Article sorting facility

Abstract

To improve efficiency in supplying articles to transport vehicles in an article sorting facility equipped with the transport vehicles.SOLUTION: A delivery area 1 where a delivery operation of articles G to transport vehicles V is performed is set on a floor F1. The delivery area 1 includes: a delivery passage R1 extending along a Y direction; and a first delivery section 11 and a second delivery section 12 where the delivery operation to the transport vehicles V on the delivery passage R1 is performed. A first stop position where the transport vehicles V that receive the supply of the articles G through the delivery operation at the first delivery section 11 stop, and a second stop position where the transport vehicles V that receive the supply of the articles G through the delivery operation at the second delivery section 12 stop are set at different positions on the delivery passage R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article sorting facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles each travel on a floor to transport articles and sort the articles. [Background technology]

[0002] In an article sorting facility such as a logistics warehouse, multiple processes such as supplying, transporting, and sorting of articles are carried out, and multiple transport devices are used between these processes. An example of such a facility is disclosed in JP-A-04-350019 (Patent Document 1). In the following description of the background art, the reference numerals in parentheses refer to those in Patent Document 1.

[0003] In the facility disclosed in Patent Document 1, an item (W) transported to a delivery station (9) by a stacker crane (4) is supplied to an area where a worker (M) is present. The worker (M) transfers the supplied item (W) to a conveyor (11) according to instructions and the like. The item (W) is then transported by the conveyor (11) to a location where the next process is carried out. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-350019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the facility disclosed in Patent Document 1, the goods (W) supplied from the stacker crane (4) and the outgoing station (9) are delivered to a conveyor (11) for transport, but it is conceivable to use an independently running unmanned transport vehicle instead of the conveyor (11). This allows each transport vehicle to transport goods at its own timing and route, increasing the degree of freedom of transport in the facility as a whole. However, when multiple transport vehicles are used instead of a conveyor as a transport device, the efficiency of supplying goods to the transport device may decrease due to the multiple transport vehicles transporting goods intermittently.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, it is desirable to improve the efficiency of supplying articles to transport vehicles in an article sorting facility equipped with transport vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An article sorting facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport articles and sort the articles, A delivery area in which the item is handed over to the transport vehicle, a receiving area in which the item transported by the transport vehicle is received, and a connection area connecting the delivery area and the receiving area are set on the floor, A specific direction among the directions along the floor is defined as a Y direction, a direction perpendicular to the Y direction among the directions along the floor is defined as an X direction, one side of the X direction is defined as an X-direction first side, and the other side of the X direction is defined as an X-direction second side, The delivery area includes a delivery passage extending along the Y direction, a first delivery section disposed on a first side of the delivery passage in the X direction and where the delivery work is performed for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage, and a second delivery section disposed on a second side of the delivery passage in the X direction and where the delivery work is performed for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage, A first stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the item by the delivery operation at the first delivery section to stop, and a second stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the item by the delivery operation at the second delivery section to stop are set at different positions on the delivery passage.

[0008] According to this configuration, the first delivery section and the second delivery section, where the delivery work for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage is performed, are arranged on both sides in the X direction so as to sandwich the delivery passage. Therefore, according to this configuration, the amount of goods supplied to the transport vehicle can be at least doubled in the entire delivery area. In addition, in the delivery passage, a first stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods by the delivery work at the first delivery section to stop and a second stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods by the delivery work at the second delivery section to stop are set at different positions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference between the transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods from the first delivery section and another transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods from the second delivery section on the delivery passage. As described above, according to this configuration, it is possible to increase the efficiency of supplying goods to the transport vehicles as a whole facility while avoiding interference between the transport vehicles.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the techniques disclosed herein will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which are described with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Plan view showing the first and second floors of the article sorting facility [Diagram 2] Plan view showing the main parts of the delivery area [Diagram 3] Illustration of the handover process carried out in the handover area [Figure 4] IV-IV cross section in FIG. [Diagram 5] An explanatory diagram showing how the transport vehicle circulates between each floor. [Figure 6] A diagram explaining priority travel of transport vehicles in the delivery aisle [Figure 7]A diagram explaining priority travel of transport vehicles in the delivery aisle [Figure 8] A diagram explaining priority travel of transport vehicles in the delivery aisle [Figure 9] A diagram explaining priority travel of transport vehicles in the delivery aisle [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a delivery area according to another embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a delivery area according to another embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The article sorting facility is a facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport the articles, thereby sorting the articles. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the article sorting facility will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In this specification, a specific direction along the floor is referred to as the "Y direction", and a direction along the floor perpendicular to the Y direction is referred to as the "X direction". One side of the X direction is referred to as the "X direction first side X1", and the other side of the X direction is referred to as the "X direction second side X2". One side of the Y direction is referred to as the "Y direction first side Y1", and the other side of the Y direction is referred to as the "Y direction second side Y2".

