Item storage facility, item storage method, and item storage program

Abstract

To realize an article storage facility that can appropriately store an object in consideration of a favorable environment for each object and a change in an environment in each area of a storage shelf in a case where a plurality of types of objects are stored.SOLUTION: An article storage facility (10) includes a storage shelf (20), a conveyance device, an environmental condition detection device (44), and a control system. The control system determines the presence or absence of a good environment area (E2B) whose environmental condition is closer to a setting range of a candidate object (B1) than an environmental condition of a target area (E1) when there is the candidate object (B1) in which the setting range does not include the environmental condition of the target area (E1) in an object (B) stored in a storage part (22) in the target area (E1) by regarding each of a plurality of areas (E) obtained by dividing the entire storage shelf (20) as the target area (E1), and controls a conveyance device so as to move the candidate object (B1) to the storage part (22) in the good environment area (E2B) when there is the good environment area (E2B).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an item storage facility for storing an object, an item storage method, and an item storage program. [Background technology]

[0002] One example of such an article storage facility is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 07-206114 (Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an article storage facility that detects the temperature of an object (stored object) in a non-contact manner and moves the object within a storage shelf (rack shelf) according to the temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 07-206114 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the environment inside the item storage facility may change due to various factors. For example, even if the temperature and humidity inside the item storage facility are controlled to be constant, the temperature and humidity may change near the entrance and exit of the item storage facility due to the inflow of outside air. In addition, the temperature and humidity inside the item storage facility may change partially due to the influence of the outside air temperature and solar radiation. Due to such changes, the environment inside the item storage facility may change partially, and an area with a relatively good environment for the object and an area with a relatively bad environment may be generated. In addition, when multiple types of objects are stored, the preferable environment may differ depending on the type of object. However, in the item storage facility described in Patent Document 1, only one type of object is stored, and the change in the environment in each area of ​​the storage shelf was not taken into consideration.

[0005] Therefore, when multiple types of objects are stored, it is desirable to realize technology that can store the objects appropriately by taking into account the environment preferred for each object and environmental changes in each area of ​​the storage shelf. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above, the characteristic configuration of an article storage facility for storing multiple types of objects including fresh food is as follows: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; A conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units; A control system that controls the conveying device; an environmental condition detection device that detects environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations on the storage shelf; the control system is configured to be able to refer to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object, the control system sets a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided, and determines the environmental condition of each of the areas based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection device; The control system further determines whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects contained in the containers in the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, and The good environment area One In this case, the transport device is controlled to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area. death, When there are a plurality of good environment areas and an appropriate environment area is included among the good environment areas, the control system controls the transport device to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the appropriate environment area to the storage unit in the appropriate environment area, When there are a plurality of good environment areas and the appropriate environment area is not included among them, the transport device is controlled to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area that is not the appropriate environment area. The point is

[0007] In addition, in view of the above, the technical features of the item storage facility are also applicable to an item storage method and an item storage program, and therefore, the present invention can also cover such methods and programs.

[0008] In this case, the characteristic configuration of the article storage method performed in the article storage facility that stores multiple types of objects including fresh food is as follows: The article storage facility includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; a conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units, an environmental condition detection step of detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference step of referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination step of determining the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result in the environmental condition detection step; a good environment area determination step of determining whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects housed in the housing section within each of the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area; The good environment area One In this case, the candidate object is moved from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area by the transport device. When there are a plurality of good environment areas and among them there is an appropriate environment area which is the area determined to have the environmental conditions included in the set range of the candidate object, the transport device moves the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the appropriate environment area; when there are a plurality of good environment areas and among them there is no appropriate environment area, the transport device moves the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area which is not the appropriate environment area. and an object moving step.

[0009] In that case, the equipment for storing multiple types of items, including fresh food, The characteristic configuration of the item storage program for this purpose is as follows: The article storage facility includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; and a transport device that performs a moving operation to transport the object between the plurality of storage sections, an environmental condition detection function for detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference function for referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination function that determines the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection function; a good environment area determination function that, when each of the plurality of areas is a target area and there is a candidate object, which is an object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, among the objects contained in the container in the target area, determines whether there is a good environment area, which is an area whose environmental conditions are determined to be closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area; The good environment area One In this case, the candidate object is moved from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area by the transport device. When there are a plurality of good environment areas and among them there is an appropriate environment area which is the area determined to have the environmental conditions included in the set range of the candidate object, the transport device moves the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the appropriate environment area; when there are a plurality of good environment areas and among them there is no appropriate environment area, the transport device moves the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area which is not the appropriate environment area. The advantage of this technology is that it allows a computer to realize the object movement function.

[0010] With these configurations, environmental conditions at multiple locations on the storage shelf can be detected, and multiple types of objects can be moved in response to changes in the environmental conditions in each of the multiple areas so that each of the multiple types of objects is stored in an area with the best environmental conditions for that type. In other words, when multiple types of objects are stored, the objects can be stored appropriately in consideration of the environment that is preferable for each object and the changes in the environment in each area of ​​the storage shelf.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the item storage equipment, the item storage method, and the item storage program will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, which are explained with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of a storage shelf provided in the article storage facility. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the article storage facility. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart of a moving operation process. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart of an appropriate environment area replacement process. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a good environment area replacement process. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the movement of movable objects in the appropriate environment area replacement process. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the movement of low priority objects in the appropriate environment area replacement process. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the movement of movable objects in the good environment area replacement process. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating the movement of low-priority objects in the good environment area replacement process.

[0013] An embodiment of an article storage facility 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a storage shelf 20 and a transport device 30 provided in the article storage facility 10. Fig. 2 is a top view of the article storage facility 10. Here, the direction along the front surface of the storage shelf 20 and along the horizontal direction is defined as the shelf width direction X, the direction along the depth of the storage shelf 20 and along the horizontal direction is defined as the shelf depth direction Y, and the direction along the vertical direction is defined as the up-down direction Z.

[0014] [Object] The objects B stored in the article storage facility 10 of this embodiment include fresh food. The article storage facility 10 stores a plurality of types of objects B including fresh food. The plurality of types of objects B are preferably a plurality of types of fruits and vegetables such as vegetables and fruits, a plurality of types of meat, and a plurality of types of fish. When the plurality of types of objects B are a plurality of types of fruits and vegetables, the article storage facility 10 is preferably an automated warehouse having an air conditioning device 40. When the plurality of types of objects B are a plurality of types of meat or a plurality of types of fish, the article storage facility 10 is preferably an automated freezer warehouse. The objects B are preferably stored in a housing such as a cardboard case or a container.

