JP6183278B2 - Picking equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes an automatic storage warehouse including a plurality of storage units that store article supports that support articles, and a storage unit transport device that unloads and stores the article supports with respect to the storage unit; A delivery unit for delivering the article support that has been delivered by the storage unit transport device from the storage unit toward a picking location; and transporting the article support from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse. The present invention relates to a picking facility provided with a warehousing conveyance unit and a replenishment conveyance unit that conveys the article support from the outside to the storage automatic warehouse in order to replenish the article support to be stored.

  In such a picking facility, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-245088 (Patent Document 1), an article support for supporting an article to be picked is automatically stored by a storage unit transport device. The article support that has been delivered from the warehouse is delivered from the automatic warehouse for storage to the picking location by the delivery transport unit. When the quantity to be picked is taken out from the article support at the picking location by the quantity ordered in the picking order, the article support is transported from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse by the warehousing transport unit, and the storage unit It is stored in a predetermined storage unit by the transfer device.

  By the way, since the articles supported by the article support are reduced by being picked up by picking work, a new article support on which the article is supported is automatically used for storage so that subsequent picking work can be continuously performed. Replenished to the warehouse. The replenishment of the article support to the automatic storage warehouse may be done at night when picking work is not performed, or a new article support may be installed during picking work. In some cases, it is replenished to an automatic storage warehouse. In the latter case, the storage unit transport device in the storage automatic warehouse is a process (shipping process) for unloading the article support that is transported from the storage automatic warehouse to the picking location by the shipping transport unit from the storage unit in the storage automatic warehouse. ), And in addition to the processing (re-entry processing) for warehousing the article support that is transported from the picking point to the storage automatic warehouse by the warehousing transport unit into the storage unit in the storage automatic warehouse, the replenishment transport unit externally Thus, a process (replenishment warehousing process) for warehousing the article support transported from the storage warehouse to the storage unit in the storage automatic warehouse is performed.

JP2013-245088A

  However, when the exit process and the re-entry process and the replenishment entrance process are performed in parallel as described above, the transport performed by the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse compared to the case where only the exit process and the re-entry process are performed. The amount of work increases. As a result, a situation occurs in which the completion of warehousing from the picking location of the article support to the storage unit after the picking operation has been completed or the delivery of the article support from the storage part is delayed, and the delivery transport unit However, the article support to be transported to the picking location is not delivered at an appropriate timing, and as a result, there is a problem that the article support cannot be supplied to the picking location at an appropriate timing.

  Therefore, it is possible to supply the article support to the picking location at an appropriate timing while the transfer device for the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse performs replenishment warehousing processing for replenishing the storage unit with a new article support. Realization of a simple picking facility is desired.

The picking equipment according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is provided with a plurality of storage units for storing an article support for supporting articles, and a storage unit for unloading and receiving the article support with respect to the storage unit. An automatic storage warehouse equipped with a transporting device, and a picking location for performing a picking operation for picking up an article to be thrown from the article support, based on a picking order that specifies the type of article to be put into the collection support; , conveying the article support which is issuing by the storage unit for conveying device from the storage unit and the unloading conveying section for conveying to the picking position, the article support to said storage automatic warehouse from the picking position and warehousing conveying section which, in order to replenish the article support of the storage object in the automated warehouse for the storage, the new said article support the article is supported from the outside And replenishing conveying unit for conveying the accepted portion of the storage for automatic warehouse without passing through the Kkingu point, be one is provided,
Separately from the automatic warehouse for storage, the article support that supports the article remaining after the picking operation is stored, and the article to be stored is transferred from the picking location as a transfer operation. An auxiliary storage unit configured to perform only entry of the article support and delivery of the article support to be transported to the picking location is provided, and the article support is provided from the picking location to the auxiliary storage unit. The present invention is characterized in that an auxiliary warehousing transport unit for transporting the body and an auxiliary unloading transport unit for transporting the article support from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location are provided.

That is, the article support stored in the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse is unloaded from the storage unit by the storage unit transfer device, and is transferred to the picking location by the unloading transfer unit. The article holder that has completed the picking operation at the picking location is transported to the automatic storage warehouse by the warehousing transport unit, and is stored in the storage unit by the storage unit transport device. As described above, the transport device for the storage unit takes out the article holder transported to the picking location from the storage portion, and re-entries the article support transported from the picking location to the storage portion.
As the quantity of articles supported by the article support decreases as the picking operation progresses, a new article support for article replenishment is supplied to the automatic warehouse for storage by the replenishment transport unit to compensate for the reduced article. Transported from outside. The new article support for replenishment is stored in the storage unit by the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse.
As described above, the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse performs the delivery process, the re-entry process, and the replenishment entry process. Accordingly, the picking operation at the picking portion proceeds without causing a missing item. Depending on the operating conditions of the equipment, in addition to the warehousing process and re-entry process in the storage automatic warehouse, the replenishment warehousing process may be performed at the same time. In such a case, storage in the storage automatic warehouse is possible. In some cases, the work load of the part transfer device increases, and the article support unloading process cannot be processed at an appropriate timing.

On the other hand, since the new article support for replenishment is not directly conveyed from the outside to the auxiliary storage unit, the auxiliary storage unit receives the article support conveyed by the auxiliary warehousing conveyance unit from the picking location. Only the delivery process of the article support that is transported to the picking location by the processing and auxiliary delivery transport unit is performed, and the processes other than the entry process and the exit process are not performed . For this reason, in the auxiliary storage unit, for example, in addition to the unloading process and the re-entry process, the replenishment receiving process is performed at the same time as in the automatic storage warehouse, so that the transport work load temporarily increases. Therefore, there is a low possibility that the conveyance of the article support to the picking location will be delayed.
Therefore, for example, for an article holder for which the next picking operation is scheduled in the near future, if it is stored in the auxiliary storage unit instead of the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse, the article support can be removed from the article support at the picking location. When the picking operation is performed, the article support can be delivered from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location by the auxiliary delivery transport unit, so that the article support can be supplied to the picking location at an appropriate timing. .
In this way, it is possible to appropriately supply the article support to the picking location while the storage unit transfer device in the automatic storage warehouse performs the replenishment warehousing process of replenishing the storage unit with a new article support. It becomes.

Another picking facility according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of storage units for storing an article support for supporting an article, and a storage unit transport device for unloading and receiving the article support with respect to the storage unit. An automatic storage warehouse, a picking location for picking out an article to be thrown from the article support based on a picking order that specifies the type of article to be put into the collection support, and the storage section From the picking location to the automatic warehouse for storage, and a transport for warehousing to transport the article support from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse A new article support on which an article is supported from the outside in order to replenish the storage automatic warehouse with the article support to be stored Be one and the replenishment transport section for transporting the receiving portion of the storage for automatic warehouse without passing through, is provided,
In addition to the automatic storage warehouse, an auxiliary storage unit for storing the article support is provided, and an auxiliary storage transport unit that transports the article support from the picking location toward the auxiliary storage unit, and There is provided an auxiliary delivery transport section that transports the article support from the auxiliary storage section toward the picking location, and the auxiliary storage section includes a plurality of auxiliary storage sections that store the article support in the left-right direction. An automatic warehouse comprising an article storage shelf and a stacker crane that travels in front of the article storage shelf, wherein a plurality of the picking locations are provided side by side along the direction in which the auxiliary storage units are arranged. A plurality of mouths are provided, and each of the plurality of exit ports is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of picking locations.

