Picking system, picking method, and picking program
The picking system controls the supply and removal processes to ensure the last item of an order is transferred last, preventing mistakes by managing the sequence of operations and maintaining accurate item flow.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022040528
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-03-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing systems risk mistakenly transferring items to a destination that has already completed picking operations due to the sequential replacement of pallets during the picking process.
A picking system with controlled supply and removal processes ensures that the last item of an order is transferred last, and new items are supplied to the source area only after the destination area is cleared, using a control device to manage the sequence of operations.
Prevents items from being mistakenly transferred to a completed destination, ensuring accurate order fulfillment by maintaining the correct item flow and sequence.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a picking system, a picking method, and a picking program for performing picking work to remove an ordered item group consisting of items of the type and number specified by order information from a source item holder and transfer it to a destination item holder. [Background technology]
[0002] For example, Japanese Patent No. 4048426 discloses equipment for performing a picking operation to transfer an item from a source mount to a destination mount. The reference numerals in parentheses in the following description of the background art are those of Patent Document 1.
[0003] The equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an item storage shelf (3) that stores items placed on pallets (2) and various conveying devices that transport the pallets (2). The pallets (2a) loaded with items are transported from the item storage shelf (3) to a picking location (4). At the picking location (4), as shown in FIG. 3 of the same document, the required number of items are transferred from the multiple pallets (2a) that serve as source storage bodies to an empty pallet (2c) that serves as a destination storage body. After transferring the items to be transferred from the pallets (2a) to the empty pallet (2c), the worker turns on the pick completion button (16) to return the pallet (2a) to the item storage shelf (3). The worker repeats the above process until the required number of items are stored on the empty pallet (2c) at the picking location (4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4048426 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] As described above, in the equipment disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an operator turns on the pick completion button (16), new pallets (2a) are sequentially transported to the picking location (4), and the pallets (2a) at the picking location (4) are sequentially replaced. Therefore, after the picking operation for the empty pallet (2c), which is the transfer destination mount, is completed and the required number of items is collected on the empty pallet (2c), the operator may mistakenly transfer an item from the new pallet (2a) after the replacement to the transfer destination mount for which the picking operation has been completed.
[0006] In view of the above situation, it is desirable to realize a technology that can prevent an article from being mistakenly transferred to a destination object for which picking work has been completed. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The picking system according to the present disclosure includes: A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source placement body supply device that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, the destination body supply device, and the destination body carry-out device; an operation unit operated by an operator; Equipped with the control device identifies the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and when a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determines the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; the control device is configured to execute different processes when the source object in the source area is the final order object and when it is not the final order object, even if the same operation is performed on the operation unit; The control device is configured such that the source receiver in the source area is carrying a final item to be transferred last from among the group of ordered items to be transferred to the destination receiver in the destination area. The aforementioned If the object is the last object of the order, the source object supply device is controlled to execute a source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area. death, When the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the control device executes the source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area without executing the destination object carry-out process. .
[0008] Another picking system according to the present disclosure includes: A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source placement body supply device that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, the destination body supply device, and the destination body carry-out device, the control device identifies the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and when a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determines the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the control device controls the source object supply device to execute a source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area; The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, after the source object carrying-out process is executed, the destination object carrying-out process and the source object supply process are executed in parallel; An operation unit operated by an operator is provided, the operation unit includes a picking completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the transfer of the group of ordered items to the destination transfer body is completed, and a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source removal body in the source removal area is completed, The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; If the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the source object removal process is executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit, and the destination object removal process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit.
[0009] Another picking system according to the present disclosure includes: A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source placement body supply device that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, the destination body supply device, and the destination body carry-out device, the control device identifies the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and when a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determines the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the control device controls the source object supply device to execute a source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area; The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process are executed in parallel; An operation unit operated by an operator is provided, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed, The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; If the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object removal process, the source object removal process, and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
[0010] The picking method according to the present disclosure includes: A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source receiver supply step of supplying the source receiver to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source receiver is supplied to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path, which is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, There is an operating unit operated by the operator, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object, different steps are executed even if the same operation is performed in the operation unit, and when the source object is not the final order object, The source receiver in the source area is carrying a final item to be transferred last from among the group of ordered items to be transferred to the destination receiver in the destination area. The aforementionedIf the object is the last object of the order, the source object supply step is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area is started. death, If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object supply step is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area without executing the destination object carrying-out step. do.
[0011] Another picking method according to the present disclosure includes: A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source receiver supply step of supplying the source receiver to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source receiver is supplied to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path, which is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source body in the source area is the final order body carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination body in the destination area, the source body supply step is executed so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the destination body carrying-out step of carrying out the destination body from the destination area is started, When the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step of carrying the source object out of the source area and the source object supply step are performed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, after the source object carrying-out step is performed, the destination object carrying-out step and the source object supplying step are performed in parallel; There is an operating unit operated by the operator, The operation unit includes a picking completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the transfer of the group of ordered items to the destination transfer body is completed, and a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source removal body in the source removal area is completed, If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step and the source object supply step are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; If the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the source object removal process is executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit, and the destination object removal process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit.
