JPH0364403B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an article storage facility in which articles stored in so-called single-row storage shelves are carried in and out using a carry-in/out machine, and particularly relates to a control device thereof.

BACKGROUND ART In conventional article storage equipment, each storage shelf is generally arranged with one side facing the frontage, that is, the side where stored articles are taken in and taken out, and this frontage side facing the shelf passage. Therefore, when a large number of storage shelves are arranged in parallel, the middle storage shelves excluding the outermost storage shelf are
They were so-called multiple storage shelves, two of which were arranged back to back.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing such conventional article storage equipment, with shelves _A1 and _A2 , _A3 and _A4 , and _A5 and _A6.
are arranged in pairs and in contact with each other back to back. The frontage surface b ₂ of shelf a ₂ and the frontage surface b ₃ of shelf a ₃ face shelf passage c ₁ , and the frontage surface b ₄ of shelf a ₄ ,
Frontage surface B ₅ of shelf A ₅ faces shelf aisle C ₂ , and each shelf aisle
Article loading and unloading machines d ₁ and d ₂ are respectively installed on c ₁ and c ₂ so as to be movable parallel to the frontage surface, and the shelves a ₁ and
_Articles are loaded and unloaded into and out of the shelves A ₅ and A ₆ by the loading/unloading machine d ₁ and the loading/unloading machine d ₂ on the shelves A 5 and A 6, respectively.

However, in such conventional article storage equipment, if one loading/unloading machine malfunctions and stops, the two storage shelves on both sides of the shelf aisle to which the loading/unloading machine belongs will be filled with goods. It will no longer be possible to carry in and out.

Therefore, an example of using a single row storage shelf (Jikko Sho 47-
22552) has been proposed.

Here, the term "single-row storage shelf" refers to a storage shelf in which shelf booths are arranged in a row (single type), and both ends are frontage surfaces, and stored items can be taken in and out from either frontage surface.

Loading and unloading machines are run on both sides of the shelf booths of such single row storage shelves, so that any of the loading and unloading machines can carry in and out the required stored items.

Therefore, in the event that one loading/unloading machine breaks down, the target stored item can be loaded/unloaded using the other loading/unloading machine.

Problems to be Solved However, if a problem occurs with one loading/unloading machine, it is necessary to switch to drive the adjacent loading/unloading machine in order to load and unload the required items, so immediate action must be taken. This requires constant monitoring, which places a heavy burden on the workers.

Furthermore, it is difficult for a human being to efficiently carry out the switching operation when a loading/unloading machine adjacent to the malfunctioning loading/unloading machine is in operation, as it requires getting used to the work.

The present invention has been made in consideration of this point, and its purpose is to make each storage shelf a single row storage shelf, and to
In the event of an abnormality in a loading/unloading machine, we have developed an article storage system that can automatically allocate work to the adjacent loading/unloading machine so that work can be continued automatically without human intervention. It is in the point of providing.

Means and actions for solving problems The configuration of the present invention will be explained based on FIG.

A ₁ , A ₂ , ... are storage shelves with a large number of shelf booths arranged above, below, left and right, and the storage shelves are single-row storage shelves with a depth approximately equal to the length of the stored items, and are placed on either the front or back sides. Stored items can also be carried in and out from the side.

B ₁ , B ₂ , ... are loading/unloading machines that can move vertically and horizontally along the frontage of A ₁ , A ₂ , ..., and are installed on both sides of the frontage.

C is a loading/unloading member B ₁ , which handles the removal of stored items from the storage shelves A ₁ , A ₂ , . . . or storage into the shelves.
This is a command means for issuing a command to the control means D to allocate to B ₂ .

D is a control means that receives this command and causes the loading/unloading machines B ₁ , B ₂ , . . . to carry out the work of taking out and storing the stored items.

E ₁ , E ₂ , ... are provided in each loading/unloading machine B _{1 , B 2 .} This is an abnormality detection means that is sent to D.

In the present invention, when an abnormality signal is emitted from any of the abnormality detection means E _k under the above configuration,
The signal is input to the control means D, which stops the operation of the loading/unloading machine Bk that has issued the abnormal signal and transmits the fact that it has been stopped to the command means C.

Upon receiving this information, the command means C assigns the loading/unloading of the shelving booth within the scope of the stopped loading/unloading machine B _k to the adjacent loading/unloading machine B _k-1 or B _k+1 , and carries out loading/unloading based on the assignment. By issuing a work command, even in the event of an abnormality in which a certain loading/unloading machine malfunctions, the adjacent loading/unloading machine can operate to supplement the problem and carry out the work without any problems.

Furthermore, even when loading and unloading work is concentrated on a specific storage shelf A _k , the work can be carried out efficiently by operating the two loading/unloading machines B _k and B _k+1 .

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures will be described. The present invention is particularly effective when the stored item is a recorded magnetic tape for a computer, a video or audio tape or disk for a broadcasting station, or a medical chart file for a hospital. This article storage device is intended for such stored articles. Stored items similar to those mentioned above are taken out individually each time the need arises, and once taken out, they are always returned to their original location. The quantity of articles to be taken out and the order in which they are taken out change every day, and the amount of work for loading and unloading varies depending on the time of day.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the article storage facility according to this embodiment, FIG. 4 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a front view along the frontage of the storage shelf. This article storage device is constructed by arranging a plurality of storage shelves 1 parallel to each other at intervals, two of which are shown in FIG.
a, 1b are shown, and FIG. 4 shows three storage shelves 1.
a, 1b, 1c are shown. A storage shelf 1 is provided with a large number of shelf booths 2 extending vertically and horizontally. Each of these shelf booths 2 has a frontage 3 on both front and rear end surfaces, and articles can be taken in and out from either side through these frontages 3, 3. Such shelf booths 2 are arranged in one row in the longitudinal direction of the storage shelves 1, and each storage shelf 1 is a single row of storage shelves.