That is, the article support stored in the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse is unloaded from the storage unit by the storage unit transfer device, and is transferred to the picking location by the unloading transfer unit. The article holder that has completed the picking operation at the picking location is transported to the automatic storage warehouse by the warehousing transport unit, and is stored in the storage unit by the storage unit transport device. As described above, the transport device for the storage unit takes out the article holder transported to the picking location from the storage portion, and re-entries the article support transported from the picking location to the storage portion.
As the quantity of articles supported by the article support decreases as the picking operation progresses, a new article support for article replenishment is supplied to the automatic warehouse for storage by the replenishment transport unit to compensate for the reduced article. Transported from outside. The new article support for replenishment is stored in the storage unit by the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse.
As described above, the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse performs the delivery process, the re-entry process, and the replenishment entry process. Accordingly, the picking operation at the picking portion proceeds without causing a missing item. Depending on the operating conditions of the equipment, in addition to the warehousing process and re-entry process in the storage automatic warehouse, the replenishment warehousing process may be performed at the same time. In such a case, storage in the storage automatic warehouse is possible. In some cases, the work load of the part transfer device increases, and the article support unloading process cannot be processed at an appropriate timing.
On the other hand, since the new article support for replenishment is not directly conveyed from the outside to the auxiliary storage unit, the auxiliary storage unit receives the article support conveyed by the auxiliary warehousing conveyance unit from the picking location. What is necessary is just to perform the delivery process of the article | item support body conveyed to a picking location by the conveyance part for a process and auxiliary delivery. For this reason, in the auxiliary storage unit, for example, in addition to the unloading process and the re-entry process, the replenishment receiving process is performed at the same time as in the automatic storage warehouse, so that the transport work load temporarily increases. Therefore, it is difficult for a situation in which the conveyance of the article support to the picking location is delayed.
Therefore, for example, for an article holder for which the next picking operation is scheduled in the near future, if it is stored in the auxiliary storage unit instead of the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse, the article support can be removed from the article support at the picking location. When the picking operation is performed, the article support can be delivered from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location by the auxiliary delivery transport unit, so that the article support can be supplied to the picking location at an appropriate timing. .
In this way, it is possible to appropriately supply the article support to the picking location while the storage unit transfer device in the automatic storage warehouse performs the replenishment warehousing process of replenishing the storage unit with a new article support. It becomes.
Moreover, the auxiliary storage unit is an automatic warehouse including an article storage shelf provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the left-right direction and a stacker crane that travels in front of the article storage shelf, and the picking location is in the direction of the auxiliary storage unit. A plurality of outlets of the automatic warehouse are provided at positions corresponding to each of a plurality of picking locations. For example, the article support conveyed to the auxiliary storage unit is the article support. The time required for transporting the article support to the picking location can be shortened by storing it in the auxiliary storage near the exit port corresponding to the picking location where the next picking operation is scheduled. it can. Therefore, the conveyance efficiency of the article support to the picking location can be improved.

  In the picking equipment according to the present invention, it is preferable that the auxiliary storage unit includes an article storage shelf provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions for storing the article support.

That is, since the article storage shelf includes a plurality of auxiliary storage portions arranged vertically and horizontally, the article support can be stored with high density.
In addition, for example, the auxiliary storage unit may be configured by a conveyor that can support a plurality of article supports. However, the conveyor conveys the article supports to be conveyed in the order in which they are received. For this reason, it is difficult to properly issue an article support that needs to be issued when it becomes necessary. On the other hand, if the auxiliary storage unit is an article storage shelf provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions, it will be appropriate when the article support that needs to be delivered is needed. Easy to leave.
As described above, the auxiliary storage unit can easily store the article support as needed, while storing the article support with high density.

In the picking equipment according to the present invention, the auxiliary storage unit includes an article storage shelf including a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the left-right direction for storing the article support, and a stacker crane that travels in front of the article storage shelf. An automatic warehouse with
A plurality of the picking locations are provided side by side along the direction in which the auxiliary storage portions are arranged,
It is preferable that a plurality of outlets of the automatic warehouse are provided, and each of the plurality of outlets is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of picking locations.

In other words, the stacker crane can deliver the article support conveyed to the auxiliary storage unit to / from any auxiliary storage unit among the auxiliary storage units provided in the left-right direction.
For this reason, for example, the article support conveyed to the auxiliary storage unit is stored in the auxiliary storage unit near the exit port corresponding to the picking location where the next picking operation for the article support is scheduled. By doing so, it is possible to shorten the time required for transporting the article support to the picking location, and to improve the efficiency of transporting the article support to the picking location.

In the picking equipment according to the present invention, the control for controlling the operation of the storage unit transport device, the unloading transport unit, the warehousing transport unit, the auxiliary warehousing transport unit, and the auxiliary unloading transport unit. Part is provided,
About whether the control unit enters the return planned support that is the article support that has completed the picking work at the picking location into the automatic storage warehouse or the return planned support to the auxiliary storage unit, It is preferable that the determination is made based on the setting determination condition.

  That is, the automatic storage warehouse stores a large number of article supports to be supplied to the picking location, including a spare article support replenished by the replenishing transport device, and supports the article at the picking location. Become a body supplier. However, as described above, if the article support is to be supplied from the storage unit to the picking location in the automatic storage warehouse, the supply of the article support to the picking location may be delayed.

  On the other hand, the auxiliary storage unit is unlikely to delay the supply of the article support to the picking location like an automatic storage warehouse, but if the article supported by the article support becomes empty, the article of that type The new article support that supports is not supplemented in principle to the auxiliary storage. In other words, the auxiliary storage unit temporarily stores the article support that has been delivered from the automatic storage warehouse and has completed the picking operation in preparation for the next scheduled picking operation. Note that a new article support for the type of article may be stored in advance in the auxiliary storage unit in preparation for a case where it is planned to be empty.

  As described above, the automatic storage warehouse and the auxiliary storage unit both store the article support, but have different purposes. Therefore, the planned return support is determined based on the setting judgment condition for determining whether the planned return support is to be returned to the automated warehouse for storage or to be returned to the auxiliary storage unit. By determining whether the body is to be stored in the automatic storage warehouse or in the auxiliary storage unit, the support to be returned is selected as appropriate for either the automatic storage warehouse or the auxiliary storage unit, depending on the necessity. Can be stocked.

In the picking equipment according to the present invention, the control unit, based on the order order in the order arrangement in which the picking order designating the type of the article to be picked at the picking location is arranged in the order order, In order to unload the article support that supports the type of article specified by the picking order from the auxiliary storage unit and transport it to the picking location, the storage unit transport device, the unloading transport unit, and the Control the operation of the auxiliary delivery conveyor,
The setting determination conditions, in the order sequence, subsequent picking orders that specify a Completed picking order picking work is completed in the picking location, the type of the same article and the type of article to which the Completed picking orders specify the present between the nearest recently picking orders to the completion Sumipi Tsu King ORDER order in, it is set on the basis of a discrimination reference picking operation amount and the picking operation amount by a plurality of the picking order of Is preferred.

Article support supporting the article of the type specified at Completed picking order picking work is completed (referred to as complete article support) is specified by picking order following the Completed picking order type For the picking work of the article, it is unloaded from the picking location.
And its picking position, the article support for supporting an article of the type specified at the picking order followed Completed picking order is sequentially conveyed in accordance with the order sequence.

At this time, in order sequences, when picking operations amount by a plurality of pitch Kin order that exists between Completed picking order and last picking order is large, can there is sufficient time to picking process in recent picking order High nature. Therefore, even if the warehousing of the completed article support to the storage unit in the storage automatic warehouse is delayed, the completed article support becomes the target of picking work in the latest picking order, and the storage unit in the storage automatic warehouse There is a high possibility that there will be enough time for the goods to be issued. For this reason, even if the completed article support cannot be quickly received into the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse, there is little possibility of affecting the next unloading process for the article support.

On the other hand, if a small picking operation amount by a plurality of pitch Kin order that exists between Completed picking order and last picking order, time to picking process in recent picking order is not sufficient. For this reason, when the completed article support is received in the storage unit in the automatic warehouse for storage, the delivery from the automatic warehouse for storage based on the latest picking order of the completed article support is the picking work for the latest picking order. There is a possibility that it is not in time for the scheduled timing. For this reason, it is preferable to store the completed article support in the auxiliary storage unit.

