JPH04338005A - Goods sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select a movement route pattern of a truck in response to the form of using method of multiple sorting zones in the case that multiple sorting zones are provided in parallel with each other against a goods loading area and a truck loaded with each kind of goods is carried into the sorting zones. CONSTITUTION:A first and a second sorting zones 1A, 1B are provided so as to be aligned with one end of a goods loading area 4, and system controllers 5A, 5B for controlling displays, which are arranged in goods collecting shelves 3, are located near the end of the goods loading area 4 side. About the second sorting zone 1B of the even number lines, a system controller 11 is located near the end of the second sorting zone 1B opposite to the goods loading area 4.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a product sorting system used in the product distribution process.

0002

[Prior Art] At distribution centers for products for supermarkets and chain stores, collection work is carried out to stock the required number of various products in response to requests from each store. While transporting containers for each destination, a picking system picks out the requested number of products from shelves set up along the transport route and collects them in the container, and transports each product item by item. At the same time, a sorting system is used in which products are placed for each destination into a collection shelf that is provided along the conveyance route and has a large number of pockets for each destination.

In this case, in the latter sorting system, as shown in FIG.
Multiple parallel rows of sorting zones A1 and A2 with product collection shelves B and B arranged on both sides of the aisle are provided, and products are collected for each destination on the product collection shelves B and B of each sorting zone A1 and A2. A large number of containers C to C,
A display (not shown) is provided to display the number of products currently being transported by the trolley a into each container C, and a product loading area D is provided at one end of the sorting zones A1 and A2. Carry a loaded with products in area D is carried into sorting zones A1 and A2, and system controllers E1 and E2 operate the display devices of each sorting zone A1 and A2 to display the number of products displayed in each container C. By repeating the process of sequentially inserting each product item by item, the requested number of products for all items will be collected when all the work is completed. Therefore, by using this sorting system, product collection work can be performed efficiently and accurately without requiring any skill.

0004

By the way, in a sorting system in which a plurality of sorting zones A1 and A2 are provided in parallel with one end aligned with the product loading area D as shown in FIG. Each container C of B
There are cases where C does not fix the destination and uses the destination differently in the morning and afternoon, or depending on the day of the week. For example, in the morning, the first sorting zone A1 is used for supermarket chain store A to determine the destination of each container C to C, and the second sorting zone A2 is used for supermarket chain store B to determine the destination of each container C to C. The destination of C is determined, and in the afternoon all sorting zones A1 and A2 may be used for a chain store of C supermarket. In that case, in the morning, for example, if one worker collects the goods, this worker first displays the A supermarket chain on each display of the first sorting zone A1 using the system controller E1. After displaying the number of products for stores, cart A loaded with products for supermarket A is carried into the product loading area D into the zone and container C is loaded.
- C, and when the work is completed, return to the product loading area D and load the products destined for chain stores of supermarket B, and at the same time, the system controller E2 in the second sorting zone A2 sorts the products in that zone. Make each display display the number of items for the B supermarket chain store, carry the trolley a into the zone A2, load the same products, and then return to the product loading area D, which is repeated for each product item. become.

[0005] In this case, the products for supermarket A and the products for supermarket B are often different items, and even if they are the same item, the packaging and other specifications are different, so each sorting zone A1, A
The two system controllers E1 and E2 are placed on the product loading area D side. Therefore, even if all sorting zones A1 and A2 are used for C supermarket in the afternoon and products are introduced, the first sorting zone A1
When the sorting operation for the second sorting zone A2 is completed and the sorting operation for the second sorting zone A2 is to proceed, it is necessary to return to the entrance of the second sorting zone A1 and perform input by the system controller E2. In other words, although the method of using the first and second sorting zones A1 and A2 is different in the morning and afternoon, the worker will work through the exact same movement route pattern P3 shown in FIG. Since the pattern P3 is a U-shaped route pattern that reciprocates within each of the sorting zones A1 and A2, there is a risk that the distance traveled by the worker will be excessive.

Therefore, the present invention provides a product sorting system that can shorten the walking distance by changing the walking route pattern of the worker depending on certain conditions when using a plurality of sorting zones in different ways. The challenge is to provide

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] That is, the present invention includes a plurality of parallel rows of sorting zones, a product conveyance means for loading products and conveying them within each sorting zone,
A large number of containers provided in each sorting zone to collect products for each destination, a display means for displaying the number of products currently being transported by the product transport means loaded into each container, and the display means A product sorting system that controls the display of each sorting zone for each sorting zone, and a control means disposed near the entrance of each sorting zone, wherein among the plurality of sorting zones, even-numbered sorting zones are The control means is also provided near the exit.