A shelf passage 4 is formed between each storage shelf 1, and running rails 5 and guide rails 6 are installed at the bottom and top of the shelf passage 4, oriented in the longitudinal direction. An article loading/unloading machine 7 that travels within the shelf passage 4 along the traveling rail 5 is placed on the traveling rail 5 and is engaged with a guide rail 6. This loading/unloading machine 7 has a main frame 8 that extends until it approaches the upper and lower rails 5 and 6 and has a built-in drive device, and an elevator platform 9 that can be raised and lowered up and down along the main frame 8, The lifting platform 9 is provided with a loading platform 11 equipped with a hook 10 that performs reciprocating motion.

As shown in FIG. 3 and as will be described in more detail later, in each shelf booth 2 of the storage shelf 1, an in-shelf container 13 storing a plurality of articles 12, that is, one stored item is stored. There is. These intra-shelf containers 13 have handles 14 protruding from both end faces corresponding to the frontages 3 of the shelf booth 2, and these handles 14, 14 are connected to the shelf passages 4, 4 on both sides of the storage shelf 1, respectively. exposed to. Therefore, by moving the main frame 8 of the loading/unloading machine 7 and raising and lowering the lifting platform 9, the loading platform 1
1 in front of a desired shelf space 2, and handle 14 of the in-shelf container 13 stored in the shelf space 2.
By engaging the hook 10 with the hook 10 and retracting the hook 10, a desired shelf container 13 can be taken out onto the loading platform 11.
It is also possible to push the container 13 on the shelf with the hook 10 and store it in the shelf booth 2.

Therefore, this loading/unloading can be performed using any of the loading/unloading machines 7 located in the front and rear shelf passages 4 sandwiching the storage shelf 1. For example, the third
In the figure, the intra-shelf container 13 stored in the storage shelf 1a can be taken in and out by a loading/unloading machine 7a or by using a loading/unloading machine 7b. Further, for example, the loading/unloading machine 7b can take in and out the intra-shelf containers 13 of the storage shelf 1a, and can also take in and out the intra-shelf containers 13 of the storage shelf 1b.

The shelf booth 2 may have a wide frontage so that a plurality of in-shelf containers 13 can be stored in one shelf booth. However, even in this case, one in-shelf container 13 is stored in the depth direction of the shelf booth, and both end surfaces of the in-shelf container 13 provided with the handles 14 are arranged to face both front and rear frontages, respectively. .

In-shelf container 1 pulled out in this way from shelf booth 2 of storage shelf 1 onto loading platform 11 of loading/unloading machine 7
3 is transported to the end of the shelf passage 4 by the loading/unloading machine 7. A transfer table 15 is provided at the end of the shelf passage 4 in the same row as each storage shelf 1.

At the end of the shelf passage 4, a transfer table 15 is provided in the same row as each storage shelf 1.

The transfer table 15 (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-43293) has an elevating mechanism (not shown) that can move up and down while placing the container 13 in the shelf, and a temporary support frame (not shown) provided above the lifting mechanism. ), the on-shelf container 13 on the loading platform 11 is placed on a temporary support frame, and a predetermined small box 26 in the on-shelf container 13 is taken out or pushed in by a transfer device 16, which will be described later.

After the removal or insertion of the predetermined small boxes 26 is completed, the intra-shelf container 13 supported by the temporary support frame is moved to the lower stage by the lifting mechanism, transferred to the loading platform 11 at this lower stage position, and transported back to its original position by the loading/unloading machine 7. will be returned to the shelf booth.

In this way, in the transfer table 15, the shelf container 13 is transferred from the loading platform 11 to the upper stage, and the transfer to the loading platform 11 is performed at the lower stage, so the loading/unloading machine 7 transfers the new shelf container 13. It is possible to carry it to the stand 15 and transfer it to the upper shelf, and on the way back, take out the lower shelf container 13 and return it to its original position.
Efficient loading and unloading work is possible.

The transfer between the transfer platform 15 and the loading platform 11 is carried out using the hook 10 in the same way as the loading and unloading from the shelf booth 2.
This is done by moving the A transfer device 16 is arranged opposite to the transfer table 15, and this transfer device 16
The setting device 1 is placed on the opposite side of the transfer table 15.
7 is installed.

As will be described in more detail later, the transfer device 16 includes a turntable 18, and a designated article 12 is removed from the shelf container 13 on the transfer stand 15 by means of a loading/unloading device provided on the turntable 18. is pulled out and placed in the guide member 19. Next, the turntable 18
The article 12 rotated by 180 degrees and stored in the guide member 19 is transferred to the loading/unloading container 20 on the setting device 17. Container for loading and unloading 2
0 has the same structure as the above-mentioned intra-shelf container 13, and the structure of the intra-shelf container 13 will be described in more detail later. The transfer device 16 is movably provided on the rail 21, and can therefore pull out a predetermined article 12 on transfer tables 15a and 15c other than the transfer table 15b facing the setting device 17. In this case, the rotating table 18 is rotated while the transfer device 16 returns to the position of the setting device 17.

