Picking facility

Abstract

To provide a picking facility capable of flexibly and efficiently changing the operation mode according to a handling amounts of luggage.SOLUTION: A picking facility includes: a picking part 4 where picking work is performed to store a luggage X in a container Y; a plurality of luggage conveyance robots 8 that convey the luggage X and travel to convey the luggage X to the picking part 4; a plurality of container conveyance robots 9 that convey the container Y and travel to convey the container Y to the picking part 4; and a control part 10c that controls the luggage conveyance robots 8 and the container conveyance robots 9.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to picking equipment.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses picking equipment for storing luggage placed on a flow rack in a container. The picking equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a roller conveyor for transporting the container. In such picking equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operator picks up luggage from the flow rack and stores the picked-up articles in a plurality of containers flowing on the roller conveyor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, when an operator performs the operation of storing luggage from a shelf such as the flow rack of Patent Document 1 into a container, it is necessary to arrange the shelf and the roller conveyor within the reach of the operator's hand. Such devices such as the shelf and the roller conveyor are large and fixed. Therefore, in the picking equipment of Patent Document 1, the equipment layout cannot be easily changed. Thus, when the amount of luggage handled is small, the equipment capacity may be excessive, or when the amount of luggage handled is large, the equipment capacity may be insufficient. As described above, in the picking equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operation mode cannot be flexibly and efficiently changed according to the amount of luggage handled or the like.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to enable flexible and efficient change of the operation mode according to the amount of luggage handled or the like in picking equipment.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present invention adopts the following configuration as means for solving the above problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention includes a picking section where picking work for accommodating packages in a shipping package container is performed, a plurality of package conveying devices that convey the packages to the picking section by driving while carrying the packages, a plurality of container conveying devices that convey the shipping package containers to the picking section by driving while carrying the shipping package containers, and a control section that controls the package conveying devices and the container conveying devices.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a package conveying device carrying a package can drive and approach a picking section where picking work for accommodating packages in a shipping package container is performed. Also, a container conveying device carrying a shipping package container can drive and approach the picking section. That is, the present invention brings packages and shipping package containers closer to the location where picking work is performed, rather than bringing workers or picking robots closer to fixed shelves or conveyors. According to such a present invention, the position and the number of installations of the picking section can be easily changed, and in picking facilities, it becomes possible to flexibly and efficiently change the operation mode according to the handling quantity of packages and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0011] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a planar schematic view showing the schematic configuration of the picking equipment 1 of the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the picking equipment 1 of the present embodiment. The picking equipment 1 of the present embodiment is equipment for sorting the luggage X arranged in the warehousing section 2 for each type into a container Y (shipping luggage container) transported to the shipping destination.

[0012] In this embodiment, a configuration for accommodating the luggage X in the container Y will be described. That is, in this embodiment, the shipping luggage container is the container Y. However, the shipping luggage container does not necessarily have to be the container Y, and it may be a cardboard box.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the picking equipment 1 of the present embodiment includes a warehousing section 2, a shipping section 3, a picking section 4, a low-frequency luggage placement section 5, a luggage placement shelf 6, a container placement shelf 7 (container placement shelf), a luggage transfer robot 8 (luggage transfer device), a container transfer robot 9 (container transfer device), and a control unit 10.

[0014] The storage unit 2 is the part where the luggage X is stored from the outside. This storage unit 2 can be, for example, a part of the floor surface inside the building where the picking facility 1 is provided. That is, the storage unit 2 can be an area that physically or virtually divides a part of the floor surface. However, the storage unit 2 may be equipped with a device for receiving the luggage X from the outside or moving the luggage X within the storage unit 2.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such a storage unit 2 is formed to have a size capable of arranging a plurality of luggage placement shelves 6. Also, in the storage unit 2, it is possible to replenish the luggage X to the placed luggage placement shelf 6.

[0016] That is, in the storage unit 2, for example, the same type of luggage X is replenished to the luggage placement shelf 6 where the placed luggage X is stored in the container Y, creating a placement space. Such replenishment of the luggage X may be performed by an operator or by a robot.

[0017] The shipping unit 3 is the part where the container Y containing the luggage X is carried out from the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment. This shipping unit 3 can be, like the storage unit 2, for example, a part of the floor surface inside the building where the picking facility 1 is provided. That is, the shipping unit 3 can be an area that physically or virtually divides a part of the floor surface. Naturally, such a shipping unit 3 is provided so as not to overlap with the storage unit 2. Note that the shipping unit 3 may be equipped with a device for delivering the container Y to the outside or moving the container Y within the shipping unit 3.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such a shipping unit 3 is formed to have a size capable of arranging a plurality of container placement shelves 7. Also, in the shipping unit 3, it is possible to deliver the container Y to the container placement shelf 7.

