Pick-and-place carriage

Abstract

To provide a picking cart that enables a worker to properly pick articles to be picked without being affected by the worker's misidentification or the like.SOLUTION: A picking cart 5 is equipped with: a cart body 11 with a plurality of storage parts 15 which contain a plurality of boxes 17 in which a plurality of articles are placed respectively; and wheels 13 that support the cart body 11. The cart body 11 is provided with: a plurality of openings 19 for inserting the respectively boxes 17 into the respective storage parts 15; a plurality of locking devices 25 for restricting removal of the respective boxes 17 stored in the respective storage parts 15 from the respective openings 19; and a control device 31 for controlling the operation of the locking devices 25. The locking devices 25 are switched under the control of the control unit 31 between a locked state in which the boxes 17 housed in the respective storage parts 15 are prevented from moving in a counter-insertion direction, and an unlocked state, in which the boxes 17 housed in the corresponding storage parts 15 are permitted to move in the counter-insertion direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a picking cart for picking loads from a warehouse, a load placement section that can change the load placement section by inserting and removing partition plates, an IC card input with data necessary for picking, the shortest picking route, an appropriate load placement section, etc., and a handy terminal having a display section that displays necessary data, the shortest picking route, an appropriate load placement section, etc. when the IC card is inserted, and a movable support section that supports the handy terminal so as to be movable up and down and tiltable are known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the prior art described in Patent Document 1 above, an operator using the picking cart can pick the target article according to the display on the handy terminal (that is, take out the article from a storage place such as a shelf and place it on the picking cart).

[0005] On the other hand, in the above prior art, when an operator makes a wrong pick (for example, when misreading the display on the handy terminal), a wrong article that is not a picking target will be placed on the load placement section. Therefore, it is desirable that the picking cart can appropriately pick the article to be picked without being affected by misrecognition of the operator.

[0006] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to appropriately pick an article to be picked by an operator in a picking cart without being affected by misrecognition by the operator or the like.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a picking cart, which includes a cart body provided with a plurality of storage portions each for storing a plurality of boxes into which a plurality of articles are respectively placed, and wheels for movably supporting the cart body. The cart body is provided with a plurality of openings for inserting the respective boxes into the respective storage portions in a predetermined insertion direction, a plurality of locking devices for restricting the removal of the respective boxes from the respective openings of the respective storage portions, and a control device for controlling the operation of the respective locking devices. Each of the locking devices is configured to be switched between a locked state in which the movement of the box stored in the corresponding storage portion in the reverse insertion direction is blocked by the control of the control device and an unlocked state in which the movement of the box stored in the corresponding storage portion in the reverse insertion direction is allowed.

[0008] According to this aspect, in the picking cart, by appropriately controlling the operation of the locking device that restricts the removal of the box from the opening of the storage portion (that is, setting it to the unlocked state only when appropriate picking can be performed), it is possible to appropriately pick the article to be picked by the operator without being affected by misrecognition by the operator or the like.

[0009] In the above aspect, each of the locking devices may have a locking member provided so as to be able to protrude and retract from a wall defining one surface of each of the storage portions, and the locking member may lock the corresponding box on the side in the reverse insertion direction by protruding from the wall in the locked state.

[0010] According to this aspect, the movement of the box stored in the storage portion in the reverse insertion direction can be blocked by a locking device having a simple configuration.

[0011] In the above aspect, each of the locking devices preferably includes a spring that constantly biases the locking member in the protruding direction from the wall, and an actuator that, under the control of the control device, displaces the locking member in a direction to immerse it in the wall against the biasing force of the spring.

[0012] According to this aspect, since the locking member is constantly biased in the protruding direction (i.e., the direction in which the locking device is in the locked state) by the spring, the insertion operation of the box into the accommodating portion is not hindered regardless of the operation of the actuator (i.e., the operator can insert the box into the accommodating portion against the biasing force of the spring).

[0013] In the above aspect, the wall preferably defines at least a part of the bottom surface of each of the accommodating portions.

[0014] According to this aspect, since the box inserted into the accommodating portion is placed on the locking member, the load of the box can displace the locking member in the immersion direction against the biasing force of the spring, and the insertion operation of the box into the accommodating portion becomes easier regardless of the operation of the actuator.

