JPH0420401A - Automated warehouse - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of operation in a warehouse with a crane by providing a matrix indicator for indicating case arrangement in a shipping and stocking port to search for the corresponding case and the corresponding position in the case to renew the stock according to an inputted code signal of a load, and indicating the case arrangement on an indicator. CONSTITUTION:In the case of a returning operation, a setting switch 13 is operated to input the item number and quantity of a load by a tenkey switch 14. A controller 11 indicates the input information to a liquid crystal indicator 12 to confirm the content. At the same time a lamp of a matrix indicator 17 showing the return position of the load at the shipping and stocking port side for shipping the case flickers so that the case of the specified rack number is shipped to the shipping and stocking port by a crane. The load is put in the case at the shipping and stocking port in which the lamp flickers, and an operation completing button 15 is depressed. Then, the crane returns the load to a predetermined position. Thus, the efficiency of operation is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a rack having a plurality of shelves for storing cases capable of storing two or more items, and a rack that is self-propelled along the rack and is connected to the shelves of the rack. This invention relates to an automated warehouse equipped with a crane for loading and unloading cases between loading and unloading entrances.

Conventional technology The above-mentioned conventional automated warehouse will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 7 is a layout diagram of a conventional automated warehouse.

The automated warehouse includes a rack 3 having multiple shelves 2 for storing cases 1 containing two or more loads, a rack 3 that moves by itself in the direction of arrow A along the rack 3, and is installed on an elevating carriage and an elevating key ledge. Using the running fork that can move in and out in the direction of arrow I3, the rack 3 can be placed on the shelf 2 of the rack 3, and as shown in FIG. A crane 5 for loading and unloading cases 1 between the entrances 4 and inventory data, that is, data consisting of the arrangement of loads in the shelves 2 and cases 1, product numbers, and the presence or absence of loads, are stored in advance. As shown in the figure, there is an operation panel 6 on the surface, and when information on whether to return or take out the load, as well as the product number and quantity of the load is input from the operation panel 6, the case 1 corresponding to this information is stored. It is comprised of a control device 7 that searches the storage shelves 2, sends and receives signals to and from the crane 5 via an optical transmission device, and causes the crane 5 to move cases 1 in and out of storage.

With the above configuration, the worker inputs the product number and quantity of the load to the control device 7 using the operation panel 6,
When a case 1 corresponding to the product number of the cargo that can be returned or has a cargo stored therein is delivered to an unloading person 4, the cargo is returned or taken out.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the configuration of a conventional automated warehouse, since the case 1 stores cargo with multiple product numbers, it is difficult to take out the desired cargo from the case 1 without making any mistakes. There is a problem that requires careful attention, and when it is specified that the array in case 1 is arranged in the order of product number, case 1
There is a problem in that it is necessary to move and store the cargo inside, and it also requires careful attention to avoid mistakes, both of which impair work efficiency.

The present invention solves the above problems, and aims to provide an automated warehouse that allows for error-free retrieval and storage operations and improves work efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the automatic warehouse of the present invention includes a rack having a plurality of shelves for storing cases capable of storing two or more loads, and a rack that is self-propelled along the rack. A crane is provided for loading and unloading the case between the shelf of the rack and the loading/unloading entrance, and the loading/unloading entrance is provided with an indicator consisting of a group of lamps corresponding to the partition pattern of the case and indicating the position within the case of the load to be accessed. and an input means for inputting the load code, and a load code signal inputted from the input means to calculate the load from inventory data consisting of the load code stored in advance, the case in which the load is stored, and the position within the case. The apparatus is further provided with a control means for searching the case and the position within the case, updating the inventory data, and driving the display to display the position within the case of the searched item.

With the above configuration, when the code of a load is input by the input means, the control means uses the code signal of the load to search the case and the position in the case in which the load is stored from the inventory data, and updates the inventory data. An indicator installed at the loading/unloading entrance displays the position of the cargo inside the case. Therefore, the worker only has to carry out the work of putting back or taking out the load according to the position of the load in the case displayed on the display, and it is expected that the work efficiency will be improved.

Example Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

The configuration of the automatic warehouse main body of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the conventional example shown in FIG. 7, and a control device with a different configuration and a newly added display will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an automatic warehouse according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 11 has, on its surface, a liquid crystal display 12, a setting switch 13 for setting the load (take out, return, and storage), a numeric keypad switch 14 for inputting the product number and quantity of the load, and A work completion switch 15 corresponding to the left and right loading/unloading entrances 4 is provided, and these devices 12 and 13 are installed inside.
．． A controller 16 consisting of a microcomputer is provided which performs input/output with 14 and 15, and controls the crane 5 via a matrix display device 17 and an optical transmission device rr 118 provided at the unloading port 4.

