JPH0617161B2 - Goods collection equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an article collecting facility used for sorting a plurality of types of articles according to a shipping destination, and more specifically, a container for storing articles is transported. The transport line has a length that allows a plurality of containers to be lined up in the transport direction and is divided into a plurality of zones, and the transport line separately transports each line portion corresponding to the plurality of zones. Articles that are configured to be switchable between a closed state and a stopped state, each of the plurality of zones is provided with a shelf having a corresponding shelf portion, and an instruction means for instructing information of taking out the article from each of the shelf portions is provided. Regarding collection equipment.

[Conventional technology]

Such an article collecting facility stores a plurality of types of articles in the same shipping destination container by storing the articles taken out by the worker based on the instruction to take out the articles in a container conveyed along the conveyance line. It was done like this.

That is, in general, different kinds of articles are stored in each of the shelves, and a worker is separately arranged for each of the shelves, and the shelves from the upper shelves in the container transport direction to the lower shelves are arranged. While the containers are being transported to the shelves, the same shipping is performed while reducing the content of one worker by taking out the articles from the shelves that each worker is in charge and storing them in the container. It will be possible to store various kinds of articles in the above-mentioned container.

Further, by making it possible to carry the container while switching the respective line portions corresponding to the plurality of zones to the carrying state and the stopped state separately, in each zone,
By switching the line part corresponding to it to the stopped state, the storage work can be performed with the received container stopped, and erroneous work can be suppressed compared to the case where the storage work is performed on the container that continues to move. Will be things.

By the way, conventionally, all the containers have been transported while passing through each zone. (For example, refer to Japanese Patent Application No. 61-91592, which was previously proposed by the present applicant.) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Although there are cases where the storage work is completed only in the zone, conventionally, it is difficult to improve the work efficiency because the container that has been stored is passed through the zone on the lower side.

That is, the time required for the article storage operation may be different in each zone arranged in the transport direction. Then, if it takes time and effort to store the container in one of the zones, in the zone on the upper side in the container transport direction than that zone, it is hindered to transport the container that has been stored from the zone, There is a risk of waiting.

Of course, since each zone is divided by a length that allows multiple containers to be lined up, even if there is a time-consuming zone for storing goods, it is possible to send multiple containers to each zone, In each zone, even if a container that has already been stored in that zone cannot be sent to the zone on the transport side, it is possible to carry out the storage work for another container located in that zone, so that the above-mentioned work wait There are things that can avoid the trouble that occurs as much as possible.

However, a container for which all of the goods storage work has been completed
If it is continued to be transported along the transport line, the number of containers that have not been stored in each zone will be reduced due to that container, and the storage of incomplete storage will be lost in the zone where it takes time to store the goods. This makes it impossible to fully utilize the function of feeding containers and the function of positioning a large number of uncompleted containers in each zone, and it is difficult to avoid waiting for work.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to rationally handle a container in which all storage work is completed and to sufficiently avoid waiting for work. There is a point in doing so.

[Means for solving problems]

In the article collecting facility according to the present invention, a carrying line for carrying a container for storing articles is divided into a plurality of zones with a length capable of arranging a plurality of containers in the carrying direction, and the carrying line is Each of the line portions corresponding to the plurality of zones is configured to be switchable between a transporting state and a stopped state separately, and each of the plurality of zones is provided with a shelf portion corresponding to each of the plurality of zones. The operator is provided with an instruction means for instructing information on taking out the article from the portion, and the characteristic configuration is that the auxiliary collection line for collecting the container that conveys the container for storing the article is located in each zone. Is attached to the transfer line in a state in which the container on the transfer line can be transferred, and the indicating means is a zone on the transport lower side than the zone currently located for each of the containers. There in that is configured to direct the goods take-out information in a state indicating whether or not the work exists, its action and effects are as follows.

[Work]

That is, a worker located in each zone indicates that there is no work in the zone on the transport lower side than the zone currently located in the article removal information instructed by the instruction means, in other words, article storage work. By transferring the containers for which all the items have been completed from the transfer line that transfers the containers for the item storage operation to the auxiliary transfer line for collecting the containers, In the transport line for transporting the container for the article storage operation, the auxiliary transport line transports only the container for which the article storage operation is not completed.

〔The invention's effect〕

Therefore, when the worker located in each zone transfers the container for which all the article storage work has been completed from the transfer line to the auxiliary transfer line, the container for which all the article storage work has been completed is quickly transferred. Along with this, each zone of the transport line will not be able to transport a container for which all of the goods storage work has been completed.Therefore, there is a function to send the unstored containers to the zone where it takes time for the goods storage work, and each zone. It is possible to fully avoid the trouble that a waiting zone for work occurs while taking advantage of the function of locating a large number of containers that have not been stored yet. We have come to obtain an article collection facility that can be improved.

〔Example〕

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the illustrated article collection facility includes a shelf (A) for storing a plurality of types of articles and a transfer line for transferring a container (1) for storing an article for the operation of storing an article. (B),
An empty container (1) placed parallel to the transfer line (B)
The empty container return line (C) that conveys the container in the opposite direction to the transfer line (B), and the empty container return line (C) is arranged in a parallel posture below the container, and all containers are completely stored.
Auxiliary transport line (D) that acts to transport (1),
Further, there is provided an instruction means (E) for instructing the information of taking out the article from the shelf (A) by using a plurality of printers (2).

A plurality of transfer lines (B) (3 in the following embodiments)
Individual containers (1) are divided into multiple zones (a) with a length that allows them to be arranged in the transport direction, and each line part corresponding to the divided multiple zones (a) is individually It is configured so that it can be switched between a carrying state and a stopped state.