[0019] That is, in the shipping section 3, for example, a new container Y is placed on the container placement shelf 7 where a placement space is created by the external removal of the container Y. The transfer of such a container Y to the container placement shelf 7 may be performed by an operator or by a robot.

[0020] These receiving section 3 and shipping section 3 can be freely arranged with respect to the floor surface of the picking facility 1. That is, in the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment, the receiving section 3 and the shipping section 3 can be freely laid out within a predetermined range in consideration of the shape of the floor surface and the relationship with other facilities.

[0021] The picking section 4 is a part where a picking operation of storing the goods X in the container Y is performed. This picking section 4 can be, for example, a part of the floor surface inside the building where the picking facility 1 is provided, similar to the receiving section 2 and the shipping section 3. That is, the picking section 4 can be an area that physically or virtually partitions a part of the floor surface. Also, in the present embodiment, an operator P gets on the picking section 4. For this reason, it is preferable that the picking section 4 is provided with a base or a mark so that the operator P can recognize the picking section 4.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the picking section 4 is preferably located between the receiving section 2 and the shipping section 3. By the picking section 4 being located between the receiving section 2 and the shipping section 3, the traveling distances of the goods transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9 can be shortened.

[0023] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of picking sections 4 can be provided. That is, the picking facility 1 can be provided with a plurality of picking sections 4. However, the number of installed picking sections 4 can be changed. In the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment, since the picking section 4 has a simple configuration such that a base or a mark is provided as described above, the increase or decrease of the picking section 4 can be easily performed.

[0024] In addition, the picking unit 4 can be freely arranged with respect to the floor surface of the picking facility 1. That is, in the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment, for example, without considering the installation positions of the warehousing unit 3 and the shipping unit 3, the picking unit 4 can be freely laid out within a predetermined range.

[0025] In FIG. 2, only one picking unit 4 is illustrated for the sake of drawing. However, as described above, the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment is assumed to include a plurality of picking units 4.

[0026] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the picking unit 4 is formed in a regular octagon when viewed from above. The picking unit 4 can have the luggage transfer robot 8 or the container transfer robot 9 arranged adjacent to each side of such a regular octagon. That is, the picking unit 4 can have a plurality of luggage transfer robots 8 and a plurality of container transfer robots 9 arranged adjacent to each other simultaneously. For this reason, the worker P working in the picking unit 4 can transfer the luggage X between the plurality of luggage placement shelves 6 and the plurality of container placement shelves 7.

[0027] Note that the shape of the picking unit 4 when viewed from above does not necessarily have to be a regular octagon. However, the shape of the picking unit 4 when viewed from above is preferably a shape that allows a plurality of luggage transfer robots 8 and a plurality of container transfer robots 9 to be arranged adjacent to each other simultaneously. Also, not all of the plurality of provided picking units 4 need to have the same shape.

[0028] The low-frequency cargo placement section 5 is the part where the cargo X with a low shipping frequency is placed. This low-frequency cargo placement section 5 can be, for example, a part of the floor surface inside the building where the picking facility 1 is provided, similar to the receiving section 2 and the shipping section 3. That is, the low-frequency cargo placement section 5 can be an area that physically or virtually demarcates a part of the floor surface. Naturally, such a low-frequency cargo placement section 5 is provided so as not to overlap with the shipping section 3 and the receiving section 2. Note that the low-frequency cargo placement section 5 may be equipped with a device for delivering the cargo X to the outside or moving the cargo X within the low-frequency cargo placement section 5.

[0029] The cargo placement shelf 6 is a shelf on which a plurality of cargos X can be placed. In the present embodiment, the cargo placement shelf 6 has an upper shelf and a lower shelf, each of which can place a cargo X. However, the number of shelves provided in the cargo placement shelf 6 can be changed.

[0030] Such a cargo placement shelf 6 has a space formed at the lower part where the cargo transfer robot 8 can enter, and is formed in a size and shape that can be supported from below by the cargo transfer robot 8 that has entered this space. In the present embodiment, the cargo X is placed on the cargo placement shelf 6 in a state of being accommodated in the container Z. However, the cargo X may be directly placed on the cargo placement shelf 6.

