Picking system

Abstract

To provide a picking system that can improve efficiency of a picking work.SOLUTION: A control system assigns a type value Va to types of objects to be handled and ranks the types, sets a type value Va of each type of the object to be handled so that the type value Va of each type becomes a value larger than the sum of type values Va of all types ranked lower than the type, and calculates a value of the sum of type values Va of all types included in each order information In as a similarity index Ex of each order information In. In batch generation processing, the control system aggregates a plurality of order information In to be processed within a unit period in order of the similarity index Ex.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking system comprising: an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each mounting a plurality of items, a plurality of work areas in which picking work is performed to remove, from the mounting bodies released from the automated warehouse, items of the type and number specified by order information based on order information specifying the type and number of items required for each shipping destination, a transport system that transports the mounting bodies between the automated warehouse and the plurality of work areas, and a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the transport system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a picking system used in a logistics center or the like, a carrier carrying an item of a type specified in order information is transported from an automated warehouse to a work area. Then, in the work area, a picking operation is performed to pick out the item of a type and number specified in the order information. A plurality of picking operations occurring as tasks in the picking system are assigned to each of a plurality of work areas. An example of such a picking system is disclosed in JP 2015-199562 A. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-199562 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, various types of goods are stored in the automated warehouse of the picking system, and the shipping frequency and the picking work format differ depending on the type of goods. Therefore, by devising a work area to which the picking work related to each order information is assigned depending on the type of goods, the efficiency of the picking work can be improved for the entire system.

[0005] In view of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a picking system that can improve the efficiency of picking operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each mounting a plurality of articles; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number designated by order information from the storage objects delivered from the automated warehouse based on order information designating the type and number of the items required for each shipping destination; A transport system that transports the object between the automated warehouse and a plurality of the work areas; A picking system including a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveying system, The control system includes: a batch generation process for aggregating a set number of pieces of order information and forming the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch operation; a task allocation process for allocating each of the plurality of batch tasks generated by the batch generation process to any of the plurality of task areas; a transport process for transporting the objects required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the plurality of work areas; and an index calculation process for calculating a similarity index indicating a degree to which each of the plurality of pieces of order information is similar to each other, The control system, in the exponential calculation process, assigning a type value to the type of object to rank the types; setting the type value of each of the types to be handled such that the type value of each of the types is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all of the types that are ranked lower than the type in question; A sum of the type values ​​for all the types included in each of the order information is calculated as the similarity index for each of the order information; In the batch generation process, the control system aggregates the plurality of pieces of order information to be processed within a unit period in order of the proximity of the similarity index.

[0007] According to this configuration, the type value of each of the multiple types is set to a value greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all types lower than the type. Therefore, for example, the similarity index of order information including an item of the highest type is greater than the similarity index of order information of all type combinations that do not include the item of the highest type. Also, for example, the similarity index of order information including an item of the second highest type but not including the item of the highest type is greater than the similarity index of order information of all type combinations that do not include the item of the highest type and the second highest type. Therefore, by aggregating multiple order information with similar similarity indexes to generate a batch operation, it is possible to increase the possibility that picking operations corresponding to a set number of order information including items of the same type can be aggregated into the same batch operation. And if picking operations of items of the same type can be aggregated into the same batch operation, picking operations of the items of the same type can be performed together in one work area. This can increase the efficiency of picking operations in the work area. It is also possible to increase the efficiency of transport of the mounting body in the transport process.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the techniques disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Plan view of the picking system [Diagram 2] Picking system control block diagram [Diagram 3] Illustration of picking work [Figure 4] Batch work illustration [Diagram 5] Explaining the operation of the similarity index [Figure 6] Illustration of sorting order information based on similarity index [Figure 7] Diagram of consolidating multiple order information through batch generation processing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a picking system will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the picking system 100 includes an automated warehouse 1 that stores multiple mounting objects 5, each with a multiple number of items W placed on them, multiple work areas 2 in which picking work is performed to remove items W of the type and number specified by order information In from the mounting objects 5 released from the automated warehouse 1 based on order information In specifying the type and number of items W required for each shipping destination, a transport system T that transports the mounting objects 5 between the automated warehouse 1 and the multiple work areas 2, and a control system 3 that controls the automated warehouse 1 and the transport system T.

