Loading work support device

Abstract

To provide a stacking work support device which facilitates article stacking work according to the article category, and can improve accuracy of the stacking work.SOLUTION: A stacking work support device includes: a carry-in part in which an article is carried; a work area; a conveyance device for conveying the article from the carry-in part to the work area; a reading device for reading identification information 91 of the article; a notation device for noting work support information 92 on a surface of the article; and a control system, wherein in the work area, a plurality of work sections where supports are arranged are arranged, the work support information 92 includes partition designation information 93 for designating working sections where the stacking work of the articles is performed, and the control system generates the partition designation information 93 noted in the articles of the same category so that the articles are preferentially stacked on the same support, on the basis of the identification information 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading operation support device that supports loading of a plurality of articles, each having readable identification information that can identify the type of article, onto a support body according to the type of the article. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of such a stacking operation support device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-025022 (Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, in the description of this background art, reference numerals in Patent Document 1 will be cited in parentheses. The stacking operation support device (sorting device 40) of Patent Document 1 includes a conveyor (14) that continuously transports the same type of items (10) retrieved from a storage shelf (15), a marking device (printing device 20) adjacent to the conveyor (14), and a reading device (reading device 30) adjacent to the conveyor (14) downstream of the marking device. Further downstream of the reading device, multiple chutes (13) connected to the conveyor (14) are disposed. The marking device prints sorting information (11) for automatic reading and sorting information (12) for visual recognition on each of the same type of items (10) transported by the conveyor (14). The sorting information for automatic reading (11) is then read by a reading device, and each article (10) is automatically sorted into a predetermined chute (13). After that, a worker sorts each article (10) sorted into a predetermined cart or the like while checking the sorting information for visual recognition (12). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-025022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in an automated warehouse such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, multiple types of items may be stored or removed at the same time. For example, multiple types of items transported by a conveying device or the like may be sorted at the same time and loaded onto supports (e.g., carts, pallets, etc.) by item type. Also, when the number of items of the same item type is small, it may be desirable to mix items of different item types onto one support so that more items can be loaded onto one support. Even in these cases, it is necessary to avoid as much as possible mistakes in the loading work, such as workers loading items onto the wrong support, and to improve the accuracy of the loading work.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize a stowage operation support device that can facilitate the stowage operation of items according to the type of item and can improve the accuracy of the stowage operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The stowage operation support device according to the present disclosure is a stowage operation support device that supports stowage operation of stacking a plurality of articles, each having readable identification information that can identify an article type, onto a support body according to the article type, and a loading section into which the items are loaded, a work area where the stowing work is performed by workers, a transport device that transports the items from the loading section to the work area along a predetermined transport route, a reading device that is provided along the transport route and reads the identification information of the items, a marking device that is provided on the transport route between the reading device and the work area and marks work support information on the surface of the items, and a control system that controls the reading device and the marking device, a plurality of work sections, each having the support body arranged therein, are arranged along the transport path in the work area; the work support information includes zone designation information that designates the work zone in which the stowing work of each of the items is to be performed, Based on the identification information read by the reading device, the control system generates the section designation information to be written on each item so that items of the same item type are preferentially loaded on the same support.

[0007] According to this configuration, work support information including zone designation information that designates the work zone where the stowing work of the items will be performed is written on the surface of each item. Then, the items with the work support information written on them are transported to the work area by a transport device. Therefore, in the work area, workers, etc. can simply work based on the work support information written on each item, and perform the stowing work so that items of the same type are preferentially stowed on the same support. This makes it possible to facilitate the stowing work by workers, etc., and to reduce the occurrence of stowing errors by workers, etc. Thus, with this configuration, it is desirable to realize a stowage operation support device that can facilitate the stowage operation of items according to the item type and improve the accuracy of the stowage operation.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the loading operation support device will become apparent from the following description of exemplary, non-limiting embodiments which are given with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the loading support device [Figure 2] Control Block Diagram [Figure 3] A perspective view schematically showing an article (carton container) [Figure 4] Control Flow Diagram [Figure 5] Control Flow Diagram [Figure 6] Control Flow Diagram DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An example in which the loading work support device 1 is applied to an article conveying facility 11 will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the article conveying facility 11 includes the loading work support device 1, a storage section 16 for storing articles W, a shipping conveyor 15, an attachment device 13 provided adjacent to the shipping conveyor 15, and a shipping work area 12. Articles W arriving inside the article conveying facility 11 are loaded onto a support body 2 (here, a pallet) via the loading work support device 1. The articles W loaded onto the support body 2 are then stored in the storage section 16. Articles W to be shipped from inside the article conveying facility 11 are placed from the storage section 16 onto the shipping conveyor 15. The articles W are then transported by the shipping conveyor 15 to the shipping work area 12, and shipped from the shipping work area 12 to the outside of the article conveying facility 11. A label is attached to the shipped article W by the attachment device 13 while it is being transported by the shipping conveyor 15. The goods W that have arrived at the shipping work area 12 are loaded onto, for example, a truck and transported to the shipping destination.

[0011] Furthermore, the item W loaded onto the support body 2 via the loading work support device 1 may not be stored in the storage section 16, but may be transported directly to the shipping work area 12 by the shipping conveyor 15. When shipping the item W, the item W may not be placed on the shipping conveyor 15, but may be transported directly to the shipping work area 12. In this case, the label attachment device 13 does not attach a label to the item W.

