Picking system

Abstract

To provide a picking system which can reduce the accumulation of shipping containers at a picking station.SOLUTION: A picking system 1 comprises a picking station 50 and a controller 90. The picking station 50 includes: a workspace 60 where operations of receiving products from a product conveyance device 5 and inputting the products to shipping containers B1, B2 are executed; a sub-conveyance device 51 for receiving the shipping container B1 and conveying the same to the workspace 60; and a first buffer 61 for temporarily retreating the shipping container B1. The controller 90 retreats the shipping container B1 conveyed by the sub-conveyance device 51 to the first buffer 61, and when sorting into the shipping container B1 retreated to the first buffer 61 becomes possible in the workspace 60, sends out the shipping container B1 retreated to the sub-conveyance device 51 from the first buffer 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a picking system. [Background technology]

[0002] A picking station is known in which a plurality of products are stored and products are removed from storage containers transported from an automated warehouse and placed into shipping containers. For example, a picking station described in Patent Document 1 includes a conveyor for transporting the storage containers and a conveyor for transporting shipping containers that is located below the conveyor for transporting the storage containers. A worker performs sorting work by removing products from the storage containers transported by the conveyor located on the upper level and placing the products into shipping containers transported by the conveyor located on the lower level. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-70173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a picking system where such sorting work is performed, after sorting is performed at one picking station, the items are transported to another picking station that sorts items that are not handled at the first picking station, and the sorting work is performed there. However, in this case, the containers do not necessarily arrive at the other picking station in the same order as the sorted shipping containers sent from the first picking station. In this case, a worker must temporarily suspend processing of the sorted shipping containers sent from the first picking station, resulting in a backlog of shipping containers.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a picking system that can reduce the accumulation of shipping containers at a picking station. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A picking system according to one aspect of the present invention is a picking system for sorting products into shipping containers based on orders, comprising a plurality of picking stations arranged along a main conveying path that transports the shipping containers, and a controller that manages the transport of the shipping containers. The picking stations are arranged to be able to receive products from the product conveying device to which the products are transported, and include a workspace where the work of putting the products into the shipping containers is carried out, a sub-conveying device that receives the shipping containers transported along the main conveying path and transports them to the workspace, a first buffer that is arranged along the conveying direction of the sub-conveying device and temporarily stores the shipping containers from being transported by the sub-conveying device, and a first reading device that reads the ID of the shipping container before it is transported to the workspace, and the controller stores the shipping containers transported by the sub-conveying device in the first buffer, and when it determines in the workspace that sorting into the shipping containers stored in the first buffer is possible, sends out the shipping containers stored in the sub-conveying device from the first buffer.

[0007] In this configuration, even if a shipping container is transported to the work space, if the product to be placed in the transported shipping container has not yet arrived, the shipping container will remain in the work space. However, the shipping container is temporarily evacuated to the first buffer, and when it is determined in the work space that sorting into the shipping container evacuated to the first buffer is possible, the shipping container evacuated to the sub-conveyance device is sent from the first buffer. This reduces the accumulation of containers that cannot be sorted in the work space. As a result, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of shipping containers in the picking station.

[0008] (2) The picking system described in (1) above may include a second reading device that reads the ID of a product transported by the product transport device, and the controller may use the reading of the ID by the second reading device as a trigger to send out a shipping container from the first buffer into which the product identified by the ID is to be placed. In this configuration, it is possible for the shipping container to be placed to arrive at the work space in time with the timing at which the product to be placed is received from the product transport device.

[0009] (3) In the picking system described in (2) above, the product conveying device and the sub-conveying device may be configured so that the time from when the product ID is read by the second reading device to when the product is transported to the work space is the same as the time from when the shipping container is sent out from the first buffer to when the product is transported to the work space. With this configuration, workers will spend less time waiting for products or shipping containers to arrive in order to perform sorting work.

[0010] (4) The picking system described in any one of (1) to (3) above may include a plurality of second buffers for temporarily storing outgoing containers transported to the work space by the sub-conveyance device. In this configuration, outgoing containers can be temporarily stored in the second buffers in addition to the first buffers. This further reduces the accumulation of containers that cannot be sorted in the work space. As a result, the accumulation of outgoing containers in the picking station can be further reduced.