[0031] The container placement shelf 7 is a shelf on which a plurality of containers Y can be placed. In the present embodiment, the container placement shelf 7 has an upper shelf and a lower shelf, each of which can place a container Y. However, the number of shelves provided in the container placement shelf 7 can be changed.

[0032] Such a container placement shelf 7 has a space formed at the lower part where the container transfer robot 9 can enter, and is formed in a size and shape that can be supported from below by the container transfer robot 9 that has entered this space.

[0033] These luggage placement shelves 6 and container placement shelves 7 may have the same shape. By making the luggage placement shelves 6 and the container placement shelves 7 have the same shape, the luggage placement shelves 6 can be used as container placement shelves 7 as needed, or the container placement shelves 7 can be used as luggage placement shelves 6 as needed.

[0034] The luggage transfer robot 8 transfers the luggage X to the picking unit 4 by carrying the luggage X and traveling. A plurality of luggage transfer robots 8 are provided. Each luggage transfer robot 8 transfers the luggage X between the storage unit 2 and the picking unit 4. As such a luggage transfer robot 8, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) that automatically travels under the control of the control unit 10 can be used.

[0035] The luggage transfer robot 8 can enter the space below the luggage placement shelf 6 and travel so as to horizontally move the luggage placement shelf 6. The luggage transfer robot 8 transfers the luggage X by moving the luggage placement shelf 6 between the storage unit 2 and the picking unit 4.

[0036] The container transfer robot 9 transfers the container Y to the picking unit 4 by carrying the container Y and traveling. A plurality of container transfer robots 9 are provided. Each container transfer robot 9 transfers the container Y between the shipping unit 3 and the picking unit 4. As such a container transfer robot 9, an autonomous mobile robot that automatically travels under the control of the control unit 10 can be used.

[0037] The container transfer robot 9 can enter the space below the container placement shelf 7 and travel so as to horizontally move the container placement shelf 7. The container transfer robot 9 transfers the container Y by moving the container placement shelf 7 between the shipping unit 3 and the picking unit 4.

[0038] In addition, the container transfer robot 9 can transfer the container Y to the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5. By the container transfer robot 9 transferring the container Y to the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5, for example, an operator P working at the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5 can store the luggage X placed on the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5 in the container Y.

[0039] These luggage transfer robots 8 and container transfer robot 9 may be AMRs of the same shape. By making the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9 AMRs of the same shape, the luggage transfer robot 8 can be used as the container transfer robot 9 as needed, or the container transfer robot 9 can be used as the luggage transfer robot 8 as needed.

[0040] The control unit 10 controls the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the control unit 10 includes a camera 10a, a wireless communication device 10b, and a control unit 10c.

[0041] The camera 10a images the range including the storage unit 2, the shipping unit 3, the picking unit 4, and the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5, and outputs imaging data. This imaging data includes, for example, the availability of the picking unit 4, the positions of the luggage shelves 6 and the loading status of the luggage X, the positions of the container shelves 7 and the loading status of the container Y, the position of the luggage transfer robot 8 and the transfer status of the luggage shelves 6, and the position of the container transfer robot 9 and the transfer status of the container shelves 7.

[0042] That is, the camera 10a acquires information (hereinafter referred to as status information) indicating the states of the storage unit 2, the shipping unit 3, the picking unit 4, the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5, the luggage shelves 6, the container shelves 7, the luggage transfer robot 8, and the container transfer robot 9.

[0043] Note that the device for acquiring the status information is not limited to the camera 10a. For example, it is also possible to provide various sensors as the device for acquiring the status information. In addition to the camera 10a, other sensors may be installed.

[0044] The wireless communication device 10b is a device that performs wireless communication with the luggage transport robot 8 and the container transport robot 9. The wireless communication device 10b is connected to the control unit 10c, transmits commands from the control unit 10c to the luggage transport robot 8 and the container transport robot 9, and transmits received signals from the luggage transport robot 8 and the container transport robot 9 to the control unit 10c.

[0045] The control unit 10c performs arithmetic processing for controlling the luggage transport robot 8 and the container transport robot 9. The control unit 10c is, for example, a computer device. Such a control unit 10c includes a memory that stores programs (software) and the like for controlling the luggage transport robot 8 and the container transport robot 9, and hardware such as a processor that performs various operations, and has a functional unit embodied by the cooperation of the hardware and the software. Note that a part of the arithmetic processing performed by the control unit 10c can also be performed by, for example, the luggage transport robot 8 and the container transport robot 9, or a higher-level control device (not shown).

