JP5488435B2 - Identification means moving device and picking equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a device used for identifying a collection container for collecting articles in a picking facility, and a picking facility equipped with such a device.

A method for identifying a collection container in a conventional picking facility is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
The picking facility disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a storage line for storing articles to be collected and a collection line for sequentially feeding collection containers for storing articles. In this picking facility, before starting an article collection operation, an operation of attaching a clip with a color for identifying a collection container into which an article picked from the storage line is input to the collection container is performed. A plurality of types of clip colors are prepared, and each color clip is attached to each collection container so that a plurality of colors are repeated in order. It can be specified. The color of the clip is an identification code for identifying the collection container.

  The collection container to which the clip is attached is sequentially put into the collection line, is transported, and the worker who performs the picking operation selects the collection container to which the storage article taken out from the storage line is to be loaded. Identification is made by the color of the clip attached to the container, and the stored article taken out into the target collection container is loaded. When all the collection operations for the articles in the collection container are completed, the operator removes the unnecessary clips from the collection container, and the collected articles are shipped.

  In this way, by using a method of attaching a clip having a color as an identification code to each collection container, the identification of the collection container is improved and the picking operation mistake is reduced.

JP 2001-233419 A

However, in such a conventional method, before putting the collection container into the collection line, it is necessary to perform a pre-operation for attaching an identification means (colored clip) to the collection container. Someone was needed. Furthermore, after the collection is completed, it is necessary to remove the identification means attached to the collection container before shipment, and an operator who performs such a removal operation is necessary. Therefore, a worker is required in addition to the worker who actually performs the picking work.
Further, such clips are easily lost, and there are cases where it is difficult to store and manage when not in use.
In addition, when a clip is attached to the collection container, the clip attachment position may vary from collection container to collection container. In such a case, the clip becomes difficult to see for the operator, and the identification of the collection container is reduced. There was a risk of inviting.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an identification means moving device capable of reducing the number of workers and further improving the identifiability of a collection container, and a picking facility equipped with such an identification means moving device. .

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention is an article storage means having a plurality of article storage units for storing articles, and an article of a sorting destination or an article request information of the sorting destination. Articles taken out from the article storage unit using an identification code corresponding to each of the collection containers, comprising transport means for transporting a plurality of collection containers each assigned request information along the article storage means In the picking equipment for identifying the collection container into which the product is to be input, the identification means displaying the identification code is an identification means moving device that moves along the conveyance means, and a conveying direction of the collection container by the conveyance means, An endless rotating body that is provided in parallel and is driven in synchronism with the conveying means and having a plurality of identification means attached thereto, and that moves each identification means in the same direction as the conveying direction. On the forward path side of the endless rotating body, the identification code displayed on each identifying means is configured to be visible, and on the return path side of the endless rotating body that moves each identifying means in the direction opposite to the transport direction. The identification codes displayed on the identification means are configured so as not to be visible.

According to the above configuration, on the outward path side of the endless rotating body that moves each identification means in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the collection container of the conveyance means, the identification code displayed on each identification means is visible. Each identification unit is moved in synchronization with each collection container conveyed by the conveyance unit. On the return path side of the endless rotating body that moves the identification means in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the collection container of the conveyance means, the identification code displayed on the identification means is moved in an invisible state.
As a result, the operator identifies and specifies each collection container by visually confirming the identification code displayed on the identification means moved on the forward path side of the endless rotating body corresponding to each collection container. In addition, since the identification code displayed on each identification means is invisible on the return path side of the endless rotating body, the operator can work without being confused by the identification code that moves on the return path side. It can be performed. In addition, there is no need to attach a clip or label that displays an identification code to the collection container, and there is no need for an operator to attach or remove such a clip or label, thereby reducing the number of workers. it can.

  Further, since the endless rotating body is driven in synchronism with the conveying means so that each identification means moves corresponding to the conveying position of each collection container on the forward path side of the endless rotating body, The positional relationship with the identification code displayed on the identification means does not vary from collection container to collection container, so that the collection container can be identified.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the rotating surface on which the endless rotating body rotates is substantially the same as the conveying surface of the collection container of the conveying means. It is characterized by the orientation in a right angle direction.

  According to the above configuration, the direction of the rotating surface on which the endless rotating body rotates is set to be substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the collection container of the conveying means, so that the endless rotating body of the conveying means is The space occupied in the width direction can be made compact.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the identification means includes a plate having a display surface for displaying the identification code, and the plate A display surface is attached to the endless rotating body so as to form a predetermined angle with the endless rotating body, and the predetermined angle depends on the position of the endless rotating body on the forward path side of the endless rotating body. The surface is set so as to face the operator's eye level height position.

  According to the above configuration, the identification unit is configured by a plate having a display surface for displaying an identification code, and the plate is attached to the endless rotating body so that the display surface forms a predetermined angle with the endless rotating body. Depending on the position of the rotating body, the predetermined angle is set so that the display surface of the plate faces the height position of the operator's eye on the forward path side of the endless rotating body. This makes it easy to recognize the identification code displayed on the label, prevents the operator from mistaking the identification code of the identification means corresponding to the collection container, and improves the identification of the collection container.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a main body portion that houses the endless rotating body, and the endless rotation is provided in the main body portion. A light-transmitting protective cover member is provided to prevent contact from the outside with respect to each identification means that moves on the forward path side of the moving body.