Transfer device 16 and setting device 17 correspond to each transfer table 15a, 15b, 15c, respectively.
may be provided.

The setting device 17 is provided in the middle of the flow of the conveyor 22, and a container receiving member (not shown) rises from the gap between the conveyors 22 and slightly raises the containers 20 for loading and unloading.
The container 20 is then separated from the container 20 and fixed in a predetermined position, and the article 12 is transferred to and from the transfer device 16 in this fixed state.

The returned goods 12 to the original shelf booth 2 are carried out in the reverse order of operations as described above.

A barcode reader 23 is provided at the end of the conveyor 22 on the loading/unloading side, which reads the barcode displayed on each article 12 and sends information regarding the loaded article 12 to the computer. It is returned to the original designated position in shelf booth 2.

In this embodiment, as described above, each storage shelf 1 is arranged in a single row, and both end faces in the depth direction serve as frontages, and intra-shelf containers 13 can be taken in and out from either side. In Fig. 3, when the containers 13 in the shelf are taken out from the storage shelf 1a, the two loading and unloading machines 7a and 7b can be operated to take out the containers 13 from the storage shelf 1a. The container 13 can be efficiently taken in and out of the storage shelf 1.

Also, for example, even if either the loading/unloading machine 7a or 7b stops due to a failure or maintenance,
The remaining loading/unloading machine 7b or 7a can be used to load/unload the storage shelf 1a. Therefore, since the loading/unloading machine 7a or 7b has stopped, the storage shelf 1
It does not occur that it becomes impossible to take in or take out the storage device, thereby causing the organic function of the storage device as a whole to be lost and the entire device to be forced to stop.

The number of rows of storage shelves 1 installed in one article storage device is selected by taking into consideration the total required storage amount of articles, the capacity of the loading/unloading machine, and appropriately setting the length of the container, that is, the depth of the storage shelves. can. One loading/unloading machine 7 is installed on the outermost side of the parallel storage shelves 1.
In other words, if there are 2 rows of shelves, there will be 3 units, and if there are 3 rows of shelves, there will be 4 units.
If you install it as a stand, you can fully obtain the above effect.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of FIG. 5. In this modification, the transfer table 15, the transfer device 16, the setting device 17, and the conveyor 22 are provided in two stages, upper and lower, so that articles can be taken in and out more efficiently. Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out loading and unloading at the same time, for example, by using the upper tier for carrying out articles and the lower tier for carrying in articles. These loading/unloading operations are automatically performed under computer control.

The detailed structure of each part of this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing an example of the in-shelf container 13. The in-shelf container 13 is open at the top and one side in the depth direction, and has a large number of partition plates 25 erected at predetermined intervals on the bottom plate 24 at right angles to the depth direction. One storage article is stored between each partition plate 25. The stored item may be a rectangular case containing various types of tapes, or a rectangular item such as a medical record file.
It may also be a disk-shaped object containing a film, a disk, etc. FIG. 3 shows the shelf container 13 containing rectangular articles 12, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show the shelf container 13 containing disc-shaped articles 12.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, each article 12 may be placed in a small regular box 26 and stored within the shelf container 13. Each small box 26 is provided with a handle 27 similar to the handle 14 of the in-shelf container 13, and the article 12 is placed on the transfer table 1.
5 to the setting device 17,
The loading/unloading device on the transfer device 16 is engaged with the handle 27 and moved together with the small box 26. Magnetic tapes, video tapes, audio tapes, etc. come in different sizes, but by placing them in the standard small box 26 and storing them in the shelf container 13, each item 12 can be stored regardless of its size (thickness or thinness).
2 are stored at predetermined intervals in the shelf container 13, which is extremely useful for the transfer device 16 to determine the position of the specified article 12 and to take out the specified article 12 appropriately. .

A barcode 28 is displayed on the upper surface of the article 12, and the barcode 28 is read by the barcode reader 23 as described above.

In the shelf container 13 shown in FIG. 9, a guide member 29 is provided protruding from the bottom plate 24 instead of the partition plate 25. These guide members 29 are attached to the bottom plate 2
The guide member 29 is disposed approximately along the center line of the small box 26 placed on the guide member 4, and a groove 30 into which the guide member 29 fits is provided at the bottom of the small box 26 along the center line. . Therefore, small box 26
is guided by the guide member 29 by the engagement between the guide member 29 and the groove 30, and is pushed into the shelf container 13 at right angles to the depth direction of the shelf container 13,
Or it is pulled out from the shelf container 13. A fall stopper 32 is vertically provided at the rear end of the guide member 29 along the side wall 31. On the other hand, a notch 33 is provided in the handle 27 of the small box 26, and this notch 33 and the fall stopper 32 This engagement prevents the small box 26 containing the articles 12 from falling over on the in-shelf container 13. Therefore, even if there are no other small boxes 26 on either side of the small box 26, the small box 26 can independently maintain an upright state together with the article 12, and even if the width of the small box 26 is within a certain range, For example, even if the small boxes 26 have slightly different dimensions, they can be stored in the shelf container 13 with their centers aligned at predetermined positions. FIG. 10 is a drawing of the small box 26 seen from the bottom side, and as mentioned above, the groove 30 along the center line
is provided, but both ends 30 of this groove 30
a and 30b are widened to make it easier for the guide member 29 to fit into the groove 30 when the small box 26 is pushed into the shelf container 13.

