Stacking pattern creation device and method

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of a stacking work of articles in a stacking pattern creation device and its method.SOLUTION: A stacking pattern creation device comprises: a stacking pattern creation part 21 for creating a plurality of stacking patterns in which stacking arrangement and stacking order are set on the basis of dimension of a pallet P and dimension of an article R; and a stacking pattern selection part 22 for selecting an optimum stacking pattern on the basis of a preset selection condition from the plurality of stacking patterns created by the stacking pattern creation part 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a loading pattern creation device and method for loading items onto a pallet. [Background technology]

[0002] When selecting and shipping specific items, a palletizer picks up the items placed on a specific pallet and moves them to a pallet for shipping. There are several possible patterns for stacking multiple items on a pallet. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a stacking pattern creation device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-83486 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When creating multiple patterns for loading multiple items onto a pallet, it is necessary to consider not only the number of items to be loaded onto the pallet, but also the operation of the palletizer to grip the items and transport them onto the pallet.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a stowage pattern creation device and method that improves the efficiency of the stowage work of goods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the stowage pattern creation device of the present disclosure comprises: a stowage pattern creation unit that creates a plurality of stowage patterns in which stowage arrangements and stowage orders are set based on the dimensions of the pallet and the dimensions of the items; and a stowage pattern selection unit that selects an optimal stowage pattern from the plurality of stowage patterns created by the stowage pattern creation unit based on preset selection conditions.

[0007] The stowage pattern creation method of the present disclosure also includes the steps of creating a plurality of stowage patterns in which the stowage arrangement and stowage order are set based on the dimensions of the pallet and the dimensions of the items, and selecting an optimal stowage pattern from the plurality of stowage patterns based on preset selection conditions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the stowage pattern creation device and method of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the stowage work of goods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stowage pattern creation device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the positional relationship with the stacking pallet palletizer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the stowage pattern creation method of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a brick laying pattern. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a pinhole stacking pattern. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of a brick laying pattern. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another example of a pinhole stacking pattern. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of pinhole stacking patterns. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and when there are multiple embodiments, the present disclosure also includes configurations that combine the embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range.

[0011] <Stacking pattern creation device> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a stowage pattern creation device according to this embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the stacking pattern creation device 10 creates a stacking pattern for the items R on a pallet P when stacking multiple items R on the pallet P. Here, the stacking pattern has information on the stacking arrangement and stacking order of the items R on the pallet P, and the stacking layer of the pattern. The stacking arrangement has the position and orientation of the items R on the pallet P.

[0013] The stowage pattern creation device 10 includes a stowage pattern control unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0014] The stowage pattern control unit 11 includes a stowage pattern creation unit 21 and a stowage pattern selection unit 22.

[0015] The stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a plurality of stacking patterns in which stacking arrangements and stacking orders are set based on the dimensions of the pallet P and the dimensions of the items R. The stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates, as the plurality of stacking patterns, a brick stacking pattern and a pinhole stacking pattern, which are different types of stacking arrangements.

[0016] The stowage pattern created by the stowage pattern creation unit 21 sets the position and orientation of the items R on the pallet P as a stowage arrangement, and the stacking order. The position of the items R on the pallet P is information indicating at what position on the top surface of the pallet P the items R are placed. The orientation of the items R on the pallet P is information indicating the horizontal direction in degrees in which the items R are placed on the top surface of the pallet P. The information on the position and orientation of the items R on the pallet P as a stowage arrangement may be expressed using the position coordinates of each item R placed on the pallet P. Furthermore, the stacking order is information indicating the order in which the items R are to be stacked on the pallet P. The stacking order is set according to the positions of the pallet P and the palletizer (conveyor device) that stacks the items R on the pallet P.

[0017] When creating patterns for the second and subsequent tiers, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates multiple stacking patterns for the first tier, excluding patterns in which items R are stacked in a straight line. Stacking items R in a straight line means stacking the same items R in the same arrangement and in the same orientation. When items R are stacked in a straight line, each item R does not interlock with the surrounding items R, and therefore, when lateral shaking occurs, multiple items R stacked vertically like rods will fall over individually. For this reason, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 does not create stacking patterns in which items R are stacked in a straight line. When creating stacking patterns excluding patterns in which items R are stacked in a straight line, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates stacking patterns such that the stacking pattern for the first tier is different from the stacking pattern for the second tier, and so that the stacking pattern for the second tier is different from the stacking pattern for the third tier.