[0008]

[Operation] According to the present invention, in a plurality of sorting zones arranged in parallel, the corresponding control means are provided near the entrance on the product loading area side, so that the products loaded in the product loading area are transferred to the sorting zone. This makes it easy to read the product items and display the number of items on the display when loading the products.In that case, for the even-numbered sorting zones, there is also a space near the exit on the opposite side of the product loading area. Since a control means is provided, after entering the sorting zone in the odd row from the product loading area side and sorting the products, the control means on the opposite side of the even row is used to move the product items to the sorting zone in the even row. It is possible to perform reading and display the number of pieces on the display, thus making it possible to perform continuous sorting work in the even-numbered sorting zones without having to return to the odd-numbered sorting zones.
You can change the movement route pattern when sorting products.

[0009]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the sorting system, which includes a plurality of (two in the drawing) sorting zones 1A.
, 1B (hereinafter referred to as a first sorting zone 1A and a second sorting zone 1B) are provided in parallel, and each of these sorting zones 1A and 1B has a route through which carts 2 loaded with products of the same item pass. Collection shelves 3, 3 are arranged on both sides along the line. Further, a product loading area 4 is provided corresponding to each sorting zone 1A, 1B, in which products are loaded by item onto the cart 2, and one end of each sorting zone 1A, 1B is lined up in the area 4. Further, on the product loading area 4 side, a system controller 5A that manages the first sorting zone 1A and a system controller 5B that manages the second sorting zone 1B are arranged near the entrance of each sorting zone, and the entire system A search controller 6 used for work management is arranged, and each sorting zone 1A,
Bay control boxes 7A and 7B, which receive information from the system controllers 5A and 5B, respectively, are installed on one side of each of the two rows of collection shelves 3, 3 in 1B.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the above-mentioned collection shelves 3 is provided with a large number of pockets 8 to 8 in multiple stages, and containers 9 to 9 for collecting ordered products for each destination store. is placed, and above each pocket 8 to 8 there is a sorting instruction lamp 10a for instructing the insertion of products into the container 9 of each pocket 8, a number display section 10b for displaying the number of products to be inserted, O upon completion
A display 10 is provided which includes a completion key 10c which is operated by N.

Furthermore, in the second sorting zone 1B, which is an even numbered column among the first and second sorting zones, another system controller 11 is installed near the exit on the opposite side of the product loading area 4. Placed.

Next, the control system of the sorting system will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. This system is connected to a host computer 12 provided in a distribution center, etc.
It has a repeater 13 that manages the system according to instructions from the computer 12, and the above-mentioned system controllers 5A, 5B, 11 and the search controller 6 are connected to the repeater 13, and each system controller 5A , 5B, and 11 via bay control boxes 7A and 7B, respectively, to sorting zones 1A and 11 respectively.
, 1B are connected. In that case, on the second sorting zone 1B side, two system controllers 5B,
11, all of which are connected to the bay controller box 7B and connected to any controller 5B.
, 11 can also control the displays 10-10.

Furthermore, in this sorting system, the pockets 8 to 8 in each sorting zone 1A, 1B are not fixed to a specific destination;
For example, the same pocket 8 is used for different destinations depending on the morning, afternoon, or day of the week. A specific usage method in that case will be explained using the flowchart of FIG.

This usage method is that in the morning, the first sorting zone 1A is used for each chain store of A supermarket, and the second sorting zone is used for each chain store of A supermarket.
This explanation uses an example in which sorting zone 1B is used for each chain store of supermarket B, and in the afternoon, the first and second sorting zones 1A and 1B are used for each chain store of supermarket C. First, to explain the morning's work with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, each pocket 8 to 1 of the collection shelves 3, 3 in the first sorting zone 1A is divided according to the allocation data stored in the host computer 12. Assign each chain store of A supermarket to 8, decide the destination of each pocket 8,
Similarly, the collection shelf 3 in the second sorting zone 1B,
Each chain store of B supermarket is assigned to each pocket 8 of 3, and the destination is determined (step S1).

Next, from the data stored in the host computer 12, sorting data for each chain store of supermarket A and sorting data for each chain store of supermarket B are transferred to the repeater 13. In this case, the sorting data stores the ordered product items and the number of products ordered from each chain store of supermarkets A and B (step S2).

Then, in the product loading area 4 of FIG. 1, products destined for supermarket A are loaded onto the trolley 2, and the items of the products are read by the system controller 5A in the first sorting zone 1A. Thereby, the sorting data corresponding to the item product is read from the repeater 13, and the number of products to be put into each pocket 8-8 of the first sorting zone 1A is displayed on each display 10-10. That is, the indicator 10 of the pocket assigned to the chain store that ordered the item is activated, the sorting instruction lamp 10a is turned on, and the number of items is displayed on the display section 10b (steps S3, S4).

Next, the cart 2 is moved to the first sorting zone 1.
A worker sorts the products into the first sorting zone by repeating the process of loading the displayed number of products into the pockets 8 indicated by the display 10, and pressing the completion key 10c after inserting the products. (Step S5). When this is completed, the trolley 2 is reversed and returned to the original product loading area 4.