  According to the above configuration, the protective cover member having translucency that covers each identification unit is provided in the main body portion that houses the endless rotating body, thereby maintaining a state in which the identification code displayed on each identification unit is visible. On the other hand, there is no possibility that the operator will come into contact with the moving identification means, the safety is improved, and the identification means is prevented from being damaged.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article storage unit having a plurality of article storage units for storing articles, and a plurality of collection containers to which sorting destinations or article request information of sorting destinations are respectively allocated. In a picking facility that includes a transport unit that transports along the storage unit, and that uses an identification code corresponding to each of the collection containers to identify a collection container into which an article taken out from the article storage unit is placed, the transport unit Each of which is configured to include a first transport device that transports a collection container and a second transport device that is disposed away from the article storage unit with respect to the first transport device. Corresponding to the collection container conveyed by the first conveyance device between the second conveyance device and the second conveyance device in parallel with the conveyance direction of the collection container by the first conveyance device. 1 conveyor A first endless rotating body, which is driven in synchronism and has a plurality of identification means displaying the identification codes attached thereto, is provided, and the direction of the rotating surface on which the first endless rotating body rotates is changed to the first endless rotating body. Each of the identification means on the forward path side of the first endless rotating body that is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance surface of the collection container of the conveyance device and moves the identification means in the same direction as the conveyance direction. The identification code displayed on the first conveying device is configured to be visible from the side of an operator who puts articles into the collection container of the first conveying device, and the identification means moves in the direction opposite to the conveying direction. On the return path side of the endless rotating body, the identification code displayed on each of the identification means is configured so that the identification code displayed on the return side is invisible from the operator side, and the first of the second transport device. Is transported by the second transport device to the opposite side of the transport device Corresponding to the product container, a plurality of identification means displaying the identification code, which are driven in synchronization with the second transport device, are attached in parallel with the transport direction of the collection container by the second transport device. The second endless rotating body is rotated, and the direction of the rotating surface on which the second endless rotating body rotates is substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the collection container of the second conveying device. On the forward path side of the second endless rotating body that moves the identification means in the same direction as the transport direction, the identification code displayed on the identification means is transferred to the collection container of the second transport device. An identification code displayed on each identification means on the return path side of the second endless rotating body, which is configured to be visible from the worker side who throws in the article and moves each identification means in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. Is a second identification means moving device configured such that it cannot be viewed from the worker side. Are provided.

  According to the above configuration, the first discriminating means moves in which the direction of the rotating surface on which the endless rotating body rotates is substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the collection container of the first conveying device. By disposing the device between the first transport device and the second transport device, the second transport device can be disposed close to the first transport device. As a result, the distance from the worker to the collection container conveyed by the second conveyance device is reduced, so that the identification of the collection container is improved, and the article is added to the collection container conveyed by the second conveyance device. Is easier to perform.

  Further, the direction of the rotation surface on which the endless rotating body rotates corresponding to the collection container conveyed by the second conveyance apparatus also in the second conveyance apparatus is the collection container of the second conveyance apparatus. The second discriminating means moving device is arranged in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the disc, whereby the first conveying device, the second conveying device, and the two discriminating means moving devices are installed. Space can be reduced and space can be saved.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the first identification means moving device corresponding to the first transfer device and the second corresponding to the second transfer device. In the identification means moving device, the identification means is composed of a plate having a display surface for displaying the identification code, and the plate has an endless rotating body such that the display surface forms a predetermined angle with the endless rotating body. The predetermined angle of the plate in each discriminating means moving device is set on the forward side of the endless rotating body according to the arrangement position of each discriminating means moving device. It is set so as to face the height position.

  According to the above configuration, the predetermined angle of each identification means moving device is set so that the display surface of the plate faces the operator's eye height position according to the arrangement position of each identification means movement device. The operator can easily recognize the identification code displayed on the display surface of the plate, and can prevent the operator from mistakenly identifying the identification code of the identification means corresponding to the collection container. It can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the work container has a plurality of lamps, and is transported by the transport device. A guide lamp device for lighting the lamp in accordance with the above is arranged above the main body of each identification means moving device.

  According to the above configuration, the collection container to be worked can be identified and specified by the identification code displayed on the identification means that is moved on the forward path side of the endless rotating body corresponding to the transport position of the collection container. In addition to being possible, the guide lamp device provided above turns on the lamp following the transport position of the collection container to be worked, and indicates the collection container to be worked. Thereby, since the collection container to be worked is instructed by the two methods of the identification means and the guide lamp device, the identification of the collection container can be further improved.

  According to the identification means moving device of the present invention, the identification code displayed on each identification means is visually recognized on the outward path side of the endless rotating body that moves each identification means in the same direction as the conveyance direction of the collection container of the conveyance means. The endless rotating body and the conveying means are driven in synchronism so that each identification means moves corresponding to the conveying position of each collecting container in a possible state, so that the operator can handle each collecting container. Then, by visually checking the identification code of the identification means to be moved, each collection container can be identified and specified, and each of the collection containers in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the collection container of the conveyance means can be identified. On the return path side of the endless rotating body that moves the identification means, the identification code displayed on each identification means is moved in an invisible state, so that the operator is not confused by the identification code that moves on the return path side. Can work, improve workability That. In addition, there is no need to attach a clip or label with an identification code to the collection container, and there is no need for an operator to attach or remove such a clip or label. Furthermore, since the endless rotating body is driven in synchronism with the conveying means so that each identification means moves corresponding to the conveying position of each collection container on the forward path side of the endless rotating body, The positional relationship between the product container and the identification code displayed on the identification means does not vary for each collection container, and the collectability of the collection container can be improved.