[0015] In the above aspect, each of the locking members preferably includes a first plate that, together with the wall, defines one surface of each of the accommodating portions, a second plate that extends outward from the first side edge of the first plate located on the back side in the insertion direction of each of the accommodating portions, and in the locked state, rotates about a rotation axis located in front in the insertion direction so that the first side edge side of the first plate protrudes from the wall.

[0016] According to this aspect, a structure (locking member) for locking the box can be easily realized.

[0017] In the above aspect, each of the locking devices is driven by the actuator, and includes a pressing member that is provided so as to be relatively movable with respect to the actuator on the front side and the rear side in the insertion direction, and a third plate that extends from the second side edge of the first plate located on the front side in the insertion direction toward the outside of each housing portion. The pressing member may include a pressing plate that presses the third plate so as to immerse the first side edge side of the first plate into the wall.

[0018] According to this aspect, since the third plate of the locking member is pressed by the pressing plate, it becomes possible to stably perform the immersion operation of the locking member.

[0019] In the above aspect, the cart body may be provided with other openings that open in a direction different from the plurality of openings and communicate with each of the housing portions.

[0020] According to this aspect, it becomes possible for an operator to easily confirm the state of the box being received in the housing portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the above aspect, in the picking cart, it is possible to appropriately pick an article to be picked by an operator without being affected by misrecognition or the like of the operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, with respect to directions (up and down, front and back, left and right), the directions appropriately indicated by arrows in the drawings will be followed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the picking system 1 includes a warehouse management device 3 (hereinafter referred to as the management device 3) and a plurality of picking carts 5. The picking system 1 is used, for example, for picking goods when shipping goods stored in a logistics warehouse (not shown). The management device 3 and each picking cart 5 can communicate with each other via a communication network 7 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the management device 3 and each picking cart 5 may directly communicate by short-range wireless communication based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi.

[0025] The management device 3 is a computer that may include known hardware such as one or more processors including a CPU, MPU, GPU, and DSP, a memory including a ROM and a RAM, a storage including an HDD and an SSD, and a communication device including a network card. In the present embodiment, the management device 3 is configured by a server that provides various information and programs necessary for the picking operation using the picking cart 5. Note that the management device 3 cooperates with a terminal device 31 for the picking operation (see FIGS. 2 and 8, for example) described later. The management device 3 and the terminal device 31 may execute a part of the functions of one of them instead of the other.

[0026] The plurality of picking carts 5 are carts for transporting articles taken out from storage locations (for example, shelves on which a plurality of articles are placed at respective determined positions) set in a logistics warehouse or the like. The plurality of picking carts 5 have substantially the same configuration. In the present embodiment, the articles (an example of articles to be picked) transported by each picking cart 5 are merchandise for sale to be transported to one or more stores respectively. However, the articles transported by each picking cart 5 are not limited to merchandise for sale, and may be, for example, parts for apparatuses assembled in a factory.

[0027] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the details of the picking cart 5 will be described.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the picking cart 5 includes a cart body 11 and a plurality (here, four in the front-rear and left-right directions) of wheels 13 that movably support the cart body 11. Note that the wheels 13 include not only circular members that rotate around an axis, but may include any device that movably supports the cart body 11.

[0029] The cart body 11 has a metal outer shell having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Inside the cart body 11, a plurality (here, four) of storage portions 15 that define a substantially rectangular parallelepiped storage space are provided.

[0030] Each storage portion 15 can accommodate a plurality of boxes 17 into which a plurality of products (that is, items to be picked) taken out from the storage location are respectively placed. Each box 17 is pre-associated with one or more products (or product groups) to be picked that are stored therein. The size of the storage space (here, having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape) defined by each storage portion 15 is set to correspond to the size of each box 17. More specifically, the sizes of those storage spaces are set so that no excessive gap is generated between the outer surfaces of each box 17 and the wall surfaces that define the storage space, and thus, the locking function of a locking device 25 described later is not inhibited.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two storage portions 15 arranged in the front-rear direction are provided in two upper and lower stages on the cart body 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number and arrangement of the storage portions 15 can be appropriately changed. Note that the cart body 11 may be provided with a plurality of storage portions 15 having storage spaces of different sizes from each other.