FIG. 11 shows the container 1 on the shelf on the transfer table 15.
3. It is a perspective view showing the loading and unloading container 20 on the transfer device 16 and the second transfer table 17, but the setting device 17 and the loading and unloading container 20 are shifted in position to make the drawing clearer. It is actually located at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 17a. Note that the articles 12 in each small box 26 are not shown.

The transfer device 16 consists of a carriage 34 that can reciprocate left and right along the rail 21 and a rotary table 18 rotatably provided on the carriage 34.
A guide rod 35 is further fixed on the guide rod 8, and a sliding member 36 is provided which slides back and forth while being guided by the guide rod 35. A hook 37 is attached to the sliding member 36, and by engaging the hook 37 with the handle 27 of the small box 26 and moving the sliding member 36 backward along the guide rod 35, it is possible to move the inside of the shelf. The small box 26 on the container 13 is pulled onto the rotating table 18.

A guide member 38 is also fixed on the rotating table 18, and this guide member 38 is connected to the small box 26.
The groove 30 that was aligned with the guide member 29 of the intra-shelf container 13 and fitted with the guide member 29 when the shelf container 13 is drawn in continues to fit with the guide member 38 and is guided by the guide member 38.

The rotary table 18 is further provided with a pair of left and right side guides 19 that guide both sides of the small box 26, and the small box 26 is guided by these guide members 3.
8 and side guides 19, it is correctly placed at a predetermined position on the transfer device 16 in a predetermined direction.

When the small box 26 in the shelf container 13 is pulled out and placed on the transfer device 16 in this way, the turntable 18 horizontally rotates 180 degrees, and the pulled out small box 26 is placed on the transfer device 16. Since it directly faces the loading/unloading container 20 on the setting device 17, the sliding member 36 is slid and the small box 26 is pushed out by the hook 37.
Place it in the specified position within 0. In this case, the position of the carriage 34 is adjusted by moving it left and right along the rail 21 as necessary.

The structure of the loading/unloading container 20 is that of the shelf container 1.
3, and is equipped with a guide member similar to the guide member 29, so the small box 26 is guided by this guide member and the guide member 38 and smoothly fits into a predetermined position in the loading/unloading container 20. .

Although not shown, the transfer device 16 includes:
It has a built-in drive device for performing the reciprocating movement of the carriage 34, the sliding movement of the sliding member 36, the rotational movement of the rotary table 18, and the vertical movement of the hook 37 necessary for the engagement of the handle 27 and the hook 37. This drive device is controlled by a computer.

Since each storage shelf 1 has the frontage 3 on both sides as described above, when the in-shelf container 13 is pushed into the shelf booth 2 by the loading/unloading machine 7, there is a possibility that the in-shelf container 13 protrudes from the frontage 3 on the opposite side. Therefore, container slip-out prevention devices 39 as shown in FIG. 12 are provided at both frontages 3, 3 of each shelf booth 2, respectively. This anti-slip device 39 also prevents the on-shelf container 13 from slipping out of the shelf booth 2 and falling during an earthquake or the like. Anti-slip device 3
Reference numeral 9 denotes a hinge 4 attached to the lower surface of a support member 40 that partitions each shelf booth 2 and supports the containers 13 in the shelf.
1 and a locking member 42 fixed to one arm piece 41a of this hinge 41.
A locking piece 4 is attached to the outer end of the locking piece 4 via a connecting piece 42b.
2c is provided. The locking piece 42c is normally biased by the spring 43 of the hinge 41, and as shown by the chain line in the figure, the locking piece 42c protrudes from the center of the entire surface of the support member 40, and the shelf container 1 stored on the support member 40 is
3 from slipping out.

An arm member (not shown) that can swing up and down around an axis parallel to the front edge is provided at the front end of the loading/unloading platform 11 of the loading/unloading machine 7. The loading platform 11 can move freely along the storage shelf 1. However, when pulling out the shelf container 13 on the support member 40, the hook 10 (FIG. 3) moves forward and this arm Since the member is pushed down, the connecting piece 42b is held down from above by the arm member, and the locking piece 42c
descends to the position shown by the solid line in Figure 12,
It is possible to draw out the container 13 inside the shelf. When the shelf container 13 is pushed from the loading platform 11 onto the support member 40, the arm member is pushed down by the shelf container 13 itself, and the locking piece 42c descends to the solid line position in the figure.

Next, a block diagram of the control system in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 13 and will be explained.

Reference numeral 51 denotes a management computer, which issues commands for warehousing and unloading of goods, and is directly connected to an operation console 52, which includes a keyboard 5.
3. It is equipped with a CRT 54, a printer 55, a floppy disk device 56, and a keyboard 53.
It operates upon receiving necessary input from the storage device, and can display the operating status of the article storage device on the CRT 54. If necessary, the article storage status can also be printed out on the printer 55.

In addition, the storage status of articles and the like are recorded on a floppy disk device 56.

The management computer 51 mutually monitors the status of each loading/unloading machine 7, selects the most efficient operation order, and sends the operation command along with necessary information to the main control panel 57.
emanates from.