[0012] In the example of FIG. 1 , the shipping conveyor 15 includes a first output conveyor 17, a second output conveyor 18, and a third output conveyor 19. A plurality of first output conveyors 17 are arranged adjacent to each other in the storage section 16. Each of the plurality of first output conveyors 17 is connected to the second output conveyor 18 on the downstream side. A bonding device 13 is arranged adjacent to the second output conveyor 18. The second output conveyor 18 is connected to a plurality of third output conveyors 19 on the downstream side of the bonding device 13. Each of the plurality of third output conveyors 19 is arranged so as to overlap with the shipping work area 12 when viewed in the vertical direction. In other words, an item W placed on the first output conveyor 17 passes through the second output conveyor 18 and is transported to one of the plurality of third output conveyors 19. In the shipping work area 12, a worker removes the items W from the third output conveyor 19 and loads them onto, for example, a pallet or a cart. The shipping work area 12 is designed to accommodate vehicles such as trucks, and the loaded items W are then loaded onto the vehicles and shipped. In the example of FIG. 1, the affixing device 13 is a labeler that automatically affixes a label bearing the shipping destination. The configuration of the shipping conveyor 15 can be modified as appropriate.

[0013] In the storage section 16, a plurality of articles W stacked on the support bodies 2 by the stacking work support device 1 are stored. In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of support bodies 2 are arranged side by side in the storage section 16, and a plurality of articles W are stacked on each of the support bodies 2. The storage section 16 is arranged between the stacking work support device 1 and the shipping conveyor 15 (here, the first carry-out conveyor 17). In other words, the storage section 16 is adjacent to both the stacking work support device 1 and the shipping conveyor 15. Note that, when transporting a plurality of articles W placed on the support bodies 2 or articles W not placed on the support bodies 2 within the article transport facility 11 without using a conveyor, it is preferable to use not only manual transport but also a forklift, an automated guided vehicle (AGV), or the like.

[0014] In this embodiment, the article W is a container that can be stacked on the support 2. Specifically, the article W is a carton container C that contains objects. In the example of FIG. 3, the article W is a cardboard box that serves as the carton container C. Examples of objects that can be contained in the carton container C include clothes, books, drinking water, food, and machine parts.

[0015] The loading operation support device 1 is a device that supports loading work in which multiple articles W, each having readable identification information 91 that can identify the type of article, are loaded onto a support 2 according to the type of article. In this embodiment, the loading operation support device 1 supports loading work in which multiple articles W (carton containers C) are loaded onto a support 2 (a pallet in this case) according to the type of article. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3 , a one-dimensional code is printed in advance on the side of the carton container C, and a reading device 6 (described later) detects the one-dimensional code to obtain the identification information 91. In addition to the one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code or the like may be printed on the carton container C. Also, a label on which such a one-dimensional code or two-dimensional code is printed may be attached to the carton container C in advance. Here, the loading operation support device 1 can support loading of articles W of the same type onto the support 2, or can support loading of articles W of different types onto the support 2. The specific configuration and features of the loading operation support device 1 will be described below. The item type of the item W refers to a classification of the item W to be handled by the stowage work support device 1, divided according to predetermined criteria. For example, the item type can be a classification based on the smallest management unit (SKU) of the items (products, etc.) contained in the item W, that is, a classification based on the smallest management unit when managing inventory. The item type can also be a classification based on the identification code of the items contained in the item W (for example, a product identification code such as a JAN code or an EAN code). In this embodiment, the support 2 is a pallet, but the support 2 may also be a basket cart, a storage shelf, etc.

[0016] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the loading work support device 1 includes an inlet section 3 into which items W are brought in, a conveying device 5, a work area 4, a reading device 6, a notation device 7, a measuring device 10, and a control system 8.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, for each group Wg of items, which is a collection of multiple items W, multiple items W constituting the group Wg are brought in together into the carry-in section 3. Each item W constituting the group Wg is transported from the carry-in section 3 to the conveying device 5. In this example, the carry-in section 3 is equipped with a carry-in conveyor 31. Each of the multiple carry-in conveyors 31 is connected to the conveying device 5. Each item W constituting the group Wg brought into the carry-in section 3 is transported to the conveying device 5 by the carry-in conveyor 31. In the example of FIG. 1, the carry-in section 3 is configured to accommodate multiple vehicles (e.g., trucks, etc.), and, for example, one or multiple groups of items Wg are unloaded from the container of a single truck between the carry-in conveyors 31. Then, an item W is removed from the group Wg by a worker or the like and transferred to the carry-in conveyor 31. In this way, one or more groups of items Wg loaded onto one truck and carried into the carrying-in section 3 are considered as one unit, and the loading operation support device 1 can be set to support the loading operation for each unit. Note that a railroad car may be parked at the carrying-in section 3, and the group of items Wg may be carried in from a container loaded on the railroad car.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying device 5 conveys an article W from the loading section 3 to the work area 4 along a predetermined conveying path R. In this embodiment, the conveying device 5 includes a first conveying conveyor 51 and a plurality of second conveying conveyors 52. The first conveying conveyor 51 is a conveyor that connects the loading section 3 (specifically, the plurality of input conveyors 31) and the second conveying conveyors 52. Each of the plurality of second conveying conveyors 52 is connected to the first conveying conveyor 51 so as to branch off (diverge) from a region downstream of the first conveying conveyor 51. Each second conveying conveyor 52 is also arranged so as to overlap with the work area 4 when viewed from above. That is, the article W travels from the input conveyor 31 of the loading section 3 through the first conveying conveyor 51, and then through one of the plurality of second conveying conveyors 52 to reach the work area 4. In the example of FIG. 1, each second transfer conveyor 52 is assigned an alphabetical number "A, B, C, ..." starting from the side closest to the carry-in section 3. Hereinafter, the second transfer conveyor 52 may be referred to as the "A" second transfer conveyor 52 or the "B" second transfer conveyor 52 starting from the side closest to the carry-in section 3. The number of first transfer conveyors 51 and second transfer conveyors 52 can be changed as appropriate, and one or more of each can be installed. In addition, the transfer device 5 can also be an automated guided vehicle (AGV) or the like that transfers the article W between the carry-in section 3 and the work area 4.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in the work area 4, workers perform loading work. Specifically, the workers perform work to load items W that have been transported to the work area 4 onto supports 2. In the work area 4, a plurality of work sections 9, each with a support 2 disposed therein, are arranged along the transport route R. In this embodiment, a plurality of work sections 9 are arranged along the second transport conveyor 52. A support 2 is arranged in each work section 9, and the workers load the items W on the second transport conveyor 52 onto the support 2 arranged in the work section 9. By arranging the support 2 in each work section 9, a plurality of supports 2 are arranged side by side along the transport route R of the second transport conveyor 52.