[0018] Furthermore, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 may create multiple stowage patterns based not only on the dimensions of the pallet P and the dimensions of the items R, but also on the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P. When there is no information on the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 sets a number that will result in a high loading rate of the items R for each different stowage pattern based on the dimensions of the pallet P, and creates multiple stowage patterns. On the other hand, when there is information on the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 creates multiple stowage patterns using the information on the number of items R. Furthermore, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 may output multiple stacking sequences for each stowage pattern, and select one according to the position of the pallet P and the palletizer (conveyor device) that stacks the items R on the pallet P.

[0019] The stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects an optimal stowage pattern from among the multiple stowage patterns created by the stowage pattern creation unit 21 based on preset selection conditions. The selection conditions are, for example, at least one of the maximum number of items R to be stacked, the minimum amount of overhang of the items R, and the minimum void area of ​​the pallet P. The maximum number of items R to be stacked is the maximum number of items R that can be stacked in one layer on the pallet P. The minimum amount of overhang of the items R is the minimum amount by which a portion of the items R overhangs horizontally outward from the edge of the pallet P when multiple items R are stacked in one layer on the pallet P. The minimum void area of ​​the pallet P is the minimum area of ​​the void area on the pallet P where no items R are placed when multiple items R are stacked in one layer on the pallet P. However, the minimum amount of overhang of the items R cannot exceed a predetermined allowable overhang amount.

[0020] The stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects, from among a plurality of stowage patterns, for example, a stowage pattern that has the largest number of items R stacked. Then, when a plurality of stowage patterns that have the largest number of items R stacked are selected, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects, for example, a stowage pattern that has the smallest amount of overhang of the items R. Furthermore, when a plurality of stowage patterns that have the smallest amount of overhang of the items R are selected, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects, for example, a stowage pattern that has the smallest void area of ​​the pallet P. Note that the order in which the selection conditions are applied is not limited to the order described above. Also, the selection conditions are not limited to those described above and may be set as appropriate. Furthermore, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 may select one from a plurality of stowage orders based on the installation position of the palletizer 32 and the arrangement of the pallets P.

[0021] The stowage pattern control unit 11 is a computer and includes a communication unit and a storage unit (not shown). The communication unit is capable of wireless communication with the palletizer control unit 31 (described later). The storage unit is a memory that stores various information such as calculation contents and programs, and includes at least one of a RAM, a main storage unit such as a ROM, and an external storage unit such as a HDD. The stowage pattern control unit 11 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU. The stowage pattern control unit 11 reads and executes a program (software) from the storage unit. The stowage pattern control unit 11 may execute processing using one CPU, or may be provided with multiple CPUs and execute processing using those multiple CPUs.

[0022] The input unit 12 is connected to the stacking pattern control unit 11. The input unit 12 can be operated by an operator to input information about the pallet P and information about the items R. The information about the pallet P includes the dimensions of the pallet P, such as the horizontal length of the pallet P and the horizontal length of the pallet P. The information about the items R includes the dimensions of the items R, such as the horizontal length of the items R. The information about the pallet P can also include the vertical height, and the information about the items can also include the vertical height and weight. The input unit 12 can be operated by an operator to input information about the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P. Furthermore, the input unit 12 can be operated by an operator to input information about the total number of items R to be stacked on the pallet P. The input unit 12 may also be configured to allow input of the gaps between the items R. This can be set appropriately depending on the amount of error (accuracy) that occurs when the equipment operates.

[0023] When a worker inputs information about a pallet P or information about an item R using the input unit 12, the worker can easily manage the information by linking it to an ID (identifier) ​​code. The input unit 12 can be operated by the worker. The input unit 12 is, for example, a keyboard or a touch-type display.

[0024] The output unit 13 is connected to the stowage pattern control unit 11. The output unit 13 outputs information on the optimum stowage pattern selected by the stowage pattern selection unit 22 to the outside.

[0025] The storage unit 14 is connected to the stowage pattern control unit 11. The storage unit 14 stores information on the optimum stowage pattern selected by the stowage pattern selection unit 22.