Further, the management computer 51 can perform online processing using the host computer 50.

The main control panel 57 receives commands from the management computer 51, determines mutual operation procedures for each drive device based on the commands, and sends operation signals to each control panel 60,
Output to 61, 64, and 65.

In addition, the main control panel 57 is connected to the barcode reader 23.
The information read by the management computer 51 is also inputted, and the information is mediated between the management computer 51 and the control panel of each drive device, and the abnormality display monitor unit 5
9 to display the occurrence situation at the time of abnormality.

60 and 61 are loading/unloading machine control panels, which control the actual operation of each loading/unloading machine 7.

The loading/unloading machine control panel (A) 60 is the first and second loading/unloading machine 7.
a, 7b, and the loading/unloading machine control panel (B) 61 is the third,
Controls the fourth loading/unloading machines 7c and 7d.

In this embodiment, two loading/unloading machine control panels (A) 60 and two loading/unloading machine control panels (B) 61 are used, but they may be combined into one or four loading/unloading machine control panels each. good.

Each loading/unloading machine has an abnormality detection section 63, which detects the abnormality when any abnormality occurs in the loading/unloading machine, and outputs a detection signal to the control panel of each loading/unloading machine.

Reference numeral 64 denotes a transfer device control panel, which controls the drive of the transfer device 16 and also controls the vertical movement of the three transfer tables 15.

A conveyor control panel 65 controls the driving of the conveyor 22 and the setting device 17.

The above-described control system performs the work of warehousing and unloading articles, and the actual operating procedure at that time will be explained with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The same flowchart shows the management computer 51,
The operations of the main control panel 57, conveyor control panel 65, transfer equipment control panel 64, loading/unloading machine control panel (A) 60, and loading/unloading machine control panel (B) 61 are shown in six vertical columns, and the The exchange of command or information signals is indicated by arrows.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts for warehousing articles, and the operating procedure will be explained below with reference to the same figures.

First, the operating mode of the system is set to warehousing by operating the keyboard 53 of the console 52 (step 1). Then, the management computer 51 transmits a warehousing operation start signal to the main control panel 57 (step 2).

When the main control panel 57 receives the warehousing operation start signal (step 3), it outputs a conveyor operation start signal to the conveyor control panel 65 (step 4).

Here, the worker sets the storage container 20 containing the goods to be stored from the cart to the storage entrance 44 (step 6).

After receiving the conveyor operation start signal (step 5) and when the container 20 is set (step 6), the conveyor control panel 65 automatically starts the conveyor 22 and transports the receiving container 20 to the top of the setting device 17. (Step 7).

When the warehousing container 20 passes the barcode reader 23 during transportation, the contents of the barcode labels affixed to all the articles in the warehousing container 20 by the barcode reader 23 are used to identify the warehousing container in which each article is placed. It is read in correspondence with the compartment within the container (step 8).

Incoming container 2 being transported in step 7
0 waits in front of the setting device 17 when the previous storage container 20 is already on the setting device.

The main control panel 57 connects the content of the barcode label (code number of the article) with the location where the article is placed in the warehousing container 20 (the warehousing container section number),
1 (step 9).

At this point, the next storage container can be set at the storage entrance 44.

After receiving the article code number and warehousing container section number (step 10), the management computer 51 sends storage location data (shelf row number, shelf row number, and shelf container section number) corresponding to the article code number. It is allocated (step 11) and registered in the inventory file of the floppy disk device 56 (step 12).

Then, the loading/unloading machine and transfer table for each article are selected (step 13), and the main control is performed to control the warehousing data necessary to return the articles in the warehousing container 20 that are being moved onto the setting device to the in-shelf container 13. It is sent to the board 57 (step 14).

The warehousing data is transmitted for each warehousing container for the number of items contained in the same container.

The contents of the warehousing data are () loading/unloading machine number,
() Shelf row number, () Shelf stage number,
() Shelf serial number, () Transfer table number,
It consists of the above seven elements: () In-shelf container section number and () Incoming container section number.

When the main control panel 57 receives the warehousing data (step 15), it instructs the responsible loading/unloading machine control panel to take out the shelf container 13, which is the storage destination for the article, based on the loading/unloading machine number (step 16).

The data required to take out a predetermined shelf container are () to ().

In step 16, multiple loading/unloading machines, for example No.
When the loading/unloading machines No. 1 and No. 3 are specified, the two loading/unloading machine control panels (A) 60 and (B) 61 issue commands to take out containers in the shelf in parallel.

When the loading/unloading machine control panels (A) 60 and (B) 61 receive this command (steps 17 and 21), the data () to ()
The loading and unloading machine supported by The inner container is transferred (steps 19, 23), and when this work is completed, a container removal completion signal is sent to the main control panel 57 together with the loading/unloading machine number (steps 20, 24).

When the main control panel 57 receives this signal (step 25), it stores the data and transfer table number of the containers 13 taken out on the shelf in the order in which the signal was received (step 26).

In step 7, the conveyor control panel 65 transports the warehousing container 20 to the setting device 17, and the setting device 17 raises the container receiving member to fix and position the warehousing container 20 at a predetermined position (step 27).

When positioning is completed, a completion signal is sent to the main control panel 57.
The main control panel 57 receives this completion signal (step 29) and transmits the same completion signal to the transfer device control panel 64 (step 30).

