JP3458937B2 - Goods sorting equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article storage shelf for storing a plurality of types of articles in a divided state, a work trolley in which a container for storing the articles taken out from the article storage shelf can be mounted, and for sorting. Is provided with a management unit that manages the article take-out information indicating the content of the article taken out from the article storage rack for each sorting order, and commands the article take-out information for each sorting order, and the articles of each order are stored in different containers. The present invention relates to an item sorting facility configured to be sorted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, a container transport line C for transporting containers 2 for each sorting order (customer) is provided on the lateral side of an article storage shelf B, and There are a plurality of work zones for taking out articles on the shelf B along the transfer line C (in the figure, the first three zones (1)
(2) shows (3)), and workers are assigned to each zone. Further, a control device (not shown) manages the article take-out information for each order as a management means.
Then, the article take-out information (such as the shelving position and the take-out quantity of the taken-out article) of each container sequentially conveyed to each work zone by the manual pushing operation is displayed on the display D of each zone driven by the control device. The worker transfers the containers 2 on the line to the hand truck A, and sequentially takes out the articles at the displayed shelf position and stores the articles in the containers 2 for each of the displayed articles. Then, when the article take-out work for the container in the zone is completed, the completion information is input by an end switch (not shown), and the container 2 is returned to the transport line and moved to the next work zone.

[0003]

In the above prior art, since the plurality of work zones on the article storage rack B are formed as fixed ranges, the number of workers corresponding to the number of zones is always secured. Must be placed in each zone. Therefore, if the amount of work to take out goods is small, for example due to conditions such as the day of the week, all the work on that day will be completed in a short time, and after that, the workers and equipment will be in an idle state and cannot be effectively used. On the contrary, when the work amount is large, the scheduled work of the day may not be completed within the predetermined time. Further, when it is not possible to secure the number of workers corresponding to the number of zones, it is said that the work cannot be smoothly progressed even if, for example, one worker takes charge of two adjacent zones. There is a defect.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art by performing work in accordance with conditions such as fluctuations in the amount of work taken out from a goods storage rack. By appropriately changing and setting the zone division, it is possible to maintain the work load of each worker in an appropriate state and to perform the article sorting work properly and smoothly.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an article storage rack for storing a plurality of types of articles in a divided state is provided with a plurality of articles corresponding to the take-out order determined as the order of taking out articles from the article storage rack. In addition to being divided into work zones, a hand-movable conveyor for container transportation is used to store the goods.
Installed so as to pass through each work zone of the shelf, a work cart that is dispatched to each work zone is equipped with a container for sorting and storing the items taken out from the item storage rack into different containers for each sorting order, By inputting the sorting order identification information for identifying the sorting order and the start of the sorting work using the sorting order input means provided on the work cart, the sorting order is divided into the sorting completed portion and the sorting incomplete portion. Of the separately managed item take-out information, the item take-out information for the uncompleted part of the sorting order is displayed on the work trolley side in accordance with the take-out order determined as the order of taking out items on the article storage rack, and the display thereof. In accordance with the procedure, take out the articles from the shelves and store them in the sorting order container mounted on the work cart. When the end of the sorting work is entered using the input means for importing, the product taking-out information of the sorting order is changed so that the product taking-out information corresponding to the finished work is changed to the completed part. Are managed separately.

