Automated warehouse

Abstract

To provide an automated warehouse with a simplified configuration that automates the operation of transferring empty trays, that are generated by processing delivered stacked trays, back to the entrance side.SOLUTION: An automated warehouse 100 transfers stacked trays ST containing eggs E from an entrance gate 2 to a storage shelf 4 by a transferring device 5 and also from the storage shelf 4 to an exit gate 3 by the transferring device 5, and has an empty tray entrance gate 8 which empty trays T0 that are generated by processing delivered stacked trays ST enter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated warehouse. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an automated warehouse for temporarily storing eggs, as shown in Patent Document 1, is known in which stacked trays containing eggs (hereinafter referred to as "stacked trays") are brought in through an input gate and then automatically stored on storage shelves using a transfer device such as a stacker crane.

[0003] In this automated warehouse, stacked trays delivered from the delivery gate are separated one layer at a time by a tray-disassembly device and transported to a packaging device. In the packaging device, the eggs contained in the trays are then stored in egg trays. Empty trays from which the eggs have been removed are collected and loaded onto racks, and then manually returned to the tray loading section of the sorting system on the receiving side. Other possible configurations include providing a conveyor to transport empty trays to the receiving side and returning them to the tray loading section, and returning racks containing empty trays to the tray loading section by an automated guided vehicle (AGV).

[0004] However, manpower is required to return the racks containing empty trays to the receiving side. Also, a place is required to keep the empty trays or the racks containing empty trays waiting. Furthermore, if a conveyor or automatic guided vehicle (AGV) is installed to transport the empty trays, a route must be secured from the outgoing side to the receiving side, which may disrupt the work flow of workers and complicate the automated warehouse equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4470027 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to automate the work performed by humans and to simplify the configuration thereof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the automated warehouse of the present invention is an automated warehouse that moves stacked trays containing eggs from an input gate to a storage shelf by a transfer device, and also moves them from the storage shelf to an output gate by the transfer device, and is characterized by having an empty tray input gate into which empty trays resulting from processing of the output stacked trays are input.

[0008] In this automated warehouse, by storing empty trays at the empty tray receiving gate, the empty trays can be stored on storage shelves using the automated warehouse's transfer device. Also, the empty trays can be transferred to the receiving gate side using the transfer device. As a result, there is no need to manually return the empty trays to the receiving gate side of the automated warehouse. Also, there is no need to use an automatic transport device that transports empty trays to the receiving gate side separately from the automated warehouse, which simplifies the equipment.

[0009] It is desirable to have an empty tray loading section connected to a processing section which processes the removed stacked trays and which loads the empty trays from the processing section into the empty tray entrance gate. With this configuration, empty trays generated after processing by the processing section can be automatically stored in the empty tray receiving gate.

[0010] While the transfer device is moving the stacked trays, the empty trays at the empty tray entrance gate cannot be moved. In other words, it is necessary to wait for the transfer device to finish moving the stacked trays. Therefore, it is preferable that the empty tray entrance section has a waiting section that temporarily waits for the empty trays to reach the empty tray entrance gate. With this configuration, since the empty tray conveyor has a standby section, the standby section can ensure waiting time associated with the transport process of the transfer device.

[0011] The automated warehouse of the present invention comprises an empty tray output gate through which the empty trays are output, and an empty tray output section which transports the empty trays from the empty tray output gate, and the empty tray output section transports the empty trays to a sorting and storage section which sorts and stores eggs in the empty trays, and it is desirable for the empty tray output section to have a waiting section which allows the empty trays to temporarily wait on their way until they reach the sorting and storage section. With this configuration, a series of operations from storing empty trays in the automated warehouse to supplying them to the sorting and storage section can be performed automatically. In addition, since the empty tray carrying-out section has a standby section, when it is not necessary to supply empty trays to the sorting and storage section, the standby section can be used to make the empty trays wait. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention configured in this manner, the task of returning empty trays generated when the unloaded stacked trays are processed to the receiving side can be automated and the configuration for this task can be simplified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an automated warehouse according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an automated warehouse according to a modified embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] An embodiment of an automated warehouse according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in all of the drawings shown below, for ease of understanding, some parts are omitted or exaggerated as appropriate. Identical components are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] <Configuration of the automated warehouse 100> As shown in Fig. 1, the automated warehouse 100 of this embodiment includes a plurality of receiving gates 2, a plurality of outgoing gates 3, a plurality of storage shelves 4 for storing stacked trays ST, and a transfer device 5 for moving the stacked trays ST between the receiving gates 2, the outgoing gates 3, and the storage shelves 4. Note that Fig. 1 shows one outgoing gate 3 as a representative.

