Warehouse equipment

Abstract

In warehouse equipment that transports and stores transport tools that carry or store items during transport, a warehouse facility is implemented that can appropriately manage the transport tools handled by each of multiple users. When a removal request is received from the target partition management unit Mb, the general management unit Mt stores the relationship between the tool code Cp specified in the removal request and the user codes Ch of the target users H1 and H2 in the utilization relationship information Ih as a removal permission condition, and then issues a removal transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to execute the removal transport of the transport tool P for which the removal request was issued.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to warehouse facilities including a storage area having a plurality of storage units and a work area for performing storage operations and outgoing storage operations with respect to the storage area. Background Art

[0002] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-116001 (Patent Document 1) discloses a warehouse facility comprising: a storage area having an automated warehouse (3) for storing articles, and a work area having a work station (4) for carrying out the loading and unloading of articles from the storage area. In recent years, it has been proposed that such warehouse facilities be shared by multiple users (e.g., property owners). Specifically, it has been proposed that the work area be divided into multiple areas for each different user, and that the articles of the multiple users be stored and managed by the warehouse facility as a whole (in the above, the symbols shown in parentheses are the symbols referenced in Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, in the equipment disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-016434 (Patent Document 2), articles (G) are transported and stored while being placed on shelves (P) (in the above, the symbols shown in parentheses are the symbols referenced in Patent Document 2). Summary of the Invention

[0004] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] Therefore, it is considered that multiple users share equipment, and the equipment uses transport tools such as shelves for placing items or containers for storing items to transport and store the items. However, in this case, the multiple transport tools used in the equipment are shared by multiple users, and their management must be carried out appropriately. In addition, the storage area is also shared by multiple users, but in this case, the items in the storage area must be properly managed to prevent items handled by other users from being mistakenly removed from the storage area.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, it is desired to realize warehouse facilities that can appropriately manage the transport tools handled by each of a plurality of users in a warehouse facility that transports and stores transport tools that place or store the articles when the articles are transported.

[0007] Solutions to Problems

[0008] The warehouse equipment disclosed herein has:

[0009] A storage area including a plurality of storage sections for storing transport equipment for placing or storing the items when the items are transported;

[0010] The operation area includes a plurality of operation sections to which a user is assigned, and performs storage and retrieval operations of the transport equipment assigned to each user with respect to the storage area;

[0011] a storage area management department, which manages the storage area;

[0012] a work zone management unit that manages a work status including a status of the storage work and the outgoing work in each of the plurality of work zones; and

[0013] a general management unit for managing an equipment code set for each of the plurality of transport tools and a user code set for each of the plurality of users, and for managing usage relationship information storing a relationship between the equipment code for each of the plurality of transport tools stored in the storage area and the user code of the user to which each of the transport tools is assigned;

[0014] A transport device is provided in the storage area, and the transport device performs in-warehouse transport of the transport tool into the storage section and out-warehouse transport of the transport tool from the storage section.

[0015] The storage area management unit causes the transport device to perform the inbound transport or the outbound transport based on an instruction from the general management unit.

[0016] The target work partition among the plurality of work partitions is defined as a target partition, the subject that uses the target partition is defined as a target subject, and the work partition management unit that manages the work status of the target partition is defined as a target partition management unit.

[0017] The target partition management unit specifies the equipment code and issues a delivery request to the general management unit requesting delivery of the transport equipment from the storage area.

[0018] When there is a delivery entrustment from the object partition management department, the general management department stores the relationship between the equipment code specified in the delivery entrustment and the utilization subject code of the object subject in the utilization relationship information as a delivery permission condition, and issues a delivery transport instruction to the storage area management department to execute the delivery transport of the transport equipment for which the delivery entrustment was made.

[0019] According to this structure, an instrument code is set for each of a plurality of conveying instruments, and a user code is set for each of a plurality of users. Then, a conveying instrument used by each user is assigned to each of the plurality of users. The general management department manages and stores the utilization relationship information that stores the relationship between the instrument code of each of the plurality of conveying instruments stored in the storage area and the user code of the user to which each conveying instrument is assigned. Thereby, it is possible to properly manage to which user the conveying instruments stored in the storage area are assigned. In addition, in the removal of conveying instruments based on the removal request of conveying instruments from the object partition management department, removal permission from the general management department is required. In the case of a removal request of conveying instruments from the object partition management department, the general management department stores the relationship between the instrument code specified in the removal request and the user code of the object subject involved in the object partition management department in the utilization relationship information as a removal permission condition to permit the removal of conveying instruments. This reduces the possibility that a user who has requested the removal of a transport tool will mistakenly remove a transport tool assigned to another user. Therefore, this configuration allows for appropriate management of the transport tools handled by each of multiple users in a warehouse facility that handles the transport and storage of transport tools used to carry or store items during transport.

[0020] Further features and advantages of the technology disclosed herein will become apparent from the following description of illustrative and non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a plan view showing the entire warehouse equipment;

[0022] Figure 2 is a plan view showing a portion of warehouse equipment;

[0023] Figure 3 is a first directional view showing the area division of the warehouse equipment;

[0024] Figure 4 is a first-direction view showing a portion of the storage area;

[0025] Figure 5 This is an illustration of the custodial department code;

[0026] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the system configuration of warehouse equipment;

[0027] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the order in which each process is performed in the warehouse equipment;

[0028] Figure 8This is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration for common acceptance of articles;

[0029] Figure 9 This is a flowchart showing the procedure for performing the shared acceptance process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Warehouse equipment is shared by multiple users, such as property owners. Within the warehouse equipment, items handled by these users are transported by shared transport equipment and stored and managed in shared storage areas. An embodiment of the warehouse equipment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a specific direction along the floor (horizontal plane) of the equipment is referred to as the first direction X, and a direction intersecting the first direction X in a vertical view is referred to as the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the second direction Y is orthogonal to the first direction X in a vertical view.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the warehouse equipment 100 includes a storage area SA and a work area WA. The storage area SA includes a plurality of storage units 10A for storing shelves P on which articles G are placed when they are transported. The work area WA is allocated to each user H (see FIG. Figure 6 The racks P (e.g., etc.) are used for storage operations in and out of the storage area SA. The work area WA includes multiple work zones B, each of which is assigned to a user H. In this embodiment, the racks P correspond to "transportation equipment." Furthermore, any "transportation equipment" can be used as a transporting equipment, as long as it places or holds the items G during transport. For example, logistics containers such as containers, folding containers, basket carts, and return boxes can be used instead of the racks P.

[0032] In this embodiment, the storage area SA and the work area WA are adjacently arranged in the second direction Y. The storage area SA includes a storage floor SF. The work area WA includes a work floor WF. Figure 3 As shown, the storage area SA has one storage floor SF, and the work area WA has multiple work floors WF arranged side by side in the vertical direction. In the example shown, the storage floor SF is only arranged on the bottom floor of the warehouse facility 100, and the work floor WF is arranged on each of the multiple floors (3 floors) of the warehouse facility 100. On one floor of the warehouse facility 100, the storage floor SF and the work floor WF are used to distinguish one floor. Figure 3 In FIG. 1 , only the division of the areas in the warehouse facility 100 is shown, and the structures and the like provided in each area are omitted.

[0033] 〔Storage Area〕

[0034] The storage area SA is an area for storing racks P. A plurality of racks P are stored temporarily or long-term in the storage area SA. The racks P are configured to carry items G, and are transported and stored in the storage area SA while carrying items G. The items G carried by the racks P include a plurality of different types of items G. In addition, the racks P are sometimes transported and stored without carrying items G. The concept of the racks P in this specification includes actual racks P with items G carried on them, and empty racks P without carrying items G. Hereinafter, without specifically distinguishing between actual racks P and empty racks P, they will be referred to simply as "racks P" as a concept that includes them.