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the article sorting equipment 100 includes a first floor F1 and a second floor F2 that is located at a different position in the vertical direction from the first floor F1. FIG. 1 illustrates an article sorting equipment 100 having two floors. The first floor F1 is provided on the first floor, and the second floor F2 is provided on the second floor. Each of the multiple transport vehicles V is configured to travel on the respective running surfaces Fa of the first floor F1 and the second floor F2. The transport vehicle V can travel between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 by using a first lifter L1 and a second lifter L2 described later. The article sorting equipment 100 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be configured with one floor or three or more floors.

[0014] The first floor F1 is provided with a delivery area 1 where the delivery of items G to the transport vehicle V is carried out, a receiving area 3 where the items G transported by the transport vehicle V are received, and a connection area 2 which connects the delivery area 1 and the receiving area 3.

[0015] The delivery area 1 is disposed on the first side in the Y direction with respect to the connection area 2. The delivery area 1 includes a delivery passage R1 extending along the Y direction, a first delivery section 11 disposed on the first side X1 in the X direction with respect to the delivery passage R1 and where a delivery operation for the transport vehicle V on the delivery passage R1 is performed, and a second delivery section 12 disposed on the second side X2 in the X direction with respect to the delivery passage R1 and where a delivery operation for the transport vehicle V on the delivery passage R1 is performed. In this configuration, the first delivery section 11 and the second delivery section 12 where the delivery operation is performed are disposed on both sides in the X direction so as to sandwich the delivery passage R1, so that the delivery area 1 as a whole can increase the supply amount of the goods G to the transport vehicle V.

[0016] In this embodiment, the connection area 2 is formed in a plane extending along both the X-direction and the Y-direction on the first floor F1. The transport vehicle V is capable of traveling freely at least in the connection area 2 of the first floor F1. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle V is configured to travel straight ahead and to change direction by performing a turning operation to turn on the spot around a vertical axis. The transport vehicle V is capable of traveling freely in the connection area 2 by performing straight ahead traveling and turning operations.

[0017] The receiving area 3 is disposed on the second side Y2 in the Y direction relative to the connecting area 2. The receiving area 3 has a receiving passage R3 extending along the Y direction. A plurality of receiving sections 30 are disposed in the receiving area 3, each configured to receive an item G from a transport vehicle V. Each of the plurality of receiving sections 30 is configured to receive an item G from a transport vehicle V traveling on the receiving passage R3.

[0018] In this embodiment, the article sorting facility 100 includes a control device H that controls each of the multiple transport vehicles V. The control device H is configured to be able to communicate with each transport vehicle V. The control device H is configured to manage the status of the delivery area 1 and the receiving area 3, and to transmit a transport command that specifies the origin and destination of the article G to each transport vehicle V. The control device H is also configured to be able to grasp current position information regarding each transport vehicle V, and to specify the route that each transport vehicle V should travel. This allows each transport vehicle V to travel smoothly within the facility. The control device H includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, peripheral circuits such as a memory, and the like. Each function is realized by the cooperation of these hardware and a program executed on a processor such as a computer.

[0019] 2, items G are supplied to the delivery area 1 by an item supply section S. The item supply section S is configured to supply the items G to the delivery area 1 in a state where the items G are contained in a supply container Cs. The items G contained in the supply container Cs are supplied by the item supply section S to each of a first delivery section 11 and a second delivery section 12 in the delivery area 1.

[0020] In this embodiment, containers C capable of accommodating items G are arranged in the delivery area 1. In the illustrated example, each of the first delivery section 11 and the second delivery section 12 is provided with a temporary placement table T on which the containers C are placed.