Therefore, the work carts in which the containers of each sorting order can be freely mounted are arranged in the order in which the articles are taken out from the article storage shelves.
Distribute to each work zone divided according to the takeout order specified as an introduction so that the work incomplete part of the article takeout information where the order of taking out articles from the shelf is determined is sequentially completed Since sorting work is performed, even if the range of each work zone is arbitrarily changed, when transferring containers between multiple work zones, it is possible to clearly grasp the information on the uncompleted work removal in the next zone. It is possible to appropriately perform the sorting work in each work zone for the containers of each sorting order based on the article take-out information. In other words, when the work load for taking out goods varies depending on the day of the week, for example, when the work load is small, the range of each work zone is widened to reduce the number of zones, while when the work load is large, the range of each work zone is narrowed. By increasing the number of zones to maintain the work load of the workers in each work zone to an appropriate amount, the scheduled work of the day can be appropriately performed within a predetermined time, It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that workers and equipment are in an idle state and cannot be effectively utilized, and the inconvenience that the scheduled work of the day cannot be completed within a predetermined time when the work volume is large.
When the number of workers that can be secured is small, the number of work zones can be adapted to the number of workers so that the article sorting work can be appropriately and smoothly executed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the sorting order identification information and the start of the sorting work are input to the cart control unit from the sorting order input means provided in the work cart in the first aspect, the input information is It is transmitted from the trolley control unit to the management control unit on the ground side by wireless communication, and in the management control unit, the sorting out of the item take-out information that is managed separately for each sorting order The information of taking out the uncompleted part of the order is transmitted from the management control unit to the trolley control unit by wireless communication and is displayed on the trolley side, and the sorting operation is completed from the sorting order input means to the trolley control unit. When input, the end information is transmitted from the trolley control unit to the management control unit by wireless communication, and the article removal information corresponding to the finished work is completed. As changes to the article take-out information of the sorting order is differentiated management to the sorting unfinished content and order picking completion min.

Therefore, since the management control unit on the ground side integrally manages the article take-out information for each sorting order while wirelessly communicating with each work trolley side, for example, the rewritable information can be rewritten on each work trolley. When the management means equipped with a storage medium is installed, the control structure of each work carriage becomes complicated and the management means is provided redundantly. While the management of the delivery of the article take-out information becomes complicated and the control configuration of the entire equipment becomes complicated, such a disadvantage can be appropriately avoided, and the preferred means of claim 1 can be obtained. To be

In claim 3, in claim 1 or 2,
A sorting order display tool indicating sorting order identification information is output from the display tool output means and mounted on the container, and the display tool is read by the reading unit provided in the sorting order input means of the cart to perform the sorting work. The sort order identification information of the sort order and the start of the sort work are input.

Therefore, the display device is constituted by a label indicating the sorting order identification information, for example, by a bar code or the like, and the label is read by a reading unit such as a bar code reader or the like to be placed in, for example, a container. If the operator inputs the sorting order identification information and the start of the sorting work by operating the input means such as the numeric keypad while looking at the work slips, etc., the burden on the worker increases and there is a risk of input errors. Compared with the above, it is possible to input accurate information while reducing the work load, and thus the preferable means of claim 1 or 2 can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the sorting order identification information including the content capable of identifying each container is displayed on the work starting zone display tool output means installed on the ground side. The sorting order indicator shown in the figure is output in sequence according to the preset sorting work order, is attached to the container in the work start zone, and the container for each order mounted on the work cart is changed to a new container. When the information is input, the order display tool including the identification information of the container to be changed is output by the display tool output means of the work trolley in which the container is changed and is attached to the new container, and at the same time, the container is changed When the sorted articles of the sorting order are stored in a plurality of containers based on the input information of the information input means, the relation between each container and the articles stored in the container Information is also managed.

Therefore, a label issued by inputting container change information when the storage capacity of the container is full in the work zone on the way or in the case of a sorting order in which the work is started from the work zone on the way By inserting a new container equipped with, while properly managing the contents of the container before the change and the stored items in the new container, each container is identified by a serial number etc. for each sorting order. , You can continue to sort goods in each work zone,
Therefore, the preferred means of claim 3 can be obtained.

Further, as preferred specific configurations of claims 1 to 4, there are the following specific configurations (1) to (4).

In the concrete structure (1), the work cart is provided with a sorting mounting portion for mounting a container being sorted and a replenishing mounting portion for mounting a replenishing container. . As a result, the container under sorting work is placed on the sorting mount provided on the work carriage, the articles taken out from the shelves are stored, and when a new container is loaded, the container is added to the supplement mount. Since the placed replenishment container is taken and transferred to the sorting placement section for use, for example, if the replenishment container is stored in a storage place on the ground side, a replenishment container is required. Compared with the fact that it is sometimes inconvenient to go to pick up each time, it is possible to obtain an effect that a new container can be replenished quickly and with less labor.