Thus, by setting the set determination condition based on picking operation amount and the determination reference picking operation amount, for storing the article support supporting the article of the type specified at Completed picking orders It is possible to receive goods in an appropriate one of the automatic warehouse and the auxiliary storage unit.

In the picking equipment according to the present invention, the automatic storage warehouse includes a plurality of shelves vertically arranged in a state where the plurality of storage units are arranged in a row in a horizontal direction,
It is preferable that the storage unit transport device includes a transport carriage provided separately for each of the plurality of shelves.

In other words, since there is a separate carriage corresponding to each of the shelves provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction, a process of carrying the article support for unloading or warehousing in the storage unit carrying device is performed. This can be carried out in a distributed manner by a plurality of transport carts, and the transport capability can be improved.
However, in such an automatic storage warehouse, when the receiving part of the article support or the shelves of the outgoing goods are concentrated on a specific stage, the load of the conveying process is concentrated on the specific conveying cart. The re-entry process from the picking location of the completed article support to the storage section in the automatic storage warehouse is delayed, and as a result, the delivery process of the article support from the storage section to the picking position in the automatic storage warehouse is delayed May occur, which may cause a problem that the efficiency of picking work is reduced.
According to this configuration, since the article support can be stored in the auxiliary storage unit, as described above, a situation occurs in which the storage destination of the article support or the shelf of the output source is concentrated on a specific stage. In addition, the article support can be supplied to the picking portion in a timely manner. Therefore, the article support can be supplied to the picking location in a timely manner even if the re-entry process and the unload process are concentrated on a specific stage of the transport cart while increasing the transport capability by a multi-stage transport cart as an automatic storage warehouse.

Another picking facility according to the present invention is provided with a plurality of storage units for storing an article support for supporting an article, and a storage unit transport device for unloading and receiving the article support with respect to the storage unit. An automatic storage warehouse, a picking location for picking out an article to be thrown from the article support based on a picking order that specifies the type of article to be put into the collection support, and the storage section From the picking location to the automatic warehouse for storage, and a transport for warehousing to transport the article support from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse A new article support on which an article is supported from the outside in order to replenish the storage automatic warehouse with the article support to be stored Be one and the replenishment transport section for transporting the receiving portion of the storage for automatic warehouse without passing through, is provided,
In addition to the automatic storage warehouse, an auxiliary storage unit for storing the article support is provided, and an auxiliary storage transport unit that transports the article support from the picking location toward the auxiliary storage unit, and There is provided an auxiliary unloading conveyance unit that conveys the article support from the auxiliary storage unit toward the picking location, and the storage unit conveyance device, the unloading conveyance unit, the warehousing conveyance unit, and the auxiliary An order arrangement in which a control unit for controlling the operation of the warehousing transport unit and the auxiliary unloading transport unit is provided, and the control unit is arranged in order of picking orders that specify the types of articles picked at the picking location Based on the order of the order, the type of goods specified in the picking order is supported from the automatic storage warehouse and the auxiliary storage unit In order to unload the article support and transport it to the picking location, the storage unit transport device, the unloading transport unit, and the auxiliary unloading transport unit are controlled to operate, and the control unit includes the picking unit. It is determined based on the setting determination condition whether to return the planned return support, which is the article support completed at the location, to the automatic storage warehouse or to store the planned return support to the auxiliary storage unit. In the order arrangement, the setting determination condition specifies a completed picking order that has been picked at the picking location, and an article type that is the same as the article type specified by the completed picking order. The next picking order that is closest to the completed picking order in the order of subsequent picking orders Exists between the Guoda, characterized that it is set based on the determination reference picking operation amount and the picking operation amount by a plurality of the picking order.
That is, the article support stored in the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse is unloaded from the storage unit by the storage unit transfer device, and is transferred to the picking location by the unloading transfer unit. The article holder that has completed the picking operation at the picking location is transported to the automatic storage warehouse by the warehousing transport unit, and is stored in the storage unit by the storage unit transport device. As described above, the transport device for the storage unit takes out the article holder transported to the picking location from the storage portion, and re-entries the article support transported from the picking location to the storage portion.
As the quantity of articles supported by the article support decreases as the picking operation progresses, a new article support for article replenishment is supplied to the automatic warehouse for storage by the replenishment transport unit to compensate for the reduced article. Transported from outside. The new article support for replenishment is stored in the storage unit by the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse.
As described above, the storage unit transport device in the automatic storage warehouse performs the delivery process, the re-entry process, and the replenishment entry process. Accordingly, the picking operation at the picking portion proceeds without causing a missing item. Depending on the operating conditions of the equipment, in addition to the warehousing process and re-entry process in the storage automatic warehouse, the replenishment warehousing process may be performed at the same time. In such a case, storage in the storage automatic warehouse is possible. In some cases, the work load of the part transfer device increases, and the article support unloading process cannot be processed at an appropriate timing.
On the other hand, since the new article support for replenishment is not directly conveyed from the outside to the auxiliary storage unit, the auxiliary storage unit receives the article support conveyed by the auxiliary warehousing conveyance unit from the picking location. What is necessary is just to perform the delivery process of the article | item support body conveyed to a picking location by the conveyance part for a process and auxiliary delivery. For this reason, in the auxiliary storage unit, for example, in addition to the unloading process and the re-entry process, the replenishment receiving process is performed at the same time as in the automatic storage warehouse, so that the transport work load temporarily increases. Therefore, it is difficult for a situation in which the conveyance of the article support to the picking location is delayed.
Therefore, for example, for an article holder for which the next picking operation is scheduled in the near future, if it is stored in the auxiliary storage unit instead of the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse, the article support can be removed from the article support at the picking location. When the picking operation is performed, the article support can be delivered from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location by the auxiliary delivery transport unit, so that the article support can be supplied to the picking location at an appropriate timing. .
In this way, it is possible to appropriately supply the article support to the picking location while the storage unit transfer device in the automatic storage warehouse performs the replenishment warehousing process of replenishing the storage unit with a new article support. It becomes.
In addition, the picking order that has been set in the order arrangement is a set discrimination condition that serves as a discrimination criterion for whether to return the support to be returned, which is an article support for which the picking operation has been completed, to the automatic storage warehouse or the auxiliary storage unit. And the picking work amount by a plurality of picking orders and the reference picking work amount for discrimination existing between the goods specified by the completed picking order and the nearest picking order specifying the same kind of goods. As described above, the article support that supports the type of article specified in the completed picking order can be stored in either the automatic storage warehouse or the auxiliary storage unit, whichever is appropriate. .

Overall perspective view of picking equipment Plan view of the main part of the picking equipment Perspective view of main part of automated warehouse for storage Functional block diagram of picking equipment The perspective view which shows the structure of a picking station Cross-sectional side view of the second conveyor at the picking station Diagram showing the configuration of a pick-feed conveyor Control block diagram Flow chart of control by control unit