[0012] Another picking method according to the present disclosure includes: A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source receiver supply step of supplying the source receiver to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source receiver is supplied to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path, which is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source body in the source area is the final order body carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination body in the destination area, the source body supply step is executed so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the destination body carrying-out step of carrying out the destination body from the destination area is started, When the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step of carrying the source object out of the source area and the source object supply step are performed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out step, the source object carrying-out step, and the source object supplying step are performed in parallel; There is an operating unit operated by the operator, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed; If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step and the source object supply step are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; If the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
[0013] The picking program according to the present disclosure includes: A picking program for performing a picking operation to pick an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information from a source object placed in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of the same type is placed, and to transfer the ordered group of items to a destination object placed in a destination area, a source placement body supply function that causes a source placement body supply device to perform a source placement body supply process that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-of-removal-object carrying-out function for causing a source-of-removal-object carrying-out device to carry out a source-of-removal-object carrying-out process for carrying out the source-of-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply function that causes a destination object supply device to perform a destination object supply process of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path until the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out function for causing a destination object carrying-out device to perform a destination object carrying-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, There is an operating unit operated by the operator, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; executes different processes when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order and when it is not the final object of the order, even if the same operation is performed on the operation unit; The source receiver in the source area is carrying a final item to be transferred last from among the group of ordered items to be transferred to the destination receiver in the destination area. The aforementioned If it is the final object of the order, the destination object is carried out from the destination area. The aforementioned A new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of the destination object carrying-out process. The aforementioned Execute source body supply process death, If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area without executing the destination object carry-out process. do.
[0014] Another picking program according to the present disclosure is A picking program for performing a picking operation to pick an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information from a source object placed in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of the same type is placed, and to transfer the ordered group of items to a destination object placed in a destination area, a source placement body supply function that causes a source placement body supply device to perform a source placement body supply process that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-of-removal-object carrying-out function for causing a source-of-removal-object carrying-out device to carry out a source-of-removal-object carrying-out process for carrying out the source-of-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply function that causes a destination object supply device to perform a destination object supply process of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path until the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out function for causing a destination object carrying-out device to perform a destination object carrying-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination object in the destination area, the source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of the destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process are executed in parallel; There is an operating unit operated by the operator, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed; If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; If the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object removal process, the source object removal process, and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
[0015] According to this configuration, a source body supply process (source body supply process) is executed to supply a new source body to the source area so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination body carry-out process (destination body carry-out process) for carrying out a destination body on which the final item has been transferred and the picking work has been completed. Therefore, a situation in which a destination body on which picking work has been completed is in the destination area and a new source body is in the source area does not continue. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent items related to a different order from being mistakenly transferred to a destination body on which picking work has been completed.
[0016] Further features and advantages of the techniques according to the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0017] [Figure 1] Schematic plan view of the picking system [Figure 2] An explanatory diagram for determining the last placed object of an order [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the process when the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the process when the source object in the source area is the final object in the order. [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control device [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the control device in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the picking system will be described.
[0019] 1, in the picking system 100, an article 90 is transported while being placed on a receiving body 9. The receiving body 9 includes a source receiving body 9s and a destination receiving body 9d. The source placement body 9s is configured to place a single item group Gs consisting of a single type of multiple items 90. The destination placement body 9d is configured to place an order item group Go consisting of items 90 of the type and number specified by the order information (α, β, γ, ...). In this specification, a pallet is exemplified as the mounting body 9. However, a container such as a folding container or a cardboard box may also be used as the mounting body 9.
[0020] The picking system 100 according to the present disclosure is a system for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group Go consisting of items 90 of a type and number specified by order information (α, β, γ, etc.) is picked from a source receiver 9s placed in a source area As and carrying a single item group Gs consisting of multiple items 90 of the same type, and the picked item group Go is transferred to a destination receiver 9d placed in a destination area Ad. In the picking operation, the necessary items 90 are transferred from the source receiver 9s carrying the single item group Gs to the destination receiver 9d repeatedly for multiple source receivers 9s, thereby collecting the items 90 included in the ordered group Go on the destination receiver 9d. Note that the multiple items 90 included in one ordered group Go may be distributed and transferred to multiple destination receivers 9d. In other words, the system may be configured so that the multiple items 90 included in one ordered group Go are placed on multiple destination receivers 9d.
[0021] 1, the picking system 100 includes a source area As to which a source holder 9s is supplied, a destination area Ad to which a destination holder 9d is supplied, and a picking area Ap to which a picking operation is performed to transfer an item 90 from the source holder 9s arranged in the source area As to the destination holder 9d arranged in the destination area Ad. In the picking area Ap, the picking operation is performed by a worker W or a robot (not shown). In this embodiment, the picking operation is performed by the worker W in the picking area Ap. In the illustrated example, the picking system 100 further includes a waiting area Aw to which the source holder 9s supplied to the source area As is temporarily made to wait.
[0022] The source area As and the destination area Ad are located adjacent to each other. The picking area Ap is located adjacent to both the source area As and the destination area Ad. In this embodiment, the source area As is located in a portion of the item supply path R1 (described later). The destination area Ad is located in a portion of the placement object supply path R3 (described later). That is, in this embodiment, the source area As and the destination area Ad are located on different paths and are adjacent to each other. The picking area Ap is located outside the item supply path R1 and the placement object supply path R3 and is adjacent to both the source area As and the destination area Ad.