[0012] The goods W include industrial products, daily necessities, food, etc. They may also include finished products and semi-finished products. The goods W are stored in the automated warehouse 1 while being placed on the placement body 5, and are transported to various locations by the transport system T.

[0013] The mounting body 5 includes a container and a pallet. The container includes a folding container and a cardboard box. In this embodiment, the mounting body 5 is configured using a storage container for storing the items in the automated warehouse 1 (see FIG. 3).

[0014] Although detailed illustration is omitted, the automated warehouse 1 includes a storage shelf for storing the objects 5, and an in-shelf transport device for transporting the objects 5 within the automated warehouse 1. Examples of the in-shelf transport device include a stacker crane, a lifter, a transport cart arranged on each level of the storage shelf, and a conveyor. The in-shelf transport device constitutes a part of the transport system T. In this embodiment, the picking system 100 includes a plurality of such automated warehouses 1. Note that, when the automated warehouse 1 includes a conveyor as the in-shelf transport device, the automated warehouse 1 may be configured to store the objects 5 on the conveyor. In this case, the automated warehouse 1 may be configured not to include a stacker crane or a transport cart.

[0015] In this embodiment, the transport system T includes a conveyor Ta. The transport path of the mounting object 5 by the conveyor Ta is formed so as to connect a plurality of automated warehouses 1 and a plurality of work areas 2. The mounting object 5 taken out from any one of the plurality of automated warehouses 1 is transported to any one of the plurality of work areas 2 through the transport path of the conveyor Ta. The mounting object 5 from which the necessary item W has been taken out by the picking operation in the work area 2 is transported to any one of the plurality of automated warehouses 1 through the transport path of the conveyor Ta and stored. The transport system T may include other types of transport devices such as an automated guided vehicle instead of or in addition to the conveyor Ta. As described above, the transport system T includes an intra-shelf transport device that transports the mounting object 5 in the automated warehouse 1.

[0016] 2, the control system 3 is configured to control the automated warehouse 1, the work area 2, and the transport system T based on the order information In. The control system 3 also controls the work instruction output devices (monitors, etc.) and picking robots arranged in the work area 2.

[0017] The order information In is information that specifies the type and number of goods W required for each shipping destination. The order information In is information that is generated based on customer needs, and is stored in the server 4. The control system 3 obtains the order information In from the server 4.

[0018] The control system 3 is configured to perform inventory management of the items W in the automated warehouse 1. The control system 3 is configured to manage at least the type and number of the items W placed on each of the placement bodies 5 stored in the automated warehouse 1.

[0019] Based on the order information In, the control system 3 selects multiple or a single object 5 required for the picking operation in each work area 2, and transports the selected object 5 to each work area 2 using the transport system T.

[0020] The control system 3 can be configured using multiple pieces of hardware and multiple pieces of software. The control system 3 includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, and peripheral circuits such as a memory. Each function is realized by cooperation between the hardware and a program executed on a processor such as a computer.

[0021] Next, the picking work performed in work area 2 will be described.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the picking work is performed based on the order information In. In the picking work, multiple or a single item W specified in the order information In is collected. For example, the order information In is generated for each shipping destination. Therefore, the picking work can be said to be a task of collecting the items W requested for each shipping destination.

[0023] Multiple or a single mounting body 5 carrying items W of the type and number specified in the order information In is transported to a specific work area 2, and in the picking operation, the items W related to the order information In are removed and collected in a shipping container 6.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the order information In specifies three items W of type A (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "item A"), two items W of type B (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "item B"), and one item W of type C (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "item C"). In this example, each of the mounting bodies 5 is configured to mount a single type of item W, and a mounting body 5 for mounting at least three or more items A, a mounting body 5 for mounting at least two or more items B, and a mounting body 5 for mounting at least one or more items C are transported to the work area 2. Then, in the picking work in the work area 2, three items A, two items B, and one item C are collected in a shipping container 6. The picking work may be performed by a worker, or may be performed unmanned by a picking robot or the like. Alternatively, it may be performed by both a worker and a picking robot.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the control system 3 (see FIG. 2) is configured to execute a batch generation process that aggregates a set number of order information In and treats picking work corresponding to the aggregated order information In as one batch work, a work assignment process that assigns each of the multiple batch works generated by the batch generation process to one of multiple work areas 2, and a transport process that transports a mounting body 5 required for the batch work assigned by the work assignment process to each of the multiple work areas 2.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates four batch operations. Each of the four batch operations is assigned to one of the four work areas 2 by the operation allocation process. The batch operation includes a set number of picking operations related to the order information In. That is, the batch operation includes a set number of picking operations. The "set number" is not determined uniformly. As shown in FIG. 4, one batch operation may include two picking operations, three picking operations, or four picking operations. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the "set number" is 2 to 4. The "set number" may be determined flexibly as appropriate, or may be a constant that does not change.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the control system 3 is configured to execute an index calculation process for calculating a similarity index Ex which indicates the degree to which each of a plurality of order information is similar to one another.

