Transportation management system, transportation management device, and transportation management method

Abstract

To determine and change a station to perform picking dynamically and level burdens between stations.SOLUTION: A conveyance control system of the invention includes: shelves for storing articles; multiple stations in each of which picking of the articles from the shelve is performed; and a conveyance control device which determines a station, which is set as a conveyance destination of the shelve, from the multiple stations according to in-process inventory calculated based on the quantity of the articles to be picked at the station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport management system, a transport management device, and a transport management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Warehouses are one of the infrastructure facilities that ensure the prompt delivery of ordered goods to customers. In warehouses, goods received from manufacturers etc. are temporarily stored. When an order is placed, the ordered goods are taken out of the warehouse, packaged, and shipped to the customer.

[0003] Of the series of processes for items mentioned above, efficient item removal (also called "picking") is an important management strategy for companies that operate warehouses. For example, shelves on which items are stored are transported to one of multiple stations, and workers pick the items related to an order from that shelf. When there are multiple stations where picking takes place, it is important to level out the work-in-progress (burden) between each station in order to improve the work efficiency of the entire warehouse.

[0004] The order management device in Patent Document 1 combines multiple orders to create a single order set. An order consists of the type of item and its delivery destination. The order management device assigns one order set to a station and sends an instruction to a transport vehicle to transport the items included in the order set to the station. For example, by creating a single order set from multiple orders with different item types but the same delivery destination, the order management device minimizes the number of times shelves containing items are transported to a station. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 147335 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The order management device in Patent Document 1 calculates the number of guided vehicles that have sent transport instructions for each station. However, the number of guided vehicles does not accurately represent the load on the station. Furthermore, there is no mention of changing the station if the load on the station changes after it has been determined. Therefore, the present invention aims to dynamically determine and change the station that performs picking, thereby leveling the load among stations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The transport management system of the present invention includes a shelf for storing items, a plurality of stations for picking the items from the shelf, and a transport management device for determining a station among the plurality of stations to be a transport destination of the shelf in accordance with an in-process amount calculated based on the quantity of the items picked at the station. picture , when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, the transport management device determines whether or not the determined station can be used as a transport destination depending on the amount of work in progress at the determined station at the time of arrival; It is characterized by: Other means will be described in the detailed description of the invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the station that performs picking can be dynamically determined and changed, and the load between stations can be leveled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a warehouse layout. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a warehouse layout. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a transport management device. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of product information. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of order information. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of transport order information. [Figure 7] 10 is an example of shelf information. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of station information. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a processing procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, etc. This embodiment is an example in which goods are picked according to an order after they arrive at a warehouse from a manufacturer, etc. However, the present invention is also applicable to cases in which a manufacturer, etc. stores and manages parts in-house, for example. Note that "goods" in this embodiment is a concept that includes merchandise that is the subject of a transaction, other products, parts, etc.

[0011] (Warehouse layout) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a warehouse layout. The warehouse has a storage space 5. The storage space 5 is surrounded by a fence 6. Within the storage space 5, multiple shelves 9 are arranged in an orderly grid pattern, both vertically and horizontally. The shelves 9 form "islands" consisting of 2 x 7 or 1 x 7 shelves 9. The number of islands is arbitrary. There are multiple transport vehicles 3 within the storage space 5. The transport vehicles 3 have a self-propelled power source and a structure that supports the shelves 9 from below, and they move under the shelves 9 to transport them. The fence 6 is broken at any point around the periphery of the storage space 5, and multiple stations 7 are located adjacent to that point. It is not necessary to physically separate the storage space 5 from other areas with a fence 6.

