Conveyor

Abstract

To provide a conveyance device that eliminates stagnation of a cargo stagnated at the position next to a stagnation cargo by turning the stagnation cargo before it enters a supply conveyor when a cargo makes an impassable stage at a branch position.SOLUTION: A conveyance device includes: a turning conveyor 110 turning corresponding to a plurality of storage warehouses, and moved turnably a package; a plurality of supply conveyors 120 stored and moved the package from a branch position corresponding to each of the plurality of storage warehouses on the turning conveyor 110; a turning conveyor control part that controls a turning movement of the turning conveyor 110; a supply conveyor control part that controls a storage movement on the supply conveyor 120; a turning conveyor state detection part that detects a turning state of the package on the turning conveyor 110; and a stagnation control part that controls stagnation of the turning movement at the branch position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device that conveys cargo to a storage facility, such as an automated warehouse, that stores cargo. [Background technology]

[0002] In manufacturing plants and distribution centers, various items are often transported and stored in storage facilities such as automated warehouses. For example, manufacturing plants and distribution centers are equipped with multiple storage facilities. Each of these storage facilities often has a role that corresponds to storage regulations, work processes, etc.

[0003] According to these roles, a conveying device is used to transport and store luggage corresponding to multiple storage bins. A certain type of luggage A is stored in the corresponding storage bin A. A different type of luggage B is stored in the corresponding storage bin B. The conveying device transports the luggage to the corresponding storage bin in accordance with the storage relationship between this luggage and storage bin.

[0004] Once stored in a warehouse, the parcels are transferred to the next manufacturing or delivery process. In other words, they wait in the warehouse for the next process. The warehouse in which the parcels are stored corresponds to the next process for that parcel.

[0005] For example, package A stored in storage A will be used in the next manufacturing process. Package B stored in storage B will be used in the next delivery process. In factories and distribution centers where storage facilities and conveying equipment are installed, packages transported by transportation equipment are transported by the conveying equipment and stored in the storage facility. Alternatively, packages delivered from another process are stored in the corresponding storage facility by the conveying equipment.

[0006] A transport device transports the luggage corresponding to the corresponding storage bin.

[0007] In factories and distribution centers, multiple storage units are installed, and packages are stored in one of the multiple storage units. To store packages, a conveying device is required to transport the packages to the corresponding storage unit.

[0008] In response to such demands, the transport device is equipped with a circular conveyor that circles around multiple storage bins, and supply conveyors that extend (branch) from the circular conveyor to the storage bins at positions corresponding to each storage bin. The packages supplied to the circular conveyor circle around the circular conveyor and approach the storage bin where they are to be stored.

[0009] When it gets close, it moves to the supply conveyor that branches off from the circular conveyor and moves along the supply conveyor. The supply conveyor moves the incoming cargo to the storage warehouse. By moving, the cargo is stored in the storage warehouse.

[0010] Such a conveying device and related techniques have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-220362 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-247406 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-2928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Patent Document 1 discloses a luggage sorting system comprising a luggage detection device that detects the sorting destination of luggage, a video codec server that stores images detected by the luggage detection device when the luggage detection device cannot detect the sorting destination of the luggage, and a video codec device that allows an attendant to input the sorting destination while checking the images received from the video codec server.

[0013] Patent Document 2 discloses a conveyor in which a pallet taken out from a pallet warehouse is placed on a carry-in conveyor 13, which then sends the pallet to a circulating transport conveyor 11. In synchronization with this, a corresponding transport direction switching device 12 switches from "passing mode" to "merging mode."

[0014] Patent Document 3 discloses a sorting device that is configured to carry in various products 1 with destinations and transport orders randomly placed in the machine, transport them along a main transport path 11, automatically sort the products according to a sorting plan, and control a robot 30 to automatically stack the products at predetermined stacking locations (A1 to A3, B1 to B3) before transporting them out, and that is equipped with a congestion buffering means 20 that has a circulation path upstream of branch transport paths 12a, 12b, which are the product pick-up locations for the robot 30, for circulating the products and temporarily taking them out.

[0015] In Patent Document 1, the cargo is stored in the storage shed where it should be stored, including confirmation by a worker. Patent Document 2, which is the opposite of Patent Document 1, discloses a technology in which the cargo is taken out of the storage shed and sent to a circular conveyor to make the necessary rotations.

[0016] None of Patent Documents 1 to 3 directly discloses transporting the cargo required for multiple storage bins by circulating the cargo and transferring it from the necessary branch to a supply conveyor, but they do disclose the transfer of cargo between the circulating conveyor and the storage bins.

[0017] However, the conventional technology has the following problems.

[0018] The circular conveyor rotates to correspond to a plurality of storage bins. Along the way, there are branches at a plurality of positions corresponding to the positions of the plurality of storage bins. From each of the branches, a supply conveyor extends toward the corresponding storage bin.

[0019] Multiple packages are moving on the circular conveyor. Each of the multiple packages may be stored in the same or different storage bins. One package A should be stored in storage bin A, and another package B should be stored in storage bin B. In this way, multiple packages with different storage bins to be stored in are moving on the circular conveyor at the same time.

[0020] In addition, there is a limit to the number of items that can be moved on the supply conveyor. Therefore, it is possible that the supply conveyor may become full of items. For example, supply conveyor A connected to storage A may become full of items.