[0011] (5) The picking system described in any one of (1) to (4) above may include an empty box conveying device that supplies empty shipping containers to the work space, and the controller may control the empty box conveying device to supply empty shipping containers to the work space when there are no shipping containers being conveyed from the sub-conveying device to the work space. This configuration allows sorting into empty shipping containers conveyed from the empty box conveying device by utilizing the time when shipping containers containing products are not being conveyed from upstream. This increases the operating rate of the picking station and ultimately improves the sorting capacity at the picking station. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of shipping containers at a picking station. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a picking system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the picking station and its vicinity shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the picking station in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the picking system of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a picking system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a picking system 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the picking system 1 supplies, to a picking station 50, item boxes (items) B containing items to be sorted from each of a plurality of automated warehouses 10 in which items are stored by type. At the picking station 50, an operator P picks out items of the type and quantity that match the order of the shipping destination, consolidates them, and stores them in delivery boxes (shipping containers) B1 and B2. The picking system 1 is a system that supports such sorting work (picking). An order from a shipping destination is, for example, the items and their quantities ordered online by a purchaser of the items. Alternatively, an order from a shipping destination may be an order from a brick-and-mortar store, or a parts procurement request from a manufacturing plant.

[0016] The picking system 1 includes an item box supply system 1A that supplies item boxes B containing items to be sorted to a picking station 50, and a delivery box supply system 1B that supplies delivery boxes B1, B2 into which the items to be sorted are placed to the picking station 50. At each of the multiple picking stations 50, a worker P performs sorting work by picking out items of the type and quantity based on an order from the transported item boxes B and preparing them for delivery.

[0017] The item box supply system 1A transports item boxes B containing items from each of a plurality of automated warehouses 10 that store the item boxes B to a plurality of picking stations 50. The item boxes B are, for example, box-shaped plastic cases. A plate with an ID (identification) printed on it is affixed to the item boxes B. The item box supply system 1A transports the item boxes B from which items have been removed at the plurality of picking stations 50 to the automated warehouse 10 from which they were taken out, and re-stocks them in the automated warehouse 10.

[0018] The article box supply system 1A includes a plurality of automated warehouses 10, an upper circular conveying device 3A, a lower circular conveying device 3B provided below the upper circular conveying device 3A, and an article conveying device 5.

[0019] The multiple automated warehouses 10 are automated warehouses that store multiple item boxes B, each containing different types of items, and can retrieve the item boxes B based on an order, store the item boxes B that have returned after being retrieved, and then store the item boxes B again. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the multiple automated warehouses 10 are lined up in one horizontal direction. The number of automated warehouses 10 included in the picking system 1 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the type and size of the automated warehouses 10 (the number of item boxes B stored) are not particularly limited, and the multiple automated warehouses 10 may be different in type and size from one another. Each of the multiple automated warehouses 10 includes a pair of racks 11A, 11B, an in-warehouse cart 13, an outgoing conveying device 14, an incoming conveying device 15, a pair of upper conveyors 16A, 16B, and a pair of lower conveyors 17A, 17B.

[0020] The pair of racks 11A, 11B are shelves for storing item boxes B. The pair of racks 11A, 11B store a plurality of item boxes B in the vertical and horizontal directions. The pair of racks 11A, 11B are arranged facing each other with an in-warehouse cart 13 in between. An in-warehouse cart 13 is provided for each tier of the pair of racks 11A, 11B. The in-warehouse cart 13 travels horizontally. When an item box B is to be handed out from the automated warehouse 10, the in-warehouse cart 13 receives the item box B from one of the pair of racks 11A, 11B and hands it over to the out-of-warehouse conveying device 14. When an item box B is to be brought into the automated warehouse 10, the in-warehouse cart 13 receives the item box B from the in-warehouse conveying device 15 and hands it over to one of the pair of racks 11A, 11B.