[0021] In the delivery operation in the delivery area 1, the items G stored in the supply containers Cs are taken out and the items G are delivered to the transport vehicle V on the delivery passage R1. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the delivery of the items G to the transport vehicle V is performed in a state in which the multiple (or single) items G taken out from the multiple (or single) supply containers Cs are stored in the container C. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the delivery may be performed in a manner in which the multiple (or single) items G taken out from the supply container Cs are delivered to the transport vehicle V as is without being stored in the container C. In this embodiment, the delivery operation in the delivery area 1 is performed by a worker W. However, the delivery operation may be performed by a robot instead of the worker W, or may be performed by both the worker W and the robot.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the delivery passage R1 includes a first delivery passage R11 and a second delivery passage R12 arranged adjacent to the first delivery passage R11 on the second side X2 in the X direction. A first delivery section 11 is arranged on the first side X1 in the X direction of the first delivery passage R11. In the delivery operation in the first delivery section 11, an article G is delivered to a transport vehicle V on the first delivery passage R11. In addition, a second delivery section 12 is arranged on the second side X2 in the X direction of the second delivery passage R12. In the delivery operation in the second delivery section 12, an article G is delivered to a transport vehicle V on the second delivery passage R12.

[0023] The transport vehicle V is configured to transport the item G or the container C containing the item G received in the delivery area 1 to the receiving area 3. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle V moves from the delivery area 1 to the receiving area 3 via the connection area 2 (see FIG. 1).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, in the receiving area 3, a sorting operation is performed on the items G transported by the transport vehicle V. The sorting operation is performed based on predetermined order information. For example, the order information includes various information such as customer information, shipping destination information, and item type information.

[0025] In this embodiment, each of the multiple receiving sections 30 is configured using a conveyor (hereinafter, the receiving section 30 may be referred to as an "receiving conveyor 30"). In this example, the multiple receiving conveyors 30 are arranged on both sides of the receiving passage R3 in the X direction. Each of the multiple receiving conveyors 30 extends from the receiving passage R3 along the X direction, and transports the article G received from the transport vehicle V along the X direction. However, without being limited to the above configuration, at least some of the multiple receiving sections 30 may be configured using a chute instead of a conveyor.

[0026] When the transport vehicle V transports the items G contained in the container C to the receiving area 3, a removal operation is performed in the receiving area 3 to remove the items G from the container C transported by the transport vehicle V. That is, the sorting operation includes a removal operation to remove the items G from the container C transported by the transport vehicle V. This removal operation separates the container C from the items G, resulting in an empty container C.

[0027] When the transport vehicle V transports an item G (an item G not contained in a container C) to the receiving area 3, a receiving operation is performed in the receiving area 3 to receive the item G transported by the transport vehicle V. The item G removed from the container C by the removal operation and the item G received by the receiving operation are stored, for example, in a container (not shown) according to the shipping destination. In this embodiment, the sorting operation in the receiving area 3 is performed by a worker W. However, the sorting operation may be performed by a robot instead of the worker W, or the sorting operation may be performed by both the worker W and the robot.

[0028] In this embodiment, the article sorting equipment 100 is provided with an empty container recovery device B that recovers empty containers C generated by the above-mentioned removal operation. As shown in FIG. 1, a recovery path Rb, which is a path along which empty containers C are transported by the empty container recovery device B, extends to positions adjacent to each of the first delivery section 11 and the second delivery section 12. The empty containers C recovered by the empty container recovery device B are transported along the recovery path Rb to the delivery area 1 and used for work in the delivery area 1. The empty container recovery device B is configured using, for example, a conveyor. The empty container recovery device B, which is configured using a conveyor, extends along the recovery path Rb.

[0029] In this embodiment, the empty container recovery device B includes a first empty container recovery device B1 that transports an empty container C to the first delivery section 11, and a second empty container recovery device B2 that transports an empty container C to the second delivery section 12. The first empty container recovery device B1 is configured to transport an empty container C generated in the receiving section 30 to the first delivery section 11 along a recovery path Rb that connects the receiving section 30 arranged on the first side X1 in the X direction with respect to the receiving passage R3 and the first delivery section 11. The second empty container recovery device B2 is configured to transport an empty container C generated in the receiving section 30 to the second delivery section 12 along another recovery path Rb that connects the receiving section 30 arranged on the second side X2 in the X direction with respect to the receiving passage R3 and the second delivery section 12.