[0021] On the circular conveyor, there is a package A to be stored in storage A, and packages B and C to be stored in other storages, etc. In this case, it is possible that the supply conveyor A is full, and the next package A arrives at the branch point between the supply conveyor A and the circular conveyor. This package A will be held up at this branch point because the supply conveyor A is full.

[0022] On the other hand, the circular conveyor moves in a certain direction, and as a result, another piece of luggage, such as luggage B, that should be moved to a place other than storage A, may arrive at this branching point. This luggage B will also be unable to move on the circular conveyor due to luggage A being held up at the branching point, and will also be held up.

[0023] Of course, your next shipment may also be held up.

[0024] In this way, when cargo to be transported to multiple different storage bins is mixed and moving around the circular conveyor, the cargo may become stuck at the branch point to a certain supply conveyor depending on the storage bins, the movement capacity to the storage bins, the capacity of the supply conveyor, and the movement capacity of the supply conveyor.

[0025] As the size of the luggage storage system using the transport device in the storage shed increases and the types and quantities of luggage to be transported increase, these problems become more apparent.

[0026] When a package is held up, the supply conveyor causing the holdup becomes empty, and this holdup continues until package A that should enter the supply conveyor moves to supply conveyor A.

[0027] This causes a stagnation in the circular conveyor's rotation, resulting in a stagnation in the entire transport. As mentioned above, the larger the baggage storage system, the more pronounced the problem of stagnation and lengthening of the system becomes.

[0028] Prior art technologies such as Patent Documents 1 to 3 did not anticipate the occurrence of such delays and stagnation times, as the luggage storage system would not become large and the types and quantities of luggage would not increase.

[0029] In addition, in Patent Document 3, packages are sorted into branches that branch off from a linear conveyance path. In this case, a package buffer is provided before the branch. However, this is just a buffer, and if the number of packages that arrive exceeds the buffer, the sorting of packages will come to a halt, causing a problem of stagnation. In particular, since the system is based on a linear conveyance path, if the buffer becomes full, the conveyance path will also remain stagnant for a long period of time.

[0030] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a conveying device that, when a piece of luggage is held up at a branch position, circulates the held up luggage before it can be put into a supply conveyor, thereby eliminating the holdup of luggage at the next position after the held up luggage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0031] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the conveying device of the present invention includes: a circulating conveyor that circulates around a plurality of storage bins and moves packages around; a plurality of supply conveyors that store and transfer packages to the storage bins from branch positions on the circular conveyor corresponding to the plurality of storage bins; a circular conveyor control unit that controls the circular movement of the circular conveyor; a supply conveyor control unit that controls the storage movement on the supply conveyor; a conveyor state detection unit that detects the state of rotation of the goods on the conveyor; a stagnation control unit that controls stagnation of the circular movement at the branch position, the plurality of supply conveyors include a first supply conveyor, a second supply conveyor, ..., an Nth supply conveyor corresponding to a first storage cabinet, a second storage cabinet, ..., an Nth storage cabinet, which are the plurality of storage cabinets, respectively; The luggage includes one or more first luggage of a type to be stored in the first storage bin, one or more second luggage of a type to be stored in the second storage bin, and one or more Nth luggage of a type to be stored in the Nth storage bin, the plurality of branch positions include a first branch position, a second branch position, ..., an Nth branch position corresponding to the first supply conveyor, the second supply conveyor, ..., the Nth conveyor; The circular conveyor control unit includes: diverting the first load to the first supply conveyor at the first diverting position; The second load is diverted to the second supply conveyor at the second diverting position; The Nth cargo is branched and moved to the Nth supply conveyor at the Nth branch position; the circular conveyor state detection unit is capable of detecting stopped luggage at any one of the first branch position to the Nth branch position and accumulated luggage stopped behind the stopped luggage, When the accumulated baggage is detected, the accumulation control unit The stopped luggage is made to wait for a predetermined time at the branch position where it is stopped, After the predetermined time has elapsed, the stopped cargo is moved around on the circular conveyor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] In the case where a branched parcel that should enter the supply conveyor corresponding to the branched position is held up at the branched position and another parcel is held up behind the branched parcel, the conveying device of the present invention causes the branched parcel to flow onto the circular conveyor after a predetermined time has elapsed, i.e., the branched parcel is sent for another rotation on the circular conveyor.

[0033] This allows the stalled luggage that has been blocked by the branched luggage to move along the circular conveyor. If the stalled luggage is to be supplied to a supply conveyor other than the one corresponding to the branched luggage, it can be diverted and moved to the supply conveyor to which it should be diverted before the branched luggage makes another rotation.

[0034] This allows the stagnant cargo to be moved to the supply conveyor from which it should be diverted. Similarly, the diverted cargo can also be moved to the supply conveyor from which it should be diverted by making another round on the circular conveyor.

