Goods sorting equipment

Abstract

To provide an article sorting facility which easily enhances article carrying efficiency by a plurality of carrying vehicles.SOLUTION: In a floor E where a plurality of carrying vehicles 20 travel, a supply area E1 where a supply part 15 is provided, a passage area E3 extending in a Y direction, and a connection area E2 for connecting the supply area E1 and the passage area E3 are set. A plurality of receiving parts 30 are arranged along the passage area E3, in the passage area E3, a forward path where the carrying vehicles 20 travel to a reference turning position 53 from a first end 51, and a return path where the carrying vehicles 20 which made a U-turn at the reference turning position 53 travels to the first end 51 from the reference turning position 53 are set side by side in an X-direction, and in the passage area E3, in the Y direction between the first end 51 and the reference turning position 53, a shortcut turning position 52 where the carrying vehicles 20 can make a U-turn is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an article sorting facility in which articles are transported by a plurality of transport vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, automation of article transport has progressed in article transport facilities in logistics warehouses, etc. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-128318 (Patent Document 1) describes an article sorting facility in which articles (W) are transported by a plurality of transport vehicles (car cars 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-128318 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the article sorting equipment shown in Fig. 1 of Patent Document 1, articles (W) are transferred between a plurality of storage shelves (7) and a plurality of transport vehicles (2) passing through a track-like circulating transport path (F). However, even for a transport vehicle (2) among the plurality of transport vehicles (2), for example, a transport vehicle (2) that transfers articles (W) only between a storage shelf (7) near the entrance of the circulating transport path (F), it is necessary for all of the transport vehicles (2) to circulate through the entire track-like circulating transport path (F), which presents a problem of low transport efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to realize an article sorting facility that can easily increase the efficiency of article transportation using multiple transport vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The article sorting equipment according to the present disclosure is an article sorting equipment that sorts articles by having each of a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport the articles, and includes a supply unit that supplies the articles to the transport vehicles, and a plurality of receiving units that are each configured to receive the articles from the transport vehicles, and the article sorting equipment includes: a Y direction that is a specific direction along the floor; an X direction that is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction among the directions along the floor; one side of the Y direction that is a Y direction first side; and the other side of the Y direction that is a Y direction second side; and an aisle area extending along the Y direction on the floor; and an elevator car that is arranged on the Y direction first side with respect to the aisle area; A supply area in which the supply unit is provided and a connection area connecting the aisle area and the supply area are set, and a plurality of the receiving units are arranged along the aisle area, and in the aisle area, an outbound path for the transport vehicle to travel from the end on the first side in the Y direction to a reference turning position set on the second side in the Y direction of the end, and a return path for the transport vehicle to travel from the reference turning position to the end after making a U-turn at the reference turning position are set side by side in the X direction, and a shortcut turning position at which the transport vehicle can make a U-turn is set in the aisle area between the end and the reference turning position in the Y direction.

[0007] According to this configuration, a transport vehicle receiving an item from the supply unit can transport the item to one of multiple receiving units arranged along the aisle area. This allows the items to be sorted into multiple receiving units. Furthermore, according to this configuration, since the outbound and return paths are set side by side in the X direction in the aisle area, multiple transport vehicles traveling back and forth within the aisle area are less likely to interfere with each other. Furthermore, according to this configuration, a shortcut turning position where a transport vehicle can make a U-turn is set between the end of the aisle area on the first side in the Y direction and the reference turning position. This allows the transport vehicle to make a U-turn midway and return to the supply unit without going all the way to the reference turning position. Therefore, by making a U-turn at the shortcut turning position, a transport vehicle that has transported an item to a receiving unit located closer to the end on the first side in the Y direction than the shortcut turning position can shorten the time it takes for the transport vehicle to return to the supply unit. This facilitates improving the efficiency of transporting items by multiple transport vehicles between the supply unit and multiple receiving units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view of an article sorting facility according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Front view of the aisle area in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Control block diagram of the item sorting equipment in Figure 1 [Figure 4] An enlarged view of the passage area illustrating the U-turn at the reference turning position in Figure 1 [Figure 5] An enlarged view of the passage area illustrating the U-turn at the shortcut turning point in Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of an article sorting equipment 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view of the article sorting equipment 10 in which a plurality of transport vehicles 20 travel on a floor E to transport the articles W and thereby sort the articles W. The article sorting equipment 10 includes a supply unit 15 that supplies the articles W to the transport vehicles 20, and a plurality of receiving units 30. Each of the receiving units 30 is configured to receive the articles W from the transport vehicles 20. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 30 includes a first receiving unit 31 and a second receiving unit 32, which will be described later.