Hereinafter, embodiments of the picking equipment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the picking facility directs the automatic storage warehouse R1 and the original packed case Cm delivered from the storage section R1S (see FIG. 3) of the automatic storage warehouse R1 to the picking station ST. The transporting part 31a of the main transporting conveyor 31 for transporting, the transporting part 31c of the main transporting conveyor 31 for transporting the original packing case Cm from the picking station ST to the automatic storage warehouse R1, and the original packing case to be stored In order to replenish Cm to the automatic storage warehouse R1, a replenishment transport conveyor 38 (see FIG. 4) that conveys the original packed case Cm from the outside to the automatic storage warehouse R1, and the original packaging delivered from the automatic storage warehouse R1 A fluid shelf replenishment transport conveyor 39 (see FIG. 4) for transporting the case Cm to the fluid shelf F stored for picking work by the picking operator. It is. Although not shown, the fluid shelf F includes a plurality of support shelves inclined in a side view in the vertical direction and a plurality of rows in the horizontal direction. The support surface in the support shelf is provided with a free roller that can rotate along the inclination direction, and is configured to move the original bundling case Cm supported by the support surface to the front end side in the alignment direction by its own weight. ing. The picking operator performs a picking operation for taking out the article from the original packing case Cm at the front end in the arrangement direction, and removes the original packing case Cm from the support shelf when the article in the original packing case Cm becomes empty. As a result, the original packaging case Cm positioned next in the arrangement direction moves to the front end in the arrangement direction.
On the support shelf from which the original packaging case Cm has been removed, a new original packaging case Cm that has been delivered from the automatic storage warehouse R1 and transported by the fluid shelf replenishment transport conveyor 39 is obtained by a stacker crane (not shown). To be replenished.
In the picking station ST, based on a picking order that specifies the type and quantity of articles to be put into the original packaging case Cm, the picking operator takes out the articles to be thrown from the original packaging case Cm that supports the articles for each type. This is the place where the extraction work is performed. In the present embodiment, the picking station ST corresponds to a picking location.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the automatic storage warehouse R1 includes a plurality of shelves R1Ta in which the storage units R1S for storing the original case Cm are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction in the vertical direction. The multi-stage racks R1T each having a transport carriage M corresponding to the above are arranged in a plurality of rows. In addition, a warehousing layer conveyor R1Ci is provided on one end side of the shelf portion R1Ta so that the original packing case Cm can be freely transferred to and from the transport cart M, and is packed on the other end side with the transport cart M. An unloading-side layer conveyor R1Co that can freely transfer the case Cm is provided. In addition, the end of the warehousing layer conveyor R1Ci opposite to the shelf R1Ta is provided with a warehousing side lifter R1Li that can transfer the original packaging case Cm to and from the warehousing layer conveyor R1Ci. An exit side lifter R1Lo is provided at the end opposite to the shelf part R1Ta in order to deliver the original packaging case Cm to and from the delivery side layer conveyor R1Co. The warehousing side lifter R1Li is configured to receive the original case Cm from the warehousing transport portion 31c of the main transport conveyor 31. The unloading side lifter R1Lo is configured to be able to deliver the original case Cm to the unloading transport portion 31a of the main transport conveyor 31.

In the present embodiment, the unloading transport portion 31a corresponds to the unloading transport section in the present invention, the warehousing transport portion 31c corresponds to the warehousing transport section in the present invention, and the replenishment transport conveyor 38 is for refilling in the present invention. Corresponds to the transport unit.
Further, the transport carriage M, the warehousing side layer conveyor R1Ci, the warehousing side layer conveyor R1Co, the warehousing side lifter R1Li, and the warehousing side lifter R1Lo correspond to the storage unit conveying device in the present invention.

  The original packaging case Cm is, for example, an original packaging case in which the upper part of a cardboard case received from the manufacturer is cut out and opened upward, or a plurality of articles accommodated in the cardboard case received from the manufacturer are opened upward A single type of article is supported in the same original case Cm. In the present embodiment, the original case Cm corresponds to the article support in the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main transport conveyor 31 includes an upper layer main transport conveyor 31u (31ua, 31uc) and a lower layer main transport conveyor 31d (31da, 31dc).
As the picking station ST, the first picking station ST1, the second picking station ST2, the third picking station ST3, in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the upper layer main transport conveyor 31u along the transport path of the upper layer main transport conveyor 31u, and The seventh picking stations ST7 are arranged side by side in a separated state. Further, the fourth picking station ST4, the fifth picking station ST5, the sixth picking station ST6, and the eighth picked up in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the lower layer main transport conveyor 31d along the transport path of the lower layer main transport conveyor 31d. Picking stations ST8 are provided side by side in a separated state.
The fourth picking station ST4 is located downstream of the third picking station ST3 in the transport direction of the upper layer main transport conveyor 31u and the lower layer main transport conveyor 31d. The seventh picking station ST7 is the upper layer main transport conveyor 31u and the lower layer main transport conveyor. The eighth picking station ST8 is positioned downstream of the sixth picking station ST7 in the transport direction of the upper layer main transport conveyor 31u and the lower layer main transport conveyor 31d in the transport direction of the conveyor 31d. Is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each of the first picking station ST1 to the sixth picking station ST6 is disposed along a direction orthogonal to the main transport conveyor 31 in plan view. A first conveyor 32A having a conveyance roller 32R1 that conveys the received original packaging case Cm, and an original packaging case that is disposed along a direction orthogonal to the main conveyance conveyor 31 in plan view, toward the main conveyance conveyor 31 A third conveyor 32C having a transport roller 32R1 for transporting Cm, and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first conveyor 32A and the third conveyor 32C in plan view, and the downstream end of the first conveyor 32A and the first conveyor 32A Connected to the upstream end of the third conveyor 32C, the original packaging case Cm received from the first conveyor 32A is conveyed toward the third conveyor 32C. A second conveyor 32B having a transport roller 32R2, picking conveyor 32 comprises a are provided.

The connecting part of the main transport conveyor 31 with the first conveyor 32A and the connecting part of the main transport conveyor 31 with the third conveyor 32C are composed of, for example, a chain transformer, and the transport direction of the original case Cm is changed. A transport direction changing device is provided.
As a result, the original packed case Cm transported by the main transport conveyor 31 is switched between being transferred to the first conveyor 32A or transported by the main transport conveyor 31 as it is, and transported by the third conveyor 32C. The original packaging case Cm can be delivered to the main transport conveyor 31.

The first conveyor 32 </ b> A and the third conveyor 32 </ b> C are arranged such that the conveyance surfaces (that is, the positions of the upper ends of the plurality of conveyance rollers 32 </ b> R <b> 1 aligned in the conveyance direction) are along the horizontal plane.
As shown in FIG. 5, the transport roller 32R2 of the second conveyor 32B has one end in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction positioned at a height corresponding to the downstream end of the first conveyor 32A, and the other end. Is arranged at a position lower than the one end, and is inclined toward the picking work position.
Therefore, in the case of the original bundling case Cm with the upper part of the rectangular parallelepiped opened, the first conveyor 32A and the third conveyor 32C are transported in a posture in which the opening at the upper end faces directly upward. On the other hand, in the second conveyor 32B, the original case Cm is transported in a posture in which the opening at the upper end is inclined toward the picking operator who performs the picking operation at the picking operation position.
At the picking work position, there is a work table on which an operator can board, and this work platform has a platform for adjusting the height of the worker's scaffolding to a height at which the worker can work easily. A lifter STb for raising and lowering the part to be formed is provided.

Thus, not only the conveyance direction differs between the first conveyor 32A and the second conveyor 32B, and the second conveyor 32B and the third conveyor 32C, but also the conveyance posture of the original packed case Cm differs.
Therefore, when the original case Cm is transferred from the first conveyor 32A to the second conveyor 32B, the original case Cm is transferred to the delivery site of the original case 32 in the second conveyor 32B. As the transport direction is switched from the transport direction at the first conveyor 32A to the transport direction at the second conveyor 32B, the attitude of the original packaging case Cm is changed from the horizontal position corresponding to the transport surface of the first conveyor 32A to the first position. A direction / posture switching device 61 for switching to an inclined posture corresponding to the transport surface of the two conveyors 32B is provided.
Similarly, when the original packaging case Cm is transferred from the second conveyor 32B to the third conveyor 32C, the original packaging case Cm is also transferred to the transfer portion of the second conveyor 32B with the third conveyor 32C. As the transport direction of the case Cm is switched from the transport direction in the second conveyor 32B to the transport direction in the third conveyor 32C, the attitude of the original case Cm is inclined corresponding to the transport surface of the second conveyor 32B. A direction / posture switching device 62 for switching to a horizontal posture corresponding to the transport surface of the third conveyor 32C is provided.