[0030] In this embodiment, a first lifter L1 (corresponding to a lifter) for raising and lowering the transport vehicle V between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 is disposed on the first side in the Y direction with respect to the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 (see also FIG. 2). In addition, a second lifter L2 is disposed on the second side Y2 in the Y direction with respect to the receiving passage R3. The second lifter L2 is configured to raise and lower the transport vehicle V between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2, similar to the first lifter L1. In this example, the first lifter L1 is a lowering lifter for moving the transport vehicle V from the second floor F2 to the first floor F1. The second lifter L2 is an ascending lifter for moving the transport vehicle V from the first floor F1 to the second floor F2.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, after the transport vehicle V delivers the item G received from the delivery area 1 to the receiving area 3 on the first floor F1, it gets on the second lifter L2 and heads to the second floor F2 of another level. The transport vehicle V then travels on the second floor F2 and gets on the first lifter L1 to return to the first floor F1 of the level where the above-mentioned delivery area 1 and receiving area 3 are provided. The returning transport vehicle V receives the item G in the delivery area 1 and transports the item G to the receiving area 3 in the same manner as described above. In this way, the transport vehicle V circulates between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2, repeatedly executing a series of tasks of transporting the item G received in the delivery area 1 to the receiving area 3.

[0032] Next, the operation of the transportation vehicle V in the delivery area 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0033] A first stop position P1 for a transport vehicle V receiving a supply of goods G through a delivery operation at the first delivery section 11 to stop, and a second stop position P2 for a transport vehicle V receiving a supply of goods G through a delivery operation at the second delivery section 12 to stop are set at different positions on the delivery passage R1. In this manner, in this configuration, the first stop position P1 and the second stop position P2 are set at different positions on the delivery passage R1, so that it is possible to avoid interference on the delivery passage R1 between a transport vehicle V receiving a supply of goods G from the first delivery section 11 and another transport vehicle V receiving a supply of goods G from the second delivery section 12.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first stop position P1 is set in a part of the first delivery passage R11. The second stop position P2 is set in a part of the second delivery passage R12. This makes it easier to avoid interference between the transport vehicles V on the delivery passage R1. The transport vehicle V is configured to receive a supply of goods G from the first delivery section 11 by stopping at the first stop position P1 on the first delivery passage R11. In addition, the transport vehicle V is configured to receive a supply of goods G from the second delivery section 12 by stopping at the second stop position P2 on the second delivery passage R12.

[0035] In this embodiment, each of the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 is connected to the first lifter L1 via one common route Rc. That is, the transport vehicle V that has dismounted from the first lifter L1 necessarily passes through the common route Rc, and then selectively travels through the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12. In this example, the selection of which of the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 to travel is made based on a command from the control device H.

[0036] In this embodiment, the delivery passage R1 is divided into a plurality of segments. Each segment is large enough to accommodate one transport vehicle V. A single segment is not permitted to accommodate multiple transport vehicles V.

[0037] A different address is set for each segment. The control device H specifies a route for each transport vehicle V to travel by specifying a series of consecutive addresses. In the figure, three-digit numbers shown on the route represent the address of each segment. Although detailed illustration is omitted, each segment is provided with a position information storage unit (e.g., one-dimensional code, two-dimensional code, IC tag, etc.) that stores address information corresponding to each segment. The transport vehicle V travels along the specified route while reading the position information storage unit. In addition to the delivery passage R1, the areas on the first floor F1 and the second floor F2 where the transport vehicle V can travel are divided into a number of segments each having a unique address. This makes it possible for the control device H to control the travel of the transport vehicle V throughout the entire first floor F1 and the second floor F2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first delivery passage R11 is continuous with the common route Rc. In this example, the first delivery passage R11 is continuous with the common route Rc in a straight line. In the illustrated example, the address 102 and the address 103 are set as the common route Rc. The addresses 104, 105, and 106 that are continuous therewith are set as the first delivery passage R11. And the address 104 in the first delivery passage R11 is set as the first stop position P1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the second delivery passage R12 branches off from the common route Rc to the second side X2 in the X direction. In this example, the second delivery passage R12 extends parallel to the first delivery passage R11 after branching off from the common route Rc. In the illustrated example, the address 203, which is shifted from the common route Rc to the second side X2 in the X direction, and the addresses 204, 205, and 206, which are consecutive to the address 203 in the Y direction, are set as the second delivery passage R12. The address 204 in the second delivery passage R12 is set as the second stop position P2.

