Picking system and storage body feed method

Abstract

To provide a picking system which can improve work efficiency.SOLUTION: A storage apparatus 14 sequentially sends out each storage body 31 for storing an article as a picking target according to the information of a picking article order as the order of the articles to be sequentially picked in a prescribed picking area 12 where picking is executed. An intermediate position in the conveyance direction of a first conveyance part 16 and a second conveyance part 17 between the storage apparatus 14 and the picking area 12 is provided with a third conveyance part 18 branching off each storage body 31 from the second conveyance part 17 and causing the same to join to the first conveyance part 16. In the picking article order, when the article to be stored into the storage body 31 for storing the article as a picking target in the earlier order becomes a picking target in the latter order, the completed storage body 31 where the article as the picking target in the earlier order has been picked and to be conveyed from the second conveyance part 17 is joined to the first conveyance part 16 as the storage body 31 before the work by operating the third conveyance part 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking system for picking an item and a method for supplying a storage body. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A picking system as described in, for example, Patent Document 1 below is known.

[0003] In the picking system, according to the order of items to be picked in a specified picking area (picking location), actual containers containing the items to be picked are sent out one by one from a storage device and transported to the picking area, where an operator picks a specified number of items from the actual container. Then, the actual containers after picking of the items are completed are returned from the picking area to the storage device and stored in, for example, the original storage position of the storage device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-40129 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned picking system, in the order of items to be picked in the picking area, an item contained in a physical container that contains an item that was targeted for picking in a previous order may become a target for picking in a later order. In this case, the target physical container that has completed picking of an item in the picking area is returned to the storage device so that a physical container that contains the next target item will arrive at the picking area. In other words, the target physical container will be returned to one of the storage positions in the storage device at the shortest, and then will be sent out from the storage device again and will move along a transport path that will arrive at the picking area. Therefore, picking work in the picking area will be interrupted until the target physical container arrives at the picking area again, which may result in a decrease in work efficiency.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a picking system and a method for supplying stored items that can improve work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The picking system of the present invention comprises a storage device that stores a plurality of storage bodies containing items and sequentially sends out the storage bodies containing items to be picked in accordance with picking item order information, which is the order in which items are to be picked in a specified picking area where picking is performed; a first conveying unit that conveys the storage bodies sent out from the storage device toward the picking area; a second conveying unit that conveys the storage bodies after picking of items in the picking area has been completed toward the storage device; a third conveying unit that branches the storage bodies from the second conveying unit at an intermediate position in the conveying direction of the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit between the storage device and the picking area, allowing the storage bodies to join the first conveying unit; and a control device that, when an item stored in the storage body containing an item that was targeted for picking earlier in the picking item order becomes a item to be picked later, operates the third conveying unit to cause the storage body that has been worked on and is being conveyed down the second conveying unit after picking of the item that was targeted for picking earlier to join the first conveying unit as the storage body before work. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, work efficiency can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall plan view of a picking system showing an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the picking system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the picking system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a picking area of ​​the picking system. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the above picking system. [Figure 6] 3A to 3E are operation explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the picking system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 1 shows an overall plan view of a picking system 10. The picking system 10 is, for example, a picking facility in a logistics center or the like where an operation of picking ordered items is performed.

[0012] The picking system 10 comprises a picking area 12 where a worker 11, who is the main operator, performs picking work, a collection transport section 13 that sequentially transports collection containers according to order to the picking area 12, a storage device 14 which is an automated warehouse that stores multiple storage objects which contain items by type, a picking station 15 that picks items from the storage objects in the picking area 12, a first transport section 16 that transports the storage objects sent out from the output location of the storage device 14 towards the picking station 15 in the picking area 12, a second transport section 17 that transports the storage objects sent out from the picking station 15 in the picking area 12 towards the input location of the storage device 14, a third transport section 18 that branches off the storage objects from the second transport section 17 at an intermediate position in the transport direction of the first transport section 16 and the second transport section 17 between the storage device 14 and the picking area 12 so that they can join the first transport section 16, and a control device 19 that controls the picking system 10.

[0013] Two picking stations 15 are arranged side by side for one picking area 12, and a storage device 14 and transport units 16, 17, and 18 are arranged corresponding to one of the picking stations 15.

[0014] Next, FIG. 2 shows an enlarged plan view of the picking system 10, FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the picking system 10, and FIG.

[0015] The collection transport unit 13 transports the collection containers 22 for collecting items by order to the picking area 12 in sequence according to the order-specific shipping information. The collection transport unit 13 is set with an input position 13a, which is a collection container side work position where the worker 11 inputs items into the collection container 22 in the picking area 12. The collection transport unit 13 uses an accumulation conveyor that sequentially transports the collection containers 22 to the input position 13a at least in the picking area 12. The accumulation conveyor can be a transport device that has a function of sequentially carrying items such as the collection containers 22 into and out of a predetermined location. A collection instruction unit 23 is installed corresponding to the input position 13a of the collection transport unit 13. The collection instruction unit 23 has a display unit that lights up to indicate the input of items into the collection container 22, and an operation unit that the worker 11 operates after the input of items is completed.

[0016] In the picking area 12, a temporary placement section 26 for temporarily placing items is provided in an area above the input position 13a of the collection and transport section 13. The temporary placement section 26 is divided into a plurality of partitions 27 along the transport direction of the collection and transport section 13, and a temporary placement instruction section 28 is provided corresponding to each partition 27. The temporary placement instruction section 28 has a display section that displays the temporary placement of an item in the temporary placement section 26 and lights up to display the picking of the temporarily placed item, and an operation section that is operated by the worker 11 after the temporary placement of the item is completed.

[0017] The storage device 14 is an automated warehouse that stores and can take out a plurality of storage bodies 31 that store items by type. The storage bodies 31 are storage containers that can store a plurality of items. Each storage body 31 is assigned a unique ID, and the type and number of items stored in the storage body 31 are managed by the control device 19.

[0018] The storage device 14 comprises two rows of storage device main bodies 33, each having multiple levels of storage shelves 32, and a plurality of traveling transport devices 34, called dollies, shuttles, or the like, arranged between the two rows of storage device main bodies 33 so as to be movable horizontally along each storage shelf 32. Each storage shelf 32 is provided with a plurality of storage sections in which a plurality of storage objects 31 are arranged and stored. The traveling transport devices 34 are capable of loading the storage objects 31, and enable the storage objects 31 to be inserted into and removed from the storage sections of the storage shelves 32 of each row of the storage device main bodies 33.