[0021] The outgoing conveying device 14 and the incoming conveying device 15 convey the item box B in the vertical direction. The outgoing conveying device 14 conveys the item box B received from the in-warehouse cart 13 in the vertical direction and hands it over to the upper conveyor 16A or the lower conveyor 17A. The incoming conveying device 15 conveys the item box B received from the upper conveyor 16B or the lower conveyor 17B in the vertical direction and hands it over to the in-warehouse cart 13.

[0022] A pair of upper conveyors 16A, 16B transport article boxes B between the upper circular conveying device 3A and the outgoing conveying device 14 and incoming conveying device 15. The upper conveyor 16A transports article boxes B received from the outgoing conveying device 14 and delivers them to the upper circular conveying device 3A. The upper conveyor 16B transports article boxes B received from the upper circular conveying device 3A and hands them over to the incoming conveying device 15. A pair of lower conveyors 17A, 17B transport article boxes B between the lower circular conveying device 3B and the outgoing conveying device 14 and incoming conveying device 15. The lower conveyor 17A transports article boxes B received from the outgoing conveying device 14 and delivers them to the lower circular conveying device 3B. The lower conveyor 17B transports the article boxes B received from the lower circular transport device 3B and hands them over to the receiving transport device 15.

[0023] The upper circular conveying device 3A includes an upper conveying path 31, which is a circular conveying path, and a plurality of upper circular carriages 32 that travel in a circular motion on the upper conveying path 31. The lower circular conveying device 3B includes a lower conveying path 33, which is a circular conveying path, and a plurality of lower circular carriages 34 that travel in a circular motion on the lower conveying path 33. The lower circular conveying device 3B is disposed below the upper circular conveying device 3A in the vertical direction. In the example of FIG. 1, the lower circular conveying device 3B has the same shape as the upper circular conveying device 3A, and the upper circular conveying device 3A and the lower circular conveying device 3B are aligned in a plan view. The plurality of upper circular carriages 32 and the plurality of lower circular carriages 34 deliver and receive item boxes B between the automated warehouse 10 and a plurality of picking stations 50. The types of the upper and lower circulating carriages 32 and 34 are not particularly limited, and may be carriages that rotate at high speed using linear motors, for example.

[0024] The product conveying device 5 conveys product boxes B between the picking station 50 and the upper circular conveying device 3A, and also conveys product boxes B between the picking station 50 and the lower circular conveying device 3B. The product conveying device 5 has an infeed path 5Aa, an outfeed path 5Ab, a delivery opening 5B, and a second reading device 5C. The infeed path 5Aa and the outfeed path 5Ab are configured by combining known elevators and horizontal conveying devices. The delivery opening 5B supplies product boxes B to the work space 60. A worker P can remove products from the product boxes B supplied to the delivery opening 5B. The second reading device 5C reads an ID printed on a plate affixed to the product boxes B conveyed along the infeed path 5Aa. The ID is represented as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The second reading device 5C is a barcode reader that reads barcodes or a camera that reads two-dimensional codes. The information about the ID read by the second reader 5C is obtained by the controller 90.

[0025] The delivery box supply system 1B transports delivery boxes B1 into which products have been placed or empty delivery boxes B2 supplied from a supply location to one of multiple picking stations 50. The delivery boxes B1, B2 are, for example, folding plastic containers or cardboard boxes. A plate with an ID (identification) printed on it is affixed to the delivery boxes B1, B2. The ID is indicated as a barcode or two-dimensional code. The delivery box supply system 1B comprises a first main conveying device 41 and a second main conveying device 42.

[0026] The first main conveying device 41 forms the main conveying path for the delivery box B1. The first main conveying device 41 conveys the delivery box B1 from one picking station 50 to another picking station 50, or conveys the delivery box B1 from one picking station 50 to a shipping space where the delivery box B1 is shipped. The first main conveying device 41 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. A conversion device 41A is arranged in the first main conveying device 41 at a location where it connects to the sub-conveying device 51 and discharge conveying device 55, which will be described in detail later.