Here, if the second warehousing container 20 is set at the warehousing entrance, it can be transported.

At step 25, the main control panel 57 receives a signal indicating that the container in the shelf has been taken out to the transfer table, and stores the container data and transfer table number (step 25).
26) The storage data of the article for the first on-shelf container 13 and the number of the transfer table from which the on-shelf container was taken out are transmitted to the transfer device control panel 64 (step 32).

The data necessary for the transfer device 16 to transfer a specified article from the warehousing container 20 on the setting device to the container on the shelf 13 on the transfer table are () transfer table number, () container section number on the shelf. ,
() This is the storage container section number.

When the transfer device control panel 64 receives the article storage data and the transfer platform number (step 33), (vii) the transfer device 1 is moved to a predetermined position based on the container compartment number.
6 (step 34).

If the transfer device control panel 64 receives the warehousing container positioning completion signal in step 31, it controls the transfer device 16 to take out the small box 26 containing the predetermined article (step 35).

Then, the transfer device is moved to the designated transfer table based on () the transfer table number and () the shelf container compartment number (step 36), and the corresponding small box 2 is moved.
6 is pushed into a predetermined section of the shelf container 13 (step 37), and a transfer completion signal is sent to the main control panel 57 (step 38).

Note that if the container positioning completion signal in step 31 has not been received, the container will be in a standby state until the same signal is received.

After receiving the transfer completion signal from the transfer device control panel (step 39), the main control panel 57 transmits the second warehousing data and transfer platform number to the transfer device control panel 64 (step 40).

The following operation steps 41, 42, 43... are the same as steps 33 to 39 above, but when the transfer table numbers of the first and second warehousing data are different, that is, when the transfer tables are different, ( In step 44), the transfer device control panel 64 controls the transfer table to move the shelf container 13 containing the predetermined boxes placed on the upper level to the lower level (step 45), and allows the container to be taken out by the loading/unloading machine. At the same time, a transfer completion signal is sent to the main control panel 57 together with the transfer table number (Step 46).

When the main control panel 57 receives the signal (step
47), () Data necessary to select the loading/unloading machine based on the transfer table number and return the container 13 in the shelf to the shelf (() loading/unloading machine number, () shelf row number, () shelf The stack number, () serial number of the shelf, () transfer table number) and the warehousing command are sent to the control panel of the loading/unloading machine in charge (step 48).

The loading/unloading machine control panel receives these data (step 49), and based on the data, controls the specified loading/unloading machine that has completed the predetermined operation to remove the container 13 in the shelf placed on the lower stage of the transfer table. is taken out and stored in a designated shelf (step 50).

When the transfer device 16 completes the transfer from the storage container 20 to the shelf container 13, the transfer device control panel 64 transmits a transfer completion signal (step 51).
When the main control panel 57 receives the signal (step 52), the main control panel 57 determines whether or not all boxes containing items in the storage container 20 on the setting device have been transferred ( Step 53)
When all the articles have been transferred, a warehousing completion signal is sent to the conveyor control panel 65 (step 54).

When the conveyor control panel 65 receives the signal (step 55), it lowers the container receiving member of the setting device 17 (step 56), and
and move the empty storage container 20 to the storage exit 45.
(Step 57).

Then, the next warehousing container 20 is conveyed onto the setting device, and the same operation is repeated again, so that warehousing work is performed one after another.

The operator takes out the empty storage container 20 that has been transported to the exit port 45 onto the trolley.

Next, the operating procedure for leaving the warehouse will be explained based on FIGS. 16 and 17.

First, the system is set to the delivery mode by operating the keyboard 53 on the operation console 52 (step 61).
Furthermore, all the article codes of the articles to be delivered are inputted, and a command to start the delivery operation is given (step 62).

Here, the article code can be input by online processing by the host computer 50 or by setting a diskette containing the article code in the floppy disk device 56.

The management computer 51 compares the input data with the inventory file in the floppy disk device 56 and reads out the storage location of the article (step 63).

Which loading/unloading machine should be selected in order to carry out the work most efficiently to take out the goods designated for shipping.
It is selected whether it is better to use a transfer table, and the shipping data is determined (step 64).

The content of the outgoing data consists of the same seven elements as the above-mentioned incoming data.

The management computer 51 sends out-of-shelf data to the main control panel 57 for the number of articles to be outed to one empty out-of-stock container 20 in units of containers on the shelf (step 65).

When the main control panel 57 transmits the unloading data (step 66), it transmits an instruction signal to take out the container in the predetermined shelf to the unloading/unloading machine control panel in charge based on the unloading/unloading machine number in the unloading data (step 67),
An operation start instruction signal is transmitted to the conveyor control panel 65 (step 68).

When the loading and unloading machine control panels (A) 60 and (B) 61 receive the instruction signal (steps 69 and 73), they read () loading/unloading machine number, () shelf row number, and
() Shelf row number, () Shelf consecutive number,
() Based on the transfer table number, the predetermined loading/unloading machine is controlled to take out the container 13 in the predetermined shelf (steps 70 and 74), and place the container 13 in the same shelf on the predetermined transfer table.
(steps 71, 75), and transmits a container removal completion signal together with the loading/unloading machine number to the main control panel 57 (steps 72, 76).

When the main control panel 57 receives the container removal completion signal (step 84), it stores the data and transfer platform number of the containers 13 in the shelf that were taken out in order (step 85).