[0020] In this example, the work sections 9 are arranged on both outer sides of the conveying path R. In the example of FIG. 1, the work sections 9 are arranged along the conveying path R (here, the conveying direction of the second conveyor 52) and on both outer sides of the second conveyor 52. In the example of FIG. 1, ten work sections 9 are arranged on each side of each of the second conveyors 52 labeled "A" to "C." As described above, the support 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a pallet. In FIG. 1, for the purpose of explaining the section designation information 93, which will be described later, the ten work sections 9 arranged along the second conveyor 52 labeled "A" are numbered "1" to "10." Similarly, five of the ten work sections 9 arranged along the second conveyor 52 labeled "B" are numbered "1" to "5."

[0021] The reading device 6 is provided along the conveying path R and reads the identification information 91 of the article W. In this embodiment, the reading device 6 is disposed adjacent to the conveying device 5 (here, the first conveyor 51). The reading device 6 is also provided upstream of the measuring device 10 and the marking device 7 on the conveying path R. In this example, as described above, the reading device 6 is configured to read one-dimensional codes printed on the article W. If a two-dimensional code is printed on the article W, the reading device 6 can also read the two-dimensional code. The reading device 6 may also be a scanner for IC tags such as RFID. In this case, an IC tag is attached to each article W constituting the article group Wg. The reading device 6 may also be an image recognition device that recognizes characters or patterns on the surface of the article W. In this embodiment, the reading device 6 reads the identification information 91 of each article W conveyed by the first conveyor 51 and transmits the information to the control device 80, which will be described later. The identification information 91 may include the type of item W (product name, product code, etc.), etc. This allows the control device 80 to identify the type of item W that has passed through the reading device 6. In this example, the identification information 91 may include the type of item W that has been read by the reading device 6, and information indicating the number of items W of the same type that have passed through the reading device 6.

[0022] The marking device 7 is provided on the conveying route R between the reading device 6 and the work area 4, and is a device that marks work support information 92 on the surface of the article W. In this embodiment, the marking device 7 is provided on the conveying route R between the measuring device 10 and the work area 4. The marking device 7 is also arranged adjacent to the conveying device 5 (here, the first conveyor 51). In this example, the marking device 7 is provided downstream of the measuring device 10 and the reading device 6 on the conveying route R. In this embodiment, the marking device 7 is a printer 71 that prints the work support information 92 on the surface of the carton container C. As shown in FIG. 3 , the marking device 7 (printer 71) prints the work support information 92 on the side of each article W (carton container C) conveyed by the first conveyor 51. In this example, the marking device 7 (printer 71) is an inkjet printer, but is not limited to this, and for example, the marking device 7 may be a device (e.g., an auto-labeler) that attaches a label on which work support information 92 is printed to the surface of a carton container C. Details of the work support information 92 will be described later.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stowage work support device 1 includes at least one of a registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 that acquires pre-registered dimension information 96 for each item type, using information indicating the outer dimensions of the items W as dimension information 96, and a measuring device 10 that acquires the dimension information 96 by measuring the outer dimensions of each item W transported by the transport device 5 upstream of the marking device 7 on the transport route R. In this example, as described above, the stowage work support device 1 includes the measuring device 10. The measuring device 10 is provided between the reading device 6 and the marking device 7 on the transport route R. The measuring device 10 is also arranged along the transport device 5 (here, the first transport conveyor 51). Here, the measuring device 10 is a laser measuring instrument equipped with a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are arranged on either side of the first transport conveyor 51. The measuring device 10 measures the dimensions (height, width, depth) of each article W (carton container C) conveyed by the first conveyor 51, and transmits the dimension information 96 to the control device 80.

[0024] Next, the above-mentioned work support information 92 will be described. The work support information 92 includes section designation information 93 that designates the work section 9 in which the stowing work of each item W will be performed. In the example of FIG. 3, "A001" is printed on the side of the item W (carton container C) as the section designation information 93. The work section 9 designated by "A001" is work section 9 "1" among the multiple work sections 9 arranged along the second transport conveyor 52 "A". In this case, the item W is automatically transported from the first transport conveyor 51 to the second transport conveyor 52 "A". Then, the worker receives the item from the second transport conveyor 52 "A", visually confirms the printed "001", and stows the received item W on the support 2 arranged in the work section 9 "1" (see FIG. 1). Also, for example, if "B003" is printed on the side of the item W, the item W will be automatically transported from the first transport conveyor 51 to the second transport conveyor 52 marked "B." Then, the worker receives the item W from the second transport conveyor 52 marked "B," visually recognizes the printed "003," and stows the received item W on the support 2 located in the work section 9 marked "3." In this way, by checking the section designation information 93, the worker can know which of the multiple work sections 9 the stowage work will be performed in, and as a result, can know which support 2 the item W will be stowed on. Note that, hereinafter, each of the items W transported by the transport device 5 may be described as the target item Wt.