[0023] The picking system 100 includes a source body supply device 1 that supplies the source body 9s to the source area As, a source body carry-out device 2 that carries the source body 9s out of the source area As, a destination body carry-out device 4 that carries the destination body 9d out of the destination area Ad, and a control device C that controls the source body supply device 1, the source body carry-out device 2, and the destination body carry-out device 4.
[0024] In this embodiment, the picking system 100 further includes a destination object supply device 3 that supplies the destination object 9d to the destination area Ad. The control device C controls the destination object supply device 3 in addition to the source object supply device 1, the source object carry-out device 2, and the destination object carry-out device 4.
[0025] The control device C is configured to execute a source body supply process Pss (source body supply step) for supplying the source body 9s to the source area As by controlling the source body supply device 1, a source body carry-out process Pos (source body carry-out step) for carrying out the source body 9s from the source area As by controlling the source body carry-out device 2, and a destination body carry-out process Pod (destination body carry-out step) for carrying out the destination body 9d from the destination area Ad by controlling the destination body carry-out device 4. In this embodiment, the control device C is further configured to execute a destination body supply process Psd (destination body supply step) for supplying the destination body 9d to the destination area Ad by controlling the destination body supply device 3. The control device C includes, for example, a processor such as a microcomputer, peripheral circuits such as a memory, etc. Each process or function is realized by cooperation between this hardware and a program executed on the processor of a computer or the like.
[0026] In this embodiment, the source mount supply device 1 is configured using a conveyor. The source mount supply device 1 configures an article supply path R1, which is a path along which a source mount 9s carrying a single article group Gs is supplied to the source area As. In this embodiment, the picking system 100 includes an article storage unit 5 that stores a plurality of source mounts 9s carrying single article groups Gs. The article supply path R1 configures at least a portion of the path connecting the article storage unit 5 to the source area As. In the illustrated example, the above-mentioned waiting area Aw is located upstream of the source area As in the conveying direction (the direction in which the source mount 9s is conveyed) on the article supply path R1.
[0027] In this embodiment, the source mount body carry-out device 2 is configured using a conveyor. The source mount body carry-out device 2 configures a return path R2, which is a path along which the source mount body 9s returns to the article storage unit 5 after the required items 90 have been picked up by the picking operation. The return path R2 configures at least a part of the path connecting the source area As to the article storage unit 5.
[0028] In this embodiment, the destination mount object supply device 3 is configured using a conveyor. The destination mount object supply device 3 configures a mount object supply path R3, which is a path through which empty mount objects 9 that do not have any articles 90 placed thereon are supplied to the destination area Ad. In this embodiment, the picking system 100 includes an empty mount object storage unit 6 that stores a plurality of empty mount objects 9. The mount object supply path R3 configures at least a part of the path connecting the empty mount object storage unit 6 to the destination area Ad.
[0029] In this embodiment, the destination object carry-out device 4 is configured using a conveyor. The destination object carry-out device 4 configures an output path R4, which is a path along which the destination object 9d, which has completed the transfer of the ordered item group Go from the source object 9s, i.e., the destination object 9d for which the picking operation has been completed, is output. In this embodiment, the picking system 100 is equipped with a shipping unit 7 for shipping the ordered item group Go. In the illustrated example, the shipping unit 7 is arranged for each of multiple order information (α, β, γ, ...). The output path R4 configures at least a portion of the path connecting the destination area Ad to each shipping unit 7.
[0030] The group of ordered items Go that have been picked based on the order information (α, β, γ...) are transported to the shipping unit 7. In this example, the "order information" includes various information such as the type and number of items 90, as well as the shipping destination and shipping time. The group of ordered items Go that have been transported to the shipping unit 7 are transported to the intended shipping destination by transportation means such as a vehicle, ship, or aircraft.
[0031] In this embodiment, the picking system 100 includes an operation unit 8 that is operated by a worker W. In the illustrated example, the operation unit 8 is disposed in the picking area Ap.
[0032] The operation unit 8 includes a removal completion reception unit 8s that is operated by the worker W when removal of the items 90 included in the ordered item group Go from the source removal mount 9s in the source removal area As is completed, and a picking completion reception unit 8d that is operated by the worker W when transfer of the ordered item group Go to the destination transfer mount 9d is completed. At least one of the removal completion reception unit 8s and the picking completion reception unit 8d may be configured using a button or lever, or may be configured using an icon displayed on a monitor or touch panel.
[0033] In the picking system 100 according to the present disclosure, when the source object 9s in the source area As is the final order object 9f (see FIG. 4) carrying the last item 90 to be transferred last among the group of ordered items Go to be transferred to the destination object 9d in the destination area Ad, the control device C controls the source object supply device 1 to execute the source object supply process Pss so that a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As after the start of the destination object carry-out process Pod, which carries the destination object 9d out of the destination area Ad. Note that "after" includes both that point in time and a later point in time. Therefore, the new source object 9s is supplied (arrives) at the source area As at the start of the destination object carry-out process Pod or at a time later than the start of the destination object carry-out process Pod.