[0046] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the picking facility 1 performed under the control of such a control unit 10c.

[0047] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 10c acquires shipping information input from the outside (step S1). This shipping information includes information on the shipping destination and information indicating the type and quantity of the luggage X required by the shipping destination.

[0048] Subsequently, the control unit 10c searches for the unused container Y placed on and not used by the shipping unit 3 based on the above state information, and selects the unused container Y based on the search result (step S2). Further, the control unit 10c searches for a picking unit 4 with an empty space, and selects the picking unit 4 with an empty space based on the search result (step S3).

[0049] Subsequently, the control unit 10c causes the container transfer robot 9 to transfer the container Y selected in step S2 to the picking unit 4 selected in step S3 (step S4). Further, based on the shipping information, the control unit 10c causes the luggage transfer robot 8 to transfer the luggage X required by the shipping destination to the picking unit 4 selected in step S3 (step S5). Note that when there are multiple types of luggage X required by the shipping destination, the control unit 10c causes a plurality of luggage transfer robots 8 to transfer the luggage X to the picking unit 4.

[0050] Based on the status information, the control unit 10c waits at the picking unit 4 selected in step S3 until the operation of storing the luggage X in the container Y (picking operation) is completed (step S6).

[0051] When the control unit 10c determines that the picking operation has been completed, it returns the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9 (step S7). Here, the control unit 10c returns the luggage transfer robot 8 from the picking unit 4 to the storage unit 2 and returns the container transfer robot 9 from the picking unit 4 to the shipping unit 3.

[0052] Note that when the control unit 10c determines based on the shipping information that it is necessary to store the luggage X placed on the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5 in the container Y, the control unit 10c causes the container transfer robot 9 to return from the picking unit 4 to the shipping unit 3 via the low-frequency luggage placement unit 5.

[0053] The picking facility 1 of the present embodiment as described above includes a picking unit 4, a luggage transfer robot 8, a container transfer robot 9, and a control unit 10c. The picking unit 4 performs a picking operation of storing the luggage X in the container Y. The luggage transfer robot 8 transports the luggage X to the picking unit 4 by driving while carrying the luggage X. Also, a plurality of luggage transfer robots 8 are provided. The container transfer robot 9 transports the container Y to the picking unit 4 by driving while carrying the container Y. Also, a plurality of container transfer robots 9 are provided. The control unit 10c controls the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9.

[0054] According to the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, the luggage carrier robot 8 on which the luggage X is placed can travel and approach the picking unit 4 where the picking operation of storing the luggage X in the container Y is performed. Further, the container carrier robot 9 on which the container Y is placed can travel and approach the picking unit 4. That is, in the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, instead of bringing an operator or a picking robot close to a fixed shelf or conveyor, the luggage X and the container Y are brought close to the location where the picking operation is performed. According to the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, the position and the number of installations of the picking unit 4 can be changed as needed, and in the picking facility 1, it is possible to flexibly and efficiently change the operation mode according to the handling amount of the luggage X and the like.

[0055] Further, in the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, the luggage carrier robot 8 and the container carrier robot 9 are autonomous traveling carrier robots that automatically travel under the control of the control unit 10c. According to the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to safely travel the luggage carrier robot 8 and the container carrier robot 9 in the same space as the operator P.

[0056] Further, the picking facility 1 of this embodiment includes a luggage placement shelf 6 and a storage unit 2. The luggage placement shelf 6 can place a plurality of luggage X. The storage unit 2 can arrange a plurality of luggage placement shelves 6 and can replenish the luggage X to the luggage placement shelf 6. Further, the luggage carrier robot 8 conveys the luggage X by moving the luggage placement shelf 6 between the storage unit 2 and the picking unit 4.

[0057] According to the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, by moving the luggage placement shelf 6 with the luggage carrier robot 8, a plurality of luggage X can be conveyed by one luggage carrier robot 8 at the same time. Therefore, according to the picking facility 1 of this embodiment, the luggage X can be efficiently moved.

[0058] In addition, the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment includes a container placement shelf 7 and a shipping section 3. The container placement shelf 7 can place the container Y. The shipping section 3 can arrange a plurality of container placement shelves 7 and can transfer the container Y to and from the container placement shelf 7. Further, the container transfer robot 9 transfers the container Y by moving the container placement shelf 7 between the shipping section 3 and the picking section 4.

[0059] According to the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the container Y can be transferred by the container transfer robot 9 with the container Y placed on the container placement shelf 7. Therefore, it is possible to easily transfer the container Y regardless of the shape of the container Y.