[0010] In this embodiment, a worker 16 transfers an item W to a transport vehicle 20 in the supply unit 15. Here, the "worker" refers to, for example, a worker and / or a work device. The worker 16 transfers the item W to the transport vehicle 20 from a supply conveyance device 17 that conveys the item W from an automated warehouse (not shown). Examples of the supply conveyance device 17 include a belt conveyor, a crane, and an arm-type robot.

[0011] Here, a specific direction along the floor E is defined as the Y direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y direction along the floor E is defined as the X direction. One side of the Y direction is defined as the Y direction first side Y1, and the other side of the Y direction is defined as the Y direction second side Y2. One side of the X direction is defined as the X direction first side X1, and the other side of the X direction is defined as the X direction second side X2. The direction along the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. Examples of the floor E include running surfaces and floors provided in facilities such as buildings and ships. In this embodiment, the floor E is a running surface provided on an indoor platform.

[0012] A supply area E1 in which a supply unit 15 is provided, and a passage area E3 extending along the Y direction are defined on the floor E. The supply area E1 is disposed on a first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the passage area E3. A connection area E2 connecting the passage area E3 and the supply area E1 is also defined on the floor E. The supply area E1, connection area E2, and passage area E3 defined on the floor E may each be an actual area into which the floor E is partitioned, or may be a virtual area. In this embodiment, the boundary between the supply area E1 and the connection area E2 is a virtual boundary defined on the floor E. In addition, in this embodiment, both sides of the passage area E3 in the X direction form the outer edges of the floor E.

[0013] In this embodiment, a supply path 61 is set in the supply area E1. The above-mentioned supply unit 15 may be arranged at the start end of the supply path 61 or at the end end of the supply path 61. In the example shown in the figure, the supply unit 15 is arranged midway along the supply path 61. In other words, the supply path 61 is set to pass through the supply unit 15.

[0014] In this embodiment, the connection area E2 connects the supply area E1 and the passage area E3 so that the transport vehicle 20 can travel therethrough. A connection outbound route 62 is defined in the connection area E2, along which the transport vehicle 20 travels from the supply area E1 toward the passage area E3. Also, a connection inbound route 65 is defined in the connection area E2, along which the transport vehicle 20 travels from the passage area E3 toward the supply area E1. Here, the end of the passage area E3 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction is defined as a first end 51. In the illustrated example, the connection area E2 connects the first end 51 and the supply area E1.

[0015] In the passage area E3, an outgoing path 63 is defined along which the guided vehicle 20 travels from a first end 51, which is an end of the passage area E3 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction, to a reference turning position 53 set closer to the second side Y2 in the Y direction than the first end 51. Also, in the passage area E3, a return path 64 is defined along which the guided vehicle 20, having made a U-turn at the reference turning position 53, travels from the reference turning position 53 to the first end 51. The outgoing path 63 and the return path 64 are set side by side in the X direction. Also, in the passage area E3, a shortcut turning position 52, at which the guided vehicle 20 can make a U-turn, is set between the first end 51 and the reference turning position 53 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, receiving units 30 are arranged on both the first side Y1 in the Y direction and the second side Y2 in the Y direction of the shortcut turning position 52. Also, the reference turning position 53 is set at the second end, which is an end of the passage area E3 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction.