[0032] An opening 19 for inserting each box 17 in a predetermined insertion direction (here, refer to the left direction shown in FIG. 3) is formed in each storage portion 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 19 of each storage portion 15 opens to the right wall 11D constituting the outer shell of the cart body 11.

[0033] Note that the operator W can insert the box 17 into the storage space of each storage portion 15 only from the opening 19. Also, the operator W can take out the box 17 stored in the storage space of the storage portion 15 only from the opening 19. However, as shown in FIG. 3, other openings 21 (see FIG. 3) communicating with the storage spaces of the adjacent storage portions 15 may be formed in the front wall 11A constituting the outer shell of the cart body 11. Although illustration is omitted, similarly, other openings may be formed in the rear wall 11B and the left wall 11C constituting the outer shell of the cart body 11.

[0034] In this way, by providing other openings 21 communicating with each storage portion 15 (that is, holes or the like other than the opening 19 for the operator W to insert each box 17 into the storage space) in the cart body 11, the operator W can easily confirm the state (posture, position, etc.) of the box 17 in each storage portion 15.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of left and right handles 22 that can be gripped when the operator W moves (travels) the picking cart 5 are provided at the upper part of the rear wall 11B of the cart body 11.

[0036] At the bottom of each storage section 15, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of front and rear guide rails 24 are provided. The paired guide rails 24 extend in the insertion direction of the box 17 inserted into the storage section 15 (refer to the left - right direction shown in FIG. 3). When the box 17 is inserted into the storage section 15, the front and rear bottoms (corners) of the box 17 are respectively supported by the paired guide rails 24, and the movement of the box 17 in the insertion direction is guided. Each guide rail 24 is constituted by, for example, an L - shaped angle.

[0037] Also, at the bottom of each storage section 15 (below the storage space), a locking device 25 is provided to respectively restrict the removal from each opening 19 of each box 17 stored in each storage section 15. Each locking device 25 is attached with a lamp 26 indicating its operating state. Each lamp 26 also functions as a work completion button. For example, the work completion button is pressed by the operator W when goods are put into the box 17 stored in the corresponding storage section 15.

[0038] In addition, each storage section 15 is provided with an object detection sensor (not shown) for detecting that the corresponding box 17 has been set. As the object detection sensor, for example, a known proximity sensor can be used.

[0039] Each box 17 is constituted by, for example, cardboard having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The upper part of each box 17 may be open. In that case, the upper part of each box 17 is closed at least after the picking operation is completed. Also, each box 17 is not limited to cardboard, and may be, for example, a resin case. After the picking operation, each box 17 is used as a packaging container (transport container) for transporting (shipping) goods.

[0040] Also, on the upper wall 11E constituting the outer shell of the cart body 11, a terminal device 31 (an example of a control device and a display device), a reading device 33, a measuring device 35, and a printing device 37 are installed. However, those devices may be installed at appropriate positions other than the upper wall 11E of the cart body 11.

[0041] The terminal device 31 is a computer that may include known hardware such as one or more processors including a CPU, MPU, GPU, and DSP, a memory including a ROM and a RAM, a storage including an HDD and an SSD, and a communication device including a network card. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 31 is configured by a tablet terminal including a touch panel having a display screen. However, the terminal device 31 is not limited to a tablet, and may be an information processing terminal such as a smartphone carried by the operator W. Further, the terminal device 31 functions as a control device that controls each device mounted on the picking cart 5. However, the terminal device 31 may function only as a display device, and a control device (another computer) that controls each device may be separately installed in the cart body 11.

[0042] The reading device 33 is a device for reading the identification information attached to the product. In the present embodiment, a two-dimensional code including the identification information thereof is attached to each product. Further, the reading device 33 is a two-dimensional code reader that reads the identification information from the two-dimensional code. However, the identification information of the product may be held other than the two-dimensional code. For example, an RFID tag including the identification information thereof may be attached to each product instead of the two-dimensional code. In that case, an RFID reader is used as the reading device 33.

[0043] The identification information of the product includes at least one of, for example, a product name, a product type, a product number, a distribution code (JAN code), information on a storage location (for example, a shelf number in which the product is stored), and information on the product weight. However, the identification information of the product only needs to be information that can identify (distinguish from other products) the corresponding product at least, and is not limited to those information. The reading device 33 transmits the read identification information to the terminal device 31.