[0012] In the example of Figure 1, one shelf 9 has been transported from an island in the storage space 5 to one station 7. A worker 8 is removing an item from the shelf 9. This work involves removing items related to each order from the shelf 9, and is called "picking work" or simply "picking." The worker 8 then transfers the picked items to a sorting shelf (not shown) or the like. Of the four sides of the shelf 9 in the vertical direction, the side through which items can be taken in and out is called the "front side." At station 7, the shelf 9 is positioned so that the front side is parallel to the line of the fence 6 and faces the worker 8.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the warehouse layout. For convenience of explanation, the warehouse in FIG. 2 differs slightly from the warehouse in FIG. 1 in the number of islands, the number of shelves 9 that make up the islands, the number of stations 7, etc., but is essentially the same as the warehouse in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the transport vehicle 3 is omitted. While the stations in FIG. 1 are assigned the symbol "7," in FIG. 2 this symbol is omitted, and instead the stations are assigned the numbers "1," "2," and "3." Below, the movement of the shelves 9 transported by the transport vehicle 3 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.

[0014] The numbers "1," "2," and "3" written inside the square representing shelf 9 indicate the destinations of that shelf 9, Station 1, Station 2, and Station 3. Shelf 9a began to be transported from an island with Station 1 as its destination. Then, shelf 9a approached the destination review area 41. The transport management device 1 reviewed the destination at this time, but as a result, the destination after the review was the same, Station 1. Then, shelf 9a was transported to Station 1.

[0015] Shelf 9b began to be transported from an island with station 2 as its destination. Then, shelf 9b approached destination review area 42. At this time, transport management device 1 reviewed the destination. As a result, the destination was changed to station 1. Shelf 9b was then transported to station 1. If this change had not been made, shelf 9b would have been lined up at the end of a row of multiple shelves 9 that formed an L-shape near station 2. In other words, this change was a measure to avoid placing a burden on station 2.

[0016] Shelf 9c began to be transported from an island with station 3 as its destination. Then, shelf 9c approached destination review area 43. At this time, transport management device 1 reviewed the destination. As a result, the destination was changed to station 2. Shelf 9c was then transported to station 2. If this change had not been made, shelf 9c would have been lined up at the end of a row of multiple shelves 9 that formed an L-shape near station 3. In other words, this change was a measure to avoid placing a burden on station 3. Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the shelf 9c approaches the destination review area 42, the transport management device 1 can change the destination of the shelf 9c to the station 1 again.

[0017] (Configuration of transport management device) 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the transport management device 1. The transport management device 1 is a general-purpose computer, and includes a central control device 11, an input device 12 such as a keyboard, an output device 13 such as a display, a main memory device 14, an auxiliary memory device 15, and a communication device 16. These devices are interconnected by a bus. The auxiliary memory device 15 stores item information 31, order information 32, transport order information 33, shelf information 34, and station information 35 (all of which will be described in detail later).

[0018] The input / output processing unit 21 and the station management unit 22 in the main memory device 14 are programs. Hereinafter, when an operating entity is described as "XX unit," it means that the central control device 11 reads each program from the auxiliary memory device 15, loads it into the main memory device 14, and then realizes the function of each program (described in detail later). The auxiliary memory device 15 of the transport management device 1 may be configured independently of the transport management device 1.

[0019] The transport management device 1 is connected to a transport vehicle control device 2 and one or more transport vehicles 3 via a wired or wireless network 4 (including an in-house dedicated line). The transport vehicle control device 2 controls the transport vehicles 3 via the network 4. The transport vehicle 3 has an electric motor that rotates the drive wheels, an electric motor that adjusts the height of the loading platform that lifts the shelves 9, a storage battery that supplies power to these electric motors, sensors, and an on-board computer (not shown). The shelves 9 (Fig. 1), stations 7 (Fig. 1), and transport management device 1 make up a transport management system.

[0020] (Goods information) 4 is an example of the item information 31. In the item information 31, in association with an item ID stored in an item ID field 101, a workload value is stored in a workload value field 102, a storage quantity is stored in a storage quantity field 103, a shelf ID is stored in a shelf ID field 104, and a shelf position is stored in a shelf position field 105.