[0040] As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the first stop position P1 and the second stop position P2 are set to be aligned in the X direction. In other words, the first stop position P1 and the second stop position P2 are set to be in the same position in the Y direction.

[0041] In the second delivery passage R12, a waiting area A where a single or multiple transport vehicles V can wait is set between the branch point with the common route Rc and the second stop position P2. In the illustrated example, a waiting area A where one transport vehicle V can wait is set. The address 203 in the second delivery passage R12 is set as the waiting area A.

[0042] In this embodiment, the transport vehicle V that has been removed from the first lifter L1 to the first floor F1 preferentially travels along the second delivery passage R12. In this example, the transport vehicle V preferentially travels along the second delivery passage R12 based on a command from the control device H. Figures 6 to 9 show the preferential travel of the transport vehicle V in each situation.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6, when there is no other transport vehicle V at either the first stop position P1 or the second stop position P2, the transport vehicle V selects the second stop position P2 as its destination (more precisely, it is selected by the control device H; the same applies below). In this case, the transport vehicle V that has dismounted from the first lifter L1 branches off from the common route Rc and proceeds to the second delivery passage R12. Then, the transport vehicle V stops at the second stop position P2 and receives the supply of goods G from the second delivery section 12.

[0044] 7, when there is another transport vehicle V preceding the second stop position P2 and there is no other transport vehicle V at the first stop position P1, the transport vehicle V selects the first stop position P1 as its destination. In this case, the transport vehicle V dismounts from the first lifter L1 and proceeds from the common route Rc to the first delivery passage R11. Then, the transport vehicle V stops at the first stop position P1 and receives the goods G from the first delivery section 11.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 8, when there is another preceding transport vehicle V at both the first stop position P1 and the second stop position P2, the transport vehicle V selects the second stop position P2 as its destination. In this case, the transport vehicle V that has dismounted from the first lifter L1 branches off from the common route Rc and proceeds to the second delivery passage R12. Then, the transport vehicle V waits in the waiting area A because the preceding transport vehicle V is stopped at the second stop position P2. When the preceding transport vehicle V receives the supply of the article G and retreats from the second stop position P2, this transport vehicle V proceeds toward the vacant second stop position P2.

[0046] 9, when other transport vehicles V exist at both the first stop position P1 and the second stop position P2 and are waiting in the waiting area A, the transport vehicle V selects the first stop position P1 as its destination. In this case, the transport vehicle V that has dismounted from the first lifter L1 waits on the common route Rc until the preceding transport vehicle V retreats from the first stop position P1. When the preceding transport vehicle V receives the supply of the article G and retreats from the first stop position P1, this transport vehicle V proceeds toward the vacant first stop position P1.

[0047] When the common route Rc connected to the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 on the upstream side is congested, the smooth travel of the transport vehicle V is hindered in both the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12. However, as described above, the transport vehicle V is configured to travel in the second delivery passage R12 in preference to the first delivery passage R11, so that the first delivery passage R11 connected to the common route Rc is less likely to be congested. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of congestion in the common route Rc as well, and as a result, it is easy to realize the smooth travel of the transport vehicle V in both the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12.

[0048] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0049] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 are arranged adjacent to each other in the X direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and for example, as shown in FIG. 10, a passage route R13 for a transport vehicle V that is not supplied with an item G in the delivery area 1 may be arranged between the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 in the X direction. A transport vehicle V that is not supplied with an item G is a transport vehicle V that is already holding an item G. Such a state may occur in the following cases. That is, even if a transport vehicle V holding an item G enters the receiving area 3, the receiving area 3 may not be able to accept the item G. In such a case, the transport vehicle V goes from the first floor F1 to the second floor F2 while holding the item G in order to wait for the next opportunity to receive the item G, and then rides on the first lifter L1 to return to the first floor F1 again (as shown in FIG. 5, the transport vehicle V travels between the first floor F1 and the second floor F2). In such a case, the transport vehicle V that has dismounted from the first lifter L1 does not need to receive the supply of the article G in the delivery area 1, so it passes through the passing route R13 and heads toward the receiving area 3.