[0027] One feature of this embodiment is that the first main conveying device 41 conveys a delivery box B1 from one picking station 50 to another picking station 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery box supply system 1B is arranged so as to straddle two item box supply systems 1A, 1A. The two item box supply systems 1A, 1A are arranged in different areas SY1, SY2. The two item box supply systems 1A, 1A are different systems and can supply different products to the picking station 50. The picking system 1 of this embodiment can sort (put) products supplied from the item box supply system 1A arranged in area SY1 and products supplied from the item box supply system 1A arranged in area SY2 into a single delivery box B1.

[0028] 1 and 2, the diverter 41A is a known conveyor device that transports a delivery box B1 in one direction and then switches the transport direction to a direction perpendicular to the one direction. The diverter 41A includes, for example, two types of rotating rollers, and switches the transport direction of the delivery box B1 by switching the rotational drive of each of the rotating rollers.

[0029] The second main conveying device 42 forms a main conveying path for the delivery boxes B2. The second main conveying device 42 supplies empty delivery boxes B2, which have no products inserted, to each of the multiple picking stations 50 from a supply location of the empty delivery boxes B2. The second main conveying device 42 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The second main conveying device 42 is arranged above the first main conveying device 41 (see Figure 3). Note that in Figure 2, for ease of explanation, the first main conveying device 41 and the second main conveying device 42 are shown side by side. A conversion device 42A is arranged in the second main conveying device 42 at a location where it connects to an empty box conveying device 53, which will be described in detail later. The configuration of the conversion device 42A is the same as that of the conversion device 41A.

[0030] The picking stations 50 are arranged along a partial section of the upper circular conveying device 3A or the lower circular conveying device 3B. Each of the plurality of picking stations 50 is provided below the lower circular conveying device 3B. A work space 60 is provided in each picking station 50 for a worker P to perform sorting work.

[0031] The picking station 50 includes a work space 60, a sub-conveying device 51, an empty box conveying device 53, a work conveying device 54, a discharge conveying device 55, a first buffer 61, a second buffer 62, a first reading device 41C, and a controller 90.

[0032] The work space 60 is provided so that it can receive the transported goods boxes B containing goods to be sorted into the delivery boxes B1, B2. The work space 60 is provided so that it can receive the goods boxes B from the product transport device 5. In the work space 60, the work of putting goods into the delivery boxes B1, B2 is carried out.

[0033] The work space 60 may be provided with a terminal device 65 and a completion button for inputting completion of work. The display unit (display) of the terminal device 65 displays the type (product name) of the product that the worker P should put from the item box B into the delivery boxes B1 and B2 based on the order described above, and the number of products to be put. The worker P puts the products into the delivery boxes B1 and B2 based on the content displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 65, and presses the completion button. When the completion button is pressed, the type and number of products to be put into the delivery boxes B1 and B2 are displayed on the display unit.

[0034] The sub-conveying device 51 receives the delivery box B1 transported by the first main conveying device 41 and transports the delivery box B1 to the work conveying device 54. The sub-conveying device 51 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. A switching device 51A that changes the transport direction of the delivery box B1 is provided at a corner of the sub-conveying device 51. The configuration of the switching device 51A is the same as that of the switching device 41A.

[0035] The sub-conveying device 51 merges the delivery box B1 being conveyed from upstream with the delivery box B2 being conveyed by the empty box conveying device 53, and conveys them to the working conveying device 54. A diverting device 54A that converts the conveying direction of the delivery boxes B1 and B2 is provided at the connection point of the sub-conveying device 51 with the working conveying device 54. The configuration of the diverting device 54A is the same as the diverting device 41A.

[0036] The empty box conveying device 53 receives the delivery box B2 conveyed by the second main conveying device 42 and conveys the delivery box B2 to the work conveying device 54 via the sub-conveying device 51. The empty box conveying device 53 conveys the delivery box B2 from the second main conveying device 42 to the sub-conveying device 51. The empty box conveying device 53 is a roller conveyor or belt conveyor. The empty box conveying device 53 is configured to be able to store multiple delivery boxes B2, with its downstream end (the connection part of the empty box conveying device 53 to the sub-conveying device 51) at the head.