[0019] The storage device 14 includes a priority storage section 32a, which is provided on the end side connected to the first transport section 16 and the second transport section 17, and stores a plurality of storage objects 31, and a normal storage section 32b, which is provided other than the priority storage section 32a, and stores a plurality of storage objects 31. The priority storage section 32a and the normal storage section 32b are assigned to all of the storage shelves 32. The priority storage section 32a can store a smaller number of storage objects 31 than the normal storage section 32b, and the number of storage objects 31 that can be stored is set arbitrarily and may be different for each storage shelf 32.

[0020] In each storage shelf 32 of one storage device main body 33 connected to the first transport section 16 of the storage device 14, an outgoing standby section 35 is provided on the end side connected to the first transport section 16, where stored items 31 sent out from the storage device 14 wait. In each storage shelf 32 of the other storage device main body 33 connected to the second transport section 17, an incoming standby section 36 is provided on the end side connected to the second transport section 17, where stored items 31 to be stored in the storage device 14 are received and waited for.

[0021] The traveling transport device 34 is also movable between the unloading standby section 35 and the loading standby section 36, and sends out the stored object 31 from the traveling transport device 34 to the unloading standby section 35, and receives the stored object 31 from the loading standby section 36 onto the traveling transport device 34.

[0022] The storage device 14 is equipped with an outgoing lifting device 37 and an incoming lifting device 38, which are respectively installed corresponding to the outgoing standby section 35 and the incoming standby section 36. The outgoing lifting device 37 has a lifting section 39 that rises and falls, and this lifting section 39 moves to the height position of the outgoing standby section 35 where the stored object 31 to be outgoing is waiting, receives the stored object 31 from the outgoing standby section 35 onto the lifting section 39, and the lifting section 39 moves to the height position of the first transport section 16 and sends the stored object 31 on the lifting section 39 to the first transport section 16. The storage lifting device 38 has a lifting section 40 that rises and falls, and this lifting section 40 moves to the height position of the second conveying section 17, receives the stored item 31 from the second conveying section 17 onto the lifting section 40, and the lifting section 40 moves to the height position of the storage waiting section 36 of the storage shelf 32 that stores the stored item 31, and sends the stored item 31 on the lifting section 40 to the storage waiting section 36.

[0023] The storage device 14 sequentially sends out the storage bodies 31 containing the items to be picked to the first conveying section 16 in accordance with the picking order of the items to be picked in the picking area 12 based on the shipping information by order.

[0024] The picking station 15 is disposed parallel to the conveying direction of the collection and conveyance section 13. Between the collection and conveyance section 13 and the picking station 15, a work space is provided in which the worker 11 can move to perform picking work.

[0025] A first transport unit 16 is connected to the upstream end of the picking station 15 in the transport direction, and a second transport unit 17 is connected to the downstream end of the picking station 15 in the transport direction, and transports the storage objects 31 from the upstream end side to the downstream end side. The picking station 15 uses, for example, an accumulation conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of storage objects 31 in sequence.

[0026] The downstream end of the picking station 15 is set to a picking position (removal position) 15a, which is a storage body side work position for picking up an article from the storage body 31. The picking position 15a is disposed in a position adjacent to and facing the input position 13a of the collection and transport section 13.

[0027] The two picking stations 15 are installed in a straight line with their conveying directions facing each other, and the two picking positions 15a are located adjacent to each other in a nearby position facing the input position 13a of the collection and conveying section 13.

[0028] At each picking position 15a, a picking display unit 43 is provided which lights up and indicates the storage body 31 to be picked.

[0029] A picking instruction monitor 44 is installed on the picking station 15 side of the picking area 12, which is an instruction unit that displays information about the picking work to be performed by the worker 11. The picking instruction monitor 44 displays information about the picking work to be performed by the worker 11, such as picking work from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22, picking work from the storage body 31 to the temporary placement section 26, picking work from the temporary placement section 26 to the collection container 22, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc.

[0030] Together with this picking instruction monitor 44, the above-mentioned collection instruction unit 23, temporary placement instruction unit 28, picking display unit 43, etc. are configured as a picking instruction device that instructs picking work for items stored in the storage body 31 in the picking area 12.

[0031] An orthogonal switch 45 is provided at the upstream end of the picking station 15 to switch between a conveying direction for receiving the storage object 31 from the first conveying section 16 into the picking station 15 and a conveying direction for conveying the storage object 31 received in the picking station 15 toward the picking position 15a. An orthogonal switch 46 is provided at the downstream end of the picking station 15 to switch between a conveying direction for conveying the storage object 31 on the picking station 15 to the picking position 15a and a conveying direction for conveying the storage object 31 from the picking station 15 toward the second conveying section 17.

[0032] The first transport section 16 transports the stored objects 31 successively sent out from the storage device 14 toward the picking station 15 in the picking area 12. The first transport section 16 uses an accumulation conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of stored objects 31 successively.

[0033] Furthermore, the second transport section 17 transports the stored object 31 for which picking work in the picking area 12 has been completed from the picking station 15 in the picking area 12 to the storage device 14. The second transport section 17 uses an accumulation conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of stored objects 31 in sequence.

[0034] The third conveying section 18 is installed at an intermediate position in the conveying direction of the first conveying section 16 and the second conveying section 17 between the storage device 14 and the picking area 12, and enables the storage body 31 to branch off from the second conveying section 17 and merge with the first conveying section 16. A plurality of third conveying sections 18 are installed along the conveying direction of the conveying sections 16 and 17.

[0035] The third conveying section 18 includes a branching orthogonal switch 50 which is a branching conveying section installed in the second conveying section 17, a merging orthogonal switch 51 which is a merging conveying section installed in the first conveying section 16, and a waiting section 52 installed between the orthogonal switchers 50, 51. In other words, the upstream end of the conveying path of the third conveying section 18 intersects with a part of the conveying path of the second conveying section 17, and the downstream end of the conveying path of the third conveying section 18 intersects with a part of the conveying path of the first conveying section 16, and the orthogonal switch is disposed at the intersection of the conveying paths.

[0036] The branching orthogonal switch 50 is capable of switching between a conveying direction for conveying the storage body 31 along the second conveying section 17 and a conveying direction for branching the storage body 31 from the second conveying section 16 toward the waiting section 52 in the direction of the first conveying section 16.

[0037] The merging orthogonal switch 51 is capable of switching between a conveying direction in which the storage body 31 is conveyed along the first conveying section 16 and a conveying direction in which the storage body 31 is conveyed to merge with the first conveying section 16 from a waiting section 52 on the side of the first conveying section 16.