[0016] The multiple receiving units 30 are arranged along the aisle area E3. In this embodiment, the multiple receiving units 30 are arranged side by side along the Y direction on both sides of the aisle area E3 in the X direction. Furthermore, on the outgoing path 63, the transport vehicle 20 delivers the article W to a receiving unit 30 arranged on the opposite side of the returning path 64 in the X direction, and on the returning path 64, the transport vehicle 20 delivers the article W to a receiving unit 30 arranged on the opposite side of the outgoing path 63 in the X direction.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of the passage area E3. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 20 is equipped with a transfer unit 21 that transfers an article W from the transport vehicle 20 to the receiving unit 30 (first receiving unit 31 and second receiving unit 32). The transfer unit 21 is configured so that the position of the placement surface 21a on which the article W is placed can be freely changed between a "horizontal position" and an "inclined position." The article W is placed on the placement surface 21a in the horizontal position and transported, and when the placement surface 21a is in the inclined position, the article W is transferred to the receiving unit 30. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle 20 is equipped with a running unit 25. The running unit 25 is provided with a plurality of wheels 23 that roll on a running surface on the floor E. Examples of the transport vehicle 20 include an electric vehicle that runs on power supplied by a storage battery, a fuel cell, or contact-type or non-contact-type power supply from the floor E, and a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine. In this embodiment, a storage battery 27 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the running unit 25 of the transport vehicle 20. The transport vehicle 20 is an electrically operated unmanned transport vehicle.

[0018] In this embodiment, a receiving and conveying device 35 is provided in each of the multiple receiving sections 30. The items W transferred to the receiving section 30 are conveyed in the X direction by this receiving and conveying device 35 and stored in containers 38 corresponding to each of the multiple receiving sections 30. In this embodiment, a shipping device 36 is arranged adjacent to the multiple receiving and conveying devices 35. The containers 38 are arranged side by side on the shipping device 36, and when the type and number of items W specified in one piece of order information are stored in the container 38, the shipping device 36 transports the container 38 to the shipping location. Examples of the receiving and conveying device 35 include a belt conveyor, a crane, an arm-type robot, etc. Examples of the shipping device 36 include a belt conveyor, a stacker crane, an automatic guided vehicle, etc.

[0019] Returning to FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, a charging position 42 for charging the transport vehicles 20 by the charger 41 is set in the connection area E2. Also, a charging standby path 72 is set in the connection area E2, where multiple transport vehicles 20 can wait before being charged by the charger 41. This allows efficient use of the connection area E2, where the supply unit 15 and the receiving unit 30 are not located. In the illustrated example, the charger 41 is arranged adjacent to the connection area E2. The charging position 42 is arranged so that multiple transport vehicles 20 can stop there.

[0020] In this embodiment, when the amount of stored power in the transport vehicle 20 is less than a specified amount (for example, less than 50% of the amount of stored power in a fully charged state), the transport vehicle 20 moves to and stops at the charging position 42. At the charging position 42, the storage battery 27 provided in the transport vehicle 20 can be quickly charged. In the example shown in the figure, the transport vehicle 20 moves from the connection return route 65 to the charging position 42 and stops there. After charging is completed, the transport vehicle 20 returns to the connection return route 65. The charger 41 may be configured as a non-contact power supply device or a contact power supply device. In this embodiment, a control device 46 provided in a control system 45 described later acquires the amount of stored power in the storage battery 27 of each transport vehicle 20, and controls the transport vehicle 20 having less than the specified amount of stored power to move to the charging position 42.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the article sorting equipment 10 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, a position information detection unit 29 is provided in each of the multiple guided vehicles 20. Position information holders (not shown) are provided at regular intervals along a travel path 60 of the guided vehicles 20 set on the floor E. When the guided vehicles 20 travel along the travel path 60, the position information detection unit 29 of the guided vehicles 20 is configured to detect the position information held by these position information holders. Examples of position information holders include barcodes (one-dimensional codes), two-dimensional codes, and IC tags. The position information detected by the position information detection unit 29 is transmitted from the guided vehicles 20 to a control device 46 included in a control system 45 (described later). In this embodiment, the floor E is divided into multiple virtual unit areas Au (see FIG. 4) that form a lattice pattern when viewed in the Z direction. The travel path of the guided vehicles 20 is set to connect multiple arbitrary virtual unit areas Au. A position information holder is provided, for example, in each virtual unit area Au. In this embodiment, the travel path 60 of the transport vehicle 20 includes a supply path 61 , a connecting outward path 62 , an outward path 63 , a return path 64 , and a connecting return path 65 .