[0044] The measuring device 35 is a weighing scale that measures the weight of the product. The measuring device 35 transmits information regarding the measured weight of the product to the terminal device 31. Alternatively, the operator W may input the measurement result (information regarding the measured weight of the product) to the terminal device 31.

[0045] The printing device 37 is a printer that prints a shipping label 41 (see FIG. 2) for each box 17. The printing device 37 can print the shipping label 41 based on the shipping information of each box 17 received from the terminal device 31. The shipping label 41 is attached to the outer surface of the corresponding box 17 after the picking operation is completed. The shipping information includes information (such as an address and a phone number) indicating the destination (for example, the store that sells the product).

[0046] Also, inside a housing 43 attached to the lower wall 11F of the cart body 11, a battery 45 that supplies power used by the picking cart 5 is installed. The battery 45 can supply the necessary power to each device (here, the locking device 25, the terminal device 31, the reading device 33, the measuring device 35, and the printing device 37, etc.) mounted on the picking cart 5.

[0047] Note that in FIGS. 2 - 4, communication cables for the devices on the picking cart 5 to communicate with each other, power cables for receiving power supply from the battery 45, etc. are omitted. However, the devices on the picking cart 5 may perform wireless communication with each other without using a communication cable.

[0048] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the structure and detailed operation of the locking device 25 will be described.

[0049] The locking device 25 has a housing 46 attached to the outside (here, the lower surface of the bottom wall 15A) of the bottom wall 15A that defines at least a part of the bottom surface of the corresponding storage portion 15. The housing 46 has a substantially concave shape with an open top (that is, a shape in which one surface of a substantially hexahedron is open). The edge of the upper opening of the housing 46 is in contact with the lower surface of the bottom wall 15A.

[0050] The locking device 25 has a lock member 49 that is displaceable in and out of a substantially rectangular opening 47 provided in the bottom wall 15A. As shown in FIG. 5, when the lock member 49 is displaced upward (here, rotated), it blocks the movement of the box 17 accommodated in the corresponding accommodating portion 15 in the reverse insertion direction (the right direction in FIG. 3) (hereinafter referred to as the "locked state"). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the lock member 49 is displaced downward, it allows the movement of the box 17 accommodated in the corresponding accommodating portion 15 in the reverse insertion direction (hereinafter referred to as the "unlocked state").

[0051] In the unlocked state, the lock member 49 has an upper plate 51 (an example of a first plate) that forms a substantially rectangular shape and defines the bottom surface (an example of one surface) of the accommodating portion 15 together with the bottom wall 15A. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, in the locking device 25 in the unlocked state, the upper plate 51 substantially closes the opening 47 of the bottom wall 15A.

[0052] The lock member 49 also has a right plate 53 (an example of a third plate) that extends outward from the side edge 51A (an example of a second side edge) on the right side (the front side in the insertion direction) of the upper plate 51 toward the outside of the accommodating portion 15 (in a direction substantially perpendicular). The lock member 49 further has a left plate 54 (an example of a second plate) that extends outward from the left side edge 51B (an example of a first side edge) on the left side (i.e., the back side in the insertion direction) of the upper plate 51 on the side where the accommodated box 17 is located (here, the left side) toward the outside of the accommodating portion 15. Furthermore, the lock member 49 has a front plate 55 that extends outward from the front side edge of the upper plate 51 toward the outside of the accommodating portion 15 (in a direction substantially perpendicular) and a rear plate (not shown) that extends outward from the rear side edge of the upper plate 51 toward the outside of the accommodating portion 15 (in a direction substantially perpendicular).

[0053] The locking device 25 includes a pivot support member 57 (here, a hinge) that pivotally supports a locking member 49. The pivot support member 57 has a pivot shaft 61 extending in the front-rear direction. Further, the pivot support member 57 has pivot pieces 62, 63 that are provided to be relatively rotatable by being supported together by the pivot shaft 61 disposed in the middle. Also, the pivot support member 57 has a spring 65 (here, a torsion coil spring) that is attached to the pivot shaft 61 and biases the pivot pieces 62, 63 in a direction to separate them from each other. Note that the pivot support member 57 is disposed at a portion (here, the central portion in the front-rear direction) where a part of the right plate 53 is cut out.