  According to the picking equipment of the present invention, the direction of the rotating surface on which the endless rotating body rotates is the direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the collection container of the first conveying device. The identification means moving device is arranged between the first conveying device and the second conveying device, so that the second conveying device can be arranged close to the first conveying device. This reduces the distance from the operator to the collection container conveyed by the second conveyance device, so that the identification of the collection container is improved, and the article is transferred to the collection container conveyed by the second conveyance device. The second transporting device can be easily put into the second transporting device, and the direction of the rotating surface on which the endless rotating body rotates corresponding to the collection container transported by the second transporting device is the second transporting device. Second identification means movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance surface of the collection container of the conveyance device By location is placed, the installation space of the first transfer unit and second transfer unit and two identification means mobile device can be reduced, it can be realized space saving.

It is a schematic perspective view of the picking equipment provided with the identification means moving apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic plan view of the picking equipment. It is a side view of the picking equipment. It is a front view of the picking equipment. It is an expanded sectional view of the identification means movement apparatus of the picking equipment. It is a front view of the identification means movement apparatus of the picking equipment. It is explanatory drawing of the enlarged display of the picking equipment. It is an expanded sectional view of the identification means moving device in other forms of the present invention. It is a front view of the identification means moving apparatus. It is an expanded sectional view of the identification means moving device in other forms of the present invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the identification means moving device in other forms of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The identification means moving device of the present invention is used in a picking facility. This picking facility is a facility that collects items that have been ordered from individual pre-registered users (an example of a sorting destination) in a collection container to which the user is assigned, and ships and delivers them. In order to make a picking operator recognize a unique number (an example of an identification code) corresponding to each of the collection containers, the apparatus uses a plate (number plate; an example of an identification unit) displaying the number as a collection container. It is an apparatus which moves along the conveyance line which conveys.

First, the picking equipment provided with the identification means moving device will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a picking facility in which the identification means moving device according to the embodiment of the present invention is used. The picking facility has a collection area in which collection of articles is executed with respect to a collection container, and in this collection area, a storage line A for storing articles 11 to be collected and a user's collection For each order (an example of the article request information), there is provided a collection line B (an example of a conveying means) for continuously conveying the collection container 10 made of a container into which the article 11 picked from the storage line A is inserted. Yes.
A plurality of zones Z for executing picking work are set in the storage line A and the collection line B. In each zone Z, the articles 11 stored in the storage line A are taken out, and are continuously collected by the collection line B. The picking work to be put into each collection container 10 that is conveyed is configured to be executed.

[Storage Line A]; The storage line A is composed of, for example, a flow rack (an example of article storage means) 12 as shown in FIGS. The flow rack 12 is provided with a plurality of front doors 14 (in the first embodiment, 15 pieces in 3 stages × 5 rows), and in principle, each of the front doors 14 stores one type of article 11. (Or a storage box for storing articles is stored). The zone Z is formed for each of the plurality of openings 14.
Further, a frontage indicator 15 configured by a quantity indicator 15A for displaying the quantity of articles 11 to be taken out and a completion push button switch 15B having a lamp portion is provided on the front surface of each frontage 14 of the flow rack 12.
In addition, for each zone Z, a bay display device 50 is provided that includes a lamp for displaying the level of the frontage 14 in which the articles 11 to be picked in the zone Z are stored.
The worker H specifies the number of steps of the frontage 14 in which the picked-up item 11 is stored based on the display on the bay display 50, takes out the product 11 from the frontage 14 according to the display on the frontage display 15, and puts it into the collection container 10. throw into.

[Collection line B]; As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, etc., the collection line B is, for example, a first conveyance line 21 disposed on the flow rack 12 side and the first conveyance line 21. , And a second transport line 22 disposed away from the flow rack 12.
Identification for moving the plate P on which the number corresponding to the collection container 10 conveyed by each conveyance line 21, 22 is moved along the conveyance line 21, 22 in the collection area for each conveyance line 21, 22 Means moving devices 26 and 27 are provided.

  "First transport line 21"; the first transport line 21 is a first transport device 23 and a first identification means moving device disposed on the side surface of the first transport device 23 away from the flow rack 12. 26.

  “First Conveying Device 23”; The first conveying device 23 includes a belt conveyor device, and continuously conveys a plurality of collection containers 10. By using a belt conveyor device as the conveying means for the collection container 10, the conveyance position of the collection container 10 is prevented from shifting.

  "First identification means moving device 26"; as shown in FIG. 3, the first identification means moving device 26 is fixedly installed on the side surface of the first transport device 23 on the side away from the flow rack 12. The fixed support member 34 is fixed above the side surface of the first transport device 23 and is parallel to the first transport device 23 along the transport direction of the collection container 10 by the first transport device 23. A main body 28 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, a driving pulley 30 and a driven pulley 31 are disposed in the main body portion 28 so as to face each other in a vertical posture at end portions in the upstream and downstream directions. An endless belt (endless rotating body, one example of a first endless rotating body) 29 is wound around and stored in the belt. Therefore, the direction of the rotation surface on which the endless belt 29 rotates is the direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance surface of the collection container 10 of the first conveyance device 23. In this way, the direction of the rotation surface on which the endless belt 29 rotates is set to a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance surface of the collection container 10 of the first conveyance device 23, whereby the endless belt 29 is The space occupied in the width direction of the first transfer device 23, that is, the width of the main body 28 (the width in the perpendicular direction) can be made compact, so that the work space for the worker H can be widened. Installation space for equipment can be secured.
Further, as described above, since the space that occupies in the width direction of the first identification means moving device 26 is compact, the second conveyance line 22 can be disposed close to the first conveyance line 21, The articles 11 can be easily put into the collection container 10 conveyed by the second conveyance line 22.