[0035] As described above, the storage area SA includes the storage floor SF constituting the storage area SA. The storage area SA is a three-dimensional area that includes not only the planar area where the storage floor SF is installed but also an area overlapping the storage floor SF in a vertical view.

[0036] The storage area SA is provided with a storage shed 10 having a plurality of storage sections 10A for storing racks P, and a conveying device 11 for carrying racks P into and out of the storage sections 10A. In this embodiment, the storage area SA is provided with a plurality of automatic storage units 1 arranged side by side along a first direction X. The storage shed 10 and the conveying device 11 are provided in each of the plurality of automatic storage units 1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, a pair of storage shelves 10 facing the first direction X and extending in the second direction Y are provided in each of the plurality of automatic storage units 1 .

[0037] 〔Storage Department〕

[0038] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the storage section 10A is configured as a storage rack P. In this embodiment, a plurality of storage sections 10A are provided in the storage shed 10. The plurality of storage sections 10A are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the second direction Y in the storage shed 10.

[0039] [Conveying device]

[0040] The transport device 11 is configured to receive the rack P from the work area WA and carry the rack P into the storage unit 10A, and to carry the rack P out of the storage unit 10A and deliver the rack P to the work area WA.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the transport device 11 includes a storage transport device 111 that transfers the racks P between the storage section 10A and an intermediate transport device 112 that transfers the racks P between the storage section 10A and an inter-area transport device 20 (described later).

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the storage and transport device 111 is provided between a pair of storage racks 10 in the first direction X. Figure 4 As shown, the storage and transport device 111 is configured to transfer racks P between each of a plurality of storage sections 10A arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the second direction Y in the storage shed 10. In this embodiment, the storage and transport device 111 is configured as a stacker capable of moving a transfer section in the vertical direction and the second direction Y.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the relay conveying device 112 is provided at a position adjacent to both the storage conveying device 111 and the inter-area conveying device 20. In this embodiment, the relay conveying device 112 includes: an incoming relay conveying device 112A for conveying the rack P when the rack P is entered into the storage section 10A, and an outgoing relay conveying device 112B for conveying the rack P when the rack P is taken out of the storage section 10A. In the example shown in the figure, the incoming relay conveying device 112A and the outgoing relay conveying device 112B are separately arranged on both sides of the conveying path of the storage conveying device 111 in the first direction X. The incoming relay conveying device 112A is configured to receive the rack P from the inter-area conveying device 20 and hand it over to the storage conveying device 111. The outbound relay conveyor 112B is configured to receive the rack P from the storage conveyor 111 and hand the rack P to the inter-area conveyor 20. In this example, the inbound relay conveyor 112A and the outbound relay conveyor 112B are configured as conveyors having a conveying surface for conveying the rack P while being loaded thereon. As such conveyors, conveyors having known structures such as roller conveyors, belt conveyors, and chain conveyors can be used.

[0044] [Working area]

[0045] The operation area WA is an area where various operations such as the warehousing and unwarehousing of the shelves P with respect to the storage area SA are performed. Specifically, in the operation area WA, in order to store the items G that have arrived from outside the equipment into the storage area SA, operations such as placing the items G on the shelves P and transporting the shelves P (real shelves P) to the storage area SA are performed. In addition, in order to unload the items G from the storage area SA, operations such as receiving the shelves P (real shelves P) carrying the items G and unloading the items G placed on the shelves P to the outside of the equipment are performed. In addition to this, in the operation area WA, operations such as sorting the items G corresponding to the shipping destination or the storage destination, or packaging or disassembly of the items G are also performed. Figure 1As shown, the articles G are shipped from the warehouse facility 100 to the outside of the facility and received from the outside of the facility to the warehouse facility 100 by external transport means such as a truck 99 .

[0046] As described above, the work area WA includes a work surface WF that constitutes the work area WA. The work area WA is a three-dimensional area that encompasses not only the planar area within which the work surface WF is located, but also an area that overlaps with the work surface WF when viewed from above or below. In this example, a single work area WA is comprised of a three-dimensional area encompassing multiple layers of work surface WF.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, the work area WA has a plurality of user entities H (refer to Figure 6 , etc.). The plurality of work zones B are separated in the first direction X by the partition member 2 in the same layer. In this embodiment, the plurality of work zones B separated by the partition member 2 are set in a part of the plurality of layers constituting the work area WA. Then, the other part of the plurality of layers becomes a layer where no work zone B is set. In this example, as Figure 3 As shown, the job partition B is set in the layers other than the bottom layer, and the job partition B is not set in the bottom layer.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the warehouse equipment 100 of this embodiment has an individual acceptance area IA and a common acceptance area CA, wherein the individual acceptance area IA is an area used by each of the multiple utilization entities H and performs the acceptance of the arrival of the items G handled by each of the multiple utilization entities H from outside the equipment, and the common acceptance area CA is an area shared by the multiple utilization entities H and performs the acceptance of the arrival of the items G handled by each of the multiple utilization entities H from outside the equipment. The acceptance of arrival includes the operation of placing the items G on the shelves P. When a container is used as a transport tool instead of the shelf P, the acceptance of arrival includes the operation of placing the items G in the container. The individual acceptance area IA is set in each of the multiple work partitions B, Figure 3 In the example shown, it is located on a floor other than the bottom floor. The shared acceptance area CA is located on the bottom floor. Thus, in this embodiment, the shared acceptance area CA is located in a location separate from the individual acceptance areas IA in each of the multiple work zones B, which receive the arrival of articles G from outside the facility.

[0049] [Inter-area transport equipment, loading and unloading department]

[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, an inter-area transport device 20 for transporting the racks P between the work area WA and the storage area SA is provided in the work area WA, and a delivery section 21 is arranged in each of the multiple work partitions B and transfers the racks P between the inter-area transport device 20 when the racks P are put in and out of the warehouse.

[0051] The inter-area transport device 20 is provided between the loading / unloading unit 21 and the relay transport device 112 of the storage area SA in the second direction Y. The inter-area transport device 20 is configured to transfer racks P between the loading / unloading unit 21 and the relay transport device 112, and is configured to transport racks P in the first direction X while holding the racks P. The inter-area transport device 20 is configured to transport racks P in the first direction X, thereby enabling the transfer of racks P between a plurality of loading / unloading units 21 and relay transport devices 112 arranged in the first direction X.

[0052] In this embodiment, the inter-area transport device 20 includes a traveling trailer 201, and the traveling trailer 201 travels on a travel track 20R arranged along a first direction X. The traveling trailer 201 is configured to travel on the travel track 20R so as to be able to transport the rack P along the first direction X. In addition, the traveling trailer 201 includes a transfer mechanism that moves the rack P along the second direction Y. By using this transfer mechanism, the rack P is transferred to each of the in-and-out warehouse sections 21 and the relay transport device 112 arranged on both sides of the traveling trailer 201 in the second direction Y. In this example, the inter-area transport device 20 includes a plurality of traveling trailers 201 (see Figure 1 ). A plurality of traveling trailers 201 travel on the same travel rail 20R. Although not shown in detail, the inter-area transport device 20 is provided on each of the plurality of floors in the work area WA.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the loading and unloading section 21 is configured to transfer racks P to and from the inter-area conveying device 20. In this embodiment, the loading and unloading section 21 includes an loading conveyor 211 that transfers the rack P to the inter-area conveying device 20 when loading the rack P, and an unloading conveyor 212 that receives the rack P from the inter-area conveying device 20 when unloading the rack P. At least one set of the loading conveyor 211 and the unloading conveyor 212 is provided in each of the plurality of work zones B. In the illustrated example, two sets of the loading conveyor 211 and the unloading conveyor 212 are provided in each of the plurality of work zones B.