[0021] The item ID in the item ID column 101 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the type of item (not an individual item). For simplicity of explanation, in this embodiment, it is assumed that only one type of item is stored in one container, and that the container is stored on the shelf 9. In FIG. 1, the nine (3 x 3) drawer-like storage boxes stored on the shelf 9 are the containers here.

[0022] The workload value in the workload value column 102 is an arbitrary value that indicates the workload that occurs when picking one item. "#" indicates a different value as an abbreviation (same below). Examples of workload values ​​include: Standard time required to pick one item Standard man-hours required to pick one item Labor costs required to pick one item -Utility costs required to pick one item

[0023] The storage quantity in the storage quantity column 103 is the number of items stored in the container. The shelf ID in the shelf ID column 104 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the shelf 9 . The shelf position in the shelf position column 105 is a two-dimensional coordinate value of the shelf 9 on the floor surface of the storage space 5.

[0024] (Ordering Information) 5 is an example of the order information 32. In the order information 32, an item ID is stored in an item ID field 112, an order quantity is stored in an order quantity field 113, a customer ID is stored in a customer ID field 114, a transport vehicle ID is stored in a transport vehicle ID field 115, a station ID is stored in a station ID field 116, and a transport instruction time is stored in a transport instruction time field 117, all of which are associated with an order ID stored in an order ID field 111.

[0025] The order ID in the order ID column 111 is an identifier that uniquely identifies an order from a customer. An order is an application to purchase an item. The item ID in the item ID column 112 is the same as the item ID in FIG. 4, but here it particularly identifies the item that has been ordered. The order quantity in the order quantity column 113 is the quantity of the item ordered by the customer. The customer in the customer ID column 114 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the customer who ordered the product. The transport vehicle ID in the transport vehicle ID column 115 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the transport vehicle 3 .

[0026] The station ID in the station ID 116 column is an identifier that uniquely identifies the station 7 . The transport instruction time in the transport instruction time column 117 is the time when the transport management device 1 sends an instruction to the transport vehicle 3 to transport the shelf 9 on which the ordered item is stored to any station.

[0027] The station management unit 22 of the transport management device 1 keeps the order information 32 up to date based on the information it transmits to the transport vehicle 3 and the information it receives from the transport vehicle 3.

[0028] (Transportation order information) 6 is an example of the transport order information 33. In the transport order information 33, the transport order is stored in the transport order column 122 and the time is stored in the time column 123 in association with the station ID stored in the station ID column 121. The station IDs in the station ID column 121 are the same as the station IDs in FIG.

[0029] The transport order in the transport order column 122 lists the shelf IDs of the shelves to be transported to that station in the order in which picking will occur, and is determined based on the transport instruction time (column 117 in Figure 5) and taking into account the distance from the storage location to the station. The shelves in this column have already been assigned a destination station and are located within the island or on the route from the island to the station. Therefore, unless there is a particular change in the destination, the transport order "1, 2, 3, ..." here is the order from the front of the shelves 9 lined up in the L-shaped row in Figure 2. Of course, shelves with an earlier (lower) priority among those appearing in the transport order information 33 may already be lined up. A "●" or "○" may be added before the shelf ID. A "●" indicates that a destination station has been assigned to that shelf for the first time. An "○" indicates that the station assigned to that shelf has been changed. The time in the time column 123 is the time when the record of the transport order information 33 was created.

[0030] The station management unit 22 of the transport management device 1 keeps the transport order information 33 up to date based on the information it transmits to the transport vehicle 3 and the information it receives from the transport vehicle 3.

[0031] Looking at Figure 6, for example, we can see the following: At 10:04:00 on a certain day, shelves "B01," "B02," and "B06" were scheduled to be lined up in that order at station "F01" (some shelves were already lined up; the same applies below). Of these, shelf "B06" first appeared in transport sequence information 33 at 10:04:00. Shelves "B01" and "B02" had already appeared in transport sequence information 33 at the transport destination review opportunity just prior to 10:04:00.