[0028] In the index calculation process, the control system 3 assigns a type value Va to each type of the item W to be handled and ranks the types. In the index calculation process, the control system 3 sets the type value Va of each type to be handled such that the type value Va of each type is greater than the sum of the type values ​​Va of all types ranked lower than that type.

[0029] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that there are types of items W, A to F, and the ranks of each type are 1 to 6. When focusing on type A, the type value Va of type A is "32", and the sum of the type values ​​Va of the lower types B to F is "31 (=16+8+4+2+1)" which is smaller than "32". Also, when focusing on type D, for example, the type value Va of type D is "4", and the sum of the type values ​​Va of the lower types E and F is "3 (=2+1)" which is smaller than "4". That is, the control system 3 sets the type value Va of the type to be handled as the target type (the type being focused on), so that the type value Va of the target type is larger than the sum of the type values ​​Va of all types lower than the target type.

[0030] In this embodiment, the type value Va is set to the Nth power (N is an integer equal to or greater than 0) of M (M is an integer equal to or greater than 2), where N is a value according to the ranking order. This makes it possible to easily set type values ​​Va such that the type value Va of each of the multiple types is greater than the total of the type values ​​Va of all types lower than that type. In this example, M is set to "2". N is set to a larger value as the ranking order of the type increases, and is set to "0 to 5" in this example. That is, the type value Va of each type is expressed as 2 to the 0th power to 2 to the 5th power.

[0031] In this embodiment, the ranking is performed in order of shipping frequency, which is the frequency specified by the order information In. The higher the shipping frequency, the higher the ranking, and the lower the shipping frequency, the lower the ranking. In other words, the ranking is performed in order of increasing need, so the higher the need, the higher the ranking, and the lower the need, the lower the ranking.

[0032] In the index calculation process, the control system 3 calculates the sum of the type values ​​Va for all types included in each piece of order information In as the similarity index Ex for each piece of order information In. Since the type values ​​Va are decimal values, the sum of the type values ​​Va is also a decimal value.

[0033] In this embodiment, the control system 3 sets the similarity exponent Ex to a binary value in the exponent calculation process. That is, in this embodiment, the control system 3 executes a process of converting the sum of the type values ​​Va expressed in decimal numbers into a binary number. This simplifies the calculation process of the similarity exponent Ex, making it easier to reduce the calculation process load of the control system 3.

[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the order information In specifies four items W of type A, two items W of type C, and one item W of type D. In this case, the types of items W included in the order information In are "A", "C", and "D". Based on the table in the upper part of FIG. 5, the type value Va of type A is "32", the type value Va of type C is "8", and the type value Va of type D is "4", so the sum of these type values ​​Va is "44". The control system 3 converts this sum into a binary number to obtain a six-digit similarity index Ex of "101100". In this example, since N is set to 0 to 5, the value converted into a binary number is a six-digit value.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the control system 3 performs stable sorting in batch generation processing, arranging the binary similarity exponents Ex for multiple order information In to be processed within a unit period in ascending order of the number of digits and then in descending order of value.

[0036] The above-mentioned "unit period" is arbitrarily determined depending on the operation, and may be, for example, one hour, or may be half a day or one day.

[0037] 6 shows an example in which the number of order information In to be processed within a unit period is seven. The control system 3 executes an exponential calculation process to calculate a binary similarity exponent Ex for each of the seven order information In. Then, the similarity exponent Ex of each order information In, which in this example is a six-digit binary similarity exponent Ex, is compared in order starting from the first digit, with the larger values ​​being moved to the top, and this is continued up to the final sixth digit.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 6, when the first digits of the similarity indexes Ex related to the seven order information In are compared, the similarity index Ex related to the second order information In (the order information In indicated by a circle 2 in the figure) has the largest value and is shifted to the top digit.