[0025] 3 and 5, the work support information 92 also includes passing order information 95 indicating the relationship between the conveyance order of the target items Wt among the items W of the same item type and the total number per type. As will be described later, the total number per type is the number of items W of each item type included in the item group Wg conveyed to the receiving section 3. In this example, the conveyance order of the target items Wt and the total number per type (in FIG. 3, conveyance order / total number per type) are printed on the side of the item W as passing order information 95. In the example of FIG. 3, "10 / 30" is printed on the side of the item W. This indicates that there are 30 target items Wt of the same item type in total, and that the item Wt is the 10th from the front in terms of the order of the target items Wt passing through the marking device 7. In other words, by visually checking the passing order information 95, a worker performing stowage work in the work area 4 can infer that, when stacking the item W on the support 2, nine items W of the target items Wt of the same item type have already been stacked on the support 2. The worker can also infer that the remaining 20 target items Wt will soon be stacked on the support 2. Furthermore, for example, when stacking a target item Wt printed with "30 / 30," the worker can recognize that no new items W of the same type as the target item Wt will be transported to the work area 4.

[0026] The work support information 92 also includes conveyor transport permission information 97 indicating whether or not an item W supported on the support 2 in the work area 4 is permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15, which transports the item W to the shipping work area 12 where the shipping work is performed after the item W is removed from the support 2 for shipping work. In this example, an item W permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15 is placed on the shipping conveyor 15, but an item W not permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15 is prohibited from being placed on the shipping conveyor 15. In the example of FIG. 3, "C○" is printed on the side of the item W (carton container C). In this case, the item W is permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15. At the time of shipping, a worker visually recognizes the printed "C○" and transfers the item W stacked on the support 2, for example, from the storage section 16 to the shipping conveyor 15 (here, the first outgoing conveyor 17). Furthermore, if "Cx" is printed on the side of the item W, the item W is prohibited from being transported by the shipping conveyor 15. Therefore, the worker transports the item W directly to the shipping work area 12 without placing it on the shipping conveyor 15 (here, the first unloading conveyor 17).

[0027] The work support information 92 also includes reusability information 98 that indicates whether the carton container C that constitutes the item W is reusable or not. In the example of FIG. 3, "Rx" is printed on the side of the item W. In this case, the item W is recognized as not reusable. On the other hand, if "R○" is printed on the side of the item W, the item W is recognized as reusable. Note that in this embodiment, reuse includes reusing an empty carton container C from which all of the stored items have been removed by storing new items in it. Reuse can also include, for example, recycling the empty carton container C.

[0028] In this example, the work support information 92, such as the above-mentioned section designation information 93, passing order information 95, conveyor transport feasibility information 97, and reusability information 98, is printed on all items W contained in one unit (for example, all item groups Wg loaded on one truck).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the control system 8 controls the reading device 6 and the marking device 7. In this embodiment, the control system 8 includes a control device 80, which controls the reading device 6 and the marking device 7. Furthermore, the control device 80 controls the measuring device 10, the carry-in conveyor 31, the first transport conveyor 51, the second transport conveyor 52, the shipping conveyor 15, the carry-out conveyor 14, and the labeling device 13. The control system 8 also includes a higher-level control device (hereinafter referred to as a higher-level controller 82) that is configured to be able to communicate with the control device 80. The control device 80 acquires incoming goods information 89, which will be described later, from the higher-level controller 82. The control device 80 includes a processing unit such as a CPU and peripheral circuits such as a memory. The functions of the control device 80 are realized by the cooperation of these hardware components and a program executed on the processing unit or other hardware components. The control device 80 may be configured not as a single piece of hardware, but as a set of multiple pieces of hardware (multiple separate pieces of hardware) that can communicate with each other.

[0030] 2, the control device 80 includes an incoming goods information acquisition unit D1, an identification information acquisition unit D2, a total number information by type acquisition unit D3, a conveyor transport feasibility information acquisition unit D5, a reuse feasibility information acquisition unit D6, a section designation information acquisition unit D7, and a passing order information acquisition unit D8. The control device 80 may also include a registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 (shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2).

[0031] Based on the identification information 91 read by the reading device 6, the control system 8 generates section designation information 93 to be written on each item W so that items W of the same item type are preferentially stacked on the same support 2. In this embodiment, the control device 80 generates section designation information 93 for each target item Wt based on the total number information by type 94 described below and the above identification information 91. The control device 80 generates section designation information 93 so that target items Wt of the same item type are preferentially stacked on a support 2 (here, a pallet) in the same work section 9. For example, the control device 80 generates section designation information 93 so that items W of the same item type are stacked on a single support 2 up to the upper limit number that can be stacked on that support 2. At this time, if the number of items W of the same item type exceeds the above upper limit number, the control device 80 generates section designation information 93 so that the items W exceeding the upper limit number are stacked on another support 2. Furthermore, if all items W of the same item type are loaded onto one support 2 but the total number of items W on the support 2 is less than the above-mentioned upper limit number, the control device 80 generates section designation information 93, for example, so that items W of a different item type are loaded onto the support 2 (i.e., so that items W of different item types are mixed onto one support 2).

