Picking cart

Abstract

To efficiently perform article picking work.SOLUTION: A picking cart 1 includes a first measuring part 10 for measuring the weight or number of articles, and a second measuring part 15 for measuring the weight or number of articles with a scale smaller than that of the first measuring part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking cart. [Background technology]

[0002] Picking systems are known to assist in the picking process of placing products in carts in warehouses. However, logistics warehouses are facing a chronic labor shortage problem, and there is a demand for more efficient picking operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-152534 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to efficiently perform product picking work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a picking cart according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first weighing unit that measures the weight or number of items, and a second weighing unit that measures the weight or number of items with a smaller scale than the first weighing unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a picking cart according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view of the picking cart. [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic partially enlarged perspective view showing a state of a storage section provided in the picking cart. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of the picking system. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for counting products by a picking system including the picking cart. [Figure 6] 1A is a first example, and FIG. 1B is a second example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the cart. [Figure 7] 13 is a third example of a screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 8] (a) is a fourth example, and (b) is a fifth example of the screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 9] 6 is a sixth example of a screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a label printed by a printing mechanism unit provided in the picking cart. [Figure 11] (a) is a seventh example, and (b) is an eighth example of the screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 12] 13 is a ninth example of a screen displayed on the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A picking cart 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "cart 1") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the traveling direction of the cart 1 is the +Y direction, the width direction of the cart 1 that is perpendicular to the traveling direction is the +X direction, and the vertical direction is the +Z direction. Note that the traveling direction is merely a general direction, and the cart 1 can also be moved in the opposite direction to the traveling direction.

[0008] Overview of picking carts and picking systems As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the picking cart 1 is a device that stores and transports products collected by picking work in a warehouse, a supermarket, or the like. The cart 1 is controlled by a control unit 20 mounted on the cart 1 itself or a higher-level management device 2 (see FIG. 4). The control unit 20 is, for example, integrally arranged with a display unit 51, but is not limited to this configuration and may be configured independently of the display unit 51. The cart 1 and the management device 2 constitute a picking system 100. The picking system 100 is a system that assists in picking products from shelves in a space such as a warehouse where many types of products are stored. The shelves are an example of a configuration in which products are divided and stored, and may be pallets or cardboard boxes laid flat on the floor. The picking system 100 transmits information indicating the products to be stored in each cart, i.e., instruction information for the picking work, to an operator. The picking system 100 may include an autonomously traveling cart that has an electric drive unit and travels autonomously, and a manual cart that is moved manually by an operator.

[0009] The cart 1 has a number of wheels 72 on its bottom surface, and is a device in the shape of two upper and lower tiers of flat plates connected by a support pillar at approximately the center above the wheels 72. The wheels 72 are arranged on the periphery of the bottom surface of the cart 1, and support the cart 1 while rotating as the cart 1 moves. A battery 90 that supplies power to each functional unit is loaded on the lower part of the support pillar. The cart 1 has a number of first weighing units 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) that weigh products. In this embodiment, the first weighing units 10a, 10b are arranged side by side in the front and rear of the traveling direction on the upper tier, and the first weighing units 10c, 10d are arranged in the front and rear of the traveling direction on the lower tier, sandwiching the battery 90 therebetween.

[0010] Furthermore, identification information of the first weighing unit 10 that is visible to an operator is displayed on each first weighing unit 10. Specifically, labels 12a to 12d, designated A to D, are attached to the sides of the first weighing unit 10. Furthermore, a scale barcode containing the identification information of the first weighing unit 10 is fixed near or overlapping each of the labels 12a to 12d. The scale barcode can be read by a scanner 61 to identify the identification information of the first weighing unit 10.

[0011] The cart 1 has a plurality of first weighing units 10. In this embodiment, the number of the first weighing units 10 is four, and each unit can weigh independently. The upper surface of the first weighing units 10 is flat, and a container is placed on each of the first weighing units 10. The container is, for example, a foldable container, so-called a folding container, in which each surface is formed by connecting a plurality of elongated flat plates and hinges. The container is a box-shaped member with an opening at the top, and the picked goods are stored inside the container. The first weighing unit 10 weighs the goods stored in the container for each container. The first weighing unit 10 may store the weight of the container in advance and measure the weight of the goods themselves by performing a tare process. The containers are delivered to different destinations. Therefore, the first weighing units 10 are each linked to the destination of the goods. The number of first weighing units 10 provided in the cart 1 may be one. In that case, the destination of the product may not be linked to the first weighing unit 10. For example, the destination of the product may be determined after the picking operation. The destination of the product may be linked to the cart 1.

[0012] In the cart 1 according to this embodiment, the first weighing units 10 are configured in two levels, upper and lower, with two first weighing units 10 provided on each level along the traveling direction, but multiple first weighing units 10, for example two, may be provided along the width direction of the cart. Also, by placing a container across multiple first weighing units 10, it is possible to transport a larger capacity container than in a usage mode in which one container is placed on each first weighing unit 10.