  The endless belt 29 is preferably composed of a toothed belt. At this time, the pulleys 30 and 31 are formed with teeth that mesh with the teeth of the toothed belt. Since the toothed belt is driven by meshing teeth, a phase shift due to slip does not occur unlike a V belt or a flat belt driven only by friction. For this reason, by making the endless belt 29 a toothed belt, it is possible to prevent an error in the synchronous relationship between the transport position of the collection container 10 transported by the first transport device 23 and the movement position of the plate P. In addition, the distinguishability of the collection container can be maintained well. (Synchronization will be described later.)

  On the endless belt 29, a plate P (of the identification means) is provided so as to correspond to each collection container 10 according to the interval (fixed interval) of the collection containers 10 conveyed by the first conveyance device 23. A plurality of examples) are provided. The plate P has a display surface 36 that displays a number that is an example of a unique identification code for the operator H to identify the collection container 10, and this display surface 36 has a predetermined angle with the endless belt 29. The endless belt 29 is attached to the endless belt 29 via an attachment (not shown) so as to form an endless endless belt 29, and the predetermined angle depends on the position of the main body 28 (endless belt 29) of the first identification means moving device 26. On the forward path side of the belt 29 (the side in which the plate P is moved on the upper side of the main body 28 in the same direction as the direction in which the first transport device 23 transports the collection container 10), the display surface 36 of the plate P is the operator. It is set to face the H eye level height position. On the display surface 36 of each plate P, for example, a number (sequential number from “1” to “49”) that identifies the collection container 10 is displayed.

The endless belt 29 has a region on the forward path side and on the return path side in which the plate P is moved below the main body 28 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the first transport device 23 transports the collection container 10. The number displayed on each plate P that is moved on the outward path side can be separated from the outside of the main body 28 from the operator H (from the flow rack 12 side) so that the number can be visually recognized on the main body 28. Is provided with a translucent protective cover member 37 corresponding to the movement position of each plate P that moves on the forward path side of the endless belt 29. Each plate P moved on the return path side moves inside the main body 28 so that the displayed number is not visible to the worker H.
Here, “invisible” may be a state in which the display surface 36 of the plate P conveyed on the return path side of the endless belt 29 is invisible from the worker H (from the flow rack 12 side). For this reason, the plate P moved on the return path side of the endless belt 29 is completely shielded by the main body portion 28 so as to be invisible to the operator H (FIG. 5 and the like). Various methods such as concealing P from the collection container 10 transported by the first transporting device 23 so as to be invisible to the operator H can be employed.

  The rotation shaft of the drive pulley 30 is connected to the drive shaft 33 via the drive chain 32. The drive shaft 33 is connected to the transport speed of the collection container 10 by the first transport device 23 and the first identification. It is driven in synchronism with the drive shaft of the first transport device 23 so that the moving speed of the plate P by the means moving device 26 becomes the same speed. Therefore, the first transport device 23 and the first identification means moving device 26 are driven in synchronism, that is, the speed at which the first transport device 23 transports the collection container 10 and the first identification means movement. The speed at which the device 26 transports the plate P is the same speed, and the plate P is moved in synchronization with the transport position of the collection container 10 transported by the first transport device 23.

In addition, the collection container 10 is loaded into the first transport device 23 so as to correspond to the movement position of each plate P that moves at regular intervals, and the plate P of the first identification means moving device 26 is moved to the first conveyance device 23. It is matched with the collection container 10 conveyed by the conveyance apparatus 23.
A guide lamp device 52 is provided above the first identification means moving device 26.

  “Second transport line 22”; the second transport line 22 is disposed on the opposite side of the second transport device 24 and the first transport device 23 of the second transport device 24 away from the flow rack 12. And a second identification means moving device 27. Therefore, the first identification means moving device 26 is disposed between the first transport device 23 and the second transport device 24.

“Second transport device 24”; the second transport device 24 is more than the first transport device 23 in order to make it easier to put the article 11 into the collection container 10 transported by the second transport device 24. The conveyance surface of the collection container 10 is set at a high position.
Other configurations of the second transport device 24 are the same as those of the first transport device 23.

"Second identification means moving device 27"; the second identification means moving device 27 is fixed by a support member 35 that is fixedly provided on the side surface of the second transport device 24 on the side away from the flow rack 12, The second conveying device 24 is fixedly disposed above the side surface.
The configuration of the second discriminating means moving device 27 is the same as that of the first discriminating means moving device 26, but an endless belt (an example of an endless rotating body, a second endless rotating body) of the second identifying means moving device 27. ) The plate P attached to 29 is different from the plate P attached to the endless belt 29 of the first identification means moving device 26 at a different attachment angle to the endless belt 29. Since the second identification means moving device 27 has a higher installation position than the first identification means moving device 27 and is arranged at a position further away from the flow rack 12, the display surface faces the height of the line of sight of the worker H. This is because the direction of 36 is different.

  Similarly, the second discriminating means moving device 27 is driven in synchronism with the second transport device 24, the speed at which the second transport device 24 transports the collection container 10, and the second discriminating means moving device. The speed at which the plate 27 transports the plate P is the same, and the plate P is moved in synchronization with the transport position of the collection container 10 transported by the second transport device 24. On the display surface 36 of each plate P, for example, a number (sequential number from “51” to “99”) specifying the collection container 10 different from the plate P of the first identification means moving device 26 is displayed. Is done.