[0032] For example, if the upper limit of the number of items W that can be loaded on each support 2 is set to 10, and the total number of items W of a given item type based on the type-specific total number information 94 is set to 12, the control device 80 can assign 10 of the 12 items W to be loaded onto the support 2 labeled "A001," and the remaining two items W to be loaded onto the support 2 labeled "A002." Then, based on the identification information 91 of the target item Wt transported by the conveying device 5, the control device 80 determines that the target item Wt corresponds to the given item type and the order in which the target item W of the given item type passed through the reading device 6, and generates section designation information 93 to be printed on the target item W. In the above example, the marking device 7 prints "A001" on the first 10 target items Wt, and prints "A002" on the 11th and subsequent target items Wt. In this way, the control device 80 generates section designation information 93 to be printed sequentially for the target items Wt passing through the reading device 6. Such section designation information 93 is generated and acquired by the section designation information acquisition unit D7.

[0033] In this embodiment, the control system 8 is configured to acquire, each time an item group Wg is carried into the carry-in section 3, total number information by type 94 indicating the total number of items W for each item type contained in the carried-in item group Wg. In this example, the control device 80 generates and acquires the total number information by type 94 in the total number information by type acquisition section D3. More specifically, when one or more item groups Wg (here, one unit of item group Wg) are carried into the carry-in section 3, the control device 80 acquires incoming item information 89 (here, incoming item information 89 related to one unit of item group Wg) from the upper controller 82. The incoming item information 89 can include the item types (product names, product codes, etc.) contained in the item group Wg, the number of items W for each item type (total number by type), the expiration dates of items contained in the items W, etc. Such incoming item information 89 is generated and acquired in the incoming item information acquisition section D1. For example, if the item types and the number of items per item type are known for all of the multiple item groups Wg loaded on a truck parked next to the loading section 3 (i.e., one unit of item group Wg), such information is sent or input in advance to the control device 80 to generate incoming item information 89. In this example, total number per type information 94 is generated based on the incoming item information 89. In other words, total number per type information 94 is generated and acquired by extracting the number of items W per item type (total number per type) from the incoming item information 89 acquired from the upper controller 82.

[0034] The control system 8 also determines the conveyance order of the target item Wt based on the identification information 91 of the target item Wt read by the reading device 6 and the identification information 91 of the item W read by the reading device 6 before the target item Wt, and generates passing order information 95 based on the conveyance order and the total number per type based on the total number per type information 94. Specifically, the control device 80 uses the identification information 91 of one or more target items Wt of the same item type that have already been read by the reading device 6 to determine the order (conveyance order) in which the target item Wt currently read by the reading device 6 passed through the reading device 6. Then, based on the determined conveyance order and total number per type, the control device 80 generates passing order information 95 including information (conveyance order information) indicating the order in which the target item Wt passing through the reading device 6 passed among all target items Wt belonging to the same item type. Such passing order information 95 is generated and acquired by the passing order information acquisition unit D8. The passing order information 95 may further include information indicating how many more target articles Wt of the same article type are scheduled to pass through the reading device 6 (passing schedule information).

[0035] If the outer dimensions of the object W indicated in the dimension information 96 acquired from at least one of the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 and the measuring device 10 are within a predetermined allowable range, the control system 8 generates conveyor transport capability information 97 indicating that the target object Wt is permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15. If the outer dimensions of the object W indicated in the dimension information 96 are outside the allowable range, the control system 8 generates conveyor transport capability information 97 indicating that the target object Wt is prohibited from being transported on the shipping conveyor 15. In this example, the control device 80 generates the conveyor transport capability information 97 based on the dimension information 96 acquired from the measuring device 10. As described above, the dimension information 96 includes the outer dimensions (height, width, depth) of the target object Wt (carton container C) measured by the measuring device 10. Then, the control device 80 generates conveyor transportability information 97 indicating that the target item Wt is permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15 (here, the first unloading conveyor 17) if the outer dimensions of the target item Wt are within a range of specified dimensions pre-stored in the control device 80. In the example of FIG. 3, a "C○" is printed on the item W as an example of the conveyor transportability information 97. Furthermore, if the outer dimensions of the target item Wt are outside the range of specified dimensions, the control device 80 generates conveyor transportability information 97 that prohibits the target item Wt from being transported on the shipping conveyor 15 (the first unloading conveyor 17). Such conveyor transportability information 97 is generated and acquired by the conveyor transportability information acquisition unit D5. Note that in the example of FIG. 1, a label indicating the shipping destination is affixed to the target item Wt transported on the shipping conveyor 15 by the affixing device 13. That is, the specified dimensions stored in advance in the control device 80 are set based on whether or not a label of the specified size can be attached to the surface of the carton container C using the attachment device 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 80 can acquire shipping information 88 for each target item Wt and transmit it to the attachment device 13. The attachment device 13 creates a label with the shipping destination written on it based on the shipping information 88 received from the control device 80, and attaches it to the item W passing through the attachment device 13.

[0036] If the outer dimensions of the item W indicated in the dimension information 96 acquired from at least one of the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 and the measuring device 10 are within a predetermined reusable range, the control system 8 generates reusability information 98 indicating that the carton container C constituting the target item Wt is reusable. If the outer dimensions of the item W indicated in the dimension information 96 are outside the reusable range, the control system 8 generates reusability information 98 indicating that the carton container C constituting the target item Wt is not reusable. In this example, the control device 80 generates the reusability information 98 based on the dimension information 96 acquired from the measuring device 10. As described above, the dimension information 96 includes the outer dimensions (height, width, depth) of the target item Wt (carton container C) measured by the measuring device 10. Then, if the outer dimensions of the target item Wt are within a predetermined reusable dimension range pre-stored in the control device 80, the control device 80 generates the reusability information 98 indicating that the target item Wt is reusable (i.e., can contain an item again) even when no object is contained therein. Furthermore, if the external dimensions of the target object Wt are outside the range of specified dimensions that make the target object Wt reusable, the control device 80 generates reusability information 98 that indicates that the target object Wt cannot be reused. In the example of Fig. 3, "Rx" is printed on the object W as an example of the reusability information 98.