[0026] A palletizer control unit 31 is connected to the stacking pattern creation device 10. A palletizer 32 is connected to the palletizer control unit 31. The stacking pattern creation device 10 outputs information about the optimal stacking pattern created by the stacking pattern control unit 11 to the palletizer control unit 31 via the output unit 13. The palletizer control unit 31 controls the palletizer 32 based on the information about the optimal stacking pattern.

[0027] A display device 41 is connected to the stowage pattern creation device 10. The stowage pattern creation device 10 outputs information about the optimum stowage pattern created by the stowage pattern control unit 11 to the display device 41 via the output unit 13. The display device 41 displays the input information about the optimum stowage pattern. The display device 41 is, for example, a monitor or a printer.

[0028] <Palletizer> FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the positional relationship with the stacking pallet palletizer.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the palletizer 32 is a stacking device (conveying device) installed on the floor of the facility, and is capable of stacking items R onto a pallet P. The palletizer 32 is, for example, a robot having a multi-axis arm. The multi-axis arm picks up the items R and places the picked-up items R on the pallet P, thereby stacking the items R onto the pallet P. Note that the palletizer 32 is not limited to this configuration, and may have any structure capable of stacking the items R onto the pallet P.

[0030] A storage pallet P0 is placed on the floor to one side of the installation position of the palletizer 32, and a stacking pallet P1 is placed on the floor in front of it. The storage pallet P0 has multiple items R stacked on its top surface, while the stacking pallet P1 is empty with no items R stacked on its top surface. The palletizer 32 sequentially grasps the multiple items R stacked on the storage pallet P0 and stacks them onto the stacking pallet P1.

[0031] <Palletizer control unit> 1 and 2, the palletizer control unit 31 is connected to the palletizer 32 and is capable of controlling the palletizer 32. The palletizer control unit 31 is a computer and includes a communication unit and a storage unit (not shown). The communication unit is capable of wireless communication with the palletizer 32. The storage unit is a memory that stores various information such as calculation contents and programs, and includes at least one of, for example, a RAM, a main storage unit such as a ROM, and an external storage unit such as an HDD.

[0032] The palletizer control unit 31 includes an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU. The palletizer control unit 31 can control the palletizer 32 by reading and executing a program (software) from a storage unit. The palletizer control unit 31 may execute processing using one CPU, or may be provided with multiple CPUs and execute processing using the multiple CPUs.

[0033] The palletizer control unit 31 is connected to an integrated control device (not shown). The palletizer control unit 31 receives control commands from the integrated control device, receives information on the optimal stowage pattern from the stowage pattern creation device 10, controls the operation of the palletizer 32, and outputs information on the actual operation of the palletizer 32 to the integrated control device. The palletizer control unit 31 may also receive information on the pallets P and information on the total number of articles R to be stowed on the pallets P from the integrated control device.

[0034] Here, the Japan Pallet Association defines a pallet P as "a surface on which a single unit of cargo can be placed, with a structure that allows for all loading, transport, and storage by hand or by dedicated vehicles such as forklifts. This includes those with superstructures." In this embodiment, a pallet refers to a container or platform on which goods R are stacked. In other words, the pallet referred to here is not limited to a so-called flat platform, but also includes a cart or the like, and may be of any shape. Goods R are stacked on a pallet, such as goods to be shipped. Note that the term "goods R" also refers to cardboard boxes and the like in which goods are packed. At least the top surface Ra of the goods R is flat, and in this embodiment, a rectangular or cubic cardboard box is assumed.

[0035] <How to create a loading pattern> Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the stacking pattern creation method of this embodiment, Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of a brick stacking pattern, Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of a pinhole stacking pattern, Figure 6 is a plan view showing another example of a brick stacking pattern, and Figure 7 is a plan view showing another example of a pinhole stacking pattern.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, in step S11, the worker operates the input unit 12 to input information about the pallet P and the items R. In step S12, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a brick stacking pattern, and in step S13, it creates a pinhole stacking pattern.

[0037] That is, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a brick stacking pattern as shown in Fig. 4. In the brick stacking pattern, the stacking order is set so that when the palletizer 32 is placed above the stacking pallet P1 in Fig. 4, the items R are stacked from the rear side (the lower side in Fig. 4). In addition, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a pinhole stacking pattern as shown in Fig. 5(a). In the pinhole stacking pattern, the stacking order is set so that when the palletizer 32 is placed above the stacking pallet P1 in Fig. 5(a), the items R are stacked from the rear side (the lower side in Fig. 5(a)).