In the concrete structure (2), a manually-movable conveyor for container transportation is installed so as to pass through each work zone of the article storage rack. As a result, when the sorting work for the containers of each order is completed in each work zone of the article storage shelf, the above work is completed by the hand-movable container transport conveyor installed so as to pass through each work zone. Since the container is pushed by hand to move to the next work zone, for example, in the case of providing a container storage place for delivery of containers between adjacent work zones, the trolley is moved to the container storage place to transport the container. This is inconvenient because it is necessary to place the container on the conveyor for transportation via each work zone, and the container can be handed over easily with a small amount of labor.

In the concrete structure (3), the article storage shelf is
Along with being configured with a plurality of elongated shelf portions, those shelf portions, in a state in which the longitudinal direction thereof is oriented in a posture intersecting the transport direction of the container transporting conveyor, of the container transporting conveyor. They are arranged laterally side by side along the carrying direction. With this, in a state in which the longitudinal direction is oriented in a posture intersecting the transport direction of the container transport conveyor, a plurality of long shelf portions arranged side by side on the conveyor along the transport direction of the conveyor are provided. On the other hand, while moving the work carriage on which the container is transferred from the container transporting conveyor along the longitudinal direction of the shelf portion, the article is taken out from the shelf and stored in the container, and when the storage work in the container is completed, Sorting work is performed by moving to the container transport conveyor and transferring the containers to the container transport conveyor. It is possible to obtain the effect that the work efficiency can be improved by limiting the range to the narrowest possible range in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the conveyor.

In the concrete structure (4), a collecting conveyor for collecting the containers for which sorting work has been completed is installed so as to pass through each work zone of the article storage rack. By this, when the container in which the article sorting work is completed in the work zone on the way is put into the collecting conveyor passing through each work zone, it is conveyed by the collecting conveyor and collected as the container of the work completion. However, in the case of transporting the completed container to the storage place of the completed container each time, it is troublesome to transport and it is not possible to move quickly to the sorting work for the next container. The effect that it can be appropriately avoided is obtained.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the article sorting facility of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, in an article sorting facility, an article storage rack B that stores a plurality of types of articles 1 in a divided state and is divided into a plurality of work zones, and an article 1 taken out from the article storage rack B
There is provided a work cart A that can be loaded with a container 2 that stores therein and that is allocated to each work zone of an article storage shelf B. Here, as the plurality of work zones of the article storage shelf B, three zones No1, No2, No3 are formed from the work start side, and the work carriages A1, A are provided in each work zone.
2 shows an example in which A3 is allocated. Note that the range of each work zone is not fixed, and is appropriately changed and set.

Further, in the article sorting facility, there are a hand-conveying type container transporting conveyor C1 and a collecting conveyor C2 for collecting the sorting-completed containers 2 in the work zones No1 and No2 of the article storage shelf B. , No. 3 and so on. In the figure, an example is shown in which both the conveyors C1 and C2 are arranged in parallel with the container conveying conveyor C1 located on the shelf B side. The container transporting conveyor C1 is configured as a free roller type, and a worker manually moves the container 2 placed on the free roller in the transporting direction (right direction in the figure), while the collecting conveyor C2 is used. Is driven by an electric motor or the like to forcibly move the container 2 in the transport direction.

Adjacent to the position of the starting side of the container carrying conveyor C1, the label L is attached to the container 2 and is used as a display tool for indicating sorting order identification information for identifying sorting orders (customers). Label issuing machine 3
Is set. That is, the label issuing machine 3 corresponds to the display tool output means for the work start zone (No1 zone), which is installed on the ground side for the work start zone (No1 zone). Then, the label L issued by the label issuing machine 3 is attached to the side surface of the container 2 sequentially loaded from the starting end side of the container transporting conveyor C1 so that the articles of each order are sorted into different containers 2. To be done. Here, the order identification information of the label L, together with the bar code unique to each sorting order, is provided so as to correspond to the case where, for example, an article of one order is divided and stored in a plurality of containers 2. After the sorting order barcode, 1, 2,
A code with a serial number such as 3 is added to the contents so that each container 2 can be identified.