[0054] One of the pivot pieces 62 is attached to the lower surface of the upper plate 51. Also, the other pivot piece 63 is attached to the left surface of the right wall 46A of the housing 46. Thereby, the locking member 49 switches between a locked state (see FIG. 5) and an unlocked state (see FIG. 6) by being displaced about the pivot shaft 61.

[0055] The locking device 25 has an actuator 67 that presses (i.e., displaces) the locking member 49 in a direction to immerse it in the bottom wall 15A against the biasing force of the spring 65. The actuator 67 has an actuator body 69 and a rod 70 that is provided to be telescopically extendable and retractable in the left-right direction from the actuator body 69. The actuator body 69 is fixed to the lower wall 46B of the housing 46 by a plurality of fixing portions 69A protruding from the lower portion thereof.

[0056] On the upper part of the actuator 67, a pressing member 73 is attached so as to be relatively movable with respect to the actuator 67. The pressing member 73 is driven by a rod 70 of the actuator 67. The pressing member 73 has a horizontal piece 75 extending substantially parallel to the upper surface of the actuator 67, and a vertical piece 76 connected to the right edge of the horizontal piece 75 and extending substantially parallel to the right plate 53 of the lock member 49 and the right wall 46A of the housing 46. A plurality of elongated holes 79 extending in the left-right direction are formed in the horizontal piece 75. Pins 81 projecting from the upper part of the actuator body 69 are inserted into the respective elongated holes 79. The relative movement of the pressing member 73 in the left-right direction with respect to the actuator body 69 is restricted by the engagement between the elongated holes 79 and the pins 81.

[0057] The actuator 67 operates electrically based on the control of the terminal device 31. The terminal device 31 can control the ON / OFF of the power supply of the actuator 67 (power supply to the actuator 67).

[0058] When the power supply of the actuator 67 is turned off, as shown in FIG. 5, the rod 70 is in a retracted state. At this time, by the biasing force of the spring 65, the rotating pieces 62 and 63 are biased in a direction to move away from each other. As a result, the lock member 49 rotates clockwise in FIG. 5 about the rotation axis 61, and the left side of the upper plate 51 is displaced upward. As a result, the left side of the lock member 49 (more specifically, the corner portion which is the connecting portion between the upper plate 51 and the left plate 54) protrudes above the bottom wall 15A of the accommodating portion 15.

[0059] Note that a locking piece 54A protruding leftward is provided at the tip (here, the lower end) of the left plate 54. The locking piece 54A restricts excessive rotation of the lock member 49 by being locked to the left edge portion of the opening 47 of the bottom wall 15A when the lock member 49 rotates.

[0060] When the power supply of the actuator 67 is turned on (i.e., the actuator 67 operates), as shown in FIG. 6, the rod 70 is in the extended state. At this time, the rod 70 presses the inner surface (left surface) of the vertical piece 76 of the pressing member 73. As a result, the pressing member 73 presses the right plate 53 of the lock member 49 in the right direction (the direction of the right wall 46A of the housing 46) against the biasing force of the spring 65. Further, the lock member 49 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6 about the rotation shaft 61, and the left side of the upper plate 51 is displaced downward. As a result, the lock member 49 is in a state of being immersed in the bottom wall 15A of the accommodating portion 15. At this time, the upper plate 51 is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 15A of the accommodating portion 15.

[0061] In the picking cart 5, even when the power supply of the actuator 67 of the locking device 25 is OFF (i.e., the lock member 49 protrudes upward), as shown in FIGS. 7(A)-(C), the operator W can set (insert) the box 17 (for example, the box 17 before picking operation or the box 17 after product loading) into the accommodating portion 15.

[0062] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(A), when the operator W slides the box 17 on the bottom wall 15A of the accommodating portion 15 and pushes the box 17 in the insertion direction (left direction), as shown in FIG. 7(B), the box 17 is in a state of being placed on the lock member 49. As a result, the load of the box 17 can displace the lock member 49 downward (immersion direction) against the biasing force of the spring 65. Thereafter, when the operator W further pushes the box 17 to the insertion completion position, as shown in FIG. 7(C), the lock member 49 is displaced upward again by the biasing force of the spring 65. At this time, the lock member 49 of the locking device 25 is in a state of locking the right bottom portion (the lower corner portion in the anti-insertion direction) of the box 17. As a result, the operator W cannot take out the box 17 from the accommodating portion 15 unless the power supply of the actuator 67 is turned on.