[0016] An incoming-side conveying section 6, such as a conveyor, that conveys stacked trays ST to the incoming-side gate 2 is connected to each of the multiple incoming gates 2. Here, two incoming-side conveying sections 6 are connected to each incoming gate 2. The incoming-side conveying sections 6 connected to each incoming gate 2 are provided with a stacking device 20 that stacks trays T containing eggs E in the vertical direction. Furthermore, upstream of the stacking device 20 in the incoming-side conveying section 6, a sorting system 21 is provided that sorts the eggs E, for example by weight, and stores them in trays T.

[0017] An outgoing-side conveying section 7 such as a conveyor that conveys stacked trays ST to the packaging system 22 is connected to each of the multiple outgoing gates 3. Here, each outgoing gate 3 is connected to one outgoing-side conveying section 7 and a sub-conveying section 7x in parallel thereto. This allows two rows of stacked trays ST (a total of four stacked trays ST in this embodiment) to be delivered at one time. The stacked trays ST delivered to the sub-conveying section 7x are transferred to the outgoing-side conveying section 7 by a transfer section 7y such as a pusher. The transfer section 7y is controlled by a management device CTL, which will be described later.

[0018] The packaging system 22 has a de-stack device 22a that separates the stacked trays ST transported by the out-of-warehouse transport section 7 into individual trays T, and a packaging device 22b arranged downstream of the de-stack device 22a. The packaging device 22b transfers the eggs E contained in the trays T into a container P, such as an egg pack, and packs the eggs E into the container P.

[0019] The multiple storage shelves 4 store the received stacked trays ST by product type. Each storage shelf 4 may be configured to store one stacked tray ST, or may be configured to store multiple (e.g., three) stacked trays ST.

[0020] The transfer device 5 transfers the stacked trays ST from the receiving gate 2 to the storage shelf 4, and transfers the stacked trays ST from the storage shelf 4 to the unloading gate 3. The transfer device 5 in this embodiment is configured with a stacker crane that is movable in the vertical and horizontal directions. This stacker crane is controlled by a management device CTL. Note that, although the management device CTL is provided on the stacked tray unloading side in FIG. 1, it may be provided in the automated warehouse or on the stacked tray receiving side.

[0021] The transfer device 5 is controlled by the management device CTL based on a storage request from the storage side operation terminal, and moves the stacked trays ST stored at each storage gate 2 to the storage shelf 4 for each product type. The transfer device 5 is controlled by the management device CTL based on a delivery request from the delivery side operation terminal, and moves the stacked trays ST stored at each storage shelf 4 to each delivery gate 3 for each product type, and delivers them.

[0022] The management device CTL is configured by a computer having a CPU, memory, an input / output interface, an AD converter, a display device such as a display, an input device, a communication device, etc. The management device CTL controls each part of the automated warehouse 100 by cooperation of the CPU and peripheral devices based on a program stored in the memory, and causes the storage operation and the retrieval operation of the stacked trays ST in the automated warehouse 100 to be performed. The management device CTL does not have to be configured to control the entire automated warehouse 100, and a control unit may be provided corresponding to each part of the automated warehouse 100 and control each part.

[0023] <Configuration of returning empty trays on the delivery side to the receiving side> Thus, the automated warehouse 100 of this embodiment is equipped with an empty tray receiving gate 8 into which empty trays T0 generated when the outgoing stacked trays ST are processed are received. Here, the empty trays T0 are trays that have been emptied after eggs E have been transferred thereto by the packaging device 22b. The empty tray receiving gate 8 is provided on the same side of the automated warehouse 100 as the outgoing gate 3 (the opposite side to the receiving gate 2).

[0024] An empty tray carry-in section 9 such as a conveyor that transports empty trays T0 to the empty tray carry-in gate 8 is connected to the empty tray entrance gate 8. This empty tray carry-in section 9 is connected to a processing section (here, packaging device 22b) that processes the removed stacked trays ST, and carries the empty trays T0 from the processing section (packaging device 22b) to the empty tray entrance gate 8.