[0037] The work transport device 54 transports the delivery boxes B1, B2 on which the worker P will perform the sorting work to the location where the worker P will perform the insertion work (the location where the terminal device 65 is located), and also transports the delivery boxes B1, B2 on which the sorting work has been completed (the target products have been inserted) towards the first main transport device 41. The work transport device 54 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The work transport device 54 is also used as a workbench on which the worker P performs the sorting work.

[0038] The discharge conveying device 55 conveys the delivery box B1 into which the product has been placed by the work conveying device 54 to the first main conveying device 41. The discharge conveying device 55 conveys the delivery box B1 from the work conveying device 54 to the first main conveying device 41. The discharge conveying device 55 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor.

[0039] The first buffer 61 is arranged along the conveying direction of the sub-conveying device 51, and temporarily stores the delivery box B1. The first buffer 61 is configured to be able to store three (multiple) delivery boxes B1. The first buffer 61 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The delivery box B1 is carried into the first buffer 61 by a diverting device 51A arranged alongside the first buffer 61. That is, when the delivery box B1 is carried into the first buffer 61, the diverting device 51A switches the direction to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sub-conveying device 51. When the delivery box B1 is to be carried out from the first buffer 61, the roller conveyor or belt conveyor that constitutes the first buffer 61 is driven.

[0040] The second buffer 62 is arranged along the conveying direction of the work conveying device 54 and temporarily stores the delivery boxes B1 and B2. The second buffer 62 is configured to be able to store three (multiple) delivery boxes B1 and B2. The second buffer 62 is a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The delivery boxes B1 and B2 are manually carried into and out of the second buffer 62 by the worker P.

[0041] The first reading device 41C reads the ID of the delivery box B1 before it is transported to the work space 60 (working conveying device 54). More specifically, the first reading device 41C reads the ID affixed to the delivery box B1 being transported by the first main conveying device 41. The third reading device 42C reads the ID of the delivery box B2 before it is transported to the work space 60 (working conveying device 54). More specifically, the third reading device 42C reads the ID affixed to the delivery box B2 that joins the sub-conveying device 51 from the empty box conveying device 53. The ID is displayed as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The first reading device 41C and the third reading device 42C are barcode readers that read barcodes or cameras that read two-dimensional codes. Information about the IDs read by the first reading device 41C and the third reading device 42C is obtained by the controller 90.

[0042] The controller 90 manages the transportation of the delivery box B1. The controller 90 evacuates the delivery box B1 being transported by the sub-conveyor device 51 to the first buffer 61, and when it determines that sorting into the delivery box B1 evacuated to the first buffer 61 is possible in the work space 60, it sends the delivery box B1 evacuated to the sub-conveyor device 51 from the first buffer 61 to the sub-conveyor device 51. In this embodiment, the controller 90 uses the reading of the ID by the second reading device 5C as a trigger to send the delivery box B1, into which a product identified by the ID is placed, from the first buffer 61. In this embodiment, the product conveyor device 5 and the sub-conveyor device 51 are configured so that the time from when the product's ID is read by the second reading device 5C to when the product is transported to the work space 60 is the same as the time from when the delivery box B1 is sent from the first buffer 61 to when it is transported to the work space 60.

[0043] The controller 90 may calculate the timing at which the product to be placed in the delivery box B1 evacuated to the first buffer 61 will be transported to the work space 60 (delivery opening 5B) based on the reading of the ID of the item box B by the second reading device 5C. Then, the controller 90 may send out the delivery box B1 evacuated from the first buffer 61 to the sub-conveyor device 51 so that the delivery box B1 arrives at the work space 60 at the calculated timing.

[0044] Next, the operation of each part when sorting work is performed at the picking station 50 will be described. Here, an example will be described in which a delivery box B1 containing products supplied from the item box supply system 1A arranged in area SY1 shown in Figure 1 is transported by the first main conveying device 41 to the picking station 50 arranged in area SY2. Also, an example will be described in which the delivery box B1 is transported to the upstream side of the first main conveying device 41 of the two picking stations 50 arranged in area SY2.