[0063] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the details of the functions of the terminal device 31 will be described.

[0064] The terminal device 31 includes a control unit 91 (an example of a control device), a display unit 92 (an example of a display device), a storage unit 93, and a communication unit 94.

[0065] The control unit 91 includes one or more processors and memories, and comprehensively controls each part of the picking cart 5. However, part of the functions of the control unit 91 may be executed by the management device 3. The display unit 92 includes a touch panel and displays necessary information to the operator W. The storage unit 93 includes a storage and stores data and programs necessary for the processing of the control unit 91. However, part of those necessary data and programs may be stored in the storage of the management device 3. The communication unit 94 includes a wireless module and communicates with other devices (for example, the management device 3).

[0066] The control unit 91 has a lock control unit 95, a display control unit 96, and a communication control unit 97. The lock control unit 95 controls the operations of the respective lock devices 25. More specifically, the control unit 91 can switch between the locked state and the unlocked state of the lock device 25 by controlling the ON / OFF of the power supply of the actuator 67 in the lock device 25. In addition, the lock control unit 95 controls the operation of the lamp 26 of the lock device 25. More specifically, when the lock device 25 is in the unlocked state, the control unit 91 can turn on, turn off, or blink the corresponding lamp 26.

[0067] The display control unit 96 controls the operation of the display unit 92. The display control unit 96 can display a screen (hereinafter referred to as a "guidance screen") including information necessary for the operator W to perform picking work on the display screen of the display unit 92.

[0068] The communication control unit 97 controls the operation of the communication unit 94. The communication control unit 97 can receive information (including information displayed on the picking screen P in FIG. 10, for example) to be displayed on the guidance screen for the operator W from the management device 3. In addition, the communication control unit 97 can transmit information regarding the picking work performed by the operator W (including information input by the operator W to the terminal device 31) to the management device 3.

[0069] The functions of each part in the control unit 91 can be realized by the processing of one or more processors based on a predetermined control program. Further, at least a part of the functions of each part of the control unit 91 may be realized by hardware such as LSI, ASIC, FPGA, etc., or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0070] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the details of the picking process by the picking cart 5 will be described.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, when the power of the picking cart 5 is turned on (that is, the power supply from the battery 45 to each device starts) (ST101), in the activated terminal device 31, information necessary for the picking work (hereinafter referred to as "work information") is input by the operator W (ST102). This work information includes, for example, the ID (identification number) of the operator W and the number related to the picking work that the operator W plans to execute.

[0072] Therefore, when the input of the work information by the operator W is completed, subsequently, in the picking cart 5, the box 17 is set in each storage unit 15 by the operator W (ST103).

[0073] Therefore, when the operator W completes the setting of the box 17 in each storage unit 15, the terminal device 31 displays the position information of the products to be picked (for example, the map information in the distribution warehouse) as a guidance screen related to the picking work for the operator W (ST104). At this time, the terminal device 31 receives the verification information related to the products to be picked from the management device 3 in order to determine whether the picking work is properly performed together with the information to be displayed on the guidance screen. The verification information includes, for example, information such as the identification information, weight, and quantity (total number) of each product to be picked. At least a part of the verification information may be displayed on the guidance screen.

[0074] Operator W can move the picking cart 5 to the location where the picking operation is to be performed according to the position information of the product (i.e., the information of the working location) displayed on the terminal device 31. After that, when operator W starts the picking operation, the terminal device 31 can display, as a guidance screen, for example, the picking screen P shown in FIG. 10. Note that the display in step ST104 can be repeatedly executed at the necessary timing regardless of the execution of other processes.

[0075] Next, the reading device 33 reads the identification information of the product taken out by operator W from the storage location (for example, a predetermined position on the shelf) (ST105). At this time, operator W brings the part (for example, a two-dimensional code) where the identification information is held on the taken-out product close to the reading part of the reading device 33.