[0035] As described above, even if a stagnation occurs during branch movement from the circular conveyor to the supply conveyor, the stop time of the circular conveyor due to the stagnation can be reduced, thereby improving the transport efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transport device including a circular conveyor and a branch conveyor. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a stopped item stops at a branch position on a circular conveyor and accumulated items are stagnating behind the stopped item. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a stagnant state in the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] A transport device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a circulating conveyor that circulates around a plurality of storage bins and moves packages around the circulating conveyor; a plurality of supply conveyors that store and transfer packages to the storage bins from branch positions on the circular conveyor corresponding to the plurality of storage bins; a circular conveyor control unit that controls the circular movement of the circular conveyor; a supply conveyor control unit that controls the storage movement on the supply conveyor; a conveyor state detection unit that detects the state of rotation of the goods on the conveyor; a stagnation control unit that controls stagnation of the circular movement at the branch position, the plurality of supply conveyors include a first supply conveyor, a second supply conveyor, ..., an Nth supply conveyor corresponding to a first storage cabinet, a second storage cabinet, ..., an Nth storage cabinet, which are the plurality of storage cabinets, respectively; The luggage includes one or more first luggage of a type to be stored in the first storage bin, one or more second luggage of a type to be stored in the second storage bin, and one or more Nth luggage of a type to be stored in the Nth storage bin, the plurality of branch positions include a first branch position, a second branch position, ..., an Nth branch position corresponding to the first supply conveyor, the second supply conveyor, ..., the Nth conveyor; The circular conveyor control unit includes: diverting the first load to the first supply conveyor at the first diverting position; The second load is diverted to the second supply conveyor at the second diverting position; The Nth cargo is branched and moved to the Nth supply conveyor at the Nth branch position; the circular conveyor state detection unit is capable of detecting stopped luggage at any one of the first branch position to the Nth branch position and accumulated luggage stopped behind the stopped luggage, When the accumulated baggage is detected, the accumulation control unit The stopped luggage is made to wait for a predetermined time at the branch position where it is stopped, After the predetermined time has elapsed, the stopped cargo is moved around on the circular conveyor.

[0038] This configuration allows for the transportation of luggage according to the situation while increasing overall transportation efficiency.

[0039] In the conveying device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the features of the first aspect, the stopped cargo occurs when it is not possible to branch off from the branch position where it is stopped to the corresponding supply conveyor.

[0040] With this configuration, if branching movement is not possible, the system can switch between waiting as is or prioritizing the next package, thereby improving overall transport efficiency.

[0041] In addition to the first or second invention, the conveying device according to the third invention of the present invention further includes a supply conveyor state detection unit that detects at least one of the movement state and the upper limit number state of the cargo on the supply conveyor.

[0042] With this configuration, it is possible to detect a blockage in the supply conveyor, grasp a state in which branch movement is not possible, and perform stagnation control.

[0043] In the conveying device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the third aspect, the supply conveyor state detection unit determines that the branch movement is not possible when the movement state on the supply conveyor is abnormal.

[0044] This configuration makes it possible to grasp when branching movement is not possible and a stagnation occurs.

[0045] In the conveying device according to the fifth invention of the present invention, in addition to the third invention, the supply conveyor status detection unit determines that the branch movement is not possible when the number of packages on the supply conveyor is at the upper limit number.

[0046] With this configuration, it is possible to know that the upper limit has been reached and that the next package cannot be branched off.

[0047] In a conveying device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the specified time is determined based on at least one of the number of storage bins, the storage capacity of the storage bins, the number of loads that can be moved on the supply conveyor, the movement capacity of the supply conveyor, the number of loads that can be moved on the circular conveyor, the movement capacity of the circular conveyor, and the length of the circular conveyor.

[0048] This configuration allows the standby state to be carried out with improved overall transport efficiency.

[0049] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a transport device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the predetermined time is variable.

[0050] This configuration allows for standby and release to be performed in a flexible manner according to the situation.

[0051] In the conveying device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the seventh aspect, the stagnation control unit can change the predetermined time based on the number of the stagnant baggage items.

[0052] This configuration has advantages for overall transport efficiency, such as extending or shortening the waiting time depending on the number of remaining packages.

[0053] In the conveying device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, the stagnation control unit instructs the circular conveyor control unit to move the stopped luggage in a circular motion after the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0054] With this configuration, the stopped luggage starts moving around in a circle, and the remaining luggage behind it moves to its own branch position and heads for storage.

[0055] In the conveying device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the ninth aspect, the circular conveyor control unit increases the circular movement speed of the stopped luggage when the stopped luggage begins to move in a circular motion.

[0056] This configuration can improve the overall transport efficiency.

[0057] In the conveying device according to the eleventh invention of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to tenth inventions, the supply conveyor control unit controls the supply conveyor so that, when there is cargo on the supply conveyor, the cargo is stored and moved to the storage facility to which it is to be supplied.

[0058] This configuration allows luggage to be stored in the storage compartment.

[0059] A conveying device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is, in addition to the eleventh aspect, further provided with a storage crane that stores the cargo that has reached the storage shed side of the supply conveyor in the storage shed.

[0060] This configuration allows for reliable storage in the storage cabinet.

[0061] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0062] (Embodiment)

[0063] (Analysis by the inventor) 1 is a plan view of a conveying device equipped with a circular conveyor and a branch conveyor. The inventor's analysis of the problems of a conveying device using a circular conveyor and a branch conveyor of the prior art will be described using FIG. 1.

[0064] 1 shows a top view of the conveying device 100. The conveying device 100 includes a circular conveyor 110 and a plurality of supply conveyors 120. Each of the supply conveyors 120 is connected to a storage unit that stores packages.

[0065] The conveying device 100 is provided with a circular conveyor 110 in the center that moves packages in a circular motion. The circular conveyor 110 has a plurality of branch positions 111, and supply conveyors 120 that store and move packages to storage bins are connected to the branch positions 111. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, there is the circular conveyor 110 having a circular shape, and a plurality of supply conveyors 120 protrude from the circular conveyor 110. Each of the plurality of protruding supply conveyors 120 is connected to a storage bin and moves packages to store them in the storage bin (and conversely, they may also move to remove packages from the storage bin).