[0022] In this embodiment, the article sorting equipment 10 includes a control system 45 that controls the transport vehicle 20. The control system 45 includes a control device 46 that controls the transfer unit 21 and the travel unit 25 of the transport vehicle 20. The control device 46 includes an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a main storage device accessible by the arithmetic processing device, such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). Each function of the control device 46 (e.g., the function of controlling the travel of the transport vehicle 20) is realized by cooperation between hardware included in the control device 46 and a program executed on the hardware, such as the arithmetic processing device. Specifically, each function of the control device 46 is realized by the control device 46 executing a program stored in a storage device (e.g., a main storage device or a separately provided storage device). In other words, a program (e.g., an article sorting program) for causing a computer (the computer of the control system 45) to realize each function of the control device 46 is stored in a storage device accessible by the computer. This program is provided, for example, by a storage medium or via a communication network. The provided program is then stored in a storage device that can be referenced by a computer. In this embodiment, the control device 46 (specifically, the arithmetic processing device included in the control device 46) functions as the "computer." The control device 46 may be configured not as a single piece of hardware, but as a collection of multiple pieces of hardware (multiple separate pieces of hardware) that can communicate with each other via wire or wirelessly. For example, the control device 46 may be configured to include a host control device that is located in a control facility (not shown) and controls multiple guided vehicles 20, and a control device installed in each guided vehicle 20.

[0023] In this embodiment, the control system 45 issues transport commands to each transport vehicle 20. The transport command specifies the "origin" and "destination" of the item W. In this embodiment, the origin is the supply unit 15. The destination is the receiving unit 30. The transport command also specifies the travel route of the transport vehicle 20 from the origin to the destination. Upon receiving the transport command from the control system 45, the transport vehicle 20 receives the item W at the specified origin and transports the item W to the specified destination.

[0024] Here, the receiving section 30 arranged on the first side Y1 in the Y direction from the shortcut turning position 52 is referred to as the first receiving section 31. Also, the receiving section 30 arranged on the second side Y2 in the Y direction from the shortcut turning position 52 is referred to as the second receiving section 32.

[0025] In this embodiment, the control system 45 causes the transport vehicle 20 transporting the article W to the second receiving section 32 to make a U-turn at the reference turning position 53. Also, the control system 45 causes the transport vehicle 20 transporting the article W to the first receiving section 31 to make a U-turn at the shortcut turning position 52. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the transport vehicle 20 making a U-turn at the reference turning position 53. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the transport vehicle 20 making a U-turn at the shortcut turning position 52.

[0026] In this embodiment, the control system 45 is configured to be able to switch between a normal mode in which multiple transport vehicles 20 transport items W to both the first receiving section 31 and the second receiving section 32 of the multiple receiving sections 30, and a partial operation mode in which multiple transport vehicles 20 transport items W only to the first receiving section 31 of the multiple receiving sections 30.

[0027] Here, among the multiple receiving sections 30 arranged along the passage area E3, a receiving section 30 whose number of accepted articles W per unit time or the number of arrivals of transport vehicles 20 per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is referred to as a "high-frequency receiving section," and a receiving section 30 whose number is less than the threshold is referred to as a "low-frequency receiving section." In this embodiment, the high-frequency receiving section is arranged on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the low-frequency receiving section. In addition, the shortcut turning position 52 is set in a boundary area E4 in the Y direction between the area where the high-frequency receiving section is arranged and the area where the low-frequency receiving section is arranged. In the illustrated example, the first receiving section 31 is the high-frequency receiving section, and the second receiving section 32 is the low-frequency receiving section. In addition, in the illustrated example, the boundary area E4 is an area adjacent to the area where the high-frequency receiving section is arranged and the area where the low-frequency receiving section is arranged.