[0038] The waiting section 52 enables the storage body 31 to be transported from the branching orthogonal switch 50 to the merging orthogonal switch 51. The waiting section 52 enables the storage body 31 branched off from the second conveying section 17 by the branching orthogonal switch 50 to wait temporarily until it merges with the first conveying section 16, and enables the waiting storage body 31 to be transported to the merging orthogonal switch 51.

[0039] In addition, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was selected for picking earlier in the picking item sequence becomes a storage body that is selected for picking later, the control device 19 controls the third conveying unit 18 to operate the storage body 31 that has been worked on and is being transported by the second conveying unit 17 after picking of the item that was selected for picking earlier in the picking order has been completed, so that the storage body 31 joins the first conveying unit 16 as a storage body 31 before work.

[0040] Specifically, in the picking item sequence, when an item stored in a storage item 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking earlier becomes a target for picking later within a predetermined first range, the third conveying unit 18 is operated to control the storage item 31 that has been worked on and is being transported via the second conveying unit 17 after picking of the item targeted for picking earlier has been completed, so that it joins the first conveying unit 16 as a storage item 31 before work.

[0041] More specifically, when the storage device 14 sequentially sends out storage bodies 31, the storage device 14 skips the items to be picked later that are stored in the storage body 14 sent out earlier from the storage device 14 from the picking item order, and sends out a storage body 31 containing the items to be picked in the subsequent picking item order, and the first conveying section 16 controls the operation of the third conveying section 18 so that the storage body 31 containing the item to be picked after the skipped item joins downstream of the storage body 31 containing the item to be picked in the subsequent picking item order.

[0042] In addition, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that has been selected as an earlier picking target in the picking item order becomes a later picking target within a second range that is smaller than the first range, when the storage body 31 that contains the item that has been selected as an earlier picking target is transported to the picking area 12, the control device 19 controls the operation of the picking instruction monitor 44 to instruct the picking of the earlier picking target item from the storage body 31 and to instruct the temporary placement of the later picking target item in the temporary placement section 26.

[0043] In addition, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking earlier in the picking order becomes a target for picking later within a third range larger than the first range, the control device 19 controls the second conveying unit 17 to convey the completed storage body 31 after picking of the item that was targeted for picking earlier from the picking area 12 to the storage device 14 and store it in the priority storage unit 32a of the storage device 14; and when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking earlier in the picking order becomes a target for picking later beyond the third range, the control device 19 controls the second conveying unit 17 to convey the completed storage body 31 after picking of the item that was targeted for picking earlier from the picking area 12 to the storage device 14 and store it in the normal storage unit 32b of the storage device 14.

[0044] In addition, the control device 19 determines whether the stored object 31 removed from the storage device 14 is not to enter the third conveying section 18, is to stop the third conveying section 18 midway, or is to pass through the third conveying section 18, based on the order assigned to the stored object 31 when it is removed from the storage device 14 and the conveying status, and operates each conveying section. In addition, the control device 19 determines whether the stored object 31 that has been picked is to be returned to the storage device 14 or is to operate the third conveying section 18 to resend it to the first conveying section 16 based on the order assigned to the stored object 31 and the conveying status, and operates each conveying section. In addition, two or more picking orders can be assigned to the stored object 31, and in this case, the temporary storage work using the temporary storage section 26, the branching and merging operation using the third conveying section 18, storage in the priority storage section 32a, etc. can be determined depending on which range the order difference between the consecutive picking work orders falls into.

[0045] Next, the operation of the picking system 10 will be described.

[0046] First, the overall operation of the normal storage process in which the stored object 31 sent out from the normal storage section 32b of the storage device 14 is returned to the normal storage section 32b after the picking operation will be described.

[0047] In the shipping system or control device 19, information on a picking order, which is the order of the items to be picked in sequence in the picking area 12, is created based on the shipping information by order.

[0048] The storage device 14 sequentially sends out the storage objects 31 containing the items to be picked according to the information on the picking order of items. In the storage device 14, the traveling conveying device 34 of the storage shelf 32 in which the target storage object 31 is stored takes out the target storage object 31 from the normal storage section 32a of the storage shelf 32, and transfers it to the outgoing standby section 35 at the end of the storage shelf 32. Furthermore, the lifting section 39 of the lifting device 37 moves to the height position of the outgoing standby section 35 to receive the target storage object 31 from the outgoing standby section 35, and the lifting section 39 moves to the height position of the first conveying section 16 to send the target storage object 31 to the first conveying section 16. In each storage shelf 32, the target storage item 31 is transported to the outgoing waiting section 35 by the traveling transport device 34 in accordance with the picking item order information, so that the lifting device 37 can immediately receive the target storage item 31 from the outgoing waiting section 35 and send it to the first transport section 16 without waiting for the target storage item 31 to be transported from the storage shelf 32 to the outgoing waiting section 35.

[0049] The stored object 31 sent out from the storage device 14 is transported by the first transport section 16 to the picking station 15, and then transported by the picking station 15 to the picking position 15a.

[0050] On the other hand, based on the shipping information by order, the collection and transport section 13 transports the collection containers 22 by order to the input position 13a in sequence.

[0051] When the storage body 31 that contains the items to be picked is transported to the picking position 15a of the picking station 15 and the collection container 22 that contains the items to be picked is transported to the input position 13a, the picking display unit 43 of the picking position 15a lights up to indicate the storage body 31 that contains the items to be picked, and the collection instruction unit 23 of the input position 13a lights up to indicate the input of the items into the collection container 22. At this time, since two picking stations 15 are arranged in the picking area 12 and there are two picking positions 15a, the picking display unit 43 of the picking position 15a on the side where the storage body 31 that contains the items to be picked and that are to be input into the collection container 22 at the input position 13a is arranged is displayed. Furthermore, the picking instruction monitor 44 of the picking area 12 displays that it is a picking operation from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc.

[0052] The worker 11 checks the type and number of items to be picked by looking at the picking instruction monitor 44, picks the specified number of items to be picked from the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a where the picking display unit 43 is illuminated, places the picked items into the collection container 22 where the collection instruction unit 23 is illuminated, and after the items have been placed, operates the collection instruction unit 23 to indicate completion of placement.

[0053] When the worker 11 operates the collection instruction unit 23 to indicate completion of insertion, if the item to be stored in the storage item 31 at picking position 15a is not the item to be picked into the next collection container 22, the collection instruction unit 23 and the picking display unit 43 will turn off, the collection container 22 with the items inserted will be transported out of the insertion position 13a of the collection transport unit 13, the next collection container 22 will be transported into the insertion position 13a of the collection transport unit 13, and the storage item 31 that has been picked and has been worked on will be transported out of the picking position 15a of the picking station 15, and the next storage item 31 will be transported into the picking position 15a.