[0066] For example, when storing luggage in a storage cabinet, the following operation process is performed. The luggage is inserted into the insertion port of the circular conveyor 110. It is predetermined which storage cabinet the luggage will be stored in, depending on the type of luggage, etc. The control unit that controls the entire conveyance device 100 determines which storage cabinet each luggage should be stored in and performs the storage operation accordingly.

[0067] The inserted luggage moves around the circular conveyor 110. The circular conveyor 110 can move luggage in a circular direction, and the luggage can move around accordingly.

[0068] During this circular movement, the packages arrive at multiple branch positions. Supply conveyors 120 are connected to the branch positions. For example, a first supply conveyor is connected to the first branch position, a second supply conveyor is connected to the second branch position, and an Nth supply conveyor is connected to the Nth branch position. For example, a certain package A is stored in a first storage bin via the first supply conveyor. Another package B is stored in a second storage bin via the second supply conveyor.

[0069] Therefore, when package A reaches the first branch position, it branches off and moves from the circular conveyor to the first supply conveyor. When package B reaches the second branch position, it branches off and moves from the circular conveyor to the second supply conveyor. Package A that has moved to the first supply conveyor is then moved and stored towards the first storage bin by the first supply conveyor. As a result of this storage movement, package A is stored in the first storage bin. Similarly, package B moves on the second supply conveyor and is stored in the second storage bin.

[0070] The same goes for other luggage.

[0071] A plurality of packages move around randomly on the circular conveyor 110. Each of the plurality of packages moves to a corresponding storage bin. Therefore, the packages branch off at a corresponding branch position and move to a corresponding supply conveyor 120.

[0072] If the supply conveyor 120 is not congested, the packages moving around the circular conveyor 110 branch off one after another at the corresponding branch positions and move to the corresponding supply conveyor 120.

[0073] However, it is possible that one of the multiple supply conveyors 120 may become congested. For example, if the first supply conveyor 120 becomes congested, a package that should enter the first supply conveyor may stop at the first branch position instead of branching off. Packages move in a circular motion one after another on the circular conveyor 110. Therefore, as long as there is a package stopped at the first branch position, packages moving around the circular conveyor from behind it will stagnate behind the package stopped at the first branch position. This is because the stopped package gets in the way and prevents further movement around the circular conveyor 110.

[0074] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a stopped item stops at the branch position on this circular conveyor, and an accumulated item is stagnating behind the stopped item. The first supply conveyor 120A is congested. The item A that should be moved to this first supply conveyor 120A is stopped at the first branch position. The item cannot enter the first supply conveyor 120A and is in a stopped state.

[0075] Behind this stopped piece of luggage A, piece of luggage B, which has been moving on the circular conveyor 110, is stuck. Piece of luggage B is moving from another branch position to another supply conveyor. Piece of luggage B needs to move further, but it remains stuck at the first stop position of the circular conveyor 110. In other words, piece of luggage B is a stuck piece of luggage.

[0076] The stopped luggage A and the retained luggage B are stagnating on the circular conveyor 110.

[0077] For this reason, in the conventional conveyance device 100, the circular movement of package B on the circular conveyor 110 remains stagnant until the congestion on the first supply conveyor 110A ends (the congestion ends when the package on the first supply conveyor 110A moves to the first storage warehouse). Unless the congestion on the first supply conveyor 110A is resolved, package B cannot reach the position where it should be stored.

[0078] That is, the efficiency of storing luggage decreases throughout the entire conveying device 100. This is a problem with the prior art, and the inventors have arrived at the present invention based on such an analysis.

[0079] (Overview) 3 is a schematic diagram of a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conveying device 1 is shown as viewed from above. The conveying device 1 conveys a package 200 to store it in one of a plurality of storage cabinets 10, or it picks up a package 200 from one of the plurality of storage cabinets 10 and delivers it. The package 200 conveyed by the conveying device 1 is stored in a predetermined storage cabinet 10. The storage cabinet 10 in which the package 200 should be stored is determined by the type, category, etc. of the package 200.

[0080] For this reason, the transport device 1 is provided to accommodate a plurality of storage cabinets 10.

[0081] The conveying device 1 includes a circular conveyor 2, a plurality of supply conveyors 3, a circular conveyor control unit 21, a supply conveyor control unit 31, a circular conveyor state detection unit 6, and a stagnation control unit 7. In FIG. 3, the circular conveyor control unit 21, the supply conveyor control unit 31, the circular conveyor state detection unit 6, and the stagnation control unit 7 are not visually shown, but are included in the conveying device 1. For example, they may be incorporated into any of the mechanical parts of the conveying device 1, or into the control device or operating device of the conveying device 1.

[0082] Furthermore, the circular conveyor control unit 21, the supply conveyor control unit 31, the circular conveyor state detection unit 6, and the stagnation control unit 7 may be realized by a composite configuration including electronic, mechanical, and software programs.

[0083] The circular conveyor 2 has a shape that rotates in correspondence with the plurality of storage bins 10, and moves the baggage 200 in a circular motion. As shown in Fig. 3, the circular conveyor 2 has a shape that rotates in correspondence with the plurality of storage bins 10 arranged around it. Therefore, the circular shape and size of the circular conveyor 2 are determined by the number and positions of the storage bins 10 arranged therearound.