[0015] [Warehouse Department] The article storage facility 10 includes a warehouse section 11 having a storage room 12 and a front room 13 adjacent to the storage room 12. The article storage facility 10 also includes a storage shelf 20 and a conveying device 30 in the storage room 12. The article storage facility 10 also includes an inspection work section 14 that is provided outside the warehouse section 11 and where inspection work of the object B is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the storage room 12 is divided into three sections in the shelf depth direction Y. FIG. 3 is a side view of the storage shelf 20 in the storage room 12. In the example shown in FIG. 3, an indoor unit 41 of an air conditioner 40 that conditions the storage room 12 is provided at a height near the ceiling 11A inside the storage room 12. The warehouse section 11 is isolated from the outside by an outer wall 11C made of a heat-insulating material, and environmental conditions f12 including at least one of temperature Te (°C) and humidity Hu (%) are adjusted by the air conditioner 40. In the warehouse section 11, a partition wall 11D is provided between the storage room 12 and the front room 13, and an entry / exit section 16 where the object B is taken in and out is provided, preventing the air outside the warehouse section 11 from directly entering the storage room 12. The entry / exit section 16 is an opening for passing the object B transported by the entry / exit conveyor 34. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the entry / exit section 16 is disposed only on one side in the shelf width direction X. In addition, the entry / exit section 16 of the storage room 12 is provided with a partition 16A.

[0016] [External transport device] The conveying device 30 includes an exterior conveying device 31 having a carry-in / out conveyor 32, a conveying vehicle 33 traveling along a travel path 33A, and an in / out conveyor 34. The exterior conveying device 31 is configured to carry an object B from outside the storage room 12 into the storage room 12, and to carry an object from inside the storage room 12 out of the storage room 12. In this embodiment, the travel path 33A of the conveying vehicle 33 is provided outside the warehouse section 11 and is circular, and the carry-in / out conveyor 32, the carry-in / out conveyor 34, and the inspection work section 14 are arranged adjacent to the outside of the travel path 33A. The carry-in / out conveyor 32 is provided outside the warehouse section 11, and transfers the object B between the carry-in / out conveyor 32 and the conveying vehicle 33. The transport path of the in / out conveyor 34 is arranged in a straight line from inside the storage room 12 through the front room 13 to the travel path 33A outside the warehouse section 11. The in-and-out conveyor 34 delivers the object B to and from the transport vehicle 33 outside the front room 13.

[0017] [Storage Shelf] The storage shelf 20 has a plurality of storage sections 22, and each storage section 22 can store an object B. In this embodiment, the storage shelf 20 has a plurality of storage sections 22 in the up-down direction Z. The storage shelf 20 also has a plurality of storage sections 22 in the shelf width direction X, and an entry / exit section 16 where the object B is entered and removed is disposed on at least one side of the storage shelf 20 in the shelf width direction X. The storage shelf 20 is configured, for example, by assembling a plurality of support columns 23 erected on the floor surface 11B and horizontal members 24 and diagonal members 25 that connect the support columns 23. A pair of arms 26 are provided horizontally on the support columns 23 to form the storage section 22 that stores the object B.

[0018] [Environmental Condition Detection Device] The article storage facility 10 includes an environmental condition detection device 44 that detects environmental conditions f12 including at least one of temperature Te and humidity Hu at multiple locations on the storage shelf 20. In this embodiment, the environmental condition detection device 44 detects the environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations in the vertical direction Z. The environmental condition detection device 44 also detects the environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations in the shelf width direction X. In the illustrated example, the environmental condition detection device 44 detects the environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations including the uppermost storage section 22 and the lowermost storage section 22. The environmental condition detection device 44 also detects the environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations including the storage section 22 on the loading / unloading section 16 side and the storage section 22 on the opposite side to the loading / unloading section 16. The environmental condition detection device 44 includes a sensor unit 45. Preferably, the sensor unit 45 includes a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.

[0019] [Indoor transport device] The transport device 30 includes an indoor transport device 35. The transport device 30 includes at least the indoor transport device 35, and further includes an outdoor transport device 31 in this embodiment. The indoor transport device 35 performs a moving operation to transport the object B between the multiple storage sections 22. This moving operation is preferably performed within the storage room 12. The object B is delivered between the indoor transport device 35 and the in-and-out conveyor 34. This delivery is preferably performed within the storage room 12. The indoor transport device 35 includes a running platform section 36 and a lifting platform section 37, and carries the object B in and out of the storage section 22 of the storage shelf 20. The running platform section 36 runs along a running rail 36A provided on the floor surface 11B in a straight line in the shelf width direction X. The lifting platform section 37 rises and falls along a lifting mast 38 (here, a pair of lifting masts 38) erected on the running platform section 36. The lifting platform section 37 is also equipped with a transfer device 39 capable of transferring the object B between the lifting platform section 37 and the storage section 22. As the transfer device 39, for example, a device that transfers the object B by moving a support section that supports the object B back and forth in the shelf depth direction Y can be used. As the indoor transport device 35, for example, a stacker crane capable of loading the object B onto the storage shelf 20 is used.

[0020] [Control System] As shown in FIG. 4, the article storage facility 10 includes a control system 50 that controls the conveying device 30 (at least the indoor conveying device 35). The control system 50 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a main storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) that can be referenced by the arithmetic processing device. Each function of the control system 50 (for example, a function to control the conveying device 30) is realized by cooperation between hardware included in the control system 50 and a program executed on the hardware such as the arithmetic processing device. Specifically, each function of the control system 50 is realized by the control system 50 executing a program stored in a storage device (such as a main storage device or a separately provided storage unit). In other words, a program (for example, an article storage program) for causing a computer (the computer of the control system 50) to realize each function of the control system 50 is stored in a storage device that can be referenced by the computer. This program is provided, for example, by a storage medium or via a communication network. The provided program is then stored in a storage device that can be referenced by the computer. In this embodiment, the control system 50 (specifically, the arithmetic processing device included in the control system 50) functions as a "computer."