[0037] In addition, the conveyor transport feasibility information 97 and reuse feasibility information 98 described above may be generated based on the results of comparing the outer shape of the item W imaged by an imaging device or the like in addition to the measuring device 10 with the specified dimensions pre-stored in the control device 80.

[0038] As described above, once the section designation information 93, passing order information 95, conveyor transport feasibility information 97, and reuse feasibility information 98 are generated, the control device 80 transmits all of this information to the marking device 7 as work support information 92, and controls the marking device 7 to print the work support information 92 on the target item Wt passing through the marking device 7.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when one unit of an item group Wg is carried into the carry-in section 3, the control device 80 acquires incoming item information 89 from the host controller 82 (S01). Thereafter, in the carry-in section 3, an operator sequentially places items W constituting one or more item groups Wg onto the carry-in conveyor 31. The items W are then transported from the carry-in conveyor 31 to the first transport conveyor 51. When the control device 80 determines that the item W (here, the target item Wt) has reached the reading device 6 on the first transport conveyor 51 (S02: Yes), it acquires identification information 91 from the reading device 6 (S03). Thereafter, the control device 80 acquires the generated total number information by type 94 (S04), and then generates passing order information 95 and section designation information 93 (S05). Next, if the control device 80 determines that the target item Wt has arrived at the measuring device 10 (S06: Yes), it executes a process for generating conveyor transport feasibility information 97 (S07) and a process for generating reuse feasibility information 98 (S08). Thereafter, if the control device 80 determines that the target item Wt has arrived at the marking device 7 (S09: Yes), it controls the marking device 7 to mark the target item Wt with work support information 92 (S10). Then, the control device 80 determines whether the transport of an entire unit has been completed (S11). Specifically, the control device 80 determines whether all of the items W that make up one unit, which is one or more groups of items Wg loaded on a truck parked in the carry-in section 3, have been transported from the carry-in section 3 to the work area 4 as one unit. If the control device 80 determines that the transport of an entire unit of the target article Wt has not been completed (S11: No), it determines whether the next target article Wt to be transported to the reading device 6 has arrived at the reading device 6 (S02). If the control device 80 determines that the transport of an entire unit of the target article Wt has been completed (S11: Yes), the control device 80 ends the above control flow. Note that the example in FIG. 4 shows a control flow by the control device 80 for one unit, but it is also possible that, for example, multiple trucks are parked at the loading section 3. In such a case, it is also possible for the control device 80 to perform control in parallel for each of the multiple units as shown in FIG. 4.

[0040] Next, the control flow of the process (S07) for generating the conveyor transport capability information 97 will be described. When the control device 80 acquires the dimension information 96 for the target object Wt from the measuring device 10 (S71), it determines whether the outer dimensions of the target object Wt are within a predetermined allowable range (S72). If the control device 80 determines that the outer dimensions of the target object Wt are within the predetermined allowable range (S72: Yes), it generates the conveyor transport capability information 97 indicating that the target object Wt is permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor 15 (S73). If the control device 80 determines that the outer dimensions of the target object Wt are not within the predetermined allowable range (S72: No), it generates the conveyor transport capability information 97 indicating that the target object Wt is prohibited from being transported on the shipping conveyor 15 (S74).

[0041] Next, the control flow of the process (S08) for generating the reusability information 98 will be described. When the control device 80 acquires the dimension information 96 for the target object Wt from the measuring device 10 (S81), it determines whether the outer dimensions of the target object Wt are within a predetermined reusable range (S82). If the control device 80 determines that the outer dimensions of the target object Wt are within the predetermined reusable range (S82: Yes), it generates the reusability information 98 indicating that the target object Wt is reusable (S83). On the other hand, if the control device 80 determines that the outer dimensions of the target object Wt are not within the predetermined reusable range (S82: No), it generates the reusability information 98 indicating that the target object Wt is not reusable (S84).

[0042] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the working sections 9 are arranged on both outer sides of the conveying path R, but this is not limiting. For example, the working sections 9 may be arranged on only one side of the conveying path R. Furthermore, the working sections 9 do not have to be arranged in multiple sections along the multiple second conveyors 52, and may be arranged, for example, along a single second conveyor 52.

[0043] (2) In the above embodiment, the control system 8 acquires the total number information by type 94 indicating the total number by type, which is the number of items W for each item type included in the item group Wg that has been carried into the carry-in section 3, each time the item group Wg is carried into the carry-in section 3. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the control system 8 may acquire the total number information by type 94 of the items W that are scheduled to be carried in within a certain period of time in advance. In this case, if the certain period is one day, the control system 8 may acquire the total number information by type 94 of the items W that are scheduled to be carried in that day in advance, such as the day before the carry-in or the morning of the day of the carry-in. It is preferable that such a certain period can be set in units of days, weeks, hours, etc., as appropriate.

