Picking cart

Abstract

To secure a storage space for an object while maintaining the width and depth of a picking cart.SOLUTION: A picking cart 1 includes a weighing part 10 having a placing part for placing a first article to be weighed, and a housing part 90 for housing a second article at a position higher than the placing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a picking cart. [Background technology]

[0002] Picking carts are known to assist in sorting tasks, where products are loaded onto shelves. During sorting tasks, when containers, such as cardboard boxes or containers, holding products on a picking cart become empty, moving or dismantling the empty containers reduces work efficiency, making it necessary to efficiently remove the empty containers from the work space. Furthermore, because the aisles in the work space where sorting tasks are performed, such as in a warehouse, are narrow, enlarging the picking cart to accommodate the empty containers can make it unusable within the warehouse or reduce maneuverability. Therefore, a technology is needed that can secure storage space for objects while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-044021 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to ensure storage space for objects while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a picking cart according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a weighing section having a loading section for loading a first item to be weighed, and a storage section for storing a second item at a position higher than the loading section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a picking cart according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view showing the picking cart. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the picking cart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A picking cart according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0008] ●Picking cart overview 1 to 3, the picking cart 1 is a device for transporting products. The picking cart 1 is, for example, a manually-propelled cart that is pushed by an operator, but may also be an automatically-propelled picking cart. In the following description, the direction of travel of the picking cart 1 is defined as the +Y direction, the direction of the width of the cart 1 that is perpendicular to the transport direction is defined as the +X direction, and the vertical direction is defined as the +Z direction.

[0009] The picking cart 1 has a plurality of wheels 30 on its bottom surface, and is mainly configured by connecting the wheels 30, a lower frame 52, support members 53, and an upper frame 54 in this order from the bottom. The lower frame 52, support members 53, and upper frame 54 form the base 50 of the picking cart 1.

[0010] The wheels 30, for example four in number, are arranged on the lower frame 52 of the picking cart 1, support the picking cart 1, and rotate as the picking cart 1 moves.

[0011] The lower frame 52 and upper frame 54 support multiple weighing units 10 (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d). In this embodiment, there are four weighing units 10, with weighing units 10a and 10b supported by the upper frame 54 and arranged at the front upper level in the direction of travel, and weighing units 10c and 10d supported by the lower frame 52 and arranged at the rear lower level in the direction of travel. Weighing units 10a and 10b, and weighing units 10c and 10d, are each arranged side by side along the width direction of the cart. The number of weighing units 10 is arbitrary and may be one.

[0012] The four weighing units 10 can each be placed with a different product (an example of the "first item" in the claims). Each of the four weighing units 10 can weigh an item independently. As shown in FIG. 1, the top surface of each weighing unit 10 is flat, and serves as a loading section for a container for storing the product, such as a folding container or a box. The top surface of each weighing unit 10 is inclined toward the rear in the direction of travel. Ribs are formed on the rear end of each weighing unit 10 in the direction of travel, and on the adjacent sides of weighing units 10a and 10b, and weighing units 10c and 10d, which are arranged side by side in the width direction, to hold the item placed on each weighing unit 10.

[0013] The lower frame 52 is a generally U-shaped member that opens rearward in the direction of travel of the picking cart 1, and is formed with a right side 521, a front end 522, and a left side 523, in this order. The front end 522 defines the outer edge of the front end of the picking cart 1, and may be provided with an appropriate buffer member 526. The buffer member 526 is a member that absorbs the impact of a collision, and is known as a bumper. The lower frame 52 also has a connecting portion 524 that spans the right side 521 and left side 523 of the lower frame 52. An appropriate flat plate 525 is provided in the area defined by the right side 521, the front end 522, the left side 523, and the connecting portion 524. For example, a control unit that controls the cart 1 and a battery that supplies power to the control unit are mounted on the flat plate 525.