[0034] In this way, a source object supply process Pss is executed to supply a new source object 9s to the source area As so that a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As after the start of the destination object carry-out process Pod for carrying out the destination object 9d on which the final item 90 has been transferred and for which the picking operation has been completed. Therefore, a state in which the destination object 9d on which the picking operation has been completed is in the destination area Ad and the new source object 9s is in the source area As does not continue. For example, if a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As at a time after the start of the destination object carry-out process Pod, the new source object 9s will not be supplied to the source area As while the destination object 9d on which the picking operation has been completed is in the destination area Ad. Therefore, the picking system 100 according to the present disclosure can prevent the item 90 related to different order information from being mistakenly transferred to the transfer destination mount body 9d for which the picking operation has been completed.
[0035] In this embodiment, the control device C identifies the source placement body 9s required to collect the items 90 included in the ordered item group Go, and if multiple source placement bodies 9s are identified, it determines that the source placement body 9s that is last supplied to the source area As among the multiple source placement bodies 9s is the final placement body 9f of the order.
[0036] For example, FIG. 2 shows a list of source placement objects 9s required to collect the items 90 included in the ordered item group Go related to the order information α. In the illustrated example, the ordered item group Go related to the order information α is composed of items 90 placed on multiple source placement objects A, B, and C. For example, a display unit may be provided in the picking area Ap, and the list may be displayed on the display unit. The list shown in FIG. 2 indicates that the multiple items 90 included in the ordered item group Go related to the order information α can be collected by picking a number of items 90 from the source placement object A, b number of items 90 from the source placement object B, and c number of items 90 from the source placement object C.
[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the control device C identifies source mount bodies A, B, and C required to collect the items 90 (in this example, multiple items 90) included in the order item group Go related to the order information α. When source mount body C is supplied to the source area As first among source mount bodies A, B, and C, worker W removes c items 90 from source mount body C and transfers them to destination mount body 9d. Then, the control device C stores information that the work on source mount body C has been completed. This information may be stored by the operation of worker W. In the example shown, after the work on source mount body C has been completed, "Completed" is entered in the column for source mount body C in the list (see the center diagram in FIG. 2).
[0038] Next, when source body A of the remaining source bodies A and B is supplied to source area As, worker W removes a number of items 90 from source body A and transfers them to destination body 9d. Then, control device C stores information that the work on source body A has been completed. In the illustrated example, after the work on source body A has been completed, "Completed" is entered in the column for source body A in the list (see the right diagram in FIG. 2).
[0039] Then, the control device C determines that the source object B (the last remaining source object B) among the source objects A, B, and C on which no work has been performed is the final order object 9f. When the source object B is supplied to the source area As, the worker W takes out b items 90 from the source object B and transfers them to the destination object 9d. As a result, all of the items 90 making up the ordered item group Go are transferred to the destination object 9d, and the picking work for the destination object 9d is completed.
[0040] The control device C executes different processes depending on whether the source placement object 9s in the source area As is the final placement object 9f of the order or not. FIG. 3 shows the process executed by the control device C when the source placement object 9s in the source area As is not the final placement object 9f of the order. FIG. 4 shows the process executed by the control device C when the source placement object 9s in the source area As is the final placement object 9f of the order. Note that in FIGS. 3 and 4, different numbers (No. 1 to No. 4) are assigned to each placement object 9 to make it easier to distinguish the movement of each of the multiple placement objects 9. Also, the items 90 placed on the placement objects 9 are omitted.
[0041] 3, in this embodiment, when the source placement object 9s (No. 1) in the source area As is not the last placement object 9f of the order, the control device C executes a source placement object carry-out process Pos for carrying out the source placement object 9s (No. 1) from the source area As and a source placement object supply process Pss for supplying a new source placement object 9s (No. 2) to the source area As in parallel. This allows the new source placement object 9s (No. 2) to be supplied to the source area As in parallel with the carrying-out of the source placement object 9s (No. 1) from the source area As, making it easy to quickly start the operation of taking out the required item 90 from the next source placement object 9s (No. 2). In this case, the item 90 is transferred from the new source mount 9s (No. 2) to the destination mount 9d (No. 3) in the destination area Ad, and the picking operation continues. Note that executing multiple processes in parallel means executing these multiple processes so that the execution periods of each process overlap at least partially.
[0042] In this embodiment, when the source placement object 9s (No. 1) in the source area As is not the last placement object 9f of the order, the control device C executes the source placement object carry-out process Pos and the source placement object supply process Pss based on the operation of the take-out completion reception unit 8s (see FIG. 1). That is, when the worker W completes taking out the items 90 included in the ordered item group Go from the source placement object 9s (No. 1) in the source area As, he operates the take-out completion reception unit 8s. Then, the control device C executes the source placement object carry-out process Pos and the source placement object supply process Pss, and swaps the source placement object 9s in the source area As (No. 1 → No. 2). Thereafter, as described above, the picking operation continues to transfer the article 90 from the source receiver 9s (No. 2) in the source area As to the destination receiver 9d (No. 3) in the destination area Ad.