Explaining the specific structure, a roller conveyor (R) that moves integrally over the entire length of the line and a container receiving stopper (3) for switching each line part between the transport state and the stopped state are provided. . This stopper (3)
Is urged to return to the receiving action position on the upper side,
The electromagnetic mechanism (4) is used to operate to the lower receiving release position. As shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnetic mechanism (4) operates based on the command of the manually operated stopper opening operation switch (5), and the stopper (3) is moved to the lower transfer side. Placed container passage detection sensor
(S) is configured to stop the operation once the presence of the container is detected and then the absence of the container is detected again. However, (10) in FIG. 3 is a controller for the electromagnetic mechanism (4).

The shelf (A) is provided with a plurality of shelf portions (6) respectively corresponding to the plurality of zones (a).
Each shelf portion (6) is composed of a pair of shelves (6A) arranged to face each other across a passage.

Each of the shelves (6A) includes a plurality of upper and lower stages of load-carrying sections, and each of the load-carrying sections is configured to store a large number of types of articles in a sorted state.

The instructing means (E) for instructing the article take-out information is provided with a printer (2) arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of zones (a), and each zone (a) is arranged by the printer (2). That is, a work slip in which the information on taking out goods from each of the shelves (6) is described is issued.

By the way, the printer (2) arranged corresponding to each zone (a) has the work contents in the zone where it is arranged and the work contents in the zone on the lower side in the container transport direction than that zone. Is issued, and the work number describes the zone number of the zone requiring work, the work content in each zone, and the destination information of all the stored articles. Then, the work content is described so that the type and quantity of the article to be taken out can be understood.

The issuance of the work slip by the printer (2) is performed by a procedure of issuing a new work slip every time the work data request command switch (7) is pressed. (See FIG. 4) The auxiliary transfer line (D) is configured by using a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, etc., and although not shown, it is arranged so as to transfer the container (1) to the shipping work site. ing.

The empty container return line (C) conveys empty containers from the shipping work site, and is configured by using a roller conveyor, a belt conveyor, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the side wall of the container (1), the destination setting corresponding to the destination information is set by the slide adjustment of the upper and lower magnet pieces (m ₁ ) and (m ₂ ). A part (M) is provided, which makes it convenient to sort the containers (1) according to the destination at the shipping workshop. By the way,
The destination will be set by the workers in the first zone (a).

The operation procedure of the article collecting facility configured as described above is as follows.

That is, one for each zone (a), that is, for each shelf (6).
Workers are allocated in a state of being assigned to each person, and each worker is made to perform the following work.

Remove the container (1) from the empty container return line (C),
Perform goods storage work based on the work slip issued in the zone where the worker is located. By the way, at this time, the destination is also set.

Containers (1) sent along the transport line (B) from the zone on the transport side better than the zone where the worker is located
If there is work in that zone (a) by looking at the work slips inside, store the goods based on the work slips.

By the above work, supply the container (1) for which all the work for storing goods is completed to the auxiliary transfer line (D).

A container (1) that requires further work in the zone (a) on the lower transfer side even if the above work is performed, or a container (1) sent from the zone (a) on the lower transfer side, Transfer the container (1) that has no work in the zone (a) to the zone (a) on the lower side in the transfer direction while operating the stopper (3).

Next, the control configuration of the work slip issuance by the printer (2) will be described.

That is, a host controller (HC) that manages the operation of the goods collection facility is provided, and an order form issued by a customer etc.
When the contents of (8) are input to the host controller (HC),
The host controller (HC) creates an order form (9) according to the contents of the order form (8), and purchases the goods in accordance with the contents of the order form (9). In addition, the host controller (H
C) is based on the contents of the pre-filled purchase order (8)
Create work data to be issued in each zone and output the work data to the sub-controller (SC). The sub controller (SC) causes the printer (2) to issue a work slip based on a command from the work data request command switch (7) of each zone (a).

[Another embodiment]

The present invention can also be applied to equipment of the type in which the information of taking out goods in each zone (a) is displayed in each zone (a).

In addition, as the transfer line (B), the plurality of zones (a)
Various changes can be made, such as providing a conveyor portion corresponding to each of them, which can be separately driven and stopped so that each line portion can be switched between the carrying state and the stopped state separately.

The number of containers (1) arranged in each zone (a) can be changed variously, such as by arranging two or four or more.

The specific structure of the shelf (A) can be changed in various ways according to the intended use.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of an article collecting facility according to the present invention,
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the article collection facility, Fig. 2 is a side view showing the arrangement of the auxiliary transport line and the empty container return line, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the stopper, and Fig. 4 is the article removal. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control configuration for instructing information, and FIG. 5 is a side view of a destination setting unit. (1) …… Container, (6) …… Shelf, (A) …… Shelf, (a) ……
Zone, (B) …… Conveying line, (D) …… Auxiliary conveying line, (E) …… Instructing means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transfer line (B) for transferring a container (1) for storing articles has a length such that a plurality of containers (1) can be arranged in the transfer direction, and a plurality of zones (a) are provided. The transport line (B) is configured so that each line portion corresponding to the plurality of zones (a) can be switched between a transport state and a stopped state separately, and the plurality of zones (a) Each of them is provided with a shelf (A) having a corresponding shelf portion (6), and an instruction means (E) for instructing information on taking out goods from each of the shelf portions (6)
An article collecting facility provided with, an auxiliary transfer line (D) for collecting containers, which conveys the container (1) for storing the articles.
However, the workers located in each zone (a) are
(B) The container (1) is placed side by side with the transfer line (B) in a state where the container (1) can be transferred.
Where each container (1) is currently located in zone (a)
An article collection facility configured to instruct the article take-out information in a state indicating whether or not there is work in the zone (a) on the transport lower side.