[0028] In this embodiment, the passing position is set in the passage area E3. The control system 45 controls the guided vehicle 20 so that it does not turn around at the passing position. In the illustrated example, the passing position is a position in the passage area E3 other than the shortcut turning position 52 and the reference turning position 53. This simplifies the control of the guided vehicle 20 by the control system 45 by limiting the travel of the guided vehicle 20 to forward travel at the passing position. Although not illustrated, the width of the shortcut turning position 52 in the X or Y direction is set wider than the width of the passing position. This allows the guided vehicle 20 to turn around without protruding from the passage area E3 even if the guided vehicle 20 has a rectangular shape (square or oblong) in a plan view, while reducing the size of the passing position where the guided vehicle 20 does not need to turn around. In the illustrated example, no receiving unit 30 is provided between the area where the first receiving unit 31 is located and the area where the second receiving unit 32 is located in the Y direction. This allows the shortcut turning position 52 to have a wide width in the X direction.

[0029] Returning to FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, a plurality of aisle areas E3 are arranged side by side in the X direction on floor E, and first ends 51 of each of the plurality of aisle areas E3 are connected to one another via connecting areas E2. As a result, a plurality of receiving sections 30 are arranged along each of the plurality of aisle areas E3, so that articles W can be transported to and sorted among many receiving sections 30. In the illustrated example, the article sorting equipment 10 is equipped with a plurality of supply sections 15. Furthermore, a plurality of supply areas E1, each equipped with a supply section 15, are arranged side by side in the X direction on floor E. In this embodiment, articles W can be transported by transport vehicles 20 from each of the plurality of supply sections 15 to the receiving sections 30 arranged along the plurality of aisle areas E3 for sorting.

[0030] Other Embodiments Next, other embodiments of the article sorting equipment 10 will be described.

[0031] (1) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a plurality of aisle areas E3 and a plurality of supply areas E1 are arranged on the floor E and are connected by a connection area E2 so that the transport vehicle 20 can travel therethrough. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and there may be, for example, only one aisle area E3. There may also be, for example, only one supply area E1. There may also be, for example, only one supply unit 15. There may also be, for example, a connection area E2 connecting the supply area E1 and the aisle area E3 so that the transport vehicle 20 cannot travel therethrough, and the transport vehicle 20 may be transferred between the supply area E1 or the aisle area E3 and the connection area E2 by a transfer device.

[0032] (2) In the above embodiment, the receiving unit 30 includes both the first receiving unit 31 and the second receiving unit 32. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the receiving unit 30 does not have to be located on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the shortcut turning position 52 or on the second side Y2 in the Y direction relative to the shortcut turning position 52. The reference turning position 53 may be set at a location in the middle of the passage area E3, rather than at the end of the passage area E3 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the shortcut turning position 52 may be set at multiple locations in the passage area E3 between the first end 51 and the reference turning position 53 in the Y direction.

[0033] (3) In the above embodiment, the supply area E1 and the connection area E2 are separated by a virtual boundary, and both sides of the passage area E3 in the X direction are the outer edges of the floor E. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the supply area E1, the connection area E2, and the passage area E3 may be separated by the actual outer edges of the floor E and may be areas within which the transport vehicle 20 can move. Furthermore, the supply area E1, the connection area E2, and the passage area E3 may all be virtual areas set on a large floor E. Furthermore, an area on the floor E that is different from the supply area E1, the connection area E2, and the passage area E3, such as a buffer area where multiple transport vehicles 20 can line up, may be provided.