[0013] At the top of the cart 1, at the rear in the traveling direction, there is provided a workbench 110 where an operator performs various operations on the cart 1. On the workbench 110, mainly arranged are a grip 101 that an operator holds when manually moving the cart 1, a printing mechanism 41 that issues labels to be affixed to containers, a display unit 51, a scanner 61 that reads barcodes, a physical button operation unit 7, etc.

[0014] The cart 1 also includes a second weighing unit 15 different from the first weighing unit 10. The second weighing unit 15 is a member that weighs the weight or number of products placed on it. The second weighing unit 15 is disposed closer to the worker than the first weighing unit 10 when the worker moves the cart 1 in the traveling direction. In other words, the second weighing unit 15 is disposed near the grip 101, and in this embodiment, the second weighing unit 15 is disposed on the workbench 110 between the pair of grips 101. When the first weighing unit 10 is configured in two stages in the height direction, the second weighing unit 15 is disposed closer to the upper stage than the lower stage. The second weighing unit 15 may also be disposed at approximately the same height as the upper stage. With this configuration, the second weighing unit 15 is disposed at a height that is easy for the worker to work on. The cart 1 may have a plurality of second weighing units 15. In the present embodiment, the first weighing unit 10 and the second weighing unit 15 are provided as two types of weighing units with different scale intervals. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and the cart 1 may have two or more types of second weighing units 15 with different scale intervals or minimum measurement amounts. In this case, the arrangement positions of the plurality of second weighing units 15 may be arbitrary, and for example, some of the second weighing units 15 may be provided in the cart 1, and the other second weighing units 15 may be connected via a network. For example, the second weighing unit 15 with a relatively small scale interval or minimum measurement amount is a weighing unit for weighing or counting a lighter product, so-called ultra-lightweight product, than the second weighing unit 15 with a relatively large scale interval or minimum measurement amount. The counting machine selection unit described later refers to the classification of three or more types of products, and notifies the operator via the notification unit which of the three or more types of weighing units the product should be placed on.

[0015] The second weighing unit 15 is disposed near the display unit 51, particularly in front of the display unit 51, in other words, closer to the worker than the display unit 51. This configuration allows the worker to perform weighing in the second weighing unit 15 while checking the display on the display unit 51. In the figure, the second weighing unit 15 is a flat member, but this configuration is not limited to this. The second weighing unit 15 may also have a packaging holder that holds the bag in an open state. The packaging holder is, for example, a bag hanging member formed by a pair of substantially arch-shaped members with upper ends protruding upward, but the shape is arbitrary. The second weighing unit 15 is not limited to a packaging holder, and may have an appropriate configuration for temporarily holding the lightweight product. This configuration makes it easy to put the product into the package. The second weighing unit 15 also allows the product to be weighed together with the package in which it is packaged.

[0016] The second weighing unit 15 is different from the first weighing unit 10 in at least one of the scale interval and the minimum measurement amount. More specifically, for example, at least one of the scale interval and the minimum measurement amount of the second weighing unit 15 is smaller than that of the first weighing unit 10. In other words, the first weighing unit 10 measures the weight or number of products with a scale interval larger than that of the second weighing unit 15. Conventionally, when counting lightweight products that require picking a relatively large number of products, it was necessary to first directly put the lightweight products into a container, weigh them with the first weighing unit 10, count them based on the measured value, and then bag them and return them to the container, which was cumbersome. In addition, it was difficult to count lightweight products that weighed less than a certain amount. Due to this reality, lightweight products were counted visually by an operator before being put into a container. In contrast, with a configuration including the second weighing unit 15, lightweight products can also be counted automatically, and the procedure for putting them into a container is also simple.

[0017] 3, a storage section 80 for storing work supplies is disposed near the second weighing section 15. The storage section 80 includes, for example, a storage basket 81, a suspending section 82, an insertion section 83, and the like. The storage basket 81 is a basket for storing small parts such as rubber bands, and is disposed on the side of the second weighing section 15. The storage baskets 81 are disposed on the left and right sides of the second weighing section 15, one each. The suspending section 82 is a rod-shaped member disposed below the storage basket 81. The suspending section 82 is disposed along the traveling direction. In this embodiment, the suspending section 82 is connected to an appropriate member extending downward from the storage basket 81. For example, a hook-shaped member can be suspended from the suspending section 82. Also, an appropriate member having a hole may be suspended from the suspending section 82 via a hook. The storage basket 81 and the suspending section 82 are disposed in an area outside the weighing area of ​​the second weighing section 15, and products can be weighed regardless of the weight of the members stored in the storage basket 81 and the suspending section 82.