[0054] [System structure of warehouse equipment]

[0055] Next, the system structure of the warehouse equipment 100 is described. In the warehouse equipment 100, a work area B is allocated to each of the multiple users H. The user H performs the warehousing and unwarehousing operations of the shelves P carrying the items G handled by the user in the work area B allocated to it. On the other hand, the storage area SA is shared by the multiple users H. The shelves P carrying the items G handled by each of the multiple users H are stored in the storage area SA. The warehouse equipment 100 disclosed in the present invention is configured to appropriately manage the shelves P for carrying the items G handled by each of the multiple users H. The following is a detailed description.

[0056] like Figure 6 As shown, in the warehouse equipment 100, a shelf code Cp is set for each of the plurality of shelves P. A user code Ch and an authentication code Cc are set for each of the plurality of users H. A storage unit code Cs is set for each of the plurality of storage units 10A provided in the storage shed 10. In addition, an item code Cg is set for each item G. Figure 6 In the example shown, reference symbols H1 and H2 are used to distinguish between multiple users H. A user code Ch1 and an authentication code Cc1 are assigned to user H1. A user code Ch2 and an authentication code Cc2 are assigned to user H2. Furthermore, in the example shown, numbers 1 to 1000 are assigned as shelf codes Cp, and numbers 1 to 1000 are assigned as storage department codes Cs. The letters, numbers, and symbols used to represent these codes are merely examples. Each code can be arbitrarily set. In this embodiment, the shelf code Cp corresponds to an "equipment code." Furthermore, the item code Cg does not need to be a code uniquely assigned to each item G and categorized for each user H. However, in this example, for convenience of explanation, the items G handled by user H1 are assigned item codes Cg1-n (n is a natural number), and the items G handled by user H2 are assigned item codes Cg2-n (n is a natural number).

[0057] The warehouse facility 100 includes a storage area management unit Ms that manages the storage area SA, a work area management unit Mb that manages the work status including the status of storage work and outgoing work in each of the plurality of work areas B, and a general management unit Mt.

[0058] The general management unit Mt assigns shelf codes Cp of the plurality of shelves P provided in the warehouse facility 100 to each of the plurality of users H. Figure 6In the example shown, shelf codes Cp No. 1 to 400 among shelf codes No. 1 to 1000 managed by the general management unit Mt are allocated to the user H1. The user H1 uses 400 shelves P having shelf codes Cp No. 1 to 400 to place the articles G that he handles. Figure 6 3 shows an example in which the main body H1 places the article G with the article code Cg1-1 on the shelf P with the shelf code No. 301.

[0059] Furthermore, the shelf codes Cp No. 401 to 500 among the shelf codes No. 1 to 1000 managed by the general management unit Mt are allocated to the user H2. The user H2 uses the 100 shelves P having the shelf codes Cp No. 401 to 500 for the articles G that he handles. Figure 6 2 shows an example in which a plurality of articles G with article codes Cg2-1, Cg2-2, Cg2-3, and Cg2-4 are placed on a shelf P with shelf code No. 437 by the main body H2. In this way, a plurality of articles G can be placed on one shelf P.

[0060] Here, among the multiple shelves P possessed by the warehouse equipment 100, the shelf P that is allocated to any one of the multiple users H is referred to as an allocated shelf Pf, and the shelf P that is not allocated to any one of the multiple users H is referred to as an unallocated shelf Py. The shelf code Cp is set for both the allocated shelf Pf and the unallocated shelf Py. In this embodiment, the allocated shelf Pf is equivalent to the "allocated equipment", and the unallocated shelf Py is equivalent to the "unallocated equipment". In addition, in this specification, there are cases where different symbols are used to illustrate the allocated shelf Pf, the unallocated shelf Py and the later-described storage object shelf Pt and the storage-posted shelf Pa, but in this figure, the reference symbol "P" is used to inclusively indicate these shelves.

[0061] The general management unit Mt manages the shelf codes Cp assigned to each of the plurality of racks P and the user codes Ch assigned to each of the plurality of users H. Furthermore, the general management unit Mt manages usage relationship information Ih that stores the relationship between the shelf codes Cp assigned to each of the plurality of racks P stored in the storage area SA and the user codes Ch assigned to the users H to which each rack P is assigned. This allows for appropriate management of the user H to which the racks P (post-warehouse racks Pa) stored in the storage area SA are assigned.

[0062] exist Figure 6In the example shown, the relationship that shelf codes No. 1 to 400 are assigned to user H1 with user code Ch1 is stored in the usage relationship information Ih. Furthermore, the relationship that shelf codes No. 401 to 500 are assigned to user H2 with user code Ch2 is stored in the usage relationship information Ih. In other words, based on the usage relationship information Ih, the general management unit Mt can understand that the 400 allocated shelves Pf with shelf codes No. 1 to 400 are shelves associated with user H1, and the 100 allocated shelves Pf with shelf codes No. 401 to 500 are shelves associated with user H2.

[0063] In this embodiment, the general management unit Mt manages not only the shelf code Cp and the user code Ch but also the authentication code Cc set for each of the plurality of users H, and the authentication relationship information Ic storing the relationship between the user codes Ch of the plurality of users H and the authentication code Cc of each user H. Figure 6 In the example shown, the authentication relationship information Ic stores the relationship that authentication code Cc1 is set for user H1, which has user code Ch1. Furthermore, the authentication relationship information Ic stores the relationship that authentication code Cc2 is set for user H2, which has user code Ch2. In other words, the general management unit Mt can understand that user H1 has authentication code Cc1 and user H2 has authentication code Cc2.

[0064] The storage area management unit Ms manages the storage unit code Cs set for each of the plurality of storage units 10A, and manages the storage relationship information Is storing the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the shelf P and the storage unit code Cs of the storage unit 10A where the shelf P is stored. For example, Figure 5 The diagram schematically shows a plurality of storage sections 10A arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the second direction Y in one storage shed 10. A storage section code Cs is set for each of the plurality of storage sections 10A. In the example shown in the figure, a total of 100 storage sections 10A are arranged in one storage shed 10, and a number No. 1 to 100 is set for each storage section 10A as a storage section code Cs. Figure 6 In the example shown, the relationship that, among the multiple storage units 10A having storage unit codes No. 1 to 1000, the storage unit 10A having storage unit code No. 1, for example, stores the rack P (allocated rack Pf) having shelf code No. 299 is stored in the storage unit 10A. This allows the storage area management unit Ms to identify the shelf code Cp of the allocated rack Pf stored in each of the multiple storage units 10A.

[0065] like Figure 1As shown, in this embodiment, the storage area SA includes a main storage area SA1 for storing allocated racks Pf and a secondary storage area SA2 for storing unallocated racks Py. In the example shown in the figure, the area in the storage area SA indicated by diagonal lines becomes the secondary storage area SA2, and the other areas become the main storage area SA1. Unallocated racks Py are not allocated to any user H and therefore do not carry items G of the user H. Therefore, in this example, a plurality of unallocated racks Py are stacked in the secondary storage area SA2 for storing the unallocated racks Py, and the plurality of unallocated racks Py are collectively managed in one storage unit 10A. This allows for efficient utilization of the storage area SA. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, in this embodiment, the storage area management unit Ms manages storage relationship information Is that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the unallocated rack Py and the storage unit code Cs of the storage unit 10A where the unallocated rack Py is stored. That is, the storage area management unit Ms can grasp the shelf code Cp of the unallocated shelf Py stored in the storage unit 10A.

[0066] The storage area management unit Ms controls the transport device 11 (see Figure 2 ). The storage area management unit Ms causes the conveying device 11 to perform inbound conveyance or outbound conveyance based on the instruction from the general management unit Mt. Specifically, when the storage area management unit Ms receives an inbound conveyance instruction from the general management unit Mt, the conveying device 11 causes the conveying device 11 to perform inbound conveyance of the rack P involved in the inbound conveyance instruction. In addition, when the storage area management unit Ms receives an outbound conveyance instruction from the general management unit Mt, the conveying device 11 causes the conveying device 11 to perform outbound conveyance of the rack P involved in the outbound conveyance instruction.

