and quantity of the load to be loaded or unloaded. The warehousing or unloading work instruction data is data for instructing the warehousing or unloading work of the load, and includes data for specifying the storage unit 1 to be loaded or unloaded. That is, the warehousing or warehousing operation instruction data includes data indicating which automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3 are to be warehoged or delivered.
[0021]
The inventory management computer 11 outputs the created warehousing or leaving work instruction data to the remote operation panels R1 to R3 provided in the corresponding automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3. That is, the inventory management computer 11 outputs work instruction data to the remote operation panels R1 to R3 to give work instructions.
[0022]
The inventory management computer 11 outputs the warehousing or warehousing operation instruction data, and simultaneously activates the corresponding timers X1 to X3 to time a predetermined completion waiting time (30 seconds in the present embodiment). That is, when the work instruction is given to the first automatic warehouse Z1, the timer X1 is given, when the work instruction is given to the second automatic warehouse Z2, the timer X2 is given to the third automatic warehouse Z3. In this case, the timer X3 is started. The completion waiting time is a time slightly shorter than the shortest operation time among the operations for entering or leaving the stacker cranes K1 to K3.
[0023]
The inventory management computer 11 performs a completion monitoring process on the automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3 that have passed the completion waiting time. The completion monitoring process is a process of monitoring (monitoring) whether or not the work instructed to the remote operation panels R1 to R3 is completed. That is, during the completion monitoring process, the inventory management computer 11 outputs confirmation signals to the remote operation panels R1 to R3. Then, the remote operation panels R1 to R3 manage the work completion signal in response to the confirmation signal if the work is completed, and the work incomplete signal in response to the confirmation signal if the work is not completed. Output to the computer 11.
[0024]
The remote operation panels R1 to R3 output work data for causing the stacker cranes K1 to K3 to perform operations for warehousing or warehousing work on the basis of warehousing or warehousing work instruction data to the crane controllers C1 to C3. ing.
[0025]
The remote operation panels R1 to R3 determine the completion of the work instructed based on the operation completion signal described later from the crane controllers C1 to C3. That is, when the operation completion signals are output from the crane controllers C1 to C3, the remote operation panels R1 to R3 determine that the work instructed by the work has been completed.
[0026]
The crane controllers C1 to C3 control the stacker cranes K1 to K3 based on the work data, and perform operations for warehousing or unloading work. Moreover, when the work instructed is finished and the stacker cranes K1 to K3 arrive at the home position HP, the crane controllers C1 to C3 operate on the remote control panels R1 to R3 via the optical communication devices T1a to T3a and T1b to T3b. A completion signal is output.
[0027]
Next, the operation and effect of the inventory management apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. For convenience of explanation, “step” in the flowchart is abbreviated as “S” in the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0028]
When the warehousing or warehousing request data is input, the inventory management computer 11 creates warehousing or warehousing operation instruction data. Then, the inventory management computer 11 stores the created warehousing / exiting work instruction data in the memory 11a.
[0029]
In step 101, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not there is work instruction data that can instruct a warehouse operation or a warehouse operation. That is, the inventory management computer 11 determines the automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3 for which work instructions are not given. Then, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not warehousing or unloading work instruction data capable of giving work instructions to the automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3 for which work instructions are not made is stored in the memory 11a.
[0030]
If there is warehousing or delivery work instruction data that can be instructed, in step 102, the inventory management computer 11 enters or exits the remote operation panels R1 to R3 of the corresponding automatic warehouses Z1 to Z3 indicated by the work instruction data. The work instruction is performed by outputting the work instruction data. When the work instruction in step 102 is completed, the inventory management computer 11 moves the process to step 103.
[0031]
In step 103, the inventory management computer 11 starts the corresponding timers X1 to X3 simultaneously with the work instruction and starts measuring the completion waiting time.
In step 104, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not the completion waiting time has been counted. When the completion waiting time is reached, the inventory management computer 11 completes the CPU built in the computer 11 in step 105. A signal indicating that the waiting time has been reached is output.
[0032]
In addition, when one work instruction is completed, the inventory management computer 11 starts processing from step 101 again in order to issue the next work instruction, and works on the remote operation panels R1 to R3 capable of sequentially instructing work. Give instructions.
[0033]
FIG. 3 shows a completion monitoring process performed by the inventory management computer 11.
In step 201, the inventory management computer 11 selects the remote operation panels R1 to R3 to be monitored. In this case, the inventory management computer 11 cyclically arranges the remote operation panels R1 to R3 in the order of “remote operation panel R1” → “remote operation panel R2” → “remote operation panel R3” → “remote operation panel R1”. select.