[0054] In addition, when the worker 11 operates the collection instruction unit 23 to complete the insertion, and the item to be stored in the storage body 31 at picking position 15a is the item to be picked into the next collection container 22, the collection instruction unit 23 turns off (the picking display unit 43 may remain lit or may be turned off temporarily), and when the collection container 22 with the items inserted is transported out of the insertion position 13a of the collection transport unit 13 and the next collection container 22 is transported into the insertion position 13a of the collection transport unit 13, the collection instruction unit 23 turns on, the picking display unit 43 remains lit or is turned off temporarily and then turns on again, and further, the picking instruction monitor 44 displays that it is a picking operation from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc.

[0055] Therefore, as described above, when the worker 11 performs the picking operation from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22 and operates the collection instruction unit 23 to complete the insertion, the next process is performed depending on whether the item to be stored in the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a is the item to be picked into the next collection container 22.

[0056] The worked storage object 31 carried out from the picking position 15a of the picking station 15 is transported by the second transport unit 17 to the storage device 14 for storage. In the storage device 14, the lifting unit 40 of the lifting device 38 receives the worked storage object 31 from the second transport unit 17, and the lifting unit 40 moves to the height position of the storage shelf 32 storing the worked storage object 31 and sends the worked storage object 31 to the storage waiting unit 36, and the traveling transport device 34 takes out the worked storage object 31 from the storage waiting unit 36 ​​and transports it to a predetermined storage position in the normal storage unit 32b of the storage shelf 32 and returns it. The storage position of the normal storage unit 32b to which the worked storage object 31 is returned may be the storage position where it was originally stored, or may be another vacant position of the same storage shelf 32, or may be a storage position of another storage shelf 32, as long as the storage position of the storage object 31 is managed.

[0057] Next, in the picking item order, the operation when an item stored in the storage body 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order becomes the item to be picked in the subsequent order will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. 6.

[0058] The control device 19 determines whether the order difference n from the previous order to the subsequent order when an item stored in the storage body 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order becomes the item to be picked in the subsequent order in the picking item order is less than a predetermined first threshold value c (n < c) (step S1).

[0059] The first threshold value c is, for example, when the storage body 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order is sent out from the normal storage section 32b of the storage device 14, picking work is performed in the picking area 12, and after returning to the normal storage section 32b of the storage device 14, it becomes the subsequent order and is sent out from the storage device 14 again, it is the order difference that enables arrival at the picking area 12 without interruption of the picking work in the picking area 12.

[0060] When the order difference n from the previous order to the subsequent order when an item stored in the storage body 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order becomes the item to be picked in the subsequent order is greater than the first threshold value c (n > c) (NO in step S1), the storage body 31 that stores the item to be picked is sent out from the normal storage section 32b of the storage device 14, and after the picking work in the picking area 12, it is returned to the normal storage section 32b of the storage device 14, and the above-described normal storage process is executed (step S2).

[0061] Also, when the item to be picked later that is stored in the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order becomes the item to be picked in the later order, and the order difference n from the previous order to the later order is in the range of n < c where n is smaller than the first threshold value c (YES in step S1), it is determined whether the number n from the previous order to the later order when the item stored in the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order becomes the item to be picked in the later order is within the first range of n > a and n ≤ b with respect to the predetermined second threshold value a and third threshold value b (step S3).

[0062] The first range is the range in which, in the storage device 14, when sequentially sending out the storage units 31, the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the subsequent picking item order is sent out after skipping the item to be picked in the later order that is stored in the storage unit 14 that is sent out first from the storage device 14, in the first transport unit 16, the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the later order that has been skipped can merge downstream in the transport direction from the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the subsequent picking item order by the third transport unit 18.

[0063] The second threshold value a is a value (the value of the order difference from the previous order to the later order when the item stored in the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the previous order becomes the item to be picked in the later order) such that if the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the later order that has been skipped merges downstream in the transport direction from the storage unit 31 that stores the item to be picked in the subsequent picking item order by the third transport unit 18, the arrival at the picking area 12 will be delayed. The second threshold value a can be arbitrarily set by physical factors such as the distance between the picking area 12 and the third transport unit 18, and factors such as the processing speed and progress of the picking operation in the picking area 12.

[0064] The third threshold b is the maximum value at which a storage body 31 containing an item to be picked after the skipped order can join downstream in the conveying direction of a storage body 31 containing an item to be picked in the subsequent picking order by the third conveying unit 18 (the maximum value of the order difference from an earlier order to a later order when an item contained in a storage body 31 containing an item to be picked in an earlier order becomes a picking target in a later order). The threshold b can be arbitrarily set depending on physical factors such as the number of third conveying units 18 that can keep storage bodies 31 waiting, factors such as the number of storage bodies 31 waiting on the third conveying unit 18, and the like.

[0065] If the order difference n from the earlier item to be picked in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was selected for picking in an earlier order becomes the item to be picked in a later order, is within a first range of n>a and n≦b (YES in step S3), a branching and merging process is performed for the storage body 31 that contains the item that was selected for picking in the earlier order (step S4).

[0066] In the branching and merging process, when the storage device 14 sequentially sends out the target storage items 31, it skips the items to be picked later that are stored in the storage items 14 sent out earlier from the storage device 14 from the picking item sequence, and sends out the storage item 31 that stores the items to be picked in the subsequent picking item sequence. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the storage device 14 sends out storage body 31 containing items to be picked in orders "1" and "8", storage body 31 containing items to be picked in orders "2" and "6", storage body 31 containing items to be picked in order "3", storage body 31 containing items to be picked in order "4", storage body 31 containing items to be picked in order "5", and storage body 31 containing items to be picked in order "7". The item to be picked in order "6" between orders "5" and "7" is skipped from the picking item order, and storage body 31 in order "7" following order "5" is sent out.

[0067] When the storage item 31 with the sequence "1,8" arrives at the picking position 15a in the picking area 12, the worker 11 picks the item to be picked that corresponds to the sequence "1" from the storage item 31 with the sequence "1,8" and places it in the collection container 22.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6( b ), the storage item 31 for which the picking operation has been completed (the storage item 31 with the sequence “8”) is transported from the picking area 12 to the second transport section 17.