[0038] 1 and 3, in step S14, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects, from among the multiple stowage patterns, the stowage pattern that has the maximum number of items R stacked, as the optimal stowage pattern. In this embodiment, the maximum number of items R that can be stacked in the brick stacking pattern shown in FIG. 4 is 16, and the maximum number of items R that can be stacked in the pinhole stacking pattern shown in FIG. 5(a) is 18, so the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects the pinhole stacking pattern shown in FIG. 5(a) as the optimal stowage pattern. Note that the stowage pattern creation unit 21 does not create a stowage pattern in which items R are stacked in a straight line, and therefore creates a pinhole stacking pattern that is line-symmetrical on the left and right, as shown in FIG. 5(b), with respect to the pinhole stacking pattern in the first row, as shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0039] The processing of steps S12 to S14 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a brick stacking pattern as shown in FIG. 6(a). In the brick stacking pattern, a stacking order is set so that when the palletizer 32 is placed at the top of the stacking pallet P1 in FIG. 6(a), the articles R are stacked from the back side (the bottom side in FIG. 6(a)). In addition, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a pinhole stacking pattern as shown in FIG. 7(a). Here, the pinhole shape is not limited to a square or rectangular shape, and may be a pinhole shape such as that shown in FIG. 7(b). In the pinhole stacking pattern, a stacking order is set so that when the palletizer 32 is placed at the top of the stacking pallet P1 in FIG. 7(a), the articles R are stacked from the back side (the bottom side in FIG. 7). Also, for each stacking pattern, two stacking orders may be output (not shown): one for stacking from the far left side of the pallet P1 and one for stacking from the far right side. Furthermore, an order for stacking from the top to the bottom, rather than from the left to the right, may be output (not shown).

[0040] The stacking pattern selection unit 22 selects, from among a plurality of stacking patterns, the stacking pattern with the smallest amount of protrusion of the items R as the optimal stacking pattern. In this embodiment, the minimum protrusion amount of the items R in the brick stacking pattern shown in FIG. 6(a) is zero, and the minimum protrusion amount of the items R in the pinhole stacking pattern shown in FIG. 7 is present, so the stacking pattern selection unit 22 selects the brick stacking pattern shown in FIG. 6(a) as the optimal stacking pattern. Note that the stacking pattern creation unit 21 does not create a stacking pattern in which the items R are stacked in a straight line, so it creates a brick stacking pattern that is vertically symmetrical to the brick stacking pattern on the first level as shown in FIG. 6(a), as shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0041] 1 and 3, in step S15, the stowage pattern control unit 11 stores the optimal stowage pattern in the memory unit 14. In step S16, the stowage pattern control unit 11 outputs the optimal stowage pattern to the output unit 13, which stores and outputs the optimal stowage pattern to the display device 41. The display device 41 then displays the optimal stowage pattern on its monitor. Then, in step S17, the output unit 13 outputs the optimal stowage pattern to the palletizer control unit 31.

[0042] However, if the stacking pattern creation unit 21 cannot create any stacking patterns, the stacking pattern creation conditions may be relaxed. Here, the stacking pattern creation conditions include, for example, the tolerance for protrusion of the items R from the pallet P and the gap between adjacent items R. In other words, if the processing of steps S12 and S13 cannot create both the brick stacking pattern and the pinhole stacking pattern, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 may create the patterns again by changing the tolerance for protrusion of the items R or the gap between the items R.

[0043] Furthermore, when the stowage pattern creation unit 21 sets multiple stacking orders for one stowage pattern, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 may select a stowage pattern having an optimal stacking order depending on the position of the palletizer 32 relative to the pallet P. In other words, when multiple stacking orders are output, for the optimal stowage pattern, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects a stowage order that avoids interference between the multi-axis arm and the article R and minimizes the operating distance (operating range) of the multi-axis arm when the multi-axis arm operates to transport the article R from the storage pallet P0 to the pallet P1 relative to the installation position of the palletizer 32. Also, the stowage order that minimizes interference between the multi-axis arm of the palletizer 32 and the article is selected.