The direction / orientation switching device 61 and the direction / orientation switching device 62 are realized by the same configuration. Hereinafter, these are collectively represented by the symbol T, and the configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the direction and orientation switching device T is rotatably supported by a support frame 60W, and includes a plurality of sprockets 60R around which a conveyor belt 60B is wound, and one of the sprockets 60R. And a motor 60M that drives as a drive sprocket. The plurality of sprockets 60R are located at the same position in the conveyance direction of the second conveyor 32B, and the support frame 60W is formed in a flat shape thinner than the interval between the adjacent conveyance rollers 32R2 in the second conveyor 32B.
The plurality of sprockets 60R are arranged such that the upper end of the conveyor belt 60B has a linear shape. The upper end surface of the conveyance belt 60B becomes the conveyance surface of the original bundling case Cm.

Further, a swing shaft 60J that swingably supports the support frame 60W is provided at the end of the support frame 60W on the first conveyor 32A (or third conveyor 32C) side.
Further, a plurality of support frames 60W of the direction and orientation switching device T are provided corresponding to each of a plurality of gaps formed between the plurality of transport rollers 32R2 of the second conveyor 32B, and the plurality of support frames 60W are The lower ends are connected by a single connection frame 60C.

  A support part 32K provided at the end opposite to the first conveyor 32A (or the third conveyor 32C) as viewed in the conveying direction of the second conveyor 32B, and a support part 60K provided below the connecting frame 60C. A retractable cylinder 60S is provided. The connecting portion 60Sa between the cylinder 60S and the support portion 32K and the connecting portion 60Sb with the cylinder 60S are connected to each other so as to be rotatable.

  In the orientation / posture switching device T configured as described above, the support frame 60W swings around the swing shaft 60J by retracting the cylinder 60S, and as shown in FIG. The direction along the upper end surface is in a state along the horizontal plane. For this reason, the former case Cm supported by the transport belt 60B is switched to the horizontal posture. At this time, the conveying surface of the first conveyor 32A and the upper end surface of the conveying belt 60B are set to be at substantially the same height. Therefore, the original packed case Cm can be smoothly delivered from the first conveyor 32A to the transport belt 60B.

  Further, by extending the cylinder 60S, the support frame 60W swings around the swing shaft 60J, and the direction along the upper end surface of the transport belt 60B is inclined as shown in FIG. 6B. For this reason, the original packaging case Cm supported by the conveyance belt 60B is switched to the inclined posture. When the upper limit state of extension of the cylinder 60S is reached, the upper end surface of the transport belt 60B is set to be located below the transport surface of the transport roller 32R2 of the second conveyor 32B. Therefore, as the inclined state of the conveyor belt 60B is switched, the original case Cm can be smoothly delivered from the conveyor belt 60B to the second conveyor 32B.

  That is, when delivering the original packaging case Cm from the first conveyor 32A to the second conveyor 32B, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the cylinder 60S is retracted so that the conveying surface of the first conveyor 32A and the conveying belt 60B The upper end surface is in a linearly continuous state, and part or all of the length of the original packing case Cm transported by the first conveyor 32A in the transport direction in the first conveyor 32A (preferably, the length of the length) When half or more) is placed on the conveyor belt 60B, the cylinder 60S starts to expand. As a result, the support frame 60W swings around the swing shaft 60J and is switched to the tilted state shown in FIG. Along with this, the original case Cm is switched from the state supported by the upper end of the transport belt 60B to the state supported by the transport roller 32R2.

  Further, when delivering the original case Cm from the second conveyor 32B to the third conveyor 32C, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cylinder 60S is extended so that the upper end of the conveyor belt 60B is the conveying surface of the conveying roller 32R2. In a state of being positioned lower than the original packaging case Cm, the original packaging case Cm is positioned at the connection portion of the second conveyor 32B with the third conveyor 32C. Subsequently, when the cylinder 60S is retracted, as shown in FIG. 6A, the upper end surface of the conveyor belt 60B is in a state along the horizontal plane, and the upper end surface of the conveyor belt 60B and the conveyor surface of the third conveyor 32C are linear. It becomes the state which continues in the shape. In this state, by driving the motor 60M and winding the transport belt 60B, the original case Cm is sent out toward the third conveyor 32C. That is, a direction / posture switching device T that switches the posture of the original bundling case Cm between a horizontal posture and an inclined posture is provided.

The seventh picking station ST7 is provided with a station storage conveyor 33A that holds a number of original packed cases Cm by branching and joining from the upper-layer main transport conveyor 31u and meandering therebetween.
In addition, the eighth picking station ST8 is provided with a station storage conveyor 33B that holds a large number of original packed cases Cm by branching and joining from the lower layer main transport conveyor 31d and meandering therebetween.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the original packing case Cm supported by the second conveyor 32 </ b> B is provided below the second conveyor 32 </ b> B in each of the first picking station ST <b> 1 to the sixth picking station ST <b> 6. Three picked goods conveying conveyors 36 for conveying the articles taken out from the picking station ST are provided.
Further, a completion input button 48 for notifying the control unit H <b> 1 (to be described later) of the completion of the picking work is provided corresponding to each of the picked goods feed conveyors 36.

Fig.7 (a) is a top view of the pick goods feeding conveyor 36, FIG.7 (b) is the side view. As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the pick product feed conveyor 36 includes a plurality of transport portions 36a, 36b, and 36c arranged in the transport direction. Further, guide plates 36G made of transparent resin (for example, acrylic) are provided on both sides of the pick product feed conveyor 36 over the entire length of the pick product feed conveyor 36 in the transport direction.
As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the guide plate 36G has the highest height in the vertical direction in the plural types of articles B conveyed by the pick article feed conveyor 36 (depending on the standing posture and rollover posture). When the heights are different, the height corresponding to the highest height among them is preferable.

The pick product feeding conveyor 36 moves the transport surface (the upper surface of the transport belt 36B) forward by a predetermined length with respect to one input to the collection case Cs. In other words, the article placed in the virtual area (virtual placement area) of the predetermined length on the transport surface of the pick article feed conveyor 36 is thrown into the collection case Cs by a single throw. . Therefore, if an article protrudes from the virtual placement area, there is a possibility that the article placed in the virtual placement area collection cannot be properly put into the collection case Cs. Therefore, when the articles are put into the collection case Cs or when the pick-up conveyor 36 is moved forward, the pick-up conveyor 36 is picked up and placed behind the pick-feed conveyor 36 in the transport direction. An overhang sensor 36S that detects whether or not the placed article B is within the virtual placement area is provided between the transport portion 36a and the transport portion 36b, and between the transport portion 36b and the transport portion 36c.
When the protrusion of the article is detected by the protrusion sensor 36 </ b> S, the control unit H <b> 1 described later causes the pick article feeding conveyor 36 to abnormally stop the conveyance operation. Subsequently, the operator performs a correction operation for moving the protruding article into the virtual placement area.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the guide plate 36G is provided with a marking line 36k for each of the predetermined lengths along the conveyance direction of the pick product feeding conveyor 36. The marking line 36k is a reference line indicating the tip position in the transport direction of the virtual placement area in a state where the pick product feeding conveyor 36 is stopped. This makes it easier for the operator to visually check from the side whether or not the article conveyed by the pick article feeding conveyor 36 protrudes from the virtual placement area, and the operator protrudes the article. It is easy to perform a correction operation for moving the image to the virtual placement area.
The guide plates 36G are provided on both sides of each of the three pick product feed conveyors 36 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction in plan view. In the present embodiment, the marking line 36k includes three picking lines 36k. Although it is provided on all the guide plates 36G of the article feeding conveyor 36, it may be provided only on the two guide plates 36G located on the outermost side in the arrangement direction in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction in plan view.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the conveying belt 36B in each of the three pick-article feed conveyors 36 is an endless belt wound around the driving drum and the driven drum, and on the winding outer surface side. At two positions that divide the lateral width direction orthogonal to the transport direction into three substantially equal parts in plan view, the ridges 36T are provided along the transport direction. By these protrusions 36T, the movement of the articles placed on the conveyor belt 36B in the lateral width direction can be suppressed. That is, the articles taken out from the original packaging case Cm and placed on the transport belt 36B include, for example, those having a shape that easily rolls, such as a cylindrical shape. By providing the protrusions 36T on the transport belt 36B, it is possible to suppress unintentional movement in the lateral width direction during transport even for articles that are easily rolled. Furthermore, when the worker determines which position in the width direction of the transport belt 36B the product should be placed when placing the product taken out from the original packaging case Cm on the transport belt 36B, The strip 36T can be used as a guide.