[0069] In the multiple third conveying sections 18 arranged along the conveying direction of the first conveying section 16 and the second conveying section 17, if the zones are arranged from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction of the second conveying section 17 as first zone 18a, second zone 18b, third zone 18c, ..., the storage item 31 with order "8" is conveyed to the third zone 18c by the second conveying section 17 to free up the first zone 18a and second zone 18b for the storage items 31 with orders "6" and "7."

[0070] The stack 31 with the order "7" is transported by the first transport section 16 to the second zone 18b to free the first zone 18a for the stack 31 with the order "6".

[0071] When the storage object 31 with the order "2,6" arrives at the picking position 15a in the picking area 12, the worker 11 picks the item to be picked that corresponds to the next order "2" from the storage object 31 with the order "2,6" and places it in the collection container 22. The storage object 31 for which the picking work has been completed (the storage object 31 with the order "6" that will store the item to be picked after being skipped) is transported from the picking area 12 to the second transport section 17.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6 (c), the storage item 31 with order "6" transported by the second transport section 17 from the picking area 12 is transported to the first zone 18a that was reserved for the storage item 31 with order "6".

[0073] The storage item 31 with the number "8" is, as a storage item 31 before work, branched off from the second conveying section 17 by the third conveying section 18 in the third zone 18c and conveyed to the first conveying section 16, where it joins up upstream of the storage item 31 with the number "6".

[0074] As shown in Figure 6 (d), the storage item 31 with the number "6" is, as a storage item 31 before work, branched off from the second conveying section 17 by the third conveying section 18 in the first zone 18a and conveyed to the first conveying section 16, where it merges between the storage item 31 with the number "5" and the storage item 31 with the number "7".

[0075] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(e), the storage items 31 with orders "5", "6", "7", and "8" can be sent to the picking area 12 in the order of the picking item sequence.

[0076] In this way, by providing multiple third conveying sections 18 along the conveying direction of the second conveying section 17 and the first conveying section 16, even if an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was selected for picking earlier becomes a target for picking later, the order of the storage bodies 31 that contain the items that were selected for picking later can be corrected and the items can be sent to the picking area 12 in the order of the items to be picked.

[0077] Even if an item stored in a storage body 31 containing an item that was selected for picking earlier in the picking order becomes a later item to be picked within the first range, if the picking of the earlier item to be picked is completed and the completed storage body 31 being transported via the second transport section 17 is transported to the storage device 14, returned, and then sent out again from the storage device 14, the arrival of the storage body 31 containing the item to be picked at the picking area 12 may be delayed, causing the picking operation to be interrupted.

[0078] In the picking item sequence, when an item stored in a storage body 31 containing an item that was targeted for picking earlier becomes a target for picking later within the first range, the storage body 31 that has been worked on and is being transported via the second transport section 17 after picking of the item that was targeted for picking earlier is caused to join the first transport section 16 as a storage body 31 before work is completed by operating the third transport section 18, so that the storage body 31 containing the item that is targeted for picking later can arrive at the picking area 12 without delay in accordance with the picking item sequence, thereby reducing interruptions to the picking work and improving work efficiency.

[0079] Since multiple third conveying sections 18 are provided along the conveying direction of the second conveying section 17 and the first conveying section 16, it is possible to process multiple storage bodies 31 branching and merging at multiple third conveying sections 18, and this can also accommodate cases where a large number of storage bodies 31 containing items that fall within the first range are to be processed, or where multiple storage bodies 31 containing items that fall within the first range are to be processed continuously.

[0080] In this branching and merging process, as in the normal storage process described above, when the storage body 31 storing the items to be picked is transported to the picking position 15a in the picking area 12 and the collection container 22 into which the items to be picked are placed is transported to the placement position 13a of the collection transport section 13, the picking display section 43 and the collection instruction section 23 at the picking position 15a light up, and further, the picking instruction monitor 44 displays that the work is to pick from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc. When the worker 11 performs the picking work from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22 and operates the collection instruction section 23 to complete the placement, the next process is performed depending on whether the items to be stored in the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a are items to be picked for the next collection container 22.

[0081] In addition, in the picking order of items, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was selected for picking in an earlier order becomes a target for picking in a later order, it is determined whether the order difference n from the earlier order to the later order is within a second range of n≦a, which is smaller than the first range and less than or equal to a second threshold value a (step S5).

[0082] The second threshold value a is a value that would cause a delay in arrival at the picking area 12 if the storage body 31 containing the item to be picked in the subsequent picking order were to join the third conveying section 18 downstream in the conveying direction from the storage body 31 containing the item to be picked in the subsequent picking order (the value of the order difference from the earlier order to the later order when an item contained in the storage body 31 containing an item that was targeted for picking in the earlier order becomes a target for picking in the later order).

[0083] If the order difference n between an earlier item to be picked and a later item stored in storage body 31 that contains an item to be picked earlier is to be picked later, and the order difference n between the earlier item and the later item is within a second range of n≦a that is smaller than the first range and less than or equal to a second threshold a (YES in step S5), a temporary placement process is performed for the item to be picked later (step S6).

[0084] In the temporary placement process, first, the items to be picked earlier are placed in the collection container 22, and then the items to be picked later are temporarily placed in the temporary placement section 26.

[0085] When a storage body 31 containing items to be picked in the order in which they are to be sent out from the storage device 14 is transported to a picking position 15a in the picking area 12, and a collection container 22 into which the items to be picked are placed is transported to a drop-in position 13a in the collection transport section 13, the picking display unit 43 at the picking position 15a and the collection instruction unit 23 at the drop-in position 13a light up, and further, a picking instruction monitor 44 displays that a picking operation is being performed from the storage body 31 to the collection container 22, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc.

[0086] The worker 11 checks the type and number of items to be picked by looking at the picking instruction monitor 44, picks the specified number of items to be picked from the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a where the picking display unit 43 is illuminated, places the picked items into the collection container 22 where the collection instruction unit 23 is illuminated, and after the items have been placed, operates the collection instruction unit 23 to indicate completion of placement.

[0087] When the worker 11 operates the collection instruction unit 23 to complete the insertion, if the item stored in the storage body 31 at the picking position 15a is an item to be picked for the next collection container 22, as described above, the picking work of the item to be picked for the next collection container 22 is continued. Here, a temporary storage process is planned to be performed, but the insertion process of the item into the collection container 22 is given priority over the temporary storage process.