[0084] The circular conveyor 2 has an inlet 51 and an outlet 52. The cargo 200 is input into the circular conveyor 2 from the inlet 51. The input cargo 200 travels around on the circular conveyor 2. During the travel, the cargo 200 branches off to the supply conveyor 3 and is stored in the storage 10.

[0085] Conversely, the cargo 200 carried out from the storage 10 moves from the supply conveyor 3 to the circular conveyor 2. After traveling around the circular conveyor 2, the cargo 200 is discharged from the discharge port 52. The discharged cargo 200 is handed over to another process.

[0086] The circular conveyor 2 moves the luggage 200 in a circular manner in this way, storing it in a designated storage 10 and carrying it out of the storage 10.

[0087] The circular conveyor control unit 21 controls the circular movement of the circular conveyor 2. It controls the circular movement of the luggage 200 and stops the luggage when stopped or accumulated luggage occurs as described below. It also controls the speed of the circular movement. It can also control the resumption of circular movement of stopped luggage after a predetermined time has elapsed by the stagnation control unit 7.

[0088] A plurality of supply conveyors 3 branch off and connect to the circular conveyor 2. The branching positions are branch positions 4. In other words, the circular conveyor 2 has branch positions 4 at a plurality of positions, and a supply conveyor 3 connects to each of these branch positions 4. The supply conveyors 3 correspond to the storage cabinets 10, and so the number and positions of the supply conveyors 3 correspond to the number and positions of the storage cabinets 10.

[0089] In FIG. 3, the storage 10 is located outside the circular conveyor 2, so the multiple supply conveyors 3 protrude like horns toward the outside of the circular conveyor 2. If the storage 10 were located inside the circular conveyor 2, the multiple supply conveyors 3 would protrude toward the inside of the circular conveyor 2.

[0090] Branching position 4 branches off cargo 200 that has traveled around circular conveyor 2 onto supply conveyor 3. Supply conveyor 3 stores and moves cargo 200 that has branched off and entered into storage 10. Of course, when cargo 200 is to be removed from storage 10, it moves the cargo 200 removed from storage 10 towards circular conveyor 2. It is not intended to be limited to either one.

[0091] While the circular conveyor 2 moves the luggage 200 in a circular manner, the supply conveyor 3 moves the luggage 200 in a linear manner (not limited to a completely straight line, but a linear movement). The supply conveyor 3 stores and moves the luggage 200, and when the luggage 200 reaches the storage 10, it is stored in the storage 10.

[0092] The supply conveyor control unit 31 controls the storage and movement of the cargo 200 on the supply conveyor 3. The cargo 200 that has entered from the branch position 4 is moved toward the storage shed 10. The cargo is also moved for storage while waiting for the cargo to be able to be stored in the storage shed 10. This allows for smooth and reliable storage (the same goes for carrying out).

[0093] The luggage 200 to be stored in the first storage 10A is the first luggage 200A. The luggage 200 to be stored in the second storage 10B is the second luggage 200B. The luggage 200 to be stored in the Nth storage 10N is the Nth luggage 200N (in FIG. 3, only the first storage 10A, etc. are picked out and shown by the reference numerals). Note that there may be multiple first luggage 200A, etc. Essentially, these are luggage that should be stored in the first storage 10A.

[0094] Thus, corresponding to the first storage cabinet 10A to the Nth storage cabinet 10N, the branch positions 4 also include the first branch position 4A, the second branch position 4B, ..., the Nth branch position 4N, and the supply conveyors 3 also include the first supply conveyor 3A, the second supply conveyor 3B, ..., the Nth supply conveyor 3N. The first, second, ..., the Nth indicate the corresponding relationships among the storage cabinets 10, the supply conveyors 3, and the branch positions 4, respectively.

[0095] The circular conveyor control unit 21 branches off the corresponding cargo 200 to the supply conveyor 3 at the branch position 4. At this time, the first cargo 200A to be stored in the first storage bin 10A is branched off to the first supply conveyor 3A at the first branch position 4A. The second cargo 200B to be stored in the second storage bin 10B is branched off to the second supply conveyor 3B at the second branch position 4B. The Nth cargo 200N to be stored in the Nth storage bin 10N is branched off to the Nth supply conveyor 3N at the Nth branch position 4N.

[0096] By the branching control by the circular conveyor control unit 6, each of the packages 200 moves to the storage 10 where it is to be stored (from the circular conveyor 2 via the supply conveyor 3).

[0097] Here, as shown in Figure 4, there may be cases where a stopped parcel cannot enter the supply conveyor 3 due to congestion, and stops at the branch position 4. Furthermore, if this stopped parcel blocks the circular conveyor 2, another parcel coming from behind it may become a held-up parcel that cannot move any further. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a stagnant state in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] The conveyor state detection unit 6 detects this stagnant state.

[0099] In Figure 4, package A is a package that should enter the first supply conveyor 3A from the first branch position 4A. The first supply conveyor 3A is congested with packages to be stored in the first storage bin 10A. As a result, package A cannot branch off from the first branch position 4A. As a result, package A is stopped at the first branch position 4A. In other words, package A is a stopped package.

[0100] Due to the presence of this stopped luggage, the next luggage B traveling around the circular conveyor 2 cannot move any further. The luggage B becomes a backlogged luggage behind the stopped luggage. In FIG. 4, luggage B is a backlogged luggage. Of course, if the luggage 200 continues to travel around on the circular conveyor 2, another luggage 200 may arrive behind luggage B, and the number of backlogged luggage may increase further.