In addition, the collection container 10 is loaded into the second transport device 24 so as to correspond to the movement position of each plate P that is moved at a predetermined interval, and the plate P of the second identification means moving device 27 is loaded. , Corresponding to the collection container 10 conveyed by the second conveying device 24.
A guide lamp device 53 is also provided above the second identification means moving device 27.
Each of the drive shafts of the belt conveyor devices constituting the conveying devices 23 and 24 is provided with an encoder, and the first collection container 10 is loaded by counting the pulses of each encoder and outputting the count value. It is possible to detect the transport position of each collection container 10 from.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, on the upstream side of each zone Z, an enlarged display 41 is provided above the first transport line 21 and the second transport line 22 and supported by a support member 43. .
“Enlarged display 41”; The enlarged display 41 instructs the worker H in the zone Z to perform a picking operation on the collection container 10 transported along the first transport line 21 and the second transport line 22. Device.
As shown in FIG. 7, the enlarged display 41 includes an input display unit 44 that displays the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 that is currently picked, and a first transport line that is subsequently picked. The first display unit 42A for displaying the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 on the 21st, and the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 on the second transport line 22 to be picked subsequently. A first display unit 42A, a second display unit 47, a third display unit 48, a fourth display unit 48B, and a fourth display unit 48, respectively. And a prior input display unit 49.
The insertion display section 44, the first preceding insertion display section 46, the second preceding insertion display section 47, the third preceding insertion display section 48, and the fourth preceding insertion display section 49 have a number display section 41A and a lamp section 41B, respectively. I have.

The number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 currently being picked and the information of the moving zone Z are displayed on the input display unit 44. Further, the number of the plate P and the zone Z information corresponding to the collection container 10 which is the object of the preceding picking work in the first transport line 21 or the second transport line 22, respectively, are displayed on the first display unit 42A or the second display. It is displayed on the part 42B. That is, the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 to be picked next and the information of the moving zone Z are displayed on the first preceding input display unit 46, and The information on the collection container 10 is displayed on the second preceding input display unit 47, and the information on the collection container 10 to be input next is displayed on the third preceding input display unit 48. Information on the collection container 10 that is the target of input is displayed on the fourth preceding input display unit 49.
The number printed on the plate P assigned to the collection container 10 (plate P) is displayed on the number display portion 41A of the preceding display portions 46 to 49 in the input display portion 44 and the first display portion 42A and the second display portion 42B. Number) is displayed.

  Further, the color of each lamp unit 41B is updated (the color changes) in accordance with the zone Z in which the picking target collection container 10 is currently moving. That is, the lamp unit 41B is lit in red when the picking target collection container 10 is moving in its own zone Z (own zone), and one or two picking target collection containers 10 are provided. When moving in the upstream zone Z, it is lit in orange, and when the collection container 10 to be picked is moving in three or more upstream zones Z, it is lit in green. Further, the lamp 41B of the input display unit 44 is blinked when executing the picking work.

  “Tape switch 16”; for each zone Z, a tape switch 16, which is a long switch, is provided between the first transport device 23 and the flow rack 12 along the first transport line 21. . The tape switch 16 is operated when the introduction of the article 11 into the collection container 10 to be collected is completed in the zone Z.

“Guide lamp devices 52 and 53”; each of the above-described guide lamp devices 52 and 53 includes a plurality of guide lamps.
The guide lamp device 52 provided above the first identification means moving device 26 is a picking object (object to be loaded) among the collection containers 10 sequentially carried into the zone Z by the first transport line 21. When the collection container 10 is conveyed, the number of guide lamps corresponding to the collection container length (length in the conveyance direction) of the collection container 10 among the guide lamps constituting the guide lamp device 52 is a unit. As shown in FIG.
Further, the guide lamp device 53 provided above the second identification means moving device 27 is a collection container 10 to be picked among the collection containers 10 sequentially carried into the zone Z by the second transport line 22. Is transported in units of guide lamps corresponding to the number of collection containers (length in the conveyance direction) of the collection container 10 among the guide lamps constituting the guide lamp device 53. Following the product container 10, the lights are sequentially turned on to notify the worker H.
The operator H can specify the collection container 10 to be picked by displaying each of the enlarged display 41, the plate P, and the guide lamp devices 52 and 53.

“Control”; the control of the above configuration is performed as follows.
In each collection container 10, a sorting destination (or article request information of the sorting destination) is set in advance in the order in which it is put into each transport device 23, 24, and is moved by each identification means moving device 26, 27. When the number of P is assigned and each conveying device 23, 24 and each identification means moving device 26, 27 are driven in synchronization, the collection container 10 is loaded in accordance with the number of the plate P to be moved.
Further, the transport position (current position) of each collection container 10 being transported by the transport devices 23 and 24 is detected, and the zone Z (number) in which each collection container 10 is currently positioned is detected.

  Now, for the worker H arranged for each zone Z, the front door 14 for taking out the article 11 is instructed to the front door 14, and the front door indicator 15 and the bay indicator 50 are used to instruct the removed article 11. The enlarged display 41 and the guide lamp devices 52 and 53 are controlled in combination.

  That is, for each zone Z, the zone Z and the collection container 10 (number) located upstream of the zone Z are confirmed by the transport position, and then allocated to the confirmed collection container 10 (of the plate P). ) The sorting destination is confirmed by the number, and the presence / absence of the article 11 to be loaded in the zone Z is confirmed for each confirmed collection container 10 (sorting destination). From among the collection containers 10 to be collected in the confirmed zone Z, the collection container 10 located on the most downstream side and the four collection containers 10 are picked up in order from the downstream side for each of the transport lines 21 and 22. To do.

  Then, the data of the collection container 10 located on the most downstream side is displayed on the input display unit 44 of the enlargement display 41, and the data of the four collection containers 10 of the transport lines 21 and 22 are displayed on the first display unit. 42A and the preceding display sections 46 to 49 in the second display section 42B. At this time, each number display section 41A displays the number printed on the plate P assigned to the collection container 10 (the number of the plate P), and the color of each lamp section 41B indicates the collection container to be picked. 10 is displayed in accordance with the currently moving zone Z.