[0034]
In step 202, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not the remote operation panels R1 to R3 selected in step 201 are monitoring targets. That is, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not the completion waiting time has been counted. In this case, the inventory management computer 11 makes a determination based on whether or not a signal indicating that the completion waiting time has been reached is output to the built-in CPU in step 105. If the completion waiting time has not been counted (if the timing operation is in progress), the process proceeds to step 201 again, assuming that it is not subject to monitoring.
[0035]
If the completion waiting time has been measured, the inventory management computer 11 monitors the selected remote operation panels R1 to R3 in step 203. That is, the inventory management computer 11 outputs confirmation signals to the selected remote operation panels R1 to R3. Then, if the operation for the loading / unloading work of the stacker cranes K1 to K3 is completed, the remote operation panels R1 to R3 output an operation completion signal in response to the confirmation signal, and the operation must be completed. For example, an operation incomplete signal is output in response to the confirmation signal.
[0036]
In step 204, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not the crane operation has been completed based on the operation completion signal or the operation incomplete signal input by monitoring. When the crane operation is completed, in step 205, the corresponding warehousing or leaving work instruction data stored in the memory 11a is deleted.
[0037]
If the crane operation is not completed, the inventory management computer 11 measures the reference time by the fourth timer X4 in step 206. Note that this reference time is a time indicating a monitoring interval, and is set to 1 second in the present embodiment.
[0038]
In step 207, the inventory management computer 11 determines whether or not the reference time has elapsed. When the reference time has elapsed, the inventory management computer 11 proceeds to step 201 again.
[0039]
In the completion monitoring process performed in this way, the inventory management computer 11 sequentially performs completion monitoring every second for only the remote operation panels R1 to R3 that have passed the completion waiting time. For example, when the remote operation panel R1 and the remote operation panel R2 have passed the completion waiting time, “remote operation panel R1” → “remote operation panel R2” → “remote operation panel R1”... The remote operation panel R1 and the remote operation panel R2 are alternately monitored at 1 second intervals.
[0040]
If all the remote operation panels R1 to R3 have passed the completion waiting time, “Remote operation panel R1” → “Remote operation panel R2” → “Remote operation panel R3” → “Remote operation panel R1”. Monitoring is performed every second in order.
[0041]
For example, when only one remote operation panel R1 has passed the completion waiting time, only that remote operation panel R1 is monitored sequentially every second.
According to this embodiment, the following effects (a) to (d) are obtained.
[0042]
(A) Even if the inventory management computer 11 issues a work instruction, the inventory management computer 11 does not immediately monitor the remote operation panels R1 to R3 that have issued the work instruction, and performs monitoring after the completion waiting time has elapsed. Therefore, for example, when a work instruction is given to all the remote operation panels R1 to R3 and only the remote operation panels R1 and R2 are in a state in which the completion waiting time has elapsed, the remote operation panels R1 and R2 Alternately monitored every second. For this reason, it is not necessary to sequentially monitor all the remote operation panels R1 to R3 every second as in the prior art, and the monitoring can be performed efficiently and quickly. Moreover, since the monitoring can be performed efficiently and quickly, it is possible to quickly know the completion of the operation for entering or leaving the stacker cranes K1 to K3, and to move to the next entry or exit operation. The workability of Z1 to Z3 can be improved.
[0043]
(B) The completion waiting time is slightly shorter than the shortest operation time among the operations for entering or leaving the stacker cranes K1 to K3. The completion wait time is reached shortly before the operation is completed. Therefore, the inventory management computer 11 can perform monitoring more efficiently.
[0044]
(C) Since the inventory management computer 11 cyclically selects the remote operation panels R1 to R3 to be monitored, the inventory control computer 11 can monitor the remote operation panels R1 to R3 that have reached the completion waiting time in a sequentially averaged state. Therefore, monitoring can be performed more efficiently and quickly.
[0045]
(D) When the stacker cranes K1 to K3 arrive at the home position HP, it is determined that the work has been completed. Therefore, the completion of the work can be easily determined by determining the travel positions of the stacker cranes K1 to K3. And since it is the home position HP, it can move to the next warehousing or unloading work quickly, for example by loading a load on the stacker cranes K1-K3 simultaneously with completion of work.
[0046]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows by appropriately changing a part of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the completion waiting time may be sequentially changed based on the work time of the work instructed by the work instruction data. That is, the completion waiting time may be set to a time slightly shorter than the work time of the instructed work. In this case, since the completion waiting time is set based on the work time of the work instructed, work can be performed more efficiently and the warehouse or the warehouse operation can be performed.