[0034] (4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control system 45 causes the transport vehicle 20 transporting the item W to the second receiving section 32 to make a U-turn at the reference turning position 53, and causes the transport vehicle 20 transporting the item W to the first receiving section 31 to make a U-turn at the shortcut turning position 52. However, without being limited to such an example, for example, the control system 45 may cause the transport vehicle 20 transporting the item W to the first receiving section 31 to make a U-turn at the reference turning position 53. Furthermore, the control system 45 may be configured to have only a normal mode without a partial operation mode.

[0035] (5) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the high-frequency receiving unit is disposed on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the low-frequency receiving unit has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the high-frequency receiving unit may be disposed on the second side Y2 in the Y direction relative to the low-frequency receiving unit. Also, for example, the boundary area E4 may not be adjacent to either the area in which the high-frequency receiving unit is disposed or the area in which the low-frequency receiving unit is disposed, or may not be adjacent to both. Also, for example, neither a high-frequency receiving unit nor a low-frequency receiving unit may be set.

[0036] (6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control system 45 includes a host control device that controls a plurality of guided vehicles 20 and a control device mounted on each guided vehicle 20. However, without being limited to such an example, the control system 45 may be, for example, a system in which the control device mounted on each guided vehicle 20 communicates with the control devices of other guided vehicles 20 and each makes autonomous decisions and operates.

[0037] (7) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control system 45 controls the transfer unit 21 and the traveling unit 25 of the transport vehicle 20. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the control device 46 may be a control device that controls only the traveling unit 25 of the transport vehicle 20. Also, for example, the transport vehicle 20 may not be equipped with the transfer unit 21, and the work entity 16 may transfer the item W on the transport vehicle 20. Also, the transport vehicle 20 may be equipped with a storage chamber in which the item W is stored. Also, the control system 45 may be equipped to control the working device that is the work entity 16.

[0038] (8) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the travel path 60 of the transport vehicle 20 includes a supply path 61, a connecting outbound path 62, an outbound path 63, a return path 64, and a connecting return path 65. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and may include, for example, only the outbound path 63 and the return path 64. Furthermore, for example, the travel path 60 may include a charging standby path 72. Furthermore, for example, a position information holder may not be provided on the travel path 60, and the position information of the transport vehicle 20 may be acquired by an image sensor or the like provided on the transport vehicle 20 or the facility.

[0039] (9) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the article sorting equipment 10 includes a supply conveying device 17, a receiving conveying device 35, and a shipping device 36. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and for example, the article sorting equipment 10 may not include a supply conveying device 17, a receiving conveying device 35, and a shipping device 36, and an operator or a vehicle operated by the operator may transport the articles W or containers 38.

[0040] (10) The configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be combined with configurations disclosed in other embodiments as long as no contradictions arise. Regarding other configurations, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples in all respects. Therefore, various modifications may be made as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] Summary of the above embodiment The article sorting equipment described above will now be described.

[0042] The article sorting equipment according to the present disclosure is an article sorting equipment that sorts articles by having each of a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport the articles, and includes a supply unit that supplies the articles to the transport vehicles, and a plurality of receiving units that are each configured to receive the articles from the transport vehicles, and the article sorting equipment includes: a Y direction that is a specific direction along the floor; an X direction that is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction among the directions along the floor; one side of the Y direction that is a Y direction first side; and the other side of the Y direction that is a Y direction second side; and an aisle area extending along the Y direction on the floor; and an elevator car that is arranged on the Y direction first side with respect to the aisle area; A supply area in which the supply unit is provided and a connection area connecting the aisle area and the supply area are set, and a plurality of the receiving units are arranged along the aisle area, and in the aisle area, an outbound path for the transport vehicle to travel from the end on the first side in the Y direction to a reference turning position set on the second side in the Y direction of the end, and a return path for the transport vehicle to travel from the reference turning position to the end after making a U-turn at the reference turning position are set side by side in the X direction, and a shortcut turning position at which the transport vehicle can make a U-turn is set in the aisle area between the end and the reference turning position in the Y direction.