[0018] The insertion portion 83 is disposed at the rear end of the cart 1 in the traveling direction. In the figure, two insertion portions 83 are arranged side by side on the left and right, but the number is arbitrary. The insertion portion 83 has an appropriate insertion hole 83a so that an appropriate work tool can be inserted therethrough. The work tool may be, for example, a wireless scanner 61c. The wireless scanner 61c has a relatively thin grip and a relatively thick reading part at the tip, so that the reading part is engaged with the insertion portion 83 by inserting the grip into the insertion hole 83a. As a result, the wireless scanner 61c can be stored in the insertion portion 83.

[0019] 2, the printing mechanism 41 is held on the underside of the workbench 110, and prints on labels pulled out from a label roll. The printed labels are discharged from the side of the cart 1. Note that in a case where an ESL (Electric Shelf Label) is connected to an object to which the label is to be affixed, such as a container, the configuration may not include the printing mechanism 41. In this case, the picking system 100 performs a process of changing the display content of the ESL instead of issuing a label.

[0020] The display unit 51 is a so-called touch panel display in which a liquid crystal display 51a and a touch panel 51b (see FIG. 4) are stacked on top of each other, allowing data to be displayed and input on the same surface. When an operator touches the touch panel 51b, it detects the touched position and accepts input according to the detected position. The display unit 51 displays picking operation instruction information or the status of the cart 1 to the operator. The display unit 51 is an example of a notification unit.

[0021] The display unit 51 is disposed at the upper rear of the cart 1 in the traveling direction, with the display surface facing in the opposite direction to the traveling direction. In other words, the display unit 51 is visible to an operator positioned behind the cart 1 in the traveling direction. This operator may, for example, be someone who pushes the cart 1 or someone who runs alongside the automatically traveling cart 1.

[0022] The scanner 61 can read barcodes on products, shelves in a warehouse, containers, labels, etc. The scanner 61 may include a wireless handheld scanner 61a, as well as a fixed scanner 61b that is fixed above the workbench 110 and has a reading area that is a partial area on or above the workbench 110. The fixed scanner 61b can read barcodes by, for example, holding a label issued by the printing mechanism unit 41 downward.

[0023] The scanner 61 is held near the display unit 51 at the rear side in the traveling direction of the cart 1. Furthermore, a separate wireless scanner 61c (see FIG. 3) may be carried by each worker, and in this case, the wireless scanner 61c may be connected to the cart 1 by an appropriate standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) to perform short-range communication and transfer of scan data.

[0024] Further, below the cart 1, a frame 103 is provided which surrounds the entire cart 1 from the outside.

[0025] Block diagram Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cart 1. The cart 1 comprises a first weighing unit 10, a second weighing unit 15, a control unit 20, a printing unit 40, an operation unit 50, a reading unit 60, and a driving unit 70. The first weighing unit 10 comprises a load cell 11 and weighs the weight of the product. The second weighing unit 15 comprises a load cell 16 and weighs the weight of the product.

[0026] The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a load cell control unit 22, an operation control unit 24, a display control unit 25, a ROM 26, a RAM 27, a communication processing unit 30, and an interface circuit 35. The CPU 21 is connected to each unit of the control unit 20 via a bus. The control unit 20 is also connected to a print mechanism unit 41 and a scanner 61 via the interface circuit 35.

[0027] The CPU 21 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 26 and various information stored in the RAM 27, and controls each part based on the read control program and various information. The CPU 21 also stores necessary information in the RAM 27. The ROM 26 stores various information such as various programs executed by the CPU 21. The RAM 27 is a temporary storage area that stores information used by the CPU 21. The RAM 27 is also a storage means that stores various files.

[0028] The CPU 21 also serves as an input control unit that acquires information input to the touch panel 51b and the button operation unit 7 via the operation control unit 24.

[0029] The CPU 21 also functions as an output control unit that changes the display contents of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 51a via the display control unit 25. The output control unit is configured to output various information to be communicated to the operator, and in addition to or instead of the configuration of controlling the liquid crystal display 51a to display information as described above, the output control unit may output information by other methods such as sound. For example, the output control unit may guide the user on the tasks to be performed by voice.

[0030] The load cell control unit 22 controls the load cells 11 included in each of the first weighing units 10 and the load cell 16 included in the second weighing unit 15. The operation control unit 24 controls the touch panel 51b and the button operation unit 7. The touch panel 51b instructs a desired operation by touching a predetermined portion of the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 51a. The display control unit 25 controls the liquid crystal display 51a of the display unit 51.