  Further, the position of the picked-up collection container 10 located at the most downstream side is displayed following the guide lamp of the guide lamp device 52 or 53, and the front port 14 in which the article 11 to be put into the collection container 10 is stored. The frontage display 15 is displayed, and the stage where the frontage 14 is located is displayed by the bay display 50. On the frontage display 15, the quantity of the articles 11 to be taken out is displayed on the quantity display 15A, and the lamp portion of the completion push button switch 15B is turned on.

  When the completion of the loading of the article 11 into the collection container 10 located on the most downstream side of the collection target is confirmed by the operation of the completion push button switch 15B of the frontage indicator 15 and the operation of the tape switch 17, in the zone Z Assuming that the taken-out article 11 has been put into the collection container 10, the plate assigned to the collection container 10 after confirming the collection container 10 located again in the zone Z and upstream of the zone Z is allocated. By confirming the sorting destination by the number of P and confirming the presence or absence of the articles 11 to be loaded in the zone Z for each confirmed collection container 10, from among the collection containers 10 to be collected in the confirmed zone Z, For the collection container 10 located on the most downstream side and each of the transport lines 21 and 22, four collection containers 10 are picked up from the downstream, The display of the display unit 15 and bay display 50. Thus, for each zone Z, the collection container 10 to be collected that is located on the most downstream side is confirmed, and control is executed.

“Picking Work”: An example of the picking work of the worker H arranged in the zone Z will be described.
The operator H arranged in the zone Z displays the display by the enlarged display 41, the display by the bay display 50, the display by each frontage display 15, the display by the first guide lamp device 52, the second display Based on the display by the guide lamp device 53, the picking operation of the article 11 is performed from each front opening 14 of the flow rack 12 in the zone Z to the collection container 10.

  That is, the display of the enlarged display 41 is confirmed, and the number of the plate P of the number display section 41A of the input display section 44 where the lamp section 41B is blinking and the color of the lamp of the lamp section 41B are confirmed. It is confirmed that the picking operation is performed on the collection container 10 corresponding to the confirmed plate P number, and the current position of the collection container 10 to be picked is confirmed by the color of the lamp portion 41B. For example, when the color of the lamp part 41B is lit red, the target collection container 10 is transported in the own zone Z, and when the lamp part 41B is lit orange, the target collection container 10 is When transported in the zone Z adjacent to the upstream or the zone Z two upstream from the own zone Z and the lamp unit 41B is lit in green, the target collection container 10 is three or more upstream from the own zone Z It can be determined that the sheet is transported in the zone Z.

  In addition, the preceding display sections 46 to 49 of the enlarged display 41 indicate the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 that is the target of the subsequent picking operation for each of the transport lines 21 and 22 by the number and the color of the lamp. And the current position (while transporting within the own zone Z, within the upstream zone Z adjacent to the own zone Z or within the zone Z two upstream from the own zone Z, or three or more zones upstream from the own zone Z) Since any one of the sheets being conveyed in Z) is displayed in advance, the worker H can arrange the time distribution of the work in advance, so that the picking work can be performed in a planned manner.

  Subsequently, based on the display on the bay display 50 and the display on each frontage display 15, the article 11 to be put into the collection container 10 is taken out from the frontage 14 and the quantity of the articles 11 taken out from the frontage 14 is taken out. Then, the completion push button switch 15B of the frontage display 15 from which the article 11 has been taken out is pressed, and the article 11 taken out into the target collection container 10 is loaded. When the removal of the article 11 from all the target openings 14 and the insertion into the collection container 10 are completed, the tape switch 16 is operated, and the picking work of the article 11 on the target collection container 10 is finished.

  In this way, the worker H searches for the number of the moving plate P based on the number displayed on the enlarged display 41, and selects the collection container 10 corresponding to the searched plate P number. Since the taken-out article 11 is put in, the article 11 can be put in regardless of the transport position of the collection container 10. That is, regardless of the zone Z in which the collection container 10 is transported, the article 11 can be loaded into the collection container 10 based on the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10.