[0088] When the worker 11 operates the collection instruction unit 23 to indicate completion of input, and the item stored in the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a is not an item to be picked into the next collection container 22, the collection instruction unit 23 goes out, the picking display unit 43 remains lit or goes out once and then lights up again, the temporary placement instruction unit 28 corresponding to the specified partition 27 of the temporary placement unit 26 lights up, and further, the picking instruction monitor 44 displays that it is a picking operation from the storage body 31 to the temporary placement unit 26, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc. When the input completion is operated on the collection instruction unit 23, in parallel, the collection container 22 into which the items have been input is carried out from the input position 13a of the collection transport unit 13, and the next collection container 22 is carried into the input position 13a of the collection transport unit 13.

[0089] The worker 11 looks at the picking instruction monitor 44 to confirm that this is a temporary placement task in the temporary placement section 26, and the type and number of items to be picked, then picks the instructed number of items from within the storage body 31, temporarily places the picked items in the partition section 27 of the temporary placement section 26, which is indicated by the lighting of the temporary placement instruction section 28, and operates the temporary placement instruction section 28 to indicate completion of the temporary placement.

[0090] When the temporary placement completion is operated using the temporary placement instruction unit 28, the temporary placement display unit 28 turns off and the user is prompted to confirm whether or not to continue temporarily placing the items stored in the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a in another compartment 27 of the temporary placement unit 26.

[0091] When the items stored in the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a are subsequently temporarily placed in another partition 27 of the temporary placement section 26, this is displayed on the picking instruction monitor 44, the temporary placement instruction section 28 corresponding to the other partition 27 of the temporary placement section 26 is turned on, and the picking display section 43 remains lit or is turned off once and then turned on again. The worker 11 looks at the picking instruction monitor 44 to confirm that it is a temporary placement task in the temporary placement section 26 and the type and number of items to be picked, picks the instructed number of items from within the storage body 31, temporarily places the picked items in the partition 27 of the temporary placement section 26 indicated by the lit temporary placement instruction section 28, and operates the temporary placement completion in the temporary placement instruction section 28.

[0092] If the items stored in the storage body 31 located at the picking position 15a are not subsequently temporarily placed in another compartment 27 of the temporary placement section 26, the picking display unit 43 turns off, the storage body 31 for which the picking operation has been completed is sent out from the picking position 15a, and the next storage body 31 is sent to the picking position 15a.

[0093] In addition, when the item temporarily placed in the temporary placement section 26 becomes the order of the items to be picked and the collection container 22 into which the temporarily placed items are to be placed is transported to the input position 13a, the temporary placement instruction section 28 corresponding to the partition section 27 of the temporary placement section 26 in which the item whose turn it is to be placed is illuminated, and the collection instruction section 23 is illuminated, and further the picking instruction monitor 44 displays that this is a picking operation from the temporary placement section 26 to the collection container 22, the type and number of items to be picked, images of the items to be picked, etc.

[0094] The worker 11 looks at the picking instruction monitor 44 to confirm that the task is picking from the temporary storage area 26 to the collection container 22, and confirms the type and number of items to be picked, picks the specified type and number of items from the partition 27 of the temporary storage area 26 where the temporary storage instruction unit 28 is lit, places them in the collection container 22, and then operates the collection instruction unit 23 to complete the placement.

[0095] When the worker 11 operates the collection instruction unit 23 to complete the input, it is confirmed whether or not the article temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit 26 will be picked into the next collection container 22.

[0096] When the items temporarily placed in the temporary placement section 26 are to be picked continuously into the next collection container 22, the collection instruction section 23 and the temporary placement instruction section 28 are turned off, the collection container 22 is transported out of the input position 13a of the collection transport section 13, and the next collection container 22 is transported into the input position 13a of the collection transport section 13, and the work of loading the items temporarily placed in the partition section 27 of the temporary placement section 26 into the collection container 22 is performed as described above.

[0097] If the items temporarily placed in the temporary placement section 26 are not subsequently picked into the next collection container 22, the collection instruction section 23 and the temporary placement instruction section 28 are turned off, the collection container 22 is transported out of the input position 13a of the collection transport section 13, and the next collection container 22 is transported into the input position 13a of the collection transport section 13.

[0098] In addition, in the picking order of items, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking in an earlier order is to be picked in a later order, if the order difference n from the earlier order to the later order is not within the first range or the second range (NO in step S3, NO in step S5), the order difference n is determined to be greater than the first range and within a third range where n>b and n≦c (step S7), and priority storage processing is performed (step S8).

[0099] In the priority storage process, the storage body 31 for priority storage that houses the articles to be picked, which is sent out from the storage device 14, is transported to the picking area 12 and processed. After that, it is transported from the picking area 12 to the storage device 14 by the second transport unit 17 and stored in the priority storage unit 32a of the storage device 14.

[0100] The third range is in the middle between the normal storage process and the branch / merging process in the first range. If the storage body 31 is returned to the normal storage unit 32b of the storage device 14 like in the normal storage process, the arrival of the storage body 31 that houses the articles to be picked at the picking area 12 will not be delayed. Also, if the storage body 31 is made to wait in the third transport unit 18 like in the first range, the waiting time will not be so long that it becomes impossible to process in the third transport unit 18. It is a range where this can be made possible.

[0101] When the storage body 31 returned to the storage device 14 is stored in the priority storage unit 32a, compared to the case where the storage body 31 is returned to the normal storage unit 32b, it becomes possible to send the storage body 31 into the picking area 12 earlier, the interruption of the picking operation is suppressed, and the work efficiency is improved.

[0102] Note that the above-mentioned threshold values a, b, and c are in the relationship of 0 < a < b < c. Also, in the picking article order, there may be cases where the storage body 31 that houses the articles to be picked in three or more orders is the target. For example, when the articles housed in the storage body 31 that houses the articles to be picked in the earlier order become the articles to be picked in the later order, such as the first order and the second order, the second order and the third order, etc., it is judged and processed based on the order difference n from the earlier order to the later order. Also, when the articles in the storage body 31 become empty due to picking, the operator 11 removes the storage body 31 or the storage body 31 is transported to a predetermined collection location.

[0103] In addition, since stored items 31 are transported from two systems of storage devices 14 to one picking area 12, once picking of items from the stored items 31 transported on one system is completed, the stored items 31 on one system can be replaced while picking items from the stored items 31 transported on the other system, so that picking operations can be performed alternately, reducing waiting time for picking operations and improving work efficiency.

[0104] As described above, in the picking system 10, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking in an earlier order (first order) becomes a target for picking in a later order (second order), the storage body 31 that has been worked on and is being transported by the second conveying unit 17 after the picking of the item targeted for picking in the earlier order has been completed is caused to join the first conveying unit 16 as a storage body 31 before work is completed, by operating the third conveying unit 18. This reduces interruptions to picking work in the picking area 12 and improves work efficiency compared to when the storage body 31 is returned to the storage device 14 and then sent out again.