[0067] Each of the multiple work zone management units Mb manages a corresponding work zone B. Each of the multiple work zone management units Mb manages the user code Ch of the corresponding user H, the authentication code Cc assigned to the user H, and the shelf code Cp of the allocated rack Pf assigned to the user H. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each of the multiple work zone management units Mb also manages the item code Cg of the item G placed on each allocated rack Pf assigned to the user H. This allows the work zone management unit Mb to understand which item G is placed on each rack P.

[0068] Here, to focus on one of the multiple work partition management units Mb, the work partition B serving as the target among the multiple work partitions B will be referred to as the target partition B, the user H utilizing the target partition B will be referred to as the target user H, and the work partition management unit Mb managing the work status of the target partition B will be referred to as the target partition management unit Mb. This definition is for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the target partition B and the work partition B are synonymous, the target user H and the user H are synonymous, and the target partition management unit Mb and the work partition management unit Mb are synonymous. In this specification, corresponding terms are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0069] The target partition management unit Mb specifies the shelf code Cp and issues a request to the general management unit Mt to enter the rack P into the storage area SA. In this embodiment, when the target partition management unit Mb issues the request, it also outputs the user code Ch it has set to the general management unit Mt. Furthermore, the target partition management unit Mb specifies the shelf code Cp and issues a request to the general management unit Mt to remove the rack P from the storage area SA. In this embodiment, when the target partition management unit Mb issues the request, it also outputs the user code Ch it has set to the general management unit Mt.

[0070] To further explain, when the target partition management unit Mb issues a storage request, it specifies the shelf code Cp of the target storage rack Pt, which is the target of the storage request, among the multiple allocated racks Pf assigned to its own shelf code Cp. Furthermore, when the target partition management unit Mb issues a shipment request, it specifies the shelf code Cp of the post-shipment rack Pa (shipment target rack), which has been received into the storage unit 10A and is the target of the shipment request, among the multiple allocated racks Pf assigned to its own shelf code Cp. In this embodiment, the target storage rack Pt corresponds to the "shipment target equipment," and the post-shipment rack Pa corresponds to the "shipment equipment."

[0071] When a storage request is received from the target partition management unit Mb, the general management unit Mt uses the shelf code Cp assigned to the shelf P (target storage shelf Pt) indicated by the target partition management unit Mb as a storage permission condition and issues a storage transfer instruction to the storage area SA to transfer the shelf P for which the storage request was issued. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the general management unit Mt references the utilization relationship information Ih and also uses the shelf code Cp specified in the storage request as a storage permission condition, which belongs to the utilization subject code Ch of the target entity H that issued the storage request.

[0072] Furthermore, when a shipment request is received from the target partition management unit Mb, the general management unit Mt stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp specified in the shipment request and the user code Ch of the target user H in the utilization relationship information Ih as a shipment permission condition, and issues a shipment transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to execute the shipment transport of the rack P for which the shipment request was issued. In other words, the general management unit Mt issues the shipment transport instruction if, by referring to the utilization relationship information Ih, it can determine that the shelf code Cp specified in the shipment request belongs to the user code Ch of the target user H who issued the shipment request. This reduces the possibility that the target user H who issued the shipment request for a rack P will mistakenly ship a rack P assigned to another user H.

[0073] In this embodiment, during a shipment request, the target partition management unit Mb, in addition to specifying the shelf code Cp of the shelf P to be requested, also outputs the authentication code Cc set for the target entity H to the general management unit Mt. Then, when a shipment request is received from the target partition management unit Mb, the general management unit Mt stores the relationship between the authentication code Cc outputted from the target partition management unit Mb and the user code Ch of the target entity H in the authentication relationship information Ic, also as a shipment permission condition. In other words, if the general management unit Mt determines, by referring to the authentication relationship information Ic, that the authentication code Cc outputted from the target partition management unit Mb that requested the shipment is associated with the user code Ch associated with the target partition management unit Mb, it uses this as a further shipment permission condition to issue a shipment transport instruction. Thus, the fact that the authentication code Cc outputted from the target partition management unit Mb that requested the shipment is the authentication code Cc set for the target entity H associated with the target partition management unit Mb can be used as a further condition for shipment permission. Therefore, even if another user H mistakenly uses the user code Ch of the target user H, as long as the authentication code Cc is incorrect, the rack P (allocated rack Pf) assigned to the target user H will not be removed from the warehouse by the other user H. Therefore, the possibility that the user H who has requested the removal of the rack P will mistakenly remove the rack P (allocated rack Pf) assigned to another user H can be further reduced.

[0074] Next, refer to Figure 7 The flowchart of FIG. 1 is used to illustrate each process performed by the warehouse equipment 100.

[0075] The warehouse facility 100 is configured to execute allocation processing of allocating racks P to each of a plurality of users H, storage processing of loading racks P into the storage area SA, and removal processing of racks P from the storage area SA.

[0076] 〔Allocation Process〕

[0077] In the allocation process, the target partition management unit Mb requests the overall management unit Mt to allocate the shelf P (#11). When requesting the allocation of the shelf P, the target partition management unit Mb outputs a signal indicating the desired number of shelves and the user code Ch to the overall management unit Mt. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, when the target user H1 first begins using the warehouse equipment 100 and wishes to use 400 racks P, the target partition management unit Mb associated with the target user H1 outputs a signal indicating the number of racks 400 and the user code Ch1 to the overall management unit Mt. Furthermore, if a user H already using the warehouse equipment 100 requests the allocation of new racks P in addition to the already allocated racks P, similarly, the work partition management unit Mb associated with the user H outputs a signal indicating the newly requested number of racks and the user code Ch1 to the overall management unit Mt.

[0078] The general management unit Mt, which receives the allocation request for the shelf P from the target partition management unit Mb, generates the utilization relationship information Ih (#12) that stores the relationship between the user code Ch output by the target partition management unit Mb and the shelf code Cp allocated to the target entity H having the user code Ch. Figure 6 In the example shown, the usage relationship information Ih is generated to indicate that 400 racks P having rack codes No. 1 to 400 belong to the target subject H1 having the usage subject code Ch1.

[0079] After generating the utilization relationship information Ih, the general management unit Mt provides the shelf P to the target partition management unit Mb that has requested the allocation of the shelf P (#13). When providing the shelf P, the general management unit Mt outputs the shelf code Cp of the provided shelf P to the target partition management unit Mb. For example, Figure 6In the example shown, the general management unit Mt issues a removal transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to remove 400 racks P from the secondary storage area SA2 for the target partition B associated with the target body H1. Furthermore, the general management unit Mt outputs the shelf codes No. 1 to 400 assigned to each of the 400 racks P to the target partition management unit Mb. Furthermore, if the general management unit Mt cannot respond to the target partition management unit Mb's request, such as when the number of available unassigned racks Py is less than the number of racks requested by the target partition management unit Mb, it notifies the target partition management unit Mb of an error. Furthermore, if the number of racks P to be allocated at once is large, the general management unit Mt may remove only a portion of the allocated racks P from the target partition B and temporarily store the remaining racks in the storage unit 10A. In this case, the general management unit Mt instructs the storage area management unit Ms to sequentially remove the allocated racks Pf stored in the storage unit 10A in response to the request from the target partition management unit Mb.