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the control system 50 includes an indoor transport control unit 58 that controls the indoor transport device 35 and a storage unit 60 related to the indoor transport control unit 58. The control system 50 may be configured to include, for example, a host control device and a database that are communicably connected to a device having the indoor transport control unit 58. In this embodiment, the control system 50 includes an air conditioning control unit 52 that controls the air conditioning device 40, a transport control unit 54, and a storage unit 60. The transport control unit 54 is configured to be able to extract data from the storage unit 60. The storage unit 60 is provided in a storage device that includes a storage medium that can store and rewrite information, such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 60 may be provided in a storage device (for example, a server) that can communicate with the transport control unit 54 by wire or wirelessly. The storage unit 60 may also be provided in a device integrated with the transport control unit 54. For example, a device provided in the transport device 30 may include the transport control unit 54 and the storage unit 60.

[0022] In this embodiment, the transport control unit 54 includes an exterior transport control unit 56 that controls the exterior transport device 31, and an interior transport control unit 58 that controls the interior transport device 35. The air conditioning control unit 52, the exterior transport control unit 56, the interior transport control unit 58, and the storage unit 60 are connected to one another via communication lines, and are configured to be able to communicate information among them.

[0023] The control system 50 is configured to be able to refer to a set range f22 set for each type of object B. The set range f22 is a range related to the environmental condition f12. The set range f22 is preferably set to be a range of the environmental condition f12 suitable for storing the object B for a predetermined period of time according to the type of object B. The set range f22 is associated with the type of object B and stored in a referable manner in the storage unit 60 included in the control system 50.

[0024] 〔area〕 The control system 50 sets up a plurality of areas E by dividing the entire storage shelf 20, and determines the environmental condition f12 of each area E based on the detection results by the environmental condition detection device 44. In this embodiment, the storage shelf 20 has multiple storage sections 22 in the vertical direction Z, and the entire storage shelf 20 is divided in the vertical direction Z to set up a plurality of areas E. The temperature Te inside the storage shelf 20 often decreases going downward. For this reason, by dividing the entire storage shelf 20 in the vertical direction Z, it is possible to set up a plurality of areas E with different environmental conditions f12.

[0025] In this embodiment, the storage shelf 20 includes a plurality of storage sections 22 in the shelf width direction X, and the loading / unloading section 16 where the object B is loaded and unloaded is disposed on at least one side of the storage shelf 20 in the shelf width direction X, and the entire storage shelf 20 is divided in the shelf width direction X to set a plurality of areas E. Outside air is likely to flow in near the loading / unloading section 16, so that the environmental condition f12 is likely to change significantly. In other words, the area E far from the loading / unloading section 16 is likely to maintain a better environmental condition f12 because the environmental condition f12 changes less. For this reason, when the loading / unloading section 16 is disposed on at least one side of the storage shelf 20 in the shelf width direction X, the entire storage shelf 20 can be divided in the shelf width direction X to set a plurality of areas E with different environmental conditions f12.

[0026] [Storage section] The control system 50 determines the environmental conditions f12 of each of the multiple areas E based on the detection results of the environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations on the storage shelf 20 detected by the environmental condition detection device 44. In this embodiment, a sensor unit 45 of the environmental condition detection device 44 is installed in each of the multiple set areas E. The environmental conditions f12 determined by the control system 50 are associated with the areas E and stored in the memory unit 60.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, area information f10, type information f20, and object information f30 are stored in the storage unit 60 of the control system 50. The area information f10 includes information on the position f11 of each area E and information on each environmental condition f12, which are associated with each other. The environmental condition f12 includes information on the temperature Te and humidity Hu. The area information f10 also includes information on the vacancy status f13 of each area E. The vacancy status f13 indicates, for example, the number of empty storage units 22A that are empty storage units 22 included in each area E.

[0028] In this embodiment, the type information f20 includes information on the type name f21 of the object B and information on the set range f22, which are associated with each other. The type information f20 also includes information on the type price f23, information on durability f24, and information on shipping frequency f25. The type price f23 indicates, for example, a reference price for each type of object B. The durability f24 indicates, for example, the degree of damage to each type of object B. The shipping frequency f25 indicates, for example, the shipping frequency for each type of object B. The information on the type price f23, the durability f24, and the shipping frequency f25 may be information for each season or month.

[0029] In this embodiment, the object information f30 includes information on a unique number f31 and information on a priority f32 assigned to each object B, which are associated with each other. The priority f32 is used as a priority order when performing a moving operation to transport the object B between multiple storage sections 22. The priority f32 is based at least on the type of object B. Examples of types of object B with high priority f32 include types with high type price f23, types with low durability f24, and types with low shipping frequency f25. The object information f30 also includes information on inspection results f34, information on elapsed time f35, information on unit price f36, and information on quantity f37.

[0030] In this embodiment, the control system 50 acquires information on the inspection result f34 indicating the result of the periodic inspection of the object B, and changes the priority f32 to be higher as the degree of deterioration of the object B indicated in the information on the inspection result f34 increases. The periodic inspection of the object B is performed, for example, by transporting the object B from the storage shelf 20 to the inspection work section 14 by the indoor transport device 35, the in-stock / outlet conveyor 34, and the transport vehicle 33. The periodic inspection of the object B may be a total inspection, or the periodic inspection of the object B may be a sampling inspection. In the case of a sampling inspection, it is preferable that the inspection result f34 and the type name f21 are associated with each other. In addition, the inspection result f34 by the sampling inspection may be stored in the storage unit 60 as type information f20 instead of object information f30.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control system 50 changes the priority f32 to be higher as the elapsed time f35 from when the object B was stored in the storage shelf 20 becomes longer. The priority f32 may be higher as the unit price f36 of the object B is higher and the number f37 of the object B is larger. The purchase price, the planned selling price, or the like may be used as the unit price f36 of the object B.

[0032] [Transportation control] The control system 50 regards each of the areas E as a target area E1, and when there is a candidate object B1, which is an object B whose set range f22 does not include the environmental condition f12 of the target area E1, among the objects B accommodated in the accommodation section 22 in the target area E1, the control system 50 determines the presence or absence of a good environment area E2B, which is an area E whose environmental condition f12 is determined to be closer to the set range f22 of the candidate object B1 than the environmental condition f12 of the target area E1. In this embodiment, the set range f22 is a range of temperature Te and humidity Hu, and the environmental condition f12 includes information on temperature Te and information on humidity Hu. When at least one of the set range f22 of temperature Te and the set range f22 of humidity Hu does not include the environmental condition f12, the control system 50 determines that the set range f22 does not include the environmental condition f12. If there is a good environment area E2B, the control system 50 controls the transport device 30 to move the candidate object B1 from the storage section 22 in the target area E1 to the storage section 22 in the good environment area E2B. In this embodiment, if there are multiple good environment areas E2B and among them is an appropriate environment area E2A, which is an area E determined to have environmental condition f12 included in the setting range f22 of the candidate object B1, the control system 50 controls the transport device 30 to move the candidate object B1 to the storage section 22 in the appropriate environment area E2A.