A chute part 35S is provided at the downstream end of the pick product feed conveyor 36 in the transport direction to drop the article transported by the pick product feed conveyor 36 downward. A collection conveyor 35 for conveying a collection case Cs for collecting items is provided.
Accordingly, the collection case Cs transported by the collection conveyor 35 is a chute portion of the pick product transport conveyor 36 in each of the first picking station ST1 to the sixth picking station ST6 arranged along the transport direction of the main transport conveyor 31. The lower part of 35S is conveyed through the arrangement order. The chute part 35S is configured to drop the article downward only when the collection case Cs is located directly below.

  The seventh picking station ST7 and the eighth picking station ST8 are provided with a collection loop conveyor 35L that branches and merges in a “U” shape from the collection conveyor 35. Thus, the collection case Cs can be transported to the picking work position in the seventh picking station ST7 and the eighth picking station ST8.

On the downstream side of the junction with the station storage conveyor 33A in the upper-layer main transfer conveyor 31u, there is an entrance of the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 provided to store the original packed case Cm separately from the storage automatic warehouse R1. An auxiliary warehousing conveyor 31i for conveying articles is connected.
In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the auxiliary | assistant warehousing conveyor which conveys an article to the warehousing port of auxiliary | assistant storage automatic warehouse R2 is connected also to the downstream of the confluence | merging location with the station storage conveyor 33B in the lower layer main conveyance conveyor 31d. Yes.

The auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 includes an article storage rack R2T including a plurality of auxiliary storage portions R2S for storing the original packaging case Cm vertically and horizontally, and a stacker crane R2ST that travels in front of the article storage rack R2T. It is configured.
The auxiliary storage portion R2S in the article storage rack R2T is in a form along the direction in which the picking stations ST (first picking station ST1 to eighth picking station ST8) are arranged, and the picking station ST does not exist with respect to the traveling rail of the stacker crane R2ST. On the side.

  Further, on the side where the picking station ST is present with respect to the traveling rail of the stacker crane R2ST, corresponding to each of the first picking station ST1 to the eighth picking station ST8, the original packed case Cm received from the stacker crane R2ST is supported. Auxiliary delivery conveyors 53 that can be transported to the picking station ST are provided for each of the picking stations ST. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53a to the auxiliary delivery conveyor corresponding to each of the first picking station ST1 to the third picking station ST3 and the seventh picking station ST7 corresponding to the upper-layer main transfer conveyor 31u. 53d is illustrated, but auxiliary delivery conveyors 53 are also provided for each of the fourth picking station ST4 to the sixth picking station ST6 and the eighth picking station ST8 corresponding to the lower layer main transfer conveyor 31d. It has been.

The auxiliary delivery conveyor 53a is supplied to the picking conveyor 32 for the first picking station ST1 in the upper-layer main transfer conveyor 31u so that the original packed case Cm delivered from the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 can be supplied to the first picking station ST1. Is connected to the upstream side of the branch portion.
Similarly, the auxiliary delivery conveyors 53 corresponding to the other picking stations ST are connected to the upstream side of the branching portion to the picking conveyor 32 of the corresponding picking station ST.
In the present embodiment, the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 corresponds to the delivery port of the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2.

In the present embodiment, the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 corresponds to an auxiliary storage unit.
That is, automatic auxiliary storage including an article storage rack R2T having a plurality of auxiliary storage portions R2S for storing the original case Cm arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and a stacker crane R2ST that runs in front of the article storage rack R2T. A warehouse R2 is provided, a plurality of picking stations ST are provided side by side along the direction in which the auxiliary storage portions R2S are arranged, a plurality of auxiliary delivery conveyors 53 are provided as delivery outlets of the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2, and a plurality of auxiliary stations are provided. Each of the delivery conveyors 53 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of picking stations ST.

In the present embodiment, the upper-layer auxiliary warehousing conveyor 31ui and the lower-layer auxiliary warehousing conveyor 31di (auxiliary warehousing conveyor 31i) correspond to the auxiliary warehousing conveyance unit, and the auxiliary warehousing conveyors 53a to 53h (auxiliary warehousing conveyor 53) are auxiliary warehousing. Corresponds to the transport section.
That is, the auxiliary storage conveyor 31i that transports the original packaging case Cm from the picking station ST to the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2, and the auxiliary that conveys the original packaging case Cm from the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 to the picking station ST. A delivery conveyor 53 is provided.

Next, based on FIG. 8, the control configuration of each device of the picking facility will be described.
The control unit H1 is configured by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or a PC server provided with a central processing unit and a storage device such as a hard disk.
The control unit H1 includes a transport carriage M, a lifter R1L, a layer conveyor R1C, a main transport conveyor 31, a stacker crane R2ST, an auxiliary storage conveyor 31i, an auxiliary storage conveyor 53, a picking conveyor 32, a collection conveyor 35, and a collection loop conveyor. In order to operate 35L, the pick product feed conveyor 36, the replenishing transport conveyor 38, and the like, a controller for controlling them is communicatively connected.
That is, the control part H1 which controls the action | operation of the conveyance trolley M, the lifter R1L, the layer conveyor R1C, the main conveyance conveyor 31, the auxiliary | assistant storage conveyor 31i, and the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 is provided.
The control unit H1 is connected to a completion input button 48 for an operator to input the completion of the picking work, and information on pressing the completion input button 48 can be input.

Further, the control unit H1 creates a picking order for designating an article of the type and quantity included in the request information based on the request information of the delivery destination customer based on the request order of the customer. Is connected.
In the control unit H1, an order management unit H1a that manages the picking order created by the upper management device H0 based on the customer's request order in a form that gives a picking order number based on the request order, and picking at the picking station ST A program corresponding to a re-entry determination unit H1b that determines whether the original packed case Cm that has been completed should be received in the automatic storage warehouse R1 or the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 is executed.

The control unit H1 controls the operation of each of the above-described transport devices so as to process an unprocessed picking order among a plurality of picking orders managed by the order management unit H1a in order from the smallest picking order number. It is configured as follows.
The articles included in each picking order may be a single type or may be a plurality of types of articles.
When the articles included in the picking order are of a single type, the control unit H1 assigns a single picking station ST to the picking station ST to which the original packing case Cm that supports the type of article is assigned. Transport.
When the articles included in the picking order are of a plurality of types, the control unit H1 allocates the number of picking stations ST corresponding to the number of types for each type, and allocates the original packaging case Cm that supports the allocated type of articles. To the picking station ST.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the basic transport mode of the original case Cm in the picking facility of the present embodiment is based on a transport cart M, a layer conveyor R1C, and a lifter R1L (hereinafter collectively referred to as a storage unit transport device). The original packaging case Cm that has been delivered from the storage unit R1S (a delivery process) is transported to the picking station ST by the main transport conveyor 31 (the delivery part 31a for delivery), and when the picking operation is completed at the picking station ST, the original packaging case Cm is delivered. The case Cm is transported to the automatic storage warehouse R1 by the main transport conveyor 31 (the warehousing transport part 31c), and stored in the predetermined storage unit R1S (re-entry process) by the storage unit transport device.