The article storage shelf B comprises a plurality of elongated shelf portions 4, and these shelf portions 4 are
They are arranged side by side along the carrying direction of the container carrying conveyor C1 in a state in which the longitudinal direction thereof is oriented to intersect with the carrying direction of the container carrying conveyor C1. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, on the passage side of each shelf portion 4, a plurality of shelf fronts 4 for storing a plurality of types of articles 1 by type
a is formed so as to be aligned in the vertical and horizontal directions.

As shown in FIG. 2, each of the work carriages A is
It is so-called hand-operated so that it can be operated freely. The trolley A is installed between a rectangular underframe K, a column 6 having an inverted U shape in a side view of the vehicle body which is erected on both lateral ends of the underframe K, and the columns 6 on the left and right. 7A of upper and lower shelves,
7B, and a pair of left and right caster type traveling wheels 9 are attached to each of the lower front side and the rear side of the underframe K.

On the lower shelf 7B of the two upper and lower shelves, two containers 2 for accommodating the articles 1 taken out from the shelf B can be mounted side by side in the lateral direction of the vehicle body. In K, a plurality of empty refill containers 2 are stacked in a folded state. That is, the lower shelf portion 7B corresponds to a sorting mounting portion on which the containers 2 being sorted are placed, and the underframe K is used.
Corresponds to a replenishment mounting portion on which the replenishment container 2 is mounted.

A label issuing unit 8a for issuing a label L similar to the label L issued by the label issuing machine 3 and a check slip on the right side of the upper shelf 7A of the upper and lower shelves. A printer 8 having a slip issuing unit 8b for issuing the is installed. That is, the label issuing unit 8a corresponds to the display tool output means for the work carriage mounted on the work carriage A.

Therefore, if the storage capacity of the received container 2 is insufficient for the order, the label L issued by the label issuing unit 8a has the same order number as the transferred container 2. And since the container number consecutive to the number of the container 2 is displayed, the worker
The newly issued label L is attached to the side surface of the replenishment container 2 taken from the underframe K and placed on the lower shelf 7B. At the same time, an inspection slip issued by the slip issuing unit 8b is put into the container 2 having a full capacity, and then the container 2 is transferred to the collecting conveyor C2. The contents of the articles in the container 2 are described on the slip. On the other hand, since the order number and the first container number are displayed on the label L when the work is started from the work zone, the worker takes the label L from the underframe K and replenishes the container. It is attached to the side surface of 2 and placed on the lower shelf 7B.

A display device 5 is installed on the left side of the upper shelf 7A, and a display panel on the front side of the display device 5 is a flat display panel 5a using liquid crystal or the like or a display surface of the display panel 5a. The touch panel 5b, which is formed and inputs information by touching the operator's finger or the like, is provided and is also configured as an operation panel. Inside the display device 5, the carriage controller 1 is provided.
2 and a trolley-side communication device 13 are built in, and an antenna 13A for communication is attached to the right front surface of the display device 5. In addition, the left front surface of the display device 5 is formed in a pen shape and can be moved and operated, and the bar code attached to the articles 1 stored in the label L or the shelf B and the shelf fronts 4a.
A bar code reader 14 for reading the label L1 attached to is attached. That is, the barcode reader 14 corresponds to a reading unit that reads the label L attached to the container 2.

The display screen of the display panel 5a is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the shelf position display section 51 displaying the zone No., the passage No. and the shelf No. to indicate the position of the taken-out article 1 in the article storage shelf B, the product name of the taken-out article 1, the product code, and the taking-out An article display section 52 showing the quantity, a zone completion switch 53 for inputting the completion of the work in each work zone, and a container expiration switch 5 for inputting the expiration of the container 2.
And 4 are provided. Incidentally, the zone No. is a number such as 1, 2, 3 etc. corresponding to each of the work zones described above, and the passage No. is represented by a continuous number from the leftmost passage to the right in FIG. The shelf No. is a number given to each of the plurality of shelf front openings 4 a of each of the shelf portions 4.