[0033] In this way, the environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations on the storage shelf 20 can be detected, and the objects B can be moved in accordance with changes in the environmental conditions f12 in each of the multiple areas E so that each of the multiple types of objects B is stored in a good environment area E2B, which is an area E with better environmental conditions f12 according to the type. In other words, when multiple types of objects B are stored, the objects B can be stored appropriately in consideration of the environment preferable for each object B and changes in the environment in each area E of the storage shelf 20. Also, the candidate object B1 can be stored in the appropriate environment area E2A, which is an area E with more appropriate environmental conditions f12.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, when there is no empty storage section 22 in the good environment area E2B and the objects B stored in the storage section 22 in the good environment area E2B include a movable object B2 whose set range f22 includes the environmental condition f12 of the candidate area E3, which is an area E having an empty storage section 22, the control system 50 moves the movable object B2 to the candidate area E3. In this way, even if there is no empty space in the good environment area E2B to which the candidate object B1 is to be moved, it is possible to create an empty space and move the candidate object B1 to the good environment area E2B. Therefore, the candidate object B1 can be stored in the area E with better environmental conditions f12. In addition, the movable object B2 to be moved to create an empty space in the good environment area E2B is also moved to the candidate area E3 with the environmental condition f12 within the set range f22 of the movable object B2. Therefore, the movable object B2 can also be stored in the area E with the preferable environmental condition f12.

[0035] In this embodiment, the priority f32 is set based on at least the type of object B, and if there is no vacant container 22 in the good environment area E2B and there is a low-priority object B3, which is an object B of a type with a lower priority f32 than the candidate object B1, among the objects B contained in the container 22 in the good environment area E2B, the low-priority object B3 is moved to another area E. In this way, even if there is no vacant space in the good environment area E2B to which the candidate object B1 is to be moved, the object B with a lower priority f32 than the candidate object B1 is moved to another area E, thereby creating a vacant space and moving the candidate object B1 to the good environment area E2B. Therefore, the candidate object B1 with a high priority f32 can be contained in the area E with better environmental conditions f12.

[0036] [Movement Action Processing] Hereinafter, the moving operation process S10 for transporting the object B between the storage sections 22 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figs. 5 to 7. The moving operation process S10 is performed for a target area E1, which is an area E for performing the moving operation among a plurality of locations on the storage shelf 20. The moving operation process S10 may be performed for any area E selected by a manager of the item storage facility 10, or may be performed for all areas E in order. Preferably, the moving operation process S10 is periodically performed in order for all areas E. The moving operation process S10 may be performed in order starting from an area E whose environmental condition f12 is suitable for storing the object B, or may be performed in order starting from an area E whose environmental condition f12 is not suitable for storing the object B.

[0037] The control system 50 executes an environmental condition detection process S11 (environmental condition detection step / function) that causes the environmental condition detection device 44 to detect environmental conditions f12 at multiple locations on the storage shelf 20. Next, the control system 50 executes a first set range reference process S12 (set range reference step / function) that references a set range f22 related to the environmental conditions f12 set for each type of object B for all objects B stored in the storage section 22 in the target area E1.

[0038] The control system 50 executes a first environmental condition determination process S13 (first environmental condition determination step / function) that determines and decides the environmental condition f12 of the target area E1 from the environmental condition f12 detected by the environmental condition detection device 44. In this embodiment, since the sensor unit 45 of the environmental condition detection device 44 is installed in each of the multiple areas E, the environmental condition f12 detected by the sensor unit 45 installed in the target area E1 and the environmental condition f12 of the target area E1 may be determined as the same value. Also, for example, when only one sensor unit 45 is installed in multiple adjacent areas E, the tendency of the environmental condition f12 of each area E may be investigated in advance, and the environmental condition f12 detected by the sensor unit 45 may be corrected based on the result, and the environmental condition f12 of the area E without the sensor unit 45 may be determined.

[0039] The control system 50 determines an object B whose set range f22 does not include the environmental condition f12 of the target area E1 as a candidate object B1, and executes a candidate object detection process S14 (candidate object detection step / function) to determine whether or not the candidate object B1 is present among the objects B stored in the storage section 22 in the target area E1. If the result of the candidate object detection process S14 is negative, there is no need to transport the object B in the target area E1, and the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1 is terminated. Note that the type of object B stored in one area E is not limited to one type. When multiple types of objects B are stored, if even one of them is outside the set range f22, it is the candidate object B1, and it is determined in the candidate object detection process S14 that the candidate object B1 is present.

[0040] If the candidate object detection process S14 is positive, the control system 50 executes a second environmental condition determination process S15 (second environmental condition determination step / function) to determine and determine the environmental conditions f12 of all areas E from the environmental conditions f12 detected by the environmental condition detection device 44.

[0041] Next, the control system 50 executes a first good environment area determination process S16 (first good environment area determination step / function) to determine whether there is a good environment area E2B, which is an area E whose environmental conditions f12 are determined to be closer to the setting range f22 of the candidate target B1 than the environmental conditions f12 of the target area E1.

[0042] If the first good environment area determination process S16 is negative, a notification process S19 (notification process / function) is executed to notify, for example, the administrator of the item storage facility 10 by email, that there is no destination for the candidate object B1, and the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1 is terminated.

[0043] If the first good environment area determination process S16 is positive, a first appropriate environment area determination process S17 (first appropriate environment area determination step / function) is executed to determine whether or not there are multiple good environment areas E2B.

[0044] If the first appropriate environment area determination process S17 is negative, a good environment area replacement process S30 (good environment area replacement process / function) is executed, and the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1 is terminated. If the first appropriate environment area determination process S17 is positive, a second appropriate environment area determination process S18 (second appropriate environment area determination process / function) is executed to determine whether or not the multiple good environment areas E2B include an appropriate environment area E2A, which is an area E determined to have environmental conditions f12 included in the setting range f22 of the candidate target B1.

[0045] If the second appropriate environment area determination process S18 is negative, a good environment area replacement process S30 is executed, and the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1 is terminated. If the second appropriate environment area determination process S18 is positive, an appropriate environment area replacement process S20 is executed, and the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1 is terminated.