[0080] 〔Warehouse processing〕

[0081] During the warehousing process, the target partition management unit Mb receives the arrival of the item G from outside the facility and generates arrival relationship information Ig (#21) that stores the relationship between the item code Cg of the item G received and the shelf code Cp of the shelf P where the item G is placed. Figure 6 In the example shown, the target partition management unit Mb associated with the target entity H1 receives the arrival of the item G with the item code Cg1-1 and places the item G on the shelf P with the shelf code No. 301. The target partition management unit Mb then generates arrival relationship information Ig indicating that the item G with the item code Cg1-1 is placed on the shelf P with the shelf code No. 301. As described above, the arrival of the item G is received in the individual reception area IA provided in the target partition B (see Figure 3 ) is carried out in

[0082] After generating the arrival relationship information Ig, the target partition management unit Mb issues a storage request to the general management unit Mt (#22). When issuing the storage request, the target partition management unit Mb outputs the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the storage request to the general management unit Mt. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, the target partition management unit Mb related to the target body H1 outputs the shelf code No. 301 of the shelf P on which the article G having the article code Cg1-1 is placed to the overall management unit Mt.

[0083] The general management unit Mt, which receives the storage request from the target partition management unit Mb, issues a storage transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to execute the storage transport of the rack P for which the storage request was made (#23). When issuing the storage transport instruction, the general management unit Mt outputs the shelf code Cp of the rack P involved in the storage request to the storage area management unit Ms. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, the general management unit Mt, which receives the warehousing request for the rack P with the shelf code No. 301 from the object partition management unit Mb involved in the object body H1, issues a warehousing and transportation instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to execute the warehousing and transportation of the rack P with the shelf code No. 301.

[0084] The storage area management unit Ms, which receives the storage transport instruction from the general management unit Mt, generates the storage relationship information Is (#24) that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the storage transport instruction and the storage department code Cs of the storage department 10A where the shelf P is stored. Then, the storage area management unit Ms manages the storage relationship information Is that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the shelf P and the storage department code Cs of the storage department 10A where the shelf P is stored. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms, which receives the warehousing and transporting instruction of the shelf P with the shelf code No. 301 from the general management unit Mt, generates the storage relationship information Is that stores the relationship between the shelf code No. 301 of the shelf P and the storage unit code No. 3 of the storage unit 10A which is the warehousing destination for the shelf P.

[0085] The storage area management unit Ms that has generated the storage relationship information Is controls the transport device 11 (see Figure 2 ) Carry out the storage and transportation of the rack P for which the storage and transportation instruction is issued to the storage unit 10A (#25). For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms causes the transport device 11 to carry out incoming transport of the rack P (rack P with rack code No. 301 ) for which an incoming transport instruction has been issued, to the storage unit 10A with storage unit code No. 3 .

[0086] After the storage area management department Ms completes the storage completion report to the general management department Mt (#26). In this example, when the storage area management department Ms makes the storage completion report, it outputs the shelf code Cp related to the shelf P being stored and the storage department code Cs related to the storage department 10A where the shelf P is stored to the general management department Mt. Therefore, the general management department Mt can understand in which storage department 10A with the storage department code Cs the shelf Pa is stored after storage. Figure 6In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms outputs the shelf code No. 301 of the rack P to be stored and the storage unit code No. 3 of the storage unit 10A into which the rack P is stored to the overall management unit Mt.

[0087] 〔Outbound processing〕

[0088] During the outbound processing, the target partition management unit Mb specifies the shelf code Cp and issues an outbound request to the general management unit Mt to request outbound from the storage area SA (#31). When the target partition management unit Mb issues an outbound request, in addition to outputting the shelf code Cp of the shelf P to which the outbound request is being sent, it also outputs the user code Ch and authentication code Cc of the target subject H to the general management unit Mt. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, the target partition management unit Mb related to the target entity H1 outputs the shelf code No. 299, the user code Ch1, and the authentication code Cc1 of the shelf P related to the delivery request to the general management unit Mt.

[0089] When there is a delivery request from the object partition management unit Mb, the general management unit Mt refers to the utilization relationship information Ih to check the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the delivery request and the utilization subject code Ch of the object subject H assigned the shelf code Cp (#32). When the relationship between the shelf code Cp and the utilization subject code Ch is stored in the utilization relationship information Ih, the general management unit Mt then refers to the authentication relationship information Ic to check the utilization subject code Ch and the authentication code Cc set for the object subject H having the utilization subject code Ch (#32). Then, when the relationship between the utilization subject code Ch and the authentication code Cc is stored in the authentication relationship information Ic, the delivery involved in the delivery request from the object partition management unit Mb is permitted. That is, the general management unit Mt uses the correct utilization subject code Ch and the correct authentication code Cc corresponding to the shelf P involved in the delivery request output by the object partition management unit Mb that has made the delivery request as delivery permission conditions. For example, in Figure 6In the example shown, the general management unit Mt references the utilization information Ih to confirm that shelf code No. 299 of the shelf P involved in the shipment request belongs to the target entity H1 with the utilization code Ch1. It then determines whether this utilization code Ch1 matches the utilization code Ch1 output by the target partition management unit Mb that requested the shipment. If this matches, the general management unit Mt then references the authentication information Ic to confirm the authentication code Cc1 assigned to the target entity H1 with the utilization code Ch1. It then determines whether this authentication code Cc1 matches the authentication code Cc1 output by the target partition management unit Mb that requested the shipment. The general management unit Mt then authorizes shipment only if both authentication codes match.

[0090] When the general management department Mt determines that the conditions for the release permission are met, it issues a release transport instruction (#33) to the storage area management department Ms to execute the release transport of the rack P for which the release request was made. When the general management department Mt issues the release transport instruction, it outputs the rack code Cp of the rack P involved in the release request to the storage area management department Ms. For example, Figure 6 In the example shown, the general management unit Mt, which receives the outbound transport request for the shelf P with shelf code No. 299 from the object partition management unit Mb involved in the object body H1, issues an outbound transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to execute the outbound transport of the shelf P with shelf code No. 299.

[0091] The storage area management unit Ms, which receives the outbound transport instruction from the general management unit Mt, refers to the storage relationship information Is to retrieve the storage unit code Cs (#34) of the storage unit 10A where the shelf P involved in the outbound transport instruction is stored. Figure 6 In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms, having received a removal transport instruction for a rack P having shelf code No. 299 from the general management unit Mt, refers to the storage relationship information Is to retrieve the storage unit code Cs of the storage unit 10A where the rack P is stored. In the example shown, the rack P having shelf code No. 299 is stored in the storage unit 10A having storage unit code No. 1.

[0092] The storage area management unit Ms retrieves the storage unit code Cs of the storage unit 10A where the shelf P related to the outbound transport instruction is stored based on the storage relationship information Is, and causes the transport device 11 (see Figure 2 ) to carry out the outbound transport of the rack P from the storage unit 10A having the storage unit code Cs (#35). Figure 6In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms causes the transport device 11 to carry out the rack P (rack P with rack code No. 299) for which a removal transport instruction has been issued from the storage unit 10A with storage unit code No. 1.

[0093] 〔Shared Reception Area Management Department〕

[0094] like Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the warehouse equipment 100 has a common reception area CA (refer to Figure 3 ) in the common acceptance area management unit Mc. In this embodiment, the common acceptance area management unit Mc manages the unassigned shelves Py (shelf code Cp) that are not assigned to any of the multiple utilization entities H. Figure 8 In the example shown, 101 racks P having rack codes No. 900 to 1000, respectively, among the 1000 racks P having rack codes No. 1 to 1000 included in the warehouse facility 100 are designated as unassigned racks Py not assigned to any of the plurality of users H.

[0095] In this embodiment, when an article G arrives from outside the facility, the shared acceptance area management unit Mc selects a shelf P from a plurality of unassigned shelves Py on which to place the article G, and assigns the shelf code Cp of the selected shelf P to the article G. In the shared acceptance area CA, an operation (arrival acceptance operation) of placing the article G on the shelf P associated with the shelf code Cp assigned to the arrived article G is performed. For example, Figure 8 In the example, the arrival of an item G with item code Cg1-4 is accepted, and the item G is assigned to shelf P with shelf code No. 900. Furthermore, the arrival of an item G with item code Cg2-26 is accepted, and the item G is assigned to shelf P with shelf code No. 901. Each item G is placed on the shelf P associated with the assigned shelf code Cp through the arrival acceptance operation. In this embodiment, the arrival acceptance process performed by the shared acceptance area management unit Mc is independent of any of the multiple work area management units Mb.