[0039] Next, when the second digits are compared, the similarity index Ex related to the fourth order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 4 in the figure) and the similarity index Ex related to the fifth order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 5 in the figure) have the largest values, and these similarity indexes Ex are shifted to the top while keeping the order of these similarity indexes Ex unchanged.

[0040] In the example shown, when this process is performed up to the sixth digit, the similarity index Ex relating to the fifth order information In will ultimately be the highest, and the similarity index Ex relating to the third order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 3 in the figure) will be the lowest.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 7, in the batch generation process, the control system 3 aggregates multiple pieces of order information In (in this example, the first to seventh pieces of order information In) to be processed within a unit period in order of similarity index Ex. In this embodiment, the control system 3 aggregates multiple pieces of order information In that are close in order obtained by stable sorting. The picking tasks related to each of the aggregated multiple pieces of order information In are treated as one batch task by the batch generation process.

[0042] In this embodiment, in the batch generation process, the control system 3 aggregates order information In whose rankings of the similarity index Ex are adjacent to each other, and treats the picking work related to each order information In as one batch work. Then, the control system 3 executes a work allocation process to allocate the batch work to one of the multiple work areas 2.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 7, the fifth order information In and the sixth order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 6 in the figure) are adjacent to each other in terms of the ranking of the similarity index Ex, and the picking work related to each of these order information In is treated as one batch work and assigned to the first work area 2.

[0044] In addition, the seventh order information In (order information In indicated by a circle 7 in the figure) and the second order information In are adjacent to each other in terms of the ranking of the similarity index Ex, and the picking work related to each of these order information In is treated as one batch work and assigned to the second work area 2.

[0045] In this manner, a plurality of batch jobs generated by the batch generation process are assigned to any one of a plurality of work areas 2 by the work assignment process.

[0046] According to the picking system 100 described above, by generating a batch operation by aggregating multiple order information In having similar indexes Ex close to each other, it is possible to increase the possibility that picking operations corresponding to a set number of order information In including the same type of item W can be consolidated into the same batch operation. If picking operations for the same type of item W can be consolidated into the same batch operation, the picking operations for the items W of that type can be performed collectively in one work area 2. This makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the picking operations in the work area 2. It is also possible to increase the efficiency of transporting the mounting body 5 in the transport process.

[0047] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0048] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the mounting bodies 5 is configured to mount a single type of article W. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and some or all of the multiple mounting bodies 5 may be configured to mount multiple types of articles W.

[0049] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the types of goods W are ranked in order of shipping frequency, which is the frequency specified by the order information In. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the ranking may be based on the uniqueness (shape or packaging style) of the goods W.

[0050] (3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the more frequently shipped a type is ranked higher and the less frequently shipped a type is ranked lower. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the ranking may be the opposite to the above, in that the more frequently shipped a type is ranked lower and the less frequently shipped a type is ranked higher.

[0051] (4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which M constituting the type value Va was set to "2." However, without being limited to such an example, M can be set arbitrarily, and may be, for example, "3," "4," "5," etc.

[0052] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which N is set to a larger value as the rank of the type becomes higher. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and N may be set to a smaller value as the rank of the type becomes higher, as opposed to the above. Furthermore, N may be increased or decreased by 2 or 3 depending on the rank.

[0053] (6) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be combined with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. As for other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of this embodiment.

[0055] an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each mounting a plurality of articles; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number designated by order information from the storage objects delivered from the automated warehouse based on order information designating the type and number of the items required for each shipping destination; A transport system that transports the object between the automated warehouse and a plurality of the work areas; A picking system including a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveying system, The control system includes: a batch generation process for aggregating a set number of pieces of order information and forming the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch operation; a task allocation process for allocating each of the plurality of batch tasks generated by the batch generation process to any of the plurality of task areas; a transport process for transporting the objects required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the plurality of work areas; and an index calculation process for calculating a similarity index indicating a degree to which each of the plurality of pieces of order information is similar to each other, The control system, in the exponential calculation process, assigning a type value to the type of object to rank the types; setting the type value of each of the types to be handled such that the type value of each of the types is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all of the types that are ranked lower than the type in question; A sum of the type values ​​for all the types included in each of the order information is calculated as the similarity index for each of the order information; In the batch generation process, the control system aggregates the plurality of pieces of order information to be processed within a unit period in order of the proximity of the similarity index.