In the storage automatic warehouse R1, in addition to the above-described delivery process and re-entry process, a replenishment entry process for replenishing the original storage case Cm to the storage automatic warehouse R1 may be performed at the same time. For this reason, when the conveying process by the conveying cart M is concentrated on the same stage, the conveying work load of the conveying device for the storage unit in the automatic storage warehouse R1 increases, and the unloading process of the original packed case Cm is performed at an appropriate timing. May not be processed.
Therefore, the original packaging case Cm (corresponding to the support to be returned) that has been picked at the picking station ST is conveyed to the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 by the auxiliary storage conveyor 31i, and the original packaging case by the stacker crane R2ST. By storing Cm in the vicinity of the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 corresponding to the picking station ST where the next picking work is scheduled, the original case Cm is delivered to be used for the next picking work in the picking station ST. In this case, the original case Cm can be supplied to the picking station ST at an appropriate timing.

Next, a flowchart of control of each conveyance device by the control unit H1 will be described based on FIG. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, a control flow in the case where the articles included in the picking order are of a single type will be described.
The control unit H1 stores the picking order number Dn to be picked (step # 11), and based on the picking order, the original case Cm having the necessary case number Cn is stored in the automatic warehouse R1 or auxiliary storage. The operation of each transfer device is controlled so as to transfer from the automatic warehouse R2 to the picking station ST (step # 12).
That is, the control unit H1 selects the storage unit R1S of the automatic storage warehouse R1 or the auxiliary storage automatic based on the order in the order arrangement in which picking orders that specify the type of the item picked in the picking station ST are arranged in the order. From the auxiliary storage section R2S of the warehouse R2, in order to take out the original packaging case Cm that supports the type of article specified by the picking order and transport it to the picking station ST, the transport carriage M, the layer conveyor R1C, the lifter R1L, and The operation of the main conveyor 31 and the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 is controlled.

Subsequently, the control unit H1 instructs the picking instruction device (not shown) provided in the corresponding picking station ST to display that the article should be picked from the original packed case Cm of the case number Cn and the quantity thereof. (Step # 13).
In this picking facility, when the picking work displayed on the picking instruction device 49 is completed by the picking operator, the completion input button 48 is pressed. Therefore, the control unit H1 determines whether or not the picking operation is completed depending on whether or not the completion input button 48 is pressed (step # 14).

  When the control unit H1 determines that the picking work has been completed (step # 14: Yes), the re-entry determination unit H1b of the control unit H1 continues to instruct picking from the original packed case Cm of the case number Cn. It is determined whether or not the number of the picking order including the number Dn of the picking order currently processed + the number of set orders Ds (for example, 300 orders) (step # 15), and the number of picking orders Dn + the number of set orders Ds If it is less than (for example, 300 orders), the operation of each of the above-mentioned transport devices is controlled to receive the original packed case Cm in the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 (step # 16), picking order number Dn + number of set orders If it is not less than Ds, in order to store the original case Cm in the automatic warehouse R1 for storage, Controlling the actuation (step # 17).

Subsequently, the control unit H1 determines whether or not the picking order number Dn currently being processed is the final picking order among the plurality of picking orders created by the upper management apparatus H0 (step # 18). If the picking order is not determined (step # 18: No), the picking order number Dn to be picked is incremented by one (step # 19), and the process returns to step # 12.
If it is determined in step # 18 that the order is the final picking order (step # 18: Yes), the process ends.

Further, in the case of storing the original packaging case Cm in the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2, the auxiliary located near the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 corresponding to the picking station ST that performs the picking work from the original packaging case Cm next. The former case Cm is stored in such a manner that the storage portion R2S is selected with priority.
Accordingly, the original packed case Cm can be quickly delivered from the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 to the picking station ST that performs the picking operation from the original packed case Cm.

In this embodiment, the arrangement of picking orders arranged in numerical order corresponds to the order arrangement. In the present embodiment, the set order number Ds corresponds to the determination reference picking work amount.
Therefore, the control unit H1 enters the original packaging case Cm (support to be returned) that has been picked at the picking station ST into the storage unit R1S of the automatic storage warehouse R1, or auxiliary storage of the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2. It is configured to determine whether to enter the part R2S based on a setting determination condition, and the setting determination condition includes a completed picking order that has been picked at the picking station ST in an arrangement of picking orders arranged in numerical order Multiple picking orders that exist between the next picking order closest to the above completed picking order in the order ranking among the subsequent picking orders that specify the same type of article as specified by the completed picking order Picking work by It is set on the basis of a constant number of orders Ds.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the storage automatic warehouse R1 includes a plurality of shelves R1Ta arranged in a row in a state where a plurality of storage units are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction. However, the description has been given of the configuration of the transport cart M provided separately for each of the plurality of shelf portions R1Ta (such an automatic warehouse is referred to as a multi-stage transport type automatic warehouse). For example, the automatic storage warehouse R1 is configured by a storage shelf including a plurality of storage units arranged in the left-right direction and the vertical direction, and the storage unit transport device is arranged on the front surface of the storage shelf. May be configured by a stacker crane provided with a transfer device that can travel between and a plurality of storage units.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit travels in front of the article storage rack R2T and the article storage rack R2T provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage parts R2S for storing the original packaging case Cm arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Although the example comprised in the automatic warehouse provided with stacker crane R2ST was demonstrated, it is not limited to such a structure, For example, you may comprise an auxiliary | assistant storage part in a multistage conveyance type automatic warehouse. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the article storage shelf R2T is configured by arranging a plurality of auxiliary storage portions R2S in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. The part R2S may be configured to include only one stage in the vertical direction and a plurality of the parts R2S arranged in the horizontal direction.

(3) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the plurality of picking stations ST are arranged side by side while being separated in a plan view has been described. However, the plurality of picking stations ST may be arranged in a form other than the side by side. For example, the first picking station ST1 to the third picking station ST3 and the fourth picking station ST4 to the sixth picking station ST6 are arranged on different floors, and a part or all of them are overlapped in plan view. Various arrangements can be changed.

(4) In the above embodiment, the configuration including a plurality of picking stations ST has been described. However, a configuration including only one picking station ST may be used.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a plurality of picking stations ST are arranged along the direction in which the auxiliary storage portions R2S of the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 are arranged, and the auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 as the exit port of the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 is provided. Has been described in the position corresponding to each of the plurality of picking stations ST, but only one auxiliary delivery conveyor 53 may be provided, and as long as the original packed case Cm can be supplied to the picking station ST. Any position may be used.

(5) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the amount of picking work in the setting determination condition is the number of picking orders existing between the completed picking order and the latest picking order has been described. However, the configuration is limited to such a configuration. The picking work amount is the number of articles that are input in the picking order that exists between the completed picking order and the most recent picking order. Various parameters related to the picking order existing in between can be set.

(6) In the above embodiment, as the setting determination condition, based on the picking work amount based on the picking order existing between the completed picking order and the latest picking order as described above, the original packed case Cm ( The configuration for determining whether the support to be returned to the storage automatic warehouse R1 or the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 has been described has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Whether to return the original packaging case Cm (support for return plan) to be returned to the storage automatic warehouse R1 or the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2 based on the attributes of the articles supported by the original packaging case Cm You may make it discriminate | determine. As an attribute in this case, for example, an attribute such as whether or not an article supported by the original packaging case Cm scheduled to be returned is an article that is frequently a picking work target can be considered. That is, an article that frequently becomes a picking work target is likely to have a small number of picking orders that exist between the completed picking order and the most recent picking order, and thus is frequently registered in advance as an article that frequently becomes a picking work target. There is a high possibility that the original packaging case Cm that supports the article is frequently transported to the picking station ST. For this reason, by storing the original packaging case Cm supporting such types of articles in the auxiliary storage automatic warehouse R2, the effect that the articles can be transported to the picking station ST without delay becomes remarkable. .

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the direction / posture switching device T is provided at the location facing the picking work position in the picking station ST has been described. However, the height is changed between one and the other in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction. Picking station ST if it is a location that includes a transport portion that transports original packaging case Cm in a different tilted posture and a transport portion that is orthogonal to the transport portion in plan view and transports original packaging case Cm in the horizontal direction. Of course, it is possible to prepare for other places.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure provided with the direction attitude switching apparatus T in the picking conveyor 32 which conveys the original packing case Cm was demonstrated, you may provide in the collection conveyor which conveys the collection case Cs, for example, The location provided with the posture switching device T is not limited to the above embodiment.