[0031] The communication processing unit 30 is a functional unit that performs wireless communication with an external device. The communication processing unit 30 transmits and receives information to and from the management device 2, for example, through a network NW. The management device 2 is a higher-level device such as a server or a cloud computer. The communication processing unit 30 receives information such as identification information of the products to be loaded on the cart 1, location information in the warehouse where the products are stored, i.e., information on the lane, shelf, and row and column within the shelf, and the amount of products to be loaded. The communication processing unit 30 also receives a travel route planned for the cart 1. Note that a part or all of the above-mentioned information may be stored in the management device 2 instead of being stored in the control unit 20 of the cart 1 and transmitted to the cart 1. The printing unit 40 is configured by connecting the CPU 21 etc. and a printing mechanism 41 via an interface circuit 35. The printing mechanism 41 is, for example, a so-called printer, which prints labels and ejects (issues) the printed labels. The operation unit 50 is realized by the button operation unit 7 and the touch panel 51b. The reading unit 60 is configured by connecting the control unit 20 etc. and a scanner 61 via the interface circuit 35. The functional blocks formed by the control unit 20 and the management device 2 will be described later. Furthermore, the block configuration of the cart 1 is not limited to the aspect described in this embodiment, and any appropriate configuration may be adopted. For example, in this embodiment, the printing mechanism 41 and the scanner 61 are connected to the control unit 20 via the interface circuit 35, but instead, the control unit 20 may be configured to directly control the printing mechanism 41 or the scanner 61. Also, the operation unit 50 or the display unit 51 may be connected to the control unit 20 via an appropriate interface circuit.

[0032] The picking cart 1 may be a manual cart moved by a worker or an autonomous cart. In the case of an autonomous cart, driving wheels and an appropriate control unit for controlling the driving wheels are provided. In addition, the autonomous cart may be provided with a functional unit that generates a driving route based on a picking plan.

[0033] ● Functional section The picking system 100 includes a calculation unit such as a central processing unit (CPU) for executing information processing, and a storage device such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), in the control unit 20 of the cart 1 or the management device 2, and includes at least a picking plan acquisition unit, a product information storage unit, a counting machine selection unit, a counting unit, etc. as software resources. The control unit 20 executes a computer program for controlling the cart 1. The computer program can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or can be provided by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM. The above-mentioned functional units may be realized in part or in whole by the control unit 20 or by the management device 2. The management device 2 may be configured by one or more pieces of hardware, or may be a cloud computer.

[0034] The product information storage unit is a functional unit that stores product identification information and product attributes. Product attributes include, for example, the product weight or volume. Product weight is the weight of one product, which is the so-called unit weight (also called "loose unit weight"). Product attributes may also include information such as the number of products that can be placed in one container. The product information storage unit also stores product identification information in association with location information indicating the position of the shelf and storage unit in which the product is stored. Each piece of product information, including the product unit weight, can be registered on a separate management screen.

[0035] The product information storage unit also stores information on whether the product type is a product to be weighed by the second weighing unit 15 as a product attribute. Products to be counted by the second weighing unit 15 are, for example, so-called lightweight products whose weight is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or products that can be accommodated in large quantities in one container. Products to be weighed by the second weighing unit 15 are an example of the first product in the claims. Products that are not the products to be weighed by the second weighing unit 15, so-called normal products, are an example of the second product. In the following description, a case where the product to be weighed by the second weighing unit 15 is a lightweight product will be described as an example. The control unit 20 or the management device 2 may refer to the unit weight of the product and determine that the product is a lightweight product when the unit weight is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The product information storage unit may store whether the product is a lightweight product in association with the product attribute based on this determination result.

[0036] The picking plan acquisition unit is a functional unit that acquires the type and number of products to be picked by the picking system 100 at a predetermined time, i.e., a picking plan. The picking plan includes, for example, the type and number of products to be delivered during a certain work day or by a delivery time. The picking plan may be input by an operator via the management device 2, or may be received from another device via a network, etc. The picking plan may also include information on which of the multiple carts 1 in the picking system 100 is to be used for collection, and information on which of the multiple containers mounted on the cart 1 is to be used for storage. The process of allocating the picking plan to each cart 1 and container may be performed by the picking system 100.

[0037] The counting machine selection unit is a functional unit that selects whether the first weighing unit 10 or the second weighing unit 15 will count the product to be picked. The counting machine selection unit is an example of a control unit in the claims. The counting machine selection unit refers to the product information storage unit and refers to the type of product to be picked, and if the type of product is a lightweight product, it acquires the weighing value by the second weighing unit 15 and then the weighing value by the first weighing unit 10. If the type of product is a normal product, the counting machine selection unit acquires the weighing value by the first weighing unit 10 without weighing by the second weighing unit 15. Note that the selection of the weighing units 10 and 15 may be made according to the type or classification of the product, not limited to weight. The counting machine selection unit may also refer to the unit weight of the product stored in the product information storage unit and determine whether the product is a lightweight product based on the unit weight. For example, the first product is a product whose unit weight is less than a predetermined value and the second product is a product whose unit weight is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The first product may be a product whose unit weight is equal to or less than a predetermined value and the second product may be a product whose unit weight exceeds the predetermined value. The counting machine selection unit notifies the worker via the display control unit 25 which of the first weighing unit 10 and the second weighing unit 15 will perform counting. In other words, the display unit 51 displays a message specifying whether the product to be picked will be placed on the first weighing unit 10 or the second weighing unit 15. In addition, when multiple types of second weighing units 15 are provided, the counting machine selection unit refers to the type or classification of the product or the unit weight and notifies the worker via the notification unit which of the three or more types of weighing units the product should be placed on.