[0044] <Pinhole stacking pattern> FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a plurality of pinhole stacking patterns.

[0045] In the above-described stacking pattern creation method, when the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a pinhole stacking pattern, it may not be possible to create a pinhole stacking pattern depending on the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P. Furthermore, if it is possible to create a pinhole stacking pattern, it is necessary to select an appropriate pinhole stacking pattern from multiple pinhole stacking patterns.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 8, in step S21, a pinhole stowage determination is performed. When performing a pinhole stowage determination, information about the pallet P (horizontal length, horizontal width) and information about the item R (ID code of the item R, horizontal length, horizontal width) are required as determination conditions. Note that the vertical height may be added to the information about the pallet P, and the vertical height and weight may be added to the information about the item.

[0047] In the pinhole stacking determination, it is determined whether the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of a pallet P is a predetermined multiple. In other words, if it is determined that the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of a pallet P does not meet the predetermined multiple condition (No), the process is terminated. In this case, a pinhole stacking pattern cannot be created, and another stacking pattern (e.g., a brick stacking pattern) is created. However, if it is determined that the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of a pallet P is a specific number, for example, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, or 23, the process may be terminated. This is because, if the items R have a typical rectangular parallelepiped shape, a pinhole stacking pattern cannot be created if the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of a pallet P is 5, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, or 23.

[0048] On the other hand, if it is determined (Yes) that the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P is a predetermined multiple, for example, if the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of the pallet P is a multiple of 4, then in step S22 a general pinhole stacking pattern is created, or in step S23 a rectangular two-part pinhole stacking pattern is created.

[0049] Furthermore, if the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of pallet P is a multiple of 8, a two-part pinhole stacking pattern is created in step S24. If the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of pallet P is a multiple of 9, a two-pinhole stacking pattern is created in step S25. If the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of pallet P is a multiple of 2 that is 6 or greater, a rectangular pinhole stacking pattern is created in step S26. If the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of pallet P is a multiple of 16, a three-pinhole stacking pattern is created in step S27. If the number of items R to be stacked in one layer of pallet P is 25, a four-pinhole stacking pattern is created in step S28. In addition to these, conditions for a predetermined multiple may be added.

[0050] [Effects of this embodiment] The stowage pattern creation device according to the first aspect includes a stowage pattern creation unit 21 that creates a plurality of stowage patterns in which the stowage arrangement and stowage order are set based on the dimensions of the pallet P and the dimensions of the items R, and a stowage pattern selection unit 22 that selects an optimal stowage pattern from the plurality of stowage patterns created by the stowage pattern creation unit 21 based on preset selection conditions.

[0051] According to the stowage pattern creation device of the first aspect, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 creates multiple stowage patterns, and the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects the optimal stowage pattern from the multiple stowage patterns based on selection conditions, so that multiple items R can be stacked on a pallet P in an appropriate pattern, thereby improving the efficiency of the stowage work of the items R.

[0052] The stacking pattern creation device according to the second aspect is the stacking pattern creation device according to the first aspect, and furthermore, the stacking pattern creation unit 21 creates a brick stacking pattern and a pinhole stacking pattern, which are different types of stacking arrangements. As a result, the brick stacking pattern and the pinhole stacking pattern are created based on the dimensions of the pallet P and the dimensions of the items R, and the optimal stacking pattern is selected from the two stacking patterns, so that the efficiency of the stacking work of the items R can be improved by applying the existing stacking pattern.

[0053] The stowage pattern creation device according to the third aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to the first or second aspect, and further, the selection condition is at least one of the maximum number of items R to be stowed, the minimum amount of overhang of the items R, and the minimum void area of ​​the pallet P. This makes it possible to select the optimal stowage pattern depending on the type of items R, for example.

[0054] The stowage pattern creation device according to the fourth aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, and further, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 creates a plurality of stowage patterns based on the dimensions of the pallet P, the dimensions of the items R, and the number of items to be stowed in one layer of the pallet P. This makes it possible to create a desired stowage pattern by limiting the number of items to be stowed in one layer of the pallet P.

[0055] The stowage pattern creation device according to the fifth aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and further, the stowage pattern is one in which the positions, orientations, and stacking order of the items R on the pallet P are set. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the stowage work of the items R.