Further, after receiving the operation start instruction signal (step 77), the conveyor control panel 65 starts the conveyor 22 when the worker sets the empty shipping container 20 to the loading port 44 (step 78). The container 20 is transported to the top of the setting device 17 (step 79).

Then, the setting device 17 performs positioning, and a positioning completion signal is output to the main control panel 57 (step 80). After receiving the same signal (step 81), the main control panel 57 further receives the transfer device control panel 6.
4 (step 82).

Furthermore, after storing the first on-shelf container 13 and transfer table number as described above (step 85), the main control panel 57 transmits the article delivery data for that on-shelf container 13 to the transfer device control panel 64. (Step 86).

When the transfer device control panel 64 receives the signal (step 87), it moves the transfer device 16 to a predetermined position based on () the transfer table number and () the shelf container division number (step 88), and 16 to take out a predetermined small box 26 (step
89).

Then, the transfer device 16 on which a predetermined small box 26 is mounted is moved to a predetermined position on the setting device 17 according to the compartment number () of the shipping container 20 (step 90), and the small box 26 is placed on the loading device 17. (step 91), and sends a transfer completion signal to the main control panel 5.
7 (step 92).

If the main control panel 57 has not yet received the positioning completion signal for the shipping container 20, the transfer device is in a standby state at the setting device 17 position.

When the main control panel 57 receives the transfer completion signal (step 93), the main control panel 57 receives the second container 1 taken out from the shelf.
3 and the transfer platform number are transmitted to the transfer device control panel 64 (step 94). After the transfer device control panel 64 receives the signal (step 95), the transfer device 16 transfers from the container 13 on the shelf to the shipping container 20 (step 96, . . . ) according to steps 88 to 92. The same is true.

If the first and second transfer tables are different (step 97), the shelf container 13 containing the predetermined small box 26 placed on the upper level of the first transfer table is moved to the lower level (step 97). 98), and transmits a transfer completion signal together with the transfer table number to the main control panel 57 (step 99).

In this way, a transfer completion signal is transmitted from the transfer device control panel 64 to the main control panel 57 (step
101), the main control panel 57 receives the same signal (step
102) When all the desired items have been placed in the shipping container 20 (step 103), a shipping completion signal is sent to the conveyor control panel 65 (step 103).
104).

When the conveyor control panel 65 receives the signal (step 105), it controls the setting device 17 to lower the container receiving member (step 106), starts the conveyor 22, and removes the shipping container 20 loaded with the predetermined articles. It is transported to the exit 45 (step 107).

Then, the next shipping container 20 is conveyed onto the setting device 17, and the same operation is repeated again to carry out shipping work one after another.

The operator takes out the shipping container 20 loaded with the predetermined articles, which has been transported to the shipping exit 45, onto the trolley.

The above is the operating procedure for shipping work.

When the warehousing and unloading operations are carried out without any problems, the work progresses through each step in sequence, but if an abnormality occurs in any of the devices for some reason, the work is interrupted.

However, if an abnormality occurs in one of the loading/unloading machines,
By using other loading/unloading machines, it is possible to continue the work without interruption.

Therefore, control programs in the case where an abnormality occurs in one of the loading/unloading machines are shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

Here, a case where an abnormality occurs in the second loading/unloading machine 7b is treated as an example.

As mentioned above, the loading/unloading machine is equipped with an abnormality detection section, and if the second loading/unloading machine abnormality detection section 63b detects an abnormality (step 121), an abnormality detection signal is sent to the loading/unloading machine control panel (A ) 60 (step 122), the operation of the second loading/unloading machine 7b is stopped (step 123), and a stop signal indicating that the operation has stopped is transmitted to the main control panel 57 (step 124).

When the main control panel 57 receives the same signal (step
125), transmits the same signal to the management computer 51 (step 126), and displays that an abnormality has occurred on the abnormality display monitor section (step 127).

When the management computer 51 receives the stop signal (step 128), it prohibits the command for loading/unloading to the second loading/unloading machine 7b, allocates the items stored in the first row of shelf booths to the first loading/unloading machine 7a, and The items stored in the shelf booths in the rows are allocated to the third loading/unloading machine 7c (step
129).

Then, the management computer 51 transmits the warehousing or warehousing data to the main control panel 57 according to the assignment (step 130), and also displays the occurrence status and the number of the loading/unloading machine regarding the occurrence of an abnormality.
Displayed on CRT54.

After that, if the main control panel 57 receives the warehousing or warehousing data (step 132) and controls the loading/unloading work in the same manner as described above based on the data, the work can be continued without interruption.

The worker stopped the second loading/unloading machine 7b due to an abnormality.
Repairs can be carried out while loading and unloading work continues,
As shown in FIG. 19, when the abnormality is resolved (step 141), an abnormality release signal is sent from the loading/unloading machine control panel (A) 60 to the main control panel 57 (step 141).
142) When the main control board 57 receives the same signal (step 143), it transmits the same signal to the main control board 57 (step 144) and stops the abnormality display on the abnormality display monitor section 59 (step 145).

When the management computer 51 receives the abnormality release signal (step 146), it cancels the command to stop the loading/unloading to the second loading/unloading machine 7b (step 146).
147), and the abnormal display on the CRT 54 is stopped (step 148).