[0043] According to this configuration, a transport vehicle receiving an item from the supply unit can transport the item to one of multiple receiving units arranged along the aisle area. This allows the items to be sorted into multiple receiving units. Furthermore, according to this configuration, since the outbound and return paths are set side by side in the X direction in the aisle area, multiple transport vehicles traveling back and forth within the aisle area are less likely to interfere with each other. Furthermore, according to this configuration, a shortcut turning position where a transport vehicle can make a U-turn is set between the end of the aisle area on the first side in the Y direction and the reference turning position. This allows the transport vehicle to make a U-turn midway and return to the supply unit without going all the way to the reference turning position. Therefore, by making a U-turn at the shortcut turning position, a transport vehicle that has transported an item to a receiving unit located closer to the end on the first side in the Y direction than the shortcut turning position can shorten the time it takes for the transport vehicle to return to the supply unit. This facilitates improving the efficiency of transporting items by multiple transport vehicles between the supply unit and multiple receiving units.

[0044] In one embodiment, the item sorting equipment is equipped with a control system that controls the transport vehicles, and the receiving section located on the first side of the Y direction from the shortcut turning position is designated as the first receiving section, and the receiving section located on the second side of the Y direction from the shortcut turning position is designated as the second receiving section, and the control system preferably causes the transport vehicle transporting the item to the second receiving section to make a U-turn at the standard turning position, and causes the transport vehicle transporting the item to the first receiving section to make a U-turn at the shortcut turning position.

[0045] According to this configuration, it is possible to transport articles to a receiving section that is located closer to the reference turning position than the shortcut turning position, and by making a U-turn at the shortcut turning position, a transport vehicle that has transported an article to a receiving section that is closer to the end on the first side in the Y direction than the shortcut turning position can shorten the time it takes for the transport vehicle to return to the supply section. Therefore, it is easy to improve the efficiency of transporting articles by multiple transport vehicles between the supply section and multiple receiving sections.

[0046] In one embodiment, the item sorting equipment is preferably equipped with a control system that controls the transport vehicles, and the receiving unit located on the first side of the Y direction from the shortcut turning position is designated as the first receiving unit, and the receiving unit located on the second side of the Y direction from the shortcut turning position is designated as the second receiving unit, and the control system is configured to be able to switch between a normal mode in which the items are transported by the multiple transport vehicles to both the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit among the multiple receiving units, and a partial operation mode in which the items are transported by the multiple transport vehicles only to the first receiving unit among the multiple receiving units.

[0047] According to this configuration, for example, when a large number of sorting destinations are required, both the first and second receiving units can be used as destinations by switching to normal mode. Meanwhile, when a small number of sorting destinations are required, the partial operation mode can be used to use only the first receiving unit, which is located on the first side in the Y direction from the shortcut turning position. In the partial operation mode, the transport vehicle can make a U-turn at the shortcut turning position, thereby shortening the time it takes for the transport vehicle to return to the supply unit. This facilitates improving the efficiency of transporting items by multiple transport vehicles between the supply unit and multiple receiving units.

[0048] In one aspect, among the multiple receiving sections arranged along the aisle area, the receiving section whose number of items received per unit time or the number of arrivals of the transport vehicles per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is designated as a high-frequency receiving section, and the receiving section whose number is less than the threshold value is designated as a low-frequency receiving section, and the high-frequency receiving section is arranged on the first side in the Y direction relative to the low-frequency receiving section, and the shortcut turning position is set in the boundary area in the Y direction between the area where the high-frequency receiving section is arranged and the area where the low-frequency receiving section is arranged.

[0049] According to this configuration, the number of transport vehicles traveling on the second side in the Y direction from the shortcut turning position can be kept small, and the number of transport vehicles making a U-turn at the shortcut turning position can be relatively increased. Therefore, it is easy to improve the efficiency of transporting articles by the multiple transport vehicles between the supply unit and the multiple receiving units.