[0044] (3) In the above embodiment, the control system 8 generates the conveyor transport feasibility information 97 based on the dimension information 96 acquired from the measuring device 10. However, this is not limiting. The control system 8 may include a registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 (shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2 ) and generate the conveyor transport feasibility information 97 based on the dimension information 96 acquired from the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4. For example, the incoming item information 89 acquired by the control device 80 from the upper controller 82 may include the outer dimensions of each target item Wt, and the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 may generate and acquire the dimension information 96 from the outer dimensions of the target item Wt extracted from the incoming item information 89. The control system 8 may also generate the conveyor transport feasibility information 97 based on both the dimension information 96 generated and acquired by the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 and the dimension information 96 acquired from the measuring device 10. The control system 8 may also generate the conveyor transport feasibility information 97 based on weight information in addition to the dimension information 96, for example. In this case, it is preferable that the incoming goods information 89 includes the weight of each target goods Wt, and that the measuring device 10 includes a function for measuring the weight of the target goods Wt.

[0045] (4) In the above embodiment, the control system 8 generates the reusability information 98 based on the dimension information 96 acquired from the measuring device 10. However, this is not limiting. The control system 8 may include a registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 (shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2 ) and generate the reusability information 98 based on the dimension information 96 acquired from the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4. For example, the incoming item information 89 acquired by the control device 80 from the upper controller 82 may include the outer dimensions of each target item Wt, and the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 may generate and acquire the dimension information 96 from the outer dimensions of the target item Wt extracted from the incoming item information 89. The control system 8 may also generate the reusability information 98 based on both the dimension information 96 generated and acquired by the registered dimension information acquisition unit D4 and the dimension information 96 acquired from the measuring device 10. The control system 8 may also generate the reusability information 98 based on weight information in addition to the dimension information 96, for example. In this case, it is preferable that the incoming goods information 89 includes the weight of each target goods Wt, and that the measuring device 10 includes a function for measuring the weight of the target goods Wt.

[0046] (5) In the above embodiment, the article W is described as a carton container C containing an object, but this is not limiting. The article W may also be, for example, a resin container containing an object. Furthermore, the article W may not be a container, but may be a product that can be stacked on the support 2.

[0047] (6) Note that the configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments) as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0048] [Summary of the above embodiment] An outline of the stowage operation support device described above will now be described.

[0049] The stowage operation support device according to the present disclosure is a stowage operation support device that supports stowage operation of stacking a plurality of articles, each having readable identification information that can identify an article type, onto a support body according to the article type, and a loading section into which the items are loaded, a work area where the stowing work is performed by workers, a transport device that transports the items from the loading section to the work area along a predetermined transport route, a reading device that is provided along the transport route and reads the identification information of the items, a marking device that is provided on the transport route between the reading device and the work area and marks work support information on the surface of the items, and a control system that controls the reading device and the marking device, a plurality of work sections, each having the support body arranged therein, are arranged along the transport path in the work area; the work support information includes zone designation information that designates the work zone in which the stowing work of each of the items is to be performed, Based on the identification information read by the reading device, the control system generates the section designation information to be written on each item so that items of the same item type are preferentially loaded on the same support.

[0050] According to this configuration, work support information including zone designation information that designates the work zone where the stowing work of the items will be performed is written on the surface of each item. Then, the items with the work support information written on them are transported to the work area by a transport device. Therefore, in the work area, workers, etc. can simply work based on the work support information written on each item, and perform the stowing work so that items of the same type are preferentially stowed on the same support. This makes it possible to facilitate the stowing work by workers, etc., and to reduce the occurrence of stowing errors by workers, etc. Thus, with this configuration, it is desirable to realize a stowage operation support device that can facilitate the stowage operation of items according to the item type and improve the accuracy of the stowage operation.

[0051] Here, for each item group, which is a collection of the plurality of items, the plurality of items constituting the item group are carried in together into the carry-in section, the control system is configured to acquire, each time the group of items is carried into the carrying-in section, total number information by type indicating the total number of items by type contained in the carried-in group of items, Each of the items transported by the transport device is defined as a target item, and the work support information includes passing order information indicating a relationship between the order in which the target items are transported among the items of the same item type and the total number of each type, It is preferable that the control system determines the transport order of the target items based on the identification information of the target items read by the reading device and the identification information of the items read by the reading device before the target items, and generates the passing order information based on the transport order and the total number per type based on the total number per type information.

[0052] According to this configuration, the conveying device conveys the items to the work area with passing order information printed on the surface of each item, indicating the relationship between the conveyance order of the target item among items of the same item type and the total number of each type. Therefore, workers in the work area can easily check the order in which each conveyed item is conveyed among items of the same item type, based on the work support information printed on each item. It is also easy to check whether the stowage work for all items of the same item type has been completed. This effectively simplifies the stowage work for workers and reduces the occurrence of worker errors.

[0053] The system further includes at least one of a registered dimension information acquisition unit that acquires, as dimension information, information indicating the outer dimensions of the items for each type of item that has been registered in advance, and a measuring device that acquires the dimension information by measuring the outer dimensions of each of the items conveyed by the conveying device on the upstream side of the marking device on the conveying path, the work support information includes conveyor transport availability information indicating whether or not the item supported on the support in the work area is permitted to be transported by a shipping conveyor for transporting the item to a shipping work area where the shipping work is performed after the item is removed from the support in the work area for shipping work, Preferably, the control system generates conveyor transport feasibility information indicating that each of the items transported by the transport device is a target item, and indicates that the target item is permitted to be transported on the shipping conveyor if the outer dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information acquired from at least one of the registered dimension information acquisition unit and the measuring device are within a predetermined permitted range, and generates conveyor transport feasibility information indicating that the target item is prohibited from being transported on the shipping conveyor if the outer dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information are outside the permitted range.