After that, without removing the second loading/unloading machine 7b, the management computer 51 performs the normal allocation, and according to the same allocation, warehousing or warehousing data is transmitted to the main control panel 57, and normal work continues. will be carried out.

In this way, in this embodiment, if any one of the loading/unloading machines breaks down or stops for some reason, the loading and unloading operations can be automatically continued without interruption, so there is no need for human intervention. Work can be continued efficiently without significantly affecting work.

Moreover, since the loading/unloading machine that has malfunctioned while the loading/unloading operation is continuing can be repaired, the original normal state can be restored without interrupting the loading/unloading operation at all.

In addition, a signal corresponding to an abnormality occurrence signal is sent to the main control panel 5 corresponding to each loading/unloading machine on the loading/unloading machine control panel.
By providing a switch that can transmit data to 7, maintenance and inspection of each loading/unloading machine can be carried out without stopping the operation of the entire system.

Although the present invention has been described above in detail with respect to the embodiments shown in the drawings and the embodiments not shown in the drawings, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be used as necessary within the scope of the spirit of the invention. The design can be freely modified as appropriate.

Effects of the Invention The present invention has a single-row storage shelf that allows articles to be carried in and out from either frontage, and when an abnormality occurs in one of the loading/unloading machines, the other loading/unloading machines are automatically moved. Since the loading and unloading tasks are immediately assigned to the loading machine, all items can be loaded and unloaded efficiently without interrupting the loading and unloading operations of the entire system, and the effects of abnormalities can be avoided.

Therefore, there is no need for workers to constantly monitor
Assignment work can be done automatically, greatly reducing the burden on workers.

Additionally, repair work can be carried out to eliminate abnormalities while loading and unloading operations continue.

Furthermore, maintenance and inspection can be carried out for each loading/unloading machine even while loading or unloading work continues, and there is no need to take the trouble of stopping the system for maintenance and inspection.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a view corresponding to the claims of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side view showing a conventional article storage equipment, Fig. 3 is a partial side view of an article storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is the same. A plan view, FIG. 5 is a front view of the storage shelf as seen from the shelf aisle side, FIG. 6 is a partial view showing a modification of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a container, and FIG. 8 is a container a perspective view showing articles stored in the
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of a container and a small box stored therein, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the small box seen from the bottom side, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a transfer device, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the anti-slip device, FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the control system of this embodiment,
Figures 14 and 15 are flowcharts of the warehousing program, Figures 16 and 17 are flowcharts of the retrieval program, Figure 18 is a flowchart of the control program when an abnormality occurs, and Figure 19 is a flowchart of the abnormality release. This is a flowchart of the control program. 1... Storage shelf, 2... Shelf booth, 3... Frontage, 4
... Shelf aisle, 5 ... Traveling rail, 6 ... Guide rail, 7 ... Loading/unloading machine, 8 ... Main frame, 9 ... Lifting platform, 10 ... Hook, 11 ... Loading platform, 12 ... Article , 13... Container on shelf, 14... Handle, 15
... Transfer table, 16 ... Transfer device, 17 ... Setting device, 18 ... Rotating table, 19 ... Side guide, 20 ... Container for loading and unloading, 21 ... Rail, 22 ... Conveyor, 23 ... Barcode reader, 24 ... Bottom plate, 25 ... Partition plate, 26 ...
Small box, 27...handle, 28...barcode, 29...guide member, 30...groove, 31...
Side wall, 33... cut, 34... carriage, 35...
...Guide rod, 36...Sliding member, 37...Hook,
38...Guide member, 39...Slip prevention device, 40...Support member, 41...Hinge, 42...
Locking member, 43... Spring, 44... Storage entrance, 45
...Exit exit, 50...Host computer, 51
...Management computer, 52...Operation console, 53
...keyboard, 54...CRT, 55...printer, 56...floppy disk device, 57...
...Main control panel, 59...Abnormality display monitor section, 60
... Carrying in/out machine control panel A, 61... Carrying in/out machine control panel B, 63... First carrying out/unloading machine abnormality detection section, 64...
Transfer equipment control panel, 65...conveyor control panel.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A large number of shelf booths are arranged vertically and horizontally, and a single-row storage shelf is provided, in which a single storage item stored in the depth direction can be carried in and out from either the front or rear frontage, In an article storage facility in which stored items are transported into and out of the shelf booth by means of a loading/unloading machine, loading/unloading machines movable in parallel along the shelf frontage surface are disposed on each of the front and back sides of the single row storage shelf. , Both of the loading and unloading machines on both sides of the shelf can directly carry stored items into the shelf booth or directly carry out stored items from the shelf booth, and make it possible to take out stored items from the shelves or store them in the shelves. A command means for issuing a command to be assigned to each loading/unloading machine to the control means, a control means for receiving the command and causing the loading/unloading machine to carry out the work of taking out and storing the respective loading/unloading machine, and a loading/unloading machine for each loading/unloading machine. an abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality when it occurs and transmitting an abnormality signal to the control means, the control means, upon receiving the abnormality signal from the abnormality detection means, stops the loading/unloading machine that has issued the abnormality signal; The command means is notified of the stoppage of the loading/unloading machine that has issued the abnormal signal, and upon receiving this, the commanding means is configured to allocate the loading/unloading of the shelving booth in the area in charge of the stopped loading/unloading machine to an adjacent loading/unloading machine. A control device for article storage equipment, characterized in that it issues a command to a control means.