[0045] In the picking system 1, a schedule for a predetermined amount of picking work, for example, for two hours, is determined. The controller 90 causes the item boxes B containing the items included in the order to be removed from the automated warehouse 10 in the order in which the picking work will be performed. The removed item boxes B are transported to the work space 60 by the item transport device 5.

[0046] When a delivery box B1 is transported from upstream by the first main conveyance device 41, the first reading device 41C reads the ID affixed to the delivery box B1. The ID read by the first reading device 41C is acquired by the controller 90. The controller 90 searches for the product to be placed in this delivery box B1, and if it determines that the searched product is a product to be supplied by the item box supply system 1A located in area SY2, it carries the delivery box B1 into the picking station 50 located in area SY2. Specifically, the delivery box B1 is handed over from the first main conveyance device 41 to the sub-conveyance device 51.

[0047] The controller 90 transports the delivery box B1 handed over from the first main conveying device 41 to the sub-conveying device 51 as is, and determines whether the goods box B containing the goods to be placed in the delivery box B1 will arrive at the delivery port 5B of the product conveying device 5 at the time the delivery box B1 arrives at the work conveying device 54. Note that the timing does not necessarily mean a perfect match, but may have a predetermined time interval. The timing at which the delivery box B1 arrives at the work conveying device 54 can be calculated when the ID of the delivery box B1 is read by the first reading device 41C. Similarly, the timing at which the goods box B containing the goods to be placed in the delivery box B1 will arrive at the delivery port 5B of the product conveying device 5 can be calculated when the ID of the goods box B is read by the second reading device 5C.

[0048] If the controller 90 determines that the timing does not match, it causes the delivery box B1 being transported by the sub-conveyance device 51 to retreat to the first buffer 61. That is, the controller 90 temporarily retreats the delivery box B1 to the first buffer 61 to adjust the timing at which the delivery box B1 arrives at the work conveyance device 54. When the controller 90 determines that sorting into the delivery box B1 retreated to the first buffer 61 is possible in the work space 60, it sends the delivery box B1 from the first buffer 61 to the sub-conveyance device 51. More specifically, the controller 90 sends the delivery box B1 to the sub-conveyance device 51 so that the delivery box B1 arrives at the work conveyance device 54 at the same time that the item box B containing the item to be placed in that delivery box B1 arrives at the delivery port 5B of the item conveyance device 5.

[0049] The delivery box B1 sent to the sub-conveyor device 51 is transported to the work conveyor device 54. The worker P pulls the delivery box B1 that has been transported to the work conveyor device 54 and places it on the second buffer 62. The worker P places the target product into the delivery box B1 that has been transported to the work conveyor device 54 based on information displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 65. More specifically, the worker P removes the target product from the item box B that is supplied to the delivery opening 5B via the inlet path 5Aa of the item conveyor device 5 and places it into the delivery box B1. The item box B from which the target product has been removed is transported toward the automated warehouse 10 via the outlet path Ab. After the worker P places the target product into the delivery box B1, the worker P pushes it from the second buffer 62 into the work conveyor device 54. The delivery box B1 pushed out by the work conveyor device 54 is transported downstream and handed over to the first main conveyor device 41 via the discharge conveyor device 55. The delivery box B1 handed over to the first main conveyance device 41 is conveyed to the next picking station 50 or to the shipping space.

[0050] The empty box conveying device 53 conveys the delivery box B2 conveyed by the second main conveying device 42 to the sub-conveying device 51, thereby conveying the delivery box B2 to the work conveying device 54. In the empty box conveying device 53, multiple delivery boxes B2 are stored, starting from the connection part to the sub-conveying device 51 (the downstream end of the empty box conveying device 53). When a delivery box B2 merges with the sub-conveying device 51 from the empty box conveying device 53, the ID affixed to the delivery box B2 is read by the third reading device 42C. The read ID is acquired by the controller 90. The delivery box B2 is conveyed toward the work conveying device 54 when there is no delivery box B1 being conveyed from the sub-conveying device 51 to the work conveying device 54.