[0038] When the product to be picked is a normal product, the counting machine selection unit guides the worker via the display unit 51 to place the product on the first weighing unit 10 without being weighed by the second weighing unit. When the product to be picked is a light product, the counting machine selection unit guides the worker via the display unit 51 to place the product on the first weighing unit 10 when the counting by the second weighing unit 15 is completed. The counting may be completed, for example, when it is estimated that the number of products corresponding to the picking plan has been placed on the second weighing unit 15. The counting may be completed when the worker inputs a message indicating that the counting is completed. When the product to be weighed by the second weighing unit 15 is placed on the first weighing unit 10 before the counting by the second weighing unit 15 is completed, the counting machine selection unit may cause the display unit 51 to display a predetermined message via the display control unit 25. For example, the counting machine selection unit may cause the display unit 51 to display a message instructing the worker to complete the counting by the second weighing unit 15. Furthermore, before the counting by the second weighing unit 15 is completed, the counting-machine selection unit may stop the weighing by the first weighing unit 10 on which the container containing the relevant product is placed. In addition, instead of or in addition to the configuration of notifying the weighing unit 10, 15 to be placed via the display unit 51, the weighing machine selection unit may notify the operator in an appropriate manner, for example, by audio notification.

[0039] The counting unit is a functional unit that counts the number of products placed on the first weighing unit 10 or the second weighing unit 15. The counting unit refers to the product information storage unit and extracts the unit weight of the product placed. Information on the product placed is obtained, for example, by reading a barcode or the like associated with the product with the scanner 61 before or after placement, or by receiving input of the product's identification information. The counting unit obtains the weighing value from the first weighing unit 10 or the second weighing unit 15, and calculates the number of products placed by dividing the weighing value by the unit weight of the product. If the product is a lightweight product, the counting unit counts based on the weighing value from the second weighing unit 15. If the product is not a lightweight product, the counting unit counts based on the weighing value from the first weighing unit 10.

[0040] Instead of or in addition to a configuration in which the counting unit references the product information storage unit and extracts the unit weight of the placed product, the counting unit may calculate the unit weight of the product based on the weighing values ​​of a known number of products obtained by the second weighing unit 15. In this case, the worker places multiple products on the second weighing unit 15 and inputs the number placed. When the worker then places another number of products, the counting unit weighs these products and calculates the number of placed products based on the estimated unit weight. With this configuration, the number can be calculated based on the actual weight of the products, allowing for more accurate counting.

[0041] Note that the mechanisms and functional units are not limited to the above configurations, and some of the mechanisms or functional units of the picking cart 1 may be configured in the management device 2 or other devices connected via the network NW. For example, the second weighing unit 15 may be configured independently of the picking cart 1, and multiple units may be placed on a shelf or the like. The printing mechanism 41 may also be configured independently of the picking cart 1.

[0042] ● Flowchart and screen examples 5 to 12, the picking system 100 displays different screens depending on the type of product, and a series of steps for carrying out weighing by the first weighing unit 10 or the second weighing unit 15, as well as examples of screens displayed on the display unit 51, will be described. Figures 6 to 9 and 11 to 12 are examples of screens displayed on the liquid crystal display 51a of the display unit 51 depending on the processing. Figure 10 is an example of a label printed by the printing mechanism unit 41 during the processing.

[0043] First, information on the product to be picked is retrieved (step S101). Next, the product information storage unit is referenced to determine whether the product to be picked is a light-weight product (step S102).

[0044] FIG. 6(a) shows a screen G10 that displays information about a product when the product to be picked is not a light product (N in step S102) (step S103). Information about the product to be picked is displayed in an area G11, and is, for example, the product name, product code, JAN code, expiration date, and location information of the product to be picked in the warehouse. In the figure, the location information is shown in a form in which five numbers are connected with hyphens, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a form in which the storage location is illustrated on a map. In addition, a part of information about a product that is scheduled to be picked after the product displayed in the area G11 is displayed at the bottom of the screen G10. The worker refers to the location information on the screen G10 and moves the cart 1 to the storage location of the product to be picked. In addition, if the cart 1 is an automatic driving cart, the cart 1 automatically drives to the storage location of the target product while the screen G10 is displayed.