[0043] 4(a) and 4(b), in this embodiment, when the source object 9s (No. 1) in the source area As is the last object 9f of the order, the control device C executes the source object carry-out process Pos, and then executes the destination object carry-out process Pod and the source object supply process Pss in parallel. Specifically, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod and the source object supply process Pss in parallel so that a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As after the destination object carry-out process Pod starts to be executed. Because the destination object carry-out process Pod and the source object supply process Pss are executed in parallel in this way, it is possible to prevent a new source object 9s (No. 2) from being supplied to the source area As while the destination object 9d (No. 3) for which picking has been completed remains in the destination area Ad. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the article 90 relating to different order information from being mistakenly transferred to the destination placement body 9d (No. 3) for which the picking operation has been completed.
[0044] 4(b), in this embodiment, the control device C executes a destination object supply process Psd in parallel with the destination object carry-out process Pod, which supplies a new destination object 9d (No. 4) to the destination area Ad. That is, in this example, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod, the destination object supply process Psd, and the source object supply process Pss in parallel. This makes it possible to avoid erroneous transfer of the item 90 to the destination object 9d (No. 3) for which picking work has been completed, and also makes it possible to quickly replace the destination object 9d with respect to the destination area Ad (No. 3 → No. 4).
[0045] In this embodiment, when the source object 9s (No. 1) in the source area As is the final ordered object 9f, the control device C executes the source object carry-out process Pos (see FIG. 4(a)) based on the operation of the take-out completion reception unit 8s (see FIG. 1), and executes the destination object carry-out process Pod and the source object supply process Pss (see FIG. 4(b)) based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit 8d (see FIG. 1). That is, when the transfer of the ordered item group Go to the destination object 9d (No. 3) is completed, the worker W operates the picking completion reception unit 8d. Then, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod and the source object supply process Pss. In this embodiment, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod, the destination object supply process Psd, and the source object supply process Pss based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit 8d. As a result, the destination object 9d (No. 3) for which the picking operation has been completed is carried out from the destination area Ad, a new destination object 9d (No. 4) is supplied to the destination area Ad, and a new source object 9s (No. 2) is supplied to the source area As (see FIG. 4(b)).
[0046] 4(c), after the control device C completes the above series of processes, a new source substrate 9s (No. 2) is placed in the source area As, and a new destination substrate 9d (No. 4) is placed in the destination area Ad. Then, based on different order information, a new picking operation is started for the new destination substrate 9d (No. 4).
[0047] Next, the processing procedure performed by the control device C will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 5, the control device C determines whether the source object 9s in the source area As is the last object 9f of the order (step #11). After determining that the source object 9s in the source area As is the last object 9f of the order (step #11; Yes), if the removal completion reception unit 8s is operated (step #12; Yes), the control device C executes the source object carry-out process Pos (step #13). Thereafter, if the picking completion reception unit 8d is operated (step #14; Yes), the control device C executes the transfer destination object carry-out process Pod, the transfer destination object supply process Psd, and the source object supply process Pss in parallel (step #15).
[0049] On the other hand, after determining in step #11 that the source object 9s in the source area As is not the final object 9f of the order (step #11; No), if the removal completion reception unit 8s is operated (step #16; Yes), the control device C executes the source object carry-out process Pos and the source object supply process Pss in parallel (step #17).
[0050] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the picking system 100 will be described. In the second embodiment, the processing performed by the control device C when the source object 9s in the source area As is the final object 9f of the order differs from that of the first embodiment. The following mainly describes the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. Points that are not specifically described are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0051] In this embodiment, when the source object 9s in the source area As is the last object 9f of the order, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out processing Pod, the source object carry-out processing Pos, and the source object supply processing Pss in parallel. Specifically, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out processing Pod, the source object carry-out processing Pos, and the source object supply processing Pss in parallel so that a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As after the destination object carry-out processing Pod starts to be executed. Because the destination object carry-out processing Pod, the source object carry-out processing Pos, and the source object supply processing Pss are executed in parallel in this way, it is possible to prevent a new source object 9s from being supplied to the source area As while the destination object 9d for which the picking operation has been completed remains in the destination area Ad. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transfer of items 90 related to different order information to the transfer destination mount 9d for which picking work has been completed by mistake. In addition, since a new source mount 9s is supplied to the source area As in parallel with the transfer destination mount 9d for which picking work has been completed being transported out of the transfer destination area Ad, it is easy to quickly start picking work for the next group of ordered items Go.
[0052] In this embodiment, when the source object 9s in the source area As is the final object 9f, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod, the source object carry-out process Pos, and the source object supply process Pss based on the operation of the take-out completion acceptor 8s. That is, when the worker W completes the transfer of the group of ordered items Go to the destination object 9d, he operates the take-out completion acceptor 8s instead of the picking completion acceptor 8d. Then, the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod, the source object carry-out process Pos, and the source object supply process Pss. Note that in this embodiment, the operation unit 8 does not have to be equipped with the picking completion acceptor 8d.
[0053] Next, the processing procedure performed by the control device C will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0054] 6, the control device C determines whether the source object 9s in the source area As is the last object 9f of the order (step #21). After determining that the source object 9s in the source area As is the last object 9f of the order (step #21; Yes), if the removal completion reception unit 8s is operated (step #22; Yes), the control device C executes the destination object carry-out process Pod, the destination object supply process Psd, the source object carry-out process Pos, and the source object supply process Pss in parallel (step #23).