[0105] In the storage device 14, when storage bodies 31 are sent out sequentially, later picking target items contained in storage bodies 14 sent out earlier from the storage device 14 are skipped from the picking item sequence, and a storage body 31 containing items to be picked in the subsequent picking item sequence is sent out.In addition, in the first conveying section 16, the third conveying section 18 is operated so that the storage body 31 containing the skipped item to be picked joins downstream of the storage body 31 containing the item to be picked in the subsequent picking item sequence, thereby preventing interruptions to picking work in the picking area 12 and improving work efficiency.

[0106] In addition, in the picking item sequence, when an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking in an earlier order (first order) becomes a target for picking in a later order (second order) within a specified first range, the storage body 31 that has been worked on and is being transported by the second conveying unit 17 after picking of the items targeted for picking in the earlier order has been completed is caused to join the first conveying unit 16 as a storage body 31 before work by operating the third conveying unit 18, so that the storage body 31 can be appropriately processed taking into account the range of the picking item sequence.

[0107] Furthermore, in the picking item sequence, if an item stored in a storage body 31 that contains an item that was targeted for picking in an earlier order (first order) becomes a target for picking in a later order (second order) within a second range that is smaller than the first range, when the storage body 31 that contains the item that is targeted for picking in the earlier order is transported to the picking area 12, the picking instruction monitor 44 is operated to instruct the storage body 31 to pick the item that was targeted for picking in the earlier order, and to instruct the item that was targeted for picking in the later order to be temporarily placed in the temporary placement section 26, so that the item that was temporarily placed in accordance with the picking item sequence can be picked from the temporary placement section 26. This reduces interruptions to the picking work in the picking area 12 compared to when the storage body 31 is returned to the storage device 14 and then sent out again, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0108] Furthermore, in the picking order, when an item stored in the storage body 31 storing an item targeted for picking in the earlier order (first order) becomes a target for picking in the later order (second order) within a third range larger than the first range, the completed storage body 31 from which the picking of the item targeted for picking in the earlier order has been completed is transported by the second transport section 17 from the picking area 12 to the storage device 14 and stored in the priority storage section 32a of the storage device 14. Also, in the picking order, the storage body 31 storing the item targeted for picking in the earlier order is transported by the second transport section 17 from the picking area 12 to the storage device 14 and stored in the priority storage section 32a of the storage device 14. If the accepted item is to be picked in a later order beyond the third range, the completed storage item 31 after picking of the earlier item to be picked is transported by the second transport section 17 from the picking area 12 to the storage device and stored in the normal storage section 32b of the storage device 14. Therefore, the storage item 31 stored in the priority storage section 32a of the storage device 14 can be sent to the picking area 12 more quickly than the storage item 31 stored in the normal storage section 32b, thereby reducing interruptions to picking work in the picking area 12 and improving work efficiency.

[0109] In this way, in the picking item order, items stored in storage body 31 that contains items that were targeted for picking in the previous order (first order) can be processed appropriately depending on whether they are targeted for picking in the first range, second range, or third range (second order).This makes it possible to prevent exceeding the processing capacity of the first range or second range, for example, by processing an item in the second range as the first range, or processing an item in the third range as the second range, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0110] In addition, since the third conveying section 18 has a waiting section 52 between the second conveying section 17 and the first conveying section 16, the storage body 31 branched off from the second conveying section 17 can be temporarily waited and then merged with the first conveying section 16 to cut in line with the picking item order.

[0111] In addition, since a plurality of third conveying sections 18 are provided along the conveying direction of the second conveying section 17 and the first conveying section 16, the branching and merging of a plurality of storage bodies 31 can be handled by the plurality of third conveying sections 18.

[0112] In the above description, the worker 11 is the one performing the picking work, but the worker may be, for example, a robot that can perform similar work. Also, although the picked items are stored in collection container 22 and transported, it is also possible to transport the items themselves directly.

[0113] Furthermore, the storage device 14 has been described as a shuttle-type automated warehouse, but it can also be applied to a stacker crane-type automated warehouse or the like.

[0114] In addition, the storage body 31 is not limited to storing one type of item, and multiple types of items may be stored in one storage body 31, as long as the items stored in each storage body 31 are managed.

[0115] In the above embodiment, picking is performed between two storage bodies 31 located at two picking positions 15a, 15a and one collection container 22 located at the input position 13a. However, by providing a plurality of input positions 13a in the collection transport section 13, picking can be performed between storage bodies 31 located at a plurality of picking positions 15a and collection containers 22 located at a plurality of input positions 13a. In this case, for example, the collection transport section 13 transports the collection containers 22 in a cycle in which four collection containers 22 are sequentially replaced with one another in the picking station 15, or forms and transports any number of groups of collection containers 22. Then, the worker can perform picking by inputting an item from the storage body 31 to the target collection container 22 according to instructions from the picking instruction monitor 44 and the collection instruction section 23 corresponding to each collection container 22.

[0116] The priority storage section 32a in the storage device 14 may be capable of storing a larger number of storage objects 31 than the normal storage section 32b, and the number of storage objects 31 may be set arbitrarily and may be different for each storage shelf 32. In addition, even within the priority storage section 32a, depending on the order difference n, the storage objects 31 with a smaller order difference n may be arranged closer to the end connected to the first transport section 16 and the second transport section 17, that is, at a position where the time to take them out from the storage device 14 can be shortened.

[0117] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the product collection and transport section 13 is installed in a position facing the picking station 15 across the picking area 12, but the product collection and transport section 13 may be installed in a position where an operator can access the product collection container 22 and the storage body 13. For example, a structure can be achieved where a part or all of the product collection and transport section 13 is arranged so as to overlap the picking station 15 in the vertical direction, or arranged so as to be aligned side by side with the picking station 15, allowing an operator to access the product collection container 22 and the storage body 13 from the same direction.

[0118] As with the product collection and transport section 13, the temporary placement section 26 can be located at any position accessible to the operator other than above the product collection and transport section 13.

[0119] During picking work, the worker receives instructions from the collection instruction unit 23, temporary placement display unit 28, picking display unit 43 and picking instruction monitor 44 and operates these devices. However, as long as the worker can perform picking work between the collection container 22 and the storage body 13, these pieces of equipment for picking work can be installed arbitrarily, and the display and operation modes can also be set arbitrarily.

[0120] Furthermore, the picking system 10 can be incorporated as part of a series of picking operations, such as by being connected to another picking system installed upstream or downstream.