[0050] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the delivery passage R1 includes a first delivery passage R11 and a second delivery passage R12. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the delivery passage R1 may be configured by a single path, for example, as shown in FIG. 11. In this case, the first stop position P1 and the second stop position P2 are set at different positions in the Y direction on the single delivery passage R1. In the illustrated example, the first stop position P1 is set at address 104 in the delivery passage R1, and the second stop position P2 is set at address 106.

[0051] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the first delivery passage R11 is linearly connected to the common route Rc, and the second delivery passage R12 branches off from the common route Rc in the X direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and both the first delivery passage R11 and the second delivery passage R12 may branch off from the common route Rc.

[0052] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a waiting area A capable of accommodating one transport vehicle V is set in the second delivery passage R12. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and a waiting area A capable of accommodating two or more transport vehicles V may be set in the second delivery passage R12.

[0053] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the delivery area 1 has two delivery sections, the first delivery section 11 and the second delivery section 12. However, the example is not limited to this, and the delivery area 1 may have three or more delivery sections.

[0054] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which there is one pair of the delivery area 1 and the receiving area 3. However, the article sorting equipment 100 may include a plurality of pairs of the delivery area 1 and the receiving area 3. In this case, the pairs are arranged side by side along the X direction.

[0055] (7) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination 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.

[0056] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of this embodiment.

[0057] An article sorting facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport articles and sort the articles, A delivery area in which the item is handed over to the transport vehicle, a receiving area in which the item transported by the transport vehicle is received, and a connection area connecting the delivery area and the receiving area are set on the floor, A specific direction among the directions along the floor is defined as a Y direction, a direction perpendicular to the Y direction among the directions along the floor is defined as an X direction, one side of the X direction is defined as an X-direction first side, and the other side of the X direction is defined as an X-direction second side, The delivery area includes a delivery passage extending along the Y direction, a first delivery section disposed on a first side of the delivery passage in the X direction and where the delivery work is performed for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage, and a second delivery section disposed on a second side of the delivery passage in the X direction and where the delivery work is performed for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage, A first stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the item by the delivery operation at the first delivery section to stop, and a second stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the item by the delivery operation at the second delivery section to stop are set at different positions on the delivery passage.

[0058] According to this configuration, the first delivery section and the second delivery section, where the delivery work for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage is performed, are arranged on both sides in the X direction so as to sandwich the delivery passage. Therefore, according to this configuration, the amount of goods supplied to the transport vehicle can be at least doubled in the entire delivery area. In addition, in the delivery passage, a first stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods by the delivery work at the first delivery section to stop and a second stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods by the delivery work at the second delivery section to stop are set at different positions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference between the transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods from the first delivery section and another transport vehicle receiving the supply of goods from the second delivery section on the delivery passage. As described above, according to this configuration, it is possible to increase the efficiency of supplying goods to the transport vehicles as a whole facility while avoiding interference between the transport vehicles.

[0059] The floor is the first floor, The facility further includes a second floor disposed at a different position in the vertical direction from the first floor, One side in the Y direction is defined as a Y-direction first side, and the other side in the Y direction is defined as a Y-direction second side, the delivery area is disposed on a first side in the Y direction with respect to the connection area, The receiving area is disposed on a second side in the Y direction with respect to the connection area, The delivery passage includes a first delivery passage and a second delivery passage arranged adjacent to the first delivery passage on the second side in the X direction, a lifter that raises and lowers the transport vehicle between the first floor and the second floor is disposed on a first side in the Y direction with respect to the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage; It is preferable that the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage are each connected to the lifter via a single common path.

[0060] According to this configuration, multiple delivery passages (first delivery passage and second delivery passage) can be provided for one lifter. Therefore, the number of lifters, which tend to be relatively expensive, can be reduced, and costs incurred in installing and maintaining the lifters can be reduced.

[0061] The first delivery passage is continuous with the common path, The second delivery passage branches off from the common path toward the second side in the X direction, It is preferable that the transport vehicle that has been lowered from the lifter to the first floor travels preferentially through the second delivery passage.

[0062] According to this configuration, the first delivery passage can be relatively free of congestion, and the transport vehicles can travel smoothly on the common path that is connected to the first delivery passage upstream of the first delivery passage. This common path is connected to both the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage. Therefore, according to this configuration, the transport vehicles can travel smoothly on both the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage.