[0101] The conveyor state detection unit 6 detects a state in which there are stopped and accumulated luggage as a stagnant state. In other words, the conveyor state detection unit 6 detects accumulated luggage. This is because if there is accumulated luggage, there is also stopped luggage, which means there is a stagnant state.

[0102] The conveyor state detection unit 6 notifies the stagnation control unit 7 of the detection result.

[0103] When a held-up baggage is detected (when a held-up state is detected), the hold-up control unit 7 performs the following process.

[0104] (Process 1) The stopped luggage is made to wait for a predetermined time at the branch position 4 where it is stopped (in FIG. 4, luggage A is made to wait at the first branch position 4A).

[0105] (Process 2) After a predetermined time has elapsed, if the stopped luggage cannot enter the supply conveyor 3 from the branch position 4 (the supply conveyor 3 is congested and cannot enter), the stopped luggage is stopped from waiting and moved in a circle on the circular conveyor 2.

[0106] In the prior art, the stopped parcels were stopped until the congested supply conveyor 4 became free (until they could be diverted). If the supply conveyor 4 became free soon, waiting would have little adverse effect on the movement of the next held-up parcel. However, this is not always the case, and the held-up parcels would have to wait until they could circulate to the diverging position 4 where they should enter. As a result, the conveying efficiency of the entire conveying device 1 would decrease.

[0107] In the conveying device 1 of the present invention, the stagnation control unit 7 performs process 1 and process 2. As a result, the stopped luggage is made to wait at the branch position where it is stopped for a predetermined time based on the standard that does not reduce the conveying efficiency of the entire conveying device 1 (process 1). If the supply conveyor 3 becomes free within this predetermined time and a branch movement is possible, the stagnation control unit 7 causes the stopped luggage to branch and move to the supply conveyor 3. As a result, the stopped luggage that has been stagnating at the rear can also move around the circular conveyor 2 by passing this branch position 4.

[0108] On the other hand, if the diverging movement is still not possible after a predetermined time based on the conveying efficiency of the entire conveying device 1 has elapsed, the stagnation control unit 7 moves the stopped luggage from the diverging position 4, which is the stopping position, in a circular movement first. In other words, it shifts to a circular movement on the circular conveyor 2 (process 2). This allows the accumulated luggage that was forced to stagnate at the rear to continue moving in a circular movement and reach the diverging position 4 of the supply conveyor 3 where it should enter.

[0109] Since the stopped goods must return to the same branch position, they return to circular movement and then make one revolution on the circular conveyor 2. Meanwhile, the remaining goods can reach their own branch position 4, from where they can branch off and move to the supply conveyor 3. This allows them to be stored in the storage bin 10 where they should be stored.

[0110] Of course, if this accumulated baggage becomes a stopped baggage at its own branch position and causes the next baggage 200 to become an accumulated baggage, the accumulation control unit 7 may carry out control of the process 1 and the process 2.

[0111] The stopped goods that have been shifted to circular movement make one revolution and then return to the branch position 4. Here, they branch off from the branch position 4 to the corresponding supply conveyor 3 and are stored in the storage 10.

[0112] In this way, both stopped and accumulated luggage remain stopped and waiting for a predetermined time that does not reduce the overall transport efficiency. On the other hand, if the predetermined time is exceeded, priority is given to allowing the accumulated luggage that has been stopped at the rear to reach the branch position 4 and then branching off, rather than branching off the stopped luggage to the supply conveyor 3.

[0113] By such control, the transport efficiency (storage efficiency) of the transport device 1 as a whole can be improved.

[0114] (Stopped luggage) As shown in Figure 4, package A is a stopped package. A stopped package occurs when it cannot be diverted from the stopped branch position 4 to the corresponding supply conveyor 3. As shown in Figure 4, this occurs when the supply conveyor 3 is congested and the package cannot be diverted and entered.

[0115] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conveying device 1 of Fig. 5 further includes a supply conveyor state detection unit 33. The supply conveyor state detection unit 33 detects at least one of the movement state and the upper limit number state of the luggage 200 on the supply conveyor 3. The movement state is the state of the luggage 200 moving on the supply conveyor 3 toward the storage shed 10. The upper limit number state is the upper limit of the number of luggage that can be accommodated on the supply conveyor 3. Since the supply conveyor 3 also moves luggage 200, there is an upper limit number of luggage that can be moved. The state with respect to this upper limit number is called the upper limit number state.

[0116] The supply conveyor state detection unit 33 detects an abnormal state (abnormal state in which branch movement from the branch position 4 is not possible) in the supply conveyor 3. This abnormal state indicates a state in which branch movement cannot be accepted.

[0117] First, when there is an abnormality in the movement state on the supply conveyor 3, the supply conveyor state detection unit 33 determines that this is an abnormal state in which branch movement is not possible. For example, this is the case when the supply conveyor 3 is blocked by traffic or malfunctioning, and therefore the cargo 200 cannot move on the supply conveyor 3 toward the storage shed 10. Alternatively, the supply conveyor state detection unit 33 determines that a state in which the cargo 200 located immediately after the branch position 4 on the supply conveyor 3 does not move is an abnormal state.