[0055] On the other hand, after determining in step #21 that the source object 9s in the source area As is not the final object 9f of the order (step #21; No), if the removal completion reception unit 8s is operated (step #24; Yes), the control device C executes the source object carry-out process Pos and the source object supply process Pss in parallel (step #25).
[0056] [Picking method and picking program] According to the picking system 100 described above by exemplifying the first and second embodiments, it is possible to prevent the item 90 from being mistakenly transferred to the destination receiver 9d for which the picking operation has been completed. The configuration of the picking system 100 described above can also be used for a picking method or a picking program.
[0057] In other words, the picking method is a method for performing picking work in which an order item group Go consisting of items 90 of the type and number specified by order information is picked from a source item holder 9s placed in a source area As, which holds a single item group Gs consisting of multiple items 90 of the same type, and is transferred to a destination item holder 9d placed in a destination area Ad.
[0058] This picking method includes a source object supplying step of supplying a source object 9s to the source area As, a source object carrying step of carrying the source object 9s from the source area As, and a destination object carrying step of carrying a destination object 9d from the destination area Ad. In the picking method, if the source object 9s in the source area As is a final order object 9f carrying the last item 90 of the group of ordered items Go to be transferred to the destination object 9d in the destination area Ad, the source object supplying step is executed so that a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As after the start of the destination object carrying step of carrying the destination object 9d from the destination area Ad. The picking method according to the present disclosure further includes a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object 9d to the destination area Ad.
[0059] In addition, the picking program is a program for performing picking work to pick out an order item group Go consisting of items 90 of the type and number specified by order information from a source item group Gs consisting of multiple items 90 of the same type and placed in the source area As, and transfer it to a destination item group 9d placed in the destination area Ad.
[0060] This picking program enables the computer to realize a source body supply function that causes the source body supply device 1 to perform a source body supply process that supplies the source body 9s to the source area As, a source body carry-out function that causes the source body carry-out device 2 to perform a source body carry-out process that carries the source body 9s out of the source area As, and a destination body carry-out function that causes the destination body carry-out device 4 to perform a destination body carry-out process that carries the destination body 9d out of the destination area Ad. Then, when the source object 9s in the source area As is the final order object 9f carrying the final item 90 to be transferred last among the group of ordered items Go to the destination object 9d in the destination area Ad, the picking program executes a source object supply process so that a new source object 9s is supplied to the source area As after the start of the destination object carry-out process for carrying the destination object 9d out of the destination area Ad. The picking program according to the present disclosure also causes the computer to realize a destination object supply function for causing the destination object supply device 3 to perform the destination object supply process for supplying the destination object 9d to the destination area Ad. The picking program is provided, for example, by a recording medium (a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk or flash memory) on which the picking program is recorded, or via a communication network. The provided picking program is stored in a computer-accessible storage device. In this embodiment, the control device C (specifically, the arithmetic processing device included in the control device C) functions as a "computer."
[0061] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the picking system, the picking method, and the picking program will be described.
[0062] (1) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device C, when the source placement object 9s in the source area As is not the last placement object 9f of the order, executes in parallel the source placement object carry-out process Pos for carrying the source placement object 9s out of the source area As and the source placement object supply process Pss for supplying a new source placement object 9s to the source area As. However, without being limited to this example, the control device C may execute the source placement object carry-out process Pos and the source placement object supply process Pss at different times even when the source placement object 9s in the source area As is not the last placement object 9f of the order.
[0063] (2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device C executes the destination object supply process Psd in parallel with the destination object carry-out process Pod to supply a new destination object 9d to the destination area Ad. However, the control device C may execute the destination object carry-out process Pod and the destination object supply process Psd at different times.
[0064] (3) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the source body supply process Pss, the source body carry-out process Pos, the destination body supply process Psd, and the destination body carry-out process Pod are executed based on the operator W operating the operation unit 8. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the control device C may automatically execute each process without the operator W's input. In this case, the operation unit 8 is not required.
[0065] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the source object supply device 1, the source object carry-out device 2, the destination object supply device 3, and the destination object carry-out device 4 are configured using conveyors. However, without being limited to this example, each of the above devices may be a device that continuously transports multiple objects 9 along the same path, such as a lifter that transports the objects 9 in a vertical direction or a transport device that transports the objects 9 in a circular motion around a horizontal axis.
[0066] (5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the picking system 100 further includes a destination object supply device 3 that supplies the destination object 9d to the destination area Ad. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the picking system 100 does not necessarily have to include the destination object supply device 3. In this case, the destination object 9d may be supplied to the destination area Ad by, for example, an operator W.
[0067] (6) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be combined with configurations disclosed in 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 may be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0068] [Summary of the above embodiment] The picking system, picking method, and picking program described above will be described below.
[0069] The picking system according to the present disclosure includes: A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source body supply device that supplies the source body to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, and the destination body carry-out device, When the source object in the source area is an order final object carrying the final item to be transferred last among the group of ordered items to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the control device controls the source object supply device to execute the source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of the destination object removal process, which removes the destination object from the destination area.
[0070] According to this configuration, a source body supply process (source body supply process) is executed to supply a new source body to the source area so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination body carry-out process (destination body carry-out process) for carrying out a destination body on which the final item has been transferred and the picking work has been completed. Therefore, a situation in which a destination body on which picking work has been completed is in the destination area and a new source body is in the source area does not continue. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to prevent items related to a different order from being mistakenly transferred to a destination body on which picking work has been completed.