[0056] According to this configuration, the type value of each of the multiple types is set to a value greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all types lower than the type. Therefore, for example, the similarity index of order information including an item of the highest type is greater than the similarity index of order information of all type combinations that do not include the item of the highest type. Also, for example, the similarity index of order information including an item of the second highest type but not including the item of the highest type is greater than the similarity index of order information of all type combinations that do not include the item of the highest type and the second highest type. Therefore, by aggregating multiple order information with similar similarity indexes to generate a batch operation, it is possible to increase the possibility that picking operations corresponding to a set number of order information including items of the same type can be aggregated into the same batch operation. And if picking operations of items of the same type can be aggregated into the same batch operation, picking operations of the items of the same type can be performed together in one work area. This can increase the efficiency of picking operations in the work area. It is also possible to increase the efficiency of transport of the mounting body in the transport process.

[0057] The ranking is preferably performed in order of shipping frequency, which is the frequency specified by the order information.

[0058] According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the possibility that picking operations corresponding to a set number of order information including items of similar shipping frequency can be consolidated into the same batch operation. Therefore, for example, by performing picking operations for items of a high shipping frequency in the same work area, it is possible to increase the efficiency of transporting the objects and the efficiency of work in the work area. Also, for example, by performing picking operations for items of a low shipping frequency in the same work area, even if the number of objects carrying the items of the type is small due to the low shipping frequency, it is possible to reduce the possibility of waiting for work in other work areas due to a shortage of the objects.

[0059] The type value is a value of M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) to the power N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 0), It is preferable that the N is a value according to the ranking.

[0060] According to this configuration, it is possible to easily set a type value such that the type value of each of the multiple types is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all types lower than that type.

[0061] the similarity index is a binary value, The control system, in the batch production process, performing a stable sorting of the similarity indexes for the plurality of pieces of order information to be processed within the unit period in order of decreasing digit number and decreasing value; It is preferable that a plurality of pieces of order information obtained by the stable sorting that are close in order are aggregated.

[0062] According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the calculation process for aggregating a plurality of pieces of order information having similar indices in the batch generation process, which makes it easier to reduce the calculation processing load on the control system. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a picking system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100: Picking system 1: Automated warehouse 2:Work area 3: Control system 5: Placement body T:Transportation system W:Goods In :Order Information Va : Type value Ex: Similarity index

Claims

1. an automated warehouse that stores a plurality of mounting bodies, each mounting a plurality of articles; a plurality of work areas in which a picking operation is performed to pick out the items of the type and number designated by order information from the storage objects delivered from the automated warehouse based on order information designating the type and number of the items required for each shipping destination; A transport system that transports the object between the automated warehouse and a plurality of the work areas; A picking system including a control system that controls the automated warehouse and the conveying system, The control system includes: a batch generation process for aggregating a set number of pieces of order information and forming the picking operations corresponding to the aggregated order information into one batch operation; a task allocation process for allocating each of the plurality of batch tasks generated by the batch generation process to any of the plurality of task areas; a transport process for transporting the objects required for the batch work assigned by the work allocation process to each of the plurality of work areas; and an index calculation process for calculating a similarity index indicating a degree to which each of the plurality of pieces of order information is similar to each other, The control system, in the exponential calculation process, assigning a type value to the type of object to rank the types; setting the type value of each of the types to be handled such that the type value of each of the types is greater than the sum of the type values ​​of all of the types that are ranked lower than the type in question; A sum of the type values ​​for all the types included in each of the order information is calculated as the similarity index for each of the order information; A picking system in which, in the batch generation process, the control system aggregates the multiple order information to be processed within a unit period in order of proximity of the similarity index.

2. The picking system according to claim 1 , wherein the ranking is performed in order of shipping frequency, which is a frequency specified by the order information.

3. The type value is a value of M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) to the power N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 0), The picking system according to claim 1 , wherein the N is a value according to the ranking.

4. the similarity index is a binary value, The control system, in the batch production process, performing a stable sorting of the similarity indexes for the plurality of pieces of order information to be processed within the unit period in order of decreasing digit number and decreasing value; The picking system according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of pieces of order information obtained by the stable sorting that are close in order are aggregated.

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