[0047]
(2) In the above embodiment, the reference time is set to 1 second. However, for example, the reference time may be set to an appropriate value. In this case, for example, among the operations for entering or leaving the stacker cranes K1 to K3, a value can be set every tens of milliseconds to several seconds based on the shortest operation time and the longest operation time. It may be.
[0048]
(3) In the said embodiment, the number of automatic warehouses should just be two or more, for example, four or more. In this case, a timer for measuring the completion waiting time is generated in the inventory management computer 11 corresponding to each automatic warehouse.
[0049]
(4) In the above embodiment, if the work instructed is not completed during the completion monitoring process, the remote operation panels R1 to R3 do not respond to the confirmation signal from the inventory management computer 11 with any signal. May not be output.
[0050]
(5) In the above embodiment, the inventory management computer 11 is provided with the timers X1 to X3 that time the completion waiting time. On the other hand, these timers X1 to X3 may be provided on the remote operation panels R1 to R3 side. In this case, when the timers X1 to X3 measure the completion waiting time, the remote operation panels R1 to R3 output a signal to that effect to the inventory management computer 11 side. Then, the inventory management computer 11 performs monitoring on the remote operation panels R1 to R3 to which a signal indicating that is output.
[0051]
The technical ideas other than the claims that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described together with the effects thereof.
(1) In the invention described in claim 1, the inventory management computer 11 cyclically selects the remote operation panels R1 to R3 to be monitored, and among the selected remote operation panels R1 to R3, the remote whose completion waiting time has elapsed An inventory management device for an automatic warehouse that sequentially monitors the operation panels R1 to R3. According to this inventory management apparatus, it is possible to easily average the monitoring ratios of the remote operation panels R1 to R3 after the completion waiting time.
[0052]
(2) In the invention according to claim 1, the timekeeping means (timers X1 to X3) is an inventory management apparatus for an automatic warehouse provided in the inventory management computer 11. According to this inventory management apparatus, since the timers X1 to X3 are provided in the inventory management computer 11, after measuring the completion waiting time of the timers X1 to X3, for example, compared with the case where it is provided on the remote operation panel R1 to R3 side. And since it is not necessary to communicate between the said operation panels R1-R3, it can monitor rapidly.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform monitoring efficiently and quickly, and it is possible to improve workability of warehousing or unloading work in an automatic warehouse.
[0054]
According to invention of Claim 2, since it will monitor with respect to the conveyance apparatus just before the completion | finish of operation | movement for warehousing or leaving work, it can monitor more efficiently.
[0055]
According to the invention described in claim 3, since the completion determining means determines that the operation of the transfer device is completed when the transfer device reaches the home position, it can be easily operated for the next warehousing or unloading operation. It is possible to move, and the workability of warehousing or unloading work in an automatic warehouse can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an inventory management device that manages inventory in an automatic warehouse.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a work instruction by an inventory management computer.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of completion monitoring processing by an inventory management computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Storage part, 1a, 1b ... A pair of frame shelf as load storage shelf, 11 ... Inventory management computer as completion monitoring means and work instruction means, Z1-Z3 ... 1st-3rd automatic warehouse, K1-K3 ... Stacker crane as transport equipment, R1 to R3... Remote control panel as transport control means and completion determination means, X1 to X3... Timer as time measuring means, HP.

Claims (3)

A plurality of load storage shelves with a plurality of storage units for storing loads;
In an automatic warehouse that is provided for each load storage shelf and includes a transfer device that performs operations for warehousing or unloading work by conveying loads,
A transport control means for controlling each corresponding transport device provided for each transport device;
A work instruction means for giving a work instruction to a transfer device controlled by the transfer control means by outputting work instruction data to the transfer control means;
Provided for each transfer device, and a time measuring means for measuring a completion waiting time from the time when a work instruction is given to the corresponding transfer device;
A completion determining unit that is provided for each transfer device and determines the completion of the operation of the transfer device instructed by the work instruction data;
Inventory in an automatic warehouse comprising completion monitoring means for sequentially communicating with completion determining means corresponding to the transfer equipment that has finished counting the completion waiting time by the time measuring means, and monitoring whether or not the operation of the transfer equipment has been completed. Management device. The inventory management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the completion waiting time is a time slightly shorter than the shortest operation time among the operations for entering or leaving the transfer device. The inventory management apparatus for an automatic warehouse according to claim 1, wherein the completion determining means determines that the operation is completed when the transport device reaches a home position.

Images