[0014] Weighing units 10c and 10d are disposed in the area between right side portion 521 and left side portion 523, at the rear in the direction of travel. The top surfaces of weighing units 10c and 10d may be inclined from the front to the rear in the direction of travel. With this configuration, the opening of a container placed on weighing unit 10 faces toward grip 60, i.e., toward the worker, making it easy for the worker to remove items from the container. Weighing unit 10 weighs the products contained in each container.

[0015] A plurality of support members 53 extending upward are disposed on the front end portion 522 and the connecting portion 524 of the lower frame 52.

[0016] The multiple support members 53 are connected to the lower frame 52 and the upper frame 54 and support the upper frame 54 above the lower frame 52. In this embodiment, there are four support members 53, but the number is arbitrary. Furthermore, the support members 53 may hold a platform 55 midway up in the height direction.

[0017] Upper frame 54 is a generally U-shaped member that opens rearward in the direction of travel of picking cart 1, and is formed with right side portion 541, front end portion 542, and left side portion 543 in this order. Front end portion 542 defines the outer edge of the front end of picking cart 1, and, like front end portion 522, may be provided with an appropriate buffer member 546, a so-called bumper, that absorbs the impact of a collision. Weighing units 10a and 10b are provided in the area defined by right side portion 541, front end portion 542, and left side portion 543.

[0018] A printing unit 40 that prints labels to be affixed to containers and the like is disposed below the right side 541 of the upper frame 54. The printing unit 40 is held on the underside of the table 55 and prints on labels pulled out from the label roll. The printed labels are discharged from the side of the picking cart 1.

[0019] At the rear of the upper frame 54 in the direction of travel, there are mainly arranged a grip 60 that the worker holds when manually moving the cart 1, a touch panel display 70, a scanner 80 for reading barcodes, etc. The grip 60 may have any shape. For example, it may be a C-shaped member with one end connected to the base 50 so as to extend rearward in the direction of travel. The grip 60 may be rotatable relative to the base 50 and may be able to be held at any angle. For example, the grip 60 may have a swivel torque hinge at the connection portion with the base 50 that rotates about an axis generally along the direction of travel. This configuration allows the attachment state of the grip 60 to be easily adjusted according to the operator's needs. In particular, a configuration with a torque hinge allows adjustment without the need for loosening the fastening, making it simple. Furthermore, a configuration in which the swivel hinge is connected in a direction that rotates about an axis generally along the direction of travel prevents the grip 60 from rotating even when the operator holds the grip 60 and moves the picking cart 1 forward or backward.

[0020] The touch panel display 70 has a structure in which a display unit 71 and a touch panel 72 are stacked on top of each other, allowing data display and input on the same surface. The display unit 71 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) and displays various data. When the operator touches the touch panel 72, it detects the touched position and accepts input according to the detected position. The display unit 71 displays information about the product to be placed in the storage unit or the status of the cart 1 to the operator. The scanner 80 can read barcodes on products, shelves in the warehouse, containers, labels, etc. The scanner 80 may include a wireless handheld scanner 81 or a fixed scanner 82 whose reading area is behind the scanner 80 in the direction of travel. The fixed scanner 82 can read barcodes by, for example, holding down a label printed by the printing unit 40. The scanner 80 may also include a scanner 83 (see FIG. 2) disposed on the side of the picking cart 1 and reading communication tags installed on shelves close to the picking cart 1. The scanner 83 is, for example, an RFID tag.

[0021] The picking cart 1 also includes a storage section 90 that stores items at a position higher than the upper end of the base section 50. The storage section 90 includes, for example, a support 91, an outer frame 92, and a holder 93.