The matrix display device 17 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6(a).
As shown in the figure, each automatic gold seal consists of a group of lamps corresponding to the partition pattern of case 1 used depending on the type of cargo stored, and is designed to indicate the position in case 1 of the cargo to be accessed with multiples. It is composed of The cases shown in Figures 3 and 6 (a) are for storing 2 floppy disks.
It shows cases that are stored in rows. The controller 16 contains the product number of the cargo in the automated warehouse and the case 1 in which this cargo is stored.
Inventory data consisting of the information and the position within case 1 is stored in advance, and the shelf storing case 1 is identified on a one-to-one basis with the case, and case 1 is identified by the shelf number. Cases stored on shelf 2 of rack 3 on the right are placed on the right carry-out port 4 (R) so that the orientation of the cases does not change, and cases stored on shelf 2 of rack 3 on the left are placed on the left carry-out port so that the case orientation does not change. It will be transported to a population of 4.

The operation of the controller 16 of the control device 11 will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, when it is confirmed that the return operation is to be performed by the operation signal of the return setting switch 13 (step -1), a message indicating that the return operation is to be output is output to the liquid crystal display 12 and displayed (step -2). Next, when the product number and quantity of the item to be returned are entered by using the numeric keypad switch 14 while holding the star (N) key (Step 3), the product number and quantity are output to the crystal display device 12 and displayed (Step 3). Step 5) Next, use this product number and quantity to search for case 1 that still has the partition to return this item from the inventory data.
Identify the return position in case 1 (-6 in case 1)
.

Also, if there is no return work at step -1,
When it is confirmed that it is a take-out operation based on the operation signal of the take-out setting switch 13 (step -7>, a message that it is a take-out operation is outputted to the liquid crystal display device 12 and displayed. Step -8). Next, when the product number and quantity of the item to be taken out by holding the star <*>q- are entered using the numeric keypad switch 14 (-9 at step), the product number and quantity are output to the liquid crystal display 12 and displayed. -10)
, Step -11) to search for case 1 containing the item to be taken out from the inventory data using this product number and quantity, and step -12) to specify the removal position in case 1.
.

After completing step -6 or step -12,
Output the searched shelf number of case 1 to the liquid crystal display 12 and display it.In step-13), check whether case 1 is stored in rack 3 on the right or in rack 3 on the left according to the shelf number for case 1. Check if it is set (-14 to step)
, if it is stored in the right rack 3, an output command signal consisting of the storage number and the data of the right unloading population 4 (R) is output to the crane 5 via the optical transmission device 18.
5>, Matrix display device 17 for export population 4 (R) on the right
The lamp at the access (return or take-out) position of the load (R) is blinked, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(a) (step -16). And case 1 from crane 5
When the exit completion signal is input (-17 in step), the lamp is turned on continuously (-18), and when the input of the operation signal of the right work completion switch 15 (R) is confirmed (-19 in step), In step 20), a warehousing command signal consisting of the original shelf number and the right unloading number 4 (R) is output to the crane 5.

In step -14, when it is confirmed that the case 1 is stored in the left rack 3, it is transmitted to the crane 5 via the optical transmission device 18, and the data of the unloading population 4 (L) on the left side of the storage bin is sent to the crane 5. To output the command signal (Sudet IK-21),
Ma) Risk display device 17 (of export population 4 (L) on the left)
Blink the load access position lamp of L) (-22 in step). Then, when inputting the unloading completion signal for case 1 from the crane 5, go to step -23), turn on the lamp continuously and go to step -24), and confirm the input of the operation signal of the left work completion switch 15 (L) ( At step -25), a warehousing command signal consisting of the original number 1l11 and the left unloading population 4 (shi) is output to the crane 5 (-25 at step).

In addition, in step -20 or after completing step -26, return or take out to update the inventory data of the cargo.In step -27), turn off the lamps of the matrix display device 3!17 and the display output of the liquid crystal display device 12. (-28 to step).

The work procedure and operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, a case where return work occurs will be explained.