As described above, the shelf position display section 51 and the article display section 52 constitute article take-out information display means for displaying article take-out information showing the contents of the articles 1 taken out from the article storage shelves B for sorting. To do.

The sorting order identification information and sorting order input means for inputting the start and end of the sorting work of the sorting order are composed of the bar code reader 14 and the zone completion switch 53. That is, by reading the label L by the barcode reader 14, the sorting order identification information of the sorting order to be sorted and the start of the sorting work are input, and the zone completion switch 53 is turned on to input the end of the sorting work. Will be done.

The container expiration switch 54 is turned on when the capacity of the container 2 in operation is full and the next replenishment container 2 is put in. Therefore, the container expiration switch 54 is turned on. Configures container change information input means for inputting container change information for changing the container 2 to a new container 2 (replenishing container 2).

Next, the control configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. When the contents of the order form issued by the customer or the like are input to the host computer 10, the host computer 10 creates an order form according to the contents of the order form, and the article 1 according to the contents of the order form. Will be purchased. The host computer 10 also creates work data for article sorting based on the contents of the input order form. Further, the host computer 10 outputs command information for the label issuing machine 3.

A cart manager 11 constructed by using a microcomputer is provided so as to be connected to the host computer 10 so as to be able to send and receive the work data and work performance data for sorting the articles. Here, the work data for sorting the goods includes information on the taken-out goods 1 for each sort order, information on the shelf position of the goods storage shelf B storing the goods 1, and the like.

On the side of the work carriage A, the display device 5, the bar code reader 14 and the printer 8 are connected to a carriage controller 12 constructed by using a microcomputer. Further, in order to exchange various kinds of information between the cart manager 11 and the cart controller 12, the cart manager 11 is provided with a ground side communication device 15 and an antenna 15A, and the cart controller 12 is equipped with the cart side communication device 13. Are connected. Here, both the ground-side and trolley-side communication devices 13 and 15 are configured to communicate by a so-called SS wireless system (spread spectrum communication system), but the invention is not limited to the SS wireless system, Other communication methods may be used.

A management means 100 for managing the article take-out information for each sort order and issuing an instruction for the article take-out information for each sort order is constructed by using a host computer 10, a cart manager 11, and a carriage controller 12. At the same time, based on the input information of the sorting order input means 14 and 53 (bar code reader 14 and zone completion switch 53), the article take-out information for each sorting order is managed separately for the sorting completed portion and the sorting incomplete portion. In addition, when the sorting order identification information and the start of the sorting work are input, the take-out order of the uncompleted article taking-out information of the sorting order is determined as the order of taking out the articles 1 from the article storage rack B. Is configured to command. Here, the order of taking out the articles 1 from the article storage shelf B is set such that the rack position of the articles 1 to be taken out changes from the conveyance start end side of the container conveyance conveyor C1 to the conveyance end side.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the management means 100 is connected to the management control section (host computer 10 and cart manager 11) installed on the ground side, and wirelessly communicates with the management control section on the work carriage A side. It is composed of a trolley control unit (trolley controller 12) provided. And
Based on the input information of the sorting order input means 14 and 53 from the trolley control unit 12, the management control units 10 and 11 divide the article take-out information for each sorting order into sorting completed portions and sorting incomplete portions. It is configured to be managed separately, and when the sorting order identification information and the start of the sorting work are input, the unloading information of the uncompleted articles of the sorting order is communicated to the trolley control unit 12. 12 is configured to cause the article take-out information display means 51, 52 to display the article take-out information for an uncompleted sort order communicated from the management control units 10, 11.