[0046] The appropriate environment area replacement process S20 (appropriate environment area replacement process / function) and the good environment area replacement process S30 (good environment area replacement process / function) are composed of subroutines. The appropriate environment area replacement process S20 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6 and the side views of the storage shelf 20 shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The good environment area replacement process S30 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 7 and the side views of the storage shelf 20 shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, in the appropriate environment area replacement process S20, the control system 50 executes a first vacancy determination process S21 (first vacancy determination step / function) to determine whether there is an appropriate environment area E2A that has an empty accommodation section 22A.

[0048] If the first vacancy determination process S21 determines that there is an appropriate environment area E2A equipped with an empty storage section 22A, the control system 50 executes a first object moving process S27 (first object moving step / function) to cause the indoor transport device 35 to move the candidate object B1 to the appropriate environment area E2A, and terminates the appropriate environment area replacement process S20.

[0049] If the first vacancy determination process S21 determines that there is no appropriate environment area E2A with an empty storage section 22A, the control system 50 executes a second setting range reference process S22 (second setting range reference step / function) that references the setting range f22 for the environmental condition f12 set for each type of object B for all objects B stored in the storage sections 22 within the appropriate environment area E2A.

[0050] Next, the control system 50 executes a first movable object detection process S23 (first movable object detection step / function) to determine whether or not there is a movable object B2, which is an object B stored in a storage section 22 in the appropriate environment area E2A, and whose setting range f22 includes the environmental condition f12 of a candidate area E3, which is any area E that has an empty storage section 22A.

[0051] If the first movable object detection process S23 is negative, a first movable object moving process S25 (first movable object moving process / function) is executed to move the movable object B2 to the candidate area E3, and then a first object moving process S27 (first object moving process / function) is executed to end the appropriate environment area replacement process S20. Fig. 8 shows the state after the first movable object moving process S25 is executed and before the first object moving process S27 is executed.

[0052] If the first movable object detection process S23 is positive, the control system 50 executes a first low priority object detection process S24 (first low priority object detection step / function) to determine whether or not there is a low priority object B3, which is an object B having a lower priority f32 than the candidate object B1, among the objects B stored in the storage section 22 in the appropriate environment area E2A.

[0053] When the first low-priority object detection process S24 is positive, the control system 50 executes a first low-priority object moving process S26 (first low-priority object moving process / function) for moving the low-priority object B3 to the low-priority area E4, and then executes a first object moving process S27 (first object moving process / function) to end the appropriate environment area replacement process S20. FIG. 9 shows a state after the first low-priority object moving process S26 and before the first object moving process S27. The low-priority area E4 is, for example, an area E in which the order of performing the moving operation process S10 is set to be late. In this way, the low-priority objects B3 can be collected in the low-priority area E4. The low-priority area E4 is preferably an area E in which the environmental condition f12 is not suitable for storing the object B, or an area E in which the environmental condition f12 is least suitable for storing the object B.

[0054] When the appropriate environment area replacement process S20 ends, as shown in FIG. 5, the control system 50 ends the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1.

[0055] If the result of the first low priority object detection process S24 is negative, the control system 50 executes the following good environment area replacement process S30.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 7, in the good environment area replacement process S30, the control system 50 executes a second vacancy determination process S31 (second vacancy determination step / function) to determine whether there is any good environment area E2B equipped with an empty accommodation section 22A.

[0057] If the second vacancy determination process S31 determines that there is a good environment area E2B equipped with an empty storage section 22A, the control system 50 executes a third object moving process S38 (third object moving step / function) to cause the indoor transport device 35 to move the candidate object B1 to the good environment area E2B, and terminates the good environment area replacement process S30.

[0058] If the second vacancy determination process S31 determines that there is no good environment area E2B with an empty storage section 22A, the control system 50 executes a third setting range reference process S32 (third setting range reference step / function) that references the setting range f22 for the environmental condition f12 set for each type of object B for all objects B stored in the storage sections 22 in the good environment area E2B.

[0059] Next, the control system 50 executes a second movable object detection process S33 (second movable object detection step / function) to determine whether or not there is a movable object B2, which is an object B stored in a storage section 22 in the good environment area E2B, and whose setting range f22 includes the environmental condition f12 of a candidate area E3, which is any area E that has an empty storage section 22A.

[0060] If the second movable object detection process S33 is negative, a second movable object moving process S35 (second movable object moving process / function) is executed to move the movable object B2 to the candidate area E3, and then a second object moving process S37 (second object moving process / function) is executed to end the good environment area replacement process S30. Fig. 10 shows the state after the second movable object moving process S35 is executed and before the second object moving process S37 is executed.

[0061] If the second movable object detection process S33 is positive, the control system 50 executes a second low priority object detection process S34 (second low priority object detection step / function) to determine whether or not there is a low priority object B3, which is an object B having a lower priority f32 than the candidate object B1, among the objects B stored in the storage section 22 in the good environment area E2B.

[0062] If the second low priority object detection process S34 is positive, the control system 50 executes a second low priority object moving process S36 (second low priority object moving process / function) for moving the low priority object B3 to the low priority area E4, and then executes a second object moving process S37 (second object moving process / function) to end the good environment area replacement process S30. Fig. 11 shows the state after the second low priority object moving process S36 is executed and before the second object moving process S37 is executed.

[0063] If the second low priority object detection process S34 is negative, the control system 50 executes a third object moving process S38 (third object moving step / function) in which the candidate object B1 is regarded as a low priority object B3 and moved to the low priority area E4, and terminates the good environment area replacement process S30.

[0064] When the good environment area replacement process S30 ends, the control system 50 ends the movement operation process S10 in this target area E1, as shown in FIG.

[0065] The environmental condition detection process S11, the first environmental condition determination process S13, and the second environmental condition determination process S15 may be executed before the start of the movement motion process S10 for each target area E1, and the results may be stored in the storage unit 60. In addition, in the movement motion process S10, the second environmental condition determination process S15 may be executed simultaneously with the execution of the first environmental condition determination process S13, or before or after that. The first environmental condition determination process S13 and the second environmental condition determination process S15 correspond to environmental condition determination processes (environmental condition determination steps / functions).

[0066] The second setting range reference process S22 and the third setting range reference process S32 may be configured to be executed simultaneously with, before or after the first setting range reference process S12. The first setting range reference process S12, the second setting range reference process S22, and the third setting range reference process S32 correspond to setting range reference processes (setting range reference steps / functions).