[0051] The worker P pulls the delivery box B2 that has been transported to the work conveyance device 54 and places it in the second buffer 62. Based on information displayed on the display unit of the terminal device 65, the worker P places the target product into the delivery box B2 that has been transported to the work conveyance device 54. More specifically, the worker P removes the target product from the item box B that is supplied to the delivery entrance 5B via the inlet path 5Aa of the item conveyance device 5 and places it into the delivery box B2. The item box B from which the target product has been removed is transported toward the automated warehouse 10 via the outlet path Ab. After the worker P places the target product into the delivery box B2, he pushes it from the second buffer 62 to the work conveyance device 54. The delivery box B2 pushed out to the work conveyance device 54 is transported downstream and handed over to the first main conveyance device 41 via the discharge conveyance device 55. The delivery box B2 handed over to the first main conveyance device 41 is transported to the next picking station 50 or to the shipping space.

[0052] The effects of the picking system 1 of the above embodiment will be described. In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, even if a delivery box B1 is transported to the workspace 60, if the product to be placed in the transported delivery box B1 has not yet arrived, the delivery box B1 will remain in the workspace 60. However, the delivery box B1 is temporarily evacuated to the first buffer 61, and when it is determined that sorting into the delivery box B1 evacuated to the first buffer 61 is possible in the workspace 60, the delivery box B1 evacuated to the sub-conveyance device 51 is sent out from the first buffer 61. This reduces the amount of delivery boxes B1 that cannot be sorted remaining in the workspace 60. As a result, the amount of delivery boxes B1 remaining in the picking station 50 can be reduced.

[0053] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, the first main conveying device 41, the second main conveying device 42, the sub-conveying device 51, and the work conveying device 54 are configured as roller conveyors or belt conveyors. This allows the first main conveying device 41, the second main conveying device 42, the sub-conveying device 51, and the work conveying device 54 to be configured simply.

[0054] The picking system 1 of the above embodiment is provided with the discharge conveying device 55, so that the delivery box B1 for which the sorting work has been completed can be automatically conveyed downstream.

[0055] The picking system 1 of the above embodiment is provided with a plurality of second buffers 62 that are arranged along the work conveying device 54 and that temporarily store delivery boxes B1 and B2, so that delivery box B1 can be temporarily stored in the second buffers 62 in addition to the first buffers 61. This further reduces the amount of delivery boxes B1 that cannot be sorted being stored in the work conveying device 54. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the amount of delivery boxes B1 that are stored in the picking station 50.

[0056] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, the product conveying device 5 and the sub-conveying device 51 are configured so that the time from when the product's ID is read by the second reading device 5C to when the product is conveyed to the work space 60 is the same as the time from when the delivery box B1 is sent out from the first buffer 61 to when it is conveyed to the work space 60. This reduces the time that workers have to wait for the arrival of products or delivery boxes B1 in order to carry out sorting work.

[0057] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment, when there is no delivery box B1 being transported from the sub-transport device 51 to the work transport device 54, the empty box transport device 53 is controlled to supply a delivery box B2, which is an empty shipping container, to the work transport device 54. This makes it possible to sort products into the delivery box B2 transported from the empty box transport device 53 by utilizing the time when a delivery box B1 with products already placed in it is not being transported from upstream. This makes it possible to increase the operating rate of the picking station 50, and ultimately improve the sorting capacity of the picking station 50.

[0058] Although one embodiment has been described above, one aspect of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0059] Instead of the discharge conveying device 55 provided in the picking station 50 of the above embodiment, a shipping platform 81, a handcart 82, etc. may be arranged as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the delivery boxes B1 that have been sorted by the work conveying device 54 are stocked on the shipping platform 81 and transported to the shipping space by the handcart 82, etc. Even with this configuration, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of delivery boxes B1 in the picking station 50, just like the picking system 1 of the above embodiment.

[0060] In the above embodiment and the above modified example of the picking system 1, the first main conveying device 41, the second main conveying device 42, the empty box conveying device 53, and the discharge conveying device 55 are explained as examples in which they are roller conveyors or belt conveyors, but instead of this configuration, an AGV or a tracked vehicle may be selectively applied.