[0022] The support pillar 91 is a rod-shaped member that extends upward from the base 50. Because the support pillar 91 is disposed on the base 50, the weight of the item held in the holding unit 93 via the support pillar 91 does not affect the weighing by the weighing unit 10, and the item can be held upward. The support pillar 91 supports the holding unit 93 at a height such that the upper surface of the holding unit 93 is positioned higher than the eye level of the operator operating the picking cart 1. In other words, the upper surface of the holding unit 93 is positioned higher than the eye level of the operator of the picking cart 1. With this configuration, even when an item is placed on the holding unit 93, the operator's field of vision is not obstructed. In this embodiment, there are two support columns 91, arranged in pairs on the left and right. The support columns 91 are arranged at the rear of the upper frame 54 in the direction of travel, for example, at the rear end. With this configuration, the front and left and right sides of the weighing units 10a and 10b are open, so the support columns 91 do not interfere with the loading and unloading of items from the weighing units 10a and 10b, ensuring the operability of the sorting operation. Furthermore, the support columns 91 are arranged behind the rear ends of the weighing units 10a and 10b. In other words, in a side view, the support columns do not overlap with the items on the weighing units 10a and 10b, i.e., containers containing products, for example. Therefore, with this configuration, the left and right sides of the weighing units 10a and 10b are open along the length, making it easy to remove items from the left and right directions.

[0023] The number of support pillars 91 is arbitrary and may be one or three or more. In the case of three support pillars, for example, in addition to the positions of support pillars in this embodiment, support pillars may be provided near the connection between right side portion 541 and front end portion 542, or near the connection between front end portion 542 and left side portion 543. Support pillars may also be provided near the center of front end portion 542. Furthermore, support pillars may be provided between weighing units 10a and 10b, at the center in the traveling direction of weighing units 10a and 10b.

[0024] The support 91 is extendable in the length direction. That is, in the picking cart 1, the support 91 extends and retracts in the vertical direction, moving the holding part 93 disposed at the upper end of the support 91 up and down. With this configuration, the holding part 93 can be adjusted to a height that is easy for the worker to work at and held. The support 91 is configured, for example, by fitting together a plurality of cylindrical members. Furthermore, the support 91 may be adjustable in steps to a predetermined length, or may be adjustable continuously.

[0025] The outer frame 92 is a frame-shaped member connected to the upper end of the support column 91. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the outer frame 92 is substantially rectangular, but is not limited to this and any appropriate shape can be used, such as a circle or a polygonal shape other than a rectangle. Any material can be used for the outer frame 92, but using aluminum, for example, can make it lightweight and allow the weight of items that can be stored in the holding section 93 to be increased.

[0026] The outer frame 92 defines the horizontal outer edge of the holding unit 93. A support 91 is connected to the rear of the outer frame 92 in the direction of travel, and the outer frame 92 extends above the weighing units 10a and 10b. As shown in FIG. 3 , the outer edge of the outer frame 92 is disposed inward of the right side 521, front end 522, and left side 523 of the lower frame 52, and the right side 541, front end 542, and left side 543 of the upper frame 54. In other words, the storage unit 90 is disposed at the same level as the outer edge of the base 50 or inward of the outer edge in a plan view. With this configuration, the storage unit 90 does not increase the horizontal size of the picking cart 1, and objects can be stored while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart 1.

[0027] The holder 93 is a member on which an object (an example of a "second article" in the claims) is placed. For example, an empty cardboard box or the like is placed on the holder 93. The cardboard box may be placed in a folded state or may be placed in its original box shape. The holding portion 93 is, for example, a mesh-like member, and is bridged across the outer frame 92. The holding portion 93 is flexible. Therefore, when an item is placed on the holding portion 93, the holding portion 93 bends downward relative to the outer frame 92. As a result, the outer frame 92 holds the item and prevents it from falling.

[0028] When the holding portion 93 is a mesh-like member, an appropriate gap is formed between the holding portion 93 and the outer frame 92. Therefore, a curved member such as a hook can be hung in the gap. As a result, it is possible to hold a relatively lightweight member such as the handheld scanner 81 or a rubber band.

[0029] The holding portion 93 is not limited to a mesh-like member, and any material can be used. For example, the holding portion 93 may be made of resin such as plastic, aluminum, metal, or wood. Regardless of the material, appropriate holes may be formed, or at least the area where the item is placed may be holeless. A configuration with appropriate holes allows the holding portion 93 to be lightweight. Furthermore, a holding portion 93 with no holes or relatively small holes can cover the weighing unit 10, thereby preventing changes in measurement values ​​due to wind generated by air conditioning, etc., and thus serving as a windshield. Even when the holding portion 93 is made of a mesh-like member, the effect of a windshield can be achieved if the mesh size is sufficiently small. Furthermore, the holding portion 93 may be made of a plurality of materials.