[0067] The candidate object detection process S14, the first suitable environment area determination process S16, the first suitable environment area determination process S17, and the second suitable environment area determination process S18 correspond to suitable environment area determination processes (suitable environment area determination processes / functions). Among these, the first suitable environment area determination process S17 and the second suitable environment area determination process S18 correspond to suitable environment area determination processes (suitable environment area determination processes / functions).

[0068] The first object movement process S27 and the second object movement process S37 correspond to object movement processes (object movement process steps / functions). The first availability determination process S21 and the second availability determination process S31 correspond to availability determination processes (availability determination steps / functions).

[0069] The first movable object detection process S23, the second movable object detection process S33, the first movable object movement process S25, and the second movable object movement process S35 correspond to movable object movement processes (movable object movement steps / functions). Also, the first low priority object detection process S24, the second low priority object detection process S34, the first low priority object movement process S26, and the second low priority object movement process S36 correspond to low priority object movement processes (low priority object movement steps / functions).

[0070] Other embodiments Next, other embodiments of the article transport facility will be described.

[0071] (1) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the indoor transport device 35 moves the object B. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured, for example, in such a manner that the indoor transport device 35 and the outdoor transport device 31 included in the transport device 30 work together to perform a moving operation to transport the object B between the storage sections 22 of the multiple storage shelves 20. Also, for example, a conveyor that transports the object B in the shelf depth direction Y is added to the storage room 12, and a moving operation to transport the object B between the storage sections 22 of the multiple storage shelves 20 in the storage room 12 may be performed.

[0072] (2) In the above embodiment, the loading / unloading section 16, where the object B is loaded and unloaded, is disposed on one side of the storage shelf 20 in the shelf width direction X. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the loading / unloading section 16 may be disposed on both sides of the shelf width direction X.

[0073] (3) In the above embodiment, the environmental condition f12 includes both temperature Te (°C) and humidity Hu (%). However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may include only one of them. The environmental condition f12 may further include air pressure, etc. The sensor unit 45 of the environmental condition detection device 44 is described as including both a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may include only one of them. In the above embodiment, the item storage facility 10 includes the air conditioning device 40, but may not include the air conditioning device 40.

[0074] (4) In the above embodiment, the entire storage shelf 20 is divided in both the vertical direction Z and the shelf width direction X to set multiple areas E. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and multiple areas E may be set by dividing only the vertical direction Z or only the shelf width direction X. In the above embodiment, the area E is fixed, but it may be variable. For example, the area E may be set as one area E if the environment is the same based on the detection result of the sensor unit 45 of the environmental condition detection device 44, so that the variable setting may be performed. In addition, multiple areas E may be divided in a direction away from the humidifier. The area E closer to the humidifier is more likely to maintain a high humidity Hu, and therefore the environmental condition f12 suitable for preserving fruits and vegetables is more likely to be maintained.

[0075] (5) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described as an example in which the sensor unit 45 of the environmental condition detection device 44 is installed in each of the multiple areas E. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and for example, there may be an area E in which a sensor unit 45 is not installed. For example, the environmental condition f12 of an area E without a sensor unit 45 may be calculated based on the detection results by the sensor units 45 of other areas E and the distance from the sensor units 45.

[0076] (6) In the above embodiment, the priority f32 is set based on the type name f21, type price f23, durability f24, shipping frequency f25, inspection result f34, elapsed time f35, unit price f36, and quantity f37. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured, for example, so that the priority f32 is set based on any of a plurality of items including the type name f21. The priority f32 may be set based only on the type name f21. In the above embodiment, the priority f32 is stored in the storage unit 60 of the control system 50 as the object information f30. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured, for example, so that the priority f32 is associated with the type of the object B by being stored as the type information f20.

[0077] (7) In the above embodiment, the presence or absence of the appropriate environment area E2A is determined, but the appropriate environment area E2A may not be determined. In that case, the good environment area replacement process S30 is executed when the first good environment area determination process S16 is positive. Also, the system may be configured to determine only the presence or absence of the movable object B2 or the low priority object B3, or may be configured to determine neither. That is, the system may be configured without the appropriate environment area determination process (step / function), the vacancy determination process (step / function), the movable object movement process (step / function), and the low priority object movement process (step / function). For example, when the good environment area E2B is present, the system may be configured to replace any object B in the good environment area E2B with the candidate object B1.

[0078] (8) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the low priority area E4 is set has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and may be configured to move the low priority object B3 to any other area E instead of the low priority area E4. Also, the third object moving process S38 may be performed instead of the notification process S19, or both processes may be performed. Similarly, the notification process S19 may be performed instead of the third object moving process S38. Also, the third object moving process S38 or the notification process S19 may be performed when the first low priority object detection process S24 is denied.

[0079] [Summary of the above embodiment] The above-described article transport facility, article transport method, and article transport program will now be described.

[0080] In one aspect, an item storage facility for storing a plurality of types of objects including fresh food includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; A conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units; A control system that controls the conveying device; an environmental condition detection device that detects environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations on the storage shelf; the control system is configured to be able to refer to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object, the control system sets a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided, and determines the environmental condition of each of the areas based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection device; The control system further determines whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area whose environmental conditions are determined to be closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, if there is a candidate object among the objects stored in the storage unit within the target area, with each of the multiple areas being a target area, and controls the conveying device to move the candidate object from the storage unit within the target area to the storage unit within the good environment area, if there is a good environment area.

[0081] According to this configuration, the environmental conditions at multiple locations on the storage shelf are detected, and multiple types of objects can be moved in response to changes in the environmental conditions in each of the multiple areas so that each of the multiple types of objects is stored in an area with the best environmental conditions according to its type. In other words, when multiple types of objects are stored, the objects can be stored appropriately in consideration of the environment preferable for each object and the environmental changes in each area of ​​the storage shelf.

[0082] Here, in the article storage facility, If there are multiple good environment areas and among them there is an appropriate environment area which is the area whose environmental conditions are determined to be within the set range of the candidate object, it is preferable that the control system controls the conveying device to move the candidate object to the storage section within the appropriate environment area.

[0083] According to this configuration, the candidate objects can be accommodated in areas with more appropriate environmental conditions.

[0084] In addition, in the item storage facility, If there is no vacant storage unit in the good environment area, and if there is a movable object among the objects stored in the storage unit in the good environment area, the set range of which includes the environmental conditions of a candidate area, which is any of the areas that has an vacant storage unit, it is preferable to move the movable object to the candidate area.