[0045] In FIG. 6(a), the text "Please scan the product's barcode" is displayed. That is, in screen G10, the scanner 61 is in a state where it can receive the reading of the product's barcode. The barcode read in this process may be the barcode attached to the product itself, or the display code attached to the box in which the product is stored. The barcode and the display code may be the same. When the product's barcode is read, the screen transitions to screen G20 shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0046] When the cart 1 moves to the vicinity of the storage location of the product to be picked and the barcode related to the product is scanned by the worker (Y in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0047] The screen G20 shown in FIG. 6(b) is an example of a screen displayed in step S105, and displays a guide to place products on the first weighing unit 10. The screen G20 displays a container display field G21 corresponding to the containers loaded on the cart 1. The container display field G21 displays the number of items to be inserted included in the work instruction and the number currently inserted. The container display field G21 also displays the delivery destination of each container. With the screen G20 displayed, the worker inserts products into each of the first weighing units 10a-10d. The first weighing units 10a-10d sequentially weigh the weight of each inserted product. The counting unit also counts the number of products inserted into each of the first weighing units 10a-10d based on the unit weight of the product, and displays the number in the container display field G21. Note that if a product is placed on the second weighing unit 15 in this state, an error message may be displayed.

[0048] When the number of products inserted into each of the first weighing units 10a-10d matches the number displayed in the container display field G21 (Y in step S106), the screen transitions to screen G30 shown in FIG. 7. That is, the Confirm button G31 is displayed on the screen (step S107). When the Confirm button G31 is pressed (Y in step S108), weighing of the products in the first weighing unit 10 ends, and the contents of the container are confirmed. Next, if there is a work instruction for another product, the screen transitions to step S101. This is repeated until work instructions for all products are completed.

[0049] In the above explanation, the processing is terminated when the confirmation button G31 is pressed, but this is not limited to the above. When the number of products placed in each of the first weighing sections 10a to 10d matches the number displayed in the container display area G21, the processing may be terminated automatically without waiting for operation from the operator.

[0050] In step S102, if the product to be picked is a light product (Y in step S102), the process proceeds to step S110. A screen G40 shown in FIG. 8(a) is a screen that displays information about the product in step S110. Information about the product to be picked is displayed in an area G41 in the same manner as in the area G11 of the screen G10. Note that the background color of at least a part of the area G41 is different from that of the corresponding area of ​​the area G11, so that it is easy to determine whether the product to be picked is a light product or not. In addition, a mark G42 indicating that the product is a light product is displayed in the area G41. The screen G40 displays the text "Please scan the barcode of the product", and the scanner 61 is in a state to accept the reading of the barcode related to the product, similar to the screen G10. When the barcode related to the product is read (Y in step S111), the process proceeds to step S112 and transitions to a screen G50 shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0051] 8(b) that is displayed in step S112, a guide is displayed to weigh the number of products using the second weighing unit 15 (shown as "scale E" in the figure) and then put the products into the corresponding first weighing unit 10 (shown as "scale" in the figure). Also, a container display field G51 is displayed in which the number of products to be put into each container is displayed. Also, a pop-up screen G52 is displayed superimposed on the screen G50. The pop-up screen G52 displays the current weight value measured by the second weighing unit 15, the unit weight of the products, the number of samples used to calculate the unit weight of the products, the number of products to be put in included in the work instruction, and the number of products placed on the second weighing unit 15. When the screen G50 is displayed, the tare of the second weighing unit 15 is performed. When products are placed on second weighing unit 15 while screen G50 is being displayed, the number of products placed is counted, and the display of the current weight value and the number of products currently placed changes (step S113).

[0052] When the pop-up screen G52 is displayed, the scanner 61 can read barcodes related to the products. If the barcode read by the scanner 61 is not a barcode related to the product to be picked, an error message may be displayed. With this configuration, even if a product disappears from a box on a shelf while the second weighing unit 15 is counting the products and the same product is taken out from another box, the picking system 100 can confirm information about the product in the other box.

[0053] When the number of products placed on the second weighing unit 15 matches the number of products to be inserted included in the work instruction (Y in step S114), the screen transitions to screen G60 shown in Fig. 9. That is, a confirm button G61 is displayed on the screen (step S116).

[0054] When the confirm button G61 is pressed, the printing mechanism 41 prints a label L10 (see FIG. 10) to be affixed to the packaging of the lightweight product (step S118). For example, the issue date and time, the issuer ID, product information, delivery information, etc. are printed on the label L10. Product information includes, for example, the product name, barcode, product code, quantity, unit weight, measured weight, etc. Delivery information includes, for example, the customer name and store name to which the product is to be delivered, etc. The label L10 may also be printed with a notice indicating that the product is a lightweight product.