[0019] Then, the products destined for supermarket B are loaded onto the trolley 2, and the items of the products are read by the system controller 5B in the second sorting zone 1B. As a result, the indicators 10 to 10 of the pockets 8 to 8 into which the item of interest in the second sorting zone 1B is to be placed are activated in the same way as the products for supermarket A (steps S6 and S7).

[0020] Then, the trolley is carried into the second sorting zone 1B and the products are loaded therein (step S8). This completes the sorting work for one item each for both supermarkets A and B.

[0021] Next, it is determined whether or not there are any unsorted items left for each of the ordered products of supermarkets A and B. If there is, the process returns to step S3 and the same operation as above is repeated; if there is no unsorted item, the process is ends (step S
9).

When the first and second sorting zones 1A and 1B are used separately for each supermarket, the moving route pattern P1 of the trolley 2 is to reciprocate within the respective sorting zones 1A and 1B, as can be seen from FIG. U
This results in a cross-shaped route pattern.

In contrast, in the afternoon all of the first and second sorting zones are used for the C chain store. The operation in this case will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5. Each pocket 8 to 8 of the first and second sorting zones 1A and 1B is allocated to a chain store of C Supermarket, and then Sorting data for the store is transferred to the repeater 13 (steps S11, S12)
).

[0024] Then, the products are loaded onto the trolley 2 in the product loading area 4, and the system controller 5A
As the product item is read, the pockets 8 to 8 in which the product should be collected in the first sorting zone 1A are indicated by the sorting instruction lamp 10a, and the number of products to be loaded is displayed on the display section 10b (step S13 , S14).

According to this display, products are placed in each pocket 8 of the first sorting zone 1A (step S
15). When this sorting is completed, the trolley 2
It is on the opposite side of the sorting zone 1A from the product loading area 4 side. On the other hand, the second sorting zone 2B
In this case, the system controller 11 is also installed on the opposite side and is currently sorting products for chain stores of the same supermarket. Let me read it. As a result, the second sorting zone 1
At B, the pockets 8 to 8 into which the products are to be loaded are indicated, and the number of products to be loaded is displayed, so the trolley 2 is carried into the second sorting zone 1B, and while moving toward the product loading area 4 side, the products are loaded. (steps S16, S17, S18).

When the sorting for the second sorting zone 1B is completed, it is determined whether there are any other unsorted products, and if there is, the process returns to step S13 and the work is repeated; if not, the work is ended ( Step S
19).

Therefore, in the case of this sorting work for C supermarkets, the moving route pattern P2 of the trolley 2 and the worker is one that passes continuously from the first sorting zone 1A to the second sorting zone 1B, as is clear from FIG. It becomes a directional route pattern.

In this way, the movement route pattern of the trolley 2 can be changed depending on how the first and second sorting zones 1A and 1B are used. In particular, when the sorting work for the first sorting zone 1A in FIG. 2 is completed, In the case of a usage method that does not require a temporary return to the product loading area 4, the movement route pattern P2 becomes a one-way route pattern, and the movement distance of the trolley 2 and the movement amount of the worker are as shown in FIG.
This is significantly reduced compared to the folding pattern P1.

Although this embodiment uses a collection shelf, the collection container may be placed directly on the floor without using this shelf. Furthermore, multiple workers can be assigned to load the products as needed, and they can work in parallel at the same time.

[0030]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in a plurality of sorting zones arranged in parallel, control means corresponding to each one are provided near the entrance on the product loading area side. When transporting the products loaded in the loading area to the sorting zone, it is convenient to read the product items and display the number of items on the display. A control means is also provided on the exit side opposite to the area, so after entering the sorting zone in the odd-numbered row from the product loading area and sorting the products, use the control means on the opposite side of the even-numbered row. It is possible to read the product items in the even-numbered sorting zone and display the number of products on the display, so it is possible to continue sorting work in the even-numbered sorting zone without having to go back to the odd-numbered sorting zone. As a result, the movement route pattern during product sorting can be changed. Therefore, depending on how the sorting zone is used, the distance traveled by the worker can be minimized, and the labor required by the worker can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a product sorting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when the movement route pattern of a worker changes compared to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the collection shelf in the above system.

[Fig. 4] Control system diagram of the above system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram of the above system.

[Fig. 6] A schematic configuration diagram of a conventional system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A plurality of rows of sorting zones arranged in parallel, a product conveying means for loading products and transporting them within each sorting zone, and a plurality of sorting zones provided in each sorting zone for collecting products for each destination. and a container of
A display means for displaying the number of products currently being transported by the product transport means loaded into each container, and a display means for controlling the display of the display means for each sorting zone, and arranged near the entrance of each sorting zone. A product sorting system comprising a control means, wherein the control means is also provided near the exit for the even-numbered sorting zones among the plurality of rows of sorting zones.