[0085] According to this configuration, even if there is no vacancy in the good environment area to which the candidate object is to be moved, the candidate object can be moved to the good environment area to create a vacancy. Therefore, the candidate object can be accommodated in an area with better environmental conditions. In addition, the object to be moved to create a vacancy in the good environment area is also moved to a candidate area with environmental conditions within the set range of the object. Therefore, the object can also be accommodated in an area with preferable environmental conditions.

[0086] A priority is set based on at least the type of the object, If there are no vacant storage units in the good environment area and among the objects stored in the storage units in the good environment area there is a low priority object, which is an object of a type having a lower priority than the candidate object, it is preferable to move the low priority object to another area.

[0087] According to this configuration, even if there is no vacancy in the good environment area to which the candidate object is to be moved, it is possible to create a vacancy and move the candidate object to the good environment area by moving an object with a lower priority than the candidate object to another area, thereby making it possible to accommodate a candidate object with a higher priority in an area with better environmental conditions.

[0088] In addition, it is preferable that the control system acquires inspection result information indicating the results of periodic inspection of the object, and changes the priority to a higher value as the degree of deterioration of the object indicated in the inspection result information increases.

[0089] According to this configuration, the priority of each object is changed to a higher value depending on the degree of deterioration, so that objects with a greater degree of deterioration can be easily moved to areas with better environmental conditions, and therefore deterioration of the objects can be easily delayed.

[0090] It is also preferable that the control system changes the priority so as to increase the priority as the time that has elapsed since the object was stored on the storage shelf increases.

[0091] According to this configuration, the priority of each object is changed to be higher as the time that has passed since it was stored increases, so that objects that are prone to deterioration over time can be easily moved to areas with better environmental conditions, and therefore deterioration of the objects can be easily delayed.

[0092] It is also preferable that the storage shelf has a plurality of storage sections arranged in a vertical direction, and that the entire storage shelf is divided in a vertical direction to define a plurality of the areas.

[0093] The temperature inside the storage shelf often decreases the further down it goes. With this configuration, the entire storage shelf is divided vertically, allowing multiple areas with different environmental conditions to be set. This makes it easier to move multiple types of objects so that each of them is stored in an area with the best environmental conditions according to its type.

[0094] In addition, the direction along the front surface of the storage shelf and horizontally is the shelf width direction, and the storage shelf has a plurality of storage sections in the shelf width direction, and an input / output section where the objects are loaded and unloaded is arranged on at least one side of the storage shelf in the shelf width direction, and it is preferable that the entire storage shelf is divided in the shelf width direction to set a plurality of the areas.

[0095] Since outside air is likely to flow in near the loading / unloading section, environmental conditions are likely to change significantly. In other words, since environmental conditions change less in areas far from the loading / unloading section, better environmental conditions are likely to be maintained. According to this configuration, when the loading / unloading section is arranged on at least one side of the storage shelf in the shelf width direction, multiple areas with different environmental conditions can be set by dividing the entire storage shelf in the shelf width direction. Therefore, even if the environmental conditions change due to the presence of the loading / unloading section, it is easy to move multiple types of objects so that each of them is stored in an area with better environmental conditions according to its type.

[0096] It is also preferable that the set range be set to be a range of the environmental conditions suitable for storing the object for a predetermined period of time depending on the type of the object.

[0097] The various technical features of the above-mentioned item storage facility can also be applied to an item storage method and an item storage program. For example, the item storage method can be a method having the features of the above-mentioned item storage facility. Furthermore, the item storage program can cause a computer to realize functions corresponding to the features of the above-mentioned item storage facility. Naturally, these item storage methods and item storage programs can also achieve the effects of the above-mentioned item storage facility. Furthermore, various additional features exemplified as preferred aspects of the item storage facility can also be incorporated into these item storage methods and item storage programs, and the methods and programs can also achieve the effects corresponding to the respective additional features.

[0098] As one preferred embodiment, an article storage method carried out in an article storage facility that stores a plurality of types of objects including fresh food includes the following steps: The article storage facility, a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; a conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units, an environmental condition detection step of detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference step of referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination step of determining the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result in the environmental condition detection step; a good environment area determination step of determining whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects housed in the housing section within each of the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area; and an object moving step of moving the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area by the transport device when the good environment area is present.

[0099] In one preferred embodiment, an article storage program executed in an article storage facility that stores a plurality of types of objects including fresh food includes: The article storage facility, a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; a conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units, an environmental condition detection function for detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference function for referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination function that determines the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection function; a good environment area determination function that, when each of the plurality of areas is a target area and there is a candidate object, which is an object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, among the objects contained in the container in the target area, determines whether there is a good environment area, which is an area whose environmental conditions are determined to be closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area; When the good environment area is present, an object moving function is realized by the computer to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area by the transport device. [Industrial Applicability]

[0100] The technology disclosed herein can be used in item storage facilities that store fresh food. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10: Item storage facilities 16: Entry and exit section 20: Storage shelf 22: Storage unit 22A: Empty storage section (empty storage section) 30:Transportation device 44: Environmental condition detection device 50: Control system B: Object B1: Candidate object B2: Movable objects B3: Low priority objects E: Area E1: Target area E2A: Suitable environment area (good environment area) E2B: Good environment area E3: Candidate area E4: Low priority area (other areas)

Claims

1. An article storage facility for storing a plurality of types of objects including fresh food, a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; A conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units; A control system that controls the conveying device; an environmental condition detection device that detects environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations on the storage shelf; the control system is configured to be able to refer to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object, the control system sets a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided, and determines the environmental condition of each of the areas based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection device; The control system further determines whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects contained in the containers in the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, and When there is one good environment area, the transport device is controlled to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area; When there are a plurality of good environment areas and an appropriate environment area is included among the good environment areas, the control system controls the transport device to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the appropriate environment area to the storage unit in the appropriate environment area, An item storage facility that controls the conveying device to move the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area that is not the suitable environment area when there are multiple good environment areas and the suitable environment area is not among them.

2. 2. The item storage facility of claim 1, wherein, when there are no vacant storage units in the good environment area, and when there is a movable object among the objects stored in the storage units in the good environment area, the set range includes the environmental conditions of a candidate area, which is any of the areas that have vacant storage units, the movable object is moved to the candidate area.

3. A priority is set based at least on the type of the object; 3. An item storage facility as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when there are no vacant storage sections in the good environment area and among the objects stored in the storage sections in the good environment area there is a low priority object which is an object of a type having a lower priority than the candidate object, the low priority object is moved to another area.