The worker first operates the return setting switch 13, and then inputs the item number and quantity of the load by operating the numeric keypad switch 14.
1 device 11. Then, the control device 11 displays the input operation details on the liquid crystal display device 12, and the worker confirms the input operation details based on the displayed contents. In addition, the above input operation causes the control unit T1.11 to flash the lamp on the matrix display device 17 indicating the position where the cargo is to be returned on the unloading population 4 side where the case 1 is taken out, and the crane 5 moves the case 1 to the designated shelf number. When the worker 9 who is to unload the case 1 from the warehouse confirms that the lamp on the matrix display device 17 is flashing, he moves the load to the side of the flashing lamp and waits. The cargo is returned to the partition designated by the illuminated lamp, and the work completion switch 15 on the side of the carry-out port 4 is operated. When the control device 11 inputs the operation signal of the work completion switch 15, the crane 5 returns the case 1 to the original shelf 2.

Next, a case where a retrieval work occurs will be explained.

The worker first operates the unloading setting switch 13, then operates the numeric keypad switch 14 to enter the item number and quantity of the load.
Input to control device 11. Then, the control device 11 displays the input operation details on the liquid crystal display device 12, and the worker confirms the input operation details based on the displayed contents. In addition, in response to the above input operation, the control device 11 blinks the lamp on the matrix display device 17 indicating the loading position on the loading/unloading entrance 4 side where the case 1 is unloaded, and the crane 5 unloads the case 1 at the designated shelf number. When confirming that the lamp on the matrix display device 17 is blinking, the 0th work opening to be dispatched to population 4 will be
Move to the flashing lamp side and wait, and when case 1 is taken out, take out the load from the partition specified by the lit lamp on the matrix display device 17, and operate the work completion switch 15 on the unloading population 4 side. . The control device 11 is
When the operation signal of the work completion switch 15 is input, the case 1 is returned to the original shelf 2 by the crane 5.

In this way, by managing the inventory using the control device 11, the worker can take out items, take out items, etc. without being aware of the shelf number of the rack 3.
In addition to being able to perform the return work, the access position of the load is displayed on the matrix display device 17, so that the worker can perform the work of returning the load into the case 1 and the work of removing the load from the case 1. This can be done easily in a short time without having to be conscious of the position of the machine, improving work efficiency and preventing work errors. Also, while case 1 is being unloaded by crane 5,
By blinking the lamp of the matrix display device 417, attention to the work opening can be called to attention.

It goes without saying that the arrangement of the lamp groups of the matrix display device 17 needs to be changed depending on the partition pattern of the case 1, that is, the shape and type of the cargo to be stored in the case 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a horizontally long file case is used, the access position is indicated by a row of lamps.

Furthermore, if the partition patterns of case 1 are not necessarily the same, for example, in case 1'1'' which has similar partition patterns as shown in FIG. 6(b) tc),
It is possible to display the access position of the load by means of the same matrix display device 17.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, since inventory management is performed by the control means, the worker can carry out and carry in goods without being aware of the storage number of the rack. Since the access position of the load is displayed, the load can be easily carried in and out in a short time, improving work efficiency and preventing work errors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an automated warehouse showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the control device of the automated warehouse, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the loading/unloading entrance of the automated warehouse, and FIG. The figure is a main part flowchart explaining the operation of the control device of the automated warehouse, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the loading/unloading entrance section in which the matrix display device has been changed in the automated warehouse, and Figures 6 (a) to lc) are the same. A diagram showing an example of lamp lighting of a matrix display device when the partition patterns of cases are similar in an automated warehouse, FIG. 7 is a layout diagram of an automated warehouse, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a loading/unloading entrance of a conventional automated warehouse. . 1... Case, 2... Shelf, 3... Rack, 4...
・Carry-in/out entrance, 5... Crane, 11... Control device,
13... Setting switch, 14... Numeric keypad switch, 15... Work completion switch, 16... Controller (control means), 17... Matrix display device! (Display means). Agent Yoshihiro Morimoto Diagram f Diagram 2 I5--Ichisakuba Completed S4/N Cold Diagram 6 Mouth Disposal 1!・-Case 2・・1 3・−・Rack 4 ・Scraping inlet/outlet 5゛Rin Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Claims] A rack having a plurality of shelves for storing cases capable of storing one or two or more items, and a crane that moves by itself along the rack and loads and unloads the cases between the shelves of the rack and the loading/unloading entrance. , an indicator consisting of a group of lamps corresponding to the partition pattern of the case and indicating the position of the load to be accessed in the case is provided at the loading/unloading entrance; input means for inputting the code of the load; Based on the loaded load code signal, the load case and position in the case are searched from inventory data consisting of the load code stored in advance, the case in which the load is stored, and the position in the case, and the inventory data is updated. An automatic warehouse equipped with a control means that drives a display to display the position of the searched cargo in the case.