[0055] Next, the pop-up screen G52 disappears from the display unit 51, and a transition to screen G70 (see FIG. 11(a)) occurs (step S119). In addition, in the container display field G51, the area G51a corresponding to the container into which the product weighed by the second weighing unit 15 should be placed is displayed in a display mode different from the areas corresponding to the other containers. For example, while the other areas are displayed in grayscale, the area G51a is displayed in a predetermined color. This color may be different depending on the corresponding container. With this configuration, it is clear to the operator which container the product weighed by the second weighing unit 15 should be placed into.

[0056] Note that steps S118 and S119 may be performed simultaneously and in any order. In addition, although label printing (step S118) and transition to screen G70 (step S119) are triggered by pressing the confirm button G61, this is not limited thereto, and when the number of products inserted into each second weighing unit 15 matches the number of products inserted included in the work instruction, the number may be considered to be confirmed, and the screen may automatically transition to G70 without waiting for an operation from the operator.

[0057] The worker removes the lightweight products whose number has been determined from the second weighing unit 15 and places them in a suitable packaging such as a bag. The lightweight products may also be placed in a packaging that has been tared at the time of weighing in the second weighing unit 15. The packaging may be a suitable member such as a rubber band, clip, or cable tie for binding a plurality of lightweight products. The packaging may be stored in a storage unit 80 such as a storage basket 81 or a hanging unit 82. A configuration in which packaging for lightweight products can be stored in a storage unit 80 disposed near the second weighing unit 15 can efficiently ensure the flow of workers. In either embodiment, when the weighing in the second weighing unit 15 is completed, the worker attaches a label L10 to the packaging. This operation causes information about delivery and information about the product to be displayed on the product weighed in the second weighing unit 15.

[0058] Here, the number button G53 and the number measurement pass button G54 placed on the pop-up screen G52 shown in FIG. 8(b) will be described.

[0059] When the quantity button G53 is selected, the screen transitions to a screen for accepting the measurement of samples to be used in calculating the unit weight. The screen also accepts input of the number of samples. With this configuration, even if the unit weight of a product differs from the previous unit weight due to product variation or the environment, the unit weight can be easily changed to a value that reflects the actual situation.

[0060] The number measurement pass button G54 is a button that displays the Confirm button G61 (see FIG. 9) and allows the confirmation of the number of lightweight products, regardless of the status of counting by the second weighing unit 15. That is, in step S114, even if the number of inputs and the specified number do not match (N in step S114), when the number measurement pass button G54 is pressed (Y in step S115), the process proceeds to step S116 and the Confirm button G61 is displayed.

[0061] This button G54 makes it possible to determine the number of pieces according to the actual situation, even if the count value by the counting unit is different, even though the products are placed according to the work instructions. Also, while the unit weight can be changed by the number button G53 when the count value is incorrect, it is also useful in cases where there is a hurry or when changing the unit weight is difficult depending on the worker in charge, because it allows the worker to proceed to the next work without changing the unit weight. Also, even when strict number management is not required depending on the product, the number measurement pass button G54 allows the work to proceed rationally.

[0062] In addition, the number measurement pass button G54 may be pressed for some products and not for others. In other words, the product information storage unit may store whether the number measurement pass is possible in association with the product, and the number measurement pass button G54 may be displayed only on the picking screen G52 for products that can be passed the number measurement. Furthermore, for containers that have been confirmed by omitting the number measurement using the number measurement pass button G54, a history to that effect may be recorded.

[0063] Furthermore, the number of times the number measurement pass button G54 can be pressed may be limited to a certain number of times. In other words, if the number measurement pass button G54 is pressed a certain number of times within a certain time or a certain number of picking operations, the number measurement pass button G54 may not be displayed until a certain time or a certain number of picking operations are completed. With this configuration, the second weighing unit 15 is made to count, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the number of lightweight products inserted.

[0064] 11(a), which is displayed in step S119, is a screen on which lightweight products that have been counted by the second weighing unit 15 are waiting to be put into the first weighing unit 10. Screen G70 displays a guide to have the number of products weighed by the second weighing unit 15 in front and then put into the corresponding first weighing unit 10. In the container display field G71 of screen G70, area G71a corresponding to the container into which the products should be put is displayed in a different display mode from areas corresponding to other containers. For example, while the other areas are displayed in grayscale, area G71a is displayed in a predetermined color.

[0065] When a product is put into the first weighing unit 10, the product is compared with the destination associated with the first weighing unit 10 (step S120). If the product is put into the corresponding first weighing unit 10 (Y in step S120), the weight is detected by the first weighing unit 10, and the screen transitions to screen G80 shown in FIG. 11(b). At this time, the first weighing unit 10 may measure the weight of the product put in, or may detect only information that the product has been put in. At this time, the second weighing unit 15 may detect that the product has been removed from the second weighing unit 15. Specifically, for example, the second weighing unit 15 may determine that the product has been removed when it measures that the weighing value is 0 or a predetermined value or less. If it detects that the product has been put into the first weighing unit 10 without being removed, a warning message may be displayed. This configuration can prevent the mistake of leaving the product behind in the second weighing unit 15.