4. An article storage facility for storing a plurality of types of objects including fresh food, a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; A conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units; A control system that controls the conveying device; an environmental condition detection device that detects environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations on the storage shelf; the control system is configured to be able to refer to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object, the control system sets a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided, and determines the environmental condition of each of the areas based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection device; A priority is set based at least on the type of the object; The control system further determines whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects contained in the containers in the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, and If there is a good environment area, the good environment area does not have an empty container, and among the objects contained in the container in the good environment area is a movable object that is an object whose set range includes the environmental conditions of a candidate area that is any of the areas having an empty container, the movable object is moved to the candidate area; if there is a good environment area, there is no vacant storage unit in the good environment area, there is no movable object among the objects stored in the storage unit in the good environment area, and there is a low priority object among the objects stored in the storage unit in the good environment area that is an object of a type having a lower priority than the candidate object, moving the low priority object to another area, An article storage facility that controls the conveying device to move the candidate object from the storage unit in the target area to the storage unit in the good environment area when the good environment area is present and the storage unit is empty in the good environment area.

5. the control system acquires inspection result information indicating a result of a periodic inspection of the object; 5. The item storage facility according to claim 3, wherein the priority is changed to be higher as the degree of deterioration of the object indicated in the inspection result information increases.

6. The article storage facility according to claim 3 , wherein the control system changes the priority to be higher as the time that has elapsed since the object was stored on the storage shelf becomes longer.

7. The item storage facility according to claim 1 , wherein the storage shelf has a plurality of storage sections arranged in a vertical direction, and the entire storage shelf is divided in the vertical direction to set a plurality of the areas.

8. 8. An item storage facility as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage shelf has a plurality of storage sections in the shelf width direction, which is a direction that runs along the front surface of the storage shelf and horizontally, an entry / exit section where the objects are loaded and unloaded is arranged on at least one side of the storage shelf in the shelf width direction, and the entire storage shelf is divided in the shelf width direction to set a plurality of the areas.

9. 9. The item storage facility according to claim 1, wherein the set range is set to be a range of environmental conditions suitable for storing the object for a predetermined period of time depending on the type of the object.

10. An article storage method carried out in an article storage facility that stores a plurality of types of objects including fresh food, comprising: The article storage facility includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; a conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units, an environmental condition detection step of detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference step of referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination step of determining the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result in the environmental condition detection step; a good environment area determination step of determining whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects housed in the housing section within each of the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area; an object moving process in which, when there is only one good environment area, the conveying device moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area, when there are multiple good environment areas and one of the good environment areas is an appropriate environment area which is the area determined to have the environmental conditions included in the set range of the candidate object, and when there are multiple good environment areas and no appropriate environment area is included among them, the conveying device moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area which is not the appropriate environment area.

11. An article storage method carried out in an article storage facility that stores a plurality of types of objects including fresh food, comprising: The article storage facility includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; a conveying device that performs a moving operation to convey the object between the plurality of storage units, an environmental condition detection step of detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference step of referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination step of determining the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result in the environmental condition detection step; a good environment area determination step of determining whether or not there is a good environment area, which is an area determined to have environmental conditions closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area, when the target objects housed in the housing section within each of the target areas include a candidate object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area; a movable object moving process for moving a movable object to a candidate area when the good environment area is present, the good environment area does not have an empty container, and the object contained in the container in the good environment area is a movable object whose set range includes the environmental condition of a candidate area which is any of the areas having an empty container; a low-priority object moving step of moving the low-priority object to another area when the good environment area is present, the good environment area does not have an empty storage unit, the movable object is not among the objects stored in the storage unit in the good environment area, and the object stored in the storage unit in the good environment area is a low-priority object whose type is lower than that of the candidate object and whose priority is set at least based on the type of the object; an object moving process in which, when a good environment area is present and the good environment area has an empty storage section, the transport device moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area.

12. An item storage program for an item storage facility that stores a plurality of types of objects including fresh food, comprising: The article storage facility includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; and a transport device that performs a moving operation to transport the object between the plurality of storage sections, an environmental condition detection function for detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference function for referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination function that determines the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection function; a good environment area determination function that, when each of the plurality of areas is a target area and there is a candidate object, which is an object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, among the objects contained in the container in the target area, determines whether there is a good environment area, which is an area whose environmental conditions are determined to be closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area; an object moving function that, when there is only one good environment area, moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area by the conveying device; when there are multiple good environment areas and one of the good environment areas is an appropriate environment area which is the area whose environmental conditions have been determined to be included in the set range of the candidate object, moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the appropriate environment area by the conveying device; and when there are multiple good environment areas and no appropriate environment area is included among them, moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area which is not the appropriate environment area by the conveying device.

13. An item storage program for an item storage facility that stores a plurality of types of objects including fresh food, comprising: The article storage facility includes: a storage shelf including a plurality of storage sections, each of which is capable of storing the object; and a transport device that performs a moving operation to transport the object between the plurality of storage sections, an environmental condition detection function for detecting environmental conditions including at least one of temperature and humidity at a plurality of locations of the storage shelf; a setting range reference function for referring to a setting range related to the environmental condition set for each type of the object; an environmental condition determination function that determines the environmental condition of each of a plurality of areas into which the entire storage shelf is divided based on a detection result by the environmental condition detection function; a good environment area determination function that, when each of the plurality of areas is a target area and there is a candidate object, which is an object whose set range does not include the environmental conditions of the target area, among the objects contained in the container in the target area, determines whether there is a good environment area, which is an area whose environmental conditions are determined to be closer to the set range of the candidate object than the environmental conditions of the target area; a movable object moving function for moving a movable object, when the good environment area is present, the good environment area does not have an empty container, and the object contained in the container in the good environment area is a movable object whose set range includes the environmental conditions of a candidate area, which is any of the areas having an empty container; a low-priority object moving function for moving a low-priority object to another area when the good environment area is present, there is no vacant storage unit in the good environment area, there is no movable object among the objects stored in the storage unit in the good environment area, and there is a low-priority object among the objects stored in the storage unit in the good environment area, the priority of which is set based at least on the type of the object, and which is lower than that of the candidate object; an object moving function that, when a good environment area is present and an empty storage section is present in the good environment area, moves the candidate object from the storage section in the target area to the storage section in the good environment area by the conveying device.

Images