[0054] According to this configuration, conveyor transportability information indicating whether transport on the shipping conveyor is permitted or prohibited is written on the surface of each item, and the items are transported to the work area by the transport device and stacked on the support. Therefore, a worker who removes an item from the support to ship the item can easily determine whether the item can be transported on the shipping conveyor based on the work support information written on each item. This makes it easier for workers to ship items and reduces the occurrence of workers placing items on the shipping conveyor that are prohibited from being transported on the shipping conveyor.

[0055] The system further includes at least one of a registered dimension information acquisition unit that acquires, as dimension information, information indicating the outer dimensions of the items for each type of item that has been registered in advance, and a measuring device that acquires the dimension information by measuring the outer dimensions of each of the items conveyed by the conveying device on the upstream side of the marking device on the conveying path, the article is a carton container containing an object, the work support information includes reusability information indicating whether the carton container constituting the item is reusable; The control system preferably generates the reusability information indicating that the carton container constituting the target item is reusable when the outer dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information acquired from at least one of the registered dimension information acquisition unit and the measuring device are within a predetermined reusable range, for each of the items transported by the transport device as a target item, and generates the reusability information indicating that the carton container constituting the target item is not reusable when the outer dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information are outside the reusable range.

[0056] According to this configuration, the carton containers constituting the goods are transported to the work area by the transport device and stacked on the support, with reusability information indicating whether the carton containers constituting the goods are reusable being written on the surface of each of the goods. Therefore, a worker who has removed all of the contents from the carton containers constituting the goods can easily determine whether to reuse the carton container based on the work support information written on each carton container. This makes it easier for workers to process the carton containers and reduces the occurrence of workers reusing non-reusable carton containers.

[0057] Also, the article is a carton container containing an object, The marking device is preferably a printer that prints the work support information on the surface of the carton container.

[0058] According to this configuration, task support information can be appropriately displayed on the surface of an article.

[0059] It is sufficient for the stowage operation support device according to the present disclosure to achieve at least one of the above-described effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1: Loading work support device 2:Support 3: Loading area 4:Work area 5:Transportation device 6: Reading device 7: Notation device 8: Control system 9: Work area 10: Measuring equipment 12: Shipping area 15: Shipping conveyor 71: Printer 91: Identification information 92: Work support information 93: Area designation information 95: Passing order information 96: Dimension information 97: Conveyor transport availability information 98: Reusability information C: Carton container D4: Registered dimension information acquisition section R: Transport route W:Goods Wg: Goods group Wt: Target item

Claims

1. A loading operation support device that supports loading of a plurality of articles having readable identification information that can identify an article type onto a support body according to the article type, a loading section into which the items are loaded, a work area where the stowing work is performed by workers, a transport device that transports the items from the loading section to the work area along a predetermined transport route, a reading device that is provided along the transport route and reads the identification information of the items, a marking device that is provided on the transport route between the reading device and the work area and marks work support information on the surface of the items, and a control system that controls the reading device and the marking device, a plurality of work sections, each having the support body arranged therein, are arranged along the transport path in the work area; the work support information includes zone designation information that designates the work zone in which the stowing work of each of the items is to be performed, The control system generates the section designation information to be written on each item based on the identification information read by the reading device so that items of the same item type are preferentially stacked on the same support body.

2. For each item group, which is a collection of the items, the items constituting the item group are carried in together into the carry-in section, the control system is configured to acquire, each time the group of items is carried into the carrying-in section, total number information by type indicating the total number of items by type contained in the carried-in group of items, Each of the items transported by the transport device is defined as a target item, and the work support information includes passing order information indicating a relationship between the order in which the target items are transported among the items of the same item type and the total number of each type, 2. The loading operation support device according to claim 1, wherein the control system determines the transport order of the target items based on the identification information of the target items read by the reading device and the identification information of the items read by the reading device before the target items, and generates the passing order information based on the transport order and the total number per type based on the total number per type information.

3. a registered dimension information acquisition unit that acquires, as dimension information, information indicating the outer dimensions of the items for each type of item that has been registered in advance, and a measuring device that acquires the dimension information by measuring the outer dimensions of each of the items conveyed by the conveying device on the upstream side of the marking device on the conveying path, the work support information includes conveyor transport availability information indicating whether or not the item supported on the support in the work area is permitted to be transported by a shipping conveyor for transporting the item to a shipping work area where the shipping work is performed after the item is removed from the support in the work area for shipping work, 3. The loading operation support device according to claim 1, wherein the control system generates conveyor transport feasibility information indicating that each of the items transported by the transport device is a target item, and indicates that the target item is permitted to be transported by the shipping conveyor if the external dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information acquired from at least one of the registered dimension information acquisition unit and the measuring device are within a predetermined permitted range, and generates conveyor transport feasibility information indicating that the target item is prohibited from being transported by the shipping conveyor if the external dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information are outside the permitted range.

4. a registered dimension information acquisition unit that acquires, as dimension information, information indicating the outer dimensions of the items for each type of item that has been registered in advance, and a measuring device that acquires the dimension information by measuring the outer dimensions of each of the items conveyed by the conveying device on the upstream side of the marking device on the conveying path, the article is a carton container containing an object, the work support information includes reusability information indicating whether the carton container constituting the item is reusable; 3. The loading operation support device according to claim 1, wherein the control system generates the reusability information indicating that the carton container constituting the target item is reusable when the outer dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information acquired from at least one of the registered dimension information acquisition unit and the measuring device are within a predetermined reusable range, for each of the items transported by the transport device as a target item, and generates the reusability information indicating that the carton container constituting the target item is not reusable when the outer dimensions of the item indicated in the dimension information are outside the reusable range.

5. the article is a carton container containing an object, 3. The loading operation support device according to claim 1, wherein the marking device is a printer that prints the operation support information on the surface of the carton container.

Images