[0118] Secondly, it is also determined that branch movement is not possible when the number of packages reaches the upper limit of the number that can be accommodated on the supply conveyor 3. When the number of packages 200 on the supply conveyor 3 reaches the upper limit, the next package 200 cannot enter. In this case, the supply conveyor state detection unit 33 also determines that branch movement is not possible.

[0119] Based on such a determination, the baggage 200 that cannot be diverted and moved becomes a stopped baggage.

[0120] The occurrence of this stopped luggage causes luggage to accumulate behind on the circular conveyor 2. The accumulated luggage may be luggage 200 entering from the branch position 4 where the stopped luggage is stopped, or luggage 200 entering from a branch position 4 beyond this branch position 4.

[0121] (specified time) As explained in the above processes 1 and 2, the stagnation control unit 7 makes the stopped luggage wait for a predetermined time. If the stopped luggage is ready to be diverted from the branch position 4 to the supply conveyor 3 before the predetermined time has elapsed, the stagnation control unit 7 diverges the stopped luggage to the supply conveyor 3.

[0122] On the other hand, if the supply conveyor 3 is unable to accept branch movement even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the stagnation control unit 7 pushes out the stopped luggage that is waiting and returns it to circular movement on the circular conveyor 2. The stopped luggage then starts (resumes) circular movement.

[0123] As described above, by performing such control, the conveying efficiency of the conveying device 1 as a whole can be improved.

[0124] For this reason, it is preferable that the predetermined time be determined in consideration of the transport efficiency of the entire transport device 1. For example, the predetermined time may be determined based on at least one of the number of storage bins 10, the storage capacity of the storage bins 10, the number of packages 200 that can be moved by the supply conveyor 3, the movement capacity of the supply conveyor 3, the number of packages 200 that can be moved by the circular conveyor 2, the movement capacity of the circular conveyor 2, and the length of the circular conveyor 2.

[0125] Based on at least one of these, the predetermined time can be determined according to the transport efficiency of the transport device 1 as a whole.

[0126] For example, if the number of storage bins 10 or the storage capacity of the storage bins 10 is high, it is likely that stopped cargo will be able to be diverted to the supply conveyor 3 even if the predetermined time is set to a certain value or more. Conversely, if the number of storage bins 10 or the storage capacity of the storage bins 10 is low, it will be difficult to diverge even if the predetermined time is extended. It is also preferable to shorten the predetermined time and move the stopped cargo to the circular conveyor 2 earlier.

[0127] Conversely, if the storage capacity is high, the predetermined time may be set with the idea that the predetermined time can be shortened even if the predetermined time is shortened, since the transition to branch movement is likely to occur.

[0128] This also applies when the capacity of the supply conveyor 3 or the circular conveyor 2 is used as a reference, and the predetermined time can be determined in the same way.

[0129] The predetermined time may be variable. This means that the predetermined time may be set differently each time a transport operation is performed by the transport device 1, or the predetermined time may be changed while the transport operation is being performed.

[0130] In the former case, for example, when the total number of luggage 200 to be stored during a certain transport operation routine is large, the predetermined time is set to a certain time, and when switching to another transport operation routine, when the total number of luggage 200 decreases, the predetermined time is set to match this.

[0131] In the latter case, the predetermined time is changed within one transport operation routine.

[0132] For example, the retention control unit 7 can change the predetermined time based on the number of retained luggage pieces that are retained behind the stopped luggage pieces. When there are a large number of retained luggage pieces, the predetermined time is shortened, and priority is given to moving the retained luggage pieces in a circular motion on the circular conveyor 2 and having them reach the respective branch positions 4, rather than waiting for the stopped luggage pieces to branch off to the supply conveyor 3.

[0133] Conversely, if the number of retained items is small, the predetermined time is extended to wait for the stopped items to branch off and move to the supply conveyor 3. This is because it is more efficient overall.

[0134] In this way, varying the predetermined time (the time that stopped luggage waits) depending on the number of remaining luggage is also suitable for improving overall efficiency.

[0135] (Transition to circular movement of stopped cargo) After a predetermined time has elapsed, the stagnation control unit 7 instructs the circular conveyor control unit 21 to shift the stopped goods to circular movement. This is the case when branch movement is still not possible after the predetermined time has elapsed. As mentioned above, branch movement is not possible when the supply conveyor 3 is full, etc.

[0136] The stagnation control unit 7 instructs the circular conveyor control unit 21 to make the stopped luggage circulate, causing the stopped luggage to resume its circular movement. In other words, it delays its own branching movement by one revolution. During this delay, the remaining luggage behind the stopped luggage can also make its circular movement. After making its circular movement, the remaining luggage reaches the branch position 4 where it should be branched. The remaining luggage can branch off at this branch position 4 and move to the required branch conveyor.

[0137] Rather than making the accumulated luggage wait indefinitely without any diverging operation, the stopped luggage is expelled from diverging position 4 and made to move in a circular movement. While the stopped luggage makes another circular movement, the accumulated luggage can go to its own diverging position 4. This improves the overall conveying efficiency.

[0138] When the circular conveyor control unit 21 shifts the stopped goods to circular movement, it is also preferable to increase the circular movement speed of the stopped goods. By increasing the speed, the stopped goods move circularly faster, and the time efficiency until they return to their own branch position 4 again is improved.

[0139] It is also preferable to increase the speed of the circulating movement of the remaining luggage that starts circulating together with the stopped luggage, because this allows the remaining luggage that has been in a stagnant state to move quickly to its own branch position 4. Naturally, this increases the efficiency of transportation up to storage.