[0096] In this embodiment, the common acceptance area management unit Mc manages and stores the arrival relationship information Ig that stores the relationship between the item code Cg set for the item G accepted through arrival acceptance and the shelf code Cp set for the shelf P on which the item G is placed. In this way, it is possible to manage on which shelf P the item G accepted by the common acceptance area management unit Mc is placed with the shelf code Cp. Figure 8In the example shown, the relationship that items G with item code Cg1-4 are assigned to shelf P with shelf code No. 900 is stored in the arrival relationship information Ig. Furthermore, the relationship that items G with item code Cg2-26 are assigned to shelf P with shelf code No. 901 is stored in the arrival relationship information Ig.

[0097] In this embodiment, the common acceptance area management unit Mc requests the central management unit Mt to receive the shelf P carrying the received article G. When requesting the receipt, the common acceptance area management unit Mc specifies the shelf code Cp to be received.

[0098] When there is a storage request from the common reception area management unit Mc, the general management unit Mt issues a storage transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to perform storage transport of the rack P for which the storage request was issued, that is, the storage target rack Pt.

[0099] When the general management unit Mt issues a storage transport instruction, the storage area management unit Ms causes the transport device 11 to perform storage transport of the rack P associated with the storage transport instruction. The storage area management unit Ms then stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the rack P associated with the storage transport instruction and the storage unit code Cs of the storage unit 10A where the rack P is stored as storage relationship information Is.

[0100] As described above, in this embodiment, the arrival acceptance processing performed by the shared acceptance area management unit Mc is independent of any of the multiple work zone management units Mb. Then, in this embodiment, the shared acceptance area management unit Mc outputs the item code Cg of the item G placed on the post-entry rack Pa and the shelf code Cp associated with the post-entry rack Pa to the work zone management unit Mb of the user H that handles the item G placed on the incoming rack Pt, i.e., the incoming rack Pa, that is, the incoming rack to be stored in the storage unit 10A. This allows the work zone management unit Mb to subsequently determine which shelf P with the shelf code Cp the item G is placed on, if the item G for which the shared acceptance area management unit Mc has received the arrival is the item G it is supposed to manage.

[0101] In this embodiment, the work section management unit Mb, having received the shelf code Cp associated with the received shelf Pa from the shared reception area management unit Mc, outputs the shelf code Cp and the user code Ch corresponding to the work section management unit Mb to the general management unit Mt. The general management unit Mt then stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp and the user code Ch received from the work section management unit Mb as utilization relationship information Ih.

[0102] 〔Shared acceptance processing〕

[0103] Next, refer to Figure 9 The shared acceptance processing performed by the warehouse equipment 100 is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0104] In the shared acceptance process, the shared acceptance area management unit Mc accepts the arrival of the item G from outside the facility (#41), and generates arrival relationship information Ig (#42) that stores the relationship between the item code Cg of the accepted item G and the shelf code Cp of the shelf P where the item G is placed. For example, Figure 8 In the example shown, the shared acceptance area management unit Mc accepts the arrival of an item G with an item code Cg1-4 and places the item G on a shelf P with shelf code No. 900. The shared acceptance area management unit Mc then generates arrival relationship information Ig indicating that the item G with the item code Cg1-4 has been placed on the shelf P with shelf code No. 900.

[0105] After generating the arrival relationship information Ig, the common acceptance area management unit Mc issues a warehousing entrustment to the general management unit Mt (#43). When issuing the warehousing entrustment, the common acceptance area management unit Mc outputs the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the warehousing entrustment to the general management unit Mt. For example, Figure 8 In the example shown, the common reception area management unit Mc outputs shelf code No. 900 of the shelf P on which the articles G having the article codes Cg1-4 are placed to the overall management unit Mt.

[0106] The general management unit Mt, which receives the storage request from the common reception area management unit Mc, issues a storage transport instruction to the storage area management unit Ms to carry out the storage transport of the rack P for which the storage request was made (#44). When issuing the storage transport instruction, the general management unit Mt outputs the shelf code Cp of the rack P involved in the storage request to the storage area management unit Ms. For example, Figure 8 In the example shown, the general management unit Mt receives a request for storage of the rack P having the rack code No. 900 from the common reception area management unit Mc and issues a storage area management unit Ms an instruction for storage and transport of the rack P having the rack code No. 900.

[0107] The storage area management unit Ms, which receives the storage transport instruction from the general management unit Mt, generates storage relationship information Is (#45) that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the storage transport instruction and the storage department code Cs of the storage department 10A where the shelf P is stored. Then, the storage area management unit Ms manages the storage relationship information Is that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the shelf P and the storage department code Cs of the storage department 10A where the shelf P is stored. For example, Figure 8 In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms, which receives the warehousing and transporting instruction of the shelf P with the shelf code No. 900 from the general management unit Mt, generates the storage relationship information Is that stores the relationship between the shelf code No. 900 of the shelf P and the storage department code No. 933 of the storage department 10A which is the warehousing destination for the shelf P.

[0108] The storage area management unit Ms that has generated the storage relationship information Is controls the transport device 11 (see Figure 2 ) Carry out the storage and transportation of the rack P for which the storage and transportation instruction is issued to the storage unit 10A (#46). For example, Figure 8 In the example shown, the storage area management unit Ms causes the transport device 11 to carry out incoming transport of the rack P (rack P with rack code No. 900) for which an incoming transport instruction has been issued, to the storage unit 10A with storage unit code No. 933.

[0109] After the storage area management department Ms completes the storage completion report to the general management department Mt, and the general management department Mt, which receives the report, reports the storage completion report to the shared acceptance area management department Mc. Then, the shared acceptance area management department Mc reports the storage completion report to the work partition management department Mb of the user H who handles the storage object shelf Pt, that is, the storage shelf Pa, which is the storage object shelf Pt of the storage department 10A (#47). When the shared acceptance area management department Mc reports the storage completion report to the work partition management department Mb, it outputs the item code Cg related to the item G placed on the storage shelf Pa and the shelf code Cp related to the storage shelf Pa to the work partition management department Mb. For example, in Figure 8 In the example shown, the common reception area management unit Mc outputs the article code Cg1-4 of the article G placed on the received rack Pa and the shelf code No. 900 of the received rack Pa to the work zone management unit Mb of the user H1.

[0110] The work partition management unit Mb, which receives the storage completion report from the common reception area management unit Mc, outputs the shelf code Cp associated with the shelf Pa after storage and the user code Ch1 of the user H1 associated with the work partition management unit Mb to the general management unit Mt (#48). Then, the general management unit Mt generates the utilization relationship information Ih (#49) that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp and the user code Ch output by the work partition management unit Mb. For example, Figure 8In the example shown, after receiving a storage completion report from the shared reception area management unit Mc, the work area management unit Mb associated with user H1 outputs shelf code No. 900 associated with the received shelf Pa and the user code Ch1 associated with user H1 to the general management unit Mt. The general management unit Mt then generates utilization relationship information Ih indicating that the received shelf Pa with shelf code No. 900 belongs to user H1 with the user code Ch1.

[0111] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0112] Next, other embodiments of the warehouse equipment will be described.

[0113] (1) In the above embodiment, an example is described in which, when a shipment request is received from the target partition management unit Mb, the general management unit Mt stores the relationship between the authentication code Cc output from the target partition management unit Mb and the user code Ch of the target entity H in the authentication relationship information Ic as a shipment permission condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the relationship between the authentication code Cc and the user code Ch may not be stored in the authentication relationship information Ic as a shipment permission condition. For example, only the relationship between the shelf code Cp specified in the shipment request and the user code Ch of the target entity H may be stored in the usage relationship information Ih as a shipment permission condition.