[0076] Subsequently, the measuring device 35 measures the weight of the product taken out by operator W (ST106). At this time, operator W places the taken-out product on the weighing pan of the measuring device 35.

[0077] After that, based on the identification information read in step ST105 and the information regarding the weight of the product measured in step ST106, the terminal device 31 determines whether the product taken out by operator W from the storage location (an example of a picking candidate) is the product to be picked (i.e., whether the picking operation was properly performed) (ST107).

[0078] Regarding the identification information in step ST107, the terminal device 31 collates the identification information attached to the product read by the reading device 33 with the verification information (identification information) regarding the product to be picked. When the collation is successfully completed, the terminal device 31 can determine (provisionally determine) that the taken-out product is the product to be picked.

[0079] Also, regarding the weight of the product in step ST107, the terminal device 31 compares the weight of the product measured by the measuring device 35 with the verification information (weight) regarding the product to be picked. When the comparison is completed normally (for example, when the difference between those weights is within a predetermined range), it can be determined (temporarily determined) that the taken-out product is the product to be picked.

[0080] The terminal device 31 can determine (confirm) that it is the product to be picked when the verification of the verification information is completed normally and the weight comparison is completed normally. However, the terminal device 31 may execute the determination in step ST107 based only on the identification information read in step ST105.

[0081] Furthermore, in step ST107, the terminal device 31 can also recognize the number (total number) of the same type of products taken out from the reading result in step ST105, and determine whether it is the product to be picked based on the total number of those products. More specifically, the terminal device 31 compares the total number of the same type of articles read by the reading device 33 with the verification information (quantity regarding the same type of products to be picked), and when the comparison is completed normally (for example, when those numbers match), it can be determined (temporarily determined) that it is the product to be picked.

[0082] When the terminal device 31 determines that the product taken out by the operator W is the product to be picked (Yes in ST107), only the locking device 25 in the accommodating portion 15 that houses the box 17 into which the product should be placed is set to the unlocked state (ST108). At the same time, the terminal device 31 lights up the lamp 26 of the locking device 25 (ST109). At this time, the lamps 26 of the locking devices 25 in the other accommodating portions 15 are in the off state.

[0083] Thereafter, when the identification information of all the products to be put into one box 17 is read at at least one work location, the terminal device 31 determines that the picking operation for the box 17 is completed (Yes in ST110). For example, the products to be picked at one work location (usually corresponding to the parking position of the picking cart 5) are the products whose storage positions are within a predetermined area (or within a distance range) preset from the position of the work location. At this time, the terminal device 31 returns the locking device 25 of the storage section 15 corresponding to the corresponding box 17 to the locked state (ST111). However, in step ST110, when the operator W inputs the completion of the picking operation on the terminal device 31 (for example, presses the completion button displayed on the guidance screen), the terminal device 31 may determine that the picking operation is completed.

[0084] As another form, in step ST110, when the identification information of all of the same type of products to be put into a plurality of boxes 17 is read, the terminal device 31 may determine that the picking operation for the same type of products is completed.

[0085] In the picking cart 5, the above steps ST105 - ST112 are repeatedly executed. Finally, when the terminal device 31 determines that the picking operations for all the products to be picked and to be put into each box 17 set on the picking cart 5 are completed (Yes in ST112), it displays that fact on the guidance screen and prompts the operator W to move to the next process.

[0086] When the terminal device 31 determines that the worker W (the picking cart 5) has moved to the location where the next process (for example, transportation by the conveyor of each box 17) is to be performed (Yes in ST113), the terminal device 31 unlocks the locking devices 25 of all the storage units 15. For example, at the location where the next process is to be performed, a device that emits a predetermined wireless signal is arranged, and the terminal device 31 can unlock the locking devices 25 of all the storage units 15 by receiving the signal. As a result, the worker W can take out each box 17 from the picking cart 5 to perform the next process.

[0087] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the details of the picking screen P will be described.

[0088] The picking screen P includes information such as the store code 201 (the number of the store to which the goods are shipped), the name of the shipping store 202, the area number 203 (the number of the area corresponding to the storage location of the goods to be picked), the staging number 204 (the location where the picked goods are transported by the picking cart 5), and the list 205 of the goods to be picked.