[0032] At 10:04:00 that day, shelves "B03", "B04", "B05", and "B07" were scheduled to be lined up in that order at station "F02". Of these, shelf "B07" first appeared in transport sequence information 33 at 10:04:00. Shelves "B03", "B04", and "B05" had already appeared in transport sequence information 33 at the last transport destination review opportunity prior to 10:04:00.

[0033] At 10:06:00 that day, shelves "B02", "B06", and "B07" were scheduled to be lined up in that order at station "F01". Of these, the destination of shelf "B07" was changed to station "F01" at 10:06:00. After picking was completed, shelf "B01" returned to the island from station "F01".

[0034] At 10:06:00 that day, shelves B04 and B05 were scheduled to be lined up in that order at station F02. After picking, shelf B03 had returned to the island from station F01.

[0035] (Shelf information) 7 is an example of shelf information 34. In the shelf information 34, the current location is stored in a current location field 132, the current state is stored in a current state field 133, and the distance is stored in a distance field 134 in association with the shelf ID stored in a shelf ID field 131. The shelf ID in the shelf ID column 131 is the same as the shelf ID in FIG. The current position in the current position column 132 is a two-dimensional coordinate value of the current position of the shelf 9 on the floor of the storage space 5. The shelf position in FIG. 4 indicates the position (storage position) within the "island" to which the shelf 9 should return. In contrast, the current position in FIG. 7 is a temporary position when the shelf 9 is being transported between the storage position and the station 7 by the transport vehicle 3. The transport vehicle 3 transmits the shelf ID of the shelf 9 it is transporting and its own current position to the picking management device 1 in real time.

[0036] The current status in the current status column 133 is the current status of the shelf 9. If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 transporting that shelf 9 matches the storage location, the current status is "waiting in storage space." If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 is a location designated for picking adjacent to station "FXX," the current status is "picking at FXX." If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 is on the route from the storage location to station 7, the current status is "in transport." If the current position of the transport vehicle 3 is on the route from station 7 to the storage location, the current status is "returning." The current status "arrived at FXX and waiting to be picked" is the state of being lined up during the transition from "in transport" to "picking at FXX."

[0037] The distance in the distance column 134 is a vector indicating the distance between shelf 9 and each station. The dimension of the vector is equal to the number of stations. For example, when the current distance of shelf "B01" is "(10, 20, 30)", shelf B01 is currently located "10" away from station 1, "20" away from station 2, and "30" away from station 3.

[0038] (Station information) 8 is an example of station information 35. In station information 35, the number of standby shelves is stored in a standby shelf number column 142, the total workload value is stored in a workload total value column 143, the worker ID is stored in a worker ID column 144, the worker efficiency is stored in a worker efficiency column 145, and the work-in-progress amount is stored in a work-in-progress amount column 146, all in association with the station ID stored in a station shelf ID column 141.

[0039] The station ID in the station shelf ID column 141 is the same as the station ID in FIG. The number of waiting shelves in the number of waiting shelves column 142 is the number of shelves for station "FXX" that are currently in the "arrived at FXX and waiting to be picked" or "being picked at FXX". The number of waiting shelves may also include the number of shelves that are currently being transported to "FXX". The total workload value in the total workload value column 143 is the value obtained by multiplying the workload value (column 102 in Figure 4) by the order quantity of the items related to the order (column 113 in Figure 5), adding up the values ​​for each item, and then adding up the total for the shelves counted as the number of waiting shelves (column 142 in Figure 8). The worker ID in the worker ID column 144 is an identifier that uniquely identifies the worker 8.

[0040] The worker efficiency in the worker efficiency column 145 is the value obtained by dividing the quantity of all types of items that the worker has picked in the past by the worker's cumulative working time in the past. The worker efficiency may be a relative value, such as a deviation value where the average for all workers is "50." The work-in-progress quantity in the work-in-progress quantity column 146 is the value obtained by dividing the total workload value by the worker efficiency. The number of waiting shelves represents the workload of the current station. However, the total workload value accurately represents the workload based on the workload (standard time, etc.) according to the type and quantity of items actually picked. Furthermore, the work-in-progress quantity represents the workload more accurately based on the work efficiency of the worker who is picking.