Further, the management means 100 causes the preset sorting work order (that is, the articles 1 in the article storage shelf B to be sorted).
In the order of taking out), the container carrying conveyor C
The label issuing machine 3 installed on the transport start end side of 1 sequentially outputs the label L, and the label issuing device 8a of the work cart A in which the container is changed based on the input information of the container expiration switch 54 Based on the input information of the container expiration switch 54, it is configured to output the label L, and a plurality of containers 2 of the sorting items of the sorting order are provided.
When divided and stored, the relationship between each container 2 and the article 1 stored in the container is also managed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the management contents of the article take-out information of each order No. will be described by taking the case where the order No. is "001" as an example. For each continuous work number from 1 corresponding to the order of taking out articles from the shelf B,
Zone No, Aisle No, Shelf No, Product Name, Product Code,
Stored is each piece of data regarding the number of pieces taken out and data for distinguishing whether the work is completed or not. It should be noted that the data for distinguishing the completion or the incompletion is changed from the incompletion to the completion as the work is completed. In the figure, the data of work No. 1 is zone No. 1, passage No. 1, shelf No. 1-1.
An example in which the work is completed when the number of picked-up items is 10 and the number of taken-out items is 10 is shown.

In the drawing, the work in the work zone No. 1 is work Nos. 1 to 10, the work in the work zone No. 2 is work Nos. 11 to 25, and the work in the work zone No. 3 is work No. 26 and thereafter. Therefore, work N
When the work of o10 is completed, the zone completion of the work zone No. 1 is input.

The code information of the label L attached to the container 2 whose order number is "001" is represented by "001-01". Here, "001" in the first half is the order number,
The latter half "01" indicates the first container number, respectively. Therefore,
For example, if the expiration of the container is input when the work of work No. 20 is completed, the code information of the label L issued on the dolly side to be attached to the refilling container 2 is "001-02".
Becomes In addition, the contents of the article take-out information of the work Nos. 1 to 20 are recorded in the slip issued to put in the full container 2.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, each work carriage A
Workers placed one by one in the container conveyor C
When the bar code reader 14 reads the order No. (P1) represented by the label L of the container 2 conveyed by No. 1, the picking instruction (P1) corresponding to the order No. (P1) is read.
2) is transmitted from the cart manager 11 to the trolley side. Then, based on the picking instruction (P2), the trolley A is moved to the shelf position displayed on the display device 5, the displayed quantity of the displayed article 1 is taken out from the shelf B, and stored in the container 2. I do. At this time, the article 1
It is confirmed that the product code is read by the barcode reader 14 and displayed. In addition, the worker in the work start zone (No1 zone) uses the container 2 that starts work on the label L issued by the label issuing machine 3 from the No1 zone.
Also work to attach.

When the shelf position of the next article 1 to be taken out is not in the own working zone, the completion (P3) is input by the zone completion switch 53 to end the sorting work for the order (container 2). Conveyor C for transporting container 2
I will put it on 1 and hand it to the worker in the next zone.
When the container 2 is changed to a new container, the label L issued on the trolley side is attached to the new container, and a work is carried out after inserting a slip into the full container 2 and then transferring it to the collecting conveyor C2.

Although not described in detail, with respect to the containers 2 of each order for which the article sorting work from the article storage rack B has been completed, the inspection for confirming whether or not the necessary articles 1 are stored is carried out. Done. Specifically, the label L of the container 2 after completion of the work is displayed on the barcode reader 1 of the work carriage A.
If you read in step 4, if there is no work incomplete data, "Inspection OK" is displayed, and if there is work incomplete data,
Since the article take-out information is displayed, the replenishment work of the article is performed.

Although not described in detail, the work of stocking each article 1 on the article storage shelf B can be performed by using the work cart A. Specifically, since the bar code label L1 representing the shelf number is installed in the shelf frontage 4 for storing each article 1, the shelf number and the product code of the article 1 in stock therein are stored. When the bar code reader 14 reads the stock quantity and inputs the stock quantity with a ten-key pad or the like formed on the display screen of the display device 5, these pieces of information are transmitted to the host computer 10 and managed by the host computer 10 as inventory information. It will be.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, the management means 100 is replaced by a ground-side management control unit (host computer 1).
0 and the cart manager 11) and the trolley-side trolley controller (trolley controller 12) are configured to be wirelessly communicable with each other. However, other than this, for example, each work can be performed without providing a management controller on the ground side. The trolley A may be provided with a management control unit for storing the article take-out information for each sort order in an information storage medium such as an IC card, and the management control unit 100 may be configured by this management control unit. In this case, it is necessary to provide a means for transmitting the information of taking out the articles corresponding to the sorting completed after the work is completed in each work zone to the work carriage side of the next work zone.