  When the target collection container 10 is being transported in its own zone Z, the guide lamps of the guide lamp devices 52 and 53 are turned on so as to follow the transport position of the collection container 10, and The transfer position is indicated to the worker H. Thereby, since the target collection container 10 is instructed by the two methods of the plate P and the guide lamp device, the identifiability of the collection container 10 can be further improved.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, each plate P is displayed on the forward path side of the endless belt that moves each plate P in the same direction as the transport direction of the collection container 10 of the first transport device 23. The worker H is displayed on the plate P that is moved on the forward side of the endless belt 29 corresponding to each collection container 10 by moving the number from the outside of the main body 38 invisible. Each collection container 10 can be identified and specified by visually confirming the number, and the number displayed on each plate P is invisible on the return path side of the endless belt 29. The worker H can work without being confused by the identification code that moves on the side. In addition, it is not necessary to attach a clip or label or the like displaying an identification code to the collection container 10, so that an operator who attaches or removes such a clip or label or the like is unnecessary, and the number of workers is reduced. Further, the endless belt 29 is driven in synchronism with the conveying devices 23 and 24 so that each plate P moves corresponding to the conveying position of each collection container 10 on the forward path side of the endless belt 29. Therefore, the positional relationship between the collection container 10 and the number displayed on the plate P does not vary for each collection container 10, and the identification of the collection container 10 can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the direction of the rotating surface on which the endless belt 29 rotates in the identification means moving devices 26, 27 is substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the collection container 10 of the conveying devices 23, 24. Therefore, the width of the main body portion 28 can be made narrow and compact, so that the space occupied by the identification means moving devices 26 and 27 in the width direction of the transport lines 21 and 22 can be made compact, and the installation space can be reduced. The working space for the worker H can be widened, and the installation space for other equipment can be secured, thereby saving space.
In addition, the second transport device 24 can be disposed close to the first transport device 23, so that the distance from the worker H to the collection container 10 transported by the second transport device 24 is short. Therefore, the distinguishability of the collection container 10 is improved, and the articles 11 can be easily put into the collection container 10 conveyed by the second conveyance device 24.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the plate P having the display surface 36 for displaying the number is attached to the endless belt 29 so that the display surface 36 forms a predetermined angle with the endless belt 29. , 27, the predetermined angle is set so that the display surface 36 of the plate P faces the height position of the line of sight of the worker H on the forward path side of the endless belt 29. The number displayed on the display surface 36 of the plate P can be easily recognized, the number of the plate P corresponding to the collection container 10 can be easily recognized, and the operator H can see the number of the plate P with respect to the collection container 10. It is possible to prevent mistakes and improve the discrimination of the collection container 10.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by providing the main body 28 with the protective cover member 37 having translucency covering each plate P, while maintaining the state where the number displayed on each plate P is visible, There is no possibility that the worker H comes into contact with the moving plate P, safety can be improved, and the plate P can be prevented from being damaged.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the endless belt 29 is changed to a toothed belt, so that a phase shift due to slip does not occur unlike a V belt or a flat belt driven only by friction. It is possible to prevent the synchronization relationship between the position and the moving position of the plate P from being out of order, and to maintain good discrimination of the collection container 10.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the collection container 10 to be worked is specified by the number displayed on the plate P moved on the forward path side of the endless belt 29 corresponding to the transport position of the collection container 10. In addition, the guide lamp devices 52 and 53 provided above light the guide lamp to follow the transport position of the collection container 10 to be worked, and the collection container 10 to be worked can be By being instructed, the collection container 10 to be worked is instructed by the two methods of the plate P and the guide lamp devices 52 and 53, so that the discrimination of the collection container 10 can be further improved.

[Other Embodiments of Identifying Means Moving Devices 26, 27]; Other embodiments of the identifying means moving devices 26, 27 will be described.
“Other Form 1”: The identification means moving devices 26 ′ and 27 ′ of the other form 1 include an endless belt 29 that moves the plate P in the identification means moving devices 26 and 27, and an endless chain (an example of an endless rotating body). It is changed to 29 '. In place of the pulleys 30 and 31, sprockets 30 'and 31' are used.
FIG. 8 shows an enlarged sectional view of the identification means moving devices 26 ′ and 27 ′, and FIG. 9 shows a front view of the identification means moving devices 26 ′ and 27 ′.
According to the other embodiment 1, since the endless chain 29 ′ is made of metal, it has higher durability and rigidity than the endless belt 29 made of an elastic body such as rubber. Can not use a small-diameter pulley, and the belt width is required to have a certain cross-sectional area in order to ensure rigidity, so it is required to increase the width to some extent. Since the sprocket can be operated without any problem and the space occupied in the width direction does not increase, the identification means moving devices 26 'and 27' can be made compact.

“Other Form 2”: The discriminating means moving devices 26 ″, 27 ″ of the other mode 2 change the rotation surface of the endless belt 29 that moves the plate P in the discriminating means moving devices 26, 27 horizontally. It is a thing.
FIG. 10 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the identification means moving devices 26 ″ and 27 ″.
According to this other form 2, compared with the identification means moving devices 26 and 27, the space of the identification means moving devices 26 ″ and 27 ″ occupied in the height direction can be reduced.

“Other Form 3”: The discriminating means moving devices 26 ′ ″ and 27 ′ ″ according to the other mode 3 use the endless belt 29 moving the plate P in the discriminating means moving devices 26 and 27 as an endless chain 29 ′. The turning surface is changed horizontally. In place of the pulleys 30 and 31, sprockets 30 'and 31' are used.
FIG. 11 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the identification means moving devices 26 ′ ″ and 27 ′ ″.
According to the third embodiment, the space occupied by the identification means moving devices 26 ′ ″ and 27 ′ ″ in the height direction can be reduced, and the device can be configured more compactly.

In the present embodiment, the collection line B is composed of the first transport line 21 and the second transport line 22, but may be only the first transport line 21, or these transport lines 21. , 22 may be provided with temporary tables.
Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the conveyance surface of the 2nd conveyance line 22 is made higher than the conveyance surface of the 1st conveyance line 21, the conveyance surface of the 2nd conveyance line 22 faces the 1st conveyance line 21 side. It can also be configured in a downward slope.
In the present embodiment, a container is used as the collection container 10. However, the collection container 10 may be anything as long as it can temporarily store the articles 11, for example, cardboard, pallet, etc. Including.

In the present embodiment, numbers are used as symbols for specifying the collection container 10, but letters such as alphabets, pictograms, images, and the like can also be used. At this time, the order of characters, pictograms, and images is determined, assigned to the collection container 10 in that order, and put into the first transport line 21 and the second transport line 22.
In this embodiment, the tape switch 16 is used as the completion input means. However, any switch that simply inputs the completion of picking work may be used, and a simple push button switch may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, each zone Z is configured to arrange one worker H, but may be configured to arrange a plurality (for example, two) workers H in each zone Z. . As a result, even when the collection container 10 to be picked is brought into the zone Z without any gaps, the work speed in the zone Z is improved, so the situation where the collection line B is urgently stopped The possibility of occurrence can be reduced, and the efficiency of picking work can be improved.
In this embodiment, the sorting destination is classified by user. However, the sorting destination is not limited to the user, and may be classified by store, by category or category such as products, by region, by transport truck, and the like.
In the present embodiment, the zone information of the collection container 10 is transmitted to the worker H by changing the color of the lamp portion 41B. However, any method can be used as long as the worker H can recognize the zone information. Such a method may be used, and a method of transmitting light by the intensity of the lamp light may be used.