[0060] In addition, the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment includes a low-frequency cargo placement section 5. The low-frequency cargo placement section 5 places the cargo X with a low shipping frequency. Further, the container transfer robot 9 can transfer the container Y to and from the low-frequency cargo placement section 5.

[0061] According to the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to prevent the space in the warehousing section 2 from being occupied by the cargo X with a low shipping frequency. Therefore, according to the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently move the cargo X in the warehousing section 2.

[0062] In addition, in the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of cargo transfer robots 8 and a plurality of container transfer robots 9 can be arranged adjacent to each other simultaneously. According to the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, for example, it is possible to efficiently accommodate a plurality of types of cargo X in one container Y or efficiently accommodate the same type of cargo in a plurality of containers Y.

[0063] In addition, the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of picking sections 4. According to the picking facility 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, picking operations can be performed at a plurality of locations simultaneously. Therefore, it is possible to increase the processing speed of the picking operations.

[0064] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the description of this embodiment, the parts similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified in their description.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the luggage placement shelf 6 provided in the picking equipment of this embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the container placement shelf 7 provided in the picking equipment of this embodiment. As shown in these figures, in this embodiment, an indicator 11 is provided for each shelf of the luggage placement shelf 6 and the container placement shelf 7.

[0066] Each indicator 11 can selectively emit light in one of a plurality of colors such as red, green, and blue. Further, each indicator 11 can be controlled by a control unit 10c via a wireless communication device 10b. These indicators 11 indicate to the operator P the container Y in which the luggage X should be stored.

[0067] For example, when the indicator 11 provided for the lower shelf of the luggage placement shelf 6 emits red light and the indicator 11 provided for the upper shelf of the container placement shelf 7 also emits red light, the luggage X placed on the lower shelf of the luggage placement shelf 6 is stored in the container Y placed on the upper shelf of the container placement shelf 7. The emission color of these indicators 11 is controlled by the control unit 10c based on shipping information and status information.

[0068] By providing such an indicator 11, the operator P can easily identify the storage destination of the luggage X. Therefore, according to the picking equipment of this embodiment, the operator P can perform the picking operation efficiently.

[0069] (Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the description of this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified in the description.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a planar schematic view showing a schematic configuration of the picking facility 1A of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the picking facility 1A of this embodiment includes an operation terminal 12 operated by an operator P. The operation terminal 12 enables the operator P to input the working state. Further, the operation terminal 12 can communicate with the control unit 10c via the wireless communication device 10b.

[0071] According to the picking facility 1A of this embodiment as described above, the operator P can input the state of the picking unit 4 where each is working to the operation terminal 12. Therefore, the control unit 10c can acquire more accurate state information. Accordingly, the control unit 10c can efficiently control the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9 based on the more accurate state information.

[0072] As described above, the picking facility 1A of this embodiment includes the operation terminal 12 for inputting the working state in the picking unit 4. Further, the control unit 10c controls the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9 based on the input information from the operation terminal 12. According to the picking facility 1A of this embodiment as described above, the luggage transfer robot 8 and the container transfer robot 9 can be efficiently controlled.

[0073] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the description of this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified in the description.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a planar schematic view showing a schematic configuration of the picking facility 1B of this embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the picking facility 1B of this embodiment, each picking unit 4 includes a picking robot 4a.

[0075] The picking robot 4a performs picking operations on behalf of the operator P. According to such a picking facility 1B of the present embodiment, for example, picking operations can be performed even at night, and more picking operations can be performed.

[0076] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The various shapes and combinations of the respective constituent members shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077] In addition, the above embodiments can also be described as follows, for example, in the following supplementary notes.

[0078] (Supplementary Note 1) A picking unit where picking operations for storing luggage in a shipping luggage container are performed; A plurality of luggage transport devices that transport the luggage to the picking unit by driving while carrying the luggage; A plurality of container transport devices that transport the shipping luggage container to the picking unit by driving while carrying the shipping luggage container; A control unit that controls the luggage transport device and the container transport device A picking facility characterized by comprising.

[0079] (Supplementary Note 2) The picking facility according to Supplementary Note 1, characterized in that the picking unit can be arranged at an arbitrary position within a predetermined range.

[0080] (Supplementary Note 3) The picking facility according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, characterized in that the luggage transport device and the container transport device are autonomous driving transport robots that automatically drive under the control of the control unit.