[0041] At least one type of item can be picked from one shelf. Although it depends on chance, if multiple types of items can be picked from one shelf, work efficiency will be greatly improved. The station management unit 22 of the transport management device 1 may obtain the corrected work-in-progress amount by dividing the work-in-progress amount by the hit rate, and store this value together with the work-in-progress amount field 146. The hit rate is the number of types of items that can be picked from one shelf in one picking opportunity. The hit rate is defined for each shelf based on the order information 32 (Figure 5), and can be aggregated for each station to which the shelf is transported.

[0042] (Processing Procedure) Figure 9 is a flowchart of the processing procedure. As a prerequisite for starting the processing procedure, in addition to the order information 32 (Figure 5) and transport order information 33 (Figure 6), the item information 31 (Figure 4), shelf information 34 (Figure 7), and station information 35 (Figure 8) are always stored in the latest state in the auxiliary storage device 15. The following processing begins when the input / output processing unit 21 of the transport management device 1 recognizes that a new record (order ID unit) has been stored in the order information 32. At this stage, the transport vehicle ID column 115, station ID column 116, and transport instruction time column 117 of the new record are blank.

[0043] In step S201, the station management unit 22 of the transport management device 1 identifies the shelf to which the item is to be transported. Specifically, the station management unit 22 refers to the new record in the order information 32 (FIG. 5) and the item information 31 (FIG. 4) to identify the shelf on which the ordered item is stored. For ease of explanation, it is assumed here that shelf "B07" has been identified.

[0044] In step S202, the station management unit 22 acquires the in-process quantity for each station. Specifically, the station management unit 22 refers to the station information 35 (FIG. 8) and acquires the in-process quantities for all stations.

[0045] In step S203, the station management unit 22 determines whether there is a station whose in-process quantity is less than the threshold. Specifically, if there is a station whose in-process quantity obtained in step S202 is less than the predetermined threshold (step S203 "Yes"), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S204. Otherwise (step S203 "No"), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S205.

[0046] In step S204, the station management unit 22 identifies the station closest to the shelf among the stations whose in-process quantity is less than the threshold. Specifically, the station management unit 22 references the shelf information 34 (FIG. 7) and identifies the station whose in-process quantity is less than the threshold and whose distance to shelf "B07" is the shortest. The station identified here is called the "initial station."

[0047] In step S205, the station management unit 22 identifies the station farthest from the shelf among the stations with in-process quantities equal to or greater than the threshold. Specifically, the station management unit 22 references the shelf information 34 (FIG. 7) and identifies the station with the greatest distance from shelf "B07" among the stations with in-process quantities equal to or greater than the threshold. The station identified here is also called the "initial station."

[0048] In step S206, the station management unit 22 transmits the destination station to the guided vehicle. Specifically, first, the station management unit 22 identifies an empty guided vehicle 3 by any method. Second, the station management unit sends an instruction to the guided vehicle identified in "1" of step S206 via the guided vehicle control device 2 to transport shelf "B07" to the initial station. After that, time passes while the guided vehicle is traveling and transporting goods. During that time, other orders are being placed simultaneously, causing the amount of work in progress at each station to change from moment to moment.

[0049] In step S207, the station management unit 22 receives information that the guided vehicle has arrived at a specific position near the station. Specifically, the station management unit 22 receives information that shelf "B07" has arrived at any one of the destination review areas 41, 42, or 43 from the guided vehicle identified in "first" of step S206 via the guided vehicle control device 2.

[0050] In step S208, the station management unit 22 determines whether the in-process quantity of the initial station is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Specifically, first, the station management unit 22 refers to the station information 35 (FIG. 8) and acquires the current in-process quantity of the initial station. Second, if the in-process quantity of the initial station is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (step S208 "Yes"), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S209. Otherwise (step S208 "No"), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S211.