[0061] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment and the above modified example, the loading and unloading of delivery boxes B1, B2 into and from the second buffer 62 has been described as being performed manually, but similar to the first buffer 61, this may also be performed by a diverting device 54A provided alongside the second buffer 62. That is, when loading delivery boxes B1, B2 into the second buffer 62, the diverting device 54A switches the direction to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the work conveying device 54. When unloading delivery boxes B1, B2 from the second buffer 62, the roller conveyor or belt conveyor that constitutes the second buffer 62 is driven.

[0062] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment and the above modified example, the ID is displayed as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, but the ID may be displayed as data stored in an RFID tag. In this case, an RFID reader may read the data on the RFID tag attached to the item box B or the delivery boxes B1 and B2.

[0063] In the above embodiment and the above modified example of the picking system 1, an example has been given in which the first buffer 61 and the second buffer 62 are configured as roller conveyors or belt conveyors arranged directly next to the work transport device 54, but they may also be configured as storage devices consisting of a lifter that lifts the delivery boxes B1 and B2 upward and a loading section such as a shelf.

[0064] In the above embodiment of the picking system 1, the controller 90 has been described as sending out a delivery box B1 containing a product identified from the ID from the first buffer 61 when the ID is read by the second reading device 5C. However, for example, the controller 90 may be controlled so that the delivery box B1 is removed from the first buffer 61 after a goods box B containing the product to be placed in the delivery box B1 arrives at the work space 60.

[0065] In the picking system 1 of the above embodiment and the above modified example, an example has been described in which the second buffer 62 is arranged adjacent to the work transport device 54, but the second buffer 62 does not have to be provided. In this case, the controller 90 may control the work transport device 54 to move the delivery boxes B1, B2 intermittently, and the worker P may perform sorting work when the transport is temporarily stopped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1...picking system, 1A...goods box supply system, 1B...delivery box supply system, 3A...upper circular conveying device, 3B...lower circular conveying device, 5...goods conveying device, 5B...receiving port, 5C...second reading device, 10...automated warehouse, 41...first main conveying device, 41A...conversion device, 41C...first reading device, 42...second main conveying device, 42A...conversion device, 42C...third reading device, 50...picking station, 51...sub-conveying device, 53...empty box conveying device, 54...work conveying device, 55...discharge conveying device, 60...work space, 61...first buffer, 62...second buffer, 65...terminal device, 90...controller, B...goods box, B1, B2...delivery box, P...worker.

Claims

1. A picking system for sorting products into shipping containers based on orders, a plurality of picking stations arranged along a main conveying path along which the shipping containers are conveyed; a controller that manages the transportation of the shipping container; The picking station includes: a work space that is provided so as to be able to receive the products from a product conveying device that conveys the products, and in which an operation of putting the products into the shipping container is performed; a sub-conveyance device that receives the shipping container transported along the main transport path and transports it to the work space; a first buffer disposed along the conveying direction of the sub-conveyor device, for temporarily retracting the shipping container from being conveyed by the sub-conveyor device; a first reading device that reads the ID of the shipping container before it is transported to the work space; The controller evacuates the shipping containers transported by the sub-conveying device to the first buffer, and when it determines that sorting into the shipping containers evacuated to the first buffer is possible in the work space, it sends out the shipping containers evacuated to the sub-conveying device from the first buffer.

2. a second reading device that reads the ID of the product conveyed by the product conveying device; The controller The picking system according to claim 1 , wherein the shipping container containing the product identified by the ID is sent from the first buffer when the ID is read by the second reading device.

3. The picking system of claim 2, wherein the product conveying device and the sub-conveying device are configured so that the time from when the product's ID is read by the second reading device to when the product is transported to the work space is the same as the time from when the shipping container is sent out from the first buffer to when it is transported to the work space.

4. The picking system according to claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of second buffers for temporarily storing the shipping containers transported to the work space by the sub-transport device.

5. an empty box conveying device that supplies the empty shipping container to the work space; The picking system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the empty box transport device to supply the empty shipping container to the work space when there are no shipping containers transported from the sub-transport device to the work space.

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