[0081] (Supplementary Note 4) A luggage placement shelf capable of placing a plurality of the luggages, a plurality of the luggage placement shelves can be arranged, and a storage section capable of replenishing the luggages to the luggage placement shelf are provided, the luggage conveying device conveys the luggages by moving the luggage placement shelf between the storage section and the picking section The picking facility according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that.

[0082] (Appendix 5) a container placement shelf capable of placing the shipping luggage container, a plurality of the container placement shelves can be arranged, and a shipping section capable of delivering the shipping luggage container to the container placement shelf are provided, the container conveying device conveys the shipping luggage container by moving the container placement shelf between the shipping section and the picking section The picking facility according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, characterized in that.

[0083] (Appendix 6) a low-frequency luggage placement section on which the luggages with low shipping frequency are placed is provided, the container conveying device is capable of conveying the shipping luggage container to the low-frequency luggage placement section The picking facility according to Appendix 5, characterized in that.

[0084] (Appendix 7) The picking facility according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6, characterized in that the picking section can simultaneously and adjacently arrange a plurality of the luggage conveying devices and a plurality of the container conveying devices.

[0085] (Appendix 8) The picking facility according to Appendix 7, characterized in that an indicator indicating the shipping luggage container for accommodating the luggages is provided.

[0086] (Appendix 9) It is equipped with an operation terminal for inputting the working state in the picking unit. The control unit controls the luggage conveying device and the container conveying device based on the input information from the operation terminal. The picking equipment according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8, characterized in the above.

[0087] (Appendix 10) The picking unit is provided with a picking robot for accommodating the luggage conveyed by the luggage conveying device in the shipping luggage container conveyed by the container conveying device. The picking equipment according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7, characterized in the above.

[0088] (Appendix 11) The picking equipment according to any one of Appendices 1 to 10, characterized by including a plurality of the picking units.

Explanation of symbols

[0089] 1... Picking equipment, 1A... Picking equipment, 1B... Picking equipment, 2... Inbound department, 3... Shipping department, 4... Picking unit, 4a... Picking robot, 5... Low-frequency luggage placement area, 6... Luggage placement shelf, 7... Container placement shelf (container placement shelf), 8... Luggage conveying robot (luggage conveying device), 9... Container conveying robot (container conveying device), 10... Control unit, 10a... Camera, 10b... Wireless communication device, 10c... Control unit, 11... Indicator, 12... Operation terminal, P... Operator, X... Luggage, Y... Container (shipping luggage container), Z... Container

Claims

1. A picking section where a picking operation of accommodating the goods in a shipping goods container is performed; A plurality of goods transfer devices that transfer the goods to the picking section by driving while carrying the goods; A plurality of container transfer devices that transfer the shipping goods container to the picking section by driving while carrying the shipping goods container; A control section that controls the goods transfer device and the container transfer device A picking facility characterized by comprising these.

2. The picking facility according to Claim 1, characterized in that the picking section can be arranged at an arbitrary position within a predetermined range.

3. The picking facility according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the goods transfer device and the container transfer device are autonomous driving transfer robots that automatically drive under the control of the control section.

4. A goods placement shelf on which a plurality of the goods can be placed; A plurality of the goods placement shelves can be arranged, and a warehousing section where the goods can be replenished to the goods placement shelf are provided, The goods transfer device transfers the goods by moving the goods placement shelf between the warehousing section and the picking section. The picking facility according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.

5. A container placement shelf on which the shipping goods container can be placed; A plurality of the container placement shelves can be arranged, and a shipping section where the shipping goods container can be delivered to the container placement shelf are provided, The container transfer device transfers the shipping goods container by moving the container placement shelf between the shipping section and the picking section. The picking facility according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized by this.

6. A low-frequency goods placement section on which the goods with a low shipping frequency are placed is provided, The container transfer device can transfer the shipping goods container to the low-frequency goods placement section. The picking facility according to Claim 4, characterized by this.

7. The picking facility according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the picking section can arrange a plurality of the goods transfer devices and a plurality of the container transfer devices adjacent to each other at the same time.

8. The picking facility according to Claim 6, characterized by comprising an indicator indicating the shipping goods container in which the goods are to be accommodated.

9. A picking facility according to claim 6, comprising an operation terminal for inputting the working state in the picking section, The control unit controls the luggage conveying device and the container conveying device based on input information from the operation terminal. The picking facility according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

10. The picking unit includes a picking robot that stores the luggage conveyed by the luggage conveying device in the shipping luggage container conveyed by the container conveying device. The picking facility according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

11. The picking facility according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of the picking units are provided.

Images