In the above embodiment, the sorting order display tool L which can be attached to the container 2 represents the sorting order identification information, and the sorting order is displayed so that the sorting order display information L is read and the sorting order identification information is input. Although the input means has been configured, it is not limited to this. For example, container 2
The worker may operate the input means such as the ten-key pad while inputting the sorting order identification information and the like while looking at the work slips and the like which are instructed for the sorting work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entire article sorting facility.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an article storage shelf and a work cart.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a display panel that displays the product takeout information.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the management content of data for sorting work.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a conventional article sorting facility.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 article 2 containers 3 Display tool output means 8a Display tool output means 10, 11 Management control unit 12 trolley control unit Input means for sorting orders 51,52 Item take-out information display means 54 Container change information input means 100 management means A work trolley B Goods storage shelves L order display

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-70602 (JP, A) JP-A 1-256411 (JP, A) JP-A 5-286512 (JP, A) JP-A 4- 260504 (JP, A) JP 64-17704 (JP, A) JP 62-249802 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 1/137

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An article storage shelf for storing a plurality of types of articles in a divided state, a work cart on which a container for storing articles taken out from the article storage shelf can be mounted, and an article storage shelf for sorting the articles. Management means is provided for managing the article take-out information indicating the contents of the article to be taken out for each sort order, and for providing the article take-out information for each sort order, a management means is provided so that the articles of each order can be sorted into different containers. Article sorting equipment, wherein the article storage shelves are divided into a plurality of work zones corresponding to an order of taking out articles on the article storage shelves, and the work carts are allocated to the respective work zones. The hand-conveyable conveyor for container transportation is used for the above-mentioned article storage shelf.
Installed so as to pass through each of the work zones, and for the work cart to display the article take-out information display means for displaying the article take-out information instructed by the management means, and for the sorting order identification for identifying the sorting order Information and sorting order input means for inputting the start and end of sorting work of the sorting order are provided, and the management means is based on the input information of the sorting order input means,
When the sorting order identification information and the start of the sorting operation are input, the article take-out information for each sorting order is managed separately for the sorting completed portion and the sorting incomplete portion, and the uncompleted portion of the sorting order is input. An article sorting facility configured to instruct the article take-out information according to a take-out order determined as an order of taking out articles from the article storage rack. 2. The management means comprises a management control unit installed on the ground side and a trolley control unit provided on the working trolley side for wireless communication therewith, and the management control unit is the trolley control unit. On the basis of the input information of the sorting order input means from, the article take-out information for each sorting order is managed separately for sorting completed portion and sorting incomplete portion, and sorting order identification information and sorting operation thereof. When the start is input, it is configured so as to communicate the unloaded goods removal information of the unsorted order to the trolley control unit, and the trolley control unit communicates from the management control unit to the unfinished sorting order. 2. The article sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein the article taking-out information of the portion is displayed by the article taking-out information display means. 3. A display tool output means for outputting a sorting order display tool which is attachable to the container and outputs the sorting order identification information based on a command from the management means, and the sorting order input means. Includes a reading unit for reading the display device mounted on the container, and by reading the display device by the reading unit, the sorting order identification information of the sorting order to be sorted and the start of the sorting work are input. The article sorting facility according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured as described above. 4. The display tool output means is a display tool output means for the work start zone installed on the ground side for the work start zone, and a display tool output means for the work cart mounted on the work cart. Is provided, the sorting order identification information is configured so as to include the content capable of identifying each container, container change information input means for inputting container change information for changing the container to a new container to the work cart Is provided, the management means sequentially outputs the order display tool by the display tool output means for the work start zone in accordance with a preset sorting work order, and the input information of the container change information input means Based on the input information of the container change information input means, the order display tool is output by the display tool output means of the work cart on which the container change is performed. The article sorting according to claim 3, wherein when the sorting articles of the sorting order are divided and stored in a plurality of containers, the relationship between each container and the articles stored in the container is also managed. Facility.