[0066] The number of products counted by the second weighing unit 15 is displayed in area G71a on screen G80. A Confirm button G81 is also displayed on screen G80 (step S121). When the Confirm button G81 is pressed (Y in step S123), the weighing of the products by the first weighing unit 10 ends and the contents of the container are confirmed. Then, the process proceeds to step S124.

[0067] 12 is an example of screen G90 that is displayed when a product weighed by second weighing unit 15 is placed into a first weighing unit 10a-10d that is different from the instructions (N in step S120). This screen G90 displays an error message to the effect that the scale into which the product was placed is incorrect. The process then proceeds to step S120, and even while screen G90 is displayed, it is detected whether the product has been placed into the first weighing unit 10a-10d that conforms to the instructions. When a product is placed into the corresponding first weighing unit 10a-10d (Y in step S120), the process proceeds to step S121.

[0068] In step S124, if there is a work instruction for another product to be put into the first weighing unit 10 of the cart 1, the process proceeds to step S112, and weighing by the second weighing unit 15 is started. If picking of all containers into which the product is to be put is completed, the process ends. If there is a next product to be picked, the process proceeds to step S101, and this is repeated until work instructions for all products are completed.

[0069] In the above description, the order of containers into which the products are put is uniformly determined, but the system may have a functional unit that changes the putting order depending on the situation, a so-called putting order determination unit. The putting order determination unit may, for example, refer to a picking plan and determine the putting order based on the number of items to be put in included in the instruction. The putting order determination unit may set the order so that the products are put in in ascending order of the number of items to be put in included in the instruction, or in descending order of the number of items to be put in included in the instruction.

[0070] Furthermore, the putting-in order determination unit may change the target container depending on the number of items put in during steps S112 to S114 in which the worker is putting items into the second weighing unit 15. For example, the putting-in order determination unit changes the target container into which the items being counted are put to a container in which a number of items close to the number of items put into the second weighing unit 15 is specified. Furthermore, the putting-in order determination unit may change the target container to a container in which a number of items close to the number of items put into the second weighing unit 15 and greater than that number is specified. With this configuration, the number of items put in and taken out of the items put into the second weighing unit 15 can be minimized, and the picking operation can be performed efficiently.

[0071] According to the picking cart according to the present embodiment described above, product picking work can be carried out efficiently.

[0072] Summary of the implementation form The present invention relates to a picking cart.

[0073] Picking systems are known to assist in the picking process of placing products in carts in warehouses. However, logistics warehouses are facing a chronic labor shortage problem, and there is a demand for more efficient picking operations.

[0074] Patent document 1 is JP 2020-152534 A.

[0075] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to efficiently perform product picking work.

[0076] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a picking cart according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a first weighing unit that measures the weight or number of items, and a second weighing unit that measures the weight or number of items with a smaller scale than the first weighing unit.

[0077] The first weighing unit may be configured to be linked to the destination of the product and to match the product placed on the container with the destination, and the second weighing unit may be configured to weigh the weight or number of the product placed on the container.

[0078] The second weighing unit may be disposed at a position closer to a gripping unit that is gripped by an operator when the operator moves the picking cart in a traveling direction than the first weighing unit.

[0079] The work station may further include a storage section for storing work items.

[0080] The second measuring unit may be disposed in a position closer to an upper level than to a lower level when the first measuring unit is configured in two levels in a height direction.

[0081] The device may further include a display unit, and the second measuring unit may be provided in front of the display unit.

[0082] The second weighing section may include a packaging holding section that fixes a package in place so as to weigh the product together with the package.

[0083] According to the picking cart of the present invention, product picking work can be carried out efficiently. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 100 Picking System 1 Cart (picking cart) 10 1st weighing section 15 2nd weighing section 20 Control section 51 Display section 61 Scanner 2 Management device

Claims

1. A first weighing unit that measures the weight or number of the products; A second weighing unit that measures the weight or number of the products with a smaller scale than that of the first weighing unit; A picking cart comprising:

2. The first weighing unit is linked to a destination of the product, and the product to be placed is collated with the destination, The second weighing unit measures the weight or number of the products placed on the scale. The picking cart according to claim 1.

3. The second weighing unit is disposed at a position closer to a gripping unit that is gripped by the operator when the operator moves the picking cart in a traveling direction than the first weighing unit. The picking cart according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a storage section for storing work supplies. The picking cart according to claim 1.

5. The second measuring unit is disposed at a position closer to an upper stage than a lower stage when the first measuring unit is configured in two stages in a height direction. The picking cart according to claim 1.

6. Further comprising a display unit, The second measuring unit is provided in front of the display unit. The picking cart according to claim 1.

7. The second weighing unit includes a packaging holding unit that fixes the packaging in order to weigh the product together with the packaging. The picking cart according to claim 1.

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