[0056] A stowage pattern creation device according to a sixth aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the stowage pattern creation unit 21 relaxes the stowage pattern creation conditions when it is unable to create a stowage pattern, thereby enabling the stowage pattern creation unit 21 to create at least one stowage pattern.

[0057] The stowage pattern creation device according to the seventh aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and further, the stacking order is set according to the position of the palletizer (conveyor device) 32 that stacks the items R. This makes it possible to suppress interference between the items R stacked on the pallet P and the palletizer 32.

[0058] The stowage pattern creation device according to the eighth aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to the seventh aspect, and further, when the stowage pattern creation unit 21 sets multiple stacking orders for one stowage pattern, the stowage pattern selection unit 22 selects a stowage pattern having an optimal stacking order depending on the position of the palletizer 32 relative to the pallet P. This makes it possible to select a stowage pattern that provides good workability in stacking the articles R by the palletizer 32.

[0059] The stowage pattern creation device according to the ninth aspect is the stowage pattern creation device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and further includes an output unit 13 that outputs the stowage pattern selected by the stowage pattern selection unit 22. This allows the optimum stowage pattern to be displayed on the display device 41.

[0060] A stowage pattern creation device according to a tenth aspect is a stowage pattern creation device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, and further, the stowage pattern creation unit 21 creates a plurality of stowage patterns excluding the straight stacking of the items R. As a result, by not creating the straight stacking stowage pattern for the items R, it is possible to prevent cargo collapse.

[0061] The stowage pattern creation method according to the eleventh aspect includes the steps of creating a plurality of stowage patterns in which the stowage arrangement and stowage order are set based on the dimensions of the pallet P and the dimensions of the items R, and selecting an optimal stowage pattern from the plurality of stowage patterns based on preset selection conditions. This allows the plurality of items R to be stacked on the pallet P in an appropriate pattern, thereby improving the efficiency of the stowage work of the items R.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the brick stacking pattern and the pinhole stacking pattern are applied as stacking patterns for the items R on the pallet P, but the stacking patterns are not limited to these. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Stacking pattern creation device 11 Stacking pattern control unit 12 Input section 13 Output section 14 Storage section 21 Stacking Pattern Creation Department 22 Loading pattern selection section 31 Palletizer control unit 32 Palletizer (transport device) 41 Display device P Palette R Goods

Claims

1. a loading pattern creation unit that creates a plurality of loading patterns in which loading arrangements and loading sequences are set based on the dimensions of the pallet and the dimensions of the items; a stowage pattern selection unit that selects an optimal stowage pattern from the plurality of stowage patterns created by the stowage pattern creation unit based on preset selection conditions; A stacking pattern creation device comprising:

2. the stacking pattern creation unit creates a brick laying stacking pattern and a pinhole laying stacking pattern, which are different types of stacking arrangements. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

3. The selection condition is at least one of a maximum number of the items to be loaded, a minimum amount of overhang of the items, and a minimum empty space area of ​​the pallet.

3. The stowage pattern creating device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the stowage pattern creation unit creates a plurality of stowage patterns based on the dimensions of the pallet, the dimensions of the items, and the number of the items to be stowed in one layer on the pallet. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

5. The stacking pattern is a pattern in which the positions, orientations, and stacking order of the items on the pallet are set. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

6. the stowage pattern creation unit relaxes the stowage pattern creation conditions when it is unable to create a stowage pattern. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

7. The stacking order is set according to the position of the conveying device on which the items are stacked. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

8. when the stowage pattern creation unit sets a plurality of stowage orders for one stowage pattern, the stowage pattern selection unit selects a stowage pattern having an optimal stowage order depending on the position of the conveyance device relative to the pallet.

8. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 7.

9. an output unit that outputs the stowage pattern selected by the stowage pattern selection unit; The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

10. the stowage pattern creation unit creates a plurality of stowage patterns excluding bulk stowage of the articles. The stacking pattern creating device according to claim 1.

11. creating a plurality of loading patterns in which loading arrangements and loading sequences are set based on the dimensions of the pallets and the dimensions of the items; selecting an optimal stowage pattern from the plurality of stowage patterns based on preset selection conditions; A method for creating a stacking pattern comprising the steps of:

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