(8) In the above-described embodiment, the direction / orientation switching device T is configured as a belt-type conveyance device, but may be configured as a roller-type conveyance device that includes a plurality of rollers and the upper ends of the rollers serve as a conveyance surface. Good. In addition, in FIG. 5, a configuration in which a total of four direction / posture switching devices T are provided in a form in which one is disposed between the transport rollers 32R2 of a pair of adjacent second conveyors 32B is disclosed. The number of T is not limited to the above, and can be set arbitrarily.

(9) In the above embodiment, when the cylinder 60S is retracted, the direction along the upper end surface of the transport belt 60B is in a state along the horizontal plane, and when the cylinder 60S is extended, the upper end surface of the transport belt 60B is aligned. Although the configuration is such that the direction is inclined, it is not limited to such a configuration. For example, when the cylinder 60S is retracted, the direction along the upper end surface of the transport belt 60B is inclined, You may comprise so that the direction along the upper end surface of the conveyance belt 60B may be in a state along a horizontal plane when the cylinder 60S is extended. Further, a mechanism other than the cylinder 60S (for example, an electromagnetic actuator or a screw shaft) may be used to switch the direction along the upper end surface of the transport belt 60B.

Cm article support R1S storage unit M, R1C, R1L storage unit transport device R1 storage automatic warehouse ST picking location 31a unloading transport unit 31c warehousing transport unit 38 replenishment transport unit R2 auxiliary storage unit 31i auxiliary storage transport unit 53 Auxiliary delivery conveyor, delivery port R2S Auxiliary storage unit R2T Article storage rack R2ST Stacker crane H1 Control unit R1Ta Shelf part M Carriage cart

Claims (8)

An automatic storage warehouse comprising a plurality of storage units for storing article support members that support articles, and a storage unit transport device for unloading and receiving the article support members with respect to the storage unit;
Based on a picking order that specifies the type of article to be input to the collection support, a picking location for performing a picking operation to take out the article to be input from the article support;
And unloading conveying section which transported the article support issuing by the storage unit for conveying device from the storage unit toward the picking position,
A warehousing transport unit for transporting the article support from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse;
In order to replenish the article storage object to be stored in the automatic warehouse for storage, the new article support on which an article is supported is received from the outside to the receiving place of the automatic storage warehouse without passing through the picking place. A picking facility provided with a replenishment transport unit for transporting,
Separately from the automatic warehouse for storage, the article support that supports the article remaining after the picking operation is stored, and the article to be stored is transferred from the picking location as a transfer operation. An auxiliary storage unit configured to perform only warehousing of the article support and delivery of the article support to be transported to the picking location is provided,
An auxiliary warehousing transport unit that transports the article support from the picking location toward the auxiliary storage unit, and an auxiliary unloading transport unit that transports the article support from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location. Picking facilities provided. An automatic storage warehouse comprising a plurality of storage units for storing article support members that support articles, and a storage unit transport device for unloading and receiving the article support members with respect to the storage unit;
An unloading transport unit for transporting the article support unloaded by the storage unit transport device from the storage unit toward a picking location;
A warehousing transport unit for transporting the article support from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse;
A replenishing transport unit for transporting the article support from the outside to the automatic storage warehouse in order to replenish the automatic storage warehouse for storage of the article support to be stored,
Apart from the automatic storage warehouse, an auxiliary storage unit for storing the article support is provided,
An auxiliary warehousing transport unit that transports the article support from the picking location toward the auxiliary storage unit, and an auxiliary unloading transport unit that transports the article support from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location. Provided ,
The auxiliary storage unit is an automatic warehouse including an article storage shelf provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the left-right direction for storing the article support, and a stacker crane that travels in front of the article storage shelf,
A plurality of the picking locations are provided side by side along the direction in which the auxiliary storage portions are arranged,
A picking facility in which a plurality of outlets of the automatic warehouse are provided, and each of the plurality of outlets is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of picking locations .   The picking equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary storage unit includes an article storage shelf provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions for storing the article support. The auxiliary storage unit is an automatic warehouse including an article storage shelf provided with a plurality of auxiliary storage units arranged in the left-right direction for storing the article support, and a stacker crane that travels in front of the article storage shelf,
A plurality of the picking locations are provided side by side along the direction in which the auxiliary storage portions are arranged,
The picking facility according to claim 1 or 3 , wherein a plurality of exit ports of the automatic warehouse are provided, and each of the plurality of exit ports is provided at a position corresponding to each of the plurality of picking locations. A control unit for controlling the operation of the storage unit transport device, the shipping transport unit, the storage transport unit, and the auxiliary storage transport unit and the auxiliary shipping transport unit is provided,
About whether the control unit enters the return planned support that is the article support that has completed the picking work at the picking location into the automatic storage warehouse or the return planned support to the auxiliary storage unit, The picking equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the picking equipment is configured to be determined based on a setting determination condition. From the automatic warehouse for storage and the auxiliary storage unit to the picking order based on the order in the order arrangement in which the control unit is arranged in order of picking order that specifies the type of the article to be picked at the picking location Control the operation of the storage unit transport device, the unloading transport unit, and the auxiliary unloading transport unit to unload and transport the article support that supports the type of article specified by And
The setting determination conditions, in the order sequence, and Completed picking order picking in the picking position is completed, the subsequent picking orders the Completed picking order to specify the type of the same article and the type of article to be specified among existing between the nearest recently picking orders to the completion Sumipi Tsu King orders in the order sequence, the claims are set based on the determination reference picking operation amount and the picking operation amount by a plurality of the picking order 5. Picking equipment according to 5. The automatic storage warehouse is provided with a plurality of shelves arranged in a vertical direction with a plurality of storage units arranged in a row in a horizontal direction,
The picking facility according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage unit transport device includes a transport carriage provided separately for each of the plurality of shelves. An automatic storage warehouse comprising a plurality of storage units for storing article support members that support articles, and a storage unit transport device for unloading and receiving the article support members with respect to the storage unit;
An unloading transport unit for transporting the article support unloaded by the storage unit transport device from the storage unit toward a picking location;
A warehousing transport unit for transporting the article support from the picking location to the automatic storage warehouse;
A replenishing transport unit for transporting the article support from the outside to the automatic storage warehouse in order to replenish the automatic storage warehouse for storage of the article support to be stored,
Apart from the automatic storage warehouse, an auxiliary storage unit for storing the article support is provided,
An auxiliary warehousing transport unit that transports the article support from the picking location toward the auxiliary storage unit, and an auxiliary unloading transport unit that transports the article support from the auxiliary storage unit to the picking location. Provided ,
A control unit for controlling the operation of the storage unit transport device, the shipping transport unit, the storage transport unit, and the auxiliary storage transport unit and the auxiliary shipping transport unit is provided,
From the automatic warehouse for storage and the auxiliary storage unit to the picking order based on the order in the order arrangement in which the control unit is arranged in order of picking order that specifies the type of the article to be picked at the picking location Control the operation of the storage unit transport device, the unloading transport unit, and the auxiliary unloading transport unit to unload and transport the article support that supports the type of article specified by And
About whether the control unit enters the return planned support that is the article support that has completed the picking work at the picking location into the automatic storage warehouse or the return planned support to the auxiliary storage unit, It is configured to determine based on the setting determination condition,
In the order arrangement, the setting determination condition includes a completed picking order that has been picked at the picking location, and a subsequent picking order that specifies the same type of article as the type of the article specified by the completed picking order. Picking equipment that is set based on a plurality of picking orders based on the picking orders and a reference picking quantity for determination, which exists between the nearest picking order closest to the completed picking order in the order .

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