[0140] (Transfer to storage on supply conveyor) The supply conveyor 3 stores and moves the luggage 200 in the storage 10. By this storage movement, the luggage that has entered the supply conveyor 3 can be stored in the storage 10. Of course, the luggage 200 can also be taken out of the storage 10 and carried out.

[0141] The supply conveyor control unit 31 controls the storage movement of this supply conveyor 3. When a package 200 enters the supply conveyor 3 from the branch position 4, the supply conveyor control unit 31 controls the storage movement of the supply conveyor 3 so as to move the package 200 to the storage shed 10.

[0142] It is also preferable to further provide a storage crane 8 for storing the cargo 200 that has reached the storage 10 side of the supply conveyor 3 into the storage 10. The storage crane 8 is shown in FIG.

[0143] The storage crane 8 is provided to transfer the cargo 200 to the storage shed 10. When storing the cargo 200 in the storage shed 10, the cargo 200 is removed from the supply conveyor 3 and stored in the storage shed 10. The cargo 200 is also removed from the storage shed 10 and handed over to the supply conveyor 3.

[0144] The supply conveyor 3 stores and moves the luggage 200 one after another, and stores the luggage 200 that comes in from the branch position 4 in the storage shed 10. If the supply conveyor 3 is too full to store all the luggage, stopped luggage or luggage that is stuck will occur.

[0145] The conveyance device 1 of the present invention controls this stagnation state while taking into consideration the overall conveyance efficiency. As described above, the conveyance device 1 of the present invention can deal with the stagnation state while increasing the overall conveyance efficiency.

[0146] The conveying device described in the embodiment is an example for explaining the gist of the present invention, and includes modifications and alterations within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1. Conveyor device 2 Circulating Conveyors 21 Circulating conveyor control unit 3 Supply Conveyor 31 Supply conveyor control section 4 Branching point 51 Inlet 52 Exit 6 Circulating conveyor status detection unit 7. Stagnation control section 8 Storage Crane 10 Storage 200 luggage

Claims

1. a circular conveyor that moves around corresponding to a plurality of storage bins and moves luggage around; a plurality of supply conveyors that store and transfer packages to the storage bins from branch positions on the circular conveyor corresponding to the plurality of storage bins; a circular conveyor control unit that controls the circular movement of the circular conveyor; a supply conveyor control unit that controls the storage movement on the supply conveyor; a conveyor state detection unit that detects the state of rotation of the goods on the conveyor; a stagnation control unit that controls stagnation of the circular movement at the branch position, the plurality of supply conveyors include a first supply conveyor, a second supply conveyor, ..., an Nth supply conveyor corresponding to a first storage cabinet, a second storage cabinet, ..., an Nth storage cabinet, which are the plurality of storage cabinets, respectively; The luggage includes one or more first luggage of a type to be stored in the first storage bin, one or more second luggage of a type to be stored in the second storage bin, ...one or more Nth luggage of a type to be stored in the N storage bin, the plurality of branching positions include a first branching position, a second branching position, ..., an Nth branching position corresponding to the first supply conveyor, the second supply conveyor, ..., an Nth conveyor; The circular conveyor control unit includes: diverting the first load to the first supply conveyor at the first diverting position; The second load is diverted to the second supply conveyor at the second diverting position; The Nth cargo is branched and moved to the Nth supply conveyor at the Nth branch position; the circular conveyor state detection unit is capable of detecting stopped luggage at any one of the first branch position to the Nth branch position and accumulated luggage stopped behind the stopped luggage, When the accumulated baggage is detected, the accumulation control unit The stopped luggage is made to wait for a predetermined time at the branch position where it is stopped, After the predetermined time has elapsed, the stopped cargo is moved circularly by the circular conveyor.

2. 2. The conveying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stopped load is caused by a failure to diverge from a stopped diverting position to the corresponding supply conveyor.

3. 3. The conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply conveyor state detection unit that detects at least one of a movement state of the loads on the supply conveyor and a state where the number of loads on the supply conveyor is at an upper limit.

4. 4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the supply conveyor state detection unit determines that the branch movement is not possible when the movement state on the supply conveyor is abnormal.

5. 4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the supply conveyor state detection unit determines that the branch movement is not possible when the number of packages on the supply conveyor is at the upper limit number.

6. 6. A conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is determined based on at least one of the number of storage bins, the storage capacity of the storage bins, the number of loads that can be moved on the supply conveyor, the movement capacity of the supply conveyor, the number of loads that can be moved on the circular conveyor, the movement capacity of the circular conveyor, and the length of the circular conveyor.

7. 7. The transport device according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined time is variable.

8. The conveying device according to claim 7 , wherein the retention control unit is capable of changing the predetermined time based on the number of retained baggage items.

9. 9. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the stagnation control unit instructs the circular conveyor control unit to move the stopped article in a circular movement after the predetermined time has elapsed.

10. The conveying device according to claim 9, wherein the circular conveyor control unit increases the circular movement speed of the stopped article when the stopped article starts circular movement.

11. 11. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the supply conveyor control unit controls the supply conveyor so that, when there is cargo on the supply conveyor, the cargo is stored and moved to the storage facility at the supply destination.

12. The conveying device according to claim 11, further comprising a storage crane that stores the cargo that has reached the storage shed side of the supply conveyor in the storage shed.

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