[0114] (2) In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the storage area management unit Ms manages the storage relationship information Is that stores the relationship between the shelf code Cp of the shelf P and the storage unit code Cs of the storage unit 10A where the shelf P is stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the storage relationship information Is may be managed by the general management unit Mt.

[0115] (3) In the above embodiment, the following example is described: the storage area SA includes a main storage area SA1 for storing allocated racks Pf and a secondary storage area SA2 for storing unallocated racks Py. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the storage area SA may not include the secondary storage area SA2. In this case, the unallocated racks Py can be brought into the warehouse equipment 100 from outside the equipment when necessary. In addition, in the above embodiment, the boundary between the main storage area SA1 and the secondary storage area SA2 in the storage area SA is clear. However, such a boundary may not be provided, and the secondary storage area SA2 may be dispersed within the main storage area SA1. Alternatively, the main storage area SA1 and the secondary storage area SA2 may be configured to change at any time according to the usage status of the racks P.

[0116] (4) In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the warehouse equipment 100 includes a shared acceptance area CA. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the warehouse equipment 100 may not include a shared acceptance area CA. In addition, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which the warehouse equipment 100 includes both individual acceptance areas IA and shared acceptance areas CA provided in each of the plurality of work zones B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the warehouse equipment 100 may include only shared acceptance areas CA and not individual acceptance areas IA.

[0117] (5) In the above embodiment, an example is described in which, when the target partition management unit Mb issues a storage request, it outputs the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the storage request to the overall management unit Mt. However, the target partition management unit Mb may output, in addition to the shelf code Cp of the shelf P involved in the storage request, the item code Cg of the item G placed on the shelf P to the overall management unit Mt. In this case, it is preferable that the overall management unit Mt manage information storing the relationship between the shelf code Cp and the item code Cg.

[0118] (6) In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the storage area SA includes a single storage floor surface SF, and the work area WA includes a plurality of work floors WF arranged side by side in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the number of floors constituting each area may be one or more. Specifically, the storage area SA may include a plurality of storage floors SF arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the work area WA may be provided with only a single work floor surface WF.

[0119] (7) In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the storage and transport device 111 is configured as a stacker capable of moving the transfer unit in the vertical direction and in the second direction Y. However, the storage and transport device 111 is not limited to this example. For example, the storage and transport device 111 may be configured to include a traveling trailer that travels in the second direction Y along a track provided for each of the plurality of sections in the storage shed 10 and is capable of transferring the racks P between the plurality of storage sections 10A arranged side by side in the second direction Y in each section.

[0120] (8) Furthermore, the configuration disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiment can be applied in combination with the configuration disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0121] [Overview of the above embodiment]

[0122] Next, the warehouse equipment described above will be described.

[0123] The warehouse equipment disclosed herein has:

[0124] A storage area including a plurality of storage sections for storing transport equipment for placing or storing the items when the items are transported;

[0125] The operation area includes a plurality of operation sections to which a user is assigned, and performs storage and retrieval operations of the transport equipment assigned to each user with respect to the storage area;

[0126] a storage area management department, which manages the storage area;

[0127] a work zone management unit that manages a work status including a status of the storage work and the outgoing work in each of the plurality of work zones; and

[0128] a general management unit for managing an equipment code set for each of the plurality of transport tools and a user code set for each of the plurality of users, and for managing usage relationship information storing a relationship between the equipment code for each of the plurality of transport tools stored in the storage area and the user code of the user to which each of the transport tools is assigned;

[0129] A transport device is provided in the storage area, and the transport device performs in-warehouse transport of the transport tool into the storage section and out-warehouse transport of the transport tool from the storage section.

[0130] The storage area management unit causes the transport device to perform the inbound transport or the outbound transport based on an instruction from the general management unit.

[0131] The target work partition among the plurality of work partitions is defined as a target partition, the subject that uses the target partition is defined as a target subject, and the work partition management unit that manages the work status of the target partition is defined as a target partition management unit.

[0132] The target partition management unit specifies the equipment code and issues a delivery request to the general management unit requesting delivery of the transport equipment from the storage area.

[0133] When there is a delivery entrustment from the object partition management department, the general management department stores the relationship between the equipment code specified in the delivery entrustment and the utilization subject code of the object subject in the utilization relationship information as a delivery permission condition, and issues a delivery transport instruction to the storage area management department to execute the delivery transport of the transport equipment for which the delivery entrustment was made.

[0134] According to this structure, an instrument code is set for each of a plurality of conveying instruments, and a user code is set for each of a plurality of users. Then, a conveying instrument used by each user is assigned to each of the plurality of users. The general management department manages and stores the utilization relationship information that stores the relationship between the instrument code of each of the plurality of conveying instruments stored in the storage area and the user code of the user to which each conveying instrument is assigned. Thereby, it is possible to properly manage to which user the conveying instruments stored in the storage area are assigned. In addition, in the removal of conveying instruments based on the removal request of conveying instruments from the object partition management department, removal permission from the general management department is required. In the case of a removal request of conveying instruments from the object partition management department, the general management department stores the relationship between the instrument code specified in the removal request and the user code of the object subject involved in the object partition management department in the utilization relationship information as a removal permission condition to permit the removal of conveying instruments. This reduces the possibility that a user who has requested the removal of a transport tool will mistakenly remove a transport tool assigned to another user. Therefore, this configuration allows for appropriate management of the transport tools handled by each of multiple users in a warehouse facility that handles the transport and storage of transport tools used to carry or store items during transport.

[0135] Here, it is preferred that

[0136] The general management unit manages, in addition to the device code and the user code, an authentication code set for each of the plurality of users, and manages authentication relationship information storing a relationship between the user codes of the plurality of users and the authentication code of each user.

[0137] The target partition management unit outputs the authentication code to the general management unit during the delivery request.

[0138] When the outbound request is received from the target partition management unit, the general management unit stores the relationship between the authentication code output from the target partition management unit and the user code of the target subject in the authentication relationship information as the outbound permission condition.

[0139] According to this structure, it is possible to set as a further condition for permitting the release of goods the authentication code output by the object partition management unit that has made the release commission to be the authentication code set for the object subject involved in the object partition management unit. That is, in order for the user to release the transport equipment, not only does it need the transport equipment assigned to it to be stored in the use relationship information as the relationship between the equipment code and the user code, but it also needs the relationship between the user code and the authentication code set by it to be correctly stored in the authentication relationship information. Therefore, even if the user code is used incorrectly by other users, as long as the authentication code is incorrect, the transport equipment assigned to it will not be released by other users. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the user who has made the release commission of the transport equipment will mistakenly release the transport equipment assigned to other users. Therefore, according to this structure, the transport equipment handled by each of the multiple users can be more appropriately managed.

[0140] Furthermore, it is preferred that

[0141] The storage area management unit manages a storage unit code set for each of the plurality of storage units and manages storage relationship information storing a relationship between the equipment code of the transport equipment and the storage unit code of the storage unit storing the transport equipment.

[0142] According to this configuration, the device code of the transport device stored in each of the plurality of storage units can be easily grasped, and further, it is possible to appropriately manage which user uses the transport device stored in each of the plurality of storage units.

[0143] Furthermore, it is preferred that

[0144] The transport tool allocated to the user is defined as an allocated tool, and the transport tool not allocated to the user is defined as an unallocated tool.

[0145] The device code is set for both the allocated device and the unallocated device.

[0146] The storage area includes a main storage region for storing the allocated instruments and a secondary storage region for storing the unallocated instruments.

[0147] This configuration allows unallocated equipment to be stored in the storage area as well. Therefore, if you want to increase or decrease the number of transport tools used by each user, you can quickly increase or decrease the number of allocated tools. Furthermore, unallocated tools are not assigned to any user and therefore do not carry or store any user's belongings. Therefore, it is preferable to accumulate multiple unallocated tools in the secondary storage area for unallocated tools, thereby collectively storing multiple transport tools in a single storage area. This approach allows for more efficient use of the storage area.