[0025] Further, a stacking device 23 that stacks empty trays T0 vertically is provided in the middle of the empty tray carrying-in section 9. The empty tray carrying-in section 9 carries the stacked empty trays ST0 stacked by the stacking device 23 to the empty tray entrance gate 8. That is, in this embodiment, the stacked empty trays T0 are carried into the empty tray entrance gate 8. Further, the empty tray carrying-in section 9 branches into two with the stacking device 23 as a starting point, and the two empty tray carrying-in sections 9 (9a, 9b) are connected to each empty tray entrance gate 8. This allows two rows of stacked empty trays ST0 (a total of four stacked empty trays ST0 in this embodiment) to be stored at one time.

[0026] The empty tray loading section 9 has a waiting section 10 that temporarily waits for the empty tray T0 (stacked empty tray ST0) on the way until it reaches the empty tray entrance gate 8. The waiting section 10 secures the waiting time by the conveying capacity of the transfer device 5. This waiting section 10 is provided downstream of the stacking device 23 (on the empty tray entrance gate 8 side) in the empty tray loading section 9. The waiting section 10 in this embodiment is configured by the length of the entrance path by securing the distance from the stacking device 23 to the empty tray entrance gate 8. In other words, the two branched empty tray loading sections 9 (9a, 9b) constitute the waiting section 10. In addition, when the stacked empty tray ST0 is made to wait by the waiting section 10, the stacked empty tray ST0 can be made to wait by stopping it with a stopper (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the waiting section 10 (just before the empty tray entrance gate 8), for example. This configuration prevents the empty tray from being carried into the empty tray entrance gate 8 until the stacked empty tray ST0 is transferred from the empty tray entrance gate 8 by the transfer device 5. The stopper is controlled by the management device CTL.

[0027] In addition, an additional transport section 11 such as a conveyor may be connected to the empty tray carry-in section 9. This additional transport section 11 may be provided with a rack packing section 12 that packs empty trays T0 into racks, an external buffer, etc. This additional transport section 11 may be configured to branch off from the upstream side of the stacking device 23 and transport empty trays T0, or may be configured to branch off from the downstream side of the stacking device 23 and transport stacked empty trays ST0.

[0028] Furthermore, the automated warehouse 100 of this embodiment is equipped with an empty tray output gate 13 from which empty trays T0 are output, and an empty tray output section 14 that outputs the empty trays T0 from the empty tray output gate 13.

[0029] The empty tray delivery gate 13 is provided on the same side as the receiving gate 2 (opposite the delivery gate 3) in the automated warehouse 100. This empty tray delivery gate 13 delivers the stacked empty trays ST0. The empty tray delivery section 14 transports the stacked empty trays ST0 to the sorting system 21, which is a sorting and storage section that sorts and stores eggs E in the empty trays T0. The empty tray delivery section 14 in this embodiment transports the stacked empty trays ST0 to a plurality of empty tray supply sections 21a in the sorting system 21. Here, the empty tray delivery gate 13 is connected to one empty tray delivery section 14 and a sub-transport section 14x in parallel therewith. This allows two rows of stacked empty trays ST0 (a total of four stacked empty trays ST0 in this embodiment) to be delivered at a time. The stacked empty trays ST0 delivered to the sub-transport section 14x are transferred to the empty tray delivery section 14 by a transfer section 14y such as a pusher. The transfer section 14y is controlled by the management device CTL.

[0030] Here, the empty tray discharge section 14 has a waiting section 15 that temporarily waits on the way until the stacked empty trays ST0 reach the sorting system 21. The waiting section 15 secures the waiting time until it becomes necessary to supply the stacked empty trays ST0 to the empty tray supply section 21a. The waiting section 15 in this embodiment is configured by the length of the carry-in path by securing the distance from the empty tray delivery gate 13 to the sorting system 21. When the stacked empty trays ST0 are made to wait by the waiting section 15, for example, the stacked empty trays ST0 can be made to wait by stopping them with a stopper (not shown) provided on the downstream side of the waiting section 15 (just before the sorting system 21). With this configuration, the stacked empty trays ST0 are not supplied to the empty tray supply section 21a until it becomes necessary to supply the stacked empty trays ST0 to the empty tray supply section 21a. The stopper is controlled by the management device CTL.

[0031] Moreover, the management device CTL controls not only the storing and distributing operations of the stacked trays ST in the automated warehouse 100 but also the storing and distributing operations of the stacked empty trays ST0. Here, the management device CTL manages not only the number of stacked trays ST stored in the storage shelves 4 and their stored positions but also information on vacant storage shelves 4.