[0051] In step S209, the station management unit 22 determines whether the in-process quantities of the surrounding stations are less than the threshold. Specifically, first, the station management unit 22 refers to the station information 35 (FIG. 8) and acquires the current in-process quantities of the surrounding stations of the initial station. The surrounding stations are, for example, the stations on both sides of the initial station. Second, if the in-process quantities of all the surrounding stations are equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (step S209 "No"), the station management unit 22 proceeds to step S211. Otherwise (step S209 "Yes"), the station management unit 22 retains the station ID of the station with the smallest in-process quantity and proceeds to step S211.

[0052] In step S210, the station management unit 22 transmits the changed station to the transport vehicle. Specifically, the station management unit transmits an instruction to transport shelf "B07" to the station with the station ID temporarily held in "second" of step S209 to the transport vehicle identified in "first" of step S206 via the transport vehicle control device 2.

[0053] In step S211, the station management unit 22 maintains the destination station as it is. Specifically, the station management unit again transmits an instruction to transport shelf "B07" to the initial station to the transport vehicle identified in "first" of step S206 via the transport vehicle control device 2. Thereafter, the processing procedure ends.

[0054] (Variation 1) The above steps S203 to S205 are merely an example of how the station management unit 22 determines the destination station for a given shelf. More generally, the station management unit 22 determines that a station with a larger amount of in-process inventory is more likely to be the destination for a shelf that is farther away from the station, and that a station with a smaller amount of in-process inventory is more likely to be the destination for a shelf that is closer to the station. To achieve this, for example, the station management unit 22 may determine the destination station based on a score calculated using a formula such as "Score = W1 × Distance + W2 × In-Process Amount." Here, "W1" and "W2" are weighting and conversion coefficients specified by the user, and the positive and negative signs of "W1" and "W2" are arbitrary.

[0055] As an example, when the amount of work in progress at a station to which a given shelf is to be transported is large enough to meet a predetermined standard, the station management unit 22 may change the order of transport instructions assigned to that station and to be executed in the future so that shelves whose distance from the station to a storage location is large enough to meet the predetermined standard are transported to that station with priority.

[0056] In this case, if a station has a large amount of work in progress and it is expected that it will take a relatively long time to work on shelves that have already arrived, the total waiting time for shelves in front of the station can be reduced by prioritizing the transport of shelves that are stored farther away from the station and require longer transport times, thereby contributing to improving the work efficiency of the station over a specified period of time.

[0057] As another example, when the amount of work in progress at a station to which a given shelf is to be transported is small enough to meet a specified standard, the station management unit 22 may change the order of transport instructions assigned to that station and to be executed in the future so that shelves whose distance from the station to the storage location is small enough to meet the specified standard are given priority for transport to that station.

[0058] In this case, if the amount of work in progress at a certain station is small and it is expected that the time required to work on shelves that have already arrived will be relatively short, priority can be given to transporting shelves that are stored close to the station and will not take long to transport, thereby preventing the station from spending an increased amount of time waiting without work, and contributing to improving the work efficiency of the station over a specified period of time.

[0059] (Variation 2) In the "second" of step S208, the station management unit 22 compares the work-in-progress amount of the initial station (total work-in-progress amount) with the threshold value. However, the station management unit 22 may also calculate the work-in-progress amount (individual work-in-progress amount) that shelf "B07" assigns to the initial station, and proceed to step S209 if the ratio of the individual work-in-progress amount to the total work-in-progress amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, or proceed to step S211 otherwise.

[0060] (Effects of this embodiment) The effects of the transport management system of this embodiment are as follows. (1) The transport management system can determine the station to which the shelf is to be transported based on the amount of work in progress at the station (leveling). (2) The transport management system determines that shelves are transported from far away to stations with large amounts of work in progress (to buy time for leveling). (3) The transport management system determines that shelves are transported from nearby stations with small amounts of work in progress (ibid.). (4) The transport management system can review the destination station once it has been decided (thorough leveling).