[0071] The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; If the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, it is preferable to execute the source object ejection process and then execute the destination object ejection process and the source object supply process in parallel.
[0072] According to this configuration, if the source object in the source area is not the last object of the order, a new source object is supplied to the source area in parallel with the removal of the source object from the source area, making it easy to quickly start picking the required items from the next source object.Also, if the source object in the source area is the last object of the order, a new source object is supplied to the source area in parallel with the removal of the destination object from the destination area, making it easy to quickly start picking the next group of ordered items.
[0073] An operation unit operated by an operator is provided, the operation unit includes a picking completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the transfer of the group of ordered items to the destination transfer body is completed, and a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source removal body in the source removal area is completed, The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, it is preferable to execute the source object removal process based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit, and execute the destination object removal process and the source object supply process based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit.
[0074] According to this configuration, depending on whether the source object in the source area is the final object of the order or not, the destination object removal process, the source object removal process, and the source object supply process can be appropriately performed based on the operator's operation.
[0075] The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, it is preferable to execute the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process in parallel.
[0076] According to this configuration, if the source object in the source area is not the last object of the order, a new source object is supplied to the source area in parallel with the removal of the source object from the source area, making it easy to quickly start picking the required items from the next source object.Also, if the source object in the source area is the last object of the order, the source object is removed from the source area and a new source object is supplied to the source area in parallel with the removal of the destination object from the destination area, making it easy to quickly start picking the next group of ordered items.
[0077] An operation unit operated by an operator is provided, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed, The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, it is preferable to execute the destination object removal process, the source object removal process, and the source object supply process based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
[0078] According to this configuration, depending on whether the source object in the source area is the final object of the order or not, the destination object removal process, the source object removal process, and the source object supply process can be appropriately performed based on the operator's operation.
[0079] a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area; Preferably, the control device executes a destination object supply process for supplying a new destination object to the destination area in parallel with the destination object carry-out process.
[0080] According to this configuration, the destination object can be quickly replaced with the destination area.
[0081] The picking method according to the present disclosure includes: A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source-receiving-body supplying step of supplying the source-receiving-body to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, If the source object in the source area is an order final object carrying the final item to be transferred last among the group of ordered items to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the destination object removal process, which removes the destination object from the destination area, has begun.
[0082] The picking program according to the present disclosure includes: A picking program for performing a picking operation to pick an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information from a source object placed in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of the same type is placed, and to transfer the ordered group of items to a destination object placed in a destination area, a source body supplying function for causing a source body supplying device to perform a source body supplying process for supplying the source body to the source area; a source-of-removal-object carrying-out function for causing a source-of-removal-object carrying-out device to carry out a source-of-removal-object carrying-out process for carrying out the source-of-removal-object from the source area; a destination object carrying-out function for causing a destination object carrying-out device to perform a destination object carrying-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, If the source object in the source area is an order final object carrying the final item to be transferred last among the group of ordered items to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, a source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of the destination object removal process for removing the destination object from the destination area. [Industrial Applicability]
[0083] The technology disclosed herein can be used in a picking system, picking method, and picking program for performing picking work to remove a group of ordered items consisting of the type and number of items specified by order information from a source loading body and transfer it to a destination loading body. [Explanation of symbols]
[0084] 100: Picking system 1: Source loading device supply device 2: Extraction source loading device 3: Transfer destination object supply device 4: Transfer destination object carrying-out device 8:Operation section 8d: Picking completion reception area 8s: Removal completion reception department 9: Mounting body 9d: Transfer destination body 9s: Source mounting body 9f: Final order placement 90: Goods Go: Order items Gs: Single item group Ad: Destination area As: Source area C: Control device W: Worker Pod: Transfer destination object removal processing Pos: Source object removal process Psd: Transfer destination body supply processing Pss: Source body supply process
Claims
1. A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source placement body supply device that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, the destination body supply device, and the destination body carry-out device; an operation unit operated by an operator, the control device identifies the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and when a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determines the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; the control device is configured to execute different processes when the source object in the source area is the final order object and when it is not the final order object, even if the same operation is performed on the operation unit; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the control device controls the source object supply device to execute a source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area; A picking system in which, if the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the control device executes the source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area without executing the destination object removal process.
2. A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source placement body supply device that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, the destination body supply device, and the destination body carry-out device, the control device identifies the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and when a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determines the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the control device controls the source object supply device to execute a source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area; The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, after the source object carrying-out process is executed, the destination object carrying-out process and the source object supply process are executed in parallel; An operation unit operated by an operator is provided, the operation unit includes a picking completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the transfer of the group of ordered items to the destination transfer body is completed, and a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source removal body in the source removal area is completed, The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; A picking system that, when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, executes the source object removal process based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit, and executes the destination object removal process and the source object supply process based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit.