[0089] The list 205 of the goods includes information such as the name of the goods (for example, cushion cover), the JAN number, the type of the goods (category), the number of items (the number of goods when the same type of goods are stored together in a packaging container such as a box or a bag (that is, the number of goods included in the group of goods)), and the number to be picked (the number targeted for the picking operation). The number to be picked corresponds to the number of goods when the goods are stored individually, while in the case where a plurality of goods are stored together in a packaging container (the case of a group of goods), it corresponds to the number of the group of goods.

[0090] Also, on the picking screen P, information 205A regarding the product that is currently the target of the picking operation is highlighted. On the terminal device 31, as such highlighting, for example, the frame line of the area where the information of the product that is currently the target of the picking operation is displayed can be made thick, or a color different from other areas can be applied. Also, on the picking screen P, regarding the information 205B regarding the product for which the picking operation has already been completed, a non-conspicuous display (for example, grayed-out display) is made.

[0091] After the operator W has completed the picking operation for all the products to be placed in one box 17 on the picking screen P, by pressing the label output button 209, the shipping label 41 (see FIG. 2) for the box 17 can be printed by the printing device 37. The picking screen P is updated when the picking operation for one box 17 is completed, and the product list 205 displays information regarding the products to be placed in the next box 17.

[0092] As described above, the present invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments. However, as can be easily understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1: Picking system 3: Management device 5: Picking cart 7: Communication network 11: Cart body 11A: Front wall 11B: Rear wall 11C: Left wall 11D: Right wall 11E: Upper wall 11F: Lower wall 13: Wheels 15: Storage section 15A: Bottom wall 17: Box 19: Opening 21: Opening 22: Handle 24: Guide Rail 25: Locking Device 26: Lamp 31: Terminal Device 33: Reading Device 35: Measuring Device 37: Printing Device 41: Shipping Label 43: Housing 45: Battery 46: Housing 46A: Right Wall 46B: Bottom Wall 47: Opening 49: Locking Member 51: Upper Plate 51A: Side Edge 51B: Side Edge 53: Right Plate 54: Left Plate 54A: Locking Piece 55: Front Plate 57: Rotation Support Member 61: Rotation Axis 62: Rotation Piece 63: Rotation Piece 65: Spring 67: Actuator 69: Actuator Body 69A: Fixed Portion 70: Rod 73: Pressing Member 75: Horizontal Piece 76: Vertical Piece 79: Long Hole 81: Pin 91: Control Unit 92: Display Unit 93: Memory Unit 94: Communication Unit 95: Lock Control Unit 96: Display Control Unit 97: Communication Control Unit 201: Store Code 202: Shipping Store Name 203: Area Number 204: Staging number 205: Product list 209: Label output button P: Picking screen W: Worker

Claims

1. A picking cart, A cart body provided with a plurality of storage sections each for storing a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped boxes in which at least one article can be placed; wheels that movably support the carriage body; The carriage body includes: a plurality of box insertion openings for inserting the boxes into the respective storage sections in a predetermined insertion direction; a plurality of locking devices each restricting removal of the boxes housed in each of the housing sections from the box insertion openings; A control device for controlling the operation of each of the locking devices is provided. Each of the locking devices includes a locking member that is switched, under the control of the control device, between a locked state in which the locking member protrudes above the bottom wall from a locking opening provided in a bottom wall that defines one surface of each of the storage sections to prevent the box from being removed from the corresponding storage section, and an unlocked state in which the locking member retracts into the locking opening to allow the box to be removed from the corresponding storage section; Each of the box insertion openings is formed in a rectangular shape for each of the storage sections, and has a shape that is larger than a cross-sectional shape of the box perpendicular to the insertion direction by a predetermined amount, A pair of guide rails extending in the insertion direction are provided on the bottom wall to guide the movement of the box when it is inserted into the storage portion, The pair of guide rails of the picking cart each have an L-shaped cross section.

2. A picking cart as described in claim 1, wherein the vertical dimension of the gap between the upper edge of each box insertion opening and the upper edge of the box accommodated in the corresponding storage section is smaller than the amount of protrusion of the locking member upward from the bottom wall.

3. The picking cart according to claim 1 , wherein the cart body is provided with box state checking openings that open in a different direction from the box insertion openings and communicate with each of the storage sections.

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