[0050] In one aspect, preferably, a plurality of the receiving sections are arranged in a line along the Y direction on each side of the passage area in the X direction, and the transport vehicle, on the outbound journey, delivers the article to the receiving section arranged on the opposite side of the return journey in the X direction, and, on the return journey, delivers the article to the receiving section arranged on the opposite side of the outbound journey in the X direction.

[0051] According to this configuration, articles can be input to the receiving sections on both the outbound and inbound routes in the aisle area, so that articles can be efficiently sorted into multiple receiving sections in one aisle area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10: Goods sorting equipment 15: Supply section 20: Transport vehicle 30: Acceptance Department 31: 1st reception department 32: 2nd reception department 45: Control System 51: First end (end) 52: Shortcut turning position 53: Reference turning position 63: Outbound 64: Return journey E: Floor E1: Supply area E2: Connection area E3: Passage area W:Goods

Claims

1. An article sorting facility in which a plurality of transport vehicles travel on a floor to transport articles and sort the articles, a supply unit that supplies the article to the transport vehicle; a plurality of receivers, each configured to receive the item from the transport vehicle; Equipped with A specific direction among the directions along the floor is defined as a Y direction, a direction perpendicular to the Y direction among the directions along the floor is defined as an X direction, one side of the Y direction is defined as a Y direction first side, and the other side of the Y direction is defined as a Y direction second side, The floor has: a passage area extending along the Y direction; a supply area disposed on the first side in the Y direction with respect to the passage area and including the supply unit; a connection area connecting the passage area and the supply area; is set, A plurality of the receiving portions are arranged along the passage area; In the passage area, an outgoing path along which the transport vehicle travels from an end on the first side in the Y direction to a reference turning position set on the second side in the Y direction relative to the end, and a returning path along which the transport vehicle, having made a U-turn at the reference turning position, travels from the reference turning position to the end are set side by side in the X direction, An article sorting facility, wherein a shortcut turning position at which the transport vehicle can make a U-turn is set in the passage area between the end and the reference turning position in the Y direction.

2. a control system for controlling the transport vehicle; the receiving portion disposed on a first side in the Y direction relative to the shortcut turning position is a first receiving portion; the receiving portion disposed on the second side in the Y direction relative to the shortcut turning position is a second receiving portion; The control system includes: the transport vehicle that transports the article to the second receiving section makes a U-turn at the reference turning position; The article sorting facility according to claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle transporting the article to the first receiving section makes a U-turn at the shortcut turning position.

3. a control system for controlling the transport vehicle; the receiving portion disposed on a first side in the Y direction relative to the shortcut turning position is a first receiving portion; the receiving portion disposed on the second side in the Y direction relative to the shortcut turning position is a second receiving portion; The control system includes: a normal mode in which the articles are transported by the plurality of transport vehicles to both the first receiving unit and the second receiving unit among the plurality of receiving units; a partial operation mode in which the articles are transported by the plurality of transport vehicles only to the first receiving unit among the plurality of receiving units; The article sorting equipment according to claim 1 or 2, configured to be able to switch between the above.

4. Among the plurality of receiving sections arranged along the passage area, the receiving section whose number of received articles per unit time or the number of arrivals of the transport vehicles per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is defined as a high-frequency receiving section, and the receiving section whose number is less than the threshold is defined as a low-frequency receiving section, the high-frequency receiving unit is disposed on the first side in the Y direction relative to the low-frequency receiving unit, 3. The article sorting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the shortcut turning position is set in a boundary area in the Y direction between an area in which the high frequency receiving section is located and an area in which the low frequency receiving section is located.

5. A plurality of the receiving portions are arranged on each of both sides of the passage area in the X direction so as to be aligned along the Y direction, 3. The article sorting facility according to claim 1, wherein the transport vehicle delivers the article to the receiving section located on the opposite side of the return route in the X direction on the outbound route, and delivers the article to the receiving section located on the opposite side of the outbound route in the X direction on the return route.

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