[0121] Although the embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples have been described above, various combinations of configurations, partial omissions, substitutions and modifications are also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 Picking System 12 Picking Area 14 Storage device 16 First conveyor section 17 Second conveyor section 18 Third conveyor section 19 Control device 26 Temporary storage area 31 Storage 32a Priority Storage 32b Normal storage section 44 Picking instruction monitor, which is the instruction unit 52 Waiting section

Claims

1. a storage device that stores a plurality of storage bodies each containing an item, and sequentially sends out the storage bodies each containing an item to be picked according to information on a picking order, which is an order of items to be picked in a predetermined picking area where picking is performed; A first transport unit that transports the storage object sent out from the storage device toward the picking area; a second transport unit that transports the storage body from which the item has been picked in the picking area toward the storage device; a third conveying section that branches off the storage object from the second conveying section at an intermediate position in a conveying direction between the storage device and the picking area and the first conveying section, and that enables the storage object to merge with the first conveying section; a control device that, when an item stored in the storage body that stores an item that was targeted for picking in a previous order in the picking item sequence becomes a target for picking in a later order, operates the third transport unit to cause the storage body that has been worked on and is transported by the second transport unit after picking of the item that was targeted for picking in the previous order to join the first transport unit as the storage body before work. A picking system comprising:

2. The third transport section has a waiting section between the second transport section and the first transport section, in which the storage body branched off from the second transport section waits until it joins the first transport section. The picking system according to claim 1 .

3. The third transport section is provided in plurality along the transport direction of the second transport section and the first transport section. The picking system according to claim 1 .

4. When an item stored in the storage body that stores an item that has been selected as a picking target in a previous order in the picking item sequence becomes a picking target in a later order within a predetermined first range, the control device operates the third transport unit to cause the storage body that has been worked on and is transported by the second transport unit after picking of the item that has been selected as a picking target in a previous order is to join the first transport unit as the storage body before work. The picking system according to claim 1 .

5. An instruction unit that is provided in the picking area and instructs picking of an item from the storage body that has been transported to the picking area; a temporary storage unit provided in the picking area for temporarily storing an item picked from the storage body; When an item stored in the storage body that stores an item that has been selected as an earlier picking target in the picking order becomes a later picking target within a second range that is smaller than the first range, the control device operates the instruction unit to instruct the picking of the earlier picking target item from the storage body and to instruct the temporary placement of the later picking target item in the temporary placement unit when the storage body that stores the earlier picking target item is transported to a picking area. The picking system according to claim 4 .

6. When the storage device sequentially sends out the storage bodies, the storage device skips the items to be picked later that are stored in the storage bodies sent out earlier from the storage device from the picking item order, and sends out the storage bodies that store the items to be picked later in the picking item order; The control device operates the third transport unit so that the storage body accommodating the item to be picked in the order after being skipped joins the storage body accommodating the item to be picked in the subsequent picking order in the first transport unit downstream of the storage body accommodating the item to be picked in the subsequent picking order.

6. The picking system according to claim 1, wherein the picking system comprises:

7. The storage device includes a priority storage unit provided at an end connected to the first transport unit and the second transport unit and storing the storage object, and a normal storage unit provided other than the priority storage unit and storing the storage object, The control device includes: When an item stored in the storage body that stores an item that has been selected for picking in a previous order in the picking order becomes a later item to be picked within a third range that is larger than the first range, the second transport unit transports the completed storage body from the picking area to the storage device, and the storage device stores the item in the priority storage unit of the storage device, In the picking order, when an item stored in the storage body that stores an item that was targeted for picking in a previous order becomes a target for picking in a later order that exceeds the third range, the storage body in which picking of the item targeted for picking in the previous order has been completed is transported from the picking area to the storage device by the second transport unit, and is stored in the normal storage unit of the storage device.

6. The picking system according to claim 4 or 5.

8. A method for supplying stored objects in a predetermined order to a picking area in which items are picked, comprising the steps of: A carrying-in step of operating a first transport unit connected upstream of the picking area to send the stored object before operation from a storage device in which the stored object is stored to the picking area; An operation step of operating a picking instruction device that instructs picking work for the items stored in the storage body in the picking area; a carrying-out step of carrying out the storage object that has been picked in the picking area from the picking area by operating a second transport unit connected downstream of the picking area; a branching and merging step of operating a third conveying unit which branches off from the second conveying unit and merges with the first conveying unit when the storage object is to be picked in a first order which is an earlier order and a second order which is later than the first order, as the storage object of the second order, with the storage object for which the picking work of the first order has been completed being the storage object of the second order, and merging the storage object of the second order so as to be located downstream of the storage object of the second order on the first conveying unit; A method for supplying a storage body, comprising:

9. A method for supplying stored objects in a predetermined order to a picking area in which items are picked, comprising the steps of: A carrying-in step of operating a first transport unit connected upstream of the picking area to send the stored object before operation from a storage device in which the stored object is stored to the picking area; An operation step of operating a picking instruction device that instructs picking work for the items stored in the storage body in the picking area; a carrying-out step of carrying out the storage object that has been picked in the picking area from the picking area by operating a second transport unit connected downstream of the picking area; a branching and merging step of operating a third conveying unit which branches off from the second conveying unit and merges the storage body with the first conveying unit when the items stored in the storage body are to be picked in a first order which is an earlier order and a second order which is later than the first order and the order difference between the first order and the second order is within a predetermined first range, the storage body which has been worked on and for which the picking work of the first order has been completed is treated as the storage body with the second order, and the storage body with the second order is merged with the storage body with the second order so as to be located downstream on the first conveying unit from the storage body with the picking order later than the second order; A method for supplying a storage body, comprising:

10. In the operation step, when the order difference between the first order and the second order is within a second range smaller than the first range, a picking instruction device is operated to instruct a picking operation of the first order item in the picking area and a picking operation of the second order item to a temporary storage unit that is installed in the picking area and temporarily stores the items picked from the storage body. The method for supplying a storage object according to claim 9 .

11. The method further includes a storage step of operating the storage device after the unloading step, and storing the storage object received from the second transport unit at an arbitrary position within the storage device, In the storage step, when the order difference between the first order and the second order is within a third range greater than the first range, the stored object is stored in a priority storage section that is provided on an end side connected to the first transport section and the second transport section in the storage device and that stores the stored object, and when the order difference between the first order and the second order exceeds the first range, the stored object is stored in a location other than the priority storage section. The method for supplying a storage object according to claim 9 or 10.

Images