[0148] Furthermore, it is preferred that

[0149] A common acceptance area and a common acceptance area management unit are provided. The common acceptance area is an area shared by a plurality of the users and receives the arrival of the articles handled by each of the plurality of users from outside the equipment. The common acceptance area management unit manages the arrival of the articles in the common acceptance area.

[0150] The receiving of the goods includes placing or storing the articles on the transport equipment.

[0151] The shared acceptance area management unit manages and stores arrival relationship information that represents the relationship between the article code set for the article accepted through the arrival acceptance and the equipment code set for the transport equipment carrying the article, and issues a storage request to the general management unit to store the transport equipment carrying the article.

[0152] When the storage request is received from the common reception area management department, the general management department issues a storage transport instruction to the storage area management department for executing the storage transport of the transport tool for which the storage request was received, i.e., the storage target tool.

[0153] The shared reception area management unit outputs the article code related to the article placed on or stored in the storage target device and the device code related to the storage device to the work partition management unit of the user who handles the article placed on the storage device.

[0154] The operation partition management unit that has obtained the device code related to the stored device from the common reception area management unit outputs the device code and the user code corresponding to the operation partition management unit to the general management unit.

[0155] The general management unit stores the relationship between the device code and the user code acquired from the work section management unit as the utilization relationship information.

[0156] According to this configuration, the arrival of items from outside the equipment can be accepted in a common acceptance area shared by multiple users. Furthermore, this arrival acceptance is independent of the work area management unit of each work area, thus shortening the time it takes to store items in the storage area and enabling efficient storage. After the items are stored in the storage area, information about the transport equipment used to carry or store the items is subsequently output from the common acceptance area management unit to the work area management unit of the user handling the items, and subsequently from the work area management unit to the overall management unit. This allows for appropriate management of the items stored in the storage area along with the transport equipment.

[0157] Furthermore, in a configuration having a common reception area, it is preferable that

[0158] The common acceptance area is provided at a location different from the individual acceptance area in each of the plurality of work sections for accepting the arrival of the articles from outside the facility.

[0159] This configuration allows for the common acceptance area to accept item arrivals even when the individual acceptance areas in each work zone are busy or when the individual acceptance areas are not available, such as at night. Therefore, regardless of the status of the individual acceptance areas, item arrival acceptance can be performed efficiently without stalling.

[0160] Industrial applicability

[0161] The technology disclosed herein can be utilized in warehouse facilities including a storage area having a plurality of storage units and a work area for performing storage operations and outgoing storage operations with respect to the storage area.

[0162] Description of Reference Signs

[0163] 100: Warehouse equipment

[0164] 10A: Storage Department

[0165] 11: Transport device

[0166] WA: Working Area

[0167] B: Job partition (object partition)

[0168] IA: Individual acceptance area

[0169] CA: Shared Acceptance Area

[0170] SA: Storage Area

[0171] SA1: Main Storage Area

[0172] SA2: Secondary Storage Area

[0173] Mt: General Management Department

[0174] Mb: Job Partition Management Department (Object Partition Management Department)

[0175] Ms: Storage Area Management Department

[0176] Mc: Shared Reception Area Management Department

[0177] Cc: Authentication code

[0178] Cg: Item Code

[0179] Ch: Utilize the main code

[0180] Cp: Shelf code (appliance code)

[0181] Cs: Storage department code

[0182] Ic: Authentication relationship information

[0183] Ig: Arrival relationship information

[0184] Ih: Utilizing Relationship Information

[0185] Is: Custody relationship information

[0186] H: Utilization subject (object subject)

[0187] P: Shelves (transportation equipment)

[0188] G: Items.

Claims

1. A warehouse equipment having the following: A storage area includes a plurality of storage units for storing transport tools, wherein the transport tools are used to place or store items when transporting the items; an operation area having a plurality of operation sections and performing storage operations of the transport tool in and out of the storage area, wherein a user is assigned to each of the plurality of operation sections, and the transport tool is assigned to each of the users; a storage area management department, which manages the storage area; a work zone management unit for managing, in each of the plurality of work zones, a work status including a status of the storage work and the outgoing work; as well as a general management unit for managing an equipment code set for each of the plurality of transport tools and a user code set for each of the plurality of users, and for managing usage relationship information storing a relationship between the equipment code for each of the plurality of transport tools stored in the storage area and the user code of the user to which each of the transport tools is assigned; It is characterized in that A transport device is provided in the storage area, and the transport device performs in-warehouse transport of the transport tool into the storage section and out-warehouse transport of the transport tool from the storage section. The storage area management unit causes the transport device to perform the inbound transport or the outbound transport based on an instruction from the general management unit. The target work partition among the plurality of work partitions is defined as a target partition, the subject that uses the target partition is defined as a target subject, and the work partition management unit that manages the work status of the target partition is defined as a target partition management unit. The target partition management unit specifies the equipment code and issues a delivery request to the general management unit requesting delivery of the transport equipment from the storage area. When there is a delivery entrustment from the object partition management department, the general management department stores the relationship between the equipment code specified in the delivery entrustment and the utilization subject code of the object subject in the utilization relationship information as a delivery permission condition, and issues a delivery transport instruction to the storage area management department to execute the delivery transport of the transport equipment for which the delivery entrustment was made.

2. The warehouse equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The general management unit manages, in addition to the device code and the user code, an authentication code set for each of the plurality of users, and manages authentication relationship information storing a relationship between the user codes of the plurality of users and the authentication code of each user. The target partition management unit outputs the authentication code to the general management unit during the delivery request. When the outbound request is received from the target partition management unit, the general management unit stores the relationship between the authentication code output from the target partition management unit and the user code of the target subject in the authentication relationship information as the outbound permission condition.

3. The warehouse equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The storage area management unit manages a storage unit code set for each of the plurality of storage units and manages storage relationship information storing a relationship between the equipment code of the transport equipment and the storage unit code of the storage unit storing the transport equipment.

4. The warehouse equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The transport tool allocated to the user is defined as an allocated tool, and the transport tool not allocated to the user is defined as an unallocated tool. The device code is set for both the allocated device and the unallocated device. The storage area includes a main storage region for storing the allocated instruments and a secondary storage region for storing the unallocated instruments.

5. The warehouse equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A common acceptance area and a common acceptance area management unit are provided. The common acceptance area is an area shared by a plurality of the users and receives the arrival of the articles handled by each of the plurality of users from outside the equipment. The common acceptance area management unit manages the arrival of the articles in the common acceptance area. The receiving of the goods includes placing or storing the articles on the transport equipment. The shared acceptance area management unit manages and stores arrival relationship information that represents the relationship between the article code set for the article accepted through the arrival acceptance and the equipment code set for the transport equipment carrying the article, and issues a storage request to the general management unit to store the transport equipment carrying the article. When the storage request is received from the common reception area management department, the general management department issues a storage transport instruction to the storage area management department for executing the storage transport of the transport tool for which the storage request was received, i.e., the storage target tool. The shared reception area management unit outputs the article code related to the article placed on or stored in the storage target device and the device code related to the storage device to the work partition management unit of the user who handles the article placed on the storage device. The operation partition management unit that obtains the instrument code related to the post-warehousing instrument from the common acceptance area management unit outputs the instrument code and the utilization subject code corresponding to the operation partition management unit to the general management unit, and the general management unit stores the relationship between the instrument code obtained from the operation partition management unit and the utilization subject code as the utilization relationship information.

6. The warehouse equipment according to claim 5, wherein: The common acceptance area is provided at a location different from the individual acceptance area in each of the plurality of work sections for accepting the arrival of the articles from outside the facility.

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