In the present embodiment, the flow rack 12 disposed along the transport lines 21 and 22 has been described as an example of the article storage unit. However, it is sufficient that the article can be stored for each article storage unit. Not only the flow rack 12 but also a general shelf on which the article 11 or the storage box does not move may be used, an article storage shelf facing the direction perpendicular to the transport lines 21 and 22 may be provided, and the floor surface is drawn. For example, the article storage unit may be partitioned.
Further, in the present embodiment, the protective cover member 37 is provided on the identification means moving devices 26 and 27. However, the worker H contacts the protective cover member 37 of the second identification means moving device 27 by mistake. If there is no fear, it may not be necessary.

B collection line H worker P plate Z zone 10 collection container 11 article 21 first transport line 22 second transport line 23 first transport device 24 second transport device 26, 26 ', 26'',26''' First identification means moving device 27, 27 ', 27'',27''' Second identification means moving device 28 Main body 29 Endless belt 29 'Endless chain 30 Driving pulley 30' Driving sprocket 31 Driven pulley 31 'Drive sprocket 32 Drive chain 33 Drive shaft 36 Display surface 37 Protective cover member 52, 53 Guide lamp device

Claims (7)

An article storage unit having a plurality of article storage units for storing articles, and a transport unit for transporting a sorting destination or a plurality of collection containers respectively assigned with the article request information of the sorting destination along the article storage unit Provided in a picking facility for identifying a collection container into which an article taken out from the article storage unit is input using an identification code corresponding to each of the collection containers. An identification means moving device that moves along
Provided in parallel with the transport direction of the collection container by the transport means, and provided with an endless rotating body attached with a plurality of the identification means driven in synchronization with the transport means,
On the forward path side of the endless rotating body that moves each identification means in the same direction as the transport direction, the identification code displayed on each identification means is configured to be visible,
An identification means moving device characterized in that an identification code displayed on each identification means is made invisible on the return path side of the endless rotating body that moves each identification means in a direction opposite to the transport direction. 2. The identification means moving device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the rotation surface on which the endless rotation body rotates is set to be substantially perpendicular to the conveyance surface of the collection container of the conveyance means. . The identification means is composed of a plate having a display surface for displaying the identification code,
The plate is attached to the endless rotating body so that its display surface forms a predetermined angle with the endless rotating body,
The predetermined angle is set according to an arrangement position of the endless rotating body such that a display surface of the plate faces a height position of an operator's eye on the forward path side of the endless rotating body. The identification means moving device according to claim 1 or 2. A main body for storing the endless rotating body;
The translucent protective cover member that prevents contact from the outside with respect to each identification means that moves on the forward path side of the endless rotating body is provided on the main body portion. The identification means moving device according to claim 3. An article storage unit having a plurality of article storage units for storing articles, and a transport unit for transporting a sorting destination or a plurality of collection containers respectively assigned with the article request information of the sorting destination along the article storage unit In a picking facility for identifying a collection container into which an article taken out from the article storage unit is input using an identification code corresponding to each of the collection containers,
The transport means is configured by a first transport device that transports a collection container, and a second transport device disposed away from the article storage means with respect to the first transport device,
Corresponding to the collection container conveyed by the first conveyance device between the first conveyance device and the second conveyance device, parallel to the conveyance direction of the collection container by the first conveyance device. And a first endless rotating body attached with a plurality of identification means displaying the identification code, which is driven in synchronism with the first conveying device, and the first endless rotating body rotates. The first endless rotating body that moves the discriminating means in the same direction as the transport direction, with the moving surface oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport surface of the collection container of the first transport device. The identification code displayed on each of the identification means is configured to be visible from the operator side who puts articles into the collection container of the first transport device, and in the direction opposite to the transport direction. On the return path side of the first endless rotating body that moves the identification means, the identification means The displayed identification code, the first identification means moving apparatus viewable constructed from the operator side,
Corresponding to the collection container conveyed by the second conveyance device on the side opposite to the first conveyance device of the second conveyance device, the conveyance direction of the collection container by the second conveyance device And a second endless rotating body attached with a plurality of identification means displaying the identification code, which are driven in synchronization with the second transport device, and the second endless rotating body rotates. The direction of the rotating surface to be moved is a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveying surface of the collection container of the second conveying device, and the second endless unit moves each identification means in the same direction as the conveying direction. On the forward path side of the rotating body, the identification code displayed on each identification means is configured to be visible from the side of the operator who puts articles into the collection container of the second transport device, and is in the direction opposite to the transport direction On the return path side of the second endless rotating body that moves the identification means, Picking equipment characterized in that it comprises an identification code that is displayed in the unit, and a second identification means moving apparatus configured invisible from the operator side. In the first discriminating means moving device corresponding to the first transport device and the second discriminating means moving device corresponding to the second transport device, the discriminating means has a display surface for displaying the identification code. The plate is attached to the endless rotating body so that the display surface forms a predetermined angle with the endless rotating body;
The predetermined angle of the plate in each discriminating means moving device is such that the display surface of the plate faces the height position of the operator's eye on the forward path side of the endless rotating body according to the arrangement position of each discriminating means moving device. The picking equipment according to claim 5, wherein the picking equipment is set as follows. A guide lamp device that has a plurality of lamps and that is transported by the transport device and that lights the lamps following the transport position of the collection container to be worked is disposed above the main body of each identification means moving device. The picking equipment according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the picking equipment is provided.

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