[0061] (5) The transport management system can review the station according to the amount of work in progress imposed by each individual shelf on the station once it has been determined (ibid.). (6) The transport management system can change the destination to a station near the station that has already been determined (restriction on the extension of the transport route). (7) The transport management system can change the order of shelves from which picking is performed at each station. (8) The transport management system can determine stations according to the attributes of the items and the attributes of the workers (improving the accuracy of leveling). (9) The transportation management system can determine the station based on the hit rate (ibid.).

[0062] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Transport management device 2. Transport vehicle control device 3 Transport vehicle 4 Network 5. Storage space 6. Fence 7 Station 8. Workers 9 shelves 11 Central control unit 12 Input Devices 13 Output Devices 14 Main memory 15 Auxiliary storage 16. Communications equipment 21 Input / output processing section 22 Station Management Department 31 Product information 32 Ordering Information 33 Delivery order information 34 Shelf Information 35 Station Information

Claims

1. Shelves for storing items; a plurality of stations for picking the items from the shelves; a transport management device that determines the station to which the shelf is to be transported from among the plurality of stations in accordance with an in-process amount calculated based on the quantity of the items to be picked at the station, The transport management device when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, determining whether or not to use the determined station as a transport destination depending on the amount of work in progress at the determined station at the time of arrival; A transportation management system characterized by the following.

2. The transport management device When the amount of work in progress at a certain station is large enough to satisfy a predetermined standard, the station is determined as a destination of the shelf located at a storage position far from the station; The transport management system according to claim 1 .

3. The transport management device When the amount of work in progress at a certain station is small enough to satisfy a predetermined standard, the station is determined as the destination of the shelf located in a storage position close to the station; 3. The transport management system according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The transport management device when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, determining whether or not to use the determined station as a transport destination depending on the in-process quantity of the determined station at the time of arrival and the in-process quantity imposed by the shelf at the determined station; The transport management system according to claim 1 .

5. The transport management device setting another station, which is in the vicinity of the determined station and has a small amount of work in progress that satisfies a predetermined standard, as the destination after the change; 5. The transport management system according to claim 4, wherein:

6. The amount of work in progress is Furthermore, the calculation is based on the workload of the items to be picked and the work efficiency of the workers who perform the picking.

6. The transport management system according to claim 5,

7. The amount of work in progress is Furthermore, the calculation is based on a hit rate, which is the number of types of items that can be picked from one shelf in one picking opportunity. The transport management system according to claim 6,

8. a station management unit that determines which of the plurality of stations is to be a destination of the shelf in accordance with an amount of work in progress calculated based on the quantity of the items picked at the station, in a warehouse that includes shelves for storing items and a plurality of stations for picking the items from the shelves; The station management unit when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, determining whether or not to use the determined station as a transport destination depending on the amount of work in progress at the determined station at the time of arrival; A transport management device characterized by the above.

9. The station management unit: when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, determining whether or not to use the determined station as a transport destination depending on the in-process quantity of the determined station at the time of arrival and the in-process quantity imposed by the shelf at the determined station; 9. The transport management device according to claim 8, wherein:

10. The station management section of the transport management device In a warehouse having shelves for storing items and a plurality of stations for picking the items from the shelves, determining a station among the plurality of stations to be a destination of the shelf in accordance with an amount of work in progress calculated based on the quantity of the items to be picked at the station; when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, determining whether or not to use the determined station as a transport destination depending on the amount of work in progress at the determined station at the time of arrival; A transport management method for a transport management device, comprising:

11. The station management unit of the transport management device comprises: when the transport vehicle transporting the shelf arrives at a predetermined area, determining whether or not to use the determined station as a transport destination depending on the in-process quantity of the determined station at the time of arrival and the in-process quantity imposed by the shelf at the determined station; 11. The transport management method for a transport management device according to claim 10, further comprising:

Images