3. A picking system for performing a picking operation in which an order group consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source pickup body arranged in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type is placed, and the order group is transferred to a destination pickup body arranged in a destination area, a source placement body supply device that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-removal-object carrying device that carries the source-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply device that supplies the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out device that carries out the destination object from the destination area; a control device that controls the source body supply device, the source body carry-out device, the destination body supply device, and the destination body carry-out device, the control device identifies the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and when a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determines the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred to the destination object in the destination area, the control device controls the source object supply device to execute a source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of a destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area; The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process are executed in parallel; An operation unit operated by an operator is provided, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed, The control device If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; A picking system that, when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, executes the destination object removal process, the source object removal process, and the source object supply process based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
4. A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source receiver supply step of supplying the source receiver to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source receiver is supplied to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path, which is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, There is an operating unit operated by the operator, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object, different steps are executed even if the same operation is performed in the operation unit, and when the source object is not the final order object, When the source body in the source area is the final order body carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination body in the destination area, the source body supply step is executed so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the destination body carrying-out step of carrying out the destination body from the destination area is started, A picking method in which, if the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area without executing the destination object removal process.
5. A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source receiver supply step of supplying the source receiver to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source receiver is supplied to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path, which is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source body in the source area is the final order body carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination body in the destination area, the source body supply step is executed so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the destination body carrying-out step of carrying out the destination body from the destination area is started, When the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step of carrying the source object out of the source area and the source object supply step are performed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, after the source object carrying-out step is performed, the destination object carrying-out step and the source object supplying step are performed in parallel; There is an operating unit operated by the operator, The operation unit includes a picking completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the transfer of the group of ordered items to the destination transfer body is completed, and a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when the removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source removal body in the source removal area is completed, If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step and the source object supply step are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; A picking method in which, when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the source object removal process is executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit, and the destination object removal process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the picking completion reception unit.
6. A picking method for performing a picking operation in which an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information is picked up from a source placement body that has a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of a single type and is arranged in a source area, and the ordered group of items is transferred to a destination placement body that is arranged in a destination area, a source receiver supply step of supplying the source receiver to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source receiver is supplied to the source area; a source-receiving-body carrying-out step of carrying out the source-receiving-body from the source area; a destination object supplying step of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path, which is a path through which the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out step of carrying out the destination object from the destination area, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source body in the source area is the final order body carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination body in the destination area, the source body supply step is executed so that a new source body is supplied to the source area after the destination body carrying-out step of carrying out the destination body from the destination area is started, When the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step of carrying the source object out of the source area and the source object supply step are performed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out step, the source object carrying-out step, and the source object supplying step are performed in parallel; There is an operating unit operated by the operator, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed; If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying step and the source object supply step are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; A picking method in which, when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
7. A picking program for performing a picking operation to pick an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information from a source object placed in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of the same type is placed, and to transfer the ordered group of items to a destination object placed in a destination area, a source placement body supply function that causes a source placement body supply device to perform a source placement body supply process that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-of-removal-object carrying-out function for causing a source-of-removal-object carrying-out device to carry out a source-of-removal-object carrying-out process for carrying out the source-of-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply function that causes a destination object supply device to perform a destination object supply process of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path until the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out function for causing a destination object carrying-out device to perform a destination object carrying-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, There is an operating unit operated by the operator, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; executes different processes when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order and when it is not the final object of the order, even if the same operation is performed on the operation unit; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination object in the destination area, the source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of the destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, A picking program that executes the source object supply process so that a new source object is supplied to the source area without executing the destination object removal process if the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order.
8. A picking program for performing a picking operation to pick an ordered group of items consisting of a type and number of items specified by order information from a source object placed in a source area on which a single group of items consisting of a plurality of items of the same type is placed, and to transfer the ordered group of items to a destination object placed in a destination area, a source placement body supply function that causes a source placement body supply device to perform a source placement body supply process that supplies the source placement body to the source area along an article supply path that is a path along which the source placement body is supplied to the source area; a source-of-removal-object carrying-out function for causing a source-of-removal-object carrying-out device to carry out a source-of-removal-object carrying-out process for carrying out the source-of-removal-object from the source area; a destination object supply function that causes a destination object supply device to perform a destination object supply process of supplying the destination object to the destination area along a destination object supply path that is a path until the empty destination object on which the article is not placed is supplied to the destination area; a destination object carrying-out function for causing a destination object carrying-out device to perform a destination object carrying-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, identifying the source placement bodies necessary to collect the items included in the group of ordered items, and if a plurality of source placement bodies have been identified, determining the source placement body that is to be supplied last to the source area among the plurality of source placement bodies as the final placement body of the order; When the source object in the source area is the final order object carrying the last item to be transferred from the group of ordered items to the destination object in the destination area, the source object supply process is executed so that a new source object is supplied to the source area after the start of the destination object carry-out process for carrying out the destination object from the destination area, If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, a source object carrying process for carrying the source object out of the source area and a source object supply process are executed in parallel; When the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, the destination object carrying-out process, the source object carrying-out process, and the source object supply process are executed in parallel; There is an operating unit operated by the operator, the operation unit includes a removal completion receiving unit that is operated by the worker when removal of the items included in the group of ordered items from the source placement body in the source area is completed; If the source object in the source area is not the final object of the order, the source object carrying process and the source object supply process are executed based on the operation of the removal completion receiving unit; A picking program that, when the source object in the source area is the final object of the order, executes the destination object carry-out process, the source object carry-out process, and the source object supply process based on the operation of the removal completion reception unit.
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