[0032] The management device CTL then controls the empty tray carry-in unit 9 and the like to store the stacked empty trays ST0 at the empty tray receiving gate 8, and controls the transfer device 5 to move and store the stacked empty trays ST0 stored at the empty tray receiving gate 8 to an empty storage shelf 4. This storing operation of the stacked empty trays ST0 is performed, for example, between the storing operation and the outgoing operation of the stacked trays ST.

[0033] The management device CTL also controls the transfer device 5 to move the stacked empty trays ST0 stored in the storage shelf 4 to the empty tray outgoing gate 13, and controls the empty tray discharge unit 14 and the like to supply the stacked empty trays ST0 to the empty tray supply unit 21a. This outgoing operation of the stacked empty trays ST0 is performed, for example, between the ingoing operation and the outgoing operation of the stacked trays ST. The management device CTL may also control the transfer device 5 to move the stacked empty trays ST0 stored in the empty tray ingoing gate 8 to the empty tray outgoing gate 13.

[0034] <Effects of this embodiment> According to the automated warehouse 100 of this embodiment, by storing an empty tray T0 (stacked empty tray ST0) at the empty tray entrance gate 8, the empty tray T0 (stacked empty tray ST0) can be stored on the storage shelf 4 using the transfer device 5 of the automated warehouse 100. In addition, the empty tray T0 (stacked empty tray ST0) can be transferred to the entrance gate 2 side using the transfer device 5.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, empty trays T0 (stacked empty trays ST0) generated by the packaging system 22 can be stored in the empty tray input gate 8 by the empty tray loading section 9, and then removed from the empty tray output gate 13 by the transfer device 5.

[0036] As a result, there is no need to manually return empty trays T0 (stacked empty trays ST0) to the entrance gate 2 side of the automated warehouse 100. In addition, there is no need to use a conveyor or automatic transport device for transporting empty trays T0 (stacked empty trays ST0) to the entrance gate 2 side separately from the automated warehouse 100, which can simplify the equipment.

[0037] <Modified embodiment of the present invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0038] For example, in the above embodiment, the storage shelf 4 is configured to store stacked empty trays ST0, which are empty trays T0 stacked in layers, but the storage shelf 4 may also be configured to store empty trays T0 that are not stacked in layers.

[0039] In addition, in the above embodiment, two empty tray carrying-in parts 9 are connected to one empty tray entrance gate 8, but one empty tray carrying-in part 9 may be connected. Also, the empty tray carrying-in parts 9 branched off from the stacking device 23 may be connected to different empty tray entrance gates 8.

[0040] Furthermore, the empty tray discharge unit 14 in the above embodiment may be configured to be connected to the sorting system 21, or may be configured to be connected to other devices such as a tray cleaning device 24 as shown in FIG.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the stacking tray entrance side and the stacking tray exit side are provided on opposite sides of the automated warehouse 100, but for example, when the automated warehouse 100 is installed against the wall of a building, the stacking tray entrance side and the stacking tray exit side may be provided on the same side. In this case, the entrance gate 2 and the exit gate 3 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. It is also possible to arrange a partition wall between the entrance gate 2 and the exit gate 3. When a partition wall is arranged, the empty tray entrance gate 8 is arranged on the exit gate 3 side of the partition wall.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100···Automated warehouse E...Egg ST...Stacking Tray T0: Empty tray 2. Entry gate 3. Exit gate 4 Storage Shelves 5...Transfer device 8. Empty Tray Entry Gate 9 Empty tray loading area 10...Standby section 13 Empty tray exit gate 14 Empty tray discharge section 15...Standby section 21. Sorting and storage section 22b Processing section (packaging device)

Claims

1. An automated warehouse in which stacked trays containing eggs are moved from an entrance gate to a storage shelf by a transfer device, and from the storage shelf to an exit gate by the transfer device, The automated warehouse is provided with an empty tray receiving gate through which empty trays generated by processing the delivered stacked trays are received.

2. 2. The automated warehouse according to claim 1, further comprising an empty tray loading section connected to a processing section that processes the unloaded stacked trays and that loads the empty trays from the processing section to the empty tray input gate.

3. The automated warehouse according to claim 2 , wherein the empty tray carrying-in section has a waiting section for temporarily waiting the empty tray on its way until it reaches the empty tray receiving gate.

4. an empty tray exit gate from which the empty trays are delivered; an empty tray discharge unit that discharges the empty tray from the empty tray delivery gate, 4. The automated warehouse according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the empty tray discharge section transports the empty trays to a sorting and storage section where eggs are sorted and stored in the empty trays, and further includes a waiting section for temporarily waiting the empty trays on their way until they reach the sorting and storage section.

Images