[0030] In this embodiment, the holding portion 93 is substantially horizontal, but may be inclined. For example, if the holding portion 93 is inclined toward the rear in the traveling direction, it becomes easier for the worker on the grip 60 side to place an item on it, which is highly convenient. The holding portion 93 may be flat, or, for example, the outer frame 92 may be bent or curved so that the center is recessed in the traveling direction or width direction. A configuration in which the center of the holding portion 93 is recessed due to the shape of the outer frame 92 can also prevent items placed on the holding portion 93 from falling.

[0031] Furthermore, although the present embodiment uses one holding portion 93, a plurality of holding portions 93 may be provided. For example, a plurality of outer frames 92 and holding portions 93 may be provided at different positions relative to the support 91. In this case, the plurality of outer frames 92 and holding portions 93 may have the same size or shape as one another, or may have different shapes.

[0032] Furthermore, the storage unit 90 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be configured, for example, to have an appropriate suspension unit at the upper end of the support 91 so that an article can be hung on the suspension unit. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to store objects above the base 50.

[0033] As described above, the picking cart according to this embodiment can ensure storage space for objects while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart.

[0034] ● Overview of implementation The present invention relates to a picking cart.

[0035] Picking carts are known to assist in sorting tasks, where products are loaded onto shelves. During sorting tasks, when containers, such as cardboard boxes or containers, holding products on a picking cart become empty, moving or dismantling the empty containers reduces work efficiency, making it necessary to efficiently remove the empty containers from the work space. Furthermore, because the aisles in the work space where sorting tasks are performed, such as in a warehouse, are narrow, enlarging the picking cart to accommodate the empty containers can make it unusable within the warehouse or reduce maneuverability. Therefore, a technology is needed that can secure storage space for objects while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart.

[0036] Prior art documents include Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-044021.

[0037] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to ensure storage space for objects while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart.

[0038] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a picking cart according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a weighing section having a loading section for loading a first item to be weighed, and a storage section for storing a second item at a position higher than the loading section.

[0039] The device may further include a base that supports the measuring unit, and the storage unit may be provided at the same level as an outer edge of the base or inside the outer edge in a plan view.

[0040] The storage section may have a holding section that holds the second article, and the holding section may be flexible.

[0041] The container may further include a base that supports the measuring unit, and the container may have a support that extends upward from the base, the support being extendable and retractable in the vertical direction.

[0042] The support pillar may be disposed at a rear portion of the base in the direction of travel.

[0043] The height of the surface of the storage section that stores the second item may be higher than the eye level of an operator who operates the picking cart.

[0044] According to the picking cart of the present invention, it is possible to ensure a storage space for objects while maintaining the width and depth of the picking cart. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1 picking cart 10 Measuring part 50 base 90 Storage section 91 Post 92 Outer Frame 93 Holding part

Claims

1. a weighing unit having a placement portion on which a first item to be weighed is placed; a storage section for storing a second item at a position higher than the placement section; Equipped with Picking cart.

2. Further provided is a base for supporting the measuring unit, The storage portion is provided at the same position as the outer edge of the base portion or on the inner side of the outer edge in a plan view. The picking cart according to claim 1.

3. the storage section has a holding section that holds the second article, The holding portion is flexible. The picking cart according to claim 1.

4. Further provided is a base for supporting the measuring unit, The housing portion has a support pillar extending upward from the base portion, The support column is extendable in the vertical direction. The picking cart according to claim 1.

5. The support pillar is disposed at the rear of the base in the traveling direction. The picking cart according to claim 4.

6. a height of a surface of the storage unit that stores the second item is higher than the eye level of an operator who operates the picking cart; The picking cart according to claim 1.

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