[0063] A container capable of accommodating the item is disposed in the delivery area, The transport vehicle transports the item or the container containing the item received in the delivery area to the receiving area, In the receiving area, the items are sorted, the sorting operation includes a removal operation of removing the items from the container transported by the transport vehicle; an empty container recovery device is provided for recovering the empty containers generated by the removal operation; It is preferable that a recovery path along which the empty containers are transported by the empty container recovery device extends to positions adjacent to each of the first delivery section and the second delivery section.

[0064] According to this configuration, after the items contained in the containers are transported to the receiving area and sorted, the empty containers from which the items have been removed can be collected by the empty container collection device. The collected empty containers can then be transported along the collection path to the first and second delivery sections, respectively, and can be reused for work in the first and second delivery sections.

[0065] It is preferable that a passage path for the transport vehicle that does not receive the article in the delivery area is disposed between the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage in the X direction.

[0066] According to this configuration, a transport vehicle that does not need to receive a supply of goods in the delivery area, for example, a transport vehicle that is already holding the goods to be transported, can pass through the delivery area without being affected by other transport vehicles that are stopped to receive a supply of goods in the first delivery passage or the second delivery passage. [Industrial Applicability]

[0067] The technology disclosed herein can be used in an item sorting facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles each travel along a floor to transport items and sort the items. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100: Goods sorting equipment F1: 1st floor F2: Second floor 1: Delivery area 11: 1st delivery department 12:Second delivery department 2: Connection area 3: Reception area 30: Acceptance Department V: Transport vehicle B: Empty container recovery device Rb: Recovery route C: Container G:Goods R1: Delivery aisle R11: 1st delivery aisle R12: 2nd delivery aisle R13: Passing route Rc: Common route P1: 1st stop position P2: 2nd stop position X1: 1st side in X direction X2: 2nd side in X direction Y1: Y-direction first side Y2: Y-direction second side

Claims

1. An article sorting facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport articles and sort the articles, A delivery area in which the item is handed over to the transport vehicle, a receiving area in which the item transported by the transport vehicle is received, and a connection area connecting the delivery area and the receiving area are set on the floor, A specific direction among the directions along the floor is defined as a Y direction, a direction perpendicular to the Y direction among the directions along the floor is defined as an X direction, one side of the X direction is defined as an X direction first side, and the other side of the X direction is defined as an X direction second side, The delivery area includes a delivery passage extending along the Y direction, a first delivery section disposed on a first side of the delivery passage in the X direction and where the delivery work is performed for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage, and a second delivery section disposed on a second side of the delivery passage in the X direction and where the delivery work is performed for the transport vehicle on the delivery passage, An item sorting facility in which a first stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the item by the delivery operation at the first delivery section and a second stop position for the transport vehicle receiving the item by the delivery operation at the second delivery section are set at different positions on the delivery passageway.

2. The floor is designated as the first floor, The facility further includes a second floor disposed at a different position in the vertical direction from the first floor, One side in the Y direction is a Y direction first side, and the other side in the Y direction is a Y direction second side, the delivery area is disposed on a first side in the Y direction with respect to the connection area, The receiving area is disposed on a second side in the Y direction with respect to the connection area, The delivery passage includes a first delivery passage and a second delivery passage arranged adjacent to the first delivery passage on the second side in the X direction, a lifter that raises and lowers the transport vehicle between the first floor and the second floor is disposed on a first side in the Y direction with respect to the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage; The article sorting facility according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first delivery aisle and the second delivery aisle is connected to the lifter via a single common path.

3. The first delivery passage is continuous with the common path, The second delivery passage branches off from the common path toward the second side in the X direction, The article sorting facility according to claim 2 , wherein the transport vehicle that has been lowered from the lifter to the first floor preferentially travels along the second delivery aisle.

4. A container capable of accommodating the item is disposed in the delivery area, The transport vehicle transports the item or the container containing the item received in the delivery area to the receiving area, In the receiving area, the items are sorted, the sorting operation includes a removal operation of removing the items from the container transported by the transport vehicle; an empty container recovery device is provided for recovering the empty containers generated by the removal operation; The article sorting equipment according to claim 1 , wherein a collection path along which the empty containers are transported by the empty container collection device extends to positions adjacent to each of the first transfer section and the second transfer section.

5. 5. The article sorting equipment according to claim 2, wherein a passage path is disposed between the first delivery passage and the second delivery passage in the X direction, for the transport vehicles that do not receive the article in the delivery area to pass through.

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